History Main / TheAnticipator

* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' is fond of abusing his SpiderSense for this purpose; he can sense when someone, especially an enemy someone, is coming, and can quickly set up a nice little alleyway confrontation with them. Or simply just not be surprised when someone's behind him; his SpiderSense averts this trope happening fully to ''him'' for the same reason of his power being able to sense when someone hostile is lurking about.

In ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', Dr Doofenshmirtz is rarely surprised whenever Perry the Platypus show up to thwart his latest scheme and usually has a trap ready.

** The soothsayer in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'' (justified as she is a {{seer}}, after all).

* Happens all the time with Doctor Strange in ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm,'' as he's both a MagnificentBastard and a {{Seer}}. He'll use his abilities to anticipate others sometimes [[BatmanGambit as part of his own greater plans]] and sometimes just to [[ThePrankster mess with others]]. For example, in the second book, the scene cuts from Harry doing something stupidly to him reading a book, written and given to him by Strange a while back. The title of the book? ''Blood Magic For Morons.''

* Happens all the time with Doctor Strange in ''FanFic/ChildOfTheStorm,'' as he's both a MagnificentBastard and a {{Seer}}. He'll use his abilities to anticipate others sometimes [[BatmanGambit as part of his own greater plans]] and sometimes just to [[ThePrankster mess with others]]. For example, in the second book, the scene cuts from Harry doing something stupidly to him reading a book, written and given to him by Strange a while back. The title of the book? ''Blood Magic For Morons.''

** In ''{{Literature/Pyramids}}'', Pteppic considers doing this to Mericet, his Assassin's school examinator (managing to kill the examinator gets you an automatic pass, because it's nearly impossible), but decides against it. Mericet was in fact hiding as a gargoyle, tells Pteppic where to go next (involving an obstacle course worthy of ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed''), and somehow shows up there before Pteppic.
** In ''{{Literature/Thud}}'', Commander Vimes ''appears'' to be this to Sergeant Colon, able to say, "Come in, Fred," before the man has even knocked at the door. However, Vimes is simply noticing the way the floorboards (which are bisected by his door) move when Fred stands on them. He learned the effectiveness of this trick from the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, who truly ''is'' The Anticipator, and able to notice the head of the Guild of Assassins ''silently'' approaching him.

* in ''Videogame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag'', Edward and James are secretly tailing Governor Torres and the slaver Laurens Prins while they negotiate for the release of the captive Sage. However at the last moment, Prins backs out of the deal:

In PhineasAndFerb Dr Doofenshmirtz is rarely surprised whenever Perry the Platypus show up to thwart his latest scheme and usually has a trap ready.

** In ''{{Literature/Thud}}'', Commander Vimes ''appears'' to be this to Sergeant Colon, able to say, "Come in, Fred," before the man has even knocked at the door. However, Vimes is simply noticing the way the floorboards (which are bisected by his door) move when Fred stands on them. He learned the effectiveness of this trick from the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, who truly ''is'' TheAnticipator, and able to notice the head of the Guild of Assassins ''silently'' approaching him.

* In ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', this trope is played with straight (Loki) and as an inversion (Thor). Some moments after [[spoiler:Frigga's death]], Thor visits Loki's cell and the latter acts as cocky as always. Thor, knowing that [[spoiler:their mother]] is Loki's most important person, doesn't buy it and tells Loki to [[MasterOfIllusion drop the illusion]]. He then promptly drops it and reveals a messed-up room and himself.
* In ''Film/ManOfSteel'', while standing at Jonathan's grave Lois tells Clark she knew he'd show up if she just kept digging. Naturally, he's [[RightBehindMe right behind her]].
* In ''Film/SpyKids1'', when the Cortez parents escape their imprisonment and start roaming Floop's lair they fall through a trap door which leads to where Floop is waiting for them, [[NoMrBondIExpectYouToDine dinner spread out]], and was timing how long it took them to escape. He tells them he thought they would've arrived a little sooner.
* In ''Film/TheHobbitTheDesolationOfSmaug'' this trope is subverted: Bilbo uses the ring to disappear and he stumbles onto the chambers of Legolas's father, Thranduil. Thranduil subverts this trope, asking why he is hiding in the shadows, and stating that he can come out now. However, Bilbo finds out that Thranduil is not speaking to him after all, but to Tauriel who had also been lingering in the shadows as well.

** In ''Film/TheSpyWhoLovedMe'', Bond goes to Atlantis to rescue Anya Amasova before Atlantis is blown up. Again, Bond's entrance is noticed by Stromberg, who says "good evening, Mr Bond. I've been expecting you."

** In ''Film/DrNo'', Bond and company dive behind a dune at Crab Key as a boat crewed by Dr No's henchmen motors round the bay. One of the men shouts out via loudhailer, 'Come on out. We know you're there. We've been expecting you' though it's implied they only suspect Bond is there and are hoping to bluff him into revealing himself. Played with later when a [[NoMrBondIExpectYouToDine maid babbles cheerfully]] over the confusion caused by exactly when Bond was going to be captured.

** Played for creepy effect in ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' with Blofeld, who always seems to know when Bond is about to turn up, [[spoiler:thanks to having access to the smart blood [=MI6=] has injected into Bond to keep track of him]]. In one case, Bond and [[BondGirl Madeleine]] find rooms in his SupervillainLair have already been fitted out for them, including personal photos.

** In fact as stated in multiple real life interviews this one liner has become one of the main reasons that the real life [=MI6=] would consider James Bond to be a terrible spy; because "no matter where he goes, he's expected".

** In ''{{Literature/Thud}}'', Commander Vimes ''appears'' to be this to Sergeant Colon, able to say "Come in, Fred" before the man has even knocked at the door. However, Vimes is simply noticing the way the floorboards (which are bisected by his door) move when Fred stands on them. He learned the effectiveness of this trick from the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, who truly ''is'' TheAnticipator, and able to notice the head of the ''Guild of Assassins'' silently approaching him.

-->-- '''[[http://www.tomparisdorm.com/viewstory.php?sid=4084 Plan 7 of 9 from Outer Space]]'''

** In ''{{Discworld/Pyramids}}'', Pteppic considers doing this to Mericet, his Assassin's school examinator (managing to kill the examinator gets you an automatic pass, because it's nearly impossible), but decides against it. Mericet was in fact hiding as a gargoyle, tells Pteppic where to go next (involving an obstacle course worthy of ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed''), and somehow shows up there before Pteppic.
** In ''{{Discworld/Thud}}'', Commander Vimes ''appears'' to be this to Sergeant Colon, able to say "Come in, Fred" before the man has even knocked at the door. However, Vimes is simply noticing the way the floorboards (which are bisected by his door) move when Fred stands on them. He learned the effectiveness of this trick from the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, who truly ''is'' TheAnticipator, and able to notice the head of the ''Guild of Assassins'' silently approaching him.
** Galder in ''Discworld/TheLightFantastic'' manages this by being CrazyPrepared: "A floorboard creaked. Galder had spent many hours tuning them, always a wise precaution with an ambitious assistant who walked like a cat. D-flat. That meant he was just to the right of the door." However, his Anticipator status kicks in when he recognizes who it is. 'Ah, Trymon,' he said, without turning, and noted with some satisfaction the faint in drawing of breath behind him. 'Good of you to come. Shut the door, will you?'"

* LightSwitchSurprise: A character stays up at night to catch a rebellious teenager who has snuck out, or a significant other who's [[YourCheatingHeart getting in a little too late.]]

** Played for creepy effect in ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' with Blofeld, who always seems to know when Bond is about to turn up, [[spoiler:thanks to having access to the smart blood MI6 has injected into Bond to keep track of him]]. In one case, Bond and [[BondGirl Madeleine]] find rooms in his SupervillainLair have already been fitted out for them, including personal photos.

** In fact as stated in multiple real life interviews this one liner has become one of the main reasons that the real life MI6 would consider James Bond to be a terrible spy; because "no matter where he goes, he's expected".
** Lampshaded by Screen Junkies' WebVideo/HonestTrailers for ''Skyfall'': "Suit with 007, the super-secret MI6 agent who everyone knows by his real name."

-->-- '''Plan 7 of 9 from Outer Space'''

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[[folder: Anime and Manga]]

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* Franchise/{{Batman}} plays the Anticipator on many occasions. One such story has Batman entering an apparently unoccupied room. After standing there a beat he says "you four men may come out now". Cue four ninja assassins.
* ''ComicBook/{{Blacksad}}'' has good instinct and cat hearing which allows him to pull this off once in a while, even telling someone he is not the first person trying to lure him into a trap before elbowing the assailant behind him.

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* PlayedForLaughs in a ''ComicStrip/{{Heathcliff}}'' strip, where a mouse is able to sneak past a sleeping Heathcliff with ease, before getting hit with a {{rolling pin|Of Doom}} by his wife who then tells him, "Sneak by Heathcliff, but you won't sneak by me!"

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[[folder: Film Live-Action ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]
* In ''{{Discworld/Pyramids}}'', Pteppic considers doing this to Mericet, his Assassin's school examinator (managing to kill the examinator gets you an automatic pass, because it's nearly impossible), but decides against it. Mericet was in fact hiding as a gargoyle, tells Pteppic where to go next (involving an obstacle course worthy of ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed''), and somehow shows up there before Pteppic.
* In ''{{Discworld/Thud}}'', Commander Vimes ''appears'' to be this to Sergeant Colon, able to say "Come in, Fred" before the man has even knocked at the door. However, Vimes is simply noticing the way the floorboards (which are bisected by his door) move when Fred stands on them. He learned the effectiveness of this trick from the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, who truly ''is'' TheAnticipator, and able to notice the head of the ''Guild of Assassins'' silently approaching him.
* Galder in Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Discworld/TheLightFantastic'' manages this by being CrazyPrepared: "A floorboard creaked. Galder had spent many hours tuning them, always a wise precaution with an ambitious assistant who walked like a cat. D-flat. That meant he was just to the right of the door." However, his Anticipator status kicks in when he recognizes who it is. 'Ah, Trymon,' he said, without turning, and noted with some satisfaction the faint in drawing of breath behind him. 'Good of you to come. Shut the door, will you?'"

* Naturally, this is among [[Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy Grand Admiral Thrawn's]] [[TheStrategist many talents]]. In ''[[Literature/HandOfThrawn Vision of the Future]]'', he is casually lingering in the hangar as Han and Lando almost-but-don't escape from the Imperial capital of Bastion unscathed. [[spoiler: Of course, [[DeadPersonImpersonation it's not really him]], and he didn't really figure out their docking bay the way he said he did, but it's the look of the thing.]]

* ''The Killer Ascendant''. ProfessionalKiller Literature/JohnRain is hunting [[RogueAgent rogue CIA agent]] Jim Hilger. Knowing that Hilger is planning to murder a Dutch official when they return home after work, Rain decides Hilger will be staking out his victim from a park across the road. Then Rain wonders if Hilger has anticipated his arrival, and is actually waiting in ambush for Rain. [[spoiler:So he enters the park from a different direction, and sure enough sees a man with a gun lying in wait. It's then that Hilger springs his trap -- the man lying on the ground is an innocent bystander that Hilger murdered and left there as a SleepingDummy, so he can ambush Rain in turn.]]

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* In ''Series/AmericanHorrorStoryAsylum'', [[spoiler: Lana]] plays the Anticipator trope straight; [[spoiler: Lana]] is having an interview on the final episode. Unbeknownst to TV crew someone is hiding amongst them.[[spoiler:Bloodyface, Lana's son, is among the crew masquerading as a worker]]. After the crew leaves someone stays behind, and tells the hiding person to emerge.[[spoiler:Lana, who knew Bloodyface was there all along, tells him that he can come out now, as she anticipated his presence.]]
* This comes up in ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' where some of the bad guys take extra precautions in case Oliver aka the Hood tries to get them such as posting a lot of mooks in order to deplete his arrows or ambush him in areas where he can't easily use his bow. [[spoiler:Laurel does this as well when Oliver shows up in the Starling City Police Department's main office, having a contingent of Special Operations officers waiting to take him down]].

* In ''Series/{{The Dead Zone}}'', Johnny plays this trope very well by sometimes exploiting his SpiderSense and sometimes just being really intuitive.
** In the episode ''Vanguard,'' when Stilson returns to his limo in front of the lab, Johnny is sitting in the other seat already, which temporarily surprises Stilson. It is unclear whether his powers had anything to do with it.

* One episode of ''Series/BabylonFive'' had Delenn being questioned by an inquisitor to determine her worthiness using [[ElectricTorture harsh methods]]. When he hears the door open he says, without looking, "And the third player in our little drama arrives at last," implying he knew it was Sheridan and that he'd been expecting him to show up eventually.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Glory, the BigBad of Season 5, does this all the time as she's a PhysicalGod.
* ''Series/Daredevil2015'': Thanks to long-term scheming from behind bars, Wilson Fisk is able to pull this off in season 3 repeatedly.
** He has a bunch of guards and inmates lined up to orchestrate a riot on the off-chance that one of the lawyers who put him away stops by the prison, even having a phone line at the prison to call so he can make clear to Matt how much he's screwed before leaving Matt at the mercy of his henchmen.
** Fisk goes after Foggy through his family. He has the suppliers stop doing business with the shop, making Theo desperate to get a loan. Then Fisk has his people at Red Lion Bank swoop in and encourage Theo to commit fraud so that the loan application will go through, and lets the suppliers do business again with Nelson's Meats. This gives him something to then blackmail Foggy when the time comes.

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[[folder: Web Original ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* Master Shifu from ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'' likely knew that the Furious Five would try to ambush him that day, but he couldn't know where or how. Nonetheless, Master Shifu easily thwarts all five forays against him, giving critique on their technique as he does so.
** The soothsayer in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'' (justified as she is a {{seer}}, after all).
-->'''Shen:''' That's impossible, and you know it.
-->'''Soothsayer:''' It is not impossible, and ''he'' knows it.
-->'''Shen:''' Who?
-->''(Wolf Boss comes running up the stairs)''
-->'''Wolf Boss:''' Lord Shen, I saw a panda!

* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyondReturnOfTheJoker''. Terry [=McGinnis=] (the [[LegacyCharacter new Batman]]) tries to sneak up on Tim Drake (the old Robin) in his invisible Batsuit, only for Tim to inform him that he still remembers his old training and knows he's there. However he misses the fact that [[StealthHiBye Terry has departed their conversation.]]
-->'''Tim Drake:''' [[RunningGag Some things never change...]]
* Master Splinter from ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' usually plays this role in the show, as he is very wise and skilled. And a ninja, of course.

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** Played for creepy effect in ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' with Blofeld, who always seems to know when Bond is about to turn up. In one case, Bond and the BondGirl find rooms in his SupervillainLair have already been fitted out for them, including personal photos.
** Happens several times in ''Film/LiveAndLetDie'' due to because the BigBad's organisation is [[WeAreEverywhere so widespread]] he's able to track Bond at every stage.
** In fact as stated in multiple real life interviews this one liner has become one of the main reasons that the real life MI6 would consider James bond to be a terrible spy; because "no matter where he goes, he's expected"

* ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises''. [[ComicBook/CatWoman Selina Kyle]] is waiting in the subway for Batman, and gives the "come out, don't be shy" line.

* In fact as stated in multiple real life interviews this one liner has become one of the main reasons that the real life MI6 would consider James bond to be a terrible spy; because "no matter where he goes, he's expected"

* What makes a WebVideo/Content Cop so devastating is Ian's ability to know exactly how his subjects will respond. This is perhaps best shown in the Content Deputy videos, which is essentially Ian sitting back and enjoying Leafy and RiceGum [[IResembleThatRemark displaying the exact character flaws he criticized them for]] in their attempts to save face.

!Examples

* In the first ''Film/SpyKids'' when the Cortezes escape their imprisonment and start roaming Floop's lair, they fall through a trap door which leads to where Floop is waiting for them, [[NoMrBondIExpectYouToDine dinner spread out]], and was timing how long it took them to escape. He thought it would be a little sooner.

** In ''Film/DrNo'', Bond and company dive behind a dune at Crab Key as a boat crewed by Dr No's henchmen motors round the bay. One of the men shouts out, 'Come on out. We know you're there. We've been expecting you' to Bond. Though it's implied they only suspect Bond is there and are hoping to bluff him into revealing himself.
*** Played with later when a [[NoMrBondIExpectYouToDine maid babbles cheerfully]] over the confusion caused by exactly when Bond was going to be captured.