History TheLancer / WesternAnimation

* [[FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling Mabel]] [[CheerfulChild Pines]] from ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' towards [[CoolLoser Dipper.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'', Hunter becomes the Lancer to Luz, and later to [[FiveManBand the Hexsquad]]. He serves as {{foil}} for Luz, with him being snippy and closed off, while she is upbeat and bubbly, though in the case of both of them, this attitude is at least partially a facade. Their arcs are also contrasted -- whereas Luz's arc is about building a relationship with her loving and supportive FamilyOfChoice, Hunter's is about breaking free from the influence of his own extremely abusive family.

* Katara of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' merges the roles of TheLancer and TheChick, being both the romantic interest of TheHero and one of his most reliable combat partners.

** On the "modern" team (i.e., after Gibbs leaves) Jodi and Sasha switch off being the Lancer and TheChick. Sasha has the most traditionally Lancer-esque characteristics, but Jodi is polar opposite of TheHero and is the one who goes off on her own while Sasha stays with the group.

** Rook now takes role to Ben in ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse''.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'', Rayla is this for Callum. From the outset, she serves as the main contrast to Callum in terms of talent, leadership style, and beliefs. On a larger level, their dynamic represents the differences between elves and humans, with Rayla, representing elves, being naturally very talented but morally rigid and inflexible, and with Callum, representing humanity, having few innate talents but a high degree of potential, ambition, and versatility.
** In the graphic novel "Through the Moon," they briefly switch roles and Callum becomes TheLancer for Rayla.

* ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'': Alec [=DeLeon=] more often than not was TheLancer to squad leader JT Marsh, though Marsala sometimes filled that role as well, depending on the mission at hand. Marsh himself could be considered the lancer to Admiral Winfield, who was the show's BigGood.
%% * Ironically, although being the title character, Sonic was actually his team's [[TheLancer Lancer]] in ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM''. However, his deeds may also make him the Hero.
* Brooklyn in ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', especially when Goliath promoted him to be his NumberTwo. He differs in that while Goliath is very physical and direct in his methods with a knack for inspiring his clan, Brooklyn is quieter and more calculating at work as a superb tactician who can organize assaults that seemingly can whup ''anybody''. His only major weakness is that he hates Demona with a fury strong enough to attack her on sight, to the frustration of the clan. Brooklyn is the second type of lancer in that he holds Goliath in high esteem and has no desire to challenge his authority, much less replace him. Still, during the extended time that Goliath was absent, Brooklyn was in charge and old veteran Hudson deferred to his authority and there is no question that he is really good at the job.
** The difference in their physiques is probably ''the'' driving factor in the differing methods: Goliath can usually get away with being very physical and direct in his methods because he happens to be the biggest, strongest gargoyle available, while Brooklyn is not even half his size and probably not half as strong, so he has to rely more on stealth and trickery as opposed to charging in like a battering ram as Goliath sometimes does.
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** The Primes of [[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 the original G1]] had their lancers: Optimus had Ironhide and Rodimus had Ultra Magnus. Magnus then became Optimus Prime's lancer due to his previous lancer being sorta [[KilledOffForReal dead]].
** In ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}: WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', when the Maximals find themselves short one [[TheCaptain Optimus Primal]], it comes to a vote to determine which of the Lancers will lead in his absence - Dinobot, or Rattrap. Dinobot was the big, straightforward warrior type, and Rattrap was the [[TheSneakyGuy small, underhanded saboteur type.]] On another occasion, [[GentleGiant Rhinox]] started to give the orders, as he was in a [[BewareTheNiceOnes Very Bad Mood.]]
** In the followup ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'', while Primal was absent Cheetor had stepped up to fill the leadership gap, causing him to become TheLancer when Primal returned. This time, it was more the "chafes under his authority, wants to usurp and lead" since he realized that Optimus [[TookALevelInJerkass was slowly but surely turning into a fanatic]], and was concerned about the future.
** The Optimus of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' is younger and less experienced than the average version, so war veteran Ratchet and introverted ninja Prowl can both be seen as foils. Prowl doesn't need to overlap with TheSmartGuy, however, and the creators saw him more and more as a second-in-command as his ninja skills developed.
** Arcee in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' - more sarcastic and down-to-earth than Optimus (who is once again a towering war veteran voiced by Peter Cullen). You could argue Ultra Magnus for the exact opposite reason - Optimus looks MildlyMilitary next to him.
* Raphael from ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles''. Mostly in the Eastman and Laird version. Not so much in the Saturday morning cartoons.
* In ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats1985'', Tygra doubled as Lion-O's Lancer and TheSmartGuy. The latter is relative since the team's [[TheBigGuy Big Guy]], Panthro, was a GeniusBruiser.
* In the remake ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'', Tygra also gets a gun to contrast with Lion-o's Sword of Omens, and he overall plays TheLancer role much straighter than the original did.

* From ''WesternAnimation/TheTick'' animated series we have Die Fledermaus. [[spoiler:His live action counterpart Bat Manuel too.]]
* Sparky from ''WesternAnimation/BeethovenTheAnimatedSeries'' is the funny, sarcastic, energetic sidekick of Beethoven, the serious and clean cut TheHero.
* Digeri Dingo from ''WesternAnimation/TazMania'' could count as a lancer for Taz.
* Duke L'Orange in ''WesternAnimation/MightyDucksTheAnimatedSeries'', a former GentlemanThief [[HeelFaceTurn turned]] [[LaResistance freedom fighter]], contrasts nicely to not only [[TheHero Wildwing]] but the rest of the team, especially since he's the only one who. regularly uses a melee weapon (a [[LaserBlade laser sword]]).

* Cyborg in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' fits the trope closest, laid back when Robin is serious, serious when Robin is obsessed, and takes command of the team the most often when Robin isn't there.
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', the role of Lancer to Twilight Sparkle alternates between several ponies depending on the episode. Applejack seems to land the role most often, (usually) being down to earth and sensible and the one Twilight can most trust to be reliable, but Starlight Glimmer and Rainbow Dash have also filled the role on occasion.
* Simon Belmont of ''WesternAnimation/CaptainNTheGameMaster'' is how not to do the Lancer.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TitanMaximum'', Gibbs is a {{Deconstruction}} of the type of lancer who has issues with the hero's authority. The stress of being the OnlySaneMan to a JerkJock hero on the previous team as well as having to deal with Palmer's willingness to abandon others for his own petty purposes elevated [[RedOniBlueOni his own]], [[DeadpanSnarker quieter]] {{Jerkass}} tendencies, causing him to massively FaceHeelTurn and making him the BigBad in the present.
** On the "modern" team (i.e., after Gibbs leaves) Jodi and Sasha switch off being the Lancer and TheChick. Sasha has the most traditionally Lancer-esque characteristics, but Jodi is polar opposite of TheHero and is the one who goes off on her own while Sasha stays with the group.
* ''WesternAnimation/SilverHawks''
** Bluegrass. the wingless cowboy, fits this trope, as he uses the main controls of the Miraj spaceship.
** Latter member Captain Flashback would fit this as well.

* Evangelyne of ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'' is TheLancer to Yugo. Apart from being several years older and one of the more competent fighters, she's a calm, snarky {{Tsundere}}, while he's a cheerful KidHero, but with a sense of maturity and responsibility.
* ''WesternAnimation/BionicSix'' has some sort of tossup between the wife (Helen), and the biological son (Eric).
* Speaking of Eric from above, the ''WesternAnimation/DungeonsAndDragons'' cartoon has a cowardly caviler by that name.
* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers'': Shane Gooseman, the genetically engineered Supertrooper of the is a rare inhuman example. Definitely a little more... [[CowboyCop questionable]] in his methods, especially when contrasted with TheHero Zachary Foxx. There's also the fact that Zach is HappilyMarried while Shane's a ChickMagnet, and that Zach is the eldest person on the team (late 30's to early 40's) while Shane is 19 - barely older than Zach's son.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'', Ahsoka and Obi Wan are Anakin's Lancers when they are on a mission together. Each Jedi knight has a clone officer as a lancer. Obi-Wan's is Commander Cody and Anakin's is Captain Rex.

* Bloo from ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends''.

* Alice Nimbletoes, WesternAnimation/AngelinaBallerina's best friend, in the original and CGI series.

* Jake the dog is this to his [[HeterosexualLifePartners best friend]] Finn in ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime''.
* Numbuh 5 from ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor''. She's also the show's main BreakoutCharacter.

* [[FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling Mabel]] [[CheerfulChild Pines]] from ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' towards [[CoolLoser Dipper.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', [[TheQuietOne the quiet Ferb]] is lancer to his gregarious stepbrother Phineas.
* ''Toys/EverAfterHigh'' is a rare example where the protagonist is someone's lancer. Creative freethinker Raven helps [[LovableAlphaBitch Apple]]- a hidebound traditionalist- to think outside the box and deal with unprecedented situations.

* Marco Diaz can be considered this to Star Butterfly in ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'' especially after becoming her [[spoiler:squirel]]
* Although they weren't part of a FiveManBand, WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck could be considered this to WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse. He was the second most popular character in the Disney stable and something of an AntiHero compared to the family friendly Mickey. Also, depending on the story, Donald would either regard Mickey as his best friend or be jealous of his success and popularity.
* Laney Penn from ''WesternAnimation/{{Grojband}}'' is this to Corey Riffin, being his sensible, mature, and level-headed counterpart who pulls him down to earth when his {{Zany Scheme}}s go too far but nonetheless remains faithful and supportive to him and his dreams of making Grojband the best band ever.
* In ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'', Sean serves this role in the FiveManBand as he is a {{Foil}} towards TheLeader Jet in every single way. While Jet always leaps before looking, is highly energetic, and unironically loves making mistakes, Sean is more cautious, intellectual, and nervous in general.
* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Adrien Agreste[=/=]Chat Noir is ''very much'' this trope to Marinette Dupain-Cheng[=/=]Ladybug. While Ladybug takes her duties as a hero deadly seriously, Chat becomes a [[PungeonMaster pun-spouting]] LargeHam because he's overcompensating for his emotionally-repressed civilian life. Ladybug's Lucky Charm enables her to create whatever she needs to solve the problem (albeit in [[ImprobableWeaponUser an improbable fashion]]), while Chat's Cataclysm lets him destroy whatever he needs to. While Marinette was [[RefusalOfTheCall initially reluctant to take up the mantle of Ladybug]], Adrien JumpedAtTheCall. The two of them are the most powerful superheroes in Paris's Miraculous-wielder team, and the only ones to keep their Miraculouses at all times (all of the others [[GuestStarPartyMember are loaned Miraculouses by Ladybug on a case-by-case basis]]), Chat tends to follow Ladybug's lead in battle.
* ''WesternAnimation/ClassOf3000'' plays with this trope.
** Nominally, this trope falls into [[LonelyRichKid Eddie's]] hands, as he serves as a contrast both physically (being chubby, white, and blonde-haired to Li'l D being thin, black, and black-haired) and personality-wise (being more reserved and cowardly to Li'l D's sometimes harebrained nature).
** That being said, all the other kids are content to follow Li'l D's lead and are shown to occupy more or less the same rank. At times, [[TheSmartGuy Philly Phil]], [[TheBigGuy Tamika]], [[ThoseTwoGuys Kim, and Kam]] have taken on Lancer-like roles.

* Rainbow Dash in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' is this to Twilight Sparkle. She is widely regarded as the most powerful of all the ponies and is by far the most qualified to lead in Twilight's absence, but normally serves as a necessary foil to Twilight's careful, reflective nature.

* Duke L'Orange in ''WesternAnimation/TheMightyDucks'', a former GentlemanThief [[HeelFaceTurn turned]] [[LaResistance freedom fighter]], contrasts nicely to not only [[TheHero Wildwing]] but the rest of the team, especially since he's the only one who. regularly uses a melee weapon (a [[LaserBlade laser sword]]).

* While Longarm of ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}'', may have the many traits of the average American [[TheHero hero]], he is no more then a lancer to team leader Bulletproof.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers'': Shane Gooseman, the genetically engineered Supertrooper of the is a rare inhuman example. Definitely a little more...questionable in his methods, especially when contrasted with TheHero Zachary Foxx. There's also the fact that Zach is HappilyMarried while Shane's a ChickMagnet, and that Zach is the eldest person on the team (late 30's to early 40's) while Shane is 19 - barely older than Zach's son.

%% * Ironically, although being the title character, Sonic was actually his team's [[TheLancer Lancer]] in ''WesternAnimation/SonicSatAM''. However, his deeds may also make him the Hero.

* Ironically, although being the title character, Sonic was actually his team's [[TheLancer Lancer]] in ''WesternAnimation/SonicSatAM''. However, his deeds may also make him the Hero.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats'', Tygra doubled as Lion-O's Lancer and TheSmartGuy. The latter is relative since the team's [[TheBigGuy Big Guy]], Panthro, was a GeniusBruiser.

** From [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra the sequel series,]] Mako grows into this role.

* Duke L'Orange in ''WesternAnimation/TheMightyDucks'', a former GentlemanThief [[HeelFaceTurn turned]] [[LaResistance freedom fighter]], contrasts nicely to not only [[TheHero Wildwing]] but the rest of the team, especially since he's the only one who. regularly uses a melee weapon. (a [[LaserBlade laser sword]])

* ''Franchise/EverAfterHigh'' is a rare example where the protagonist is someone's lancer. Creative freethinker Raven helps [[LovableAlphaBitch Apple]]- a hidebound traditionalist- to think outside the box and deal with unprecedented situations.

* Although they weren't part of a FiveManBand, WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck could be considered this to Disney/MickeyMouse. He was the second most popular character in the Disney stable and something of an AntiHero compared to the family friendly Mickey. Also, depending on the story, Donald would either regard Mickey as his best friend or be jealous of his success and popularity.

* Although they weren't part of a FiveManBand, Disney/DonaldDuck could be considered this to Disney/MickeyMouse. He was the second most popular character in the Disney stable and something of an AntiHero compared to the family friendly Mickey. Also, depending on the story, Donald would either regard Mickey as his best friend or be jealous of his success and popularity.

* Marco Diaz can be considered this to Star Butterfly in ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'' especially after becoming her [[spoiler:squire]]

* In the ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'', even though they are no longer master and padawan, and they both hold the same rank as 'general' during the Clone Wars, Anakin is Obi-Wan's lancer when they are on a mission together. Each Jedi knight has a clone officer as a lancer. Obi-Wan's is Commander Cody and Anakin's is Captain Rex.

* Raven in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' fits the trope closest, being a DarkIsNotEvil AntiHero, and having very subdued emotions to contrast HotBlooded [[TheHero Robin]]. However, Cyborg tends to be the one who leads the team when Robin is away, despite (or perhaps because of) being TheSmartGuy. The show plays with team roles of the FiveManBand. Cyborg and Beast Boy tend to switch off on which one is being TheBigGuy or TheSmartGuy, and Cyborg has shades of TheLancer as well.

* Ironically, although being the title character, ''WesternAnimation/SonicSatAM'' was actually his team's [[TheLancer Lancer]]. However, his deeds may also make him the Hero, next to Princess Sally.