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Anime and Manga
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
— Piccolo, Dragon Ball Z
"The hero is supposed to get there late!"
— Kurz Weber, Full Metal Panic!! The Second Raid
"There's no way they'll appear in the nick of time. They're not American comic book heroes that save the day. I can't count on them to make a grand "Ta-daa!" entrance and save me."
— Jean-Pierre Polnareff, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
"This is a rare card. Organization XIII's entire boots-on-the-ground team, all in one place. An astonishing six-man-mission."
— Luxord, after he and a few other members appear to help confront Riku, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days
"You know how in stories the hero usually shows up at the last minute and then kicks butt? Well that's I'm gonna do right now! Believe it!"
— Naruto
"GYAHAHA!! GYAHAHA!! GYAHA!! GYAHA!! GYAHAHAHA!! Are you some kind of prince who swoops in to save the girl when she's in a pinch!?"
— Giriko, Soul Eater
Comic Books
Fray: You don't have the scopes probably, over in Scaryhellsburg or wherever, but me and Harth used to watch the Western ones all the time. They had a tradition. They called it the "last stand."
Erin: Yeah, I watched those, too. They had another tradition I liked.
(panel shows Erin and at least a dozen police vehicles)
Erin: They called it the cavalry.
Erin: Yeah, I watched those, too. They had another tradition I liked.
(panel shows Erin and at least a dozen police vehicles)
Erin: They called it the cavalry.
— Fray
Spider-Man: Everybody, say "hi" to Takuya Yamashiro, the Spider-Man of Earth-51778! Oh, and did I mention he has a giant robot?
(Leopardon busts through the portal, flying straight at Solus)
Takuya!Spider-Man: LEOPARDON!!
Solus: What manner of creature are you?!
Takuya!Spider-Man: I am the emissary of Hell! And I will fight this great evil for the fate of all Spiders!
(Leopardon busts through the portal, flying straight at Solus)
Takuya!Spider-Man: LEOPARDON!!
Solus: What manner of creature are you?!
Takuya!Spider-Man: I am the emissary of Hell! And I will fight this great evil for the fate of all Spiders!
"Tough guy, you're not dealing with a frightened girl now. Deadpool's in the house."
— Deadpool
Wonder Woman: "A barrage of them! Even I can't hope to stop them alone—!"
Supergirl: "So who says you're alone?"
Wonder Woman: "Supergirl! Thank Hera—!"
Supergirl: "So who says you're alone?"
Wonder Woman: "Supergirl! Thank Hera—!"
Brainiac: "I have no idea what you hoped to accomplish with that ridiculous maneuver, Superman— and, regrettably, you're not going to be here long enough for me to find out! That first shot shrunk you to the size of a mosquito— But the blast you're about to receive will reduce you to absolute nothingness!"
Supergirl: "I wouldn't touch that button if I were you, Brainiac!"
Supergirl: "I wouldn't touch that button if I were you, Brainiac!"
Eggman: You put up a decent fight, but it's time to raze you and your village to the ground!
(something falls from the sky)
Eggman: Oh, now what?!
Sonic: Hey guys, miss me?
(Sonic looks around, seeing that everything is on fire and Eggman is piloting a giant mech)
Sonic: Looks like I'm unfashionably late.
[...]
Eggman: NO NO NO!!! I had them! I'd won!
—>— Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW)
(something falls from the sky)
Eggman: Oh, now what?!
Sonic: Hey guys, miss me?
(Sonic looks around, seeing that everything is on fire and Eggman is piloting a giant mech)
Sonic: Looks like I'm unfashionably late.
[...]
Eggman: NO NO NO!!! I had them! I'd won!
—>— Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW)
Fan Works
"CALVIN, YOU'D BETTER BE AROUND HERE WAITING TO GET US OUT OF HERE!!"
Firefly: Seems like we've arrived in the nick of time. What does that make us, Thunder?
Lightning Bolt: Big Mane Heroines, Flash!
Lightning Bolt: Big Mane Heroines, Flash!
"I hate playing the Big Damn Hero."
— Shinji, Thousand Shinji
The Kobra troops were getting closer, appallingly fast. They were around a bend of the hall, and their foremost would perish. But none of them had much illusion that they could stand off all the invaders.
Alfred allowed himself a tight smile, despite it all, and awaited the first man he would have had to kill since World War II.
Then there came a great noise like unto an explosion, not far down the hall, at approximately the same site as the Kobramen were, by the sound of it. It sounded like the roof. Alfred wondered, wildly, why the idiots were coming from that direction. Couldn't be much surprise to it, at this point.
Two Kobras skidded against the side wall at the end of the hall, their weapons twisted around their necks. They were on the far side of consciousness.
The sounds that came to the defenders now were different. Men yelling incoherently, but having their voices stopped after sharp cries of pain. There was some gunfire, but it didn't seem to matter. And more Kobramen came flying, piling up against the side wall like so much thrown garbage.
Alfred blinked, and imagined the others were reacting similarly.
"Man," said Karl Kyle, in awe. "Just what kinda cavalry is this, anyway?"
Finally, the tenth or so Kobra Cultist joined his brothers on the heap. Alfred knew who the man was who had put them there, and drew a great, sighing breath as his shoulders sagged.
The man stepped into sight, his hands on his hips, and grinned.
"I thought you might need me here," said Superman. "Diana's on her way. She's got the Purple Ray with her."
Alfred allowed himself a tight smile, despite it all, and awaited the first man he would have had to kill since World War II.
Then there came a great noise like unto an explosion, not far down the hall, at approximately the same site as the Kobramen were, by the sound of it. It sounded like the roof. Alfred wondered, wildly, why the idiots were coming from that direction. Couldn't be much surprise to it, at this point.
Two Kobras skidded against the side wall at the end of the hall, their weapons twisted around their necks. They were on the far side of consciousness.
The sounds that came to the defenders now were different. Men yelling incoherently, but having their voices stopped after sharp cries of pain. There was some gunfire, but it didn't seem to matter. And more Kobramen came flying, piling up against the side wall like so much thrown garbage.
Alfred blinked, and imagined the others were reacting similarly.
"Man," said Karl Kyle, in awe. "Just what kinda cavalry is this, anyway?"
Finally, the tenth or so Kobra Cultist joined his brothers on the heap. Alfred knew who the man was who had put them there, and drew a great, sighing breath as his shoulders sagged.
The man stepped into sight, his hands on his hips, and grinned.
"I thought you might need me here," said Superman. "Diana's on her way. She's got the Purple Ray with her."
I was like the shining heroine, bursting in at just the right time!
Film - Live-Action
"What do you think I'm gonna do? I'm gonna save the fuckin' day."
— Cameron Poe, Con Air
"Agent Romanoff. You miss me?"
"Your savior is here!"
— Loki, Thor: Ragnarok
"Ah ha ha! You guys are so screwed now!"
— Bruce Banner, Avengers: Infinity War
"Bring me THANOS!!"
— Thor, Avengers: Infinity War
"On your left."
— Falcon, Avengers: Endgame
"Woah, woah, I didn't know Dan Aykroyd was in this picture!"
— Swackhammer, when Bill Murray shows up, Space Jam
"You're all clear, kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home!"
— Han Solo, Star Wars: A New Hope
"Let him go. Kevin, RUN!"
— Pigeon Lady, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this is your savior speaking. Please fasten your seat belts, return the tray tables to their locked and upright positions and prepare for landing."
— Hangman, Top Gun: Maverick
Gandalf: Theoden King stands alone...
Eomer: Not alone... ROHIRRIM!
[The Riders of Rohan appear on the ridge.]
Eomer: TO THE KING!!
Eomer: Not alone... ROHIRRIM!
[The Riders of Rohan appear on the ridge.]
Eomer: TO THE KING!!
Literature
And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of war nor of wizardry, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns, in dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the north wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.
Orthos: [while facing dozens of enemies with only one ally] He's here.
Kelsa: Who?
Orthos: Hold on for a little longer, girl. This battle is almost won.
Orthos: [to the Heaven's Glory School] We have reinforcements coming. We will accept your surrender.
Kelsa: Who?
Orthos: Hold on for a little longer, girl. This battle is almost won.
Orthos: [to the Heaven's Glory School] We have reinforcements coming. We will accept your surrender.
— Cradle Series, Bloodline
"You sent him to the sky to die, assassin, but the sky and the winds are mine. I claim them, as I now claim your life."
—Kaladin Stormblessed, Words of Radiance (second book of The Stormlight Archive)
Live-Action TV
Hellfire: I'm on fire. Well, a little more than usual.
(he prepares to murder Daisy and Jemma, but a familiar hand grabs the chain)
Robbie: Huh.
(Robbie snatches the chain off Hellfire)
Hellfire: I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you just made a big mistake.
Robbie: Funny, I was gonna say the same thing. Without the accent.
Daisy: Robbie?
Robbie: Take the stairs, find Agent Coulson.
Daisy: Coulson?
Robbie: Go.
(he prepares to murder Daisy and Jemma, but a familiar hand grabs the chain)
Robbie: Huh.
(Robbie snatches the chain off Hellfire)
Hellfire: I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you just made a big mistake.
Robbie: Funny, I was gonna say the same thing. Without the accent.
Daisy: Robbie?
Robbie: Take the stairs, find Agent Coulson.
Daisy: Coulson?
Robbie: Go.
"I have taken bold action. We must go."
— Enoch, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., "Inescapable"
Delenn: This is Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari. Babylon 5 is under our protection. Withdraw, or be destroyed.
Drake: Negative. We have authority here. Do not force us to engage your ship.
Delenn: Why not? Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me; you are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else.
Drake: Negative. We have authority here. Do not force us to engage your ship.
Delenn: Why not? Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me; you are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else.
— Babylon 5, "Severed Dreams"
"No, sir! All thirteen!"
— The Twelfth Doctor announcing all the incarnations of the Doctor arriving to save Gallifrey, Doctor Who 50th AS "The Day of the Doctor"
Mal: Well, look at this! Appears we got here just in the nick of time. What does that make us?
Zoe: Big damn heroes, sir!
Mal: Ain't we just.
Zoe: Big damn heroes, sir!
Mal: Ain't we just.
"You couldn't have saved this woman... Or your friend. But you could have if you had have known in time. And that's the other thing I'm offering you, a chance to be there in time."
— Finch, Person of Interest
Tyler: Sorry it took us a while to get here, Captain.
Pike: Cavalry arrived just in time. See you brought some new friends.
L'Rell: Not the term I would use, Captain. However, the Klingon Empire will always fight to preserve our future.
Pike: Cavalry arrived just in time. See you brought some new friends.
L'Rell: Not the term I would use, Captain. However, the Klingon Empire will always fight to preserve our future.
— Star Trek: Discovery, "Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2"
"All ships, the Klingons and Kelpiens have joined our fight. Transmit encrypted data on the enemy fleet and advise all squad commanders to coordinate their efforts with our new allies."
— Saru, Star Trek: Discovery, "Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2"
Ultraman Geed: What took you so long?
Ultraman Zero: Heh, you know what they say. The star always show up late!
Ultraman Zero: Heh, you know what they say. The star always show up late!
Music
A cry for help in time of need
Await relief from Holy League
Sixty days of siege
Outnumbered and weak
Sent a message to the sky
Wounded soldiers left to die
Will they hold the wall
Or will the city fall?
Dedication
Dedication
They're outnumbered fifteen to one
And the battle's begun
Then the Winged Hussars arrived!
Coming down the mountainside!
Then the Winged Hussars arrived!
Coming down they turned the tide!
Await relief from Holy League
Sixty days of siege
Outnumbered and weak
Sent a message to the sky
Wounded soldiers left to die
Will they hold the wall
Or will the city fall?
Dedication
Dedication
They're outnumbered fifteen to one
And the battle's begun
Then the Winged Hussars arrived!
Coming down the mountainside!
Then the Winged Hussars arrived!
Coming down they turned the tide!
—Sabaton, "Winged Hussars"
Tabletop Games
It is sudden. The battlefield is filled with explosions and falling drop pods, the beleagured defenders of mankind cheer as they watch the stark armored figures emerge in their wrath. The forces of darkness despair as they know their doom is nigh, the Angels of Death come for them on wings of fire.
Video Games
Thaddeus: Fury from the sky! Cut them down! (THUMP!) Sergeant Thaddeus, reporting for duty, Commander.
Avitus: Did you have a pleasant rest, waiting for the most dramatic moment to strike?
Thaddeus: Good to see you too, Avitus.
Avitus: Did you have a pleasant rest, waiting for the most dramatic moment to strike?
Thaddeus: Good to see you too, Avitus.
— Dawn of War II
"All of a sudden, some guys rushed into the room."
"Anyway... thanks again for saving my skin. The way you showed up and fought that guy off... it was a pretty cool thing to watch. You were like a hero charging in to save the girl."
— Tifa Lockhart to Cloud Strife, Dissidia Final Fantasy 012
"Get it out of the way so we can concentrate on being big goddamn heroes."
— Zaeed Massani, Mass Effect 2
Tali'Zorah: Shepard? I'm not complaining, but you show up at the strangest times. What are you doing in the middle of geth space?
Shepard: I was in the neighborhood, thought you might need a hand.
Shepard: I was in the neighborhood, thought you might need a hand.
"Kept you waiting, ah?"
— Boris Popov, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Franklin: These fools picking on you? It wouldn't be right if I didn't have to save your ass just once.
Lamar: Save me? Nigga, I just wanted some company.
Lamar: Save me? Nigga, I just wanted some company.
"Hold it right there, vile serpent!!"
— Susano, Ōkami
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Oh, wait. No it's not."
— Ampharos to Nuzleaf, Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon
Yuma: He's so FAST!
Kirika: (as Jinas closes in for the kill) Your Radiance!!
(Agnum suddenly appears and blocks Jinas' attack)
Agnum: (chuckling) Whoa, there!
Jinas: So it's you--!
Agnum: Watch where you're swinging that thing... Jinas.
Kirika: (as Jinas closes in for the kill) Your Radiance!!
(Agnum suddenly appears and blocks Jinas' attack)
Agnum: (chuckling) Whoa, there!
Jinas: So it's you--!
Agnum: Watch where you're swinging that thing... Jinas.
Vyse: There's no point in resisting. Throw down your weapons and hand over your ship!
Valuan Soldier: Imbeciles! What do you think the two of you can do against the five of us? Take them down!
(a gunshot rings out and a bullet hits the soldier in the head. The camera cuts to a man holding a smoking pistol)
Dyne: I think you miscounted. I only see four of you.
Valuan Soldier: Imbeciles! What do you think the two of you can do against the five of us? Take them down!
(a gunshot rings out and a bullet hits the soldier in the head. The camera cuts to a man holding a smoking pistol)
Dyne: I think you miscounted. I only see four of you.
"Heroes always arrive late."
"Hey, McCloud! Different time, different planet, and you still need Falco's help! It's good to see ya, buddy!"
—Falco Lombardi, Star Fox Adventures
Magilou: Heheh! With an entrance like this, it's almost like...
Velvet: Like we're a bunch of heroes.
Magilou: Hey, no fair! You were supposed to say "Like what?"
Velvet: Like we're a bunch of heroes.
Magilou: Hey, no fair! You were supposed to say "Like what?"
Thug: You pay on time, you get protection. If you don't... (slaps the woman) Or are you expecting a Knight in Shining Armor?
Geralt: Close enough.
Geralt: Close enough.
Neku: [Hanekoma] saved our asses more than once last week.
Joshua: What a coincidence. He's been in the business of saving my ass for quite some time now.
Joshua: What a coincidence. He's been in the business of saving my ass for quite some time now.
Demiurg Brotherhood responding.
"Attention, all crew. Today marks the day of our maiden voyage. And what a day it is. But this grand blue yonder is no place for confinement! Let us show them we won't so easily dance to their tune!"
— Olivert Reise Arnor, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
Web Original
(Empress has Joseph on the ropes, but an unknown man shows up)
???: Looking lame, JoJo. You're getting old.
Joseph: N..No..way! Yo...you're...
???: Looks like you're doing well!
Joseph: Caesar! Double Shock! To meet you as if you were a ghost on the mortal plane. Wait, just a single shock.
???: Looking lame, JoJo. You're getting old.
Joseph: N..No..way! Yo...you're...
???: Looks like you're doing well!
Joseph: Caesar! Double Shock! To meet you as if you were a ghost on the mortal plane. Wait, just a single shock.
"DARKUS! YOUR GREATEST MISTAKE HAS ARRIVED!"
-Task, The Unexpectables, Episode 131 & 132
Sergio Ramos: In chaos, everything is legal. [laughs mischievously and tears up a red card before charging at João Félix]
João Félix: [sitting, with a leg trapped under the debris, which he desperately tries to free] Oh, no!
Diego Costa: [bursts into the frame while whacking Ramos into the ground] Not today, Sergio!
João Félix: [sitting, with a leg trapped under the debris, which he desperately tries to free] Oh, no!
Diego Costa: [bursts into the frame while whacking Ramos into the ground] Not today, Sergio!
"Why do people keep showing up at the last possible second?! This is the worst!"
— Kirk, Studio C, (The Best Star Trek Deleted Scene)
Lamar: Captain, your last-second victory ass pull has arrived.
Tari: You know… about a minute earlier would have been good too.
Lamar: Eh, but this was way more dramatic. I got to blow up their captain’s quarters, and I swiped you this bitchin’ hat from a storeroom!
Tari: You know… about a minute earlier would have been good too.
Lamar: Eh, but this was way more dramatic. I got to blow up their captain’s quarters, and I swiped you this bitchin’ hat from a storeroom!
Western Animation
Oh Dora dear, sweet Dora dear,
Keep courage up and chin held high!
The stalwart sons of old P. U.
Are here at hand to do or die!note
Keep courage up and chin held high!
The stalwart sons of old P. U.
Are here at hand to do or die!note
— Tom, Dick, and Larry to Dora Standpipe, The Dover Boys
"I figured I'd wait for you all to be in trouble and then I'd make an awesome heroic entrance. Pretty cool, right?"
— Casey Jones, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)
Lunaris: Any last words, earther?
Scrooge: (sees his family on top of Mitsy) Hi, kids.
The Duck family: Hi, Uncle Scrooge!
Scrooge: (sees his family on top of Mitsy) Hi, kids.
The Duck family: Hi, Uncle Scrooge!
—DuckTales (2017), "Moonvasion!"
Mariner: Ugh, all hands, head for escape pods! Prepare to abandon ship!
Boimler: (noticing another ship heading their way) Wait... incoming ship? (The U.S.S. Titan drops out of warp and races to the Cerritos) It's the Titan!
Boimler: (noticing another ship heading their way) Wait... incoming ship? (The U.S.S. Titan drops out of warp and races to the Cerritos) It's the Titan!
—Star Trek: Lower Decks, "No Small Parts"
