History SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute / WesternAnimation

** Axel is one to Shawn, as both of them are [[CrazySurvivalist Crazy Survivalists]] who believe that ZombieApocalypse could take place in the future. Axel is also similar to Eva and Jo in the sense that the three are strong, athletic girls with a very short temper.

** Lauren, a.k.a [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname Scary Girl]], is one to Izzy, as both of them being the most crazy and unpredictable of all contestants to date. The difference is that Izzy is more of a CloudCuckooLander type of crazy whereas Scary Girl is a NightmareFetishist type of crazy.

* In both ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama Revenge of the Island'' and ''Pahkitew Island'', some of the new contestants are such to the original contestants.

** Starlight Glimmer can also be considered a substitute for Twilight Sparkle's [[CharacterizationMarchesOn early characterization]] prior to becoming an alicorn. The similar name, similar design, the SuperOCD tendencies in her personality, the lack of social background and [[NoSocialSkills naivete]], and the immense magical potential and ability that leads to her becoming being taken in as a student in the study of Friendship by an Alicorn Princess, just like Twilight originally was. This led to LampshadeHanging on at least one occasion, where another character had problems telling the two apart.

* ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' has an interesting example via the [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheWitchsGhost Hex Girls]], who act as one to [[ComicBook/JosieAndThePussycats Josie and the Pussycats]] (who had previously guest-starred in a episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheNewScoobyDooMovies'', back when Hanna-Barbera used to own their AnimatedAdaptation). While their gimmicks are different, both are BlondeBrunetteRedhead trios of teenage girls who perform as a musical band and help to solve mysteries, similarities that were highlighted a little further when [[RaceLift Luna's ethnicity was changed]] for the band's appearance in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndGuessWho'' (which incidentally is a SpiritualSuccessor to the aforementioned series).

** Starlight Glimmer serves as this for Sunset Shimmer. The former served as unicorn antagonists that were direct foils to protagonist Twilight Sparkle, before ultimately becoming redeemed and joining the main cast. However, while Sunset would only appear in the ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls Equestria Girls]]'' spin-offs and would even become that series' de facto protagonist, Starlight was in the main show and simply became another member of the widening ensemble cast (though the sixth season is largely dedicated to her redemption arc).

** Starlight Glimmer serves as this for Sunset Shimmer, who served as the BigBad and later [[TheAtoner redeemed protagonist]] of the ''Equestria Girls'' SpinOff. Likewise, Starlight was the villain over the course of the main show's fifth season, with season six serving as the character's redemption arc.

** Cameron is one to Harold and Cody, being very intelligent and physically weak {{nerd}}s (in fact, Cameron takes these traits up to eleven compared to them) who are part of a BullyAndWimpPairing (with Jo for Cameron and Duncan for the other two). This is further affirmed in ''All-Stars'', where Sierra literally sees Cameron as Cody. He also is one to Beth, sharing her nerdy appearance, small stature, FriendlessBackground, and servitude under a mean and manipulative girl (Jo for Cameron and Heather for Beth) whom they ultimately backstab in the end.

** Cameron is one to Harold and Cody, being very intelligent and physically weak {{nerd}}s (in fact, Cameron takes these traits UpToEleven compared to them) who are part of a BullyAndWimpPairing (with Jo for Cameron and Duncan for the other two). This is further affirmed in ''All-Stars'', where Sierra literally sees Cameron as Cody. He also is one to Beth, sharing her nerdy appearance, small stature, FriendlessBackground, and servitude under a mean and manipulative girl (Jo for Cameron and Heather for Beth) whom they ultimately backstab in the end.

** Sideshow Mel, Krusty the Clown's replacement for his previous sidekick Sideshow Bob after the latter framed him for arm robbery, has an awful lot in common with Bob--both are sophisticated, [[SmartPeopleSpeakTheQueensEnglish British-accented]] [[ClassicallyTrainedExtra Classically Trained Extras]] who are deeply tired of being the butt of Krusty's constant onstage slapstick and general disrespect. It seems Krusty didn't learn much from the last incident.

--->'''Farnsworth:''' ''[to the near-Leela, -Fry and -Bender duplicates respectively]'' You'll be the captain, you'll be the delivery boy, and you'll be the alcoholic, foul-mouthed... ''[notices regular crew standing in the doorway]'' Oh God, you're alive! [[VerbalBackspace ...I mean thank God! You're alive!]] ''[to the near-duplicates]'' Sorry. Check back in three days... a week, tops.

--->'''Farnsworth:''' ''[to the near-Leela, -Fry and -Bender duplicates respectively]'' You'll be the captain, you'll be the delivery boy, and you'll be the alcoholic, foul-mouthed... ''[notices regular crew standing in the doorway]'' Oh God, you're alive! [[VerbalBackspace ...I mean thank God! You're alive!]] ''[to the near-duplicates]'' Sorry about this. Check back in two weeks... a month, tops.

** Twin cheerleaders Amy and Samey are these to Heather and Lindsay, as stereotypical popular high school girls (of TheCheerleader and AlphaBitch varieties) with a dynamic in which one of each pair (Amy and Heather; both {{Alpha Bitch}}es) mistreats the other (Samey and Lindsay; both kindhearted blonde cheerleaders) as an expendable lackey until they are finally backstabbed as a result of it.

** Oniro was a rather blatant stand-in for Shang Tsung, even possessing the latter's trademark [[{{Shapeshifter}} Shapeshifting]] abilities and a variation of his {{Catchphrase}} ("Your soul will belong to me!" instead of "Your soul is mine!"). He was presumably created due to the show [[BroadStrokes loosely following the canon of]] the first [[Film/MortalKombat live-action movie]], where Shang Tsung was killed by Liu Kang during the final battle. Shang Tsung himself would later be resurrected in the show's ninth episode, [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome eliminating any further need for Oniro to exist]].

** The Namor segment of ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelSuperHeroes'' cannot use the Fantastic Four, the solution was to use the [[ComicBook/XMen X-Men]] with the name ''Allies for Peace'', interestingly, there were no restrictions for Lady Dorma and [[ComicBook/DoctorDoom Doctor Doom]], who appeared in both series.

* [[Comicbook/SubMariner Namor]] couldn't be used in ''WesternAnimation/TheFantasticFour1967'' due to licensing issues, necessitating the creation of an {{Expy}} named Prince Triton.

* The Lizard appeared as a recurring villain in ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan'', but was permanently cured in the fourth season. When the show's two-part GrandFinale necessitated getting the Sinister Six back together for one last battle, the writers had Comicbook/DoctorOctopus randomly turn Crossbones into the new Lizard.

* As covered in the Comic Books section, the ''Comicbook/{{Spawn}}'' franchise eventually had to deal with the murky legal status of ComicBook/{{Angela|AsgardsAssassin}} due to a dispute between Creator/ToddMcFarlane and Creator/NeilGaiman over ownership of the character. This meant that Angela was unceremoniously dropped from the [[WesternAnimation/ToddMcFarlanesSpawn TV series]], leading to the introduction of an extremely similar character named Jade in the third season.

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' and its [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls2016 reboot]] both have episodes featuring "fourth Powerpuff Girls". Bunny and Bliss are both purple themed, both are biologically unstable, and both are taller than the main trio. The difference is that Bliss is more realistically tall than Bunny and that she's [[LongLostRelative the long-lost older sister]] of the others.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'': The original 1973 series featured a pair of teenage sidekicks to the Super Friends named Wendy and Marvin as well as a TeamPet known as Wonder Dog. Starting with the second series ''The All-New Super Friends Hour'', the three were replaced by the Wonder Twins (Zan and Jayna) and their pet alien monkey Gleek.

** "[[Recap/FuturamaS4E11WhereNoFanHasGoneBefore Where No Fan Has Gone Before]]", having united ''almost'' all the ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'' original cast, gave us a Suspiciously Similar Substitute named "Welshy" who apparently replaced Creator/JamesDoohan for a musical reunion in the 22nd century. This was almost certainly a pointed comment on Doohan's refusal to participate, since the late Creator/DeForrestKelley was just TheVoiceless and Welshy was quickly killed off. This was lampshaded in the episode's working title -- "We Got Everybody But Scotty".

** A very subtle example only confirmed via WordOfGod [[https://twitter.com/mikepriceinla/status/450448972000161793 Lunchlady Doris was retired in the seventh season when her voice actress Doris Grau died. She supposedly returned in season 18 voiced by Creator/TressMacNeille, but it turns out the character's name is Lunchlady Dora.]]

* Whizz The Robot became this in ''WesternAnimation/NoddyInToyland'', where he replaced Mr. Sparks the mechanic. He previously was not this in his introductory series ''SayItWithNoddy''.

** In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'', a half of Ben's new alien forms were unmistakably overly similar to his alien forms from the Original Series. Chromastone was basically a rehash of Diamondhead, Echo Echo of Ditto, Humongousaur of Four Arms, Jetray of [=XLR8=], and Swampfire of Heatblast.

*** Fasttrack, who shares the exact same coloration and [[SuperSpeed powers]] as [=XLR8=], which is rather peculiar, as his existence could be considered redundant and unnecessary, considering Ben likely ''has'' [=XLR8=] in his Ultimatrix, as almost every alien he's had in the previous two series is unlocked. Though he seems to be somewhat stronger and Matt Wayne [[WordOfGod did say]] that Fasttrack is stronger. [=XLR8=], however, sees use in the ''Creator/ManOfActionStudios''-helmed ''[[WesternAnimation/Ben10GeneratorRexHeroesUnited Heroes United]]'' Crossover with ''WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex''.

* The factions in ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' are the Maximals and Predacons. How do these two groups differ from the Autobots and Decepticons? ''Very'' slightly.

** "[[Recpa/FuturamaS4E11WhereNoFanHasGoneBefore Where No Fan Has Gone Before]]", having united ''almost'' all the ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'' original cast, gave us a Suspiciously Similar Substitute named "Welshy" who apparently replaced Creator/JamesDoohan for a musical reunion in the 22nd century. This was almost certainly a pointed comment on Doohan's refusal to participate, since the late Creator/DeForrestKelley was just TheVoiceless and Welshy was quickly killed off. This was lampshaded in the episode's working title -- "We Got Everybody But Scotty".

** The episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before", having united ''almost'' all the ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'' original cast, gave us a Suspiciously Similar Substitute named "Welshy" who apparently replaced James Doohan for a musical reunion in the 22nd century. This was almost certainly a pointed comment on Doohan's refusal to participate, since the late [=DeForrest=] Kelley was just TheVoiceless and Welshy was quickly killed off. This was lampshaded in the episode's working title -- "We Got Everybody But Scotty".
** {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d in the episode "Godfellas" with Helper, a Bender replacement that makes wacky noises.
** In "When Aliens Attack", Professor Farnsworth assumes Fry, Leela and Bender have died in the latest mission, prompting him to hire a nigh-identical trio.

** This trope is parodied in "Donnie Fatso", in which Fat Tony is replaced by his nearly identical cousin Fit Tony, who gains weight and is eventually called Fat Tony.
** In the DVD commentary to "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily", some of the writers joke that since they miss Maude Flanders, they should write an episode in which Ned gets remarried to a woman that looks and sounds just like Maude. In the 22nd-season finale, Ned begins dating [[spoiler:and by the next season has married]] Edna Krabappel.
** In "A Star Is Burns", C. Montgomery Burns hires Creator/StevenSpielberg's "nonunion Mexican equivalent", Señor [[ElSpanishO Spielbergo]], to direct the fictionalized biopic ''A Burns for All Seasons''.

** In "The Saga of Carl", Homer, Lenny, and Moe try to find a replacement for Carl after he leaves the country. Initially they try putting Lou the Cop in the role, but he storms out when he realizes all they're looking for is a new TokenBlack guy.
** A very subtle example only confirmed via WordOfGod [[https://twitter.com/mikepriceinla/status/450448972000161793 Lunchlady Doris was retired in the seventh season when her voice actress Doris Grau died. She supposedly returned in season 18 voiced by Tress MacNeille, but it turns out the character's name is Lunchlady Dora.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
** After Kenny died "for reals this time", his spot as the fourth friend was filled by former minor character Butters. This is lampshaded as the other boys attempt to manipulate him by telling him that "Kenny would do" whatever crazy scheme they have in mind that week, going so far as to call him "Not-Kenny" when he resists. Butters is eventually "fired" as the fourth friend and the boys actually hold try-outs to fill the position. It is briefly filled by Tweek until Kenny eventually shows up ([[UnexplainedRecovery sans explanation]]) to reclaim his old spot. Indeed, he merely walks up to the boys from just offscreen, and announces that he was "hanging out", just after the boys have returned from Iraq after trying to give it Christmas. Unlike most other un-substituted SSS's, [[BreakoutCharacter Butters]] also managed to maintain an increased presence on the show, becoming somewhat of a MauveShirt.
** The show also lampshaded this with Chef's temporary replacement Mr. Derp in the episode "Succubus".

* In a lampshade similar to the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' one above, ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'''s PoorlyDisguisedPilot for ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'' was named "Jerome Is the New Black" as TokenBlackFriend Cleveland gets PutOnABus to his own {{spinoff}}.

* ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' has an interesting example via the Hex Girls, who act as one to [[ComicBook/JosieAndThePussycats Josie and the Pussycats]] (who had previously guest-starred in a episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheNewScoobyDooMovies'', back when Hanna-Barbera used to own their AnimatedAdaptation). While their motifs are different, both are BlondeBrunetteRedhead trios of teenage girls who perform as a musical band and help to solve mysteries, similarities that were highlighted a little further when [[RaceLift Luna's ethnicity was changed]] for the band's appearance in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndGuessWho'' (which incidentally is a SpiritualSuccessor to the aforementioned series).

** One of ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars ''’s fan favorite characters started out as one of these. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen Originally, the role as Anakin’s second in command would have been filled by]] [[ComicBook/StarWarsRepublic ARC Trooper Alpha]], but Creator/GeorgeLucas realized that would mean the entire main cast of the show would have names starting with the letter “A” (Anakin, Ashoka, Artoo, and Alpha) so he vetoed the idea and an SSS named Captain Rex was born.

** Devin's partner Carrie is one to Bridgette, as both are sweet and kindhearted blondes noted for their extremely strong feelings for their romantic interests (Geoff for Bridgette and Devin for Carrie). They even share the same voice actress. But later on Carrie becomes one for Zoey, being a NiceGirl whose entire character seems based on a WillTheyOrWontThey with her season-long love interest (who in Zoey's case is Mike).

** Taylor to Heather and Amy. All three are stereotypical rich, attractive, spoiled, and self-centered {{Alpha Bitch}}es who constantly push their closest female teammate around ([[PushoverParents Kelly]] for Taylor, Lindsay for Heather, and Samey for Amy) until their victims finally snap and give them some much-deserved retribution. It's worth noting in this particular case, Taylor and Amy share the same voice actress.