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6[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mgid_arc_imageassetref_comedycentralcom_dba3ed34_7d1e_4f88_a2ee_bcca019a551c_5.png]]]]
7[[caption-width-right:350:The main cast of Drawn Together, consisting of: a [[WesternAnimation/BettyBoop Betty Boop]] parody, a [[WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants Spongebob]] stand-in, a SpoofyDoo member[[note]]of the [[WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussyCats Josie And The Pussy Cats]] variant[[/note]], a [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] expy, a [[Franchise/DisneyPrincess Disney Princess]] reject, a WebAnimation refugee, a SupermanSubstitute and a [[PhonyMon Pikachu imitation]].]]
8
9While the FountainOfExpies is a character who has been frequently copied in other works, this is a work that features many characters similar to those in other works, whether any individual one counts as an {{Expy}} or a CaptainErsatz. This is common in metafictional works that intend to parody, deconstruct, reconstruct, or just reference entire genres or mediums.
10
11Please note: To qualify, at least half of the work's major characters must be recognisable as derived from earlier ones. A work which has multiple Expies or Ersatzen simply because it has a large cast does not qualify.
12
13Compare MonsterMash, which often features expies of classic horror movie monsters, AlternateCompanyEquivalent, and SpiritualSuccessor.
14----
15!!Examples:
16[[foldercontrol]]
17
18[[folder:Advertising]]
19* All of the characters from Advertising/ThePizzaHeadShow commercials draw inspiration from ''Series/MrBill''. Pizza Head is based off of Mr. Bill himself, being constantly injured just like him; the unseen human is based off of Mr. Hands, which is evident by the fact that only his hands are ever seen on-screen; and Steve the pizza cutter seems to be based on Mr. Sluggo, since both are silent antagonists. {{Justified|Trope}} as the commercials were, in fact, done by Mr. Bill creator Walter Williams.
20[[/folder]]
21
22[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
23* ''Manga/CellsAtWorkAndFriends'': The main trio of cells are practically {{Shoujo|Demographic}} counterparts to the ones from the [[Manga/CellsAtWork main series]]. Killer T's the most blatant as he's a blonde BruiserWithASoftCenter, while U-2145 and [=IM1235=] are more visual expies of U-1146 and [=AE3803=] than characteristic.
24* ''Manga/CheatSlayer'' was infamous for the fact that its main antagonists, the Rebels Against God, were outright parodies of seminal {{Isekai}} characters only portrayed as [[CorruptedCharacterCopy much worse individuals]] than their forebears a la ''ComicBook/TheBoys'', which led to the manga being cancelled after just one chapter. Their ranks included parodies of [[Literature/SwordArtOnline Kirito]], [[Literature/{{Konosuba}} Aqua]], [[Literature/{{Overlord2012}} Ainz Ooal Gown]], [[Literature/ReZero Subaru Natsuki]], [[Literature/TheSagaOfTanyaTheEvil Tanya Degurechaff]], [[Literature/ThatTimeIGotReincarnatedAsASlime Rimuru Tempest]], [[Literature/WiseMansGrandchild Shin Walford]], [[Literature/MyNextLifeAsAVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom Catarina Claes]], and [[Literature/RestaurantToAnotherWorld Aletta]].
25* Most of the cast of ''Anime/DogDays'' are based off of characters from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' (Millhiore is Caro, Cinque is Erio, Leonmitchelli is Reinforce Eins, Eclair is Teana, Nanami is Subaru, Ricotta is Vivio, and Brioche is Signum). The fact that it's made by [[Creator/SevenArcs the same company]] might have something to do with it. They also ride around on birds that are clearly based off of [[Franchise/FinalFantasy Chocobos]].
26* As a love child of a MagicalGirl manga and a SuperHero comic, ''Manga/{{Gamma}}'' is choke full with expies of various magical girls and superheroes, from ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' (Puella Magi Mika) to the movie versions of ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'' (the Nano Mugen team).
27* There's barely a character that exists in ''Literature/GoblinSlayer'' that ''doesn't'' reference a pre-existing character through design, personality, or both, such as Spearman referencing [[VisualNovel/FateStayNight Lancer Cú Chulainn]], Heavy Warrior referencing [[Characters/BerserkGuts Guts]], Witch referencing [[VideoGame/DragonsCrown Sorceress]], and many more. Half the reason for this is because the author used all of those characters wholesale as the placeholder designs and overall inspiration for the characters when making the original web novel, so when time came for official publication as a light novel, the author just tweaked the designs a bit while keeping it obvious to well-versed fans what the original references are.
28* The cast of ''Manga/KillMeBaby'' are all based off of ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' characters. Yasuna is Nanoha, Sonya is Fate, Agiri is Suzuka, and the Unused Character is Vita.
29* ''Manga/{{Lady}}'': Mary and Thomas Waverly are Expies of Eliza and Neil Legan. Mary, like Eliza, is an AlphaBitch who hates her step-sister and Thomas, like Neil, is her dim-witted BetaBitch. While there are some similarities between Lynn and Candy, Lynn is more of a FragileFlower and her pure, happy-go-lucky personality is more reminiscient of Annie.
30* Several major characters in ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' are based off of {{Mecha}} or their pilots. Nanoha is the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam RX-78-2]], Fate is a CharClone, Vita is the [[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Alteisen]], Subaru is a walking ShoutOut to ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'', etc.
31* ''Manga/MakenKi'': Based on some of Takeda Hiromitsu's character designs, he appears to be a fan of ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' and ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'':
32** Himegami shares a lot in common with Rachel Alucard. They're both UsefulNotes/{{pettanko}} twin-tailed blondes who're childlike in appearance, [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld yet centuries old]], both dress in ElegantGothicLolita fashion, and travel with a group of familiars.
33** Inaho is a dead ringer for Makoto Nanaya (minus the tail), due her [[CurtainsMatchTheWindow chestnut hair and eye color]], the animal ear-like hair bobbles atop her head, and her [[PerpetualSmiler perpetual]] PlayfulCatSmile. All of which gives her the appearance of [[LittleBitBeastly a squirrel girl.]]
34** Demitra could pass for [[Characters/TheKingOfFighters96 Leona Heidern's]] twin sister, minus the difference in hair color. Both have been [[EmotionlessGirl emotionally repressed]] since childhood and eventually became mercenaries.
35** Otohime Yamato and her twin brother, Gouken, are much like Rose and Adelheid Berstein. Otohime and Rose look the same, including their hairstyles. Both are short-tempered, yet smug and [[ManipulativeBitch manipulative]], and each [[BigBrotherWorship thinks the world of their brothers.]] Whereas Gouken and Adelheid are calm and reserved, [[SharpDressedMan well dressed]] [[{{bishonen}} young men]], who favor martial arts.
36* ''Manga/MeAndRoboco'' has a cast primarily made of ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'' expies. Yes, this includes Roboco herself (who fulfills the general role but nothing else of Doraemon), who even has her own Dorami expy.
37* Just about every enemy or background character in ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'' is taken from a different show. Panty and Stocking are basically ''Franchise/ThePowerpuffGirls'' gone wrong. Panty sleeps with WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo, the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Autobots and Decepticons]] turn the girls into robots for their side, [[ShoutOut/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt etc.]]
38* ''Anime/PlasticMemories'' main cast consists mostly of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' expies. The most obvious are Kazuki (who is a mentor and HardDrinkingPartyGirl like Misato), Isla (who is a quiet, [[YourDaysAreNumbered sickly]] Heroic Albino like Rei), and Michiru (who is a FieryRedhead who is {{tsundere}} for the brunette protagonist like Asuka).
39* As ''Anime/ReCreators'' is a series all about taking characters and seeing how they fare outside their home worlds, of course the ones that get pulled out share some similarity with something in our world. Mamika acts like a [[Anime/PrettyCure Cure]], fights like a [[Franchise/LyricalNanoha TSAB agent]] and experiences [[Franchise/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica Puella Magi]] growing pains, Celestia takes on a role similar to [[Literature/SwordArtOnline Asuna]], Alicetelia is a female [[Manga/{{Berserk}} Guts]] with a dash of [[VisualNovel/FateStayNight Saber's]] ideals, Rui displays some [[Franchise/{{Gundam}} Newtype]] behavior, etc. [[spoiler: Even the Military Princess gets in on this, being an expy of an ''in-universe'' mascot character while her story is a send up to how offshoot franchises and original characters like Anime/BlackRockShooter got their start.]]
40* Several of the designs in ''Manga/SchoolLive'' for each member of the School Life Club not only match with an expected SchoolgirlSeries archetype, they also ''suspiciously'' (or maybe intentionally) look like characters from other Magazine/MangaTimeKirara series. To whit:
41** Yuki looks like Yuzuko from ''Manga/{{Yuyushiki}}''.
42** Rii looks like Yuuko from ''Manga/AChannel''.
43** Kurumi looks like Aya from ''Manga/KiniroMosaic''.
44* ''Anime/{{Starzinger}}'' is a retelling of ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'', JustForFun/InSpace.
45** Heroes: Jan Kugo is based on Son Wukong, Sir Djorgo is based on Sha Wujing, Don Hakka is based on Zhu Bajie and Princess Aurora is based on Tang Sangzang. Princess Aurora is also reminscient of a certain [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Disney Princess]]. Dr. Kitty is based on Guanyin.
46** Villains: King Gyuma is the Bull Demon King, Prince Gaima is his son, Red Boy, Queen Lacets is Princess Iron Fan, and Ginginman and Kinkinman are based on the King of Gold Horn & King of Silver Horn respectively. The only significant character that lacks a book counterpart is Bellamis.
47* The cast of ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'' is basically a reunion of characters from past Creator/StudioTrigger and Creator/StudioGainax series. There's [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Kaworu]] (Alpha Omega Nova), [[Anime/{{FLCL}} Haruko and Commander Amarao]] (Midori and Keiji), WebAnimation/InfernoCop [[spoiler: who turns into [[Anime/GurrenLagann Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]]] (OVER JUSTICE), and [[Franchise/LittleWitchAcademia Professor Ursula]] (Hisho). And that's not even counting the villains' side, which features [[Franchise/LittleWitchAcademia Shiny Chariot]] (Lalaco) and a very [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Viral]]-esque [[spoiler:[[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Anti-Spiral]] (the Blackholian commander-in-chief)]], just to name a few enemies. [[spoiler:Luluco herself would later turn out to be Trigger's mascot Trigger-chan. Not an expy of her, but [[OriginsEpisode the literal character]].]]
48* A self-referential variant shows up in the ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' franchise:
49** The casts of each anime created after ''[[Anime/YuGiOh Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters]]'' clearly take inspiration from the ''DM'' cast. In ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'', this was to [[AffectionateParody parody]] the original, but now it's become something of a tradition. [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools It works surprisingly well.]]
50** Once there were more than two series in the franchise, characters after ''DM'' became eligible to get expies of their own. For example, Edo Phoenix of ''GX'' is one of multiple expies of Seto Kaiba (a wealthy loner [[TheAce Ace]] rival of the hero who insists [[StopHavingFunGuys dueling isn't about having fun]] and was orphaned and adopted by a villain), and Sherry [=LeBlanc=] of ''Anime/{{Yu Gi Oh 5Ds}}'' took over as an expy of Edo (a wealthy orphaned loner introduced in Season 2 who always dresses all in white and is on the hunt for her parents' killer with physical skills and a ''modus operandi'' that bear a strong resemblance to Characters/{{Batman}}).
51[[/folder]]
52
53[[folder:Asian Animation]]
54* Look closely enough at the main characters' personalities in ''Animation/BreadBarbershop'', and you might notice similarities with ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants''.
55** Master Bread is Mr. Krabs, owning a successful business and doing everything he can to appease customers, but often more for the money than other things.
56** Wilk is [=SpongeBob=], the enthusiastic, hyperactive employee whose has had a lifelong dream of working in a business establishment (the Krusty Krab in [=SpongeBob=]'s case, and the Bread Barbershop in Wilk's case) and looks fondly on his job.
57** Choco is Squidward, working as a cashier who couldn't care less about her job.
58** Chip is Plankton; he runs his own business right across the street from the main barbershop and uses evil plans to be the top barbershop, similar to how Plankton tries to make his restaurant popular.
59* The entire cast of the Indian cartoon ''Animation/PakdamPakdai'' is an expy of the cast of ''WesternAnimation/OggyAndTheCockroaches''. It's worth noting that ''Pakdam Pakdai'' as a whole is a [[FollowTheLeader rip-off]] of ''Oggy'', making the whole show an ''Oggy'' expy in and of itself.
60[[/folder]]
61
62[[folder:Comic Books]]
63* ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' has [[Franchise/{{Batman}} the Confessor]], [[Franchise/{{Superman}} the Samaritan]], [[ComicBook/FantasticFour the First Family]], and numerous others. The work is a massive GenreDeconstruction, of course.
64** ''Astro City'' has enough characters that some characters are [[DecompositeCharacter split]] into multiple Expies. For example, Samaritan is the main SupermanSubstitute, while Atomicus and [[LegacyCharacter the first]] Starbright are as well, but with emphasis on different aspects ("world's greatest hero," "alien trying to be human" and "AllLovingHero," respectively).
65* Pretty much any supe in ''ComicBook/TheBoys''. Like the above, it's a ''huge'' GenreDeconstruction, so this is kind of a given.
66* Another sector of the [=DC=] multiverse gives us the Retaliators, who are an expy of ''ComicBook/TheAvengers''. The roster includes [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Behemoth]], [[ComicBook/IronMan Machinehead]], [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Wundajin]], [[ComicBook/SpiderWoman Ladybug]], [[{{ComicBook/Hawkeye}} Deadeye]], [[ComicBook/BlackWidow Red Dragon]], [[ComicBook/TheFalcon Kite]], and [[ComicBook/CaptainMarvelMarvelComics Major Max]], lead by [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica American Crusader]] and opposed by the villainous [[ComicBook/DoctorDoom Lord Havok]]. This universe is also home to the Battlin' [[ComicBook/SpiderMan Bug]] "the hero you hate to love", and the G-Men or Zen Men, [[ComicBook/XMen a group of genetic freaks protecting a world that hates and fears them]] led by [[ComicBook/{{Cyclops|MarvelComics}} Uni-Orb]], and also including [[ComicBook/{{Storm|MarvelComics}} Windrider]], [[ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} Night-Troller]], and others.
67* The title character of ''ComicBook/DrBlinkSuperheroShrink'' and his colleagues and family are originals, but virtually all of the superheroes and villains appearing are parody expies, because that's the point.
68* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': In ''Fantastic Four'' #541 (During the ''Civil War'' crossover), Ben Grimm decides to skip the hero-vs-hero infighting and flies to France. There he meets the Parisian super group "Les Héros de Paris" ("The Heroes of Paris"), a collection of Justice League pastiches: Comte de Nuit (Night Count; or Batman); Anaïs (a combination of Catwoman and Wonder Woman), La Lumiére Bleue (The Blue Light; the Green Lantern of the team); Le Vent (The Wind, or Flash), and Detective Fantôme (Phantom Detective; the Question expy). There is also Docteur Q, the armor-wearing, technology enhanced member; Le Cowboy, and Adamantine.
69* Continued with Moore's aborted run on ''ComicBook/{{Glory}}''. Glory continues to be Wonder Woman, the Danger Damsels are the Holiday Girls, Gloria West is Diana Prince, Howard Henry is ComicBook/SteveTrevor, Demeter is Queen Hippolyta, Madame Manacle is Paula von Gunther, Lord Silverfall is Ares, and Lilith is Circe.
70* Practically every character in ''ComicBook/MarshalLaw'' is a parody of some superhero comics character or other. Of Marshal Law's major enemies, the Public Spirit is Franchise/{{Superman}}, the Private Eye is Franchise/{{Batman}}, and the Persecutor is ComicBook/ThePunisher. In relation to groups of characters, the patients in the New York mental hospital are all parodies of the big name Silver Age Franchise/MarvelUniverse heroes, the zombies in "The Hateful Dead" are the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica (plus ComicBook/CaptainAmerica), the Secret Tribunal are Dark Age Marvel heroes, and the "League of Heroes" group of "heroes" in training are the ComicBook/LegionOfSuperheroes. Marshal Law himself is based on ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd''.
71* ''ComicBook/{{Planetary}}''. Almost every character except for the members of the central team is a Captain Ersatz of a character from superhero comics or wider pulp fiction.
72* ''ComicBook/ThePowerpuffGirls'' story "Steal A Meal" (DC Comics, ''ComicBook/CartoonNetworkBlockParty'' #26) has Him bringing three cereal mascots to life to steal all the cereal in Townsville. The mascots are expies of the Trix rabbit, Lucky the Leprechaun (Lucky Charms) and Twinkles the Elephant (Twinkles cereal, an obscure 1960s entry).
73* Practically every character in ''ComicBook/ThePro'' except for the protagonist is a parody of a DC comics character. The protagonist has some visual similarities to ComicBook/PowerGirl, but a very different personality and backstory.
74* In ''ComicBook/{{PS238}},'' many of the important adult heroes (including some parents and teachers) are {{Captain Ersatz}}es, most obviously Ron's dad [[TheCape Atlas]] for ComicBook/{{Superman}} and Tyler's mentor [[TheCowl the Revenant]] for ComicBook/{{Batman}}. Many of the kids are, too. Because of the large cast this goes beyond the more obvious examples--for example, we have a [[Characters/MarvelComicsAIM M.O.D.O.K.]] (bratty kid [[BigBadWannabe Zodon]]), [[ComicBook/{{Preacher}} Genesis]] (friendly [[GooGooGodlike Malphast]]) and [[ComicBook/TheSandman1989 Morpheus]] (loopy [[PiecesOfGod Murphy]]).
75* ''ComicBook/SquadronSupreme'' began as a Marvel parody of the Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica for a single two-part story in ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'', but remained an obvious team of Ersatzes when they got a mini-series to themselves, and when they were reimagined in ''ComicBook/SupremePower''.
76* When Creator/AlanMoore wrote ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'', he turned it into a blatant tribute to Silver Age ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'', in which, apart from a few Creator/RobLiefeld characters who survived the retcon (namely Diehard of ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'' fame), and a couple of guest-starring [[ComicBook/TheSavageDragon Erik Larsen]] characters, pretty much ''everybody'' is a barely-disguised version of a Silver Age DC hero or villain: Supreme is Superman, Supremium is Kryptonite, Suprema is ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}, Professor Night is ComicBook/{{Batman}}, Twilight is ComicBook/{{Robin}}, Darius Dax is ComicBook/LexLuthor, Diana Dane is ComicBook/LoisLane, Billy Friday is (a JerkAss parody of) ComicBook/JimmyOlson, Judy Jordan is Lana Lang, Emerpus is Bizarro, Shadow Supreme is the Reverse Flash, Optilux is ComicBook/{{Brainiac}}, Glory is ComicBook/WonderWoman, Doc Rocket is Franchise/TheFlash, Black Hand is the Golden Age Franchise/GreenLantern, Roy Roman is ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, the Fisherman is ComicBook/GreenArrow... And even the Larsen characters, Superpatriot and Mighty Man, are used as an Ersatz ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and an Ersatz [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] respectively.
77* ''ComicBook/TheRedTen'': The main cast [[spoiler:and victims]] of the murder-mystery is a collection of expies from the Justice League.
78* ''ComicBook/TopTen'', about cops in a city where everybody is a superhero or supervillain, is an odd example. Many of the minor characters are copies or parodies of well-known superhero comic characters, but for some reason most of the regular characters are easily recognisable expies of characters from ''Series/HillStreetBlues'' reimagined as superheroes.
79* ''ComicBook/{{Wanted}}'' was originally an official DarkerAndEdgier ''LegionOfDoom'' reboot. It's pretty apparent who everyone is: Fuckwit is Bizarro, Shithead is Clayface, the Fox is Catwoman, etc.
80* The central cast of ''{{ComicBook/Watchmen}}'' are all expies of Creator/CharltonComics characters that had been recently acquired by [=DC=] at the time of writing. Nite-Owl is Blue Beetle, Rorschach is The Question, The Comedian is Peacemaker, Silk Spectre is Nightshade, Dr. Manhattan is Captain Atom, and Ozymandias is Thunderbolt. In fact, the story was originally conceived as being about the original Charlton characters and taking place in the Charlton Comics universe, but [=DC=] put the nix on this as they wanted to make those characters residents of the mainstream [=DC=] universe and Moore's intended plot would kill several of them and make others unsustainable as ongoing characters. As a result ''Watchmen'' was rewritten to be about Charlton expies and taking place as a stand-alone continuity.
81** Comes full circle with ''ComicBook/TheMultiversity: Pax Americana'', a story from one of DC's many alternate universes, which features alternate versions of Blue Beetle, The Question, Peacemaker (deceased), Nightshade, and Captain Atom, [[AndZoidberg and also Tiger]] (another Charlton hero who has no analogue in ''Watchmen'') whose appearances and backstories are much closer to those of their ''Watchmen'' equivalents, effectively making them expies [[ExaggeratedTrope of expies]] ''[[ExaggeratedTrope of themselves]]''.
82* ''ComicBook/XMan'': The last arc of the series, [[ComicBook/XManCounterX issues #71-74]], had a team called the People's Protectorate, created by Warren Ellis. Its members were clearly based on The Authority: Nightfighter on Midnighter (dark-clad hero with a nocturnal nickname), Thor on Apollo (burly, strong mythical-named hero), White Bird on Swift (winged aerial combatant), Citydweller on Jack Hawksmoor, and Technocrat on the Engineer (technopath).
83* And Moore's version of ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'' was ''ComicBook/TeenTitans''. Suprema and Twilight were still Supergirl and Robin/Nightwing, Shaft was Speedy/Arsenal, Big Brother was Cyborg, and Doc Rocket II was a genderflipped (Kid) Flash. There was also a possible-timeline earlier incarnation that included Skipper (another Speedy, being the Fisherman's sidekick), Lamprey (Aqualad), Glory Girl (Wonder Girl, but the version that was a projection of Wonder Woman's younger self), and Dandini (Joker's Daughter/Harlequin).
84[[/folder]]
85
86[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
87* The main 6 rubber bands in ''WesternAnimation/BandsOnTheRun'' are all ripoffs of characters from ''WesternAnimation/TheBraveLittleToaster'': Roxy is Radio, the plane is Toaster, the lightbulb is Lampy, the TV is Radio ''again'', the flower is Blanky, and Stretch is Kirby.
88* This is one of the many reasons why ''WesternAnimation/{{Foodfight}}'' is so reviled. Its creators had planned to use many famous advertising mascots in its cast in the same way that ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'' uses video game characters. They could not afford the rights to the characters they had hoped to use, so rather than write them out, they created ripoffs. Vlad Chocul is, for example, a CaptainErsatz of cereal mascot Count Chocula.
89* The main characters of ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' are similar to the ComicBook/FantasticFour, though WordOfGod says that this was unintentional. The Underminer, whom they fight at the end, is also similar to FF enemy Mole Man. This also extends to some of the minor superheroes we hear about like Gazerbeam (''ComicBook/XMen'''s Cyclops).
90* ''WesternAnimation/MonstersVsAliens'': CaptainErsatz versions of [[Film/AttackOfThe50FootWoman the Fifty-Foot Woman]], Film/{{the Fly|1958}}, Film/{{the Blob|1958}}, the Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon, and Film/{{Mothra}} are gathered together to whoop alien butt.
91* ''WesternAnimation/TitanicTheLegendGoesOn'' is an obvious ripoff of numerous Disney and Creator/DonBluth films. Angelica is WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}} crossed with WesternAnimation/{{Anastasia}}, for example. The [[WesternAnimation/FernGullyTheLastRainforest Batty]]-styled dog is often compared to a bat, and there's a [[WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast Gaston]]-styled man named... Gaston.
92[[/folder]]
93
94[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
95* ''Film/MurderByDeath''. Each one of the main characters is an {{Expy}} of literary detectives: Inspector Sidney Wang and son (Film/CharlieChan and his Number One Son), Dick and Dora Charleston (Nick and Nora Charles from ''Film/TheThinMan'' films, based on Creator/DashiellHammett's novel), Milo Perrier (Creator/AgathaChristie's Literature/HerculePoirot), Sam Diamond and his secretary Tess Skeffington (Creator/DashiellHammett's Sam Spade and his secretary Effie Perine) and Jessica Marbles (Creator/AgathaChristie's Literature/MissMarple).
96* Most of the major characters in ''Film/EscapeFromLA'' fill the roles of the major characters from ''Film/EscapeFromNewYork''; Malloy stands in for Hauk, Cuervo Jones takes the role of the Duke, Map To The Stars Eddie fills in for Cabbie and so on. The one major character who isn't filling a role that someone else played in the first film is Snake himself.
97[[/folder]]
98
99[[folder:Literature]]
100* Leo Bruce's ''A Case For Three Detectives'' is about a mystery investigated by [[Literature/LordPeterWimsey Lord Simon Plimsoll]], [[Literature/HerculePoirot Monsieur Amer Picon]], and [[Literature/FatherBrown Monsignor Smith]], all of whom come up with convincing solutions which mirror the kind of solutions that would be found in their respective stories. Then, the actual solution is provided by the humble Sergeant Beef.
101* In the Literature/CiaphasCain series, just about every named character that doesn't have a MeaningfulName is a reference to a real or fictional character: [[UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler Chaos Warmaster Varan the Undefeatable (a short demagogue with a ridiculous mustache)]], Imperial Navy Admiral [[Franchise/StarTrek Jaymstea]] [[Literature/TreasureIsland Flint]], [[ComicBook/JudgeDredd Arbitrator Foreboding]], [[Franchise/WinnieThePooh Wynetha Phu]]... Cain himself is a combination of Literature/{{Flashman}} and Captain Series/{{Blackadder}}.
102* ''The Devil’s League'' was written as a story involving the [[Franchise/UniversalHorror Universal Monsters]]: [[Film/Dracula1931 The Underlord]], [[FrankensteinsMonster Adam Chamberton]] [[Film/SonofFrankenstein and his son]], an [[Literature/TheInvisibleMan invisible assassin]], a strange creature [[Film/CreatureFromTheBlackLagoon from a mysterious lagoon]], an age-old [[BandageMummy living mummy]], and a [[WolfMan werewolf]] protagonist all being hunted by [[HunterofMonsters a crazed poacher]] with a lot of free time.
103* ''Literature/TheRefrigeratorMonologues'' by Creator/CatherynneMValente parodies on sexist tropes in superhero comics. As such, all six of the main characters are extremely transparent Ersatzes of dead or otherwise maltreated female characters from DC or Marvel:
104** Paige Embry is [[ILetGwenStacyDie Gwen Stacy]] from ''ComicBook/SpiderMan''.
105** Julia Ash is [[UnstablePoweredWoman Jean Grey]] from ''ComicBook/XMen''.
106** Pauline Ketch is [[MadLove Harley Quinn]] from ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}''.
107** Bayou is [[OutlivingOnesOffspring Mera]] from ''ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}''.
108** Daisy Green is [[MadonnaWhoreComplex Karen Page]] from ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}''.
109** Samantha Dane is TropeNamer [[StuffedIntoTheFridge Alexandra DeWitt]] from ''ComicBook/GreenLantern''.
110** All of the male characters they are involved with are similar Ersatzes, such as [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Grimdark]] and [[ComicBook/TheJoker Mr. Punch]].
111* In ''Literature/{{Shimoneta}}'', SOX is both an expy and [[{{Parodied}} a parody]] of the SOS Brigade, from ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya''. Not only are the initials similar, so are the characters that comprise both groups.
112** Ayame is their equivalent of Haruhi, herself, in that they initially seem pushy, but [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold generally mean well.]] They're also the leaders of their respective clubs, who each drafts Tanukichi and Kyon as their first recruits.
113** Tanukichi fills Kyon's role as the SupportingProtagonist/everydude [[ManicPixieDreamGirl who gets dragged along]] with Ayame and Haruhi's schemes. Both serve as the voice of reason for the girls and provide commentary on SOX's/the SOS Brigade's activites.
114** Oboro's case is likely unintentional, but is still a [[spoiler: gender bent]] version of ''[[Manga/AzumangaDaioh Azumanga Daioh's]]'' Sakaki. The two are near identical [[AloofDarkhairedGirl in appearance]] [[TheComicallySerious and mannerism]], including having Japanese voice actresses in the anime adaptation who even sound alike[[note]]Oboro's Japanese voice is Creator/SumireUesaka, while Sakaki's is Creator/YuuAsakawa[[/note]].
115** Lastly, White Peak is a parody of Makoto Shishio from ''Manga/RurouniKenshin''. Each is the main antagonist, except White Peak wears a bodysuit of white panties that've been sewn together, whereas Shishio is covered head-to-toe in bandages.
116* The ''Franchise/BerniceSummerfield'' novel ''Ship of Fools'' by Dave Stone has Benny trapped on a ClosedCircle space-liner with a bunch of {{Clueless Detective}}s based on Literature/HerculePoirot, Literature/MissMarple, Literature/SherlockHolmes and Film/CharlieChan.
117* Already a parody of most comics genres, ''Literature/SuperFolks'' blends its cast of Expies with a few comics cameos and [[PublicDomainCharacter Public Domain Characters]]. The protagonist is meant as an expy of Superman, Captain Mantra is an expy of Captain Marvel, and Elastic Man is an expy of Plastic Man, with various other supporting cast members acting as expies of Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Perry White, etc.
118* {{Enforced}} with the ''Literature/NikkiHeat'' novels, due to being a {{defictionalization}} of a [[ShowWithinAShow fictional novel series]] in the ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}'' TV show that is {{very loosely based|OnATrueStory}} on InUniverse true stories. Jameson Rook is an AuthorAvatar of Rick Castle, Detective Nikki Heat is a HotterAndSexier version of Detective Kate Beckett, MissingMom backstory and all, and ThoseTwoGuys Detectives Raley and Ochoa are based on Beckett's sidekicks Ryan and Esposito. And that's just the core cast.
119* Creator/AlEwing's ''El Sombra'' series in the ''Pax Britannia'' setting stars a working-class Franchise/{{Zorro}}, and the second novel has him meet Hugo Donner/Doc Thunder (Literature/DocSavage with elements of [[Literature/{{Gladiator}} Hugo Danner]]) and Blood Spider (Literature/TheSpider with elements of every other CoatHatMask killer vigilante, and a dash of ComicBook/SpiderMan). The third one extends this even further, including a RagtagBunchOfMisfits in which ''every single character'' is an expy from a completely different source, while the team itself is based on ''ComicBook/SgtFuryAndHisHowlingCommandos''.
120[[/folder]]
121
122[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
123* ''Series/TheBennyHillShow'' longform sketch "Murder on the Oregon Express" features parody versions of several TV detectives including Series/McCloud, Series/{{Ironside|1967}}, Series/{{Cannon}}, Series/{{Kojak}} and his supporting cast, Literature/HerculePoirot (all played by Hill), Series/PoliceWoman, Series/{{Columbo}}, and Series/BarnabyJones.
124* The cast of the 1979 television movie ''Murder Can Hurt You!'' was based on television detectives, such as Series/{{Kojak}} and Series/{{Columbo}}.
125* ''Series/{{Glee}}'': The new kids joining the glee club in season 4 are all expies of the original kids (Marley = Rachel, Ryder = Finn and Sam, Jake = Puck, Kitty = Quinn and Santana, and Unique = Mercedes and Kurt).
126* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Most of the main superhero characters' abilities and costumes are similar to those of established comic book superheroes.
127[[/folder]]
128
129[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
130* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' has quite a few, though some are InNameOnly or only there for a ShoutOut gag. "[[Creator/SylvesterStallone Sly]]" [[Franchise/{{Rambo}} Marbo]], [[UsefulNotes/AlexanderTheGreat Solar Macharius]], [[WesternAnimation/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians Kruellagh the Vile]]....
131* All "classes" in ''TabletopGame/MonsterOfTheWeek'' are not-even-thinly veiled expies of popular MonsterOfTheWeek series' protagonists, right down to their {{Signature Move}}s. Even the book itself admits that the Chosen is basically Buffy Summers from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', the Spell-Slinger is Harry Dresden from ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', and so on.
132* The characters in the card game ''TabletopGame/SentinelsOfTheMultiverse'' are expies of Marvel and DC superheroes. However, each character has a distinct background and gimick behind them that makes them more than just “X character with a different look.”
133** And besides, I, Guise, am [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial totally not based on any specific character. Especially not some guy named Deadpool.]]
134** This also extends to the teams, to a degree, with the Freedom Five being a bright, shining heroic force that includes a FlyingBrick, a speedster and [[TheCowl a stealthy detective]] resembling the Justice League, the Prime Wardens being a largely distant team of offbeat heroes along the lines of the Defenders, and the Southwest Sentinels/Void Guard being a clear reference to the Fantastic Four, with a glowy energy dude who can fly (Dr Medico/Human Torch), a scientist with a fluid and stretchy body (Mr Fantastic/Writhe), a big chunky super-strong dude who's associated with stone (The Thing/Mainstay), and a lone female member who can use telekinesis (Invisible Woman/Idealist).
135* ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'':
136** ''TabletopGame/FreedomCity'''s Freedom League is about 70% Justice League to 30% Avengers. Most obviously, the late Centurion is the SupermanSubstitute and the retired Raven I is Batman (the setting developing in real time). Meanwhile the Atom Family are loosely the Fantastic Four, the Next Gen are the Titans with X-Men elements, and so on. The ''Atlas of Earth-Prime'' follows suit with the heroes of other countries, sometimes in unexpected ways (the heroine of Botswana is Mma Ramotswe from ''Number One Ladies Detective Agency'' with super-senses).
137** ''TabletopGame/HaltEvilDoer'''s Patriots are also a JLA/Avengers mix, although it's closer to 50-50. The Tomorrow Syndicate is the X-Men led by Scarlet Witch, and in addition there have been various other "Tomorrow" groups paralleling X-Factor, X-Force, etc. Jack Union's Psychotic Seven is roughly Manchester Black's Elite, although it also includes the Swamp Thing, Aquaman/Namor and Black Panther expies... and, more surprisingly, Hecate, the Troia counterpart.
138[[/folder]]
139
140[[folder:Video Games]]
141* ''VideoGame/{{Broforce}}''[='s=] playable cast consists entirely of {{Lawyer Friendly|Cameo}} versions of famous action heroes from the '80s and '90s, such as Franchise/{{Rambo}} or [[Film/EscapeFromNewYork Snake Plissken]] to name a couple.
142* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'', as part of its homage to superhero comics.
143* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'', both as a homage to to superhero comics and a SpiritualSuccessor to ''City of Heroes''. The choosable character classes are even parallels to numerous heroes: [[ComicBook/IronFist the Fist]], [[ComicBook/DoctorStrange the Grimoire]], [[ComicBook/{{Psylocke}} the Disciple]], and [[Franchise/StarWars the Unleashed]] are just a few.
144* The ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'' games by Creator/WestwoodStudios use this for every faction except [[CanonForeigner House Ordos]].
145** In ''[[VideoGame/DuneII Dune 2000]]'', Noree Moneo is a [[LargeHam hammier]] Thurfir Hawat while Hayt de Vries is an ''incredibly'' blatant CaptainErsatz of Piter de Vries as he was portrayed in the Creator/DavidLynch movie and the NonEntityGeneral has Paul's [[ChosenOne place in a Bene Gesserit prophecy]].
146** ''VideoGame/EmperorBattleForDune'' goes all out since it portrays more characters than just Mentats:
147*** House Atreides is lead by Duke Achillus, who is a mix of Leto (a patriarch who wants to ally with the Fremen) and Paul (he eventually becomes Emperor in his own campaign) and assisted by the Mentat Kolinar Koltrass, who is a more blatant copy of Thurfir Hawat than Moneo.
148*** House Harkonnen is lead by Baron Rakan, who is a healthier and heterosexual Vladimir, and his two sons Gunseng and Copec, who resemble Vlad's nephews Feyd-Rautha and Glossu Rabban but hate each other, and is assisted by Yanich Kobal, who is a ''less'' blatant copy of Piter than Hayt.
149** Both games have Emperor Frederick Corrino as a less intelligent stand-in for Shaddam Corrino IV and Lady Elara as a version of Lady Jessica who's concubine to the Emperor instead of Duke Leto.
150* ''VideoGame/FreedomForce'', yet another homage to superhero comics.
151* ''VideoGame/KingOfTheMonsters''' roster is basically every {{kaiju}} Japanese cinema ever made, plus Film/KingKong.
152* ''VideoGame/TechRomancer'': The game is a love letter to many old SuperRobot anime and as such it contains a lot of expies to them, such as the G-Kaiser to Anime/MazingerZ or Rafaga to Anime/{{Macross}}. It also has an Series/{{Ultraman}} expy named Pulsion.
153* ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'': as a ''Franchise/MegaMan'' clone, this game features many expies from said game, such as main heroine Spiritia being one to Mega Man or [[spoiler:Iris]] being one to Dr. Wily. There are also some ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' expies such as Thanatos (Death) and Count Zeppelin (Dracula).
154* In ''VideoGame/ThemsFightinHerds'', this is intentionally invoked with the main cast. Originally, the game was being made as a fangame of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', but when Creator/{{Hasbro}} sent the creators a Cease & Desist order, they were forced to forfeit using the ''My Little Pony'' characters. However, Creator/LaurenFaust, the creator of ''Friendship Is Magic'', decided to help them out. And thus, six characters resembling the cast of ''[=MLP:FiM=]'' were created, each one redesigned and renamed in a way that bypasses the copyright issues.
155* As ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'''s SpiritualSuccessor ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' features a lot of these, such as the main protagonists Ragna and Jin being expies of GG's Sol and Ky respectively, while Tager and Arakune are expies to Potemkin and Zato-1.
156* ''VideoGame/StarGladiator'' is a ''Franchise/StarWars'' clone and as such its characters are references to ''SW''''s ones, like Hayato for Luke, or Bilstein for Darth Vader.
157* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' games feature many expies of characters from previous titles. ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonAWonderfulLife'' features several from ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon1'': Mark is a Pete expy in terms of design and role (brunette farmers from out of town), Celia has both qualities of Nina and Ellen (the looks of Ellen but a love of plants and minor CloudCuckoolander traits similar to Nina), Muffy is an expy of Eve (troubled blonde bartenders in red dresses), and Vesta looks like Ellen's mother.
158* ''VideoGame/MegaMan1'' [[WhatCouldHaveBeen started out]] as a licensed game for ''Manga/AstroBoy''. Naturally many expies exist in ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'':
159 ** Rock is a RobotKid and KidHero similar to Astro (and looks similar to him out of gear).
160** Rock has a younger sister robot named "Roll", similar to how Astro has Uran.
161** Dr. Wily looks like an older version of Dr. Tenma and plays a similar antagonistic role.
162** Dr. Light is a large set, white haired father figure to Rock similar to how Professor Ochanomizu adopted Astro after Dr. Tenma abandoned him for not being a proper ReplacementGoldfish to his son.
163* The main cast of characters in ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' are based on fictional characters in other media as well as real life celebrities.
164* ''VideoGame/SuperFighter'': As a bootleg game made by the Taiwanese company C&E based on ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII'' (even tracing the animations of various characters and using the unaltered sound effects and music scores), the entire cast (with one or two possible exceptions) are basically "[[SerialNumbersFiledOff Poor man's Ryu, Ken, Chun-li," etc]]. Though the developers try to hide their blatant infringement on Creator/{{Capcom}}'s Intellectual Property rights by way of employing CompositeCharacter (e.g. Phoenix (the Chun-li ersatz) does some of M. Bison's moves), Red Man (the Blanka ersatz) has Dhalsim's color scheme and M. Bison and Sagat's mannerisms) in an effort to make them seem unique.
165* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'': The series borrows heavily from popular martial arts fiction. Sonya Blade is Cynthia Rothrock, Johnny Cage is Jean Claude Van Damme (especially as he appears in ''Film/{{Bloodsport}}''), Liu Kang is Bruce Lee's character from ''Film/EnterTheDragon'', and Shang Tsung, Raiden, and Scorpion/Subzero/et all resemble characters from ''Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina''. Kano the cyborg is also based on [[Film/TheTerminator the T-800]].
166* Being a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Videogame/BanjoKazooie'' made by many of the original developers, most of the characters of ''Videogame/YookaLaylee'' are functionally very similar to the characters of that game. The protagonists in particular are blatant copies of Banjo and Kazooie, sharing near-identical personalities.
167* ''VideoGame/DragonMaster'': Much like the Super Fighter example above, this South Korean made equivalent to Street Fighter II also features characters are ersatzes of those from that Capcom property, some of which include Baekun Dosa and Klaus Garcia ([[{{Shotoclone}} Ryu and Ken]]), Gloria (Chun-li), Jackie (Guile), and Dark Man (Blanka).
168* As ''VideoGame/{{Palworld}}'' is an AffectionateParody of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', most of the game's {{mons}} [[{{Phonymon}} draw inspiration from various Pokémon]] such as Anubis being an Egyptian-themed Lucario, though they are not restricted to that reference pool. [[ShownTheirWork Surprisingly for a lot of these creatures]], the developers did a lot of research and inspired designs from the vast majority of existent Pokémon with clear homages to them as a direct result with some designs even drawing from DummiedOut Pokémon, showing a lot of love and care for the source material.
169* ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'': Since the games were meant to serve as a soft reboot of sorts, the developers decided to have the Unova Dex consist of 150 new Pokemon, the total number being a sendup to Gen I. They bit off more than they could chew though, and many of the "new" Pokemon ended up following very similar design cues. Outside of the ones that get expies in ''every'' game (think your regional birds and rats and such) some of the notable ones include:
170** A living rock that evolves at level 25, then by trade; Roggenrola, Boldore, and Gigalith (based on Geodude, Graveler, and Golem).
171** A pure Fighting-type that evolves by level-up, then by trade; Timburr, Gurdurr, and Conkeldurr (based on Machop, Machoke, and Machamp).
172** A dual-type [[GoddamnedBats bat]] that appears in caves; Woobat and Swoobat (based on Zubat and Golbat).
173** A pure psychic-type, tapir-like Pokemon with dream-related powers that evolves once; Munna and Musharna (based on Drowzee and Hypno).
174** A living metal Steel-type that adds more parts to its body as it evolves; Klink, Klang, and Klinklang (based on Magnemite, Magneton, and Magnezone).
175** An equine whose element is woven into its design; Blitzle and Zebstrika (based on Ponyta and Rapidash).
176** An aggressive, territorial Normal-type bovine that does not evolve; Bouffalant (based on Tauros).
177** A rare, pink Normal-type with a [[Main/WhiteMage White Mage]] playstyle that yields high EXP when defeated and is associated with Pokémon Center Nurses; Audino (based on Chansey)
178* In the HGame ''VisualNovel/SeasonOfTheSakura'' each of the heroines is an Expy of a 90s anime heroine. They have the Anime/MagicKnightRayearth girls, the Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion girls, and the Manga/KaitouSaintTail girls.
179* ''VideoGame/VampireSurvivors'' is basically bootleg ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''. The Belpaese family are a clear analogue to the Belmonts, the [[TheUnfought supposed]] main villain is a Dracula Expy, and the spritework, items, and general aesthetics are stylized after the games. As a matter of fact, the earliest versions of the game used assets directly taken from ''Castlevania'' fangames.
180[[/folder]]
181
182[[folder:Web Animation]]
183* ''WebAnimation/HunterTheParenting'''s main cast is transparently based on characters from ''WebAnimation/IfTheEmperorHadATextToSpeechDevice'' -- namely the Emperor, Kitten, Dorn, Magnus, and Boy. The two shows were made by the same crew and ''[=HtP=]'' was created in response to ''[=TTS=]'' being ScrewedByTheLawyers.
184* ''Webanimation/{{RWBY}}'' has most of its cast being an homage to another existing character, mostly fairy tales (the four main characters are Little Red Hiding Hood, Snow White, Beauty and Goldilocks, villain Cinder is Cinderella), along with other themes like crossdressers (team JNPR is Joan of Arc, Achilles, Thor and Mulan), ''The Wizard of Oz'' (Ozpin = Oz, Qrow = Scarecrow, Leonhart = Cowardly Lion, Ironwood = Tin Man, Glynda = Glinda), and Robin Hood (Robyn Hill and her Happy Huntresses).
185* ''WebAnimation/SocietyOfVirtue'': The cast of the shorts is comprised of parodic versions of famous superheroes from Marvel Comics and DC Comics.
186[[/folder]]
187
188[[folder:Web Original]]
189* ''WebAnimation/LesKassos'' is about a bunch of thinly-veiled popular culture icons seeing a social worker about their various hang-ups. For example: [[ComicBook/XMen Aimanto and Miss Trique]]'s marriage troubles, [[WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget Lieutenant Gadjette]]'s anger issues, and [[Manga/CandyCandy Sandy]]'s sex addiction.
190* In ''Literature/TeenLitWasteland'', virtually every major power is taken from various YA dystopian novels, trying to find some way to make them all fit in the same universe while also [[{{Deconstruction}} finding ways to make their societies plausible]]. The most notable examples are the Confederacy of Panamerica, based on Panem from ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', and the Scientific State of California, based on Chicago from ''Literature/{{Divergent}}'', as two of the main powers of western North America; the third, TheRemnant of Canada in British Columbia, is a reimagining of District 13 from ''The Hunger Games'' and, more broadly, the [[BlackAndGrayMorality morally cloudy]] [[LaResistance rebel factions]] of many YA dystopian novels.
191* Barring Gun, Song and the Speaker enemy, everyone from ''WebVideo/SheriffDomestic'' is an AffectionateParody of a pre-existing ''WebVideo/{{Petscop}}'' character.
192* ''Roleplay/FireEmblemOnForums'':
193** ''[[Roleplay/FireEmblemOnForumsChainsOfHorai Chains of Horai]]'': The Cursed (and Rin) are expies of the cast of ''Manga/FruitsBasket'', specifically the Sohma clan.
194** ''[[Roleplay/FireEmblemOnForumsDemonSoulSaga Demon Soul Saga]]'': Many of the Hermelin and Amamiya students are expies of characters from high school ''anime'' to varying degrees to fit the setting.
195** ''Solrise Academy'': A lot of the cast are [[{{Expy}} Expies]] from high school ''anime'' or other similar genres (for instance, Theodora and Andreas are drawn from ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' while Himiko and Joel are drawn from ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'').
196[[/folder]]
197
198[[folder:Western Animation]]
199* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'':
200** The episode "Heroes" had a team of three expies of the Fantastic Four. 2D Man was based off Mr. Fantastic, Freon was an ice-based Invisible Woman, and Magma was a combo of the Thing and the Human Torch (and was the most BlessedWithSuck of all of them, not even being able to touch Freon without hurting her). Given that the episode in question was essentially a {{Deconstruction}} of the Fantastic Four, things do not end well for them, especially when their creator betrays them.
201** Many of the [[CanonForeigner newly invented]] RoguesGallery are basically knockoffs of ComicBook/SpiderMan villains, which isn't too surprising since the show was made to try and cash-in on Spider-Man's demographic of "high school-aged hero". Spellbinder is Mysterio, Stalker is Kraven the Hunter, Blight is Norman Osborn, Inque is Venom, Shriek is Shocker, Cuvier is the Lizard, and Willie is Doctor Octopus.
202* ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether'' is an animated RealityShow parody with expies of cartoon characters living together, including Franchise/{{Superman}}, a Franchise/DisneyPrincess, [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]], [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pikachu]], WesternAnimation/BettyBoop, and WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants.
203* ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' is about a bunch of kid ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' expies training to become like their idols. They vary how much they resemble their counterparts: Plucky and Dizzy greatly resemble WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck and the Tasmanian Devil, for example, while Elmyra is both a GenderFlip and ContrastingSequelAntagonist to WesternAnimation/ElmerFudd (as she [[AndCallHimGeorge comically hurts animals by accident]] instead of comically failing to hurt them on purpose). WesternAnimation/BugsBunny is {{decomposite|Character}}d into two expies, with Buster Bunny emphasizing his DeadpanSnarker traits while Babs Bunny tends to be wackier.
204* ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'' has a cast that is based off of the original ''Franchise/LooneyTunes'' characters, specifically WesternAnimation/BugsBunny, WesternAnimation/LolaBunny, WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck, Taz, WesternAnimation/WileECoyoteAndTheRoadRunner.
205* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
206** The Mane Six are expies of G1 ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'' characters, with elements of Creator/LaurenFaust's headcanons added in. This is because she had [[WhatCouldHaveBeen intended]] for them to actually be the characters however had to use ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyG3'' characters instead due to Creator/{{Hasbro}} not holding the copyrights for most of the G1 cast at the time:
207*** Twilight Sparkle is physically similar to (unicorn) Twilight. As a MythologyGag, her mother Twilight Velvet is the original Twilight except with her pink pelt toned down to a grey colour.
208*** Pinkie Pie is heavily based on Surprise, but is an Earth Pony instead of a pegasus. They're both [[GenkiGirl energetic]] party-loving pranksters.
209*** Rainbow Dash is Firefly with a paint job and a more brash nature. They're both heroic and headstrong speedsters.
210*** Fluttershy is similar to Posey, however she's a pegasus instead of an Earth Pony. Fluttershy focuses on animals more than plants, while Posey was a florist and wasn't a ShrinkingViolet.
211*** Rarity was originally intended as a new version of Sparkler (though Lauren Faust has stated that Glory, whose color scheme she shares, was an inspiration too) however her fur is a near-white shade of blue. They're both gem stone related, though Rarity uses it in her designs while Sparkler collected gems.
212*** Applejack and Spike are the only two who aren't expies. Hasbro had their names due to reusing them in G3. (G1 AJ was a bit role in the show and known for her extreme clumsiness in the comic; not much beyond her look caries over to the FIM version; meanwhile, Spike was Majesty's assistant in the comic much as in FIM, and "Spike's Search" is based on a G1 episode, but personality-wise, he's gone very much in his own direction. Applejack's brother Big [=McIntosh=] is likely a reference to Applejack's G3 design.)
213** Even though they were planned as those G1 characters until trademark issues reared their heads, some of the FIM ponies do take after their G3 counterparts as well:
214*** Twilight Sparkle gets her colors from Twilight Twinkle more than Twilight, and of course there's the name, a slight variation.
215*** Pinkie Pie gets a lot of her skills from G3 Pinkie Pie - some of the wackier reality-bending stuff (a surprise, given G3 Pinkie being less wacky) included - and her skills at things like event planning speak of being able to think quite like her early 2000s counterpart did. G3 Pinkie also once goes through a series of rapid costume changes that will ''really'' make you wonder which Pinkie you're watching.
216*** If you read the G3 ''comics'' and are unfamiliar with the show, you'll be surprised that G3 and FIM's Dashes are considered total opposites.
217*** Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are quite similar in personality to their past counterparts, and are basically more fleshed-out versions of them. The main difference is that G3 Sweetie is a SupremeChef and FIM Sweetie is a LethalChef. As for Apple Bloom, they're not a trio in G3 (perhaps lampshades by their FIM introduction, already knowing each other when Apple Bloom meats them) but Apple Spice does look much the same.
218*** Cheerilee is a partial example. In G3, the unicorn Cheerilee was leader of the unicorns and the mentor to Rarity, while the earth pony Cheerilee, Scootaloo's older sister, was TheSmartGuy due to liking to read, so they're both a different flavor from FIM's schoolmarm (not to mention each other). But a purple pony named Cheerilee in charge of dumping exposition on us and wrangling rambunctious kids is now a triply familiar sight.
219*** AJ and Spike are again the odd ones out, G3 Spike being serious and scholarly and G3 AJ being a background character with little to tell us what she's like. Rarity also has little in common with her G3 self.
220** The Mane Six resemble characters from another Creator/LaurenFaust project, her ''Toys/MilkyWayAndTheGalaxyGirls'' toy-line. This is likely in part due to Faust having attempted to pitch an AnimatedAdaptation of the toys when she was asked to create G4 of ''Franchise/MyLittlePony''. Twilight is Uranus, Rainbow Dash is both Pluto and Mercury, Rarity is Venus, Fluttershy is both the Moon and Jupiter, and Pinkie is Mars. Spike has laid-back qualities similar to Neptune, with the added bonus of him being Twilight's little brother figure like Neptune is Uranus' little sister.
221* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'' is a DeconstructiveParody of old "boys' adventure" stories like ''Literature/DocSavage'' and ''WesternAnimation/JonnyQuest'', and most of its cast are riffs on classic characters of the genre. Doc Venture and Brock Samson are an adult Jonny and Race Bannon (although [[ExpyCoexistence the real Jonny and Race also exist in this setting]]), and the titular brothers are ersatz [[Literature/TheHardyBoys Hardy boys]]. Then there's [[Series/TheGreenHornet the Blue Morpho]], [[Franchise/JamesBond Colonel Gentleman]], [[ComicBook/DoctorStrange Doctor Orpheus]] and many more.
222* The four human leads of the ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' franchise are all expies for the leads on ''Series/TheManyLovesOfDobieGillis'', with Shaggy as Maynard, Daphne as Thalia, Velma as Zelda, and Fred as Dobie himself.
223[[/folder]]

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