History Main / SpinoffSendoff

Compare PoorlyDisguisedPilot, where an episode of the original series suddenly shifts focus to a new set of characters, and RequiredSpinoffCrossover, in which characters from the original series continue making appearances on the new series through the first season and beyond.

On the pilot of a new {{spinoff}}, characters and settings from the original series will show up to give the new series a sendoff. Doing this has multiple advantages. For one, it provides the connection between the two shows making the second one canon to the first. For another, it increases the viewership from the original series as they tune in to see their favourite characters. In addition, doing so gives it some legitimacy in the eyes of the audience.

Compare PoorlyDisguisedPilot, where the new characters start off being introduced on the original series, and RequiredSpinoffCrossover, in which characters from the original series continue making appearances on the new series through the first season and beyond.

* The final episode of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'', "Let's Go To Music School", showcases two of Dora's new friends, Kate and Emma, who appear in the sequel ''WesternAnimation/DoraAndFriendsIntoTheCity''. Unfortunately, in most parts of the world, this episode aired not only after that series had premiered, but long after it had been cancelled.

** For the transition to ''Anime/KiraKiraPrecureALaMode'', they went with the Timeranger formula described below. An epilogue episode [[spoiler:[[TimeSkip set a few years later after the final battle]]]] saw the Maho Cures get help from a super-powered white-and-pink-clad bunny-eared girl. After the end credits, as Cure Miracle was thanking the viewers for watching, [[CrashIntoHello that same bunny girl smashes into her]]. Only then can Cure Whip, the next lead Cure, properly intoduce herself to who she just helped out.

** Averted with ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'', as another prequel series, albeit taking place 10 years before TOS.

* In the first episode of ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'', Jaden literally bumps into a now-adult Yugi Muto from the original ''Anime/YuGiOh'' series, almost knocking him down with his skateboard. Yugi forestalls Jaden's awed reaction by simply giving Jaden a card as his blessing. Yugi's face is not shown, nor is he explicitly named, but the clothing, telltale long jagged spikes of blond hair, and theme music leave no doubt as to his identity. Especially poignant in that his adult voice sounds like Yami Yugi's voice, though with a sweeter tone, and he gives Jaden a classic Yami thumbs-up.

* ''Film/StarTrek'' gets one of these with Leonard Nimoy showing up to guide everything into place.

* Several Franchise/StarTrek novel series, just like the various TV series.

* In the pilot of ''{{Knots Landing}}'', ''Series/{{Dallas}}'' character Bobby Ewing helped his brother Gary and sister-in-law Valene settle into the cul-de-sac.

* While most ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster'' adaptations have characters cameo throughout their SharedUniverse, ''Anime/TheIdolmasterSideM'' manages to do a direct baton pass by simply flipping perspectives. The prequel, ''Episode of Jupiter'', caps off their transition phase between 961 and 315 during ''Anime/TheIdolmaster MOVIE'' by showing their run-in with Haruka from that film. They see 765 Pro's first arena concert, come out from it with a stronger resolve to make time for their fans, and head towards their new start with higher hopes.

* The last episode of the ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' anime has a post-credits sequence where Naruto high fives his son Boruto as they walk past each other, heralding the start of the ''Manga/BorutoNarutoNextGenerations'' anime.

* The last episode of the ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' anime has a post-credits sequence where Naruto high fives his son Boruto as they walk past each other, heralding the start of the ''Manga/BorutoNarutoNrxtGenerations'' anime.

* While most ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster'' adaptations have characters cameo throughout their SharedUniverse, ''Anime/TheIdolmasterSideM'' manages to do a direct baton pass by simply flipping perspectives. The prequel, ''Episode of Jupiter'', caps off their transition phase between 961 and 315 during ''Anime/TheIdolmaster MOVIE'' by showing their run-in with Haruka from that film. They see 765 Pro's first arena concert, come out from it with a stronger resolve to make time for their fans, and head towards their new start with higher hipes.

** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' is the only one not to be sent off by the previous series (due to being a prequel set 100 years before even ''TOS''), but rather by one of The Next Generation's movies, ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'', with a recorded message from Zefram Cochrane. The show also ends with Riker participating in the events of the GrandFinale in a holodeck recreation.

--> '''Barry Allen:''' What if I'm not a hero. What if I'm some guy who was struck by lightning?

** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' is the only one not to be sent off by the previous series (due to being a prequel set 100 years before even ''TOS''), but rather by one of The Next Generation's movies, ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'', with a recorded message from Zefram Cochrane.

* Prison-based BritCom ''{{Porridge}}'' was followed by ''Going Straight''; in the first episode the protagonist Fletcher, freshly paroled from the original series' eponymous jail sentence, is escorted home on the train by prison warder [=McKay=] who had been a ''Porridge'' regular since the pilot episode.

* ''Series/TheJeffersons'': In the backdoor pilot on ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' as Louise is packing the kitchen, Edith Bunker comes over from next door to wish them luck in their new place.

* ''Series/TheJeffersons'': In the backdoor pilot on {{Series/AllInTheFamily}} as Louise is packing the kitchen, Edith Bunker comes over from next door to wish them luck in their new place.

* Since ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'', the ''Franchise/PrettyCure'' series has borrowed a trick used in ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' in which during a post-credits segment in the final episode (in lieu of the usual next-episode preview), the lead Pink Cure of the now-finished series [[ThankingTheViewer thanks the viewers]] for watching the past season, and meets and introduces the next Pink Cure. Prior to this, they just showed a "Thank You" sketch. Presumably for the [[MilestoneCelebration 10th anniversary of the franchise]] that ''[=HaCha=]'' marked, they wanted to do something new.

* Since ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'', the ''Franchise/PrettyCure'' series has borrowed a trick used in ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' in which during a post-credits segment in the final episode, the lead Pink Cure of the now-finished series [[ThankingTheViewer thanks the viewers]] for watching the past season, and meets and introduces the next Pink Cure. Prior to this, they just showed a "Thank You" sketch. Presumably for the [[MilestoneCelebration 10th anniversary of the franchise]] that ''[=HaCha=]'' marked, they wanted to do something new.

* ''Series/TheJeffersons'': as Louise is packing the kitchen [[Series/AllInTheFamily Edith Bunker]] comes over from next door to wish them luck in their new place.

* ''Film/StarTrekGenerations'' acts as a bridge between ''TOS'' and ''TNG''.

** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' is the only one not to be sent off by the previous series, but rather by one of The Next Generation's movies, ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'', with a recorded message from Zefram Cochrane.