History Main / MonsterOfTheWeek

* Integral to the ''Anime/PrettyCure'' series. Invariably, they're possessed objects turned rampaging beasts which the heroines fight, defeat and purify, albeit there are cases of animals and even people being possessed. In the first [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure two]] [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureSplashStar seasons]] the villains summoned ghost-like spirits (Zakenna and Uzaina respectively) to create the monsters; in following seasons, the bad guys used different tools to achieve the same results, such as [[CoolMask masks]] ([[Anime/YesPrettyCure5 Kowaina]]), spheres (Hoshina from ''[=PC5=]''s sequel ''GO!GO!''), diamond-shaped cards ([[Anime/FreshPrettyCure Nakewameke]]), [[OurSoulsAreDifferent wilting Flower Hearts]] ([[Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure Desertrian]]), [[BrownNote corrupted musical notes]] ([[Anime/SuitePrettyCure Negatone]]), [[MonsterClown clown noses]] containing a [[MacGuffin Cure Decor]] ([[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Akanbe]]), black magic ''and'' two or more objects ([[Anime/MahoGirlsPrecure Yokubaru]]), "prickly power" i.e negative energy ([[Anime/HUGttoPrettyCure Oshimaida]]), smaller spirits called Nanobjogens ([[Anime/HealinGoodPrettyCure Megabjogens]]), colored orbs ([[Anime/TropicalRougePrettyCure Yaraneedas]]), emblems of the Bundle Land Bandits ([[Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure Ubauzos]]), energy from the [[TheEmpire Underg Empire]] ([[Anime/HirogaruSkyPrettyCure Lanborgs]]) and animals possessed by dark energy ([[Anime/WonderfulPrettyCure Garugarus]]). The exceptions to the rules are the [[Anime/DokiDokiPreCure Jikochuus]] (created with [[TheHeartless the selfish and petty thoughts of a person's heart]] without the need of possessing anything), the [[Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure Saiarks]] (Jumbo-sized [[{{Mooks}} Choiarks]] that take one or two attributes of the VictimOfTheWeek) and the [[Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure Zetsuborgs]] (Small, gray lock-like creatures whose bodies are formed by the attributes of the VictimOfTheWeek as well). ''Anime/KiraKiraPreCureALaMode'' is noteworthy for featuring a spin on this trope by having a group of antagonists, the Kirakiraru Thieves, act like the monsters during the first half of the series. The second half, however, featured a more traditional yet different take by having every bad guy summon a monster by different means that still involved the possession of an object: a ventriloquist's dummy (Bibury), tarot cards (Elisio) and imp-like clay dolls called Nendos (Glaive). The only villain who didn’t do it in that season was Julio, who just fought the Cures repeatedly with a changing weapon.

* Integral to the ''Anime/PrettyCure'' series. Invariably, they're possessed objects turned rampaging beasts which the heroines fight, defeat and purify, albeit there are cases of animals and even people being possessed. In the first [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure two]] [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureSplashStar seasons]] the villains summoned ghost-like spirits (Zakenna and Uzaina respectively) to create the monsters; in following seasons, the bad guys used different tools to achieve the same results, such as [[CoolMask masks]] ([[Anime/YesPrettyCure5 Kowaina]]), spheres (Hoshina from ''[=PC5=]''s sequel ''GO!GO!''), diamond-shaped cards ([[Anime/FreshPrettyCure Nakewameke]]), [[OurSoulsAreDifferent wilting Flower Hearts]] ([[Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure Desertrian]]), [[BrownNote corrupted musical notes]] ([[Anime/SuitePrettyCure Negatone]]), [[MonsterClown clown noses]] containing a [[MacGuffin Cure Decor]] ([[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Akanbe]]), black magic ''and'' two or more objects ([[Anime/MahoGirlsPrecure Yokubaru]]), "prickly power" i.e negative energy ([[Anime/HUGttoPrettyCure Oshimaida]]), smaller spirits called Nanobjogens ([[Anime/HealinGoodPrettyCure Megabjogens]]), colored orbs ([[Anime/TropicalRougePrettyCure Yaraneedas]]), emblems of the Bundle Land Bandits ([[Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure Ubauzos]]) and energy from the [[TheEmpire Underg Empire]] ([[Anime/HirogaruSkyPrettyCure Lanborgs]]). The exceptions to the rules are the [[Anime/DokiDokiPreCure Jikochuus]] (created with [[TheHeartless the selfish and petty thoughts of a person's heart]] without the need of possessing anything), the [[Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure Saiarks]] (Jumbo-sized [[{{Mooks}} Choiarks]] that take one or two attributes of the VictimOfTheWeek) and the [[Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure Zetsuborgs]] (Small, gray lock-like creatures whose bodies are formed by the attributes of the VictimOfTheWeek as well). ''Anime/KiraKiraPreCureALaMode'' is noteworthy for featuring a spin on this trope by having a group of antagonists, the Kirakiraru Thieves, act like the monsters during the first half of the series. The second half, however, featured a more traditional yet different take by having every bad guy summon a monster by different means that still involved the possession of an object: a ventriloquist's dummy (Bibury), tarot cards (Elisio) and imp-like clay dolls called Nendos (Glaive). The only villain who didn’t do it in that season was Julio, who just fought the Cures repeatedly with a changing weapon.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' has this, particularly in the first three books in the series. ''Literature/StormFront'' has an evil sorcerer, ''Literature/FoolMoon'' has werewolves, ''Literature/GravePeril'' has a ghost called "The Nightmare". Later books continue this somewhat, with ''Literature/SummerKnight'' focusing on Faeries and ''Literature/DeathMasks'' on fallen angels, but both of become significant returning elements as the series continues. Later books focus more on recurring allies, enemies, and story threads that the series has built up over time, although there is also often a monster of the week element happening alongside it.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'': Discussed by the [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Pirate Captain]] at his booth in "The Buddy System." He touts the benefits of being a "small-time diversionary menace," playing off his original role as a parody of a Franchise/ScoobyDoo villain, as opposed to a [[ArcVillain career]] [[BigBad supervillain]].