History TheLancer / AnimeAndManga

** In ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'', despite that [[TheSmartGuy Smart Girl]] Rikka is [[TheHero Mana's]] best friend for years, Makoto fits to the Lancer role better. She has the most counts of defeated [[MonsterOfTheWeek Jikochuus]] after Mana, is one of two offensive Pretty Cures (the other is Mana) and is a serious veteran who acted as an AloofAlly early in the series.

* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' plays with this, in that the Lancer, Kyon, is in fact both the narrator and the main character... with a little dash of TheHero, something that the flighty and childish Haruhi is definitely ''not''. Really, Haruhi got the FiveManBand wrong; [[EmotionlessGirl Yuki Nagato]] is more TheLancer than Kyon, who is more of TheHero.

* ''{{LightNovel/Slayers}}'' has both [[IdiotHero Gourry]] and [[TheSpock Zelgadis]] vouch between the Lancer and TheBigGuy roles depending on the situation. However, though [[TheHero Lina]] met Gourry first, Gourry is an aggressive and incredibly dumb swordsman, and Zelgadis is far more intelligent and tactile, thus Zelgadis is more or less this trope.

** Thanks to ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5'''s insistence on dual-classing everyone, [[TheHero Nozo]][[TheChick mi]] has both [[TheBigGuy Big]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Rin and [[TheSmartGuy Smart]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Karen to contend with. They manage to simultaneously act as foils for both Nozomi and each other. The former is the better example.

* [[DubNameChange Lancer]]/Yellow, from ''Anime/{{Robotech}}''[='s=] "The New Generation" (aka ''Anime/GenesisClimberMospeada''), despite sharing the trope name, is a curious case, as he's less of a traditional Lancer and more of a mix of TheChick (uses his girly, "softer" looks and crossdresses to get the upper hand) and TheSmartGuy (is level-headed and sneaky, as well as an AcePilot). Arguably, it's Rand/Ray and Rook/Houquet who take turns filling in as Scott/Stick's proper lancer.

* In ''AudioPlay/SaintBeast'', Luca is very much the lancer. He is quiet, strong, [[TheConfidant always has good advice]], and stands by TheHero no matter what. Moreover, his powers of [[DarkIsNotEvil darkness]] contrast TheHero's powers of light. Amusingly, his LoveInterest is TheChick.

** The very proper and by the book Daiuske Shima (Mark Venture) was a polar opposiste to Susumu Kodai (Derek Wildstar) who was originally more [[HotBlooded impulsive and devil-may-care]]. Both were also rival for the heart of [[TheChick Yuki Mori]] (Nova), although Shima quickly conceded, [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy loving Yuki enough to let her go]]. The rivalry dissapeared completely with the maturing of Kodai and his inheriting leadership as the Acting Captain Yamato (Argo).

*** If we count the {{Tagalong Kid}}s, Tomoka is TheLancer to [[TheChick chicky]] [[TheHero heroine]] Sakuno.

* ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'': Siegfried Kircheis to Reinhard von Lohengramm, being the latter's best friend and moral compass. On the Alliance side, Walter von Schönkopf plays this role to reluctant hero Yang Wenli, often pointing out inconsistencies in the latter's moral and political outlook.

* Until his departure, Brock played TheLancer to Ash in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'', though not the games (which are a different universe entirely).

* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', Killua fills this role perfectly. He even becomes aware of it himself.

* ''Anime/PrettyCure'' has Lancers who often double as [[SmartGuy Smart Girls]].
** ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure'' and its sequel has the [[SmartGuy intelligent]] and calm Honoka for the athletic, BookDumb and lazy Nagisa.

** ''Anime/FreshPrettyCure'' has two. First it was Miki who later became the BigGuy and is replaced by Setsuna who doubles as a SmartGuy. The latter got closer to the heroine Love and has become even a part of her family.
** In ''Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure'', the GenkiGirl Erika is this to the ShrinkingViolet Tsubomi. Interestingly, the [[SmartGuy Smart Girl]] Yuri is the strongest of the four and could also be the lancer, in contrast to Cure Blossom who is considered as the weakest Pretty Cure.
** In ''Anime/SuitePrettyCure'', like the first two continuities, Kanade is the [[SmartGuy intelligent]] and unsporty one to the athletic, BookDumb Hibiki. Both are also VitriolicBestBuds.
** Similar to ''Yes!5'', ''Anime/SmilePrettyCure'' has the [[TheBigGuy Big]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Akane and the [[SmartGuy Smart]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Reika to Miyuki. While the former has a closer relationship to Miyuki and has the greatest physical strength, Reika has defeated [[spoiler:[[TheDragon Joker]] twice]].
** In ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'', despite that [[SmartGuy Smart Girl]] Rikka is [[TheHero Mana's]] best friend for years, Makoto fits to the Lancer role better. She has the most counts of defeated [[MonsterOfTheWeek Jikochuus]] after Mana, is one of two offensive Pretty Cures (the other is Mana) and is a serious veteran who acted as an AloofAlly early in the series.

** And from ''Anime/YuGiOh'' Katsuya Jonouchi (Joey Wheeler) fits. Also Jack Atlas from ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' falls into TheLancer eventually. Shark/Nasch from "Anime/YuGiOhZexal" easily fits this role as well, to the point of having several Ace monsters who wield actual Lances themselves.

** And from ''Anime/YuGiOh'' Katsuya Jonouchi (Joey Wheeler) fits. Also Jack Atlas from ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' falls into TheLancer eventually. Shark/Nasch from "Anime/YugiohZexal" easily fits this role as well, to the point of having several Ace monsters who wield actual Lances themselves.

** And from ''Anime/YuGiOh'' Katsuya Jonouchi (Joey Wheeler) fits. Also Jack Atlas from ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' falls into TheLancer eventually.

** [[Anime/DigimonSavers Touma's]] contrast with Masaru is played up mainly in respect to intellect and approaches thereof -- Touma is TheChessmaster, while Masaru... ''[[LeeroyJenkins isn't]]''.

** [[Anime/DigimonXrosWars Kiriha]], like Ruki, embodies something of a reversal of tradition -- Taiki is a brilliant strategist; Kiriha isn't a slouch in that department, but is certainly much more of a BloodKnight. Incidentally, this time Kiriha is the one with a Greymon.

** Guido Mista from ''Manga/VentoAureo'' is one to both Giorno Giovanna and Bruno Bucciarati.

* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'' has Lancers who often double as [[SmartGuy Smart Girls]].

* Until his departure, Brock played TheLancer to Ash in the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime, though not the games (which are a different universe entirely).

** Caesar Zeppeli from ''Manga/BattleTendency'' is one to Joseph Joestar, something that is heavily played up during his introduction. However, as the story progresses, the two are shown to be NotSoDifferent.

* Most, but not all, teams in ''Anime/BakutenShootBeyblade'' have someone who is the lancer. Of the BBA, Kai switches between being TheLancer and TheRival to Takao early on, but ultimately leans more to the latter with Daichi becoming Takao's lancer proper. Of the Majestic 4, Johnny is the lancer to Ralf. Of Borg, Boris is the lancer to Yuriy, while Yuriy is the lancer to Kai when he joins the team. Of the All Starz, Rick is the lancer to Max. Of the Saint Seals, Dunga is the lancer to Ozma. Psychic doesn't really have a lancer, but Jim functions as such to Kane when the others temporarily leave the team. Queen of the Parts Hunters is the lancer to King, Gordo of Team Zagāto is the lancer to Zeo, and it depends on the medium whether Julia (manga) or Raul (anime) is the lancer to the other. Of the Justice 5, Garland is the lancer to Brooklyn. And of Team Chizan, Makoto is the lancer to Kaoru.
* Yuno from ''Manga/BlackClover'' is the Lancer to Asta, his best friend with whom they fight many enemies together. While Asta is hot-blooded, outspoken, has no magic, and uses anti-magic swords to fight, Yuno is calm, quiet, was born with incredibly strong magic, and fights with ranged Wind Magic. Even their transformations contrast each other — Yuno's Spirit Dive transforms the left side of his body in relation to the transformed right side of Asta's Black form.

* Chrono in ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'' serves as Rosette's lancer (particularly in the manga where Rosette is firmly the protagonist). While they usually seem eye-to-eye on moral issues, and they are in fact the OfficialCouple, they often clash and get into arguments--Rosette is {{hotblooded}} and determined, while Chrono ''appears'' to be calmer and also slips into despair much easier. Rosette is a nun, and Chrono is a demon. Rosette is very open with her emotions, while Chrono tends to try to hide when he's upset.

** [[Anime/DigimonAdventure Yamato]] is the series-internal TropeMaker and the straightest example: he and Taichi have a fire vs. ice complement, particularly in later evolutions, and their partners' FusionDance into Omegamon creates a guns vs. swords dynamic - the [=MetalGarurumon=] arm has a cannon while the [=WarGreymon=] arm has a sword.
** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'' splits the role between Takeru in the first half - focusing on the conflict between himself and Daisuke - and Ken in the second half, focusing on the Hero/Lancer BashBrothers dynamic and how Daisuke's influence and belief in him pulled him out of a pretty bad part of his life.

** [[Anime/DigimonSavers Touma's]] contrast with Masaru is played up mainly in respect to intellect and approaches thereof - Touma is TheChessmaster, while Masaru... ''[[LeeroyJenkins isn't]]''.
** [[Anime/DigimonXrosWars Kiriha]], like Ruki, embodies something of a reversal of tradition - Taiki is a brilliant strategist; Kiriha isn't a slouch in that department, but is certainly much more of a BloodKnight. Incidentally, this time Kiriha is the one with a Greymon.
** [[Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime Yuu]] is easily the lightest example - there is some rivalry between him and Tagiru, but it's barely given any attention whatsoever... [[SpotlightStealingSquad much like Yuu himself]].

** One could also make a case for Sanji being the Lancer: a similarly [[RedOniBlueOni cool]] personality, like Zoro's, contrasted with [[IdiotHero Luffy's]], but also, as per the "He's the one who sneaks off on his own to advance the team's goals independently" bit in the description, Sanji has done just that on at least four occasions (Little Garden, Alabasta, Water 7 and Enies Lobby). Sanji also fits as lancer for his [[ChivalrousPervert perv]] status in contrast to Luffy's {{Chaste Hero}} status.

* Pretty much Every Recurring character in ''Franchise/LupinIII'' falls into this category. Daisuke Jigen plays the [[StraightMan Straight man]] to Lupin Himself, Goemon Ishikawa XIII has a fairly strong [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou Only one Allowed to Defeat you Complex]], Fujiko Mine paralells to Lupin, being his Love Interest with unfortunate [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Chronic Backstabbing Disorder]], and [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist]] and former [[TropeNamer Trope Namer]] Koichi Zenigata plays directly opposed to Lupin in goals, usually as an antagonist, but willing to team up with him when a [[Greater-ScopeVillain Greater Scope Villain]] comes into the Picture.

* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': By the second arc of the series, Tokiko Tsumura has become the AntiHero Lancer to StockShonenHero Kazuki Muto. As Kazuki's ActionGirlfriend, she is his most common [[BattleCouple partner in battle]] with a WeakButSkilled fighting style and hatred of homunculi that [[RedOniBlueOni contrasts]] with his UnskilledButStrong abilities and AllLovingHero.

** [[Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersLeapingThroughTime Yuu]] is easily the lightest example - there is some rivalry between him and Tagiru, but it's barely given any attention whatsoever... [[SpotlightStealingSquad much like Yuu himself]].

* Jet Link aka 002 is Joe Shimamura aka 009's Lancer in ''Manga/{{Cyborg 009}}''. Albert Heinrich aka 004 and Francoise Arnoul aka 003 sometimes fits in, too.

* ''Anime/{{Doraemon}}'', despite the CharacterTitle issue, is this to [[TheHero Nobita Nobi.]]

* In ''Manga/KatekyoHitmanReborn'', Yamamoto and Gokudera combine to become this for Tsuna. And Squalo, for Xanxus.
** You could probably make a stronger argument for Hibari as the Lancer of the team. When he's actually ON the team, at least. He's extremely self-serving, unlike Tsuna who tends to get roped into helping others.

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' has either Asuna or Setsuna acting as Negi's lancer for the earlier arcs. Later [[TheRival Kotaro]] has taken the position.
* Natsuki Kuga is Mai's Lancer in ''Anime/MaiHime'', being both her {{Foil}} (Mai is very strait-laced, while Natsuki's willing to break a few rules to meet her personal objective) and opposite number in the ElementalPowers department (Mai uses [[PlayingWithFire fire]], and Natsuki uses [[AnIcePerson ice]]).

* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': By the second arc of the series, Tokiko Tsumura has become the AntiHero Lancer to StockShonenHero Kazuki Muto. As Kazuki's ActionGirlfriend,she is his most common [[BattleCouple partner in battle]] with a WeakButSkilled fighting style and hatred of homunculi that [[RedOniBlueOni contrasts]] with his UnskilledButStrong abilities and AllLovingHero.

* If you view the Allied Forces from ''Webcomic/AxisPowersHetalia'' as a FiveManBand, then [[TeamDad England]] is TheLancer to [[LoveFreak America's]] IdiotHero.
** Fandom tends to see the East Asian nations as a FiveManBand as well, and in such an environment Japan plays Lancer to TheHero China.
*** They also apply these dynamics to the Nordic group, with Sweden as TheLancer to TheHero Finland. Back in the days of their commonwealth, Lithuania was TheLancer to TheHero Poland.

* ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventure'':

** Noriaki Kakyoin from ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'' is one to Jotaro Kujo, being an outwardly NiceGuy whose [[FightingSpirit Stand]] is designed for ranged combat while Jotaro is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold whose Stand is designed for close-range combat.

** Noriaki Kakyoin from ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'' is one to Jotaro Kujo, being an outwardly NiceGuy while Jotaro is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold.