History PlayingWith / DecoyProtagonist

* '''Parodied''': Bash is a traditional cape-wearing, charismatic hero who is first seen delivering a speech to his fellow pilots about the importance of bravery and teamwork... Right before being gunned down by a bunch of {{Mooks}} less than five minutes into the first episode.
* '''Zig-Zagged''': We see that Bash dies at the hand of Triskelatus, but some episodes after that we see that Bash is alive and kicking the arses of TheEmpire. It seems that Bash is still alive after all, just not fighting alongside Bob. But then it's revealed that those episodes are about Bash's past. But in one of those episodes, we see adult Bob fighting alongside Bash. The episode right after that we see the very same adult Bob visiting the worn-out grave of Bash...

** The entire group of heroes at the beginning gets wiped out all at once and is immediately replaced by another group of heroes.

** The HumungousMecha is some kind of ArtifactOfDeath. [[Manga/{{Bokurano}} It demands the sacrifice of its pilot's life force.]]

** Trope Busters is some kind of ArtifactOfDeath, [[Manga/{{Bokurano}} it demands the sacrifice of its pilot's life force.]]
** Or the fight against Emperor Evulz' empire ''really'' takes its toll.

** [[NoBudget They couldn't afford Bash's voice actor, for more than four episodes]], and [[TypeCasting he can only do hero characters]].

* '''Zig Zagged''': We see that Bash dies at the hand of Triskelatus, but some episodes after that we see that Bash is alive and kicking the arses of TheEmpire. It seems that Bash is still alive after all, just not fighting alongside Bob. But then it's revealed that those episodes are about Bash's past. But in one of those episodes, we see adult Bob fighting alongside Bash. The episode right after that we see the very same adult Bob visiting the worn-out grave of Bash...

** [[NoBudget They couldn't afford CoolMan III, Bash's actor, for more than four episodes]], and [[TypeCasting he can only do hero characters]].
* '''Lampshaded''':
--> '''Bob''': Bash kicks the bucket and you all assume I'm best for the job? You're out of your minds! Bash is the only one any good at this sort of thing!
* '''Invoked''':
--> '''[[TheHeart Alice]]''': You are now the leader of LaResistance, Bob. It's your story, not Bash's.

* '''Conversed''': ???

%%

%%* '''Played For Laughs''': ???
%%* '''Played For Drama''': ???

* '''Straight''': In the HumongousMecha anime ''Trope Busters'', the story revolves around [[HotBlooded Brad]] the pilot of the eponymous mecha, and his fight against [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]]' [[TheEmpire evil empire]]. However, in episode 5, Bash makes a HeroicSacrifice to stop TheDragon Triskelatus. From episode 6 onward, the pilot and the center of the story is [[IronWoobie Naoto]], Bash' adopted little brother.

* '''Straight''': In the HumongousMecha anime ''Trope Busters'', the story revolves around [[HotBlooded Bash]] the pilot of the eponymous mecha, and his fight against [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]]' [[TheEmpire evil empire]]. However, in episode 5, Bash makes a HeroicSacrifice to stop TheDragon Triskelatus. From episode 6 onward, the pilot and the center of the story is [[IronWoobie Bob]], Bash' adopted little brother.

** The series marketing focuses on Bob to make clear that he'll be the protagonist, even though the early chapters are focused on bash.

--> '''[[TheChick Alice]]''': You are now the leader of LaResistance, Bob. It's your story, not Bash's.