History Main / HeroesUnlimited

** At the beginning of Creator/JonathanHickman's [[ComicBook/TheAvengersJonathanHickman run]], ComicBook/IronMan and ComicBook/CaptainAmerica created an "Avengers machine", in addition to reforming the Avengers with the core members (the movie Avengers). Steve uses it and it brings in ComicBook/TheFalcon, Captain Universe, Hyperion, [[ComicBook/NewMutants Cannonball, Sunspot]], ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/SpiderMan, ComicBook/SpiderWoman, ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}, Smasher, ComicBook/ShangChi and [[ComicBook/SecretWarriors Manifold]]. The machine itself lists even ''more'' potential members, such as [[Characters/MarvelComicsBuckyBarned Bucky Barnes]], [[ComicBook/SecretWarriors Daisy Jonhson]] and ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}. Of the assembled Avengers, more than half of the machine's list are left off for whatever reason.

* 'Series/'{{Fringe}}'' did this with the alternate universe's Fringe Division.

** The fullbring arc in the manga introduced a number of supernaturals similar to Inoue and Chad.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', the Chuunin Exam arc introduced, in addition to the Rookie 9 (the classmates of the main characters), Team Gai from the year above, Team Sand from the Sand village, and Team Sound from the Sound village, and Kabuto and his teammates. Each team consists of three Genin and one Jounin ''sensei'', making a total of 24 new characters. And that was only the ''beginning'' of the arc, and doesn't include BigBad Orochimaru, Special Jounin like Ibiki, Anko, Hayate and Genma, Jiraiya, and the Sound 4. To be fair, a handful of these characters died. Also, the Anime tones this down ''slightly'' by introducing some of Naruto's classmates in the first episode. The Chuunin Exam is only the second story arc.

** In the world of ''Pokemon Advnetures'', if you somehow get a Pokédex (gift, theft, accident, doesn't matter), it is a guaranteed that you're a necessary force in combating the evil plaguing your region for whatever reason, coincidence, or personal status. Each region has had between two and four Pokédexes made, so up to the seventh generation, there are currently twenty-one trainers designated as Pokédex Holders. [[LongRunner For]] [[CashCowFranchise now]].

* ''{{Series/Fringe}}'' did this with the alternate universe's Fringe Division.
* Season three of ''Series/{{Merlin 2008}}'' saw the accumulation of the Knights of the Round Table. From season four onwards, most of them were regulars.

* The purpose of ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect 2}}'', which involves Shepard recruiting a team of mostly-new badasses on a suicide mission.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'': Titans East is the protagonists' first attempt at this, leading to a second team being created in a new city. Most of the 5th season is about them recruiting new members to defeat the BrotherhoodOfEvil.

* The first season of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' focused mainly on six or seven young super-heroes, although it did occasionally look at their mentors in the Justice League. Season two, set five years after the end of the first, introduced eight new characters in the first episode alone, giving this type of feel.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'': Titans East is the protagonists's first attempt at this. Most of the 5th season is about them recruiting new members to defeat the LegionOfDoom.

** At the beginning of Creator/JonathanHickman's [[ComicBook/TheAvengersJonathanHickman run]], ComicBook/IronMan and ComicBook/CaptainAmerica created an "Avengers machine", in addition to reforming the Avengers with the core members (the movie Avengers). Steve uses it and it brings in ComicBook/TheFalcon, Captain Universe, Hyperion, [[ComicBook/NewMutants Cannonball, Sunspot]], ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/SpiderMan, ComicBook/SpiderWoman, ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}, Smasher, ComicBook/ShangChi and [[ComicBook/SecretWarriors Manifold]]. The machine itself lists even ''more'' potential members, such as ComicBook/BuckyBarnes, [[ComicBook/SecretWarriors Daisy Jonhson]] and ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}. Of the assembled Avengers, more than half of the machine's list are left off for whatever reason.

** At the beginning of Jonathan Hickman's run, ComicBook/IronMan and ComicBook/CaptainAmerica created an "Avengers machine", in addition to reforming the Avengers with the core members (the movie Avengers). Steve uses it and it brings in ComicBook/TheFalcon, Captain Universe, Hyperion, [[ComicBook/NewMutants Cannonball, Sunspot]], ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/SpiderMan, ComicBook/SpiderWoman, [[ComicBook/CarolDanvers Captain Marvel]], Smasher, Shang-Chi and [[ComicBook/SecretWarriors Manifold]]. The machine itself lists even ''more'' potential members, such as ComicBook/BuckyBarnes, [[ComicBook/SecretWarriors Daisy Jonhson]] and ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}. Of the assembled Avengers, more than half of the machine's list are left off for whatever reason.

** Neart the end of Creator/KurtBusiek's run, the team expanded and took on a bunch of new members. The idea was that specific teams could be assembled to respond to specific situations, rather than just having one set team deal with any problem that popped up.
* ''ComicBook/{{Champions|2019}}'': The first relaunch has [[ComicBook/MsMarvel2014 Kamala]] coordinating three separate teams of Champions, resolving crises around the world.

* A typical CrisisCrossover will be this to some degree. DC's ''[[Comicbook/InvasionDCComics Invasion!]]'' made it official for the duration with ComicBook/CaptainAtom placed in command of all superheroes.

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[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jlu.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Top: The ''Justice League'' roster (Seasons 1-2)\\
Bottom: The ''Justice League Unlimited'' roster\\
(Seasons 3-5)]]

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* The "World Tour" arc of ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02''.
** Taken further in ''Anime/DigimonTamers'', though [[{{Deconstruction}} played more realistically]].
* The foreign Gatekeepers in ''VideoGame/{{Gatekeepers}}''.
* In the world of ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'', if you somehow get a Pokédex (gift, theft, accident, doesn't matter), it is a guaranteed that you're a necessary force in combating the evil plaguing your region for whatever reason, coincidence, or personal status. Each region has had between two and four Pokédexes made, so up to the seventh generation, there are currently twenty-one trainers designated as Pokédex Holders. [[LongRunner For]] [[CashCowFranchise now]].
** Also, each set of regional Gym Leaders officially forms a defense group against whatever evil terrorist group is around. Sure, the Dex Holders always save the day, but the Leaders usually provide very efficient backup.
* Happened three times in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':

* ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' doubled the size of the main cast compared to TheOriginalSeries. Then ''[=StrikerS=]'' came along and doubled the size of the ''entire'' cast compared to the second season.
* ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' gets bigger with Hetalia World Series. Enter the rest of the world!

* A typical CrisisCrossover will be this to some degree. DC's ''ComicBook/{{Invasion}}'' made it official for the duration with ComicBook/CaptainAtom placed in command of all superheroes.

A StoryArc or season which features an [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters expansion]] of the general cast, such as other groups of protagonists working in other locations for similar goals. Allows a new pool of characters for writers to pick from rather than constantly having to make new ones, so stories can [[LowerDeckEpisode occasionally focus on them and give the main folks a break]]. Often, characters from one-shot episodes are brought back as part of the new group.

Also useful as subtle {{filler}} and potential {{spinoff}} material. Can very easily lead to LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters. See also TheChosenMany, WestCoastTeam, BackForTheFinale.

* Happened three times ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':
** Soul Society arc introduced the 13 Shinigami Squads, each represented by a captain, a lieutenant and sometimes several lower-ranked members.
** Zanpakutou Tales filler arc showcased physical manifestations of {{Empathic Weapon}}s of most of the cast.
** The fullbring arc in manga introduced a number of supernaturals similar to Inoue and Chad.

* ''ComicBook/{{Champions|MarvelComics}}'': The first relaunch has [[ComicBook/MsMarvel2014 Kamala]] coordinating three separate teams of Champions, resolving crises around the world.

* ''ComicBook/Champions2016'': The first relaunch has [[ComicBook/MsMarvel2014 Kamala]] coordinating three separate teams of Champions, resolving crises around the world.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' Titans East is the protagonists's first attempt at this. Most of the 5th season is about them recruiting new members to defeat the LegionOfDoom.

* The first season of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' focused mainly on six or seven young super-heroes, although it did occasionally look at their mentors in the Justice League. Season two, set five years after the end of the first, introduced eight new characters in the first episode alone, giving this type of feel.