History Main / JapaneseBeetleBrothers

** The two first beetle Podémon (Pinsir and Heracross) were originally not linked with each other. Pinsir was released in ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' and Heracross in the next game, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver''. Pinsir was instead paired with the mantis-themed Scyther. The two started to be paired up more often as the franchise progressed, however.

** ''Series/KamenRiderKabuto'' has the red rider Kabuto, and the blue rider Gatack (pictured above), who are probably the best-known example of this trope in the franchise. They start as rivals, but later become steadfast allies. The other Riders are also themed after insects, but not beetles; they're a wasp, a dragonfly, a scorpion, and two grasshoppers.

** ''Series/KamenRiderZeroOne'': Once again Coincidental, as Hercules and Stag Beetles are part of a wider assortment of animal-themed keycards. Instead, it's the Caucasus keycard that gets featured as one of the personal {{Transformation Trinket}}s of Kamen Rider Thouser.

** ''Series/JuukouBFighter'' and its American counterpart ''Big Bad Series/{{Beetleborgs}}'' has Blue Beet/Blue Stinger Beetleborg, G-Stag/Green Hunter Beetleborg, and Reddle/Red Striker Beetleborg.

** ''Series/KamenRiderBlade'' has the Riders Blade (European rhinoceros beetle) and Garren (stag beetle). They're usually allies (with Garren even being TheMentor) but circumstances and [[PoorCommunicationKills poor communication]] keep pitting them against each other. Blade's SuperMode is themed after a Caucasus beetle, and Garren's after a giraffe stag beetle. Instead of a ladybug, the other two Riders are praying mantis and spider-themed.
** ''Series/KamenRiderKabuto'' has the red rider Kabuto, and the blue rider Gatack (pictured above), who are probably the best-known example of this trope in the franchise. They start as rivals, but later become steadfast allies.

** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'', like ''Hurricaneger'' / ''Ninja Storm'', has a pair of {{Sixth Ranger}}s -- Beet Buster and Stag Buster in ''Go-Busters''. They don't follow the theme ''quite'' as strongly as the Goraigers / Thunder Rangers did, but they're still one of the better examples. Stag Buster's unmorphed state, the robotic Beet J. Stag, covers both beetles at once, as half of his armor is actually Beet Buster's actual suit armor, cast off and transferred to Beet Buster during morphing. (''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'' diverges from this, however; as the animal basis for Beet Buster's counterpart is changed to a SlayingMantis.)

* ''Franchise/MetalHeroes'': Multiple related series each have the three-man version of allies with the Beetle as TheLeader, Stag as TheLancer, and Ladybug as TheChick:

* The CardBattleGame ''Mushiking'' has both the Kabuto and Kuwagata, but since they're not characters in a story, they're relegated to coincidental.

However, within Japanese media, two particular insects stand out: the Kabutomushi (Japanese rhinoceros beetle, though often romanized by the Japanese as simply "beetle") and Kuwagatamushi (stag beetle). Often, when something inspired by one of the two appears in some sort of media, the other is either with them, or not too far behind. Another common element is for the two beetle-inspired elements to be of contrasting colors, and there is often a RedOniBlueOni relationship between the two.

* Allies. They are usually introduced at the same time, constantly work together and are seldom seen apart. Often allies are either partners or brothers.
* Rivals. They can't stand each others' guts, constantly butt heads and at times are on opposite sides.
* Coincidental. This is the rarest of the three types, and occurs when just by chance, and Kabuto and Kuwagata exist in the same universe, much like their real-life counterparts.

Related is the Beetle ''Sister'', the Tentomushi (ladybug, a.k.a. lady beetle/bird). Whenever beetles form a PowerTrio, you can expect TheChick to be a Ladybug.

* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' has a prime example of rivals in Metabee (the Kabuto) and Rokusho (the Kuwagata), who are Gold and Silver, respectively, and have extremely different personalities, as well as the nature of their Medals, though sometimes cross into being allies as Rokusho will sometimes offer his assistance to Ikki and Metabee. Unusually, the franchise actually has a third "brother" -- [[WaveMotionGun Arcbeetle]], based on the Hercules beetle, which is the least prominent but most powerful member of the lot.

** Averted in ''Anime/DigimonFrontier''. One of the heroes has kabutomushi-themed forms Blitzmon (Beetlemon in the dub) and Bolgmon ([=MetalKabuterimon=]), but he has no kuwaga-themed counterpart. The Digimon his power comes from, [=AncientBeetlemon=], has features of both, however; and in the broader franchise [=AncientBeetlemon=] is the MonsterProgenitor of both the Kabuterimon and Kuwagamon lines.
** ''Anime/DigimonXrosWars'' features Ballistamon, a robot with some kabutomushi features (''especially'' the giant horn). A late arc in the show reveals that he was once [=DarkVolumon=], a kuwaga-styled robot superweapon, before being damaged and repaired into his current friendlier form.

** ''Series/KamenRiderBlade'' has the Riders Blade (Hercules beetle) and Garren (stag beetle). They're usually allies (with Garren even being TheMentor) but circumstances and [[PoorCommunicationKills poor communication]] keep pitting them against each other. Instead of a ladybug, the other two Riders are praying mantis and spider-themed.

* Type A: Allies. They are usually introduced at the same time, constantly work together and are seldom seen apart. Often Type As are either partners or brothers.
* Type B: Rivals. They can't stand each others' guts, constantly butt heads and at times are on opposite sides.
* Type C: Coincidental. This is the rarest of the three types, and occurs when just by chance, and Kabuto and Kuwagata exist in the same universe, much like their real-life counterparts.

* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' has a prime example of a Type B in Metabee (the Kabuto) and Rokusho (the Kuwagata), who are Gold and Silver, respectively, and have extremely different personalities, as well as the nature of their Medals, though sometimes cross into being Type A as Rokusho will sometimes offer his assistance to Ikki and Metabee. Unusually, the franchise actually has a third "brother" -- [[WaveMotionGun Arcbeetle]], based on the Hercules beetle, which is the least prominent but most powerful member of the lot.

** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' has a Type B in the form of the blue, rhinoceros beetle-like Kabuterimon and red, stag beetle-like Kuwagamon, though this is mainly in accordance with supplemental material. The anime makes it seem more like they are a Type C. Plus there's Kabuterimon's and Kuwagamon's shared pre-evolution, the ladybug-like Tentomon, closing the aforementioned PowerTrio.

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'': By carryover from the video games, we have the Type C pair of Heracross and Pinsir, Bug-type Pokémon introduced in consecutive generations that use mostly Fighting-type attacks. In the episode where Ash catches his Heracross, a bunch of Pinsir are invading the Heracross swarm's territory, making it seem like a type B, but it's revealed that the invasion is due to the Pinsir being driven out of their own territory by Team Rocket.
* Type A in ''Franchise/OnePiece'' during the Thriller Bark arc. Usopp uses two different large slingshots named Kabuto and Kuwagata.
* ''Franchise/{{Zoids}}'' features the beetle-type Zoids Saicurtis (a red Kabutomushi) and the Double Sworder (a blue Kuwagatamushi) in a type B scenario, with the Saicurtis as an Imperial Zoid and the Double Sworder as a Republican Zoid. Both apppear in ''Anime/ZoidsChaoticCentury'' -- however, the Saicurtis only appears in the manga, while the Double Sworder only appears in the anime, though the Saicurtis was mentioned by name in the anime.

* ''Anime/TimeBokan'': The Mechabuton MiniMecha in the first series was based on the Kabutomushi and had a smaller ladybug mini-carrier, but didn't have anything Kuwagatta related. Acts as more of a Type C since the Kuwagatta mecha was made long after the Mechabuton had been put out of commission.

* ''Franchise/MetalHeroes'': Multiple related series each have the three-man version of Type A with the Beetle as TheLeader, Stag as TheLancer, and Ladybug as TheChick:

** ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' has villainous Allies in the Kabuto and Kuwagata Yummies, which formed when a single Yummy (which was the Kabuto one) split in two. But averted in that OOO has a Kuwagata Core Medal, but not a Kabuto Core Medal.

** ''Series/NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm'' has the one of the strongest examples of Allies in recent history. The Kabuto Raiger / Crimson Thunder Ranger and Kuwaga Raiger / Navy (blue) Thunder Ranger are brothers whose entire motifs, changers, personal weapons and mecha revolve around the Kabuto/Kuwaga pair. The Thunders are adopted siblings instead of biological, but no less close for it.

** ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'' has a lesser Allies example in the Yin-Yang influenced white Butoka and black Wagataku, who are similar to terracotta soldiers, have no personality, yet get an upgraded form after their initial defeat. These two appear in ''Series/PowerRangersJungleFury'' as the Shadow Guards.

* The Toys/MachineRobo Mugenbine toy line has the Type A red Iron Beetle and blue Junk Stag that can combine together to become Mugen Sector.
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers Generation 1}}'' has two groups called the Insecticons which qualify; both being Type A and in teams with other insects.[[note]]Other continuities tend to treat Insecticons as swarms of drones instead.[[/note]]

** ''Beast Wars'' features a Type C in the form of the stag beetle Insecticon and the rhino beetle Ram Horn. While both are technically Predacons, they are not seen interacting together in any continuity and simply co-exist as insect-based Transformers toys.

*** In the second generation, for instance, Scyther got an evolution, whereas Pinsir didn't to match Heracross. Various media since then involved the two in some way (like an episode of the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime featuring a feud between Pinsir and Heracross swarms). Later on, the relationship between Pinsir and Heracross was reinforced in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'', where two ended up being version exclusives, on top of both of them receiving [[SuperMode Mega Evolutions]]. The end result is a case of Coincidental becoming Rivals in the sense that there is a connection and contrast between the two.
*** There's also a variation of Coincidental in ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'', where Pinsir is a global spawn from the start while Heracross became [[RegionalBonus one of the region-exclusives]] in the Gen 2 update.
*** The existing relationships are shaken up in ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' and ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon'', which featured a new stag beetle Pokémon named Vikavolt. Vikavolt is now a Rival to both Pinsir ''and'' Heracross, who in turn have become Allies with each other in regions like Alola where all three species coexist.

** The rhinoceros beetle-like Kabuto- line includes champion level Kabuterimon, ultimate level [=MegaKabuterimon=] (in blue or red) and mega level [=HerculesKabuterimon=]. The stag beetle-like Kuwaga- line includes champion Kuwagamon, ultimate Okuwamon, and mega [=GranKuwagamon=]. At those points, the lines are Type B. They usually share the ladybug-esque Tentomon as a Rookie stage, and, in the case the mechanical Kokuwamon is used for the Kuwaga-line, it is not very antagonistic towards Tentomon. In addition, [=HerculesKabuterimon=] originated as a combination of the lines, and actually has both the pincers and the single forehead horn, while [=GranKuwagamon=] is also strongly associated with the non-scaraboid Stingmon line and quite divergent in design from the rest of the Kuwaga-line.

* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'': While the original games, which were usually separated into Kabuto/Metabee and Kuwagata/Rokusho versions, had those two Medabots, they had more of a Type C relationship.
* The CardBattleGame ''Mushiking'' has both the Kabuto and Kuwagata, but since they're not characters in a story, they're relegated to Type C.

** Among the bugs you can catch in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', there are the Kabuto (referred to simply as a Beetle) and the Stag Beetle, putting it into Type C.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' introduced a number of bugs as collectibles, which includes the "Sky Stag Beetle" (found only in Skyloft) and the "Woodland Rhino Beetle" (found only in Faron Woods), which makes it another Type C.
%%* ''VideoGame/DroneTactics'': Yamato (Kabuto) and Shoya (Kuwaga) are Type A.%%How?
* ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'' has the Beaklon (Kabuto) and Antlan (Kuwaga). They're sort of a mid-range between Type B and Type C—they weren't introduced at the same time and just sort of coexist, but their battle styles are different enough to seem contrasting.

** ''VideoGame/MegaManX1'': There's a Type A setup with Boomer Kuwanger (a not-very-good translation of Kuwaga) and his brother, ''VideoGame/MegaManX3's'' Gravity Beetle, who is of the Kabuto variety. The latter is actually one of the few Mavericks in ''X3'' who is completely uninterested in Doppler's plans and isn't even infected with TheVirus, but instead seeks revenge. In the manga, he even attempts to rebuild his brother.
** ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' has a similar Type A with ''VideoGame/MegaManZero1''[='=]s Herculious Anchortus (Kabuto) and ''VideoGame/MegaManZero2''[='=]s Kuwagust Anchus, who refers to Herculious as his brother and teams up with him during the BossRush.

* ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3D'': The KO Kabuto and Staggerceps [[{{Mons}} Dream Eaters]] are a type C example, existing simply as {{Mooks}} and potential allies for you.

* ''Videogame/ShowByRock'' has this in the form of Kabutomoaki and Kuwagatatsuya, two members of the band Dropout Sensei. Due to their status as childhood friends, they firmly fit in the Type A category. They also have a third member (Tentomutsumi) that represents the "ladybug" part of the motif, despite being more of a beetle "brother" than a beetle "sister".
* In ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'', Beetler ("Kuwanobushi" in Japan) and Rhinoggin ("Musha Kabuto") are described as being both Types A and B; with a friendly rivalry rather than an antagonistic one.

* Since ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' features bug-catching as an activity, it's natural that many types of beetle appear in the series. The two rarest and most valuable are the horned hercules beetle and the golden stag beetle. Starting with the golden stag's introduction in ''City Folk'', the two species fight each other on a tree stump when donated to the museum, making it a Type B.

* The rhinoceros beetle and stag beetle are normally Type C, but in the hobby of Insect Fighting they become more of a Type B.

** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' / ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'', like ''Hurricaneger'' / ''Ninja Storm'', has a pair of {{Sixth Ranger}}s -- called Beet Buster and Stag Buster in ''Go-Busters'' and (presumably) the Gold and Silver Rangers in ''Beast Morphers''. They don't follow the theme ''quite'' as strongly as the Goraigers / Thunder Rangers did, but they're still one of the better examples. Stag Buster's unmorphed state, the Buddyroid Beet J. Stag, covers both beetles at once, as half of his armor is actually Beet Buster's actual suit armor, cast off and transferred to Beet Buster during morphing. (The details of how J will be adapted to ''Beast Morphers'' is currently unknown.)

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}': By carryover from the video games, we have the Type C pair of Heracross and Pinsir, Bug-type Pokémon introduced in consecutive generations that use mostly Fighting-type attacks. In the episode where Ash catches his Heracross, a bunch of Pinsir are invading the Heracross swarm's territory, making it seem like a type B, but it's revealed that the invasion is due to the Pinsir being driven out of their own territory by Team Rocket.

However, within Japanese media, two particular insects stand out: the Kabutomushi (Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle, though often romanized by the Japanese as simply Beetle) and Kuwagatamushi (Stag Beetle). Often, when something inspired by one of the two appears in some sort of media, the other is either with them, or not too far behind. Another common element is for the two beetle-inspired elements to be of contrasting colors, and there is often a RedOniBlueOni relationship between the two.

Rarely, this phenomenon will be referenced obliquely. If [[DuoTropes two characters]] with [[{{Sidekick}} some]] [[TheRival sort]] [[BigBad of]] [[{{Foil}} relationship]] exist in your medium - and one has a single horn and the other has two, chances are this is why.

* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' has a prime example of a Type B in Metabee (the Kabuto) and Rokusho (the Kuwagata), who are Gold and Silver, respectively, and have extremely different personalities, as well as the nature of their Medals, though sometimes cross into being Type A as Rokusho will sometimes offer his assistance to Ikki and Metabee. Unusually, the franchise actually has a third "brother" - [[WaveMotionGun Arcbeetle]], based on the Hercules beetle, which is the least prominent but most powerful member of the lot.

** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' has a Type B in the form of the blue Kabuterimon and red Kuwagamon, though this is mainly in accordance with supplemental material. The anime makes it seem more like they are a Type C. Plus there's Kabuterimon's pre-evolution, Tentomon, closing the aforementioned PowerTrio.

* By extension of the ''{{Anime/Pokemon}}'' video games, we have the Type C pair of Heracross and Pinsir, Bug-type Pokemon introduced in consecutive generations that use mostly Fighting-type attacks.
** In the episode where Ash catches his Heracross, a bunch of Pinsir are invading the Heracross herd's territory, making it seem like a type B, but it's revealed that the invasion is due to the Pinsir being driven out of their own territory by Team Rocket.

* Kabutomushi from ''Manga/{{Arachnid}}'' is a rare example of a female with the rhino beetle theme instead of the ladybug one. She wields a "Kabuto Horn" spear and has armor implanted within her body to befit her motif. In the prequel ''Caterpillar'', four people with a Kuwagata theme are introduced as opponents to her.
* The Mechabuton MiniMecha in the first ''Anime/TimeBokan'' was based on the Kabutomushi and had a smaller ladybug mini-carrier, but didn't have anything Kuwagatta related. Acts as more of a Type C since the Kuwagatta mecha was made long after the Mechabuton had been put out of commission.
* Subverted in ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Guts runs into a pair of bug-transforming warriors (who are considerably harder to beat than the previously-encountered rabble), but they consist of a stag beetle and a praying mantis (so closer to the [[{{VideoGame/Pokemon}} Pinsir / Scyther]] example).

* Multiple related ''Franchise/MetalHeroes'' series each have the three-man version of Type A with the Beetle as TheLeader, Stag as TheLancer, and Ladybug as TheChick:

** ''Series/TensouSentaiGoseiger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'' is Coincidental with the existence of the Kabuto and Kuwagata Headers / Mechazords - both part of the Rangers' arsenal, but otherwise unrelated as part of separate {{Mecha Expansion Pack}}s.
** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' / ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'', like ''Hurricaneger'' / ''Ninja Storm'', has a pair of {{Sixth Ranger}}s - called Beet Buster and Stag Buster in ''Go-Busters'' and (presumably) the Gold and Silver Rangers in ''Beast Morphers''. They don't follow the theme ''quite'' as strongly as the Goraigers / Thunder Rangers did, but they're still one of the better examples. Stag Buster's unmorphed state, the Buddyroid Beet J. Stag, covers both beetles at once, as half of his armor is actually Beet Buster's actual suit armor, cast off and transferred to Beet Buster during morphing. (The details of how J will be adapted to ''Beast Morphers'' is currently unknown.)

* In ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', the two first beetles (Pinsir and Heracross) were originally not linked with each other. Pinsir was released in ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' and Heracross in the next game, ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver''. Pinsir was paired instead with Scyther (a mantis-themed Pokémon). As the franchise progressed, the two are often paired up. This is visible as in the second game, Scyther got an evolution whereas Pinsir didn't. Various media since then involved the two in some way (like an episode of the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime featured a feud between Pinsir and Heracross swarms). And later on, the relationship between Pinsir and Heracross was reinforced in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'', where two ended up being version exclusives, on top of both of them receiving [[SuperMode Mega Evolutions]]. So it's a case of Coincidental becoming Rivals (in a sense that there is a connection between the two).
** There's also a variation of Coincidental in ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'' where Pinsir is a global spawn from the start while Heracross became [[RegionalBonus one of the region-exclusives]] in Gen 2 update.

** The existing relationships are shaken up in ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' and ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon'', which featured a new stag beetle Pokémon named Vikavolt. Vikavolt is now a Rival to both Pinsir ''and'' Heracross, who in turn have become Allies with each other in regions like Alola where all three species coexist.
* The ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' video games have this, and due to the increased detail can expand further on this than the anime. The Kabuto- line includes champion level Kabuterimon, ultimate level [=MegaKabuterimon=] (in blue or red) and mega level [=HerculesKabuterimon=]. The Kuwaga- line includes champion Kuwagamon, ultimate Okuwamon, and mega [=GranKuwagamon=]. At those points, the lines are Type B. Those lines usually share the ladybug-esque Tentomon as a Rookie stage, and, in the case the mechanical Kokuwamon is used for the Kuwaga-line, it is not very antagonistic torwards Tentomon. In addition, [=HerculesKabuterimon=] originated as a combination of the lines, and actually has three horns, both the pincers and the single horn, while [=GranKuwagamon=] is also strongly associated with the non-scaraboid Stingmon line and quite divergent in design from the rest of the Kuwaga-line.

* While the original ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' games, which were usually separated into Kabuto/Metabee and Kuwagata/Rokusho versions, had those two Medabots, they had more of a Type C relationship.

* Among the bugs you can catch in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', there are the Kabuto (referred to simply as a Beetle) and the Stag Beetle, putting it into Type C.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' introduced a number of bugs as collectibles, which includes the "Sky Stag Beetle" (found only in Skyloft) and the "Woodland Rhino Beetle" (found only in Faron Woods, which makes it another Type C.
* Yamato (Kabuto) and Shoya (Kuwaga) from ''VideoGame/DroneTactics'' are Type A.

* There's a Type A setup with ''VideoGame/MegaManX1's'' Boomer Kuwanger (a not-very-good translation of Kuwaga) and his brother, ''VideoGame/MegaManX3's'' Gravity Beetle, who is of the Kabuto variety. The latter is actually one of the few Mavericks in ''X3'' who is completely uninterested in Doppler's plans and isn't even infected with TheVirus, but instead seeks revenge. In the manga, he even attempts to rebuild his brother.

* The KO Kabuto and Staggerceps [[{{Mons}} Dream Eaters]] in ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3D'' are a type C example, existing simply as {{Mooks}} and potential allies for you.

* The rhinoceros beetle and stag beetle are normally Type C, but in the hobby of Insect Fighting, they become more of a Type B

** ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' has a similar Type A with ''VideoGame/MegaManZero1'''s Herculious Anchortus (Kabuto) and ''VideoGame/MegaManZero2'''s Kuwagust Anchus, who refers to Herculious as his brother and teams up with him during the BossRush.

** ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' has a similar Type A with the first game's Herculious Anchortus (Kabuto) and the second game's Kuwagust Anchus, who refers to Herculious as his brother and teams up with him during the BossRush.

* ''VideoGame/TouhouProject'' has the onis Yuugi Hoshiguma (one horn and a StatuesqueStunner) and Ibuki Suika (two horns and a PintsizePowerhouse, though she can make herself grow), often seen drinking together.

* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' has a prime example of a Type B in Metabee (the Kabuto) and Rokusho (the Kuwaga), who are Gold and Silver, respectively, and have extremely different personalities, as well as the nature of their Medals, though sometimes cross into being Type A as Rokusho will sometimes offer his assistance to Ikki and Metabee. Unusually, the franchise actually has a third "brother" - [[WaveMotionGun Arcbeetle]], based on the Hercules beetle, which is the least prominent but most powerful member of the lot.

* In the ''Francise/{{Kirby}}'' series, ''VideoGame/KirbysAdventure'' introduces Bugzzy, a Kuwagata who gives Kirby [[WrestlerInAllOfUs the ability to suplex enemies]] when [[PowerCopying eaten]]. Oddly enough, he never had a Kabuto counterpart until ''VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe'', released 21 years later, which introduced Hornhead. When Kirby absorbs this beetle, he will gain a Kabuto horn to attack enemies with.

** ''Series/NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm'' has the one of the strongest examples of Type A in recent history. The Kabuto Raiger / Crimson Thunder Ranger and Kuwaga Raiger / Navy (blue) Thunder Ranger are brothers whose entire motifs, changers, personal weapons and mecha revolve around the Kabuto/Kuwaga pair. The Thunders are adopted, but no less close for it.

** ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'' has a lesser Type A example in the Yin-Yang influenced white Butoka and black Wagataku, who are similar to terracotta soldiers, have no personality, yet get an upgraded form after their initial defeat. These two appear in ''Series/PowerRangersJungleFury'' as the Shadow Guards.
** ''Series/TensouSentaiGoseiger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'' is a Type C with the existence of the Kabuto and Kuwagata Headers / Mechazords - both part of the Rangers' arsenal, but otherwise unrelated as part of separate {{Mecha Expansion Pack}}s.
** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'', like ''Hurricaneger'', has a pair of {{Sixth Ranger}}s - Beet Buster and Stag Buster. They don't follow the theme ''quite'' as strongly as the Goraigers did, but they're still one of the better examples. Stag Buster's unmorphed state, the Buddyroid Beet J. Stag, covers both beetles at once, as half of his armor is actually Beet Buster's actual suit armor, cast off and transferred to Beet Buster during morphing.
* ''Series/ChouSeiShinGransazer'' has a Type A in the form of the Wind Tribe's Sazer-Remls and Sazer-Dail.
* ''Series/UltramanRB'''s main characters, brothers Katsumi and Isami, are Type A with their Ultra forms.

** The existing relationships are shaken up in ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' and ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon'', which featured a new stag beetle Pokémon named Vikavolt. Vikavolt is now a Rival to both Pinsir ''and'' Heracross, who in turn have become Allies with each other.

* ''Series/UltramanRB'''s main characters, brothers Katsumi and Isami, are Type A BeetleBrothers in their Ultra forms.

* ''Series/UltramanRB'''s main characters, Katsumi and Isami, are Type A BeetleBrothers in their Ultra forms.

** ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'': Coincidental. The series revolves around dozens of bottles featuring essences of organic and inorganic items, and both Kabutomushi and Kuwagata are among the "organic" ones. However, the Kuwagata Bottle is used by a QuirkyMinibossSquad member, while Kabutomushi is one of the Bottles that Build himself acquires.

* In ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', the two first beetles (Pinsir and Heracross) were originally not linked with each other. Pinsir was released in VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and Heracross in the next game, VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver. Pinsir was paired instead with Scyther (a mantis-themed Pokémon). As the franchise progressed, the two are often paired up. This is visible as in the second game, Scyther got an evolution whereas Pinsir didn't. Various media since then involved the two in some way (like an episode of the Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime featured a feud between Pinsir and Heracross swarms). And later on, the relationship between Pinsir and Heracross was reinforced in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'', where two ended up being version exclusives, on top of both of them receiving [[SuperMode Mega Evolutions]]. So it's a case of Type C becoming Type B (in a sense that there is a connection between the two).
** There's also a variation of Type C in ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'' where Pinsir is a global spawn from the start while Heracross became [[RegionalBonus one of the region-exclusives]] in Gen 2 update.

** Subverted by VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon, which featured a new stag beetle Pokémon named Vikavolt. It has no rhino beetle equivalent.

** ''Series/KamenRiderFaiz'' has another villainous Type A example in the beetle Orphenochs introduced in episode 33.
** ''Series/KamenRiderBlade'' has the Riders Blade (rhinoceros beetle, although based on a Hercules beetle instead of the usual Kabutomushi) and Garren (stag beetle). They're usually allies (with Garren even being TheMentor) but circumstances and [[PoorCommunicationKills poor communication]] keep pitting them against each other. Instead of a ladybug, the other two Riders are praying mantis and spider-themed.

** ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' has a villainous Type A in the Kabuto and Kuwagata Yummies, which formed when a single Yummy (which was the Kabuto one) split in two. But averted in that OOO has a Kuwagata Core Medal, but not a Kabuto Core Medal.

** ''Series/KamenRiderBlade'' has the Riders Blade (rhinoceros beetle) and Garren (stag beetle). They're usually allies (with Garren even being TheMentor) but circumstances and [[PoorCommunicationKills poor communication]] keep pitting them against each other. Instead of a ladybug, the other two Riders are praying mantis and spider-themed.

** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'', like ''Hurricaneger'', has a pair of {{Sixth Ranger}}s - Beet Buster and Stag Buster. They don't follow the theme ''quite'' as strongly as the Goraigers did, but they're still one of the better examples.

Related is the Beetle ''Sister'', the Tentomushi (Ladybug, a.k.a. Lady Beetle). Whenever beetles form a PowerTrio, you can expect TheChick to be a Ladybug.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' originally just had the Stag-based Pinsir, and didn't get its Type C until Heracross was created in Generation 2 (originally, Scyther was Pinsir's version counterpart). Generation 2 also introduced Ledyba and Ledian, but it usually isn't associated with Pinsir or Heracross. Oddly, Kabuto and Kabutops are not examples, being based more on horseshoe crabs. Their name comes from traditional ''kabuto'', which are samurai helmets. [[FridgeBrilliance That's why the Dome Fossil is called so]].
** The relationship between Pinsir and Heracross was reinforced in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'', where two ended up being version exclusives, on top of both of them receiving [[SuperMode Mega Evolutions]].

* ''TouhouProject'' has the onis Yuugi Hoshiguma (one horn and a StatuesqueStunner) and Ibuki Suika (two horns and a PintsizePowerhouse, though she can make herself grow), often seen drinking together.

* The MachineRobo Mugenbine toy line has the Type A red Iron Beetle and blue Junk Stag that can combine together to become Mugen Sector.