History Main / UltimateUniverse

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' was made to modernize and reintroduce the franchise to a new, younger generation. It featured mostly the same cast from [[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 G1]], but smaller, while adding new characters and ideas of its own. It also had a few elements from [[Film/{{Transformers}} the first Live-Action Movie]] and characters from ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars''. (According to [[UniverseBible The AllSpark Almanac]], a character from [[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots In Disguise]] exists in this universe too.) Unlike the episodic [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers 80's cartoon]] it rebooted, ''Animated'' had a bigger focus on continuity, with multi-part episodes at the start and finale of each season. Some characterizarion and roles were updated and tweaked too, like Optimus being younger and still figuring things out as a leader.

* ''Anime/RODTheTV'': Mainly retooled the ''Read or Dream'' manga's basic story to fit into the storyline done in the ''Anime/ReadOrDie'' OVA.
* ''Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040'' is a deep reboot of the classic anime OriginalVideoAnimation series ''Anime/BubblegumCrisis''. However, so many changes were made, from character designs to backstory to the overall plot, complete with a pseudo-GainaxEnding, that most fans of the original series were rather unimpressed with the end product.

* Creator/GoNagai's ''Franchise/{{Devilman}}'' series possibly qualifies - there's a [[Manga/{{Devilman}} comic series]], [[Anime/{{Devilman}} 1970s anime TV series]], and three linked {{OVA}}s released between 1987 and 2000; each one of them retells the same events but in an updated, refined, condensed way. And, of course, there's ''Manga/DevilmanLady'', which is something of a combined ultimate edition, StealthSequel and full-on reboot...
** And now we have Creator/MasaakiYuasa creating ''yet another'' ''Devilman'' retelling, with the Creator/{{Netflix}} anime series ''Anime/DevilmanCrybaby'' released in 2018. Which has condensed and [[YoungerAndHipper drastically updated the characters and setting]] to TheNewTens.
** ''Anime/{{Mazinkaiser}}'' and ''Anime/ShinMazinger'' could be seen as this to the original ''Anime/MazingerZ''.

* ''Franchise/GhostInTheShell'': [[Anime/GhostInTheShell1995 Almost]] [[Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex every]] [[Anime/GhostInTheShellArise adaptation]] is this, usually taking a darker and more realistic approach to [[Manga/GhostInTheShell the manga]] and its themes.
** In particular, ''Anime/GhostInTheShellArise'' has all the hallmarks of an Ultimate Universe, complete with a YoungerAndHipper re-imagining of the familiar cast, [[AdaptationPersonalityChange personality changes]] for some characters, and origin stories that have been updated or in some cases greatly tweaked. Essentially it's [[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel "Ultimate Ghost in the Shell"]] in all but name.

* ''Anime/LupinIIITheWomanCalledFujikoMine'' and [[Anime/GravestoneOfDaisukeJigen the]] [[Anime/GoemonIshikawasSprayOfBlood OVAs]] that came after it are all set in the same universe, depicting the gang's early days with a much DarkerAndEdgier approach than the normal Lupin fare.
* The 2011 ''Manga/{{Ultraman}}'' manga and its subsequent anime adaptation in 2019 is this for the Showa era of the Franchise/UltraSeries. Interestingly, the ContinuityReboot that comes with Ultimate Universes only applies to everything ''after'' the original ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'' series, at which point it diverges into a modernized DarkerAndEdgier distillation where various familiar faces like Series/{{Ultraseven}} and Series/UltramanAce appear but are only recognizable by their PoweredArmor resembling their original counterparts.

* The ''ComicBook/New52'' relaunch also has some of this, but confusingly not always. Some series are just continuations of old series with renumbered issues while others are complete reboots or retellings. Can be quite confusing to tell which is which at times. Ironic, as the whole point of the New 52 was to make things less confusing for new readers.
** ''ComicBook/Earth2'' is this for the ''ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica'' and the Earth-2 setting in general, with some readers calling it DC's answer to Marvel's ''ComicBook/TheUltimates''.
* ''The Wild Storm'' is this for the {{Creator/Wildstorm}} Universe. It's worth nothing that the WSU was semi-rebooted once before, but never in a scale such as this.

* ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIDW'' has taken it upon itself to become this, introducing characters and concepts from different incarnations of the property and blending them together.
* ''ComicBook/PaperinikNewAdventures'', which ran from 1996 to 2001, got this treatment in the form of the less-acclaimed ''PK'', that ended in 2005.
* ''ComicBook/TheMultiversity'':
** The aim of ''Thunderworld'' is to be this in regards to ''ComicBook/{{Shazam}}''.
** Earth-7's [[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel Essential Comics]] universe was this to the [[Creator/MarvelComics Major Comics]] characters of Earth-8. Both are in turn {{expies}} of the TropeNamer.

* ''ComicBook/{{Rogue Trooper}}'''s 1989 reboot was intended to be this, with a reimagining of the main GI and his connection to his comrades and equipment... until Friday met Rogue, retconning the new stories into the original continuity.

* ''FanFic/MegaManDefenderOfTheHumanRace'' is one for the Mega Man cartoon and the games; it combines them while adding original characters and plot developments.
* ''FanFic/MegaManReawakened'' takes elements from every version of Mega Man to create an original universe.
* ''FanFic/MegaManRecut'' is one for the cartoon and the games, with every Robot Master set to appear and a heavily layered plot.
* [[https://archiveofourown.org/series/1708639/ Mega Man: Reunified Universe]] is yet another tv-series-like ''Franchise/MegaMan'' [[AlternateUniverse AU]] fanfic that blends most of the games and adaptations together, along with some elements [[CrossOver from]] ''VideoGame/MightyNo9''.
* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' is an odd, crossover based variant of this - it distils various Marvel and DC continuities into a mix featuring ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' and ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' and ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' (the latter is essentially taking the films as a basis and incorporating comics based material) and putting a whole bunch of personal top spin to create an entirely original merged universe.
* Creator/{{Voltalia}}'s ''Gemstone Saga'' is supposed to be this for ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', [[BroadStrokes combining elements of the original universe]] with new characters, new settings, and most importantly new plots.
* ''FanFic/TheMarvelDCProject'' is this for both Marvel and DC Comics.
* ''Fanfic/TheElementsOfFriendship'' serves as this for ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', using several WhatCouldHaveBeen plot points and {{Development Gag}}s to expand the season-openers into full novels.

* ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'' is a timeline with elements of various Pokemon series with new characters and plot elements, though many of the characters from the original material do retain their more moral aspects from their original portrayals.
* ''FanFic/TalesOfSonicTheHedgehog'' is one for the entire ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' universe, combining elements from the [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics Archie]], [[ComicBook/SonicTheComic Fleetway]], [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW IDW]], continunities as well as ''Anime/SonicX'' seamlessly with the games.
* Given it's a franchise with a ''lot'' of incarnations, all of which introduce their own spin on the core mythos, it's only natural that ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' has a lot of these. Standouts include:
** ''FanFic/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesOutOfTheShadows'' is one for the entire ''TMNT'' franchise, combining things from the various comic books and cartoons while adding original characters and plot elements.
** ''[[https://www.deviantart.com/cybereman2099/gallery/72802580/the-mutants-of-ninjitsu TMNT: The Mutants of Ninjutsu]]'' is a reimagining of ''[[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles TMNT]]'' that combines characters and plot elements from the comic books, cartoons, live-action works ([[https://www.deviantart.com/cybereman2099/art/TMON-Simone-B-Steel-908596171 including]] [[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation that one]]), and the original toyline, all set in a new universe with its own original characters and plot points.
** ''[[https://hopeaterart.tumblr.com/tagged/tmnt%3Afhc Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: From the Hidden City]]'' takes characters and plot elements from the comics, all four cartoons, and the live-action works ([[Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation yes, even that one]]) and mixes them all into an original story. Notably, unlike the above two, there are almost ''no'' original characters--just about the whole cast is comprised of characters who have appeared in TMNT before.
* ''Fanfic/Earth27'' takes elements from various DC-related media properties, such as characters, settings, and plot points, and merges them into one universe with its own twists.
* ''Fanfic/TokimekiPokeLiveAndTwinbee'' takes elements and characters from various ''Pokémon'', ''Love Live!'', ''Tokimeki Memorial'' and ''Twinbee'' media and has them all in an alternate version of the Earth from the Bushiroad and [=KLab=] ''Love Live!'' mobile duology while also having characters and elements exclusive to itself.

* The franchise ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' was rebooted two times. The [[Film/PlanetOfTheApes1968 first 1968]] film was loosely based on the novel ''Literature/PlanetOfTheApes'', and then the sequels built a film franchise, unrelated to it. There was a [[Film/PlanetOfTheApes2001 remake of the film franchise]] in 2001, but it was poorly received and then aborted, without any sequels (except for the comics). There was a new [[Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes reboot in 2011]], that provided [[Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes three]] [[Film/WarForThePlanetOfTheApes film]] [[Film/KingdomOfThePlanetOfTheApes sequels]] so far.
* ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' is this for the Franchise/{{Batman}} mythos, distilling many aspects of the original comics, while taking a more realistic approach and, in some cases drastically changing some characters to fit the medium and story. All three films borrow elements from iconic Batman stories, making the trilogy something of a PragmaticAdaptation. Like a lot of ultimate universes, the films essentially ask the question "what would this character be like in the real world?"
* When Creator/{{Disney}} took over ''Franchise/StarWars'', Lucasfilm declared the ExpandedUniverse (which was heavily interconnected but [[ContinuitySnarl didn't always agree with each other]]) to be CanonDiscontinuity, rebranded as ''[[Franchise/StarWarsLegends Legends]]'' and would not be the foundation of the then upcoming movies. A new singular continuity was installed in its' place while [[BroadStrokes free to use and/or reference older material]] such as planets, organizations, events and characters, such as Grand Admiral Thrawn, from the original ''Legends'' material but refitted to match the greater story arc.

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/{{The Boys|2019}}'' is this to [[ComicBook/TheBoys the comic book it's based on]], which is ironic since it is already a {{Deconstruction}} of the {{Superhero}} genre. Regardless, the show distills many parts of the original story, and takes a much more different route than the comic to be a new take instead of a literal adaptation. It also goes for a more grounded and brooding tone, instead of being cartoonishly edgy like the comic, though there's still a good amount of BlackComedy. Some characters have also had their [[RaceLift race]], [[GenderFlip sex]] and [[AdaptationPersonalityChange personality]] changed. The show also features political satire of TheNewTens, so instead of mocking and calling out the comic book industry, the show is more of a {{Parody}} and critique of the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' and the ''Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse'', showing just how elitist, corporate and cynical Disney's Avengers and Zack Snyder's Justice League would be if they operated in the real world.
[[/folder]]

%%* ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeRenegades'', for the original ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeARealAmericanHero''.

* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'' takes place in a more contemporary setting called Crystal Cove with [[AmbiguousTimePeriod antiquated elements]] that has no ties to [[WesternAnimation/APupNamedScoobyDoo Coolsville]], Mystery Inc's home in other continuities, there's a greater focus on a MythArc and the characterizations of the Gang, and a [[DarkerAndEdgier darker]], but more [[BetterThanABareBulb self-aware]] approach. The series also features other Hanna-Barbera properties, such as ''WesternAnimation/DynoMuttDogWonder'', ''WesternAnimation/JonnyQuest'', and ''WesternAnimation/MobyDickHannaBarbera'' as [[CanonWelding part of the series' world]] to create a much bigger setting.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'' functions as a darker, more dramatic take on the original ''WesternAnimation/{{ThunderCats|1985}}'', showing the more realistic aspects of the war between the cats and the lizards, as well as the culture of the main characters.
* ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender'' is this to ''Anime/{{Voltron}}'' and its other source material ''Anime/GoLion''.
* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'' draws on [[WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987 the original show]], the ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse that it was based on, and WesternAnimation/TheDisneyAfternoon.
* ''WesternAnimation/CarmenSandiego'' is a ContinuityReboot that blends elements from prior games and TV shows of the Franchise/CarmenSandiego franchise: the general setting of the original 1980s games (V.I.L.E. is legitimately dangerous and the investigators are from Interpol instead of ACME), Chase Devineaux from the late-1990s Broderbund games, Jules Argent from the 2000s Learning Company games, and the Player, Zack & Ivy from the [[WesternAnimation/WhereOnEarthIsCarmenSandiego mid-90s cartoon]] (as well as Dr. Maelstrom and Sarah Bellum), while taking new directions of its own.

** The primary changes made to the series is the SettingUpdate, with the superhero-mutant era being identified as Usefulnotes/The2000s. The mutant phenomenon is originally the linchpin for the series, with [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]] being the GreaterScopeVillain for the series (as opposed to ''[[Characters/MarvelComicsDoctorDoom Doctor Doom]]), the X-Men being the first super-team and ComicBook/TheUltimates (the Avengers' new name) being formed as a response to both Magneto and avoiding dependency on the X-Men. SHIELD is the primary GovernmentAgencyOfFiction and the overall arc for the entire franchise is GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke with many plots and schemes tied back to the idea of recreating the Super Serum that worked perfectly in Captain America but in the hands of Norman Osborn leads to accidents (Peter Parker being bitten by one of his experimental spiders, which leads to Osborn making himself the Green Goblin and so on) and in the case of the Fantastic Four, leads to experiments in the Negative Zone.

* The ''ComicBook/EarthOne'' series of trade-paperbacks, consisting of ''ComicBook/BatmanEarthOne'', ''ComicBook/SupermanEarthOne'', ''ComicBook/TeenTitansEarthOne'' and ''ComicBook/WonderWomanEarthOne'' with ''Aquaman: Earth One'' and ''The Flash: Earth One'' announced, follow the Ultimate Marvel formula more closely than the All-Star line, intending to be a modern reboot in a new continuity rather than another mini-series written outside of continuity. The characters are all younger, more violent and asocial than the regular continuity.

Named for the Creator/MarvelComics "ComicBook/UltimateMarvel" line, which sought to update and streamline decades of continuity with an AlternateContinuity sub-brand without canceling out the original storyline. Most superheroes under the "Ultimate" umbrella brand are given reboots of their own, but on a smaller scale -- Comicbook/SpiderMan's 'radioactive spider' origin story was replaced with an [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke updated 'genetically engineered spider']] version.

** The primary changes made to the series is the SettingUpdate, with the superhero-mutant era being identified as Usefulnotes/The2000s. The mutant phenomenon is originally the linchpin for the series, with Magneto being the GreaterScopeVillain for the series (as opposed to ''Characters/DoctorDoom''), the X-Men being the first super-team and ComicBook/TheUltimates (the Avengers' new name) being formed as a response to both Magneto and avoiding dependency on the X-Men. SHIELD is the primary GovernmentAgencyOfFiction and the overall arc for the entire franchise is GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke with many plots and schemes tied back to the idea of recreating the Super Serum that worked perfectly in Captain America but in the hands of Norman Osborn leads to accidents (Peter Parker being bitten by one of his experimental spiders, which leads to Osborn making himself the Green Goblin and so on) and in the case of the Fantastic Four, leads to experiments in the Negative Zone.

* The Creator/DCComics ''All-Star'' line, which had the ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'' and ''ComicBook/AllStarBatmanAndRobinTheBoyWonder'' miniseries (with future projects based on Franchise/WonderWoman, ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}, and possibly ComicBook/{{the Flash}}), was a form of this. The series aren't supposed to take place in any particular continuity (although ''All-Star Batman and Robin'' does [[ContinuitySnarl supposedly]] take place in the same continuity as Creator/FrankMiller's other Batman stories), and are supposed to be a concentration of what makes those characters special. As well, ''ComicBook/{{Justice}}'' is basically ''All-Star {{WesternAnimation/Superfriends}}'', even if it couldn't legally be called that.

* ''Comicbook/Switch2015'' is this for ''Comicbook/{{Witchblade}}'' and several other Top Cow properties. The series is set in an alternate universe where the Witchblade is wielded by a teenage girl named Mary, and has a LighterAndSofter (and decidedly less {{Stripperific}}) style.
* After the release of ''Film/{{Dredd}}'', Rebellion started publishing comics in that same continuity in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'', making it an Ultimate Universe to ''Comicbook/{{Judge Dredd}}''.
* ''Comicbook/{{Rogue Trooper}}'''s 1989 reboot was intended to be this, with a reimagining of the main GI and his connection to his comrades and equipment... until Friday met Rogue, retconning the new stories into the original continuity.

** ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' had Sonic team up with his past self, Classic Sonic. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' and ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' retcon Classic Sonic and the 2D games to take place in AnotherDimension.

* ''Fanfic/ASecondChance'' is a ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' fanfiction set into an alternate universe that uses the original premise of a boy and his sisters, but reimagine the siblings according to the narrative by defining distinct dynamics (being the reason why Lori and Lola are the most entitled and spoiled Loud sisters). There's new supporting characters like [[DeadpanSnarker Ryan Taylor]], and original villains in the form of [[AlphaBitch Kathleen]], [[SavageWolves One-Eye]], and [[BarbaricBully Lyle]].

* ''Fanfic/ASagaOfParallelWorlds'' is this to both ''WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd'' and ''Literature/PlayerTwoStart'', where the Sony-Nintendo deal results in a new chain of events that include Sega continuing to support the Sega CD until the Saturn launches, The Nerd being HappilyMarried and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' having a vocalized opera on a cartridge SNES game.

* The franchise ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' was rebooted two times. The first 1968 film was loosely based on the novel ''Literature/PlanetOfTheApes'', and then the sequels built a film franchise, unrelated to it. There was a remake of the film franchise in 2001, but it was poorly received and then aborted, without any sequels (except for the comics). There was a new reboot in 2011, that provided three films so far.

* ''Fanfic/ASecondChance'' is a ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' fanfiction set into an alternate universe that uses the original premise of a boy and his sisters but reimagine the siblings according to the narrative by defining distinct dynamics (being the reason why Lori and Lola are the most entitled and spoiled Loud sisters). There's new supporting characters like [[DeadpanSnarker Ryan Taylor]], and original villains in the form of [[AlphaBitch Kathleen]], [[SavageWolves One-Eye]], and [[BarbaricBully Lyle]].

* The ''Franchise/StarTrek'' films headed by Creator/JJAbrams and his team are established as taking place in an entirely new timeline from the rest of the franchise, created inadvertently by Nero and old-Spock. As such, viewers can sit back and watch some familiar dynamics (the Kirk-Spock-[=McCoy=] friendship); some new ones (such as the Spock/[[spoiler:Uhura]] relationship); and entirely new fates for Captain Pike, Carol Marcus, and [[spoiler: Khan]], etc.--without taking offense at any violations of canon. Fans have taken to calling this "The JJ-verse" or "[=AOS=]" (Alternate Original Series). Paramount has since confirmed that the name of the alternate continuity is "Kelvin Universe", a reference to the titular spaceship in the opening scene of the 2009 film.

* When Creator/{{Disney}} took over ''Franchise/StarWars'', Lucasfilm declared the mostly canon ExpandedUniverse was now part of the ''[[Franchise/StarWarsLegends Legends]]'' continuity and would be ignored by future movies. The new continuity still uses and/or references old material such as planets, organizations, events and sometimes characters such as Grand Admiral Thrawn from the original ''Legends'' books but in a different way or context.

* The cancelled "Maverick Hunter" game by Armature Studio would have been this to the VideoGame/MegaManX franchise, featuring a new realistic design for X, a supposedly darker storyline, and a [[AndroidsAndDetectives Bruce-Willisesq human partner]].

* The ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' games by ''Creator/NetherrealmStudios'' are an odd example of this, much like the ''ComicBook/New52'' they start off a New Timeline by hitting the ResetButton in their [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 First Game]]. After that, they condense the plot of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 The]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombatII Arcade]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombat3 Trilogy]] in a cinematic Story Mode that involves characters introduced later into the series, With big changes to the events of the timeline being a result of TimeTravel [[ButterflyOfDoom shenanigans]]. ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX'' adapts the plot of ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'' and re-introduces some elements and characters from [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance The]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception 3D]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon Era]], [[CreatorsPest while also killing of many others]] in the Prequel Comic or [[DroppedABridgeOnHim off-screen]]. It also introduces New Characters and [[LegacyCharacter Legacy Characters]] into the lore. Then ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' features another big cinematic Story Mode with TimeTravel that has, [[BrokenBase controversially]], changed the personality/backstory of certain characters more so than previous installments. [[spoiler:Such as, for example, [[EvilAllAlong Sindel]].]]

** ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' had Sonic team up with his past self, Classic Sonic. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' and ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' retcon Classic Sonic and the 2D games to place in AnotherDimension.

# Use of a MetaOrigin, AdaptationOriginConnection, AdaptationEarlyAppearance or AdaptationLateAppearance because of trying to create a stronger, ongoing narrative and shuffling around the order of events.

# Creating an AdaptationPersonalityChange with AdaptationalHeroism or AdaptationalVillany, to shift perceptions of who the character is supposed to be.

A kind of [[{{Retool}} "reboot"]] designed to create an AdaptationDistillation effect. Said adaptation will usually incorporate bits of plot and design from each previous incarnation, but is overall a standalone world/story that can be understood by newcomers, sometimes as a JumpingOnPoint. A more specific and very deliberate form of AlternateContinuity.

Extremely common in {{Retool}}ed {{Crossover}}s, as this allows a more precise meshing of plots than a {{Retcon}} may allow. It also allows for CanonWelding and greater cohesiveness owing to the advantage of foreknowledge that it possesses over the regular serial continuity (which generally more or less introduced new elements and characters [[IndyPloy as it went along]]). They usually contain several {{Mythology Gag}}s, referencing things from the original work (either as a remake of popular plots or circumstances, or as a mere detail that the fans may notice and the new readers may not even notice as such).

# Characters may get new redesigns that would be considered "too drastic" for the main universe.
# Similarly, backstories may be altered compared to what they have in the main universe, to make them feel like a fresh take rather than a simple copy.
# Some characters may have [[AdaptationPersonalityChange different personalities]] compared to the main universe, going with theme of being a different take.
# Some characters may be of a [[RaceLift different race]], [[GenderFlip sex]], [[AgeLift age]], [[AdaptationalNationality nationality]], or even a [[AdaptationSpeciesChange different species altogether]].

# Characters may be of a different alignment than the main universe, invoking AdaptationalHeroism or AdaptationalVillainy.
# Some characters may be [[AdaptationalBadass more powerful]] or [[AdaptationalWimp weaker]] than the original version.
# AlternateHistory of the main universe -- Often a reimaigining in the vein of "How this story/characters would be if we put them in our current era/political climate".
# Relating to the one above, some characters being SparedByTheAdaptation, especially if said character was well-liked or killed off too soon in the original universe. Though DeathByOriginStory are the exception.

# A general drive for coherency. Whereas the original work may have stumbled into any number of bad or contradictory ideas over the course of many years, the Ultimate Universe has the benefit of hindsight. Writers are generally free to cherry-pick the best ideas from the preceding work and mash them together in a way that minimizes contradictions and ensures that all the narrative arcs are properly set up and resolved (for the most part).

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' was made to modernize and reintroduce the franchise to a new, younger generation. It featured mostly the same cast from [[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 G1]], but smaller, while adding new characters and ideas of it's own. It also had a few elements from [[Film/{{Transformers}} the first Live-Action Movie]] and characters from ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars''. (According to [[UniverseBible The AllSpark Almanac]], a character from [[Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots In Disguise]] exists in this universe too.) Unlike the episodic [[WesternAnimation/{{Transformers}} 80's cartoon]] it rebooted, ''Animated'' had a bigger focus on continuity, with multi-part episodes at the start and finale of each season. Some characterizarion and roles were updated and tweaked too, like Optimus being younger and still figuring things out as a leader.

* [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist The 2003 adaptation]] of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', in the sense that it [[AdaptationDistillation distills]] parts of the manga while giving it a much [[DarkerAndEdgier darker]] tone, handles it a bit more realistically (the fight scenes are often short and brutal instead of epic spectacles, while the villains are a bit more fleshed out and their origins more grounded, so to speak) and deconstructs certain aspects of the original. It also exists as an AlternateContinuity, and adds [[GeckoEnding a new spin to the overall plot]].

* ''Series/TheBoys'' is this to [[ComicBook/TheBoys the comic book it's based on]], which is ironic since it is already a {{Deconstruction}} of the {{Superhero}} genre. Regardless, the show distills many parts of the original story, and takes a much more different route than the comic to be a new take instead of a literal adaptation. It also goes for a more grounded and brooding tone, instead of being cartoonishly edgy like the comic, though there's still a good amount of BlackComedy. Some characters have also had their [[RaceLift race]], [[GenderFlip sex]] and [[AdaptationPersonalityChange personality]] changed. The show also features political satire of TheNewTens, so instead of mocking and calling out the comic book industry, the show is more of a {{Parody}} and critique of the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' and the ''Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse'', showing just how elitist, corporate and cynical Disney's Avengers and Zack Snyder's Justice League would be if they operated in the real world.

* The [[Literature/TheCorneliusChronicles book series]]

Creator/MichaelMoorcock's ''The Final Programme'', ''A Cure for Cancer'' and ''The English Assassin'' establish Jerry Cornelius as a globe-trotting, time-hopping, jet-setting secret agent. He is surrounded by immortal characters for whom death lasts precisely until they are needed in a sequel. This is the incarnation used by other writers associated with Moorcock's contribution to the {{New Wave|ScienceFiction}}. Then ''The Condition of Muzak'' reveals him to be a scruffy would-be pop star with an imagination that makes Walter Mitty look like the average Vulcan. The only real death he encounters is that of his mother, which event ends the series.

Creator/MichaelMoorcock's ''The Final Programme'', ''A Cure for Cancer'' and ''The English Assassin'' establish Jerry Cornelius as a globe-trotting, time-hopping jet-setting secret agent. This is the incarnation used by other writers associated with Moorcock's contribution to the {{New Wave|ScienceFiction}}. Then ''The Condition of Muzak'' reveals him to be a scruffy would-be pop star with an imagination that makes Walter Mitty look like the average Vulcan.

* The [[''Literature/TheCorneliusChronicles'' book series]]

** Ed Piskor's ''ComicBook/XMenGrandDesign'' is a personal attempt to do a same-medium AdaptationDistillation and turn over fifty years of tangled ''X-Men'' canon into a coherent narrative.
** Tom Scioli's ''ComicBook/FantasticFour: Grand Design'' is a similar distillation of the Fantastic Four.
** And following those two, Jim Rugg produced ''[[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]]: Grand Design''.

* The ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' games by ''Creator/NetherrealmStudios'' are an odd example of this, much like the ''ComicBook/New52'' they start off a New Timeline by hitting the ResetButton in their [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 First Game]]. After that, they condense the plot of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 The]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombatII Arcade]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombat3 Trilogy]] in a cinematic Story Mode that involves characters introduced later into the series, With big changes to the events of the timeline being a result of TimeTravel [[ButterflyOfDoom shenanigans]]. ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX'' adapts the plot of ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'' and re-introduces some elements and characters from [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance The]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception 3D]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon Era]], [[CreatorsPest while also killing of many others]] in the Prequel Comic or [[DroppedABridgeOnHim off-screen]]. It also introduces New Characters and [[LegacyCharacter Legacy Characters]] into the lore. Then ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' features another big cinematic Story Mode with TimeTravel that has, [[BrokenBase controversially]], changed the personality/backstory of certain characters more so than previous installments. [[spoiler:Such as, for example, [[EvilAllAlong Sindel]].]] And used some of them to make very on the nose [[WriterOnBoard political statements]], like [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Shao Kahn]].