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[[quoteright:195:[[VideoGame/WarriorsOrochi https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/zetto_1114.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:195:Suddenly, Z.]]

-> "''Z'' is the final letter of the alphabet and thus the most prestigious."
-->-- '''Ichiro Mizuki''', ''Anime/MazingerZ'' theme singer

Normally, to name {{Sequel}}s you just simply add [[NumberedSequels a number]] or [[WordSequel some words]], so the sequel of ''Foomovie'' will be titled ''Foomovie 2''? Wrong, it's ''Foomovie Z''!

This trope is a title naming convention for sequels, adaptations, or work expansions of a franchise in which they just add a letter or two to set up the name. Sometimes the titles will end in a rather cool sounding letter such as [[XtremeKoolLetterz Z or X]] [[VideoGame/MegaManZX (or both)]]. The letter sometimes stands for something meaningful and relevant to the plot, or just being thrown at random until [[WordOfGod the creator]] explains what it means.

This practice is commonly seen in Japanese works because they use different writing systems and apparently combining kanji or kana letters with an alphabet letter will bring XMakesAnythingCool into a new height. Alphabets are also pronounced in more literal way in Japanese, making it sounded more badass, such as ''Ekkusu'' (X) and ''Zetto'' (Z).

It should be noted that a title ending in roman numerals is not this trope. Nor is a title that just happens to end in a letter, such as ''Malcolm X'' and ''World War Z''. It has to be the sequel or adaptation titles in which the work or franchise with the original title was released first.

In many video game titles, it commonly overlaps with SuperTitle64Advance for the titles that end in "[[Platform/NintendoDS DS]]", "[[Platform/WiiU U]]" or "[[Platform/{{Xbox}} X]]". Related to OddlyNamedSequel2ElectricBoogaloo, XMakesAnythingCool and StoppedNumberingSequels, not to be confused with OneLetterTitle.

----
!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''A Certain Scientific Railgun S'' and ''A Certain Scientific Railgun T'' are the follow-up seasons to the popular ''Manga/ACertainScientificRailgun'' staring Mikoto Misaka. Funnily enough, sister series ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'' used [[NumberedSequel Roman numerals]] for its second and third seasons.
* The season sequels of the ''Franchise/DragonBall'' anime series are titled ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' and ''Anime/DragonBallGT''. The protagonists are often referred to as "the Z Fighters", but what the Z means or why they'd need a group name for a loosely affiliated group of friends and rivals is never explained within the show.[[note]]The real-life explanation is that, since manga creator Creator/AkiraToriyama was thinking of concluding the story soon whilst in the middle of the Saiyan arc, Creator/ToeiAnimation wanted a name change on the basis that the series was going through a TimeSkip and a change of tone; Toriyama suggested the name "Dragon Ball Z", as Z was the last letter of the alphabet. Toriyama himself never agreed with a name change to begin with, nor did the aforementioned arcs become the last, so the use of the letter Z [[ArtifactTitle lost its meaning]].[[/note]] "GT" stands for "Grand Tour" according to the company.
* The direct sequel of ''Manga/GetterRobo'', ''Getter Robo G''.
* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'':
** The franchise has ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'' as the sequel of ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'', and there is also ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'' and ''Anime/AfterWarGundamX''.
** In a sense, there's also ''Anime/TurnAGundam'' ("Turn A Gundam"). As revealed late in the series, [[spoiler:it's not just another AlternateUniverse series, but the DistantFinale to ''all of them'', past, present, '''and''' future]]. This makes the title a GeniusBonus, as "∀" is a mathmatical symbol {{meaning|fulName}} "all items in a set."
** In a downplayed example, ''[[Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam Victory]]'' and ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Wing]]'' sometimes get written as "V-Gundam" and "W-Gundam"/"Gundam W".
* The second season of ''[[Literature/NyarukoCrawlingWithLove Haiyore! Nyarko-San]]'' anime is called ''Haiyore! Nyarko-San W'', as a reference to ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', while the OVA conclusion is tiled ''Haiyore! Nyarko-San F'', with the F standing for "[[GrandFinale Final]]."
* The second season of ''Manga/HimoutoUmaruChan'' is called ''Himouto! Umaru-chan '''R'''''.
* ''Anime/MazingerZ'' is an inversion; it is indeed a part of the whole ''Mazinger'' franchise, but it actually is the title of the original manga that started everything.
* The eleventh movie of ''Manga/OnePiece'', ''Anime/OnePieceFilmZ''. [[AntagonistTitle Named after the initial of the main antagonist, Zephyr.]]
* ''Anime/PowerpuffGirlsZ'', the anime adaptation of the western series ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998'', as opposed to the original's Chemical X, they use Chemical Z.
* ''Anime/SonicX'', the adaptation for popular video game series ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' from a story arc in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' with [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg Chris Thorndyke]].
* ''Anime/SaberMarionetteJ'' is followed up by ''Saber Marionette J Again'', ''Saber Marionette J to X'', ''Anime/SaberMarionetteR'' and the manga-only ''Saber Marionette Z''. The letters are the initials of the places where the main characters are located: J stands for Japaness which is based on Japan, R is for Romana which is based on Rome, X means Xian which is based on China, and Z is the oddball as it's the initial of a new starring character, Zero. The first series (''J'') is followed up directly by ''J Again'' and then ''J to X'', whereas ''R'' and ''Z'' are distant sequels.
* ''Anime/SailorMoon'' has ''Sailor Moon R'' (the second season) and ''Sailor Moon S'' (the third season). The letters stand for "Romance" and "Super", respectively. In fact, "S" is actually ''pronounced'' "Super", as evidenced by the eyecatch and various printed materials (which in turn makes the subsequent season name, ''[=SuperS=]'', fall into DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment).
* The ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'' anime's fourth season is called ''Slayers Revolution''. The fifth season (which is just Part 2 of the fourth) is called ''Slayers Evolution-R''. The reason why the R was moved from the front of the word to the back is not explained.
* A spinoff of ''Manga/SchoolRumble'' revolves around Harima in a series of alternate stories is titled ''School Rumble Z''.
* ''Anime/{{Symphogear}}'' did this for each of its sequel seasons. Season 2 was called ''G'', Season 3 was ''GX'', Season 4 was ''AXZ'', and Season 5 was ''XV''. The exact reason for why the seasons were named this way is known only to the creators.
* ''Manga/YouAreBeingSummonedAzazel'' has the second season aired in 2013 under the name ''Yondemasuyo, Azazel-san Z''.
* ''Franchise/YuGiOh'''s manga adaptation has ''Manga/YuGiOhR'', while the first SequelSeries to [[Anime/YuGiOh the anime]] goes by the name ''Anime/YuGiOhGX''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* The tenth and the latest movie chronogically in ''Franchise/FridayThe13th'' is titled ''Film/JasonX''. While the preceding films used the "part (roman numeral): subtitle" structure (such as ''Film/FridayThe13thPartVIITheNewBlood''), this is the only one with X alone. In the DVD featurette, it's officially pronounced as "ex".
* In an example combining PunBasedTitle and a lampshade to the amount of {{Fanservice}}, the sequel to ''Film/Piranha3D'' is ''Film/Piranha3DD''.
* ''[[Film/KamenRiderXSuperSentaiSuperHeroTaisen Super Hero Taisen]]'' sequel is titled ''[[Film/KamenRiderXSuperSentaiXSpaceSheriffSuperHeroTaisenZ Super Hero Taisen Z]]'', increasing the super hero cast, adding up more Franchise/{{Kamen Rider}}s and Series/MetalHeroes.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* The 2007 spiritual successor of 1972's ''Series/KaiketsuLionmaru'' series is titled ''Series/LionMaruG''.
* ''Franchise/KamenRider'' :
** Older series in the franchise in the Showa era are fond of this, beginning with ''Series/KamenRiderX'', ''Film/KamenRiderZX'', ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' (which also a sequel to ''Series/KamenRiderBlack''), ''Film/KamenRiderZO'', to ''Film/KamenRiderJ''. Most of the letters are unexplained.
** In the series ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', the title alternatively uses the letter W.
* The DarkerAndEdgier MilestoneCelebration revival of ''[[Series/UltraSeven Ultraseven]]'' is titled ''[[Series/UltraSevenX Ultraseven X]]'', and the sequel to ''Series/UltramanGinga'' is titled ''Ultraman Ginga S''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* Music/{{AKB48}} has the sub-group for celebrating [[UsefulNotes/JapaneseHolidays Natto Day]] named Natto Angels. In 2010, however, the group had been replaced entirely different members save for Miyazaki Miho, and changed the name into Natto Angels Z. The entire 48 Family also spawned a handful of team units based on their original group such as Team A, Team K and Team B (for [=AKB48=]), Team N, Team M and Team BII (for Music/{{NMB48}}). There is an one-shot joint unit from the family named Team Z.
* English-Irish pop group Liberty X originally went with the name Liberty after being formed from a TV talent show's runners-up. They changed it after received a legal challenge from another band with same name.
* Idol group Momoiro Clover became Music/MomoiroCloverZ after their lineup change because the sub-leader stepped down.
* After six years of hiatus, the subgroup Petitmoni of Music/HelloProject went active again with a new concept and name as Petitmoni V.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/AnotherCode'': The second game was titled ''Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories''. When remade as part of ''[[VideoGameRemake Recollection]]'', the title was shortened to ''Journey into Lost Memories''.
* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' was originally released in Japan as ''Akumajō Dracula X: Chi no Rondo'', being the first game set beyond Simon Belmont's timeline in the first two ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' games. The SNES version, a ReformulatedGame known as ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX'' in North America and ''Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss'' in Europe, became ''Akumajō Dracula XX'' (pronounced "double ecks" rather "ecks ecks").
* The fourth installment of the ''Franchise/{{Digimon}} [[VideoGame/DigimonWorld World]]'' video game series is titled ''Digimon World X'' in Japan, but since its tie-in movie, ''Anime/DigimonXEvolution'', [[NoExportForYou didn't see a release in the States]], the U.S. version of the game changed the title to ''VideoGame/DigimonWorld4''.
* Though the ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'' games are numbered with the Roman system (except ''Untold 2''), the "X" in ''Etrian Odyssey X'' doesn't stand for 10 (it's the ninth game overall, and the sixth main one), but for Cross. In the West, the trope is replaced with WordSequel (''VideoGame/EtrianOdysseyNexus'').
* ''VideoGame/{{GITADORA}}'' started as ''Guitar Freaks and VideoGame/DrumMania XG'', which was a spinoff of the original series. This was followed by ''[=XG2=]'' and ''[=XG3=]'' before becoming ''GITADORA''.
* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearTheMissingLink'' was given a follow-up in the form of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearX'', which had its own follow-up in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearXX'' and [[CapcomSequelStagnation its various expansions]]. However, WordOfGod would eventually relegate ''GGX'' and ''GGXX'' to sideplot status with the coming of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear2Overture'', released almost ten years after the original. (That said, unlike most {{Gaiden Game}}s, the events of ''X'', ''XX'', and ''Accent Core Plus'' are very much in-canon and shape the plot of future games.) ''Guilty Gear 2'' was then followed by, [[SequelNumberSnarl strangely enough]], ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearXrd'' ([[TitleScream pronounced]] "igzird" but clearly evoking "X third" -- as in ''[=GG3=]'').
* The vehicular combat spin-off of ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' is titled ''VideoGame/JakX'', following the franchise's odd title names from ''[[VideoGame/JakAndDaxterThePrecursorLegacy Jak and Daxter]]'', ''VideoGame/{{Jak II|Renegade}}'', and ''VideoGame/Jak3''.
* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
** ''VideoGame/MegaManX'', the second series of the franchise, named after the future successor of [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic the original hero]], X (whose name was given to him by Dr. Light because of [[LetXBeTheUnknown his limitless potential]]).
** In a even more DistantSequel, ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'', "ZX" is pronounced as ''Zekkusu''. This is because the series is a direct successor to the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series (itself a SequelSeries to ''MMX'') and the first game sees the protagonist(s) [[HenshinHero wield the powers of Zero and X in conjunction]].
* Lesser-known Creator/{{Atlus}} title ''VideoGame/MakenX'' has this by way of VisualPun. When ported from the [[Platform/SegaDreamcast Dreamcast]] to the Platform/PlayStation2, the game was retitled ''Maken Shao''. Comparing the characters used for both versions (魔剣Ｘ vs. 魔剣爻), the "爻" ("shao") is meant to evoke a "XX", building off of how the original [[XMakesAnythingCool already had an "X" in the title]].
* ''VideoGame/MetalSlug X'' is an enhanced version of ''Metal Slug 2''. The series went back to NumberedSequels until ''Metal Slug XX'', the PSP port of ''Metal Slug 7''.
* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'':
** In Japan, the expansions of the mainline games have letter G added to their original names, alluding to the inclusion of the HarderThanHard G Rank difficulty. For example, the expanded version of ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter3Tri'' was identified as ''Monster Hunter 3 G''; same for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4'' turning into ''Monster Hunter 4 G'' (in the international releases, WordSequel is used instead; hence ''Unite'' for [[VideoGame/MonsterHunterFreedom2 the expanded second-generation game]] and ''Ultimate'' for the expanded third and fourth generation games). Uniquely, the next installment is lettered from the get-go: ''Monster Hunter X'' (X standing for "Cross"), with the G Rank expansion being called ''Monster Hunter XX''; the international releases once again resort to Word Sequel (''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations Generations]]'' and ''Generations Ultimate'' respectively). From ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'' onward, Word Sequel supersedes this trope worldwide for the series.
** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterFrontier Z'' got its name for having the Z Rank, itself placed even higher than the already difficult G Rank.
* Played with in ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX''. It's the tenth mainline game in [[Franchise/MortalKombat the series]], but the X is always pronounced as the letter X (with the "X" [[DoubleMeaningTitle also meaning]] "next", both in the sense of the game being available on then-next gen consoles and the story focusing in part on a new generation of characters). It was also preceded by [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 a title that wasn't numbered]] ''and'' succeeded by [[VideoGame/MortalKombat11 a title that was numbered]].
* The successor of Creator/{{Nintendo}} console Platform/{{Wii}}, the Platform/WiiU. The U stands for "You", in analogy to Wii standing to "We".
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** The titles of the Generation VI games departed from the previous {{theme|Naming}}s of colors and/or precious materials (''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red/Blue]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold/Silver]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Ruby/Sapphire]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Diamond/Pearl]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Black/White]]''), instead going with ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY''.
** There is also ''VideoGame/PokemonXDGaleOfDarkness'', the sequel to ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum''. Officially, the "XD" [[https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/3/3f/Pokemon-XD_CoroCoro-Scan_02.jpg stands]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20050821080405/http://www.nintendo.com/cpp/login/offSiteGetProfile.do?rDirect=http://www.pokemon-games.com/portal/portal.jsp for]] "Extra Dimension."
** While not a sequel, InUniverse, Porygon evolves into [=Porygon2=], which then evolves into Porygon-Z rather than [=Porygon3=].
** InUniverse, certain Pokémon with [[SuperMode Mega Evolutions]] introduced in ''X/Y'' have two possible forms, one bearing the letter of [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo each version]]. For example, Charizard can evolve into Mega Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y.
* A sequel to ''VideoGame/SuperBomberman'' [[NonindicativeName (in name alone)]], the first ''Bomberman'' game since 2010 was named ''Super Bomberman R''.
* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'':
** As a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover, ''SRW'' gives a nod to the franchise series it's based on by using their cool letter naming convention in nearly all of their games, such as ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsZ'', ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsEX'', ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsW'', ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsK'', ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsL'', ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsGC'' (and ''XO''), ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsMX'', and ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsUX''.
** InUniverse itself, the original super robo is named Super Robot X.
* In Japan, ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' is known as ''Great Melee Smash Brothers''. The sequels, ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee Melee]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl Brawl]]'', are known respectively as ''Great Melee Smash Brothers DX'' and ''Great Melee Smash Brothers X'' (DX stands for Deluxe). Subsequent installments avert this trope in favor of SuperTitle64Advance (''for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''for Nintendo Wii U'', just like [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU the international versions]]) and WordSequel (''[[DreamMatchGame Special]]'', again like the international versions which use ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Ultimate]]'') respectively.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Tenchu}}'' game exclusive for the Platform/Xbox360 known as ''Tenchu: Senran'' was localized into ''Tenchu Z'', apparently because [[RuleOfCool it sounded cooler]].
* ''VideoGame/WanganMidnight'':
** The original ''Wangan Midnight'' was followed by ''Wangan Midnight R'', which makes hidden cars available, and makes challenge even more difficult.
** ''Maximum Tune 3'' was followed by ''WMMT 3 DX'', which added a few new cars, one new song, a new course, and 20 more stages (as if 80 wasn't enough!). And then came ''WMMT 3 DX Plus'', which added yet another course, more cars and four new songs (two of which were remixes).
** ''Maximum Tune 5'' had two region-specific versions with [[RegionalBonus regional-exclusive features]] [[BadExportForYou not available]] [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness in each other]]. ''WMMT 5 DX'' addressed this issue by bringing back region-exclusive features from each other.
* ''VideoGame/WarriorsOrochi'', pictured above, goes with a rather odd route: ''Warriors Orochi 2'', the [[NoExportForYou Japan-only]] ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musou_Orochi_Z Warriors Orochi Z]]'', and then ''Warriors Orochi 3''. This didn't exist with the Japanese versions as the second game is actually [[MissionPackSequel an updated port]] with a WordSequel title (''Musou Orochi: Maou Sairin'') while ''Z'' is a CompilationRerelease of the first two games. As such, this puts the series in a similar situation as ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'', with the mainline Japanese releases being one number behind that of their Western counterparts (i.e. ''Warriors Orochi 3'' is ''Musou Orochi 2'', ''Warriors Orochi 4'' is ''Musou Orochi 3'', etc.).
* The [[ThematicSeries thematic sequel]] to ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'' is called ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' (the X stands for Cross).
* ''VideoGame/YaibaNinjaGaidenZ'' is a zombie-slashing spin-off of ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Many Honda and Yamaha motorcycle lines love this, such as [[http://zendog888.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/hondasuprab.jpg Honda Supra]] (manufactured in 1997) into [[http://images03.olx.co.id/ui/16/30/40/1317960633_261383040_1-motor-honda-supra-x-tahun-1999-jakarta-barat.jpg Honda Supra X]] (manufactured in 1999), and also Supra XX for its manual version and [[http://cicakmerah7.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/si-jupi.jpg Yamaha Jupiter]] (manufactured in 2001) into [[http://mymoen.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/yamaha-jupiter-z-baru.jpg Yamaha Jupiter Z]] (in 2003).
* The early lines of Mac computers:
** The original Macintosh was replaced with (among others) the Macintosh XL and the Macintosh SE.
** The Macintosh II spawned the Macintosh [=IIx=], [=IIcx=], [=IIci=], [=IIfx=], [=IIsi=], [=IIvi=], and [=IIvx=]. The letters didn't carry that much meaning.
* Microsoft Windows
** Microsoft has Windows Me, wherein "Me" stands for Millennium Edition. It's the last of the MS-DOS based Windows 9x line of operating systems, where the names were appended with the release year instead (1995 and 1998 respectively).
** The next ones were the Windows NT line, wherein NT stands for the Intel i860's codename, N10. It was later expanded to mean "New Technology" for marketing purposes.
** The last is Windows XP, wherein "XP" is a shortening of the word "experience" so as to highlight it's enhanced (at least in comparison to the more business/company oriented Windows 9x line of operating systems) user experience.
* Sony Xperia smartphone series have Xperia S, Xperia U, Xperia P, Xperia SL, Xperia T, Xperia TX, Xperia J, Xperia V, Xperia L, Xperia E, Xperia C, Xperia M, and the best among them, of course, Sony Xperia Z.
[[/folder]]
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