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* Most, but not all, teams in ''Anime/BakutenShootBeyblade'' have someone who is the lancer. Of the BBA, Kai switches between being TheLancer and TheRival to Takao early on, but ultimately leans more to the latter with Daichi becoming Takao's lancer proper. Of the Majestic 4, Johnny is the lancer to Ralf. Of Borg, Boris is the lancer to Yuriy, while Yuriy is the lancer to Kai when he joins the team. Of the All Starz, Rick is the lancer to Max. Of the Saint Seals, Dunga is the lancer to Ozma. Psychic doesn't really have a lancer, but Jim functions as such to Kane when the others temporarily leave the team. Queen of the Parts Hunters is the lancer to King, Gordo of Team Zagāto is the lancer to Zeo, and it depends on the medium whether Julia (manga) or Raul (anime) is the lancer to the other. Of the Justice 5, Garland is the lancer to Brooklyn. And of Team Chizan, Makoto is the lancer to Kaoru.
* Guts filled this role for Griffith in ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'' when he was still part of the Band of the Hawk.
** After The Eclipse, Guts became the head of his own travel group and Serpico now fills this role for him and displays the typical antagonism of this archetype, at least until Guts definitively defeats him in Vritannis. Serpico then learns to trust his de facto leader and to work effectively alongside him.
* Yuno from ''Manga/BlackClover'' is the Lancer to Asta, his best friend with whom they fight many enemies together. While Asta is hot-blooded, outspoken, has no magic, and uses anti-magic swords to fight, Yuno is calm, quiet, was born with incredibly strong magic, and fights with ranged Wind Magic. Even their transformations contrast each other -- Yuno's Spirit Dive transforms the left side of his body in relation to the transformed right side of Asta's Black form.
* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': By the second arc of the series, Tokiko Tsumura has become the AntiHero Lancer to StockShonenHero Kazuki Muto. As Kazuki's ActionGirlfriend, she is his most common [[BattleCouple partner in battle]] with a WeakButSkilled fighting style and hatred of homunculi that [[RedOniBlueOni contrasts]] with his UnskilledButStrong abilities and AllLovingHero personality.
* ''Anime/BlueCometSPTLayzner'' gives us David Rutherford, who after getting over his bitterness over how TheHero Eiji Asuka wasn't able to save his friend Juno, becomes Eiji's fighting partner and one of his closest friends.
* Chrono in ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'' serves as Rosette's lancer (particularly in the manga where Rosette is firmly the protagonist). While they usually seem eye-to-eye on moral issues, and they are in fact the OfficialCouple, they often clash and get into arguments -- Rosette is {{hotblooded}} and determined, while Chrono ''appears'' to be calmer and also slips into despair much easier. Rosette is a nun, and Chrono is a demon. Rosette is very open with her emotions, while Chrono tends to try to hide when he's upset.
* In ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'', Sunohara often serves as an opposite to Tomoya, as he actively seeks out a girlfriend, is rather book stupid, but also is aware of the issues regarding Tomoya's relationship.
* ''Anime/CorrectorYui'': [[spoiler:Haruna Kisaragi/Corrector Haruna]][[spoiler:who was also a DarkMagicalGirl for a time.]] In the second season anime, Control and Synchro/War Wolf are Yui's Lancers when they form a FiveManBand IR and Rescue. Also, Ai Shinozaki/Corrector Ai is often Lancer-like towards Yui.
* ''Anime/CowboyBebop'': Jet Black, although he's ostensibly the leader of the Bebop crew, is TheLancer to Spike Spiegel's Hero.
* Jet Link aka 002 is Joe Shimamura aka 009's Lancer in ''Manga/Cyborg009''. Albert Heinrich aka 004 and Francoise Arnoul aka 003 sometimes fits in, too.
* Chilchuck in ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'' more or less fits this role to Laios's leader, having a good mix of common sense (which Laios and Senshi lack) but also tolerance (which Marcille lacks) and his advice is usually the one best considered by both Laios and Marcille. Additionally, any order pertaining his area of expertise is taken with utter obedience and respect.
* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', contrasting heavily with the all-loving protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma starts the series with his introduction showing just how flawed he is: a desperate womanizer, whiny and loud coward, but at the same time making sure to show a glimpse of how much of a good person is underneath that unpleasant exterior. That sets the tone of Zenitsu's journey being explicitly about self-improvement by growing into a more ideal hero while he assists the main hero Tanjiro whose goal is the grander scheme of curing his turned-demon sister and take down the demon that ruined his life by killing his family, the progenitor and leader of all demons Muzan Kibutsuji, which is the goal of the entire Demon Slayer Corps, the endgame of the whole series itself.
* Every ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' FiveManBand has had a Lancer primarily characterised as a [[TheStoic stoic]] IneffectualLoner to contrast the IdiotHero, accordingly creating conflict between the two that's escalated with every series; they always eventually overcome the differences, sometimes developing into BashBrothers. Traditionally they are associated with the colour blue, are either outright blonde or very dark hair, and are partnered with a canine Digimon, though none of these traits are absolute. To date:
** [[Anime/DigimonAdventure Yamato]] is the series-internal TropeMaker and the straightest example: he and Taichi have a fire vs. ice complement, particularly in later evolutions, and their partners' FusionDance into Omegamon creates a guns vs. swords dynamic -- the [=MetalGarurumon=] arm has a cannon while the [=WarGreymon=] arm has a sword.
** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'' splits the role between Takeru in the first half -- focusing on the conflict between himself and Daisuke -- and Ken in the second half, focusing on the Hero/Lancer BashBrothers dynamic and how Daisuke's influence and belief in him pulled him out of a pretty bad part of his life.
** [[Anime/DigimonTamers Ruki]] is the only female example, and inverts the standard ''Digimon'' dynamic in that while she is indeed the aloof one, she is certainly far more aggressive than [[NiceGuy Takato]].
** [[Anime/DigimonFrontier Kouji's]] dynamic with Takuya is a direct reprise of Taichi and Yamato's relationship, complete with the guns vs swords contrast in their strongest forms, which were even a Greymon and Garurumon respectively.
** [[Anime/DigimonDataSquad Touma's]] contrast with Masaru is played up mainly in respect to intellect and approaches thereof -- Touma is TheChessmaster, while Masaru... ''[[LeeroyJenkins isn't]]''.
** [[Anime/DigimonFusion Kiriha]], like Ruki, embodies something of a reversal of tradition -- Taiki is a brilliant strategist; Kiriha isn't a slouch in that department, but is certainly much more of a BloodKnight. Incidentally, this time Kiriha is the one with a Greymon.
** [[Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime Yuu]] is easily the lightest example -- there is some rivalry between him and Tagiru, but it's barely given any attention whatsoever... [[SpotlightStealingSquad much like Yuu himself]].
* ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'', despite the CharacterTitle issue, is this to [[TheHero Nobita Nobi.]]
* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' had several through the show's run (including Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien), though two stand out more prominently:
** Piccolo is Goku's arch nemesis before pulling a HeelFaceTurn. He functions as the Leader during Goku's many absences, being the more rational and levelheaded mindset to contrast with Goku's outgoing, charismatic personality.
** Vegeta is TheRival and the TokenEvilTeammate to Goku, along with pulling off a RedOniBlueOni. He is aloof, irate, and perpetually serious as a foil to Goku's fun-loving, easygoing FunPersonified characteristics. As the series goes on Goku starts to look to Piccolo primarily for counsel, but to Vegeta to be his right hand man on the battlefield.
* Daisy from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest: [[Anime/DragonQuestLegendOfTheHeroAbel Legend of the Hero Abel]]'' (a.k.a. the ''Dragon Warrior'' anime broadcast in English in TheNineties) is a good example of a female Lancer: a mercenary adventurer who started out more skilled than TheHero, and who seemed to [[{{UST}} have a crush on him]] (which got sublimated into her helping rescue the DamselInDistress).
* Gray of ''Manga/FairyTail'', given his rivalry with Natsu and their complementary elemental magic (Fire and Ice). He even used to be TheRival.
* Rei is this to Kenshiro in ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''. Originally looking to kill Ken, Rei eventually becomes Ken's closest ally and greatest friend, fighting alongside him and helping him restore some hope to the CrapsackWorld they live in. Turns out someone was just trying to smear Ken's name through the mud anyway. [[spoiler:Upon Rei's death at Raoh's hand, Kenshiro called Rei "one of the greatest men that I have ever known."]]
* [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Riza Hawkeye]] is the stern, cool-headed, and female Lancer serving under Roy Mustang. Maes Hughes could be considered [[ObfuscatingStupidity an even lazier one]].
* In ''Manga/FushigiYuugi'', Tamahome and Tasuki end up as a BlueOniRedOni patterned Hero and Lancer, respectively. Interestingly, they ''both'' have a BrainwashedAndCrazy incident where one nearly murders the other.
* ''Manga/{{Gantz}}'': Kei Kurono was undoubtedly TheLancer to TheHero Masaru Katou, his old friend. [[spoiler:Until Katou died and Kurono became TheHero instead, whereupon Izumi becomes his Lancer. Who (plural) at some point got killed off by alien vampires, around the time Katou got revived (the incredibly awesome Osaka arc followed). That lasted till Kei got revived AGAIN, TWICE, so now three heroes are running around, with one of the Kei's and Katou leading a (probably) suicide commando against an alien invasion and another leading humans being held captive by said aliens into freedom.]]
** In a story arc that focused on Katou action girl/the chick Reika got to spend time as his lancer
* ''Anime/GoLion'' did an interesting bit on this trope. While Isamu Kurogane was named LANCE by Anime/{{Voltron}} fans, he was not the original Lancer of the team. . . that job was temporarily held by Takashi Shirogane (Sven).
* Eiji Shigure in ''Anime/{{Gravion}}'' may be the main character of the series, but is arguably the Lancer of the Gravion team, and often fills in the role with main pilot Toga. An odd variation of that, as while Toga is definitely the more pure-hearted of the two, he still depends on Eiji to keep him morally grounded in battle.
* There are several (and ''very'' different, personality-wise) Lancers in the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' meta series:
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'', the original: Kai Shiden to Amuro Ray.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Zeta Gundam]]'': Quattro Bajeena aka Char Aznable is the Lancer ''and'' the BigBrotherMentor to Kamille Bidan. [[CoolBigSis Emma Sheen]] also is Lancer-ish sometimes.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Gundam ZZ]]'': Beecha Oleg, to Judau Ashta.
** ''[[Manga/MobileSuitCrossboneGundam Crossbone Gundam]]'': Kincaido Nau aka [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamF91 Seabook Arno]], to Tobia Arronax. Also a BigBrotherMentor to him.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam Victory Gundam]]'': Odelo Henrik, to Uso Evin.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThe08thMSTeam'': Karen Joshua, to Shiro Amada
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam0083StardustMemory Gundam 0083]]'': Chuck Keith, to Kou Uraki.
** ''[[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam G Gundam]]'': Chibodee Crockett, to Domon Kasshu.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Gundam Wing]]'': Duo Maxwell, to Heero Yuy.
** ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'': Witz Sou, to Garrod Ran.
** ''Anime/TurnAGundam'': Sochie Heim, to Loran Cehak.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeed Gundam SEED]]'': Mu La Flaga and Athrun Zala, to Kira Yamato.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny Gundam SEED Destiny]]'': Rey Za Burrell, to Shinn Asuka.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Gundam 00]]'': Lockon Stratos, to Setsuna F. Seiei. With clear cut Gun vs. Swords abilities.
** ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamAge Gundam AGE]]'': Woolf Enneacle, to Flit and Asemu Asuno. Later, Seric Abis to the third Asuno, Kio.
* ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' plays with this, in that the Lancer, Kyon, is in fact both the narrator and the main character... with a little dash of TheHero, something that the flighty and childish Haruhi is definitely ''not''. Really, Haruhi got the FiveManBand wrong; [[EmotionlessGirl Yuki Nagato]] is more TheLancer than Kyon, who is more of TheHero.
* If you view the Allied Forces from ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' as a FiveManBand, then [[TeamDad England]] is TheLancer to [[LoveFreak America's]] IdiotHero.
** Fandom tends to see the East Asian nations as a FiveManBand as well, and in such an environment Japan plays Lancer to TheHero China.
*** They also apply these dynamics to the Nordic group, with Sweden as TheLancer to TheHero Finland. Back in the days of their commonwealth, Lithuania was TheLancer to TheHero Poland.
* Rei Miyamoto is the lancer to Takashi Komuro in ''Manga/HighSchoolOfTheDead''. Bonus points for being a member of the school's lancing club.
* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' has an interesting example in [[spoiler:Keiichi]]. He starts off as a DecoyProtagonist, is a bit paranoid and actually steers into [[spoiler:VillainProtagonist]] territory. In later arcs, the spotlight switches to the actual [[TheHero hero]], [[spoiler:Rika]]. Another interesting thing about it is the reversal of the usual optimistic-Hero and cynical-Lancer. [[spoiler:Rika]] behaves cheerfully, but is secretly very cynical and has all but resigned [[spoiler:her]]self to die. [[spoiler:Keiichi]], after a number of screw-ups caused by not trusting his friends, is optimistic and tells [[spoiler:Rika]] that it ''is'' possible to [[ScrewDestiny beat the crap out of fate]]. He's arguably [[spoiler:Rika]]'s [[AllLovingHero savior]].
** [[spoiler:Rika]] even says something to a similar effect:
---> [[spoiler:"There have been two worlds in the last hundred years where you never transferred here. Those were sad, dead-end worlds."]]
* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', Killua fills this role perfectly for his FriendlyRival and BestFriend Gon, who even lampshades this as seen in the page quote. He is the cynical lancer who is level-headed, analytical, and a more experienced fighter than the idealistic, rambunctious, and AllLovingHero Gon. His Nen abilities also complement Gon's battle style, who is a slow and short-range combatant, as he mixes his assassin techniques and electricity to move at insane speeds and stun enemies before killing them.
* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
** Robert E. O. Speedwagon is this to Jonathan Joestar, being a NonActionGuy and former street thug whereas Jonathan is an EmpoweredBadassNormal who grew up rich.
** Caesar Zeppeli from ''Manga/BattleTendency'' is one to Joseph Joestar, something that is heavily played up during his introduction. However, as the story progresses, the two are shown to be very similiar.
** Noriaki Kakyoin from ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'' is one to Jotaro Kujo, being an outwardly NiceGuy whose [[FightingSpirit Stand]] is designed for long-range combat while Jotaro is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold whose Stand is designed for close-range combat.
** Guido Mista from ''Manga/GoldenWind'' is one to both Giorno Giovanna and Bruno Bucciarati.
** Both Ermes Costello and Narciso Anasui from ''Manga/StoneOcean'' are this to Jolyne Cujoh.
* Natsu Tanimoto, a.k.a. Hermit, combines this with a bit of SixthRanger to ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple.'' One of the last to defect from Ragnarok to Shinpaku Alliance, and then unwillingly, Natsu and Kenichi have the same basic decency but are otherwise polar opposites.
* ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes'': Siegfried Kircheis to Reinhard von Lohengramm, being the latter's best friend and moral compass. On the Alliance side, Walter von Schönkopf plays this role to reluctant hero Yang Wenli, often pointing out inconsistencies in the latter's moral and political outlook.
* Pretty much Every Recurring character in ''Franchise/LupinIII'' falls into this category. Daisuke Jigen plays the [[StraightMan Straight man]] to Lupin Himself, Goemon Ishikawa XIII has a fairly strong [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou Only one Allowed to Defeat you Complex]], Fujiko Mine paralells to Lupin, being his Love Interest with unfortunate [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Chronic Backstabbing Disorder]], and [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist]] and former [[TropeNamer Trope Namer]] Koichi Zenigata plays directly opposed to Lupin in goals, usually as an antagonist, but willing to team up with him when a [[GreaterScopeVillain Greater Scope Villain]] comes into the Picture.
* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'':
** ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'': Yuuno Scrya is this to Nanoha Takamachi, as he's the WeakButSkilled BarrierWarrior to UnskilledButStrong [[BeamSpam Beam Spamming]] Nanoha.
** ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' Fate Testarossa, indeed an ex-DarkMagicalGirl, is the Lancer to Nanoha, being the {{Foil}} to her in terms of their personalities, appearances, powers and fighting styles.
** In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', Vita and Signum become Lancers to Nanoha and Fate, respectively. Vita is the CynicalMentor while Nanoha is the CoolTeacher. Signum is the LightningBruiser, Fate is the FragileSpeedster.
*** Subaru Nakajima and Teana Lanster are Lancers to each other. Subaru is TheHeroine of the ''[=StrikerS=]'' cast, while Teana is TheLeader of the Forwards. Both are RedOniBlueOni, respectively, and display the BrainsAndBrawn trope.
** In ''Manga/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaVivid'', Einhard Stratos is TheLancer to Vivio Takamachi. Aside of the RedOniBlueOni trope, Einhard is proud of being the descendant of her WarriorPrince heritage, while Vivio tries to live normally as possible despite being a CloneJesus.
** In ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', Isis Egret is TheLancer to Thoma Avenir. Thoma is the UnskilledButStrong AllLovingHero and a TechnicalPacifist, while the [[WeakButSkilled "Weak", but Skilled]] Isis is the cynical explosive user with a rather aggressive battle persona. Also, Isis is still human, while Thoma is [[TechnicallyLivingZombie not]], yet Isis is far more competent than him.
* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Sayaka was TheLancer and LoveInterest from TheHero Kouji Kabuto. Given that Kouji was an carefree, impulsive, {{Hotblooded}} IdiotHero, she was TheReliableOne type, and both of them formed a BattleCouple.
** ''Anime/GreatMazinger'': Jun Hono was TheLancer from TheHero Tetsuya Tsurugi, and Kouji when he returned to the end of the series. Given that Tetsuya was a bad-tempered BrokenAce [[InferioritySuperiorityComplex and hid a huge inferiority complex under tons of arrogance and pride and anger]], they had to be TheReliableOne type he could depend on. Since [[HeroesPreferSwords Tetsuya indeed preferred swords]], Jun's HumongousMecha mainly used laser beams and missiles.
** ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'': Duke was TheHero and Kouji TheLancer. Since Duke was fairly competent, Kouji played the role of bumbling sidekick and GeniusDitz.
* ''Manga/MedakaBox'': Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, the more level-headed, down-to-earth friend of the protagonist. That's not to say he can't be a HotBlooded Determinator...
* Rina/Green Pearl Voice from ''Manga/MermaidMelodyPichiPichiPitch'' and Caren.
* Natsuki Kuga is Mai's Lancer in ''Anime/MyHime'', being both her {{Foil}} (Mai is very strait-laced, while Natsuki's willing to break a few rules to meet her personal objective) and opposite number in the ElementalPowers department (Mai uses [[PlayingWithFire fire]], and Natsuki uses [[AnIcePerson ice]]).
* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': Sasuke Uchiha fits this in almost every possible sense [[spoiler: until his FaceHeelTurn]]. [[spoiler:Replaced later by [[EmotionlessGirl Emotionless Guy]] Sai.]]
** [[spoiler:In the current war, Killer Bee is definitely this as he specifically promised Iruka he'd watch Naruto's back.]]
** [[spoiler:And now, with his HeelFaceTurn, Sasuke has reclaimed the role]]
* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' has either Asuna or Setsuna acting as Negi's lancer for the earlier arcs. Later [[TheRival Kotaro]] has taken the position.
* Asuka from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' likes to set up Shinji as her Lancer when in truth, she is the Lancer to him. While Asuka had formal training and has tons of self-confidence, Shinji has more natural talent and he eventually surpasses her in terms of synch ratio. Shinji always gets extra help from his mother's soul when he's in trouble. Asuka only gets the same once, right before her death. Jealousy towards the hero? '''Triple''' check.
** ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'' played this straight: Asuka not only acknowledges that she can't do everything alone, she's also the one who [[spoiler:takes a bullet for the team and nearly dies in the process]].
* Roronoa Zoro in ''Manga/OnePiece''. Not only is he [[RedOniBlueOni the straight man to all of Luffy's antics]], he is the NumberTwo as [[TheCaptain Luffy's]] swordsman. Given the relative specialties of the two and the outcomes of the times they fight in the series, Zoro and Luffy are very nearly evenly matched.
** One could also make a case for Sanji being the Lancer: a similarly [[RedOniBlueOni cool]] personality, like Zoro's, contrasted with [[IdiotHero Luffy's]], but also, as per the "He's the one who sneaks off on his own to advance the team's goals independently" bit in the description, Sanji has done just that on at least four occasions (Little Garden, Alabasta, Water 7, and Enies Lobby). Sanji also fits as lancer for his [[ChivalrousPervert perv]] status in contrast to Luffy's {{Chaste Hero}} status.
* In ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub'' Shadow King Kyouya is TheLancer to IdiotHero Tamaki, and secretly runs the club behind his back. Everyone else is aware of it, though; they don't call him the "Shadow King" for nothing.
* In the anime ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'', Brock would share this role with whichever female companion he and Ash would travel with, most notably Misty in Kanto and Johto, until his departure. Iris, Clemont, Kiawe, and Goh would later take up this role during their travels with Ash.
* ''Anime/PrettyCure'' has Lancers who often double as [[TheSmartGuy Smart Girls]].
** ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure'' and its sequel has the [[TheSmartGuy intelligent]] and calm Honoka for the athletic, BookDumb and lazy Nagisa.
** ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureSplashStar'' has Mai who is smart, calm and shy in contrast to the BookDumb GenkiGirl Saki.
** Thanks to ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5'''s insistence on dual-classing everyone, [[TheHero Nozomi]] (also TheHeart) has both [[TheBigGuy Big]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Rin and [[TheSmartGuy Smart]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Karen to contend with. They manage to simultaneously act as foils for both Nozomi and each other. The former is the better example.
** ''Anime/FreshPrettyCure'' has two. First it was Miki who later became TheBigGuy and is replaced by Setsuna who doubles as TheSmartGuy. The latter got closer to the heroine Love and has become even a part of her family.
** In ''Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure'', the GenkiGirl Erika is this to the ShrinkingViolet Tsubomi. Interestingly, the [[TheSmartGuy Smart Girl]] Yuri is the strongest of the four and could also be the lancer, in contrast to Cure Blossom who is considered as the weakest Pretty Cure.
** In ''Anime/SuitePrettyCure'', like the first two continuities, Kanade is the [[TheSmartGuy intelligent]] and unsporty one to the athletic, BookDumb Hibiki. Both are also VitriolicBestBuds.
** Similar to ''Yes!5'', ''Anime/SmilePrettyCure'' has the [[TheBigGuy Big]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Akane and the [[TheSmartGuy Smart]] [[TheLancer Lancer]] Reika to Miyuki. While the former has a closer relationship to Miyuki and has the greatest physical strength, Reika has defeated [[spoiler:[[TheDragon Joker]] twice]].
** In ''Anime/DokiDokiPrecure'', despite that [[TheSmartGuy Smart Girl]] Rikka is [[TheHero Mana's]] best friend for years, Makoto fits to the Lancer role better. She has the most counts of defeated [[MonsterOfTheWeek Jikochuus]] after Mana, is one of two offensive Pretty Cures (the other is Mana) and is a serious veteran who acted as an AloofAlly early in the series.
* ''Anime/PrettySammy'': Pixy Misa becomes this in near the end of the series.
* In ''Manga/Reborn2004'', Yamamoto and Gokudera combine to become this for Tsuna. And Squalo, for Xanxus.
** You could probably make a stronger argument for Hibari as the Lancer of the team. When he's actually ON the team, at least. He's extremely self-serving, unlike Tsuna who tends to get roped into helping others.
* [[DubNameChange Lancer]]/Yellow, from ''Anime/{{Robotech}}''[='s=] "The New Generation" (aka ''Anime/GenesisClimberMospeada''), despite sharing the trope name, is a curious case, as he's less of a traditional Lancer and more of a mix of TheHeart (uses his girly, "softer" looks and crossdresses to get the upper hand) and TheSmartGuy (is level-headed and sneaky, as well as an AcePilot). Arguably, it's Rand/Ray and Rook/Houquet who take turns filling in as Scott/Stick's proper lancer.
* In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', Miki Sayaka is this to Kaname Madoka's TheHero. [[spoiler: Since this is a gleefully sadistic [[GenreDeconstruction deconstruction of the magical girl genre]], [[SubvertedTrope things]] [[BreakTheCutie don't exactly]] [[HeroicBSOD play out]] [[FaceHeelTurn in a traditional manner...]]]]
* Sanosuke Sagara in ''Manga/RurouniKenshin''. He starts out as Kenshin's rival before quickly becoming [[HeelFaceTurn his best friend]], spent the gap between the revolution and the start of the series as a glory-seeking street fighter rather than an atoning wanderer, and prefers hand-to-hand combat over disciplined sword fighting (although he was skilled with his {{BFS}}, which he lamentably only used twice).
* In the 90s ''Manga/SailorMoon'' anime, Rei[=/=]Sailor Mars is TheLancer of the team. The Creator/DiC English dub [[CharacterExaggeration exaggerated this]] into a running subplot of her trying to subvert Usagi's leadership. In the manga, however, the Lancer is Minako/Sailor Venus, the leader of the Senshi in the Silver Millenium and the most seasoned warrior of the group. In some ways, manga Minako is an example of TheHero unto herself, with Rei being ''her'' Lancer rather than Usagi's.
* In ''AudioPlay/SaintBeast'', Luca is very much the lancer. He is quiet, strong, [[TheConfidant always has good advice]], and stands by TheHero no matter what. Moreover, his powers of [[DarkIsNotEvil darkness]] contrast TheHero's powers of light. Amusingly, his LoveInterest is TheHeart.
* Natsumi aka Shiro Loli in ''Saint October''.
* ''Anime/SaintSeiyaOmega'' features a female example in Yuna, who serves as [[IdiotHero Kouga]]'s main [[TheReliableOne partner]] in both combat and journeying.
* ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman'': "Condor" Joe Asakura, a.k.a. G-2. In the beginning, he's a SociopathicHero constantly undermining [[TheHero Ken's]] authority because he wouldn't let Joe go on the attack. But by the second half of the first series, Joe's the only one who's able to [[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan talk Ken down]] when he [[FreakOut MAJORLY Freaks Out]] after [[spoiler: Red Impulse, Ken's long-absent father, is killed]], showing they have a Ryu And Ken (the Capcom ones) style respect for each other. From the beginning, he has a serious vendetta against the antagonists of the series since [[ParentalAbandonment ''his parents are Deeaaad!'']] thanks to them, which drives his AntiHero tendencies, [[spoiler: and true to his role, he's the member that ends up dramatically dying in sacrifice at the end.]] [[spoiler: of the first series at least, subverted in the sequels.]]
* In ''Manga/ShamanKing'' Ren Tao is the [[TheLancer Lancer]] in every way to [[BrilliantButLazy Yoh Asakura's]] hero.
* ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'' has both [[IdiotHero Gourry]] and [[TheSpock Zelgadis]] vouch between the Lancer and TheBigGuy roles depending on the situation. However, though [[TheHero Lina]] met Gourry first, Gourry is an aggressive and incredibly dumb swordsman, and Zelgadis is far more intelligent and tactile, thus Zelgadis is more or less this trope.
* The title [[EquippableAlly character]] of ''Manga/SoulEater'' is Maka's Lancer.
** Almost all the characters in Soul Eater have a tendency to play off of eachother, switching from Hero to Lancer when the plot calls for it.
* ''Anime/SpaceBattleshipYamato'' (also known as ''Star Blazers'') had two slightly different Lancers.
** The very proper and by the book Daiuske Shima (Mark Venture) was a polar opposiste to Susumu Kodai (Derek Wildstar) who was originally more [[HotBlooded impulsive and devil-may-care]]. Both were also rival for the heart of [[TheHeart Yuki Mori]] (Nova), although Shima quickly conceded, [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy loving Yuki enough to let her go]]. The rivalry dissapeared completely with the maturing of Kodai and his inheriting leadership as the Acting Captain Yamato (Argo).
** Although only slightly older than most of the rest of the crew, [[TheSmartGuy chief technician Shiro Sanada]] (Sandor) was Yamato's elder figure after the deaths of [[TheCaptain Captain Okita (Avatar)]] and [[MrFixit Engineer Tokugawa (Orion)]]. Sadly, Shima makes the ultimate sacrifice that many anime Lancers are known for. However, interestingly enough, in ''Yamato:Rebirth'' anime, Sanada actually becomes EDF Supreme Commander, in effect becoming Captain Kodai's superior officer; the rare case where the Lancer eventually gets promoted to outrank the Hero (even if it took 25 years).
* In ''Anime/StrainStrategicArmoredInfantry'', Lottie considers Sara her Lancer up until [[spoiler:she realizes Sara's identity. She finally admits that maybe it's the other way around.]]
* In ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', depending on your point of view either Simon is Kamina's Lancer, or Kamina is Simon's. Upon [[spoiler:Kamina's death]] Kittan gradually qualifes for the role, showing a strong grasp of Kamina's ideals, but lacking the gift with words he and Simon have to express it.
** Rossiu is certainly Simon's Lancer after the timeskip. At least until [[spoiler: Viral's HeelFaceTurn, at which point Rossiu gradually takes upon a more passive role]].
* Snagglebit in the obscure 1990s anime ''The Littl' Bits'' fit this trope to a T.
* [[{{Deuteragonist}} Barnaby]] from ''Anime/TigerAndBunny'' plays this role where his partner [[HeroProtagonist Kotetsu]] is concerned. He is the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni to Kotetsu's Red]], and the IneffectualLoner to his partner's AllLovingHero / [[TheCape Cape]].
* Minto Aizawa/Mew Mint from ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'' is TheLancer to Ichigo Momomiya/Mew Ichigo.
* ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'': Nicholas D. Wolfwood to Vash the Stampede. Wolfwood and Vash work incredibly well together and often appear to be two of a kind when goofing around or actively engaged in combat, but have deep philosophical differences. Wolfwood is dark: a killer and KnightInSourArmor with a secret agenda. Vash is a TechnicalPacifist and AllLovingHero. They're keeping huge secrets from one another, and they know it. They're still the best friends either has ever had. Their color scheme contributes.
** They get extra bonuses in the manga, with {{Foil}} elements like the fact that, even though they look the same age, Vash is [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld Really Nearly Two Hundred]] and Wolfwood has accelerated aging from the experiments the Eye of Michael did on him, and based on his former orphanage-mates can't possibly be even eighteen. Also, he ''joined up with Vash because the BigBad told him to.''
* Judai of ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' has two Lancers in the earlier seasons -- Sho, as the inseparable best friend, and Manjoume as TheRival, always trying to outshine him or be TheHero himself.
** And from ''Anime/YuGiOh'' Katsuya Jonouchi (Joey Wheeler) fits. Also Jack Atlas from ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' falls into TheLancer eventually. Shark/Nasch from ''Anime/YuGiOhZexal'' easily fits this role as well, to the point of having several Ace monsters who wield actual Lances themselves.
* Kuwabara from ''Manga/YuYuHakusho''. He's Yusuke's school rival-turned-best friend, frequently teams up with him for tag-team battles, and leads the Team Urameshi almost as often as Yusuke does in the Dark Tournament saga.
* In sports manga/anime, the sub-captain of the team is likely to be TheLancer to the captain. Either that, or TheRival within the team plays this role for TheHero (who isn ''not'' necessarily the captain). Examples:
** ''Manga/ThePrinceOfTennis'':
*** Seigaku: Oishi and/or Fuji, to Tezuka. Momoshiro, to Echizen [[spoiler: and later, to Kaidoh]]
*** Fudomine: Kamio, to Tachibana.
*** Saint Rudolph: Kaneda, to Akazawa. Mizuki, to Yuuta (as a good example of a sneaky Lancer who uses less-than-ethic methods).
*** Hyoutei: Shishido, to Atobe; he actually [[HeroicSacrifice took one for the team]] during the yakiniku battle (sacrificing himself by drinking Inui juice so his team could go on). Ohtori, on the other hand, is Shishido's own Lancer (which makes them also a ''very'' popular HoYay subject, even lampshaded once or twice in the {{Dating Sim}}s).
*** Isn't Oshitari more of a lancer to Atobe? Besides Kabaji, Atobe is probably closest with him, often leaving important duties with him. They are also both All-rounders, coincidentally.
*** Yamabuki: Sengoku and/or Dan, to AntiHero Akutsu.
*** Rokkaku: Saeki, to Aoi.
*** Jyousei: Wakato, to Kajimoto.
*** Rikkaidai: Sanada, to Yukimura. Also, Renji to Sanada
*** Higa: Rin, to Kite.
*** Shitenhouji: Chitose (also SixthRanger), to Shiraishi. Koishikawa was ''supposed'' to be TheLancer, but Chitose's appearance shot that to Hell.
*** If we count the {{Tagalong Kid}}s, Tomoka is TheLancer to girly [[TheHero heroine]] Sakuno.
** ''Manga/CaptainTsubasa'':
*** Depending on the team he's playing, Tsubasa can hace ''several'' Lancers. Up to date: Ishizaki, Misaki, Wakabayashi, Hyuga, Pepe and/or Rivaul.
*** Wakashimazu and Takeshi, to Hyuga.
*** Oda, to Matsuyama.
*** Müller, to Schneider. Sometimes Schester too, though he's more of TheSmartGuy [[spoiler: A small subplot in ''Road to 2002'' had Schneider trying to personally recruit Wakabayashi as his Lancer, too.]]
*** Napoleon, to Pierre.
*** Pascal, to Juan Diaz
*** Kaltz, to Wakabayashi (in the Hamburg team).
*** Leo (and briefly, Natourezza), to Santana
** Subverted in ''Manga/SlamDunk'', where the vice-captain of the Shohoku team (Kogure) hardly gets any time on the court. Therefore, since we have Sakuragi as TheHero (from story-wise perspective, as he is the main character), he gets Rukawa as his Lancer.
** ''Manga/{{Eyeshield 21}}'' has many of these.
*** Kurita and Musashi are both Lancers for Hiruma.
*** Monta (and later on Riku) is easily Sena's Lancer.
*** Sakuraba serves as a Lancer to both Takami and Shin, although in some cases Shin could be his lancer (like in the Sagittarius).
*** Tetsuma is definitely Kid's Lancer, and a damn good one at that.
*** In a twisted sense of the trope, Agon could be concieved as Unsui's Lancer or [[TheDragon Dragon]], although a better case could be made for Ikkiyu and Agon switching off as Lancer and Hero[=/=]Dragon and BigBad as well.
*** Gaou is certainly a Lancer for Marco.
*** Taka for Yamato, given the fact that the latter is Teikoku's primary ace, but they could be switched without much difficulty

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