History Main / AllAccordingToPlan

-->''(After Barney's life has seemingly fallen apart)''
-->[[spoiler:'''Robin''']]: (''on the phone'') Ted... We're right on schedule.

* Subverted in the ''Webcomic/ErrantStory'' strip "[[http://www.errantstory.com/ Nick of Time]]":
--> [[spoiler: '''Sarine''':]] '''Whew!''' Oh thank Anilis! I thought I was about to die any second... ...
--> [[spoiler: '''Sarine''':]] -I mean, ''just as planned''.

-->'''[[TheMole Sexy informant]]''': My triple-dog agenting against Skinner went according to plan, sir.
-->'''[[BigBad Cancer Man]]''': You don't know the plan.
-->'''Sexy informant''': Eh, everything always turns out to be according to plan.

--> [[spoiler:[[WhamLine S U C K E R S.]]]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'' Cree says this when modifying the garbage disposal rocket she was inside to fly towards the KND Moonbase.

--> '''Alfred:''' Oh, Master Bruce! I am so sorry. This is [[ItsAllMyFault all my fault]]!
--> '''[[TheChessmaster Bruce Wayne:]]''' Nonsense, Alfred. Believe or not, this is working out just as I planned.
--> '''[[ServileSnarker Alfred:]]''' How reassuring.

--> '''The Lieutenant:''' We just got word. The council has defied your threat. They're leaving the pro-bending arena open.
--> '''[[TheChessmaster Amon]]:''' Perfect. Everything is going according to plan.

--> '''Shagon:''' We were soundly defeated. Cadma will be quite proud of herself.\\

* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' episode "Black Magic", [[ManipulativeBastard Tarakudo]] says this after he has tricked the resident [[MaskOfPower Oni]] [[EvilMask Mask]] wielder [[spoiler:Captain Black]] to summon the Sumo Khan (beginning his [[DemonicPossession corruption by the Oni General]]) and allowed him to [[spoiler:take [[QuirkyMinibossSquad the Enforcers]] into custody and imprison them in Section 13 where three other Oni Masks are stored]].
-->'''Tarakudo''': Ahh, things are going exactly as I envisioned.
-->'''Finn''': This is the plan?
* Subversion in the opening of ''WesternAnimation/CountDuckula'':
-->'''Narrator:''' This latest incarnation did ''not'' run according to plan.
* Parodied in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' where Angelica, imitating a villain on TV, says "Everything is going [[DelusionsofEloquence accordion]] to plan."
* The ''WesternAnimation/DuckDodgers'' episode "Corporate Pigfall", when the Eager Young Space Cadet becomes the head of a powerful corporation, Dodgers decides to bring him back, and drags the new cadet (Egghead Jr from WesternAnimation/FoghornLeghorn cartoons) into it, despite deriding all Egghead Jr.'s carefully-drawn plans. In the end, Egghead Jr. is given the Cadet's position with the company, enabling him to return to the Galactic Protectorate, and the final scene is him writing on his drawing board "Exactly as I planned".
* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil''
** [[Characters/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilToffee Toffee of Septarsis]]
*** In "[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS1E24StormTheCastle Storm the Castle]]", not only does he successfully get Star to come to his territory, but [[TheBadGuyWins gets her to destroy the wand to save Marco]]. Even being destroyed by the resulting explosion was to his benefit, as he gained possession of half the wand in the process.
*** Almost everything he does in Season 2 and "The Battle For Mewni" falls under this as well. Only one thing goes truly awry in his plan: he intended on gaining both his finger ''and'' Star's half of the wand so that he can be resurrected and have full power over the corrupted magic. But Star was smart enough not to bring her wand with her when she confronts Ludo, and Ludo is sensible enough to listen to Star about what's going on and allows her to perform the Whispering Spell on his half of the wand. With a full-powered wand no longer a possibility, Toffee settles on just resurrecting with his finger and leaving Star stranded in the Realm of Magic, only for her to claim the last spark of uncorrupted magic, achieve SuperMode, and return to defeat Toffee.

* The ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' episode "Q is for Quarry" begins with a battle which results in defeat for the resident villains, leading to this exchange:
--> '''Shagon:''' We were soundly defeated. Cadma will be quite proud of herself.
--> '''[[TheChessmaster Nerissa:]]''' Then everything's going according to plan.

* ''Series/DeusSalveORei'', Catarina's great plan to control Montemor goes up in flames when Rodolfo marches in and steamrolls all resistance and she is taken prisoner. Turns out the conflict was engineered between the two monarchs with Catarina being ''supposed to lose'' and then they would later marry, officially uniting the two crowns. What [[UnwittingPawn Rodolfo]] didn't expect is that Catarina would [[MagnificentBitch find a way to dispose of him so that she could rule by herself]].

At the same time, watch out for [[SpannerInTheWorks spanners]] and [[TheChessmaster opposing chessmasters]]. They're notorious for popping up [[TemptingFate right when something like this gets said]] [[OutGambitted in one way]] [[GoneHorriblyRight or another]]. When it's too late for the SpannerInTheWorks to do anything, and the whole plan gets explained, then the trope is CheckAndMate.

* PlayedForLaughs in ''Manga/SPYxFamily'' during the Cruise Adventure arc. At one point Yor is fighting off a CarnivalOfKillers and loses one of her daggers in the scuffle. Anya finds it and decides to throw it tp Yor, but since she's a child, [[AntiClimax the dagger lands too far away from the fighting, where Yor can't even see or hear it]]. This ends up setting a chain of favorable DisasterDominoes, when two surviving enemy assassins try to eliminate Olka and escape while Yor is occupied, one of them slips on the dagger and falls, hitting his head on a pipe and knocking himself out, while also involuntarily firing his gun and hitting his partner in the leg, which causes the second guy to smash into the wall and also knock himself out, on top of said dagger planting itself on his butt. The gunshots from the commotion catch Yor's attention, allowing her to retrieve her dagger. Anya tries to pass it off as "exactly as planned", [[BlatantLies but even she's not buying it]].

* [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]] and [[ParodiedTrope Parodied]] in the WebAnimation/TerribleWritingAdvice video on
“Intrigue Plots” where JP recommends that rather then coming up with [[ThePlan an actual plan]] for the villain you just have them say this over and over again to distract from the authors [[WritingByTheSeatOfYourPants lack of a plan.]]

* At the end of episode eleven of ''WebAnimation/IfTheEmperorHadATextToSpeechDevice'', the Emperor is shown sitting on his throne and musing that everything is going ''Just. As. Planned.'' So far, the viewer's idea of what the plan is is pretty sketchy. However, looking back a dozen plus episodes later and he really did have all of his pieces in motion by that point; the question is how much further the chain reaction will go now that the JustForFun/HolyShitQuotient has topped itself at BeyondTheImpossible so many times.

* Light Yagami of ''Manga/DeathNote'' uses this phrase when his MemoryGambit and BatmanGambit to [[spoiler:convince the police and his own family that he is not in possession of the Death Note, and is not the known serial killer, Kira]] goes perfectly right. Just as Light regains [[spoiler:his memories, after touching the Death Note once more]], he mentally cants, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HQXtqIu_b8 Exactly as planned,]]" a phrase that has reached memetic status.
** Light also thinks a phrase very close to this during the final showdown, after [[spoiler: Near explains his plan to prove that Light is Kira. Of course, things [[OutGambitted don't go according to plan]] for him...]]
* In ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', [[ManipulativeBastard Gendo Ikari]] (along with his right-hand man, Fuyutsuki) and the members of [[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness SEELE]] were fond of saying things were going "all according to the scenario." Should be noted that they were ultimately pulling for different scenarios, but no matter what, whatever happened was ''always'' according to the scenario or irrelevant to it. Their differing scenarios diverge at the end, so it makes sense. At the point where something went according to Gendo's scenario that was NOT according to SEELE's scenario, [[spoiler: SEELE sent in the JSSDF to kill every single last person at NERV HQ]].
* Lelouch of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is fond of saying "All tasks at hand have been cleared"... and that line is roughly his version of "What could possibly go wrong". The [[SpannerInTheWorks Spanner always hits the Works]] about 2 nanoseconds later - things are going just as planne-Oh no, IT'S THE [[SuperPrototype LANCELOT]]! *boom*

* ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'' inverts the trope. With all the ScryVsScry going on the BigBad admits that "It looks like my plan won't go exactly per my prepared script." There are entire chapters with one [[TheChessmaster chessmaster]] or another detailing what did or did not go wrong after a major event.
* Zeo from ''Manga/OnePiece'' both subverts this and takes it to ridiculous extremes, claiming that absolutely ''everything'' goes according to his plans. [[IMeantToDoThat Even the bad stuff.]] ''[[ButtMonkey Especially]]'' [[ButtMonkey the bad stuff.]]
** For example, his response to getting knocked down and Brook standing on his head? [[spoiler: He's actually slowly wearing him down by headbutting his foot.]]

* [[TheChessmaster Reiji Akaba]] of ''Anime/YuGiOhArcV'' says this line after witnessing Tsukikage's defeat against Shinji in Synchro Dimension. The dimension's chairman council are understandably surprised because Reiji came from Standard Dimension to ask for cooperation with Synchro Dimension as warriors to end an interdimensional war and yet his comrades keep losing to residents from their dimension in an ongoing tournament there. It is later revealed in following episodes that Tsukikage is implied to lose on purpose and his defeat is essential; Those who lose the tournament are sent to underground facility as slaves while those who advance to the next round are confined inside individual rooms with constant surveillance. With Tsukikage's defeat, he's free from the tournament's constant watch and able to move freely. Escaping from the facility is not a problem since Tsukikage is a ninja. This way, he can give reports to Reiji regarding his other comrades' condition in the facility and the season's BigBad and contribute in freeing others when an invasion occurs.

* Zeo from ''Manga/OnePiece'' both subverts this and takes it to ridiculous extremes, claiming that absolutely ''everything'' goes according to his plans. Even the bad stuff. ''[[ButtMonkey Especially]]'' [[ButtMonkey the bad stuff.]]

->''"I defeated his minions, and he cackled and said, 'Exactly as I planned.' ''\\
''I discovered his secret fortress. 'Exactly as I planned.' ''\\
''I breached his defenses, and still he said, 'Exactly as I planned.' ''\\
''I slew him in single combat, and with his dying breath he gasped, 'Exactly as I planned.' ''\\
''I stood over his grave and I said, 'You never really got the hang of planning, did you?'"''

* ''ComicBook/SensationComicsFeaturingWonderWoman'': In "Morning Coffee" [[ComicBook/{{Catwoman}} Selina]] smugly claims things are all going according to plan when Diana catches her. This isn't much of a surprise to the reader given that Selina made it clear she was waiting for Diana to do so, however in the end Diana still catches her after she thought she'd made a clean getaway.

* In the ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' storyline "The Culling," the villain Harvest is pretty much the guy in the page quote, never shutting up about how all is going according to plan no matter ''how'' thoroughly everything we actually ''see'' him try to do goes down the tubes. Repeatedly copy-pasting "exactly as planned" into the dialogue of a guy who ''demonstrates'' very little in the way of planning skill [[ShowDontTell does not a]] DiabolicalMastermind [[ShowDontTell make]]!

* ''Film/{{Ajnabee}}'': BigBad Vicky enjoys making ludicrous and convoluted plans by predicting Raj's behavior, to the point saying "AllAccordingToPlan" is his {{catchphrase}} [[spoiler:and [[ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish the password of his bank account]].]]

* Subverted by Kuja in ''Videogame/FinalFantasyIX''. He says this trope, almost word-for-word, as his common {{catchphrase}}, but later it's revealed that he wasn't as in control as he thought. (Or, more accurately, it really ''did'' go all according to plan as far as using the heroes was concerned, but he didn't account for [[TheManBehindTheMan his boss predicting his actions]].) Fortunately for Kuja, while his [[TheChessmaster Chessmastery]] needs polish, he plays a damn good game of XanatosSpeedChess.

* In {{Webcomic/Helper}}, the main character's CatchPhrase is "as expected, as expected", hinting that he's actually [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass much smarter than he appears.]]

Compare GambitRoulette where ''even probability itself'' goes all according to plan. See also FailureGambit.

** The Japanese subtitled version will most likely say "Just as planned," rather than "Exactly as planned".

* [[TheChessmaster Reiji Akaba]] of ''Anime/YuGiOhArcV'' says this line after witnessing Tsukikage's defeat against Shinji in Synchro Dimension. The dimension's chairman council are understandably surprised because Reiji came from Standard Dimension to ask for cooperation with Synchro Dimension as warriors to end an interdimensional war and yet his comrades keep losing to residents from their dimension in an ongoing torunament there. It is later revealed in following episodes that Tsukikage is impiled to lose on purpose and his defeat is essential; Those who lose the tournament are sent to underground facility as slaves while those who advance to the next round are confined inside individual rooms with constant surveillance. With Tsukikage's defeat, he's free from the tournament's constant watch and able to move freely. Escaping from the facility is not a problem since Tsukikage is a ninja. This way, he can give reports to Reiji regarding his other comrades' condition in the facility and the season's BigBad and contribute in freeing others when an invasion occurs.

* Lampshaded by Pip the Troll after getting captured by the Myth/NorseMythology death goddess Hela in ''ComicBook/XFactor'' #212.
-->'''Hela''': You tell me nothing I do not already know, nor expect. Indeed, all is going--
-->'''Pip''': Accordin' to plan? That's what'cha were gonna say, right? That's what [[TheChessmaster mooks like you]] always say... [[TemptingFate Right before ya get the boom lowered on ya.]]

* ComicBook/UltimateMarvel

** ''ComicBook/TheUltimates''
*** Iron Man claims that he saw the events of ''Ultimates 2'' coming (except the "Natasha betraying him" part) and figures it all worked out pretty well for him.

[[folder:FanWorks]]

* In the ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}'' episode "Needs," Adelle [=DeWitt=] uses a somewhat different phrase to give the same effect:
-->'''Dominic:''' "I was just informed that we have four actives planning to escape."
-->'''[=DeWitt=]:''' ''(smiles)'' "...Right on schedule."
* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''

** In the season six finale, three senior members of the ''Voyager'''s crew (including Captain Janeway) beam over to a Borg ship. After infiltrating it, they are eventually caught and assimilated. The crew on the ship has been monitoring their life signs, and they detect the assimilation of the three. Commander Chakotay's response?
-->"[[BatmanGambit So far, so good.]]"
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' has Sousuke Aizen. When things go not quite as planned, he still has a backup plan. Sometimes he doesn't, but he'll make you think he did '''and then''' it goes all according to plan because you gave him time to make it so.

* [[TheChessmaster Reiji Akaba]] of Anime/YuGiOhArcV says this line after witnessing Tsukikage's defeat against Shinji in Synchro Dimension. The dimension's chairman council are understandably surprised because Reiji came from Standard Dimension to ask for cooperation with Synchro Dimension as warriors to end an interdimensional war and yet his comrades keep losing to residents from their dimension in an ongoing torunament there. It is later revealed in following episodes that Tsukikage is impiled to lose on purpose and his defeat is essential; Those who lose the tournament are sent to underground facility as slaves while those who advance to the next round are confined inside individual rooms with constant surveillance. With Tsukikage's defeat, he's free from the tournament's constant watch and able to move freely. Escaping from the facility is not a problem since Tsukikage is a ninja. This way, he can give reports to Reiji regarding his other comrades' condition in the facility and the season's BigBad and contribute in freeing others when an invasion occurs.
* PlayedForLaughs in ''Anime/ThatTimeIGotReincarnatedAsASlime''. After [[TheAce Rimuru Tempest]] suffers Ifrit's fire spell, he laments his short life (or rather, slime life) and his mistakes in the battle... before noticing that he's not actually taking any damage. His [[BenevolentAI Great Sage]] ability then informs him that this is thanks to his Thermal Fluctuation Resistance ability, which nullifies all temperature-based attacks. Upon realizing this, Rimuru's attitude shifts, and he take the opportunity to gloat that this is, in fact, "keikaku doori," or all according to plan. Great Sage isn't fooled in the slightest, but lets him have this moment.

** ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'': Uttered by Wolverine when Jean apologized to him. He had not really been captured by Weapon X as all the others, it was all part of a greater plan.

*** Iron Man claims that he saw the events of Ultimates 2 coming (except the "Natasha betraying him" part) and figures it all worked out pretty well for him.

* In the season six finale of ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', three senior members of the ''Voyager'''s crew (including Captain Janeway) beam over to a Borg ship. After infiltrating it, they are eventually caught and assimilated. The crew on the ship has been monitoring their life signs, and they detect the assimilation of the three. Commander Chakotay's response?

* Yuuji Sakamoto acts this way in ''LightNovel/BakaAndTestSummonTheBeasts'', but his tactics {{ZigZag|gingTrope}} for [[RuleOfFunny comedic effect]].

At the same time, watch out for the SpannerInTheWorks and TheChessmaster. They're notorious for popping up [[TemptingFate right when something like this gets said]] [[OutGambitted in one way]] [[GoneHorriblyRight or another]]. When it's too late for the SpannerInTheWorks to do anything, and the whole plan gets explained, then the trope is CheckAndMate.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': During a conversation at the beginning of "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E4GenesisOfTheDaleks Genesis of the Daleks]]", a Time Lord smugly tells the Doctor that he is a "special case" in Time Lord history, that they "allow" him his freedom to roam about the universe doing whatever he feels like. Never mind that he ran away in a stolen TARDIS before anyone could stop him. Not to mention the Master, or the Rani, or the Meddling Monk. It turns out he's referring to what the Doctor is allowed to do after he was caught and served his penance on [[InsignificantBluePlanet Earth]].

At the same time, watch out for the SpannerInTheWorks. They're notorious for popping up [[TemptingFate right when something like this gets said]]. When it's too late for the SpannerInTheWorks to do anything, and the whole plan gets explained, then the trope is CheckAndMate.

-->'''Quaid''': Sorry, don't buy it. Too perfect.
-->'''Cohaagen''': Perfect, my ass! You pop a memory cap before [[spoiler: we can activate you]]. Richter goes hog-wild, almost screwing up everything I spent a year planning. Frankly...I'm amazed it worked.

* ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' has this happen in Episode 60, where it's revealed that [[spoiler:practically all of the Cell Saga was a gigantic BatmanGambit set up by '''''[[IdiotHero Goku]]''''' of all people, who wanted Gohan to replace him as Earth's protector since he knew he wouldn't be around forever]]. However, he missed one important detail: [[spoiler:Gohan is a kind-hearted intellectual and not a fight-happy martial artist like his father]], which almost causes the entire thing to go pear-shaped. Lampshaded by having a parody of the ''Manga/DeathNote'' example above, or more specifically the memetic fansub version "All according to keikaku" [[spoiler:except, Goku being [[BigEater Goku]], he says "cake" instead, and is promptly corrected by translation notes.]]