->''Hello''\\
''Is it me you're looking for?''
-->-- '''Music/LionelRichie'''

How characters are introduced in stories.

See also JustForFun/HowToGatherCharacters. Compare BeginningTropes.

The entrance might also fit an IndexMakingAnEntrance trope.
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!!Tropes:
[[index]]

* EleventhHourRanger: Someone who is not already an established character joins the heroes right in time for the final battle.
* AttackHello: Physically attacking someone (in a friendly way!) as a means of greeting.
* AvengersAssemble: The DreamTeam is called to assemble, and after a sequence of them all getting "the call", it concludes with them all together.
* BackstoryInvader: A new character alters the other characters' memories, or reality itself, so that they have always been part of the story.
* BaitAndSwitchCharacterIntro: A character's introduction changes half-way through to reveal something different than what they were first portrayed as.
* BigDamnHeroes: The cavalry appears just in dramatic time.
* BigEntrance: Entering a place in the biggest, loudest, and flashiest way imaginable.
* BitchAlert: Within .2 seconds of her entrance, you know she's going to be trouble.
* ClickHello: The click of a gun behind their head lets a character know they've got company.
* CliqueTour: A quick rundown of the groups involved in the setting.
* ComeWithMeIfYouWantToLive: They don't know each other well ''at all'', but it's either one character goes with another, or they die.
* CrashIntoHello: Friends or love interests meet by literally crashing into each other.
* DayInTheLifeTitles: The title sequence shows the main characters going out and about in their everyday lives.
* DebutQueue: Before the actual plot begins, a story's first couple chapters or episodes focuses on introducing and establishing characters.
* DelayedNarratorIntroduction: The narrator is presented as just that at first, only to later be revealed as an actual character in the story.
* DramatisPersonae: The characters appearing in a work are listed (and maybe described) at the beginning or end.
* DroolHello: "Ew, what's this wet stuff dripping on m--[[OhCrap Oh.]]"
* DynamicEntry: A previously unseen character appears via attacking an enemy in a showy fashion.
* EarlyBirdCameo: A character who has a larger role in the story later on has a brief appearance earlier, without much attention drawn to them.
* EmergingFromTheShadows: Someone's face or body is completely masked in shadow until they dramatically reveal themselves.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: When a character is introduced in a work, there is a scene--or even as small as a moment--that lets the audience know what kind of character they're going to be.
* EstablishingTeamShot
* EveryoneMeetsEveryone: The main cast meets one another one by one. Some of them may already be acquainted, but it doubles to let the audience get to know them.
* FallingIntoThePlot: The protagonist falls from the sky at the start of a work.
* FeetFirstIntroduction: The first thing you see of them is one or both of their feet, and then the camera goes up and up and up until you can see their face.
* ForgottenFirstMeeting: Two characters have already met, but one or both of them doesn't remember it.
* HeroLookingForGroup: TheHeroine actively seeks teammates to accompany her in her mission.
* IncomingHam: A character's first, single line lets the audience know that they're going to [[ChewingTheScenery chew up every bit of the scenery.]]
* IntroductionByHookup: Two people hook up in a one-night stand. No biggie, right? No strings attached... until they meet again, sometime later, under new context.
* IntroductoryOpeningCredits: Opening credits with the characters and their names.
* IntroDump: Main characters, and just about everything to know about them, are shown right at the very beginning of the work.
* KickTheDog: Villains are often introduced doing something cruel to others.
** PetTheDog: Conversely, heroes and other more sympathetic sorts will often get a scene where they do something good or nice for someone.
* LastEpisodeNewCharacter: It's the final chapter, but that doesn't stop this character from making their debut.
* MeetCute: When two characters meet in a way that is awkward and/or embarrassing--but also adorable, because the two will end up as love interests.
* MeetTheInLaws: One of the most serious steps in a relationship--meeting your future in-laws.
* AMinorKidroduction: A work begins with a brief scene of the protagonist as a child.
* MorningRoutine: Introducing a character by showing what they do every morning.
* MysteriousStranger (a subversion): A character whose motivations, alliance, and even their name and appearance are completely hidden from the audience when they appear.
* NakedOnArrival: The character's first scene, and they don't have a stitch of clothing on them.
* PreMeeting: A character is introduced by meeting the main character before meeting the other characters.
* PursuedProtagonist: The protagonist is introduced as they are being chased down by dangerous enemies.
* PuttingTheBandBackTogether: A team which had previously (and permanently, it seemed) disbanded rallies together once more.
* ReestablishingCharacterMoment: Establishing an existing character after/before we saw them last.
* RememberTheNewGuy: They have never appeared in the work before, or have even been ''mentioned'', but characters still act like they've always been there.
* RescueIntroduction: The first appearance of a character has them being rescued by the protagonists.
* RetiredBadassRoundup: A band of {{Retired Badass}}es are being reunited.
* SchoolForcedUsTogether: A group of people is brought together by the school system.
* SecondEpisodeIntroduction: Putting everything needed in a series' pilot episode can be tricky. Thus, a character who ''is'' important but simply couldn't fit into the premiere debuts in the second episode.
* ThemeTuneRollCall: The theme song of a series has one or two lines devoted to each character and their role.
* TogetherWeAreX: Members of an {{ensemble|s}} introduce themselves first individually and then as a team.
* TwangHello: A scene is interrupted by an arrow zipping through the air and striking something with a ''twang''. Five seconds later, company has arrived.
* WelcomeEpisode: A typical pilot episode for a series, in which the main character joins a previously established group and gets acquainted with them.
* TheWorfEffect: To establish just how dangerous the new threat is, they completely floor the strongest character.
* YouAllMeetInACell: Characters meet while they're all captive, and learn why they were taken captive in the first place while they escape.
* YouAllMeetInAnInn: Everyone meets when they're at the same inn or bar.
[[/index]]
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