History WesternAnimation / Centurions

* {{BFG}}: While all three original Centurions have one heavily-armed and armored weapon system with larger weapons than most of their others (Max's Depth Charger, Jake's Detonator, and Ace's Skybolt), Rex's Gatling Guard cranks the trope UpToEleven by launching solar flares and altering gravity. John's Silent Arrow has a giant bow and launching arrow (which breaks apart to reveal a capture net) instead.

* ClearMyName: In "Traitors Three", the Centurions are falsely implicated when a dam is destroyed, Doc Terror steals a space shuttle and flooded a town- to rescue a school- which was abandoned for years- until it was crushed in a landslide. They find that they've been set up, and have to clear their names. Luckily, Max steals their Exo-Frames.

* SpiritualSuccessor: Japanese [[MoeAnthropomorphism Mecha Musume]] toy franchises such as ''Toys/BusouShinki'', ''Toys/FrameArmsGirls'' and ''Toys/MegamiDevice'' have a similar [[TheGimmick gimmick]] to ''Centurions'': interchangeable sci-fi weapons that attach to the figures in a variety of combinations. However, the heroes of these franchises are BadassAdorable {{Robot Girl}}s instead of human adult male soldiers, which gives the lines a very different feel. ''Toys/ThirtyMinutesMissions'' also uses the interchangeable armor idea.

* PlotTailoredToTheParty: Max is the team leader, but since he's the sea operations specialist his weapon systems are all aquatic. Since most population centers are near water, it doesn't come up much, but on occasion he needs to use one of Jake or Ace's systems. He's taken aback when Jake borrows Depth Charger, his heaviest weapon system, for underwater use.

* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: Played with. Max was usually fairly useful even though his suits specialized in underwater combat. Plus, it was shown in several episodes that the Centurions were all capable of using each others' Assault Weapon Systems if they really needed to.

* {{Teleportation}}: Each Centurion installation has a "beaming chamber" that can instantly transport the heroes anywhere on Earth (or into space), and also beam their weapon systems onto their Exo-Frames. Living beings need the protection of an Exo-Frame or special metal harness to safely use the devices, which nullifies their StoryBreakerPower.

* UnderwaterBase[=/=]UnderwaterCity: Sealab. No, [[invoked]] [[NamesTheSame not]] ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Sealab 2020}} that]]'' [[WesternAnimation/{{Sealab 2021}} one]].

* AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle: Each episode has an epilogue in which one of the characters discusses a scientific principle that (usually) relates to the story. Also one of the few series in which the lesson is sometimes delivered by the ''villain''.

* MindControlMusic: The premise of "Whalesong". Doc Terror hires frustrated composer Madame Arpeggio to create a phony whalesong that hypnotizes the peaceful creatures and commands them to destroy all humans. He's also able to make them attack specific targets.

** John Thunder's segment does not deal with a scientific principle, but a behavioural trait of his tribe.

** ThreateningShark: ...and the other Cybervore is a [[https://centurions.fandom.com/wiki/Cybervore_Shark_(Unproduced) shark]]. It has {{Energy Weapon}}s in the form of, "[[Film/AustinPowers frickin' laser beams]]", although they are not attached to its head.

* MechaMooks: Only a select few kinds, mass-produced by Doc Terror to give the Centurions opponents to fight. They included Traumatizers (bipedal soldiers), Strafers (jet fighter drones), and Groundborgs (tread-mounted ground troopers). Later in the series, Doc Terror would add both the Cybervore Panther (a robotic panther) and Cybervore Shark (a robotic shark) to his legions.

* '''''Jake Rockwell''''', ''rugged land operations specialist.'' Wears yellow, works on land. Probably [[UsefulNotes/{{Texas}} Texan]][[note]]The [[UniverseBible writers' guide]] and ComicBookAdaptation [[AllThereInTheManual give his birthplace]] as Austin[[/note]]. A futuristic cowboy who prefers straightforward attacks to stealth or guile. Cooks his special chili surprise.

* '''''Jake Rockwell''''', ''rugged land operations specialist.'' Wears yellow, works on land. Probably Texan[[note]]The [[UniverseBible writers' guide]] and ComicBookAdaptation [[AllThereInTheManual give his birthplace]] as Austin[[/note]]. A futuristic cowboy who prefers straightforward attacks to stealth or guile. Cooks his special chili surprise.

* FiveManBand: After Rex and John join the team.
** TheHero: Ace
** TheLancer: Max
** TheHeart: Jake
** TheSmartGuy: Rex (although Max also fulfills this role)
** TheBigGuy: John

* BadassBeard: Rex Charger has one.

* BadassMustache: As noted, Max has one.

As of 2021, Ramen Toys is attempting a pre-order revival of the line for adult collectors called ''80s Commanders''. Although the characters and weapon systems are similar to the originals, [[SerialNumbersFiledOff the names and backstories have been changed]].

''Centurions'' is a heavily MerchandiseDriven SixtyFiveEpisodeCartoon series, produced by Creator/RubySpears[[note]]and animated by an uncredited Creator/{{Sunrise}}, who established their Studio 7 branch (of ''Anime/SCryEd'' and the ''Anime/BraveSeries'' meta series) with this show[[/note]] in 1986 and based on a Creator/{{Kenner}} action figure line. It follows the adventures of three (later five) technological {{Superhero}}es who fight against evil using Assault Weapon Systems. As of 2021, Ramen Toys is attempting a pre-order revival of Ace, Jake and Max with their weapon systems.[[note]]Although the names and backstories were changed for this toy line.[[/note]]

Their uniforms, actually cybernetic Exo-Frames, had a number of hardpoints on the surface, to which the various parts of their weapon systems would attach after having been beamed in from the orbiting space station, Skyvault.

!!Tropes Extreme!:

''Centurions'' is a heavily MerchandiseDriven SixtyFiveEpisodeCartoon series, produced by Creator/RubySpears[[note]]and animated by an uncredited Creator/{{Sunrise}}, who established their Studio 7 branch (of ''Anime/SCryEd'' and the ''Anime/BraveSeries'' meta series) with this show[[/note]] in 1986 and based on a Creator/{{Kenner}} action figure line. It follows the adventures of three (later five) technological {{Superhero}}es who fight against evil using Assault Weapon Systems. As of 2021, Ramen Toys is attempting a pre-order revival of Ace, Jake and Max with their weapon systems.

''Centurions'' is a heavily MerchandiseDriven SixtyFiveEpisodeCartoon series, produced by Creator/RubySpears[[note]]and animated by an uncredited Creator/{{Sunrise}}, who established their Studio 7 branch (of ''Anime/SCryEd'' and the ''Anime/BraveSeries'' meta series) with this show[[/note]] in 1986 and based on a Creator/{{Kenner}} action figure line. It follows the adventures of three (later five) technological {{Superhero}}es who fight against evil using Assault Weapon Systems.

* CyberpunkForFlavot: The plot of "Zone Dancer" combines elements from ''Film/BladeRunner'' and ''Literature/{{Neuromancer}}''.

* CyberPunk: "Zone Dancer", whose plot combines elements from ''Film/BladeRunner'' and ''Literature/{{Neuromancer}}''.

* DameWIthACase: How Gabe Knight meets Crystal's "beam clone" in "Zone Dancer".

* MechaMooks: Only a select few kinds.

* MilkmanConspiracy: Gremlin, the secret organization of janitor spies in "Max Ray... Traitor".

* SpaceElevator: The series has one in the episode "Showdown at Skystalk". Its Earth base is in the Andes, and it takes people to and from a resort called the Pleasure Star. It's set up more as a train, rather sensibly, as the ride is looong. .

* SpaceElevator: Set up as a train.