History Main / AProtagonistShallLeadThem

* Jotaro Kujo is set up to be this at the beginning of ''[[JojosBizarreAdventure Stardust Crusaders]]''. His [[GuardianEntity Stand]], Star Platinum, [[TarotMotifs is named after the Tarot card "The Star" which stands for hope and salvation]], and this is very fitting. At the end of the story, Jotaro is the only one able to beat [[BigBad Dio]] since [[spoiler:both of their Stands are the same type, and Jotaro can not only resist Dio's time-stopping powers, but Jotaro learns how to stop time himself.]]

One of TheOldestOnesInTheBook, a HeroicArchetype of a character, frequently a ChosenOne who rises out of adversity to unite and lead his people. The people in question also tend to be threatened; by disunity, by the BigBad, by being a dying civilization, or other variations on the theme "their hour of greatest need". Through the leadership of the hero the people see a considerable boost in quality of life and a renewed sense of pride and masses will flock to his banner.

May overlap with TheParagon. If the people are pressed by a foreign power, the heroic leader may become part of LaResistance. His story will frequently include an AwesomeMomentOfCrowning. SisterTrope to RightfulKingReturns and OfferedTheCrown; this trope is not exclusive to lost royalty, nor will the protagonist always gain an official title afterwards. Very often also a MagneticHero.

* Bastian from ''TheNeverEndingStory''

* Locke in ''{{Lost}}'' gets this down ''pat'': He comes to lead [[spoiler:the Others]] after [[spoiler:being dead for three days]]. Except [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope it wasn't him.]]]]

* Pres. Laura Roslin from ''BattlestarGalactica''.

* Aang of AvatarTheLastAirbender. All Avatars have this, as it is their job to 'keep the balance of the world', but Aang in particular as he must end 100 years of war.

* Neo, "The One" of ''TheMatrix'' is a weaker example than you might think based on the 2nd film. He ''is'' a prophesied savior whose "return" raised morale and inspired humanity in their fight for survival, but he is not actually the leader of Zion nor does he hold any actual formal authority. In fact, he's overridden (and outranked) by individual captains on a few occasions.

* Neo, "The One" of ''TheMatrix''.

* Speaking of scriptures, this trope is also present in Islam: Muhammad (PBUH) was the Amirul Mukminin, the Leader of the Faithful (the Muslims). He led the diverse people of Madinah (Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, pagans, etc) to take back the city of Makkah. After his death, this role is continued by the four Khulafaur Rasyidin (Four God-Guided Caliph). In fact, "Caliph" means successor to Muhammad's leadership. Some Muslims also believe that nearing the end of the world, this trope will come in full effect with the coming of Imam Mahdi (basically, a Messiah).

* Many in the Hebrew [[TheBible scriptures]]:
** Moses
** King Saul and his successors David and Solomon.
** The Macabees.
** Jesus in the New Testament, who gathers a lot of followers and was/is often called a king. If the Book of Revelation is any indication...

May overlap with TheParagon. If the people are pressed by a foreign power, the heroic leader may become part of LaResistance. His story will frequently include an AwesomeMomentOfCrowning. SisterTrope to ReturnOfTheKing and OfferedTheCrown; this trope is not exclusive to lost royalty, nor will the protagonist always gain an official title afterwards. Very often also a MagneticHero.

* Initially, Kenji of TwentiethCenturyBoys is set up to be this. [[spoiler:It's only in the final arc that it comes to fruition.]]
* Simon in GurrenLagann. [[spoiler:In the end, though, he seems content WalkingTheEarth with Boota.]]

* ''DoctorWho'': Harriet Jones, prime minister. Though she's only "chosen" by the fact that The Doctor knows 21st Century British future-history, she was credited in that history with stepping from the ashes of The Christmas Invasion and bringing Brittan through a golden age. [[spoiler: How much of that actually came to pass before she pisses The Doctor off in the next Christmas special and he changes that history, well...]]

* Jake Sully. in ''{{Avatar}}''.

May overlap with TheParagon. If the people are pressed by a foreign power, the heroic leader may become part of LaResistance. His story will frequently include an AwesomeMomentOfCrowning. SisterTrope to ReturnOfTheKing and OfferedTheCrown; this trope is not exclusive to lost royalty, nor will the protagonist always gain an official title afterwards.

** Jesus in the New Testament, who gathers a lot of followers and was/is often called a king. If the Book of Revelations is any indication...

** Jack ultimately volunteers himself to [[spoiler:succeed Jacob to become the "true" leader of the island, though only for a few episodes before passing the torch to Hurley.]]

* Simon in GurrenLagann.

If the people are pressed by a foreign power, the heroic leader may become part of LaResistance. His story will frequently include an AwesomeMomentOfCrowning. SisterTrope to ReturnOfTheKing and OfferedTheCrown; this trope is not exclusive to lost royalty, nor will the protagonist always gain an official title afterwards.

* Jake Sully. in ''Avatar''.

* Jesus in the New Testament, who gathers a lot of followers and was/is often called a king.