History Main / SoftReboot

** Davies does this again in a bigger way with "The Giggle": [[spoiler:The Fourteenth Doctor doesn't regenerate into a new form but instead performs a "bigeneration", splitting Fifteen off as his own person. Fourteen decides to retire on Earth, effectively ending the adventures of the original Doctor]].

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' the series takes up where [[Film/BuffyTheVampireSlayer the film]] leaves off, except that it considers the original screenplay to be canon and not the actual film. In particular, Buffy was apparently expelled from her old school for arson ("that gym was ''full'' of [[LastSecondWordSwap vampi...asbestos]]"), which did not happen in the film.

[[folder:Fanfics]]

* ''Film/BatmanForever'' nominally takes place in the same continuity as the Creator/TimBurton Batman films, but it changes the design of Gotham, introduces a new cast--including doing away with Creator/MichaelKeaton as Batman (Alfred's and Gordon's actors still stay on for the next two movies)--and goes over Batman's origin after ''Film/Batman1989'' did the same.

** ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' is this to ''Film/SuicideSquad2016''. The film only reuses four characters from the original movie. One of the original characters dies before the opening credits and another dies at about the midpoint. It follows a new story and new team. The events of the first movie are implied at best but also Harley just shows back up as part of the team again, with ''Film/BirdsOfPrey'' ignored as well.
** ''Film/BlackAdam'' positioned itself as being a new center point for the franchise, largely ignoring the events of ''Film/{{Shazam}}'' despite being classic arch enemies. The ending was even trying to hype a conflict between him and Superman, but utilizing the classic ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'' theme rather than one used for ''Film/ManOfSteel''.

* ''Film/GIJoeRetaliation'' was made in response to the lukewarm reaction to ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra'', which was considered too high-tech to the point of lacking tension (everyone had a tool or vehicle to solve the problem), too many characters showing up and dropping out of the narrative and relied too much on slick CG for their action scenes. ''Retaliation'' grounds the series by [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome having the main team killed off]] in the first act and reducing the cast to a handful of people who are short on supplies and resources, officially disavowed, and labeled as rogues and terrorists. It still technically follows ''Rise of Cobra'', but the tone of the movie is MUCH different.
* ''Film/TheGirlInTheSpidersWeb'' is an in-continuity sequel to the [[Film/TheGirlWithTheDragonTattoo2011 2011 American adaptation]] of ''[[Literature/TheMillenniumTrilogy The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo]]'', but with a completely different cast and creative team behind it.

* A company-wide example is ''ComicBook/DCRebirth''. After the hard reboot ComicBook/New52 relaunch made [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks so many unwanted changes]] to the DC lore that it alienated their fanbase and potential readers, DC integrated as many aspects of the old pre-''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' timeline as they could. The result was that characters got [[CharacterRerailment rerailed]], [[EnsembleDarkhorse old favorites]] [[TheBusCameBack returned]], and core aspects of the lore were fully restored after being removed entirely, all while cleaning up much of the DarkerAndEdgier tone which some felt was an attempt to resurrect the maligned [[UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks Dark Age]]. It still takes place in the post-''Flashpoint'' continuity, but many would say it feels proper again.

* ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct'': Due the last game being released [[SequelGap way back in 1996]], the 2013 game for UsefulNotes/XboxOne went for this trope to avoid ContinuityLockout for the benefit of newcomers to the franchise. While the 2013 has been frequently referred to as a reboot, certain story threads of the prior games are still acknowledged, such as the nature of Jago's tiger spirit [[spoiler:(actually the spirit of Gargos)]] and Jago and Black Orchid being half-siblings. Most notably, the character Tusk is revealed to be [[CompleteImmortality an ageless immortal]], meaning he is the same exact character as the one from the second game (set in the prehistoric past due to TimeTravel) rather than being a LegacyCharacter (as is the case for Kim Wu and Maya Fallegeros).

** Done out of necessity in Gen III. Due to technical limitations, you couldn't transfer any Pokémon from the first two generation, cleanly cutting off the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games from the rest of the main series, which has allowed players to [[OldSaveBonus bring Pokémon from previous generations into newer ones]] (e.g., you can transfer that Mawile you caught back in 2003 into an entry released [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield over fifteen years later]]). While these games have seen remakes, as well as later re-releases, that allow you to transfer those Mons into future entries, any Pokémon you caught on an original copy of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow,]] [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold, Silver, or Crystal]]'' are forever stuck there. It also defined what a new generation meant for the series going forward, since it was set in an entirely new region that was disconnected from the previous ones in both geography and story, save for some minor {{Continuity Nod}}s and cameos. This was in contrast to [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Generation II]], which, while introducing new Pokémon and game mechanics as a new generation should, had much more continuity with Generation I, with its region being right next to the one from Gen I, which could even be visited in the post game. Its story picked up several plot threads from Gen I as well. Generation III and onwards would make much cleaner breaks from prior gens with more standalone regions and stories.

** Done out of necessity in Gen III. Due to technical limitations, you couldn't transfer any Pokémon from the first two generation, cleanly cutting off the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games from the rest of the main series, which has allowed players to [[OldSaveBonus bring Pokémon from previous generations into newer ones]] (e.g., you can transfer that Mawile you caught back in 2003 into an entry released [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield over fifteen years later]]). While these games have seen remakes, as well as later re-releases, that allow you to transfer those Mons into future entries, any Pokémon you caught on an original copy of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow,]] [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold, Silver, or Crystal]]'' are forever stuck there. It also defined what a new generation meant for the series going forward, since it was set in an entirely new region that was disconnected from the previous ones in both geography and story, save for some minor {{Continuity Nod}}s and cameos. This was in contrast to [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Generation II]], which, while introducing new Pokémon and game mechanics as a new generation should, had much more continuity with Generation I, with its region being right next to the one from Gen I, the latter of which could even be visited in the post game, and its story picking up several plot threads from Gen I as well. Generation III and onwards would make much cleaner breaks from prior gens with more standalone regions and stories.

* ''VideoGame/Pikmin4'' isn't a continuation of ''Pikmin 3'', but rather diverges from the events of [[VideoGame/Pikmin2001 the first game]]. In fact, the game begins with a retelling of ''Pikmin 1'' with [[ForWantOfANail some key differences]]: namely that Olimar befriended a green "space dog" which he named Moss while searching for his missing ship parts, that he is able to send out an S.O.S signal that kicks off the actual game, and that [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption he remains stranded on the planet despite his best efforts]] (becoming victim to the first game's BadEnding).

** ''Film/BlackAdam'' positioned itself as being a new center point for the franchise, largely ignoring the events of ''Film/Shazam'' despite being classic arch enemies. The ending was even trying to hype a conflict between him and Superman, but utilizing the classic ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'' theme rather than one used for ''Film/ManOfSteel''.

* ''Film/DCExtendedUniverse'': Due to a rotation of upper management, every couple of films could be considered a soft reboot in trying to distance itself from the movies that came before in some form.

* ''Film/DCExpandedUniverse'': Due to a rotation of upper management, every couple of films could be considered a soft reboot in trying to distance itself from the movies that came before in some form.

** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' was also a soft reboot of the premise.
*** ''The Next Generation'''s third season was also a soft reboot of the show to some extent, featuring less involvement from Creator/GeneRoddenberry, a new set of uniforms, and different lighting from the first two seasons. A lot of ''Trek'' fans consider this to be [[GrowingTheBeard the point where the show started to get good]].

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' overall can be said to have gone through one of these after Creator/{{Disney}} bought the franchise. The entire ExpandedUniverse was wiped, leaving only the six films and ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' as canon. Due to references to the past that exist in these sources, much of what came before the movies in universe is implied to have still happened, though in BroadStrokes. Most of what comes after the end of the Original Trilogy is open to be contradicted by new entries to the series, however. Disney has been [[CanonForeigner importing fan favorite concepts and characters]] from ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' into canon over the years.
* ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' is this to ''Film/SuicideSquad2016''. The film only reuses four characters from the original movie. One of the original characters dies before the opening credits and another dies at about the midpoint. It follows a new story and new team. The events of the first movie are never mentioned.

* The fourth season of ''Series/TwentyFour'' was a marked departure from Season 3, which saw the premise and character set change drastically between seasons. It was the first season in the series to get a prequel (included on the Season 3 boxset, which was released in the leadup to the season), showing Jack getting fired from his job at CTU due to (plot-enforced) drug use in the preceding season, starting a new relationship and working in a completely different role. When the season started, all of the previous season's characters were gone, save for Jack, President John Keeler and Chloe O'Brian, while the enemy force transitioned from largely Eastern-European terrorists to Middle Eastern antagonists living among society (in a clear nod to UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror). It was also the first season in the series to begin with a six-episode "pod" that had Jack investigating and rescuing Secretary James Heller and his daughter, Audrey (Jack's girlfriend), in an episode that was largely unlike anything the show had done up to that point (the first twenty minutes being a sustained action setpiece that follows Jack as he infiltrates and rescues them from an enemy compound). However, as the season went on, several characters returned (likely motivated by fan demand), such as Tony Almeida, Michelle Dessler, Chloe O'Brien and David Palmer. Conversely, characters who had debuted in this season -- including new CTU Director Erin Driscoll, CTU agent Sarah Gavin and Heller himself -- were gone by the midpoint, with the original characters largely taking the focus of the plot by the final episode.

* ''VideoGame/Thief2014'' appears to reboot the universe, but several details make an allusion to to the original games (including a very heavy implication that this game's Garret is the Identical Grandson of the previous title's protagonist) taking place in the past.

** There are definite signs that ''VideoGame/MegaManX7'' is meant to be this for ''VideoGame/MegaManX''. Though taking place after ''[[VideoGame/MegaManX6 X6]]'', there's an unknown TimeSkip between that game's near-apocalyptic setting and this game's restored civilizations, previously introduced story elements (like Dynamo, Isoc, Wily's influence on Zero and the others, and Alia's CharacterDevelopment) [[AbortedArc are unceremoniously dropped]], Axl is introduced as the YoungerAndHipper alternative to X, the intro stage is a NostalgiaLevel based on ''[[VideoGame/MegaManX1 X1]]'''s iconic highway, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and there's an overload of]] {{Forced Tutorial}}s. Also, [[BackFromTheDead somehow]], [[HijackedByGanon Sigma returned]].

* The ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' series has one with [[VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4 the 2018 entry for the PS4]]. It features an entire new look, feel and mythology with its Norse setting, but it is in no way a ContinuityReboot as it takes place years after the events of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' and the events of the original games still haunt Kratos to this day.

* ''Anime/Bakugan'' did this every season but there are two particularly notable examples, the 2018 and 2023 reboots notwithstanding:
** ''Gundalian Invaders'' is a unique case because the last ten episodes of the previous season were dedicated to setting up this one, but it otherwise largely ignores the previous seasons. Bakugan Interspace is now the main hub for brawling, Dan and the gang move to a new city, and all of the past main characters have vanished except for Dan, Marucho, Shun, and Julie (who doesn’t even have her Bakugan anymore). The series also dropped the “Battle Brawlers” subtitle from this season onwards, and the episode title font also changed.
** ''Mechtanium Surge'' was originally intended to be only 26 episodes, concluding the remaining threads from seasons 2 and 3. But then 20 more episodes were ordered before ending the show, forcing the creation of a whole new plot line in which the main cast moves to a city populated by Bakugan. Despite not being a new season, it has all of the changes of one, including a change in supporting cast and villains, new outfits for the main trio, and new Bakugan partners for Marucho and Shun.

** The Saiyan Saga counts as one for the manga in general, beginning with a TimeSkip and full-blown GenreShift that [[NothingIsTheSameAnymore completely changes the status quo]], introduces concepts that become franchise mainstays going forward, and establishes [[DarkerAndEdgier a very different tone]] compared to the original ''Manga/DragonBall''. That it serves as a decent introduction to the overall series despite being in the middle of it is one reason ''Dragon Ball Z'' managed to be such a success in the states despite getting localized [[SequelFirst before its predecessor]].
** The Buu Saga could be seen as another attempt on Toriyama's part of doing one for the series. Coming off the heels of the Cell Saga ending with Gohan becoming the new protagonist and Goku KilledOffForReal, the Buu Saga starts with another drastic TimeSkip, this time 7 years in the future. Gohan is now a teenager, his younger brother Goten is introduced to series, and the series now follows Gohan's adventures as a fish out of water attending high school.

* ''VideoGame/{{Contra}} 3: The Alien Wars'' is basically a remake of ''Contra'' with updated graphics and new mechanics. The final BossRush of the game is even a compilation of several bosses from the first two games.

** [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]] by the "Wild Saga": ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' was initially stated to be set in the ''Zelda'' timeline ''somewhere'' ([[ContinuitySnarl Zelda continuity is complicated]]), but taking place thousands of years after each potential timeline branch, meaning it could be in any of the three (or they could've even merged together). However, its direct sequel ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' muddles the situation over whether it's a soft or hard continuity reboot, as the game [[spoiler:provides a completely different origin for Ganondorf and the Kingdom of Hyrule as a whole, stating that Hyrule was founded by a union between the [[BenevolentPrecursors Zonai]] and Hylians while Ganondorf became the original Demon King by stealing a Zonai Secret Stone]].