History Main / ThreePlusTwo

* ''VideoGame/DragonAge'' starts you out with [[BlackMagicianGirl Morrigan]] (TheSmartGuy and TheLancer, and the Superego), Alistair (TheLancer and TheChick, and the Id), and the [[PlayerCharacter Warden]] (TheHero and the Ego); then adds [[JeanneDArchetype Leliana]] (much more of TheChick) and Sten (TheBigGuy) in the first town. You get even more characters later, but Alistair, Morrigan and the Warden are always the most important party members to the story, [[spoiler:at least until you can recruit Loghain]].

* ''[[WesternAnimation/Futurama]]'' centers its action around Fry, Leela and Bender, but at times others have been added: Zapp Brannigan and Kif on a few occasions, but more generally it's Zoidberg and Professor Farnsworth, or Zoidberg and Amy, or ''Zoidberg'' (notice a pattern?) and Hermes.

** ''TokumeiSentaiGobusters Go-Busters]]'': The main trio were joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster, another pair of beetle-themed extra rangers. Beet and Stag are notable for being the first non-sixth extras who are gold and silver, colors normally reserved for sixth members and above. Much like ''Abaranger'' before it, the team never had more than five members.

* Some shows in the ''SuperSentai'' / ''PowerRangers'' franchise have started with three rangers instead of [[FiveManBand the usual team of five]], usually a trio composed of Red, Blue and Yellow, who are then joined mid-series by at least two [[SixthRanger extra rangers]] (whose colors vary between shows). They typically got just as much if not more exposure, much like the sixth rangers.
** Before ''Power Rangers'', [[OlderThanTheyThink this was done once]] in the 1988 ''Super Sentai'' installment ''[[ChoujuuSentaiLiveman Liveman]]'', where the original heroes of Red Falcon, Yellow Lion and Blue Dolphin were joined by Black Bison and Green Sai (Rhino) in Episode 30. This practice wouldn't be repeated until more than a whole decade later during the [=2000s=] installments of the franchise.
** Although ''[[TaiyouSentaiSunVulcan Sun Vulcan]]'' was the first Sentai show to start with three members, unlike ''Liveman'', there were no additional members that added up to five members; the team remained a trio throughout the show's entire run. On the other hand, the earlier series ''[[JAKQDengekitai J.A.K.Q.]]'' started with four members and had an additional one later.
** ''[[NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger Hurricaneger]]''/''[[Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm Ninja Storm]]'': The Hurricanegers/Wind Ninjas form the main trio, with the Gouraigers/Thunder Ninjas (two brothers from a rival academy) joining later to form a team of five, and then an actual sixth ranger was added in the form of Shurikenger/Samurai Star Ranger.
** ''[[BakuryuuSentaiAbaranger Abaranger]]''/''[[Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder Dino Thunder]]'': The core trio were joined by Abare Black/Black Dino Ranger, who served as an older brother figure, and then Abare Killer/White Dino Ranger, a former villain who underwent a HeelFaceTurn.
** ''[[JuukenSentaiGekiranger Gekiranger]]''/''[[Series/PowerRangersJungleFury Jungle Fury]]'': The core trio, who are martial arts students, are joined by two masters named Geki Violet/Wolf Ranger and Geki Chopper/Rhino Ranger. Their two main rivals later switch sides, though only at the very end.
** ''[[EngineSentaiGoonger Go-onger]]''/''[[Series/PowerRangersRPM RPM]]'': The original trio were joined by not one, but two pairs of extra rangers: Black & Green (who were treated as new members of the main teams) and Gold & Silver (twin siblings who were part of a separate team).
** The main trio in ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' were later joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character ([[spoiler:actually a digital avatar]]), Stag is actually a robot. Interestingly Beet and Stag Buster are Gold and Silver, which are colors typically reserved for sixth rangers, not only that but there is no Sixth Go-Buster, something that hasn't happened in Super Sentai since [[RescueSentaiGoGoFive GoGoV]] and has never happened before in power rangers (which added the silver "Titanium Ranger" to fill the gap [[RescueSentaiGoGoFive GoGoV]] left.

** The main trio in ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' were later joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character ([[spoiler:actually a digital avatar]]), Stag is actually a robot. Interestingly Beet and Stag Buster are Gold and Silver, which are colors typically reserved for sixth rangers, not only that but there is no Sixth ''GoBuster'', something that hasn't happened in Super Sentai since [[RescueSentaiGoGoFive GoGoV]] and has never happened before in power rangers (which added the silver "Titanium Ranger" to fill the gap ''GoGoV'' left.

** The main trio in ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' were later joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character ([[spoiler:actually a digital avatar]]), Stag is actually a robot. Interestingly Beet and Stag Buster are Gold and Silver, which are colors typically reserved for sixth rangers, not only that but there is no Sixth GoBuster, something that hasn't happened in Super Sentai since GoGoV and has never happened before in power rangers (which added the silver "Titanium Ranger" to fill the gap GoGoV left.

* Some shows in the ''SuperSentai'' / ''PowerRangers'' franchise have started with three rangers instead of [[FiveManBand the usual team of five]], usually a trio composed of Red, Blue and Yellow, who are then joined mid-series by at least two [[SixthRanger extra rangers]] (whose colors vary between shows).

** The main trio in ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' were later joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character ([[spoiler:actually a digital avatar]]), Stag is actually a robot.

* The action in ''{{Persona 3}}'' begins with SEES comprised of a FiveManBand... but only the three newest members are available to fight at the start. The other two are more experienced members, one serving as your initial MissionControl, and the other recovering from injuries, but both of them join the front lines in relatively short order.
* ''MegaManBattleNetwork'' has two separate groups. Lan, Mayl and Chaud plus Dex and Yai form the first, while [=MegaMan=].EXE, Roll.EXE and Protoman.EXE plus Gutsman.EXE and Glyde.EXE form the second. As the former are partners of the latter respectively, clearly it's a case of like to like.
* ''DisgaeaHourOfDarkness'': In the latter half of the game, with a case of Three Plus ''Three'', as the Defenders of Earth show up and join the party.

* ''DragonAge'' starts you out with [[BlackMagicianGirl Morrigan]] (TheSmartGuy and TheLancer, and the Superego), Alistair (TheLancer and TheChick, and the Id), and the [[PlayerCharacter Warden]] (TheHero and the Ego); then adds [[JeanneDArchetype Leliana]] (much more of TheChick) and Sten (TheBigGuy) in the first town. You get even more characters later, but Alistair, Morrigan and the Warden are always the most important party members to the story, [[spoiler:at least until you can recruit Loghain]].
* ''LegendOfDragoon'' starts off with a ThreeAmigos PowerTrio before adding two more midway through the first disc of the game to form a FiveManBand.
* In the ''NoMoreHeroes'' MagicalGirl / SuperRobotGenre [[ShowWithinAShow show/game within a show]] ''[[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything Pure White Lover Bizarre Jelly]]'', the power trio was Strawberry ([[CallingYourAttacks on the Shortcake!]]), Blueberry (Cheese Brownie!), and Cranberry (Chocolate Sundae!). In the sequel ''NoMoreHeroesDesperateStruggle'', they add Gooseberry (Sugar Donut) and [[OddNameOut Nutberry]] (no attack given). The new opening to the show highlights the ThreePlusTwo trope.

* ''FairyTail'' started with [[TheChick Lucy]], [[TheHero Natsu]], and [[TheSmartGuy Happy]], but later [[TheLancer Gray]] and [[TheBigGuy Erza]] officially joined the team after tagging along enough times.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' starts with [[TheHero Aang]], [[TheSmartGuy Sokka]] and [[TheChick Katara]], and later picks up [[TheBigGuy Toph]] and [[spoiler:[[TheLancer Zuko]] to complete the band. Suki joins the main cast as a full member near the end.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' starts with [[TheHero Aang]], [[TheSmartGuy Sokka]] and [[TheChick Katara]], and later picks up [[TheBigGuy Toph]] and [[TheLancer Zuko]] to complete the band. Suki joins the main cast as a full member near the end.

** ''DigimonXrosWars'', however, both played it straight ''and'' subverted it at the same time. Taiki, Akari and Zenjirou appear to be the three, with Nene and Kiriha as the Two. However, by the time that Kiriha and Nene have joined Xros Heart, Akari and Zenjirou are stuck in the real world[[spoiler:, only being reunited when they return for the GrandFinale]]. So, in the end, Taiki, Kiriha and Nene serve as the Three, with Akari and Zenjirou as the Two.

The leader is liable to be a member of the core trio, but if he is not, expect the dominant member of the trio to be TheLancer, and expect serious rivalry between him and the leader.

* The first season of ''SailorMoon'' spent an inordinate amount of time with just Sailor Moon, Mars and Mercury. Jupiter and Venus came later. Of course, as the season progressed, the five became a true FiveManBand. (Note that this is not the case in the manga or in ''PrettyGuardianSailorMoon''; both had a trio for only a handful of episodes, added Jupiter quickly, and spent most of the arc with four before Venus showed up.)

* ''CowboyBebop'' starring Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine and Jet Black! Oh, and also Ed and Ein.

* ''DigimonTamers'' had something more like three plus three - ThoseTwoGuys and the love interest join the team, but the PowerTrio never really loses the spotlight. Toss in one more traditional SixthRanger (or arguably two more) and another "plus one", and the final result is a cast of Four (or Five) plus Four.
** ''DigimonFrontier'', however, plays it a little more like [[InvertedTrope Two Plus Three]] [[SixthRanger (Plus One)]]. Takuya and Kouji are the first to get their Beast Spirits, first (by a long way) to get their Double Spirit Evolutions, and the ''only'' ones to get a Hyper Spirit Evolve, boosting them up to the Ultimate level. It's glaringly obvious in that, while they're in their Hyper forms, the other members of the FiveManBand can only just stand around doing nothing.

* Some shows in the ''SuperSentai'' / ''PowerRangers'' franchise have started with three rangers instead of [[FiveManBand the usual team of five]], usually a trio composed of Red, Blue and Yellow, who are then joined mid-series by at least two [[SixthRanger extra rangers]] (whose colors vary between shows).

** ''[[NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger Hurricaneger]]''/''[[PowerRangersNinjaStorm Ninja Storm]]'': The Hurricanegers/Wind Ninjas form the main trio, with the Gouraigers/Thunder Ninjas (two brothers from a rival academy) joining later to form a team of five, and then an actual sixth ranger was added in the form of Shurikenger/Samurai Star Ranger.
** ''[[BakuryuuSentaiAbaranger Abaranger]]''/''[[PowerRangersDinoThunder Dino Thunder]]'': The core trio were joined by Abare Black/Black Dino Ranger, who served as an older brother figure, and then Abare Killer/White Dino Ranger, a former villain who underwent a HeelFaceTurn.
** ''[[JuukenSentaiGekiranger Gekiranger]]''/''[[PowerRangersJungleFury Jungle Fury]]'': The core trio, who are martial arts students, are joined by two masters named Geki Violet/Wolf Ranger and Geki Chopper/Rhino Ranger. Their two main rivals later switch sides, though only at the very end.

* ''KnightRider'' (2008): Mike, Sarah, KITT as the core, with Billy and Zoe as the periphery.

* The ''{{iCarly}}'' PowerTrio of Sam, Freddie and Carly getting the most screen time, with Gibby and Spencer getting sub-plots, and occasionally being part of the main plot with the trio.

* Flashbacks from ''HowIMetYourMother'' shows Ted, [[BetaCouple Marshall and Lily]] having the TwoGuysAndAGirl dynamic in their college days right before meeting Barney. They met Robin at the series premiere.

* The quintet of characters you end ''FinalFantasyIV'' with works like this, with the [[PowerTrio core trio]] composed of [[TheHero Cecil]], [[TheLancer Kain]], and [[TheChick Rosa]] in a TwoGuysAndAGirl dynamic, with the addition of Rydia and Edge, who are somewhat SlapSlapKiss.

* ''TheLegendOfKorra'' starts out with [[TheHero Korra]] meeting [[BigFun Bolin]] and [[TheStoic Mako]], with Mako's girlfriend [[UptownGirl Asami]] joining later. {{Old Master}}s [[TeamDad Tenzin]] and [[DaChief Lin]] make it a full force of six.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Beast Wars}}'' Optimus, Rattrap and Rhinox are the core trio, the leader and his two lieutenants (acting as the Kirk, The [=McCoy=] and the Spock, respectively). The three of them are in on all the secrets and will be trusted with things the others aren't. When Optimus is gone, leadership will generally be handled jointly by the two of them. Cheetor and Dinobot are the other two, Cheetor is trusted but because of his youth and inexperience he's still on the outside and is not involved in any decisions. Dinobot can't always be trusted because of his Predacon heritage and tendency to do some decidedly un-Maximal things and is thus also kept at a distance. There's a revolving door of "outsider" Maximals, but the three "insiders" remain Optimus, Rattrap and Rhinox for the whole run.

* ''{{World of Quest}}'' has [[InvertedTrope Two Plus Three]]. While all of the main characters except Anna share a past, the show is quite obviously focused on the interaction between Nestor and Quest.

* In the ''[[WarriorCatsPowerOfThree Power of Three]]'' arc of ''WarriorCats'', Jayfeather, Hollyleaf and Lionblaze form a PowerTrio because they think they are three cats all-powerful cats spoken of in a prophecy. At the end, Jayfeather realizes that Hollyleaf is not the true third. Then in the ''[[WarriorCatsOmenOfTheStars Omen of the Stars]]'' arc, the true third Dovewing and her sister Ivypool team up with the others.

** You could even subdivide it further into three plus two plus two plus one: Aragron-Legolas-Gimli, Frodo-Sam, and Merry-Pippin, with Gandalf on his own.

* Flashbacks from ''HowIMetYourMother'' shows Ted, [[BetaCouple Marshall and Lily]] having the TwoGuysAndGirl dynamic in their college days right before meeting Barney. They met Robin at the series premiere.

** The main trio in ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' were later joined Beet Buster and Stag Buster, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character ([[spoiler:actually a digital avatar]]), Stag is actually a robot.

** The main trio in ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' are scheduled to be joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster in the future, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character, Stag is actually a robot.

** The main trio in ''TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' are scheduled to be joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster in the future, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. While Beet is a human character, Stag is actually a robot.

** The main trio in ''TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' are scheduled to be joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster in the future, a pair of [[JapaneseBeetleBrothers beetle-themed]] extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. Stag Buster is actually Beet Buster's robotic partner, who carries Beet's armor over his own when Beet is untransformed.

** ''[[JuukenSentaiGekiranger Gekiranger]]''/''[[PowerRangersJungleFury Jungle Fury]]'': The core trio, who are martial arts students, are joined by two masters named Geki Violet/Wolf Ranger and Geki Chopper/Rhino Ranger.
** ''[[EngineSentaiGoonger Go-onger]]''/''[[PowerRangersRPM RPM]]'': The original trio were joined by not one, but two pairs of extra rangers: Black & Green (who were treated as new members of the main teams) and Gold & Silver (twin siblings who were part of a separate team).
** The main trio in ''TokumeiSentaiGobusters'' are scheduled to be joined by Beet Buster and Stag Buster in the future, a pair of beetle-themed extra warriors much like the Gouraigers from ''Hurricaneger''. Stag Buster is actually Beet Buster's robotic partner, who carries Beet's armor over his own when Beet is untransformed.