History Main / StandardizedLeader

Compare JackOfAllStats and the TheRedMage.

* The majority of earlier ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' Red Rangers, up until the '90s, are basically this trope incarnate. This is probably because in most of the earlier series, the Sentai teams were an elite squad of a military organization, so the red ranger is more or less the squad captain who needs to be the stable pillar of the team. Later ''Sentai'' start to move away from this type of Red Ranger, with HotBlooded {{Rookie Red Ranger}}s becoming the norm. The the early team leaders of the American adaptation ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' also fell under this trope.

* ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'': Aerrow is relatively lacking in personality quirks compared to the rest of the titular team, often playing the StraightMan to Stork's paranoia, Junko's awkwardness, Finn's arrogance, and Piper's perfectionist, and he gets the least amount of episodes as the main lead. However, he also has the distinction of being the one who comes up with [[CrazyEnoughToWork rather insane battle plans]] and being the one to pull off [[ImprobablePilotingSkills insane aerial stunts]].

[[TheLeader Leaders]] in fiction tend to have two simultaneous burdens on them both in and out of the story: outside of the story they must be TheEveryman as a reader's stand in; they can't be [[FeaturelessProtagonist too distinctive]] [[JackOfAllStats without alienating]] ''[[HeroicMime some]]'' audience members after all. Inside the story they have to bear the qualities necessary to lead. So [[FourTemperamentEnsemble their temperament]] must be [[TheKirk emotionally balanced]], [[StraightMan serious]] and morally upright to keep their teammates in check. Effectively, they don't have the ambiguity of the other heroes. You know that he's not going to fall to TheDarkSide or [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin lose]], so his conflicts are less interesting than those not as protected by their morals or PlotArmor.

* Shikamaru in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' seems to suffer a little from this after becoming the leader for a short while. When in his function as squad leader he makes an effort not to appear his usual lazy self, his position as TheSmartGuy is filled by [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Neji]] and he continued his streak of being the only member of the cast to not receive a major injury. After the timeskip he seems to have reverted back to his normal self but he still has a lot more boring outfit than anyone else in the Konoha 11, though he receives significant character development during his arc after the timeskip.

* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDoo'': Fred from the original cartoon. Some of the later shows and movies try to remedy this, to the point where the Fred in one incarnation can seem like a totally different character from the Fred in another. Most notably averted in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'', which turns him into a world-class {{Cloudcuckoolander}} -- with the same [[Creator/FrankWelker voice actor]] as in the original 1969 show, making it all the more jarring.

** His ''[[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Rise]]'' incarnation averts it outright. Rise Leo is BrilliantButLazy, [[CasualDangerDialogue has a tendency to joke around]], and [[TheGadfly tends to push people's buttons just because he can]]...and ''isn't'' the leader in this version, with that spot instead going to Raph (who only took on the role because [[AgeLift he's the oldest]]).
* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'': Robin has a weird relationship with this trope. If he's not the focal character of an episode, he'll usually [[PlayingWithATrope play this trope very straight]], but when he ''does'' take the spotlight, we get a pretty good look at his imperfections. In fact, Robin's major flaw is that he takes his job as the team's leader ''too'' seriously; he'll become so obsessed with defeating a villain (usually his ArchEnemy Slade) that he'll do anything, no matter how reckless, to bring them down, and will often become shockingly insensitive to his friends' feelings in the process. He's also considered the "coolest" member his team by the alien princess, the cyborg, the shapeshifter, and the half-demon witch. The Aesop of the episode where we learned this was him learning that he doesn't have to be the best at everything, and he shouldn't take things personally. WordOfGod is that he was visually designed to be appealing to teenagers. For example, the big, clumsy feet represent how teenagers may feel about their changing bodies. He's also somewhat vain about his hair.

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'':

* Isaac, the (first) protagonist of ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', fits this trope to a T. In the first game, it's apparent from the way people talk about you and ask for your advice that you're the OnlySaneMan of the group, and when he gets his own lines in The Lost Age he comes off as, more or less, Scott Summers of the X-Men.

* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': While not an example of this in the main platformers since there's never any team to lead, Mario fulfills this role in the RPG spinoffs, which generally feature very quirky party members in contrast to his intentionally flat character seen across all media.
* In ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'', Roland fulfills this role for the Crimson Raiders and the former Vault Hunters, as both the leader of the resistance and as the StraightMan to his companions.

** He was almost killed during ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'' ''because'' his death would send the most reverberations through the DCU due to all his friendships and relationships with the rest of the characters.

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[[TheLeader Leaders]] in fiction tend to have two simultaneous burdens on them both in and out of the story: outside of the story they must be TheEveryman as a reader's stand in; they can't be [[FeaturelessProtagonist too distinctive]] [[JackOfAllStats without alienating]] ''[[HeroicMime some]]'' audience members after all. So they end up sucking because [[ThisLoserIsYou we suck]]. Inside the story they have to bear the qualities necessary to lead. So [[FourTemperamentEnsemble their temperament]] must be [[TheKirk emotionally balanced]], [[StraightMan serious]] and morally upright to keep their teammates in check. Effectively, they don't have the ambiguity of the other heroes. You know that he's not going to fall to TheDarkSide or [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin lose]], so his conflicts are less interesting than those not as protected by their morals or PlotArmor.

* In ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' Torg and Riff actually [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=971019 call a starship leader out]] on being one of these, and point out that, in a story like ''Sluggy Freelance'', [[WrongGenreSavvy he's pretty much cannon fodder]]. (Not as straightforward as you might think, though, since the dispute is also about who's the main character in the first place.)
* Averted in ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''. Roy is the StraightMan and most level-headed of his dysfunctional adventuring party; however, he is also a {{determinator}}, a champion DeadpanSnarker, and has all kinds of issues with his [[WellDoneSonGuy dad]].
* Discussed in [[http://www.digitalpimponline.com/strips.php?title=movie&id=251 Joe Loves Crappy Movies]], where they decide that the appropriate title for Leonardo and Cyclops is "Jacktard".
* Mark, while far from leading the cast of ''Webcomic/{{Weregeek}}'', is TheHero and protagonist. His only real trait is his burgeoning geekiness, and his naivety. The other members of the cast get way more personality.
* Matt O'Morph, while not particularly powerful, is the team leader in ''Webcomic/EverydayHeroes''. This is mainly due to administrative competence, people skills, and seniority.
* Mostly averted in ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}''. The main protagonists, John, Karkat, [[spoiler: and Jane]] are all leaders of their sessions, but have just as many quirks and foibles as anyone else, though they all are kind leaders. The Royalty of Derse and Prospit on the other hand are [[FlatCharacter flat]] and have little personality aside from being leaders, but to be fair the Kings are only mentioned in passing a couple of times. The Queens are more interesting, but still fit the trope pretty well.

* Leader-1 in ''WesternAnimation/ChallengeOfTheGobots'' was (obviously) the leader of the Guardian Gobots. He was also the most flat and uninteresting of the protagonists (of the three lead Guardians, Turbo was a bit of a BloodKnight while Scooter a CowardlyLion), to the point where one had to assume that he was only the leader because his name was Leader-1. There's a reason why his nemesis Cy-Kill is much more popular.
* Hank the Ranger in ''WesternAnimation/DungeonsAndDragons1983'' fulfills the trope so well that when one episode tries to present him as a traitor to the group, it's entirely unconvincing and falls epically flat.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' Professor Farnsworth describes the leader of his first ever crew as a "dedicated young man with no characteristics".

* Hair Bear, of the eponymous [[WesternAnimation/TheHairBearBunch Hair Bear Bunch]]. He even calls himself as the bunch's "beloved and trusted leader," and the other zoo animals are willing to help him and the bears with their crazy schemes.
* Ace Bunny of ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'' largely falls into this since his personality basically consists of making lazy wisecracks and occasionally quoting one of [[WesternAnimation/BugsBunny his predecessor]]'s famous lines.
* Matt Trakker from ''WesternAnimation/{{MASK}}'' is this trope personified. He is a blond Caucasian man who leads the MASK team against the evil organization VENOM. His only traits seems to be that he's a levelheaded leader and a loving father.
* Franchise/MickeyMouse was often this in many of his pairings with [[{{Jerkass}} Donald]] and [[TheDitz Goofy]]. DependingOnTheWriter however, his good nature is exaggerated into making him an eccentric [[ThePollyanna Pollyanna]] or an ExtremeDoormat.
* In ''WesternAnimation/RainbowRangers'' Rosie Redd's only trait in the preview was "The Leader."
* Fred from the original ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDoo''. Some of the later shows and movies try to remedy this, to the point where the Fred in one incarnation can seem like a totally different character from the Fred in another. Most notably averted in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'', which turns him into a world-class {{Cloudcuckoolander}} -- with the same [[Creator/FrankWelker voice actor]] as in the original 1969 show, making it all the more jarring.
* Aerrow from ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'' is relatively lacking in personality quirks compared to the rest of the titular team, often playing the StraightMan to Stork's paranoia, Junko's awkwardness, Finn's arrogance, and Piper's perfectionist, and he gets the least amount of episodes as the main lead. However, he also has the distinction of being the one who comes up with [[CrazyEnoughToWork rather insane battle plans]] and being the one to pull off [[ImprobablePilotingSkills insane aerial stunts]].
* Franchise/{{Superman}}, leader of the ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}''. He has [[FlyingBrick all sorts of superpowers]], to the point where nothing about him stands out particularly.
* Leonardo is this in some incarnations of the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', most notably in the '80 cartoon. His 2003 incarnation, on the other hand, subverts this trope while his 2012 incarnation ''inverts'' the trope.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', Robin has a weird relationship with this trope. If he's not the focal character of an episode, he'll usually [[PlayingWithATrope play this trope very straight]], but when he ''does'' take the spotlight, we get a pretty good look at his imperfections. In fact, Robin's major flaw is that he takes his job as the team's leader ''too'' seriously; he'll become so obsessed with defeating a villain (usually his ArchEnemy Slade) that he'll do anything, no matter how reckless, to bring them down, and will often become shockingly insensitive to his friends' feelings in the process. He's also considered the "coolest" member his team by the alien princess, the cyborg, the shapeshifter, and the half-demon witch. The Aesop of the episode where we learned this was him learning that he doesn't have to be the best at everything, and he shouldn't take things personally. WordOfGod is that he was visually designed to be appealing to teenagers. For example, the big, clumsy feet represent how teenagers may feel about their changing bodies. He's also somewhat vain about his hair.

* Averted in the successor series ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', where Robin has the IdiotBall superglued to his body and is mainly leader only because anyone else (except possibly Cyborg, who in this series functions as a mentor or co-leader) as leader would be ''worse'' (in one episode, Beast Boy becomes the "Alpha Male"... somehow... and he, Starfire, and Raven begin acting like gorillas).
* The Toxic Avenger ("Toxie") in the short-lived cartoon ''WesternAnimation/ToxicCrusaders''. He was big, strong, ugly, and had a sort of spider-sense. All the other Crusaders were also big, strong, and ugly, plus they had quirky, unique, useful powers. It didn't help that Toxie had almost no personality, and his action figure was incredibly boring compared to the lavish designs and arsenals of accessories that the other characters in the toyline got.

* Lars Halford of ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'' is an intentional example. A [[FaceOfTheBand charismatic leader]] who lacks any skill other than leadership, it's only Eddie Riggs' talents as a [[HypercompetentSidekick Roadie]] that actually kicks his revolution into high gear. [[spoiler:Also, his flaunting of his BigGood status to BigBad Doviculus gets him killed automatically.]]

Those being led are under no such yoke. They're free to be a RebelliousSpirit with a DarkAndTroubledPast, a carefree CloudCuckooLander or [[CharactersAsDevice any kind of character]] under the sun. Proof of concept: part of being TheLancer is an increased likelihood of making EnsembleDarkHorse. TheHero has no choice in the matter; if he wants his party to function he has to become TheGenericGuy.

* ''Manga/HighSchoolOfTheDead'' plays with this trope in regards to the main character Takashi. He worries that he’s got no real outstanding skills compared to the rest of the (useful) members of his team, yet given the flaky cohesion and variable sanity of the group, his ability to keep everyone on a leash is quite invaluable. The kicker is that while he may be the most centered of the group, he'’s not completely stable either and he knows it.
** He's very worried about that last part. Takashi's aware of how much the others rely on him and knows that if he were to lose it, it would have a domino effect on the team and get everyone killed.

* Lars Halford of VideoGame/BrutalLegend is an intentional example. A [[FaceOfTheBand charismatic leader]] who lacks any skill other than leadership, it's only Eddie Riggs' talents as a [[HypercompetentSidekick Roadie]] that actually kicks his revolution into high gear. [[spoiler:Also, his flaunting of his BigGood status to BigBad Doviculus gets him killed automatically.]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]

** While Jake seems like this to his teammates, his inner conflicts resulting from his position and ShootTheDog tendencies make him a subversion of this trope. This is especially brought to light when he [[spoiler: orders his (Yeerk-infested) brother killed and starts committing war crimes against the Yeerks.]]

** His ''[[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Rise]]'' incarnation averts it outright. Rise Leo is BrilliantButLazy, [[CasualDangerDialog has a tendency to joke around]], and [[TheGadfly tends to push people's buttons just because he can]]...and ''isn't'' the leader in this version, with that spot instead going to Raph (who only took on the role because [[AgeLift he's the oldest]]).