Line #97 Main/IconicSequelSong


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4	[[quoteright:350:[[Music/SurvivorBand https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eye_of_the_tiger.png]]]]
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6	Soundtracks are one of the most memorable things about a work. Often, a work will have [[SignatureSong one (or many) tunes that, when you hear them, just immediately make you remember the work in question]]. And then there are those tracks that you associate so much with the work that the absence of it feels like EarlyInstallmentWeirdness.
7
8	This could be related to many things. For instance, a particular theme could be associated with an IconicSequelCharacter (such as the theme of Rohan from the ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' trilogy), it could result from a particular composer just penning something magnificent that so happened to come later in the series, or it could be because one particular track just [[{{Pun}} struck a chord]] with audiences. Whatever the case, if you hear a song from a score and it makes you instantly think of the series as a whole, and it doesn't appear until after the first installment, you have yourself an '''Iconic Sequel Song.'''
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10	As mentioned above, related to IconicSequelCharacter, where it's the character him/her/itself that appears late. See also BootstrappedTheme, which is when a particular song unofficially becomes the main theme of a particular franchise, as many of those listed below are bootstrapped themes for their franchises.
11	----
12	!!Examples:
13
14	[[foldercontrol]]
15
16	[[folder:Anime]]
17	* ''Franchise/DragonBall'':
18	** The most iconic song from the franchise is "Cha-La Head-Cha-La", which is the ''second'' opening theme in the franchise, used for the majority of ''Anime/DragonBallZ''.
19	** "Rock the Dragon" counts as Creator/{{Funimation}} briefly dubbed the original ''Dragon Ball'' with its own unique intro song before moving on to Z.
20	* The signature ''Franchise/LupinIII'' theme which has featured some variant most adaptations since wasn't introduced until the [[Anime/LupinIIIPartII second TV series]]. The [[Anime/LupinIIIPart1 first TV series]] featured a radically different theme.
21	* The best well known theme from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'', "Eternal Blaze," made its debut in the second season of the anime, ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs''.
22	* The best-known theme songs of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' are "Haruka Kanata" and "GO!", which are the second and fourth themes, respectively.
23	* The most iconic theme from the ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'' anime is "Give a Reason," which is the theme of the second season, ''The Slayers NEXT''.
24	* The song most associated with ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' is "Again". It is the first opening theme from its second and more faithful adaption to anime, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Before ''Brotherhood'' existed, many American fans thought of the second opening "Ready Stady Go" as the first opening, mainly because for whatever reason Creator/AdultSwim skipped the actual first opening "Melissa" in favor of "Ready Steady Go" when they showed the series.
25	[[/folder]]
26
27	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
28	* "Happy" from ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe2''. Pharrell Williams, the singer of "Happy" did the TitleThemeTune to [[WesternAnimation/DespicableMe1 the first film]], but it was never as popular due to having a less universal context beyond the scope of the movie. After all, the former was the #1 song of 2014, while the latter never charted anywhere at all.
29	* ''Franchise/TheLionKing'':
30	** "They Live In You" originates from a soundtrack, was revamped for [[Theatre/TheLionKing Broadway musical]], and became the lead song to ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKingIISimbasPride''.
31	** Zira's VillainSong, "My Lullaby", originates from the second movie, as does the "One Of Us" musical number.
32	* While not quite living up to the momentous popularity of "Let it Go" from [[WesternAnimation/{{Frozen2013}} the first movie]], or even that of "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?", "Into the Unknown" and "Show Yourself" from ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' are easily among the most iconic and popular Disney songs of TheNewTens.
33	* "Just Sing" from ''WesternAnimation/TrollsWorldTour'' is just as popular, if not more, than "Can't Stop the Feeling!" from the first ''Franchise/{{Trolls}}'' [[WesternAnimation/{{Trolls}} movie]].
34	[[/folder]]
35
36	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
37	* What is perhaps the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse's most popular theme, "Is She With You?", debuted in the film franchise's second entry, ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice''. The song is Franchise/WonderWoman's {{Leitmotif}}, herself an IconicSequelCharacter.
38	* ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'':
39	** "See You Again" is by far the most famous song in the series, despite it not appearing until the ''seventh'' film in the series. The reason the song became so popular is because it was written as a tribute to star Creator/PaulWalker, who died in a car crash during filming. As such, it spend twelve weeks on the top of the pop charts.
40	** From the third movie, the main theme, "Tokyo Drift" by Teriyaki Boyz was also fairly popular, though this might be an inversion, since instead of the song reminding people of the franchise, mentioning the franchise will bring the song to mind immediately.
41	* As mentioned above, the motif for Rohan and the theme of Gondor didn't appear until ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'' and ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing The Return of the King]]'', respectively, as Rohan didn't become a major focus until ''Two Towers'', and despite Gondor briefly appearing in ''Fellowship'', it didn't become a major point of focus until ''Return''.
42	* "It's Been a Long, Long Time" is ComicBook/CaptainAmerica's CharacterSignatureSong in the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'', yet it doesn't make an appearance until [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier his second solo film]].
43	* The hit song "Eye of the Tiger" (pictured above) is most commonly associated with the ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' franchise and is rivaled only by the original instrumental theme "Gonna Fly Now" in fame, but it didn't debut until ''Film/RockyIII''.
44	* ''Franchise/StarWars'': While the famous opening theme has been around since ''Film/ANewHope'', a number of themes did not appear until later films.
45	** Most notable is "The Imperial March," which didn't appear until ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''. The Empire's theme was a sinister, brassy triad in a minor key in ''Film/ANewHope''.
46	** "The Asteroid Field" also appeared in ''The Empire Strikes Back''. It has been used several times in the franchise, particularly since Creator/{{Disney}} bought Creator/{{Lucasfilm}}.
47	** "Duel of the Fates" is one of the most signature themes from the films, which didn't appear until the fourth film and first prequel, ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''.
48	** Ditto "Battle of Heroes" from ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''.
49	* The ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''[='=] most popular theme is that of [[Film/X2XMenUnited the second film]].
50	* “What's My Name” from Descendants 2. There's a reason why it is one of the first songs to pop into someone's head when you ask them about the franchise.
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
54	* "Daybreak" is a recurring song in ''Series/{{Community}}'' and is essentially Abed Nadir's CharacterSignatureSong. It does not pop up until the HalloweenEpisode of Season 3.
55	* The ''Series/GameOfThrones'' theme song has been used since the first episode. The fan-favorite recurring song "The Rain of Castamere", however, did not show up until the penultimate episode of Season 2. The other famous piece of music, the best-selling instrumental "Light of the Seven" didn't show up until the finale of Season 6, quickly becoming a BootstrappedLeitmotif used in alteration with the theme tune.
56	* The most popular songs from ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', intro music aside, are all absent during the inaugural season. Robin's "Let's Go to the Mall" and Marshall's favorite road jam "[[Music/TheProclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)]]" were both introduced in Season 2, while Barney's "Barney Stinson, that Guy's Awesome" and "Nothing Suits You Like A Suit" were respectively introduced in Seasons 4 and 5. Also, the titular Mother's acclaimed rendition of "La Vie en Rose" was sang in the final season.
57	* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' is often associated with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5kcBxL7-qI the theme]] of ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture''/''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' despite the original theme being [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjL8WXjlGI something else.]]
58	* The signature theme song of the ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'' didn't debut until its second season. The first season featured a different, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhKiqo-nqm0 more slower piece]].
59	[[/folder]]
60
61	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
62	Usually, it takes a while for a {{professional wrestl\|ing}}er to find a theme that's truly iconic. In most major promotions, wrestlers usually are given generic instrumental stock music as they rise up the card. Once they become a big deal, then they probably get a more distinctive theme song. You can tell that a wrestler has found their definitive theme if they decide to keep it for the rest of their career:
63	----
64	* Wrestling/AJLee's most popular theme is "Let's Light it Up" by Kari Kimel. It was her third entrance theme, which she would keep until her retirement.
65	* Wrestling/{{Batista}}'s fourth solo entrance theme, "I Walk Alone" by Saliva, is the song he is most associated with, and it has remained his theme ever since he started using it. His third solo theme, "Animal", is also fondly remembered.
66	* Wrestling/BeckyLynch's third overall entrance theme, "Celtic Invasion", is her most popular, and will likely remain her theme for the rest of her WWE career.
67	* Wrestling/BigShow's theme "Crank It Up" is far better known than its predecessor "Big", even though it is merely a cover of the latter. And both songs are certainly way better known than any themes he used before than.
68	* Wrestling/BrayWyatt's most popular theme were either "Live in Fear" or "Let Me In" (the latter being Music/CodeOrange's cover/remix of the former when Wyatt made a gimmick change), as Wyatt's previous persona Husky Harris didn't really caught on.
69	* Wrestling/BryanDanielson is identified with two entrance themes. For his independent days, Music/{{Europe}}'s "The Final Countdown" is his most remembered theme, even though it was his third. For his Wrestling/{{WWE}} tenure as Daniel Bryan, his fourth theme, "[[Music/RideOfTheValkyries Flight of the Valkyries]]", which he started using around the time he won the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time and used for the remainder of his WWE career, is the most associated with him.
70	* Wrestling/ChrisBenoit had to go through several instrumental themes before settling on "Whatever" by Music/OurLadyPeace in 2002, which he would use up until the MurderSuicide.
71	* Wrestling/ChrisJericho's most popular theme is "Break the Walls Down", which he will not use until the ninth year of his wrestling career, and has been his theme for almost his entire WWE career. His [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] theme "Judas", sung by his own band Music/{{Fozzy}}, has become popular as well, enough that it frequently gets an AudienceParticipationSong.
72	* Wrestling/{{Christian}}'s definitive theme is considered to be the Story of the Year version of "Just Close Your Eyes", his fifth and final theme in his overall career (not counting his [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] run in which he just went back to using his [[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling TNA]] theme).
73	* Music/LivingColour's "Cult of Personality" is Wrestling/CMPunk's most definitive theme in both his independent and Wrestling/{{WWE}} careers. The song was actually his fourth theme in the indies before reusing it in the WWE during his final two and a half years with the company and kept it for his comeback in [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] and his eventual WWE return.
74	* Wrestling/CodyRhodes' most popular theme is "Kingdom" by Downstait, his post WWE theme since 2016. It helps that Cody began using the theme when he's establishing himself in the indies and his founding of AEW. In fact it's so popular that he gets to keep it upon his return to WWE in 2022.
75	* Wrestling/DiamondDallasPage's most iconic theme, "Self High Five", made its debut in May of 1996.
76	* Wrestling/DolphZiggler's "Here to Show the World" theme was actually his fourth under the Ziggler gimmick, and he's kept it for the remainder of his WWE run.
77	* Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre's most popular theme is "Broken Dreams" by Shaman's Harvest, which was only the third song he used in WWE. Fans were understandably outraged when WWE decided not to bring it back after he returned to the company in 2017 until its brief one-night return ''Clash at the Castle 2022''.
78	* Wrestling/EddieGuerrero's most popular theme was unquestionably "Lie, Cheat, Steal". It's actually a repurposed version of his and his nephew Wrestling/{{Chavo\|GuerreroJr}}'s theme as Los Guerreros. Eddie actually only used this theme from March 2004 to April 2005 after a FaceHeelTurn, and again upon [[HeelFaceTurn turning Face again]] in October 2005 up until his unexpected death the following month (which very likely is what immortalized it as his theme).
79	* Wrestling/{{Edge\|Wrestler}}'s definitive theme is "Metalingus" by Music/AlterBridge, his seventh theme in his overall career and the theme he used during his entire run as a main eventer. He uses a different theme during his brief FaceHeelTurn in 2022, but he quickly returns to "Metalingus" upon turning Face again. He even gets to keep it upon jumping ship to AEW in 2023.
80	* The iconic "Real American" was actually Wrestling/HulkHogan's third theme, which he didn't start using until about halfway through his first WWF World Championship reign. His previous themes were "Eye of the Tiger" by Music/{{Survivor\|Band}} from ''Film/RockyIII'', which Hogan appeared in, and an instrumental song in between. While "Eye of the Tiger" is the most well-known song of the three, hardly anyone associates it with Hulk Hogan.
81	* Wrestling/IoShirai's definitive theme is "Tokyo Shock", her second WWE theme. She even kept it when she joins the main roster.
82	* Wrestling/JeffHardy didn't use "No More Words" until his ninth year as a wrestler, and his brother Wrestling/{{Matt\|Hardy}} only debuted "Live for the Moment" a few years beforehand. Jeff's previous theme "Loaded" is also iconic, but more associated with the brothers as a team than his solo career.
83	* Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield's best-known theme is undoubtedly "Longhorn", which he only started using upon debuting the JBL gimmick.
84	* Wrestling/JohnCena's third ("Basic Thuganomics") and especially fourth ("My Time is Now") entrance themes are significantly more popular than his first two themes, which were instrumentals. Fifteen years after its debut, and "My Time is Now" has stuck around.
85	* Wrestling/JohnMorrison didn't start using "Ain't No Make Believe" until after he ditched the Johnny Nitro name roughly three years after his debut on WWE's main roster.
86	* Wrestling/KanakoUrai's definitive theme is "The Future", her first WWE theme and fourth overall.
87	* Wrestling/{{Kane}}'s most popular theme is "Slow Chemical" by Finger Eleven, his fifth overall theme. Unlike other examples, it didn't become permanent. None of his subsequent themes since have received much love from fans.
88	* "Lovefurypassionenergy" is considered to be Wrestling/{{Lita}}'s most definitive theme, as it has been the one she has used the longest. It was actually her second theme, which she didn't even use until her third year as a wrestler.
89	* Wrestling/MarkHenry's iconic "[[Music/ThreeSixMafia Some Bodies Gonna Get It]]" theme did not come into use until 2006, nearly a decade after his debut.
90	* Wrestling/MickFoley's definitive theme is "Wreck", his seventh overall theme and the song he uses when he pops up on WWE programming.
91	* Wrestling/{{Paige}}'s definitive theme is "Stars in the Night", which is actually her second Wrestling/{{WWE}} theme (third overall, as she used "Faint" by Music/LinkinPark in the indies) and has used in throughout her WWE tenure.
92	* Wrestling/RandyOrton's third ("Burn in my Light") and especially fourth ("Voices") entrance themes are more popular and remembered than his first two [[Wrestling/{{Evolution}} solo]] themes, which were instrumentals. "Voices", which debuted in 2008, remains his theme to this day.
93	* Wrestling/ReyMysterioJr's most popular theme is Music/{{POD}}'s version of "Booyaka 619" ([[DoItYourselfThemeTune Rey himself sang the original version]]), which he didn't use until 2006 (he debuted in 1989) and has always used in WWE since then.
94	* "One of a Kind" was the fifth theme Wrestling/RobVanDam used in WWE, and it goes back even farther when counting his ECW themes.
95	* While "Sexy Boy" has always been Wrestling/ShawnMichaels' solo theme, the second version (that he sings himself) is the most remembered, and it's been in active use for nearly three decades now.
96	* Subverted with Wrestling/{{Sheamus}}, whose first WWE theme "Written in my Face" was far more popular than its replacement "Hellfire". Although it's played straight when taking into account any songs he used on the independent circuit.
97	* Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura's definitive theme is his first WWE theme, "The Rising Sun". He got a new theme after pulling a FaceHeelTurn but began reusing his previous theme when he returned as a Face. He even gets to use it during a {{crossover}} match against [[Wrestling/KeijiMutoh the Great Muta]] at a special Wrestling/ProWrestlingNoah event.
98	* "I Wont Do What You Tell Me" is undoubtedly Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin's most remembered theme. The song debuted in late 1998, whereas Austin's wrestling career began in 1989, and he continues to use it whenever he pops up on WWE television. "Glass Shatters", Music/{{Disturbed}}'s remake of his old theme, didn't debut until near the end of the Wrestling/AttitudeEra.
99	* [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]]'s definitive theme is considered to be "Know Your Role", his fourth overall theme, or "Electrifying", which he used ever since he returned to WWE programming in 2011.
100	* Wrestling/TheMiz's definitive theme is "I Came to Play", his second which he will not use until the seventh year of his career, as his first was an instrumental. "I Came to Play" continues to be his theme more than a decade after its debut.
101	* [[Wrestling/JonMoxley All]] [[Wrestling/RomanReigns three]] [[Wrestling/SethRollins members]] of Wrestling/TheShield are primarily associated with either "Special Op", the stable's theme, or their subsequent solo themes (Roman Reigns' initial solo theme is merely a variation of the Shield's).
102	* Wrestling/TheUndertaker's definitive theme is "Rest in Peace", his thirteenth overall
103	* "The Game" by Music/{{Motorhead}} is actually Wrestling/TripleH's seventh theme.
104	[[/folder]]
105
106	[[folder:Video Games]]
107	* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'': "Bubblegum K.K." is probably the most well known song, but it didn't debut until ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewLeaf'', the fourth game in the series.
108	* ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'': "Ezio's Family" from ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII'' basically became the franchise's anthem.
109	* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
110	** The iconic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6xpEV-W60I "Bloody Tears"]] debuted in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest''.
111	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpizm9ZYYZc Dance of Illusions]], viewed as Dracula's signature {{Leitmotif}}, first appeared in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood''.
112	* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'':
113	** The main recurring theme used throughout ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot3Warped'' would end up recycled in many later titles, becoming something of a BootstrappedTheme for the series.
114	** The theme to ''VideoGame/CrashTwinsanity'' is one of the most popular songs amongst the fanbase. ''Twinsanity'' is the fifth main title.
115	* Depending on whether one sees the games as sequels or their own themes, the ''Franchise/DonkeyKong'' franchise most iconic themes come from its reinvention through ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjRw9X2Hxro "Jungle Hijinx"]] in particular is beloved.
116	* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'': The most well loved overworld theme in the series is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bOn3dE7cNY&t=14s "Adventure"]], of the third game.
117	* ''VideoGame/FatalFury'': The most iconic songs of the franchise are [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vIHzWdHMI "Kurikinton"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xpYr05idnA "Soy Sauce for Geese"]]. Neither of these truly appeared until ''Fatal Fury 2'' and it's updated version, ''Fatal Fury Special'', respectively.
118	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
119	** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFRgjCa8kLQ Chocobo theme]] doesn't appear until ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'', later expanded in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII''.
120	** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVDlgKnjm6Y Moogles' theme]] doesn't appear until ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV''.
121	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6UgxJtHIVY Dancing Mad]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-tXcniYiIs One-Winged Angel]] don't appear until ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' respectively despite being the poster-children for final boss themes across the franchise.
122	* ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' doesn't have a definitive theme song, though the most common candidate for one among the game's fanbase is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfcWQFstj_A Watch Your 6]]" from ''[[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysSisterLocation Sister Location]]'', the fifth mainline installment.
123	* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' has several well-known themes, such as "Sanctuary," "Darkness of the Unknown", or "Vector to the Heavens" that didn't appear until sequel games.
124	* Alongside "Green Greens", "Gourmet Race" is probably the most iconic song in the ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' franchise. But unlike "Green Greens", it didn't appear until ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''. The Butter Building theme from ''VideoGame/KirbysAdventure'' and Ripple Star map theme from ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'' are also referenced a lot.
125	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' has [[https://youtu.be/Goj8hyy_L0M "Blue Destination"]], considered to be [[TheHero Rean's]] {{Leitmotif}} by fans and while it only plays five times throughout the Erebonia arc, is consistently voted as one of the most popular songs of the ''VideoGame/TrailsSeries''. It however first shows up in ''Cold Steel II''.
126	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
127	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzy7EgWBPf4 "Zelda's Lullaby"]] has appeared in almost every ''Zelda'' title, but it first appeared in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' as a tune associated with rescuing Zelda and the other kidnapped maidens. Likewise, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztE9YnkVJ8 the leitmotif]] for Ganon/Ganondorf isn't introduced until ''A Link to the Past'', and then [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC5REupC3Lc slightly expanded]] in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx3rqhQGN9A Hyrule Castle theme]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ph-hnJb_L4 Kakariko Village theme]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aX_IZr_a9Y Fairy Fountain theme]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmh4ECg251M Master Sword theme]] are also first heard in ''A Link to the Past''.
128	** The recurring themes for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj4PnLv5Irs Zora's Domain]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljqe4Nj7nBA Saria's Song]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K8lPynChZY Epona's Song]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP61I8hY9NI Goron City]] first appeared in ''Ocarina of Time''.
129	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxtDeMqsA7Q "Ballad of the Goddess"]] debuted with ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' and became an instant favorite.
130	* The closest thing to a song that represents the entire ''VideoGame/{{Lunar}}'' franchise would probably be "Thoughts Far Away". It made it debut in the original Sega CD version of ''VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue'' under the name "At The Relief", although the [[VideoGameRemake remake of the]] [[VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar first game]] added it back into the soundtrack as a recurring leitmotif. For those who have only played the remakes, "Thoughts Far Away" is associated more with the first game due to its prominence in the soundtrack compared to the sequel.
131	* The closest thing to a recurring theme song for the ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' games is "I Wanna Take You For A Ride", the character select music from ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom2'', the fourth crossover in the series.
132	* The most remembered theme in the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' franchise is "Encounter", which didn't appear until ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', the third game in the series. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiPon8lr48U theme from the following game]] was this for a time, until Creator/{{Konami}} learned the hard way that [[ScrewedByTheLawyers Georgy Sviridov's estate didn't appreciate the overt similarities]] with his composition [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_v7t2p7FR0 "The Winter Road"]]. Also from ''Solid'', there is "The Best is Yet to Come", along with [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater "Snake Eater"]]. These two are also among the most iconic songs of the series.
133	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
134	** The recurring theme heard when rescuing Princess Peach made its debut in the original game, but ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBrosTheLostLevels'' significantly expanded upon the theme by adding a new melodic section, which has since been included in most later games.
135	** Bowser's Airship Fleet didn't appear until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3''.
136	** Peach's Castle, Bob-Omb Battlefield, and Bowser's motif didn't appear until ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''.
137	** The theme for Gusty Garden Galaxy was introduced in the first ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy''.
138	* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
139	** If there was a song that would be forever considered the franchise's theme, it would likely be the title screen music... from [[VideoGame/MegaMan2 the second game]].
140	** The ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' series' most definitive theme is the iconic "X vs. Zero", which debuted in [[VideoGame/MegaManX5 the fifth game]].
141	** The most iconic songs in the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series are "Departure" and "Cannonball" from the [[VideoGame/MegaManZero2 second]] and [[VideoGame/MegaManZero3]] third games respectively.
142	* In ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', Samus Aran's theme, Ridley's theme, Kraid's theme, the Lower/Red Brinstar theme, and the Lower Norfair/Magmoor Caverns theme didn't appear until ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid''. Ridley's theme in particular also saw a harmonic portion added in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'''s Meta Ridley theme that has since been included in many of Ridley's boss themes, including in other titles such as ''VideoGame/NintendoLand''.
143	* The song "Philistine" is one of the most iconic in the ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' series, but it doesn't appear until ''[[VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes2DesperateStruggle Desperate Struggle]]''.
144	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''
145	** Lance's and Red's battle theme doesn't appear until ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldSilverAndCrystal''.
146	** The Hall of Fame theme has a bridge added to it in ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' that appears in every game after (except the Gen I remakes).
147	** As she wasn't introduced until the fourth generation, Cynthia's theme doesn't appear until ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondPearlAndPlatinum''.
148	* ''Theme of Eastern Story'', a RecurringRiff in ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'', was not introduced until the fourth game in the series.
149	* The neighbourhood theme introduced in ''VideoGame/TheSims2: University'' would go on to become the main theme of the series.
150	* As the music of the first game in the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series is not officially owned by Sega (aside from the Drowning Music), the series has relied on several other themes from later games:
151	** "His World" is often treated as Sonic's theme song, or the theme of the entire franchise, but it originates from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''.
152	** Shadow's theme in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' was "Throw It All Away". His most [[CharacterSignatureSong iconic themes]], "I Am... All Of Me" and "All Hail Shadow", didn't appear until ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog''.
153	** The series is well-known for its lyrical theme songs but they didn't start becoming commonplace until 1998's ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''.
154	** "Live and Learn" is one of the theme songs of the series but originates from ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2''. "Escape from the City" is another popular song from that game.
155	* Classic songs from the ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' series tend to be songs that originated in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII''.
156	* ''Devil May Cry'': [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening "Devils Never Cry"]] from the third game, and [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 "Devil Trigger"]] from the fifth.
157	* "Fiercest Warrior", the {{Leitmotif}} of [[{{Superboss}} the Amon Clan]] in the ''VideoGame/LikeADragon'' Series, didn't debut until the spinoff ''VideoGame/LikeADragonIshin'', nearly five mainline games and four spinoffs into the series.
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159
160	[[folder:Web Animation]]
161	* A few songs out of ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'' go this way (partly due to only bringing in Jeff Williams to do the music for Seasons 8-10).
162	** Despite being there from nearly the beginning and having a simple leitmotif, Tex's titular theme didn't come round till Season 8.
163	** Songs associated with the Meta, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw2VDWB-u2Y "When Your Middle Name Is Danger..."]] or [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lke056oO3cU "Plagam Extremam Infligere"]] didn't premiere until he did (naturally). The former came around in Season 6, the latter in Season 8.
164	** While Washington was involved in the series since the hiatus between Seasons 4 and 5, he didn't have a proper theme of his own until Season 9, as a recycled theme of the Project Freelancer faction. It didn't become exclusively his until Season 11, when the series was well past the Project Freelancer arc.
165	** Carolina's theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsMWvraCUVI "Spiral"]], one of the series' iconic themes, didn't appear until she showed up in Season 9.
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167
168	[[folder:Web Original]]
169	* "Your Turn to Roll", the first official vocal theme for ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'', first appeared halfway through the second campaign, but has become the show's most iconic song, even being used for the reveal of [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfVoxMachina the animated series]] and appearing as an instrumental motif within it.
170	[[/folder]]

Context Main / IconicSequelSong