Canon may have already established some of these characters, but there's enough AdaptationPersonalityChange in fandom that authors often decide to quickly reestablish what's going on in their particular portrayal. And then, of course, there's the [[OriginalCharacter characters canon didn't have]], or [[OCStandIn didn't establish the first time around]].
----
[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Crossovers ]]

* ''Fanfic/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar'' rightfully introduces [[spoiler: [[VideoGame/AceCombat04ShatteredSkies Mobius]]]] as a [[OneManArmy One Pony Army]]. He dispatches three griffon soldiers, each with a single hit and even [[DeathGlare stares down]] Razor. The entire Mirage squadron, especially Rainbow Dash, watches in awe as he performs his feats. By the end of the chapter, it is revealed he is a living legend and the best pegasus flier in the world.
* ''Fanfic/BlazBlueAlternativeRemnant'': Jin Kisaragi's first moment in the story is casually defeating Team FNKI by himself and coldly blowing them off as "trash", showing that he's both a powerful fighter and a complete asshole.
* ''Fanfic/TheBridge'' does this a lot with the kaiju roster and the Equestrian cast who don't get as much characterization in the show.
** We spend an entire chapter following an unnamed character that shows they have memory problems and mental trauma, but are a NobleDemon at worst when they protect an innocent pony from an attacker. [[spoiler: It's Monster X.]]
** Princess Celestia's puts her hoof down with a magical wave that floors six transformed kaiju when they're taken by surprise as she's shouting in a Royal Canterlot Voice that makes Luna's sound like a whisper. She then calmly states there has been enough fighting and they need to figure out what's going on.
** Our first big indication this is a heroic incarnation of Godzilla with the grown up Godzilla Junior is his intentional defense of Canterlot from the Gyaos horde.
* The first episode of ''[[Fanfic/ChristianWestonChandlerInSurvivorKujiraJima Christian Weston Chandler in Survivor: Kujira-Jima]]'' gives moments to most of the cast:
** The [[IntroDump introductory scene]], while nominally one for everyone, is especially one for [[BasementDweller Chris]], who harasses the other castaways throughout the whole sequence.
** [[TheWhitestBlackGuy Kenny]]'s moment also comes in the introduction. He introduces himself politely, but snaps when Chris becomes afraid that Kenny will shoot him.
** Chlamydia introduces herself by her long and bizarrely-spelled name, calls everyone scum, tries and fails to commit assault, then immediately claims she's being raped.
** Neri's first appearance sees her clutching onto Chris. She promises to cook and clean for Chris, and she's studying medicine, but she completely fails to realize that, despite being Chris's perfect girlfriend, he's terrified of her on account of her race.
** For [[GrumpyOldMan Jude]]:
--->'''Jude:''' Clowns to the left of me. Degenerates to the right.
*** He gets a second moment when he and four tribemates are hoisting a huge log at the behest of his rival, Stan. The other four let go. He manages to keep hold of it all by himself.
** The latter moment is also Stan's moment, as he manages to build a sturdy wall out of ropes and wood while [[TheStoner high as a kite]].
** [[WhiteCollarWorker Roscoe]] rattles off some corporate jargon about how disorganized the tribe is. Then he realizes he's in the middle of a four-way free-for-all within his tribe. Then he decides he's in the perfect position to take charge.
** [[JerkJock Fabian]] starts the first day of the game by calling Chlamydia a fat bitch and spends the rest of it terrorizing Chris.
** Senken tribe gets a collective one. Ato Chie tear themselves apart on the first day, screaming at each other and almost coming to blows. Cut to Senken peacefully cooperating to build a shelter and make fire.
* Claymade's sequel to ''Fanfic/TheDarkLordsOfNerima'' introduces the new BigBad by having him casually defeating an assassin trying to kill him (that he had hired himself), who had already easily torn through his security forces.
* Being a crossover between two popular series (Manga/RanmaOneHalf and Anime/SailorMoon), ''Fanfic/FistOfTheMoon'' has characters that the audience already knows, but their establishing moments for each other are quite potent.
** Ranma grabs three kids that the senshi were protecting from youma and get them out of danger, then comes back to help again. During this they take two hits that leave her literally dead on her feet, and require the Silver crystal to heal.
--->'''Usagi:''' We know her, Mars. She rescued three children and two senshi, putting her life on the line. We know her very well.
** The above quote also serves as Usagi’s, justifying (potentially life-threatening) use of the Silver Crystal for someone they only just met.
** And in the same event, Rei begins by begging her not to risk her life like this, and declares her hatred of “that life-sucking rock”.
** When Usa shows up for the first time, her hair is in a braid and she tries a physical assault against Usagi.
* ''Fanfic/CindersAndAshesTheChroniclesOfKamenRiderDante'' introduces original characters and ''re''-introduces characters from ''Anime/ReCreators'' given the larger roles they play in the story.
** [[BigBad Altair]] is first introduced by offering Hotaro a DealWithTheDevil to help her get revenge on the Land of Gods (i.e. [[RefugeeFromTVLand the real world]]), only for Hotaro to establish ''his'' character by not only rejecting it, but also [[KirkSummation describing exactly what her motivation truly is]]... To which she [[ShutUpKirk takes rather well]].
** [[TeamMom Marine]] is introduced by comforting a panicking Hoshi after he is chased by Altair, and then later on when he's looped in on [[RookieRedRanger being part of the heroes]] and the mess he has to help them solve.
** [[BigGood Meteora]]'s voice is described by Hoshi as "[[TheSpock cold, distant, analytical]]". Her later chat with Hoshi alongside Kikuchihara shows they work in tandem together and are the closest things he has to commanders.
** Yuuya's introduction, after a fight with Hoshi, shows he was able to figure out that he's Dante's author rather than Dante himself, showing that he's more observant than he lets on.
** Tachibana's entire character ''began'' with this moment according to WordOfGod, as [[WhatCouldHaveBeen he was originally going to be a one-note character]] before [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/cinders-and-ashes-the-chronicle-of-kamen-rider-dante-re-creators-kamen-rider-oc-si.554418/#post-65852640 a few dialogue exchanges between Hoshi and Tachibana]] showed he had HiddenDepths worth exploring.
** [[NiceGirl Mamika]] and [[KnightInSourArmor Alicetaria]] have a whole side-chapter introducing their characters, with Alicetaria wanting to kill Hoshi and Mamika wanting to protect him, before she gets Alicetaria to compromise with her having to deal with Hoshi if he presents himself to be a threat.
** The first original Creation, Jurogumo, makes her introduction known through the murder of a gang member and giving him the moniker of "some pig", contrasting to how Magane's original establishing moment went down.
** Magane's full introduction has her sow the seeds that lead to Hoshi's UnstoppableRage-induced FaceHeelTurn by stringing together reveal after reveal after reveal, allowing him to find out four things in the ''worst'' possible way. [[note]]Namely that she took Honoka's phone, that Souta had a connection to Setsuna's demise, and that Mamika died. The fourth thing was Hoshi coming to the wrong conclusion that Meteora killed her own Creator[[/note]].
** Suruga's introductory chapter has her be mysterious until she hands Hoshi the keys to the Machine Inferner and, in scene shortly after, confers with Kikuchihara that the revision powers worked as she had suspected.
** [[TheRival Yudai]]'s introduction was a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown on Hoshi that's later revealed to be an ExtremeMeleeRevenge, showing just how cruel and vindictive he is, especially taking into account that [[spoiler:he's reflecting Hoshi's own vindictiveness towards Souta]].
** Vega, by contrast, is a lot calmer and methodical, referring to Hoshi by father on his first appearence and calming down Yudai enough to back off. We later learn he has a tendency to refer to the influences of his creation by these terms and sees Yudai as a son... Though [[BadBoss treating him like one is another story]].
** Shimashima is introduced trying to reason with the other Creations that they can't include Mamika into the Elimination Chamber Festival due to her Creators wanting to distance from her due to current events, citing how it's out of his hands. Matsubara comments on how he's "a stuffy suit" and is even surprised that he'd be taking up such a white collar job as being the messengers of other companies. His inability to stick up for Mamika (which he later allows the Creators to LoopholeAbuse) and his dutiful servitude towards the industry [[spoiler:become foreshadowing to his true identity as Shimazaki Yuusuke, who had similarly been unable to stick up for his daughter Setsuna due to being a servant for the industry]].
** Hikayu has an entire introductory arc that establishes her as different from the canon self, being more willing to help the others stop Altair after some thought, putting some training into boxing and even getting to become a [[MagicalGirl Magical Slayer]].
** Yuichi and Melt have a contrast to Mamika and Alicetaria's introduction to Hoshi, though [[InvertedTrope it serves to establish]] how broken ''Hoshi'' has become, as he freezes up at Melt asking if he knew Mamika and barely struck up a conversation with Yuichi. It's played straight with Yuichi's debut as [[AnIcePerson Kamen Rider Verge]], given he gives a quick and merciless CurbStompBattle with a snake-themed monster that had poisoned Hoshi just moments prior.
** Izumi Dan's entire character arc kicks off with him mourning the loss of his childhood friend and being called out by Ohnishi for always having tragedy in his stories. Cue a victim of his tragic stories coming to get his revenge... [[DeathSeeker and Dan accepts]].
** Freezing Bear's human form is introduced with Magane asking a simple question after showing Yudai [[StalkerWithoutACrush his favorite hobby]]: "What happens to a stalker when they're given [[TheUnfettered the power to do what they want without consequence?]]". Cue him murdering two girls and some cops just because one of them was an idol.
** Sparking Giraffe's debut has him blasting a dude with his powers simply because he badmouthed the murdered idol.
** [[PapaWolf Shimazaki Yuusuke]]'s proper introduction makes it clear that he's just as psychotic, if not ''more'' psychotic, than Altair by insisting that ''he'' personally kills the man who prevented him from helping Setsuna not get cancelled at the expense of the artists who made her take the fall. [[spoiler:Kamen Rider Toris also shows that reality itself is bending to their whims as while it could barely put together a form, it was able to be tangible enough to make his victim lose his sanity]].
* ''Fanfic/HazredousInterruptions'': [[spoiler:Summer Rose]] [[MamaBear makes her personality quite clear]] with the very first words she says in her official debut. For context, Team RWBY has just been thoroughly wiped out by [[spoiler:Briar Breeze, the Maiden of Summer.]]
-->'''[[spoiler:Summer Rose]]:''' Don't you touch her, you hot-headed ''[[PrecisionFStrike bitch]].''
* The Protectorate in ''Fanfic/HowToDrillYourWayThroughYourProblems'' had already met Lagann a few times before, and realized he was a good person and ideal Hero material. They didn't quite understand how different Lagann was until he upgraded Armsmaster's cycle into the Gurrencycle while ''riding it'' and minutes later, stealing Squealer's truck(?) and turning it into a giant robot.
* [[PaperPeople Lexi's]] first action in ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainBlossomingTrail'' after being recovered is to attack his father and lash out at how Titus was oblivious to the fact that his own son was BuriedAlive for eight years in their own car. Then, when Chloe pushes him out of the way so his papers don't get soaked from a hot water kettle that got sent flying into the air, he looks in remorse when she gets hot water burns on her shoulder. This shows off how Lexi is filled with bitterness and wants to lash out at people who hurt him, but also has remorse when others get hurt becuse of him.
* In ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'' Kyon's sister gets hers the [[SwitchingPOV first time the story is told from her perspective]] showing how much she admires and loves her brother and her fears of Kyon eventually drifting away from her.
* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': In the first story scene, as soon as Shinji sees Sachiel he asks what that monster is and states firmly that it must be stopped. That moment shows this Shinji is not his timid, weak canon self even before being revealed he is Franchise/{{Superman}}.
* ''Fanfic/AManOfIron'' has several of these:
** Antony Stark shows the reader ''why'' the Stark family and the North are ashamed of him when he comes at Winterfell and proceeds to insult and snark about everything and everyone he sees. Then he immediately proves he can be a truly nice person by calling [[HeroicBastard Jon]] a Stark and laughing when Arya sasses him back - BlackSheep he may be, he's also a very CoolUncle.
** Clynt actually jokes with Tyrion while serving Catelyn Stark - who kidnapped the dwarf - and easily slaughters many Hill Tribes warriors when their camp is attacked.
** [[spoiler:Thor]] acts as a huge, very oblivious ditz after his landing on Dragonstone, complaining about the Faith not getting his people right, groping Jane before deeming her a Queen over Stannis and thinking Shireen fought a dragon because of her scars. However, his genuine admiration for Jane's bravery in front of his arrival and praise for Shireen over living after receiving her scars shows he's very nice and gallant, while respecting strenght and courage above all.
** Jane Seaworth would do anything for her loved ones, and lying doesn't bother her a wit for this. How does the reader know this? Because she didn't even hesitate to frame the Crown Prince up after seeing him bullying her charge Shireen. [[spoiler:More subtly, the fact she twisted the situation to her advantage via creative use of the truth foreshadows her parentage as a daughter of Loki.]]
* ''Fanfic/MassEffectHumanRevolution'':
** Despite being off-duty, Adam Jensen takes down a ten-Asari bank robbery single-handedly through stealth, offers himself to the last one in exchange for her hostage, then defeats her non-lethally but painfully when she still refuses to see the light. He's a stealthy OneManArmy, but he's also always looking out for others; that said, GoodIsNotSoft!
** The first onscreen appearance of Johann Liebert Ramsus has him concoct a brilliant, bloodsoaked plan to get out of his holding facility, showing both his mental and combat prowess in the process.
* In the ''Anime/GirlsUndPanzer'' and ''Manga/{{Saki}}'' crossover, ''Fanfic/NecessaryToWin'', which can be found [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10130193/1/Necessary-To-Win here]], there are quite a few.
** Hisa, in her first scene, opposes Anzu's threatening to expel Miho in order to get her to join the tankery team, showing that while she strongly desires for Oarai's tankery team to be restarted [[spoiler:and for Oarai itself to stay open]], there are limits to how far she will go.
** Like in canon, [[JerkAss Erika]] insults Miho, claims Oarai should not even be entering the tournament if it can't hope to win, and gets offended when Mako (Reizei) brings up the possibility of them being defeated.
** Maho, seeing Miho in the cafe, is forced to conceal her emotions and choose her words carefully as Nishizumi heiress. The only thing she can bring herself to say is "I didn't think you'd still be doing tankery" After seeing that this answer upsets Miho, she thinks, "Forgive me, Miho...". She subconsciously agrees with Hisa's arguing that one should not lose sight of one's reasons for wanting to win, and as she walks off, hopes Miho is happier at Oarai.
** Teru, in response to Erika derisively bringing up Hisa's being a no-show at the middle school tankery tournament three years ago, tells her, "Some people have parts of their past that they don't want to talk about." When Saki notices her and calls out to her, asking why she [[IHaveNoSon is denying having a sister]], Teru freezes in surprise before walking off without saying anything to Saki.
** In a flashback, Takako is first shown slapping a student for making a minor mistake, then defending her actions to Shiho, saying that she uses whatever means are necessary to help them improve, showing her approach to the DrillSergeantNasty trope.
** Masae, head of the Atago School of Tankery, watches her daughters, pleased with their performance, and briefly mentions her school's philosophy. This gives some idea of how she's a less demanding parent and a less ruthless tanker than Shiho.
** Hiroe, Masae's elder daughter, after winning a match, alternates between bragging about her victory and sincerely complimenting her defeated opponents for their efforts, before gladly agreeing to sign an autograph for a fan from said opposing team, showcasing that she's outspoken and full of herself, but a kind person at heart.
* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' has several, for both the original and remastered version.
** The Hunter's very first scene is a BatmanColdOpen that depicts him finishing off his hunt of an orc war band. His calm demeanour plus the trail of corpses he leaves behind is enough to tell the readers that he's an adept, experienced killer. There's also how this {{protagonist}} uses a demented [[SerratedBladeOfPain saw-cleaver hybrid]], instead of a [[HeroesPreferSwords sword]] or any traditional weapon, which immediately marks him as sinister, dangerous, and [[AntiHero anti-heroic]].
** The Plain Doll kneels in front of a gravestone, praying for the Hunter's safety. The Hunter, who is introduced beforehand as a sinister individual, lets her finish. Then comes her signature, customary greeting[[note]]"Welcome home, good hunter. What is it you desire?"[[/note]]. Within five short paragraphs, the Doll is established as a tender soul, something the Hunter also happens to have. The two are also clearly shown as dearest friends.
** Celestine goes through a vision, a premonition of a man garbed in dark grey and a tattered tricorne hat, the saw-like thing in hand, capable of both peace and laying waste to everything, including those that she holds dear. Evidently, it is a GodzillaThreshold to seek him out in hopes of ending the ForeverWar her country is embroiled in, but even so, she chooses to do so.
** Vault is introduced as TheLeader of the Black Dogs, proud of his accomplishments. Regarding the Hunter, he recognises him as the person who managed to kill three infamous orcs with NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast. The Hunter replies that he is unaware that those orcs had names, a reply that Vault readily approves. Before their conversation, Kyril can somehow sense ambition by looking at his eyes, implying that he has a separate agenda unknown to others. Also counts as {{foreshadowing}}.
** Original version:
*** Michelle interrupts the meeting between his father Lord Michael Pantielle and the newly-appointed BlackKnight Sir Kyril by slamming the door open. When demanded to apologise to his guest, he whines about having to apologise to a person of lower status than he is, which earns him a slap and a lot of scolding from his already furious father.
*** Sanakan's first appearance shows her [[ThePowerOfTrust putting her trust on Hugh]] to find a way out of the chaos due to the Black Dogs, but her big moment is when she demands [[HorrifyingHero Kyril]], an AdvancingBossOfDoom who just massacred every single Black Dog in the church she is trapped in, to [[TakeMeInstead take her while leaving the others alone]]. [[spoiler:[[WowingCthulhu He's impressed]].]]
*** Regarding the protection of the nuns of Feoh, who were among the many victims of the Black Dogs, Archbishop Grishom has something to say about this: "My clergy cannot waste any more resources on those nuns." His reasoning for this is that he believes they would betray the country as they have been "tainted" by the Black Dogs.
*** Soren's introduction is a failed attempt at nabbing Sanakan's coin purse. The conversation between them after their ChaseScene cements him as a CowardlyLion who, despite his [[NervousWreck nervousness]], decides to go after a high-profile person, the target being Sir Kyril's right hand herself. Justified, for he fears the consequences of failing to meet the demands of his "boss", namely a street thug who owns the streets.
*** Shamuhaza is introduced experimenting on the citizens of Rad to produce a legion of BodyHorror EliteMooks via FaceFullOfAlienWingWong. This is complete with a WhamShot of [[spoiler:Luu-Luu as the specimen for his final testing]].
** Remastered version:
*** Alicia Arcturus's tendency to judge and jump to conclusions is laid bare during her first interaction with Kyril. This is especially so for Kyril's status as a foreigner.
*** In spite of his brief first appearance in Chapter 4, the moment that establishes Boris as a character, together with the Black Dogs in general, is during Chapter 6, where he reluctantly reveals his secret to Kyril, that he killed one of his comrades for hurting a prisoner of war. Keep in mind that this happens right after a {{Flashback}} of Kyril witnessing several mercenaries molesting Chloe. Suffice to say, the readers are known that Boris is a TokenGoodTeammate amongst [[AllMenArePerverts the depravity of the Black Dogs]].
*** The first thing Morgan does in his initial appearance is to call out to Grace, shouting at her to "get her beautiful self out here". Then, while conversing, he reaches out, a gesture that causes her to slip away from his hand, taking a step back.
*** Just the Rat's first line of dialogue, bolded, reveals ''a lot'' about him. A complete enigma, he's probably some sort of [[OurGodsAreDifferent god]]/[[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]]/entity, from how he has lived for around thousands of years. For some reason, he knows that there's more to [[spoiler:our protagonist, Kyril]], than meets the eye.
---->'''"Well now... thousands of years pass by in these woods and yet never have I met someone like you, a man touched by the gods..."'''
* ''Fanfic/{{Paradoxus}}'': Aen'da is introduced in the [[Recap/ParadoxusPrologo prologue]] as a powerful yet awkward Kaldorei/Sin'dorei hybrid. Proof of the former is that with one shoot from her bow Delune she can access the Maw where Sylvanas, thrice sent there, is without worrying about not going back. The latter is accomplished the moment she opens her mouth and doesn't quite know how to explain to Sylvanas why she's rescuing her from there or who she is. She admits not having prepared a speech.
* In ''Fanfic/PointMeAtTheSkyrim'', Antares' response to waking up bound in a cart surrounded by hostile strangers is to try and de-escalate the situation.
* Some of ''Fanfic/ThePrayerWarriors'' and the other characters have them.
** Jerry is introduced recruiting his girlfriend Mary and her friends into the Order of the Prayer Warriors, then [[CurbStompBattle curb stomping]] [[Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians Grover Underwood]] for following a different god.
** Grover's death, and his return a few chapters later, is in and of itself an establishing character moment for him; he dies many times in this fic.
** [[Franchise/HarryPotter Dumbledore]] is introduced [[ATasteOfTheLash whipping a student]] [[KickTheDog for praying]], establishing himself as close to an aversion of DesignatedVillain as most of the fic's cast gets.
** "[[AccidentalMisnaming John]] [[Music/TheBeatles Lennon]]" gets his at the start of "Threat of [[DirtyCommies Satanic]] [[RougeAnglesOfSatin Commonism]]", when he orders a massacre of all the Christians.
** Jupiter manages to top Dumbledore and John Lennon, though, when he [[MoralEventHorizon tortures Annabeth and Grover to death]], then [[ILoveTheDead does unspeakable things to their bodies]].
* Acknowledged InUniverse in ''Fanfic/TavisBloodAndFire'':
-->''"Tali, Nihlus wouldn’t drag you across half the galaxy if you weren’t up to this. You introduced yourself to us by throwing a grenade at a crooked info-broker!"''
* ''WebAnimation/TurnaboutStorm's'' Cruise Control spends his first moments on-screen [[LargeHam loudly yelling at himself]] for not saying ''"I'm sorry!"'' [[ComicalOverreacting with enough remorse]], and then it escalates from there -- [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Except for those very few seconds he gets dead serious]] during that same first meeting.
* ''Fanfic/TheWeaverOption'': Sliscus swaggers into the meeting of pirate admirals he called late wearing an outfit fashioned from the skin of a xenos that was ''still screaming''. After bragging about the Asuryani princess he just bedded, he invites the other admirals on a "little adventure". They all smile and agree because doing anything else would get them gutted.
* ''Fanfic/WeMakeOurOwnLight'': Dunstan's complete lack of respect for the divine is obvious when he attacks Gwynevere's illusion before chasing Gwyndolin down the endless corridor, just because he wanted to peek under the Moon deity's mask. But after ripping the crown away, the man is aghast by Gwyndolin being JustAKid saddled with such crushing duties -- for all his cynicism and weariness, Dunstan cannot help softening towards people when he gets to see them as they truly are, instead of their social persona.
* ''Fanfic/WonderfulMazinja'': Emma and Sophia's first appearances show that Emma never stopped being [[TheHero Taylor]]'s friend, and unlike in canon, they never bullied her.
** When Emma shows up, she complains about Taylor not calling her to let her know that both she and her mother were fine after the Leviathan's attack.
** Sophia shows up straight after, and she and Taylor are relatively civil to each other.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/The Black Cauldron'' ]]

* In the second chapter of ''Fanfic/HopeForTheHeartless'', an unnamed girl gazes at the moon while remembering one of the fairytales she loves. It leads her to wonder how the deceased [[TheDreaded Horned King]] could have become the monster he was known as. Despite herself, [[SympathyForTheDevil she finds herself pitying the warlord with all her heart]]. This girl turns out to be [[PurityPersonified Avalina]], and she becomes the [[ResurrectedForAJob resurrected]] Horned King's MoralityPet.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Manga/Bleach'' ]]

* In ''FanFic/SwingingPendulum'' Kaien is established as a male GenkiGirl who wants to be Ichigo's older brother figure in his little note to Ichigo, remainding him of their lunch date:
--> ''Morning, cousin! Join me for lunch today, okay? I’ll swing by at noon to pick you up. Your favourite big bro, Kaien^_^’''
** Asuka is established as a ShrinkingViolet when she refuses to look Ichigo in the eye and addresses him very formally when she tells Ichigo that he has been assigned to tutor her for extra credit by their teacher, Koyonagi.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Series/Buffy The Vampire Slayer'' ]]

* In ''[[https://www.tthfanfic.org/Story-28404-95/DianeCastle+Xendra.htm Xendra]]'', Kennedy is introduced mentally complaining about her training as a Potential but reveling in her family's money letting her do things her way (to an extent) rather than the traditional way. Once she becomes empowered as a Slayer, she's ecstatic and is shown to have been genuinely hoping to be called.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command'' ]]

* In ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4695546/1/For_Good_I_Breakaway Breakaway]]'' of the ''Fanfic/ForGood'' FanVerse, Chapter 10 provides concise introductions of the protagonist's teammates. After being established as a [[ChildProdigy prodigy]], Ricki performs a SherlockScan on Erin. The very next scene introduces us to Windy and Ice. Windy is established as an impatient, [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]] {{Expy}} of [[TheMcCoy Dr. McCoy]]; Ice is established as a GenreBlind NaiveNewcomer who is OvershadowedByAwesome and provides the RunningGag of the fic.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Danganronpa'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/DespairsLastResort'':
** Kumiko Akamine crashes out of her hotel room and lands right on Takara, then acts like nothing's wrong moments later.
** Takara finds Kazumi Katsuya shouting at Shigeru Kitagawa and threatening to punch him. Meanwhile, Shigeru is arguing with Kazuma, and enjoying making her angry.
** Kaito Fujiwara tries to flirt with Takara but fails and manages to fall on his face in the process.
* ''Fanfic/WhereTalentGoesToDie'':
** Sae Edogawa greets Kaori Miura when she wakes up, asks her how she's feeling and walks her to the school, explaining the situation to Miura and listening to her. All this shows that she's a fairly intelligent and [[NiceGirl kind]] person who has a burgeoning friendship with Miura.
** Shirou Kurogane immediately reacts with displeasure upon hearing Miura's name and snidely reminds her that they do, in fact, know each other, showing that he holds grudges easily.
** Miura's moment comes when she refuses to take Kurogane's barbs personally and expresses her desire to get along with everyone else here.
** Reiko Mitamura corrects Miura when she makes a grammatical error, and then corrects Yuuki when Yuuki calls her and Miura by their first names, showing her serious, straight-laced and humorless personality. More subtly, she introduces herself with her Ultimate Talent first, indicating how much she values her reputation.
** Akito Sakuragi casually mentions that he's quite anxious to get out of here. [[spoiler:He snaps and becomes the first murderer, so desperate to escape that he doesn't even need a motive]].
** Sora Hoshino snidely calls Yusuke Tezuka on accidentally calling him an astronomer, showing that he's brutally honest and not afraid to offend people.
** Tezuka casually remarks that he "fucked up," showing that he's a far cry from the gentlemanly artist Miura pictured him as.
** Kuro Akasaka politely greets Miura and wishes that they'd been matched together, showing that she's a friendly person who takes her checkers far less [[SeriousBusiness seriously]] than Kurogane takes shogi.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Anime/Dragon Ball Z'' ]]

* The first lines introducing Kaji in the ''Fanfic/HonorTrip'' Arcos Special Chapter have him scowling, & annoyed at having to wait. The next paragraph is a flashback detailing the [[CurbstompBattle brutal]] NoHoldsBarredBeatdown he gave to a fellow soldier. Similarly, the other Arcosians are introduced in ways that reflect their personalities.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Tabletop Game/Dungeons And Dragons'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/VowOfNudity'': Fiora's first scene involves trying to sacrifice Haara to a demon lord, foolishly attempting to sleep with her while they wait, and then accidentally getting sucked through the portal alongside her intended victim, quickly establishing her as an evil-but-underwhelming witch whose impulsivity and shortsightedness tends to be the cause of her own troubles.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Literature/The Familiar Of Zero'' ]]

* In ''Fanfic/JusPrimaeNoctis'' the readers already know Louise's character, but she gets an in-universe one for [[spoiler: Saito's mother Ayako]] when she's the only one to stop Ayako from beating up her son.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Visual Novel/Fate Stay Night'' ]]

* In ''WebVideo/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorksAbridged'', [[TheSnarkKnight Archer]] is introduced lazing casually on the wrecked furniture in someone else's house.
-->"[[{{Determinator}} I saw a spider, so I threw a table at it. It survived, so I threw a cabinet at it.]] This continued. The spider escaped. I assure you I mean to track it down."
* {{Lampshaded}} in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9222840/1/Happy-Riniversary Happy Riniversary]]'', which opens with Rin wondering what to give her [[OneTrueThreesome lovers]] for their first anniversary- because it's not enough for the gift to simply be ''good'', it has to be perfect, and it certainly must be at least equal to the gift they're giving her.
-->...And if Rin didn't do something equally special, she would lose at the relationship.\\
(At this point, it is best to take a brief aside to mention the fact that Rin Tohsaka thought you could "lose" at a relationship explained a lot about what was going to happen next. At the very least, it should tell you something very significant about the way her mind worked.)

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Video Game/Final Fantasy VI'' ]]

* In ''VideoGame/AntinomiaFinalFantasyVI'', a discussion between [[PromotedToPlayable Leo]] and [[BigBad Kefka]] in Vector immediately establishes the type of characters they are. Leo shows concern for Biggs and Wedge after they didn't report back. Kefka immediately shows disdain for Leo, views Terra as his weapon, and calls the two soldiers disposable.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Five Nights At Freddys'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/AiEchidnasFiveNightsAtFreddys'': Throughout most of ''Withered'', [[RoboticPsychopath Freddy Fazbear]] is foreshadowed only via Fritz's phone calls, said to be threatening and smart, as well as being heard through the phone taunting "Fritz". In Night 4, he finally makes himself known to Jeremy, who is scared by him immediately.
-->'''Freddy''': ''How could you forget your ol' pal, Freddy Fazbear, Jeremy?''

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Anime/Free'' ]]

* ''WebVideo/FiftyPercentOff'' lets everyone know what they're in for with its take on [[TheCutie Nagisa]].
-->'''Nagisa:''' [[ScaryBlackMan What's up, sluts? Guess who just got out of prison?]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/Frozen|2013'' ]]

* In ''Fanfic/WhatAboutWitchQueen'', Prince Ferdinand is established as a good counterpart to Hans and a honorable man when he apologizes to Anna for his brother's actions. The same scene, moments earlier, also sets him up as borderline dorky with his inability to form the apologies coherently:
-->'''Ferdinand:''' Princess, I… Well, I believe one of us, von Schwalbes, that is, should finally say that to you, because, well, it's a disgrace that it's been over three months and we remained silent, that is, I understand Friedrich, that is the king, I mean His Majesty, had his reasons and that politics stand in his way, because not everybody would be happy about it, it being what I'm about to say, that is… ''[[GratuitousGerman Verdammt]]''. (...) I'm rambling, am I not? ''(he proceeds to apologize properly)''

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Literature/Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation Mo Dao Zu Shi'' / ''Series/The Untamed'' ]]

* In ''Fanfic/WhereTheresAWillTheresARoad'', Nie Mingjue holds his hand up to stop his sworn brothers from startling a deer early on. It quickly establishes Mingjue's characterization in the fic as a gentler, more thoughtful interpretation of the character than often appears in fan works.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/Gravity Falls'' ]]

* In ''Fanfic/ChristmasWithACorduroy'': Lynda Pines is established as a [[{{Jerkass}} mean-spirited]] and [[NervousWreck neurotic woman]], when she flips out at Wendy for leaving a mud stain on the floor, instead of ,you know, welcoming a guest into her house.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Harry Potter'' ]]

* In ''Fanfic/PrinceOfTheDarkKingdom'', the first thing Voldemort gets to do on-screen is to crucio an 11 year old Harry for something that technically wasn't his fault and usually would have warranted a laugh, instead of a curse...
* In ''Fanfic/TheWizardInTheShadows'', Harry introduces himself by chasing off the Nazgul at Weathertop with a patronus, setting one on fire, and then, a little later on, when asked what he's doing by a thoroughly suspicious Merry, says a line that cements him as a DeadpanSnarker and a total badass:
-->''"Looking for trouble."''

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Webcomic/Homestuck'' ]]

* ''[[http://sonicsymphony.tumblr.com/post/128615370829/first-off-love-terrestrial-trolling-im-a-huge Terrestrial Trolling]]'': The narrator first notices Feferi when she persuades a total stranger to participate in a tarot card reading, cavalierly brushing off his disbelief in magic.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Tabletop Game/In Nomine'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/TheOopsCycle'': Saminga, fresh off of being made an Archangel, quickly showed his hand to his new allies in Heaven. He let his more skeptical fellows in on the existence of a dangerous relic, a coffin which can turn someone into a undead without any consent and that Hatiphas, the top contender for succeeding Saminga in the Word of Death, has captured one of David's soldiers to use it on. In less than a few minutes Saminga possessed the Soldier (thus keeping their soul from being destroyed), broke free, destroyed the relic, possessed every zombie in the room and proceeded to go to town on Hatiphas and her minions. He then destroyed everything even remotely connected to sorcery in the site before bringing the remnants of the relic back to Heaven and informing the attending archangels there are 127 more of these things. The next few weeks one by one the remaining relics were all are brought forth and destroyed. This killed any doubt of his honesty or that he hadn't [[DumbassNoMore become more intelligent]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/Jackie Chan Adventures'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/QueenOfShadows'': Each of the Oni Generals, as well as each of [[HeroAntagonist Lord Rokutaro's]] inner circle, get their general personalities made quite clear within their first scenes.
* ''Fanfic/TheUltimateEvil'': The first appearance of [[HunterOfMonsters Nataline "Nat" Homato]] has her attacking a demon that's about to eat its victim, using her [[WalkingArsenal various weapons]] to kill it mercilessly, calling an ambulance, leaving the spot, taking an interest in the reports of Jackie's encounters with the Demon Sorcerers, and deciding to do a little "cleanup".

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/The Legend Of Korra'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/UnstableEquilibrium'': A well-dressed Asami offers to pay for Korra's meal out of the blue, despite not even knowing her. This serves to show that Asami is a generous and wealthy person.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Video Game/The Legend Of Spyro'' ]]

* In ''Webcomic/PureLight'', we are introduced to Electroy and Burner with the former bragging about having pranked the Guardians, and the latter admonishing him as childish. This handily establishes that Electroy is a prankster with high enough social standing to have access to the highest ranking civilian organization in the city, and Burner as a grumpy TeamDad.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Lyrical Nanoha'' ]]

* In her first scene in ''Fanfic/{{Game Theory|LyricalNanoha}}'', Chikaze, an original character, saves Hayate from a zombie by pushing it down a flight of stairs, despite being a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Mega Man'' ]]

* In ''FanFic/MegaManDefenderOfTheHumanRace'', the Stardroids make clear their intent and threat to Earth when they shoot down Galaxy Man and broadcast an ultimatum to the people of Earth to surrender.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/Miraculous Ladybug'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/TheKarmaOfLies'':
** The very first lines show Lila feigning shock at her classmates 'surprising' her with a picnic, as [[BeneathTheMask her inner thoughts]] reveal that she's not surprised at all, having [[ManipulativeBitch sown the seeds]] inspiring this idea.
** Marinette is introduced coming out of her parents' bakery to confront her classmates for their failure to show up to a party ''she'' was throwing for them, having been pressured to TurnTheOtherCheek with Lila and 'make up with' her bully.
** Adrien casually dismisses Marinette's pain, trying to smooth things over [[TheCharmer with a smile]] even while telling her that it doesn't ''matter'' that Lila is conning their friends, or that she got them to donate all the clothes she made for them to a FakeCharity -- after all, she can always make more, right? Even when Marinette states outright that she's hurt, he tells her [[BecauseYouCanCope she can handle it]], illustrating how he completely ignores anything that doesn't align with what ''he'' wishes.
* ''Fanfic/LeaveForMendeleiev'':
** [[RichBitch Chloé]] introduces herself by tripping Marinette as she passes by, then leering down at her while taunting her for thinking that [[PointOfDivergence transferring out of Mme Bustier's class]] was honestly going to protect [[TheBully from her]]. This immediately drives home just how much Chloé is used to getting her way, and that she has no intention of letting her favorite victim slip from her grasp.
** While Adrien's reputation as Gabriel's model son precedes him, he first appears when Marinette [[InSpiteOfANail is stranded by a storm after school]]. Despite seeing that she's stuck, he offers little more than an apologetic smile as he hurries past; she's not one of his classmates, and he's not trying to clear up any misunderstandings with her, so he isn't motivated to help her out as he doesn't see any immediate benefit for himself.
** Alya first appears as Lady Wifi, having gotten akumatized offscreen for [[InSpiteOfANail getting punished for breaking into Chloé's locker]]. She gleefully 'exposes' her as the heroine Ladybug; after the real deal intervenes, she proceeds [[SecretChaser to chase after her]] demanding she reveal her SecretIdentity. This shows that she's prone to leaping to conclusions and is more interested in GoingForTheBigScoop than considering the potential consequences of her actions -- even being victimized by Hawkmoth herself doesn't make her realize what kind of problems exposing their heroes could create.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Manga/My Hero Academia'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/CrimsonAndEmerald'':
** Hawks shows himself to be proactive as he goes to Hosu to help the local pros capture Stain out of his own volition. He then shows himself to be a cautious ReasonableAuthorityFigure as he listens to Tokoyami's concerns that his classmate might be in danger when Tokoyami is sent his classmate's coordinates without explanation. Worrying that they might be hurt or being attacked, he accompanies Tokoyami to his classmate's coordinates.
* ''Fanfic/WhisperedTribulation'' opens with Principal Nedzu calling Yaomomo to his office and calmly explaining the situation to her, revealing that Aizawa [[WouldHurtAChild kidnapped a Gen-Ed student]] with intent to secure a 'confession' about [[MistakenForSpies spying on U.A. for the League]] from them [[ColdBloodedTorture by any means necessary]]. Nedzu intervened, and bringing Momo into the matter demonstrates that he's a ReasonableAuthorityFigure while Aizawa is utterly unrepentant, insisting that his insistence on ''proper procedure'' rather than lynching the victim is 'getting in his way'.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Anime/My Hime'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/PerfectionIsOverrated'':
** Hitomi uses her MindControl powers to rob people, and is quickly getting bored with how easy it is.
** Toki expresses her intent to change the past to get together with Hayate, without being able to adequately describe what Hayate means to her.
** Shizune kills [[spoiler:the defenseless Toki]], and then immediately [[PrayerOfMalice prays that she hopes her victim goes to Hell]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic'' ]]

* In ''FanFic/TheApprenticeTheStudentAndTheCharlatan'', we have two such moments for major characters.
** For protagonist Nova Shine, the first we see of him is him approaching a beggar on the streets, taking him to a nearby apartment complex, and ''purchasing the beggar an apartment for two months'' to help him get back on his hooves, before swearing both him and the landlady to secrecy.
** Aegis, a major character who is a peacekeeper in Canterlot, is introduced by "arresting" Nova just to get a rise out of him.
* In ''FanFic/TheNonBronyverse'', TD's establishing moment is when he walks up with quiet dignity and grace and punches [[BigGood Celestia]] in the snout.
* If the Apple Trust from [[Fanfic/RainbowDoubleDashsLunaverse the Lunaverse]] was not meant to be seen as unsympathetic, neigh (sic), villainous, the self-righteous and jealously monopolising behaviour they demonstrated when first appearing in ''Boast Busted'' and ''Longest Night, Longest Day'' did not help.
* As soon as [[KnightTemplar Commander Hildread]] first appears in ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'', she makes her arrogance and hatred toward Shining Armor crystal clear before she proceeds to beat up the former captain with sadistic pleasure in his cell. Her {{Foil}} and subordinate [[MinionWithAnFInEvil Lieutenant Shackle]] in turn acts like a professional guard toward the imprisoned heroes before the appearance of her commanding officer whose orders she nervously follows. [[ICantLookGesture She also turns her pitying gaze away from Shining Armor's torture.]]
* Sunny Breeze, the protagonist of ''FanFic/RacerAndTheGeek'' is introduced all alone on a Friday night, when he is drunk, working on a conlang, and keeping an FN FAL within easy reach.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Anime/Neon Genesis Evangelion'' ]]

* The reader technically already knows the characters, but Asuka's first appearance in ''Fanfic/DoingItRightThisTime'' firmly establishes that she knows exactly [[PeggySue which trope she's living]] and is damn well going to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.
* ''FanFic/NobodyDies'': Terrifying!Rei is introduced by [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome driving while at the same time FIGHTING an Angel]] when she picks up Shinji Ikari and driving off a cliff knowing full well that he is afraid of heights.
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/26361532/chapters/64205539 Science: Saving Humanity without Regard to Morals or Ethics]]'': Kaede Agano and Satsuki Ooi are introduced carving up Shamshel's corpse then cooking and eating it. Aoi Mogami criticizes them for doing so while knee deep in blood and gore.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Persona'' ]]

* The first time we see Makoto in ''Fanfic/TheEvilQueen'', she is at a personal office desk in the student council room cutting the drama club's budget because she felt that their choice to perform ''Theatre/OedipusTheKing'' was inappropriate for school, demonstrating how {{Absurdly Powerful|StudentCouncil}} she is and how she abuses her power to uphold her own standards of decency.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Pokemon'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/{{Essence}}'': Ash arrives at Professor Oak's lab 30 minutes early. This shows his dedication and excitement at becoming a Pokémon trainer. When he meets Growlithe, he calmly decides to stare it in the eyes and get on eye-level with it, which shows Growlithe that he wants respect and views it as a partner, not something to look down upon. Growlithe likes Ash's compassionate nature.
* ''Fanfic/PokemonStorySinnohJourney'':
** Chapter 1 simultaneously establishes a few of Aaron's personality traits. He's calm and levelheaded, never reacting with the same distress as Ash and the group. He [[GoodIsNotSoft isn't soft]], using Meowth as leverage against Team Rocket until his own Pokemon are safe. He's also analytical, only stopping in to help when he catches the precise moment he can save his Riolu and Mawile.
** Chapter 3: Ian's [[DarkIsNotEvil darker choice of clothing]] and grim demeanor contrasts with the brighter setting the narration makes. Then, [[AxCrazy his more]] [[TerrorHero manic side]] emerges when Gengar suggests scaring two girls, which he fully intends to do. His Odd Keystone gets in the way of that, but when Spiritomb arrives all its spectral and abominable glory, Ian is [[NightmareFetishist more than thrilled]] to take it on.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Web Animation/RWBY'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfRemnant'':
** The very first scene is Qrow's point of view, but is a better character moment for Summer. She empathizes deeply with the parents of the Claimed, and is still horrified about the part she played in the whole affair fifteen years ago.
** The first scene from the point of view of the Claimed showcases them all quite well. Pyrrha is unsettled by the new environment, so she focuses on her family and remembers how she can [[WorldsBestWarrior kill anyone who might threaten them]]. Weiss is [[{{Womanchild}} playing with dolls]]--and her sisters make sure she's ''just'' playing, [[TheArchmage not casting magic]]. Jaune is almost late getting ready, but still spares the time to make sure his sisters are settling in alright. Blake coaches the others on [[ManipulativeBitch how to manipulate their biological families]], and [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids picks apart what she finds stupid about her parents' pacifistic beliefs]]. And Emerald [[ArmoredClosetGay talks about how awesome Cinder is]] ([[PsychologicalProjection couched in terms of how Jaune is obviously in love with her]]), [[NoSocialSkills has trouble getting the words out]], but is noted to be the only one physically strong enough to stand up to Pyrrha.
** Jacques' first scene has him bitterly reflecting [[MoneyIsNotPower how worthless all his money was in the end]], and being comforted by people who, in canon, he held in the deepest scorn.
--->If he was given the chance, by some miracle of the gods, to do it all over again, there were many, many things [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Jacques Schnee]] would have done differently. He would have known how trivial money truly was, he would not have squandered so much time on business at the neglect of his family, he would ''never'' have let that monster take his child...\\
And he would have cherished his wife. He would have ''never'' taken her for granted if he knew how little time he'd have with her, and how dearly, how deeply he would miss her once she was gone.
* The OC protagonists of ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10716644/1/For-Tomorrow-s-Sake For Tomorrow's Sake]]'' have distinct reactions to [[YouWakeUpInARoom waking up in a room together]]:
** Jeanne fearfully wonders where her children are.
** Willow scowls, ''demanding'' to know what is going on.
** Mei calmly remarks that this event "is most disturbing..."
** Thorin is [[AngstWhatAngst completely unfazed]] and enthusiastically asks if there's any alcohol in the room.
** [[OCStandIn Qrow]] grumpily asks what's happened, and soon gets into an argument with his brother...which both abandon when Summer realizes that their family could be in danger.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10888701/1/Hunting-Monsters Hunting Monsters]]'', the morality of the OC Umbra Academy characters is established by Headmistress Woden arguing with [[BigGood Ozpin]], lying to his face and taking vindictive pleasure in reminding him of his past failure. The squad's overall moral levels are shown when [[BloodKnight Sanguin]] starts an easily avoidable fight and pointedly sends [[NiceGuy Dominic]] somewhere he won't interfere, while [[DeadpanSnarker Argos]] makes it so that he is technically helping without having to do anything.
* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10317587/1/Hypothermia Hypothermia]]'' precedes Weiss's actual introduction into the story with a description of Ruby, the protagonist, gawking at her beauty. And then Ruby notices that all of Weiss's admirers keep their distance from her, and that nobody sits with her at lunch. [[IceQueen Weiss herself seems completely unruffled by this.]] All of this is established before Ruby has so much as a ''conversation'' with her.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10706639/1/Untouchable Untouchable]]'', Pyrrha tries and fails to sing. She sadly reflects that she doesn't know anything about music, as "combat had been all she'd ever known." The scene sums up a lot about [[BrokenAce her]] [[IJustWantToBeNormal character]].
** [[SadClown Jaune]] is introduced several sentences later, when he comforts Pyrrha and makes her laugh (at his expense) despite that.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Franchise/Sherlock Holmes ]]

* Since the Literature/SherlockHolmes story ''Mortality'' of the ''Fanfic/DeliverUsFromEvilSeries'' contains a huge cast, it requires several [[EstablishingCharacterMoment Establishing Character Moments]]. One scene introduces several Yarders and establishes three of them.
** Patterson's is probably the most concise, introducing him as [[TheCynic cynical]], [[TallDarkAndSnarky sarcastic]], [[GoodIsNotNice cold]], and something of an in-universe {{Expy}} to Literature/SherlockHolmes. In other words, a true KnightInSourArmor.
** The same scene introduces and establishes Lestrade as a [[DeadpanSnarker dry-witted]], OlderAndWiser, [[SeenItAll generally world-weary]] TeamDad and OnlySaneMan.
** The third character thus introduced in that scene is Gregson, quickly established as a [[InsufferableGenius smart]], [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] JerkWithAHeartOfGold.
** Wiggins's first scene neatly establishes him as a [[DeadpanSnarker sardonic]], [[WiseBeyondTheirYears concerned]] HyperCompetentSidekick.
** [[TheHeart Mary's]] first scene sets and cements her [[LikeBrotherAndSister sibling-esque relationship]] with [[FirstNameBasis Sherlock]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Literature/Slayers ]]

* In ''FanFic/FlamGush'', Erik's is the dramatic confrontation he arranged with [[PersonOfMassDestruction Lina]] and [[TheBigGuy Gourry]], who both have very good reasons to want to [[CutHisHeartOutWithASpoon murder him slowly.]] He stops them in theirs tracks by revealing that he [[spoiler: has Gourry's mother held hostage.]] When Lina [[spoiler: agrees to a hostage exchange]] he thoroughly and successfully binds her magic and then has [[spoiler: Gourry's mother knock him out with a nerve pinch]]. It shows how ruthless, thorough, and terrifying Erik can be, but also that in a straight fight he wouldn't stand a chance.
** Although we don't actually meet her for several chapters, Lucilla has ''two'' such moments: first when Lina sees her with her uncle and second, when she [[spoiler: fakes her death to turn the mob against Lina and Gourry, forcing them to retreat.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Manga/Soul Eater ]]
''
* ''Fanfic/SoulEaterTroubledSouls'':
** Caius Vladingham is established as badass and TroubledButCute in the very first chapter, introduced throwing a small pebble in [[MonsterOfTheWeek Scorpio’s]] face, talking down to it. He then defeats it in only a few blows. He has a brief flashback to two years ago that shows he is the survivor of some deadly attack, and he muses how he doesn't have friends but acquaintances. Claudia is established as an {{Ojou}} or ProperLady with [[AllLoveisUnrequited a hopeless crush on Soul]] when she squeezes lemon on Scorpio's Kishin Egg Soul before she eats it. She calls up her driver so she and Caius can exit via carriage and slowly starts to ramble about, you guessed, Soul Eater.
** The Ricardsen Twins are established as CrazyIsCool and skilled [[JumpedAtTheCall yet being rookies]]. Tsuji headshots several of the Flatheads from atop a building, using a bow and arrow. Rowena flattens one of them along with a dumpster accordion-style, including J. Worski himself. They talk smack all the while. This is an unofficial mission to ascertain if they have the gall to go on actual missions.
** Ignoring her [[ChekhovsGunman name-only cameo]] in the prologue, the introduction of Cancer Lucrenian establishes her as a savvy BigBad by standing in the middle of water like Jesus himself, only to summon a staircase of water and walk up it to approach Young Thief Gestas. She brings out this creature hidden in the shadows and ever so calmly instructs him to lure the Academy to Venice. Gestas does ''not'' disobey. When do they come, she attempts to kill them right off the bat but fails, only to force them into a SadisticChoice.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Spyro The Dragon'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/ThePortal'': In Chapter 16, Zobek encounters Blizzard and Storm, then proceeds to [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomp Blizzard]] before infecting him by [[BewareMyStingerTail stabbing him with his tail]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Video Game/Star Wars The Old Republic'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/BloodAndHonor'': For the Sith Lord Sanguis - Vette is about to be killed by shyracks while raiding a tomb when Sanguis swoops in and saves her life. Only to then turn her over to the Korriban authorities for questioning, torture and possible execution.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Western Animation/Steven Universe'' ]]

* We get our first look at Blue Diamond in Chapter 10 of ''Webcomic/BlueAuniverse'', she and Blue Pearl visiting the beach to witness baby turtles hatching, only to rush in and save Greg from a corrupted gem. This tells you that this isn't the waifish, self-centered Blue Diamond presented in canon.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Franchise/Superman'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/SupermanOf2499TheGreatConfrontation'': In the first chapter, Adam and Alan Kentstop some bank robbers. Alan gets upset because some persons got killed. Adam is just happy that they stopped a bunch of crooks.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Literature/Sword Art Online'' ]]

* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'':
** Kirito is introduced one-shotting a demonic boar enemy in the titular video game that Klein [[AdaptationalWimp couldn't defeat]], then launching into a long, sarcastic story mocking Klein instead of carrying on with his game session. Then after the BigBad announces the start of the [[TheMostDangerousVideoGame death game]], Klein notes that while Kirito ''is'' "the most unbearable asshole I've ever met," he does see the advantage of them teaming up and offers to form a guild with him... but Kirito has already run off crying because the guy he was just mocking called him names. This establishes that 1) Kirito is very good at the game, [[SmugSuper and well aware of it]], 2) his idea of entertainment is to make fun of the less-skilled players around him, and 3) as much of a {{Jerkass}} as he acts, he's in fact [[BrokenAce deeply insecure.]]
** During Kayaba's speech to the captive players at the start of the death game, he's AffablyEvil with his victims, makes movie references [[PopCulturalOsmosisFailure they don't get]] and has to quickly bring up media to make his points, and generally rambles and makes mistakes like accidentally muting himself. It's a pretty big hint that [[spoiler:he's not a villainous mastermind, but someone [[ExhaustionInducedIdiocy loopy from sleep deprivation]] and desperately slapping together an "EvilPlan" to cover for the fact that he just discovered a game glitch that kills people.]]
** In her introductory episode, Asuna is able to instantly see through Kirito's aloof front and realize he's an anti-social mess, foreshadowing that beneath her MaskOfSanity she's not that different from him.
** The first time that Yui drops her act of being an innocent child, it's to correct Yulier [[DudeNotIronic on what irony is]], as well as [[LittleMissSnarker diss Thinker for being stupid enough to fall for an obvious trap and Yulier for falling in love with such an idiot]]. It's what starts to endear her to her "parents", and what starts to inform the audience of how similar she is to them.
** In Suguha's debut scene in the second season, she thrashes her brother during a kendo match, then launches into a long, sarcastic story mocking him instead of carrying on with her day... or in other words, she's just as much a {{Jerkass}} in real life as Kirito was online before his CharacterDevelopment, and presumably who he modeled his online persona on. Then when we first see her "Leafa" character in ''Alfheim Online'', she's [[DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel trying to]] act like a DamselInDistress, making it clear that while Kirito goes online to indulge in his PowerFantasy, Leafa's trying to do the complete opposite.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Video Game/Touken Ranbu'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/TalesOfTheUndiscoveredSwords'': When [[spoiler:Sasanoyuki cuts a cat in half]] in the middle of the Halloween party and is about to do the same to [[spoiler:Midare when he confronts him about it]], effectively showing that not only is he blank and monotone, he's also [[spoiler:perfectly willing to off anything and anyone, even his own allies, out of a twisted view of duty.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Comic Book/X Men'' ]]

* ''Fanfic/XMenNewClass'':
** Sooraya [[TeamMom tries to stop]] Julian from bullying other students, and criticizes his moral hypocrisy [[note]]despite being in a school for oppressed minorities, he himself oppresses others[[/note]].
** [[ComicBook/{{X 23}} Laura Kinney]], a new transfer student, is asked if she would like to tell the class about herself. Her typically [[TheQuietOne curt]] response also establishes that she has NoSocialSkills.
-->"No."

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Anime/Yu Gi Oh'' ]]

* Edwin Chaos in the SI [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13501363/1/Chaos-Effect Chaos Effect]] originally planned to keep his head down for a bit... until he sees Yugi and Joey shivering after diving off the ship to try and save the Exodia cards Weevil tossed overboard. Edwin storms into the common room where Weevil is, causing everyone to go silent, then drags the brat to a quiet corner of the ship and nearly THROWS HIM OVERBOARD, then demands his room key as payment. He then turns around and invited Yugi and his friends to share the room with him so that Joey and Yugi can warm up.
----