History Main / StandardEvilOrganizationSquad

* The leadership of [[{{Ghostapo}} the Millennium Organization]] in ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'', each of whom possesses a more specialized role and abilities than the generic Nazi vampires who fill the organization's lower ranks.

** The Armed Brain Army Volt in ''Series/ChoujuuSentaiLiveman'' are a {{cult}} who seek to conquer the Earth and have it be ruled by an elite of the most intelligent in society. They're mainly comprised of [[BigBad Great Professor Bias]] and his students, though his students aren't much of a unified force as they spend most of their time competing with each other to raise their [=IQs=] ([[TheChessmaster which is exactly what Bias wants]] -- it benefits his [[FountainOfYouth real]] [[MassHypnosis plans]] that the underlings don't know about). There's Gash ([[TheBrute a robotic soldier]] who carried the [[MakeMyMonsterGrow monster-enlarging cannon]]) and a couple of aliens who join up midway through ([[spoiler:who were in fact robots created by Bias to motivate his students]]).

** In UsefulNotes/{{the Bronze Age|OfComicBooks}} Creator/DCComics, Marv Wolfman invented the Hive. They fought ComicBook/{{Superman}} a few times, but became much more associated with the Comicbook/TeenTitans.

* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' tended to use these in its later years, with the {{Arc Villain}}s, with [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder the Piraka]] (six superpowered gangsters angling to smash-and-grab the local ArtifactOfDoom), [[HowTheMightyHaveFallen the Barraki]] (six warlords from prehistory recently escaped from TheAlcatraz), and of course [[BrotherhoodOfEvil the Brotherhood of Makuta]] (a shadowy organization of super-beings bent on conquering the universe).

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[[quoteright:349:[[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/justice_league_unlimited_23.png]]]]

This is a generally villainous organization with mysterious goals and many distinct characters, usually wearing theme outfits. May start out as TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness before getting more time in the spotlight. Unlike a LegionOfDoom, they're generally introduced as a bunch of new characters, rather than being a [[VillainTeamUp new alliance]] of [[RoguesGallery old foes]]. Larger than a QuirkyMinibossSquad, and treated much more seriously (less quirk, more Boss). While they may have access to or be associated with a NebulousEvilOrganization, they are generally not nebulous, but rather have a set number of members, though they may qualify if their ''influence'' is nebulous or if they have numerous underlings who do not qualify as full members. They also tend to become a SpotlightStealingSquad.

The Standard Evil Organization Squad generally serves as either the BigBad or CoDragons on a large scale (or both, since the leader is often the ''true'' BigBad), and thus are generally a major threat. TheTeam is the vaguely-structured GoodCounterpart.

* ''Manga/{{Black Clover}}'':

** After the first timeskip, the Dark Triad takes the reigns as the next big threat to the heroes. Possessing powers from the alleged three highest ranking devils, they aim to plunge the world into chaos by opening the gates to the very home of the devils that they’re hosts to, the Underworld.
** While still relatively early as of now, so far for the final act of the series there exists the Paladins. [[spoiler:Humans both alive and once dead who were brainwashed and given devil power by the BigBad Lucius Zogratis’ Soul Magic, the Paladins act as the enforcers of his will in bringing about his WellIntentionedExtremist goal of “True Peace”]].

** Later, we have the Sternritter from ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', though they are technically a rank comprised of the most powerful Quincy in Yhwach's army and not a group in their own right.
* The Black Organization in ''Manga/CaseClosed'' is an enigmatic crime syndicate with members that are too dangerous for even Conan to take on. For the longest time their MO was so unclear that even a genius detective like Conan could mistake anyone in a black coat for one of them as all anyone knew about the organization was that members tend to wear distinctive black coats.

* The leadership of the [[{{Ghostapo}} Millennium Organization]] in ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'', each of whom possesses a more specialized role and abilities than the generic Nazi vampires who fill the organization's lower ranks.

** The officers of the Titans high command in ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'' and within them, [[TheStarscream Paptimus Scirocco]] and his inner circle, particularly once they [[spoiler:usurp control.]]

* The Band of Seven in ''Manga/InuYasha''. A group of human mercenaries killed long ago, they are brought back to life undead and controlled by Naraku to hold off his enemies during his time at Mount Hakurei.
* The One Shadow Nine Fists from ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple'', the ten strongest unarmed fighters of Yami, a villainous group martial artists.

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' has the League of Villains, a group of competent villains led by Tomura Shigaraki and created by [[BigGood All Might's]] old nemesis All For One to work together against the heroes. Unlike many examples, after the League is re-branded thanks to the Stain incident, the group's numbers were reduced to a little over ten members. [[spoiler:After defeating the [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters Meta Liberation Army]], the two groups merge to form the Paranormal Liberation Front with Shigaraki as its Grand Commander.]]

** The Akatsuki are a group of S-ranked criminal ninja. Although they each have their own agendas, the group's goal is to TakeOverTheWorld by capturing the nine Tailed Beasts. Their members work in pairs and wear high-collared, black coats adorned with red clouds.
** [[spoiler:''Manga/{{Boruto}}'' introduces Kara, a mysterious organization whose motives are largely unknown but carry sinister intent for the world at large. They are similar to, if not exactly like, the Akatsuki, starting as TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness devoted to Jigen, before most of its members come out as {{Arc Villain}}s. Each member has a [[YouAreNumberSix Roman Numneral tatoo]] on their face.]]
* The Devils of Kimon from ''Anime/NinjaScroll'', a group of ninjas with extremely varied and bizarre powers, all working for an immortal.

* The Witch Cult in ''Literature/ReZero'' consists of Archbishops of Sin with extremely powerful abilities and some having plenty of followers of their own. However, contrary to their initial introduction, they are less organized than it seems.

* The Rosenkreuz Orden in ''Literature/TrinityBlood'' is devoted to sparking the war between humans and vampires.

* The Hellfire Club from the famous [[ComicBook/TheDarkPhoenixSaga Dark Phoenix Saga]] of ''ComicBook/XMen'', all with ''fabulous'' clothing.
* In UsefulNotes/{{the Bronze Age|OfComicBooks}} Creator/DCComics, Marv Wolfman invented the Hive. They fought Comicbook/{{Superman}} a few times, but became much more associated with the Comicbook/TeenTitans.
* Comicbook/TheAvengers have a group of astrology-themed enemies called Zodiac.
* The Comicbook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica fights the playing card themed Royal Flush Gang.
* ComicBook/RedRobin finds himself fighting the newly introduced spider themed Council of Spiders.

[[folder:FanFic]]
* FanFic/DungeonKeeperAmi: Ami's minions start out as just another Keeper's band of thugs to the surface world. This changes following Ami's defeat of[[spoiler: The Avatar of All Light]]. It is clear from the Spymaster's subplot that after this the surface world is scrambleing to discover the source of this incredibly powerful new keeper, uncover her motives and prepare countermeasures for her continued menace. [[NebulousEvilOrganization Of course, they meet with limited success]] [[DiabolusExNihilo due to her]] [[OutsideContextProblem origins]]. Of course, this is [[spoiler: [[Anime/SailorMoon Sailor Mercury]]]] we're talking about. [[GoodRunningEvil So it's an inversion]].
* ''Fanfic/AmazingFantasy'' has the League of Villains, who is receiving technology from Mysterio to arm a new wave of upstart supervillains with advanced equipment from the Marvel Universe. This includes D-list villains like Stilt-Man, Big Wheel, and an entire Rocket Racer Gang.

* In the Literature/{{Discworld}}, would-be Dark Lord, Evil Harry Dread, surrounds himself with henchmen who represent ''all'' the sterotypes: skeletal warriors, Dark Dwarfs, a sniggering, [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy none-too-bright]] jailer, and some of the dimmest Trolls on the Disc.
* Though framed as a NebulousEvilOrganization in-story, the Death Eaters (basically [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything the Ku Klux Klan with magic powers]]) from ''Literature/HarryPotter'' [[OddlySmallOrganization arguably qualify]].
* The Forsaken from ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': thirteen exceptional [[FunctionalMagic channelers]] who swore service to the [[TheAntiGod Dark One]] in the long-ago [[TimeOfMyths Age of Legends]], were [[SealedEvilInACan trapped outside reality]], and eventually escape to plague the world with power and knowledge beyond the ken of the current Age. They would be more dangerous if their organization wasn't TeethClenchedTeamwork at best, and [[NoHonorAmongThieves opportunistic backstabbing]] at worst. And sadly, they don't have themed costumes.

* In ''Franchise/KamenRider'' villains usually follow the ''Franchise/SuperSentai'''s Boss > General > Monster > Mooks structure, but after ContinuityReboot this got more flexible, with some villains not having CoDragons, minions or more fighting against [[EvilVersusEvil other villains and monsters]].

* ''Series/MetalHeroes''

** The [[NebulousCriminalConspiracy Neros Empire]] in ''Series/ChoujinkiMetalder'' is comprised of four different Armies, each with their own rotating lineups of villains who Metalder faces throughout.

[[folder:Mythology and Religion]]

* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' tended to use these in its later years as the {{Arc Villain}}s, with the [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Piraka]] (six superpowered gangsters angling to smash-and-grab the local ArtifactOfDoom), the [[HowTheMightyHaveFallen Barraki]] (six warlords from prehistory recently escaped from TheAlcatraz), and of course the [[BrotherhoodOfEvil Brotherhood of Makuta]] (a shadowy organization of super-beings bent on conquering the universe).

* ''VideoGame/AdvanceWars'':
** ''Black Hole Rising'' has Sturm and his EliteFour [=COs=], who are the ones helming Black Hole's invasion of the Wars World.

* Organization XIII from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''. They were TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness in their debut game, ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories Chain of Memories]]'' (where not much was known about them aside from sharing the same coat), but in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' and ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]'', they became this (particularly in the latter game, as they were featured as the [[VillainProtagonist protagonists]] there and thus got ''much'' more screentime). Later games reveal [[spoiler: this Organization is essentially just a recruiting grounds for the Real Organization XIII AKA the Thirteen Seekers of Darkness, which acts more like a LegionOfDoom.]]
* Those from the Past from ''VideoGame/{{The King of Fighters}}''.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' has almost one per game, usually based off of a real-life organization. To name a few: [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Team]] [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Rocket]], [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Team Aqua/Magma]], [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Team Galactic]], [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Team Plasma]], [[VideoGame/PokemonXAndY Team Flare]], [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon Team Skull]], [[spoiler: [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon the Aether Foundation]]]]...

* [[spoiler:Salem's faction]] from ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'', [[TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness alluded to]] now and again throughout the show, [[spoiler:then fully revealed during the first episode of Volume 4.]]

* ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'' has two. The first is the canonical Trolls, a group of twelve aliens ([[UnreliableExpositor or so they claim]]) whose T-shirts follow an Astrological theme (each bears the symbol of one of the Astrological signs). Following the format of ''Homestuck'', they are introduced one-by-one. [[spoiler: Subverted in that most of them aren't really evil. They aren't particularly organized either.]]

*** The Midnight Crew itself could count, if not for the fact that the group consists only of four people.

%%[[folder:Web Original]]
%%* The [[WebVideo/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog Evil League of Evil]] appears to be this.

* The Hateocracy from ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks''.
* The Legion Ex Machina from ''WesternAnimation/BigGuyAndRustyTheBoyRobot''.

* While the membership of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'''s The Light would form a LegionOfDoom in most other continuities, they way the overarching plot is structured makes them this trope, after half a season as TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness.
* The Inquisitorius from ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'' function as this; they serve as an organization dedicated to purging the galaxy of rogue Jedi who survived [[Film/RevengeOfTheSith Order 66]], while recruiting force-sensitive younglings to prevent them from becoming a threat. Though they all come from different species, they're easily identified by their matching black outfits and matching gimmicky lightsabers. They are also treated ''[[KnightOfCerebus much]]'' [[KnightOfCerebus more seriously]] than the show's other early villains (later surpassed by [[FallenHero Darth Vader]], [[FourStarBadass Admiral Thrawn]], [[TheBrute Darth Maul]], and [[TheEmperor Emperor]] [[GreaterScopeVillain Palpatine]] himself).

* The Inquisitorius from ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'' function as this; they serve as an organization dedicated to purging the galaxy of rogue Jedi who survived [[Film/RevengeOfTheSith Order 66]], while recruiting force-sensitive younglings to prevent them from becoming a threat. They are also treated ''[[KnightOfCerebus much]]'' [[KnightOfCerebus more seriously]] than the show's other early villains (later surpassed by [[FallenHero Darth Vader]], [[FourStarBadass Admiral Thrawn]], [[TheBrute Darth Maul]], and [[TheEmperor Emperor]] [[GreaterScopeVillain Palpatine]] himself).

* ''Series/ChouseiKantaiSazerX'': The initial set of Neo Descal commanders who arrive from the future to take command of the Descal invasion.

** ''Series/VRTroopers'' takes the above mentioned villains from ''Metalder'' and [[CompositeCharacter adds in many of]] the ''Spielban'' villains to the mix; while many of them are still either robots or genetically-created mutant creatures, ultimately they're all virtual creations. Season 2 replaces almost all the ''Metalder''-sourced villains with new ones taken from ''Series/SpaceSheriffShaider'' (as the ''Metalder'' footage had run out). This leads to [[BigBad Grimlord]] having a lot of CoDragons all jostling for position and importance and taking different aspects of command, though because of the "[[{{Frankenslation}} two to three different shows]]" factor, they rarely ever interacted with each other (Grimlord would usually communicate with his ''Spielban'' underlings via an energy projection screen).

** ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'' has the Deboss Army, led by [[TheDragon High-Priest Chaos]] and comprised of several colorful Debo Knights each themed after a different emotion. Each episode usually sees one of the knights trying to gather emotions from humans, all in the name of reviving their creator [[BigBad Deboss]].

* In the Literature/{{Discworld}}, would-be Dark Lord, Evil Harry Dread, surrounds himself with henchmen who represent ''all'' the sterotypes: skeletal warriors, Dark Dwarfs, a sniggering jailer, and some of the dimmest Trolls on the Disc.

* The officers of the Titans high command in ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'' and within them, [[TheStarscream Paptimus Scirocco]] and his inner circle, particularly once they [[spoiler:usurp control.]]
* The Innovators are portrayed this way in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'', being a group of rogue Innovades working to enforce a tyrannical regime.
* The second season of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'' introduces the Arianrhod Fleet, with several distinct members who oppose Tekkadan and [=McGillis=] all throughout the season.

* {{Satan}} is often depicted as ruling over {{Hell}} with the assistance of a host of [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils arch-demons]]. Demons likely to show up as his CoDragons include {{Beelzebub}}, {{Asmodeus}}, {{Mammon}}, {{Lilith}}, and many more.

* The villainous groups in ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' frequently take this formation, presenting a lineup of villains who the Sentai team faces throughout. Usually they'll have one EvilOverlord, one [[TheBrute villain who's duty is to hassle the heroes]], one EvilGenius who creates the MonsterOfTheWeek each episode and one [[DarkChick humanlike female member]]. Sometimes they might have a being whose only job is to [[MakeMyMonsterGrow make the monsters grow]], though this varies by season.

* The Witch Cult in ''LightNovel/ReZero'' consists of Archbishops of Sin with extremely powerful abilities and some having plenty of followers of their own. However, contrary to their initial introduction, they are less organized than it seems.

* The Rosenkreuz Orden in ''LightNovel/TrinityBlood'' is devoted to sparking the war between humans and vampires.

* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' tended to use these in its later years as the {{Arc Villain}}s, with the [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Piraka]], the [[HowTheMightyHaveFallen Barraki]], and of course the [[BrotherhoodOfEvil Brotherhood of Makuta]].

This is a generally villainous organization with mysterious goals and many distinct characters, usually wearing theme outfits. May start out as TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness before getting more time in the spotlight. Unlike a LegionOfDoom, they're generally introduced as a bunch of new characters, rather than being a new alliance of [[RoguesGallery old foes]]. Larger than a QuirkyMinibossSquad, and treated much more seriously (less quirk, more Boss). While they may have access to or be associated with a NebulousEvilOrganization, they are generally not nebulous, but rather have a set number of members, though they may qualify if their ''influence'' is nebulous or if they have numerous underlings who do not qualify as full members. They also tend to become a SpotlightStealingSquad.

* ''[[VideoGame/NintendoWars Advance Wars]]'':

** While still relatively early as of now, so far for the final act of the series there exists the Paladins. [[spoiler:Humans both alive and dead who were brainwashed and given devil power by the BigBad Lucius Zogratis’ Soul Magic, the Paladins act as the enforcers of his will in bringing about his WellIntentionedExtremist goal of “True Peace”]].

* The Eye of the Midnight Sun in ''Manga/BlackClover'' is a group of rogue mages with mysterious goals intent on destroying the Clover Kingdom, coming into conflict with the Magic Knights as a result.