History Main / CastCalculus

** '''Signature series:''' ''Anime/{{Voltron}}'' (5), ''Series/PowerRangers'' (5), ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' (5), ''Series/{{Friends}}'' (6), ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' (6 -- 7 if you count Mr. Belding), ''Series/StartrekTheNextGeneration'' and onward (7+), ''Film/SevenSamurai'' & ''[[Film/TheMagnificentSeven1960 The Magnificent Seven]]'' [[TropeNamer (7)]], ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague'' (usually 7), ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' (7, [[SixthRanger later]] 8), ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' (9) ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' (9) and ''{{Series/Fate/StayNight}}'' (13) (Shirou, Rin, Sakura, Illyasviel, Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, Berserker and Gilgamesh.)

** '''Signature series:''' ''Anime/{{Voltron}}'' (5), ''Series/PowerRangers'' (5), ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' (5), ''Series/{{Friends}}'' (6), ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' (6 -- 7 if you count Mr. Belding), ''Series/StartrekTheNextGeneration'' and onward (7+), ''Film/SevenSamurai'' & ''[[Film/TheMagnificentSeven1960 The Magnificent Seven]]'' [[TropeNamer (7)]], ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague'' (usually 7), ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' (7, [[SixthRanger later]] 8), ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' (9) and ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' (9)

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/PowerRangers'' (5), ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' (5), ''Series/{{Friends}}'' (6), ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' (6 -- 7 if you count Mr. Belding), ''Series/StartrekTheNextGeneration'' and onward (7+), ''Film/SevenSamurai'' & ''[[Film/TheMagnificentSeven1960 The Magnificent Seven]]'' [[TropeNamer (7)]], ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague'' (usually 7), ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' (7, [[SixthRanger later]] 8), ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' (9) and ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' (9)

From there, the '''[[DuoTropes duos]]''' are [[{{Foil}} an even split between two traits]] in terms of body, mind, or temperament (usually all three). One is the brawn to the other's brains; [[RedOniBlueOni one is emotional and fiery while the other is more cold and analytical]]; [[BuddyCopShow one is by-the-book while the other feels rules should be flexible]]. The duo implies a certain level of equality: it's entirely possible for both to "share the billing" and be equal heroes. They'll likely be HeterosexualLifePartners, but if they happen to be different genders, it's practically a law there'll eventually be UnresolvedSexualTension (unless, of course, they are a BrotherSisterTeam, and even that doesn't stop some writers). If this sexual tension ''[[TheyDo is]]'' resolved, then you have a BattleCouple (cue the shipping). When the equality goes away, you have a different dynamic, TheHero and their SideKick or LoveInterest. These duos are different in that the hero often serves as a [[{{Mentors}} mentor]] to the sidekick or protector to the LoveInterest. It's unlikely for the sidekick to graduate from the role to a true equal.

* '''Five:''' FiveBadBand
** ThePsychoRangers
* '''Six or Seven:''' FiveBadBand + EnigmaticMinion and/or MoralityPet

|| '''Two''' || BrainsAndBrawn || RedOniBlueOni || BashBrothers, ForceAndFinesse || SwordAndSorcerer ||
|| '''Three''' || PowerTrio; FreudianTrio; [[SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan Sensitive Guy, Manly]] NobleMaleRoguishMale || [[TheKirk Kirk]], [[TheSpock Spock]], and [[TheMcCoy McCoy]]; NiceMeanAndInBetween || FighterMageThief; JackOfAllStats (TheHero), MightyGlacier ([[TheBigGuy Big Guy]]), FragileSpeedster ([[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]]) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero), LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe ([[TheBigGuy Big Guy]]), and MagicWand ([[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]]) ||

When you get to '''{{Power Trio}}s''' the different splits get more interesting. The personalities divide into three, not so much dividing the [[RedOniBlueOni Red and Blue oni]] as creating a "balance" personality wholecloth. Note that any of them can be the lead hero. If the division is between physical and mental, it doesn't get degraded, but augmented with a [[TheHero balanced]] character, a character to mediate the previous pair. In personality and behavior terms, it may involve a scale of NiceMeanAndInBetween. If combat is involved, you get the MightyGlacier, JackOfAllStats, and a FragileSpeedster and/or GlassCannon. Interestingly, from Trio on down you start seeing the above archetypes merge into things like GeniusBruiser. They may or may not be a FreudianTrio of TheKirk, TheSpock, and TheMcCoy. It's worth noting that from here on out a girl being in the group [[TheSmurfettePrinciple gets logistically easier]] and [[ThreeAmigos much more]] [[BeautyBrainsAndBrawn common]].

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/PowerRangers'' (5), ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' (5), ''Series/{{Friends}}'' (6), ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' (6 -- 7 if you count Mr. Belding), ''Series/StartrekTheNextGeneration'' and onward (7+), ''Film/SevenSamurai'' & ''Film/TheMagnificentSeven'' [[TropeNamer (7)]], ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague'' (usually 7), ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' (7, [[SixthRanger later]] 8), ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' (9) and ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' (9)

When you get to '''{{Power Trio}}s''' the different splits get more interesting. The personalities divide into three, not so much dividing the [[RedOniBlueOni Red and Blue oni]] as creating a "balance" personality wholecloth. Note that any of them can be the lead hero. If the division is between physical and mental, it doesn't get degraded, but augmented with a [[TheHero balanced]] character, a character to mediate the previous pair. In personality and behavior terms, it may involve a scale of NiceMeanAndInBetween. If combat is involved, you get the MightyGlacier, JackOfAllStats, and a FragileSpeedster and/or GlassCannon. Interestingly, from Trio on down you start seeing the above archetypes merge into things like GeniusBruiser. It's worth noting that from here on out a girl being in the group [[TheSmurfettePrinciple gets logistically easier]] and [[ThreeAmigos much more]] [[BeautyBrainsAndBrawn common]].

|| '''Three''' || PowerTrio; FreudianTrio; [[SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan Sensitive Guy, Manly]] NobleMaleRoguishMale || [[TheKirk Kirk]], [[TheSpock Spock]], and [[TheMcCoy McCoy]]; NiceMeanAndInBetween || FighterMageThief, JackOfAllStats (TheHero), MightyGlacier ([[TheBigGuy Big Guy]]), FragileSpeedster ([[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]]) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero), LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe ([[TheBigGuy Big Guy]]), and MagicWand ([[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]]) ||

|| '''Three''' || PowerTrio; FreudianTrio; [[SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan Sensitive Guy, Manly]] NobleMaleRoguishMale || [[TheKirk Kirk]], [[TheSpock Spock]], and [[TheMcCoy McCoy]]; NiceMeanAndInBetween || FighterMageThief, JackOfAllStats (TheHero), MightyGlacier ([[TheBigGuy Big Guy]]), FragileSpeedster ([[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]]) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero), LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe ([[TheBigGuy Big Guy]]), and MagicWand ([[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy) ||

When you get to '''{{Power Trio}}s''' the different splits get more interesting. The personalities divide into three, not so much dividing the [[RedOniBlueOni Red and Blue oni]] as creating a "balance" personality wholecloth. Note that any of them can be the lead hero. If the division is between physical and mental, it doesn't get degraded, but augmented with a [[TheHero balanced]] character, a character to mediate the previous pair. If combat is involved, you get the MightyGlacier, JackOfAllStats, and a FragileSpeedster and/or GlassCannon. Interestingly, from Trio on down you start seeing the above archetypes merge into things like GeniusBruiser. It's worth noting that from here on out a girl being in the group [[TheSmurfettePrinciple gets logistically easier]] and [[ThreeAmigos much more]] [[BeautyBrainsAndBrawn common.]]

|| '''Three''' || FreudianTrio || [[TheKirk Kirk]], [[TheSpock Spock]], and [[TheMcCoy McCoy]] || FighterMageThief, JackOfAllStats (TheHero), MightyGlacier (TheBigGuy), FragileSpeedster (TheSmartGuy) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero), LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe (TheBigGuy), and MagicWand (TheSmartGuy) ||
|| '''Four''' || [[TheLeader "Leadership"]] || FourTemperamentEnsemble || BalancePowerSkillGimmick || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero) ||
|| '''Five''' || [[TheHeart "Spirit"]] || FiveManBand || SquishyWizard (TheChick) || SimpleStaff (TheChick) ||

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/TheXFiles'', ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'', ''Series/DoctorWho'' (often), Literature/AubreyMaturin, Franchise/SherlockHolmes, Franchise/TheLoneRanger, ''Series/MiamiVice''

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', Literature/HarryPotter, ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents''

** '''Signature series:''' TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles, ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'', ''Series/StargateSG1'', ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', ''Series/{{Sliders}}''

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/PowerRangers'' (5), ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' (5), ''Series/{{Friends}}'' (6), ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' (6 -- 7 if you count Mr. Belding), ''[[Series/StartrekThenextgeneration Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' and onward (7+), ''Film/SevenSamurai'' & ''Film/TheMagnificentSeven'' [[TropeNamer (7)]], ''The Justice League'' (usually 7) ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' (9) and ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' (9)

See also HowToGatherCharacters and PlayerCharacterCalculus for the video game counterpart.

One of the first choices any writer has to make is how many protagonists will lead the narrative. Believe it or not, that number ''matters.'' Too many, and you can barely get attached to anyone, just one and [[PlotArmor you'll never believe]] the author [[LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt would kill them off]].

Let's start at '''[[SolitaryTropes one]]''' and work our way up. A lone protagonist is not some embryonic proto-cast that contains the traits of all Ensembles past and present, but rather has complete freedom to be whoever is needed for the story. Let's repeat that: ''lone''. Though a one-man hero doesn't have to be an [[LonersAreFreaks antisocial loner]], they are very independent no matter [[CharactersAsDevice what kind of character]] they are. Even the wimpy ActionSurvivor is at least able to survive. Interestingly, the best lone heroes make up for a lack of permanent cast with a varied supporting (though temporary) cast and (hopefully) some internal struggles to add [[HiddenDepths depth]]. The Person vs Person type of dramatic struggle is common for the lone hero. Needless to say they are ''also'' invariably TheHero (well, let's say protagonist to hedge our bets). Though that's kind of a "Duh" statement, read on.
* ''Common genres or stories:'' These protagonists can be in any story and aren't weighed down by a large cast; they can realistically be WalkingTheEarth as TheDrifter. Even if sedentary, they'll likely play the lone ActionHero against overwhelming opposition. What you ''won't'' see is either drama with lots of long term character interaction or a stable, unchanging environment. These heroes will live and work in a fluctuating world.

From there, the '''[[DuoTropes duos]]''' are [[{{Foil}} an even split between two traits]] in terms of body, mind, or temperament (usually all three). One is the the brawn to the other's brains; [[RedOniBlueOni one is emotional and fiery while the other is more cold and analytical]]; [[BuddyCopShow one is by-the-book while the other feels rules should be flexible]]. The duo implies a certain level of equality: it's entirely possible for both to "share the billing" and be equal heroes. They'll likely be HeterosexualLifePartners, but if they happen to be different genders, it's practically a law there'll eventually be UnresolvedSexualTension (unless, of course, they are a BrotherSisterTeam, and even that doesn't stop some writers). If this sexual tension ''[[TheyDo is]]'' resolved, then you have a BattleCouple (cue the shipping). When the equality goes away, you have a different dynamic, TheHero and their SideKick or LoveInterest. These duos are different in that the hero often serves as a [[{{Mentors}} mentor]] to the sidekick or protector to the LoveInterest. It's unlikely for the sidekick to graduate from the role to a true equal.

From there, the '''[[DuoTropes duos]]''' are [[{{Foil}} an even split between two traits]] in terms of body, mind, or temperament (usually all three). One is the the brawn to the other's brains; [[RedOniBlueOni one is emotional and fiery while the other is more cold and analytical]]; [[BuddyCopShow one is by-the-book while the other feels rules should be flexible]]. The duo implies a certain level of equality: it's entirely possible for both to "share the billing" and be equal heroes. They'll likely be HeterosexualLifePartners, but if they happen to be different genders, it's practically a law there'll eventually be UnresolvedSexualTension (unless, of course, they are a BrotherSisterTeam). If this sexual tension ''[[TheyDo is]]'' resolved, then you have a BattleCouple (cue the shipping). When the equality goes away, you have a different dynamic, TheHero and their SideKick or LoveInterest. These duos are different in that the hero often serves as a [[{{Mentors}} mentor]] to the sidekick or protector to the LoveInterest. It's unlikely for the sidekick to graduate from the role to a true equal.

* ''Common genres or stories:'' These protagonist can be in any story and are unweighed by a large cast, and so they can be WalkingTheEarth as TheDrifter. Even if sedentary, they'll likely play the lone ActionHero against overwhelming opposition. What you ''won't'' see is either the typical drama with lots of long term character interaction, or a "stable" environment, these heroes will live and work in flux.

From there the '''[[DuoTropes duos]]''' are [[{{Foil}} an even split between two traits]] in terms of body, mind, or temperament (usually all three). One is the the brawn to the other's brains; [[RedOniBlueOni one is emotional and fiery while the other is more coldly analytical]]; [[BuddyCopShow one is by-the-book while the other feels rules should be flexible]]. The duo implies a certain level of equality; it's entirely possible for both to "share the billing" and be equal heroes. They'll likely be HeterosexualLifePartners, but if they happen to be different genders, it's practically a law there'll eventually be UnresolvedSexualTension (unless, of course, they are a BrotherSisterTeam). If this sexual tension ''[[TheyDo is]]'' resolved, then you have a BattleCouple (cue the shipping). When the equality goes away, you have a different dynamic, TheHero and their SideKick or LoveInterest. These duos are different in that the hero often serves as a [[{{Mentors}} mentor]] to the sidekick or protector to the LoveInterest. It's unlikely for the sidekick to graduate from the role to a true equal.
* ''Common genres or stories:'' Again, any; however, duos gain a certain level of stability as compared to lone heroes. The character interaction between them will often become deep and nuanced to a degree not often seen with other ensemble numbers. Duos are likely to be in ActionAdventure shows, possibly playing Detective or [[TheyFightCrime fighting crime]].

|| '''[[PowerTrio Three]]''' || FreudianTrio || [[TheKirk Kirk]], [[TheSpock Spock]], and [[TheMcCoy McCoy]] || FighterMageThief, JackOfAllStats (TheHero), MightyGlacier (TheBigGuy), FragileSpeedster (TheSmartGuy) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero), LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe (TheBigGuy), and MagicWand (TheSmartGuy) ||
|| '''[[EliteFour Four]]''' || [[TheLeader "Leadership"]] || FourTemperamentEnsemble || BalancePowerSkillGimmick || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero) ||
|| '''[[FiveManBand Five]]''' || [[TheHeart "Spirit"]] || FiveManBand || SquishyWizard (TheChick) || SimpleStaff (TheChick) ||

|| '''[[TheMagnificentSevenSamurai Seven]]''' || || PluckyComicRelief, KidHero, or TheStoic || || ||

* '''Five:''' FiveManBand

One of the first choices any writer has to make is how many protagonists will lead the narrative. Believe it or not, that number ''matters.'' Too many, and you can barely get attached to anyone, just one and [[LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt you'll never believe the author would kill them off]].

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<<|{{Ensembles}}|>>
<<|NumberTropes|>>

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/TheXFiles'', ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''Literature/AubreyMaturin'', ''Franchise/SherlockHolmes'', ''Franchise/TheLoneRanger'', ''Series/MiamiVice''

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', ''Literature/HarryPotter'', ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents''

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', ''Literature/HarryPotter'', ''ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents''

** '''Signature series:''' TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles, ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'', ''Series/StargateSG1'', ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', ''{{Sliders}}''

|| '''Two''' || BrainsAndBrawn || RedOniBlueOni || BashBrothers || SwordAndSorcerer ||
|| '''[[PowerTrio Three]]''' || FreudianTrio || [[TheKirk Kirk]], [[TheSpock Spock]], and [[TheMcCoy McCoy]] || MightyGlacier (TheBigGuy), JackOfAllStats (TheHero), and GlassCannon or FragileSpeedster (TheSmartGuy) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero), LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe (TheBigGuy), and MagicWand (TheSmartGuy) ||
|| '''Four''' || [[TheLeader "Leadership"]] || FourTemperamentEnsemble || JackOfAllStats (TheHero) || HeroesPreferSwords (TheHero) ||

** '''Signature series:''' ''Series/PowerRangers'' (5), ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' (5), ''Series/{{Friends}}'' (6), ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' (6 -- 7 if you count Mr. Belding), ''[[Series/StartrekThenextgeneration Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' and onward (7+), ''SevenSamurai'' & ''TheMagnificentSeven'' [[TropeNamer (7)]], ''The Justice League'' (usually 7) ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' (9) and ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' (9)