History Main / TokenAdult

* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'': Galuf is a token grandpa among a team of people in their early 20s. He eventually gets replaced with his [[TagAlongKid 14-year old, adopted, granddaughter,]] Krile.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'': Strago Magus is a 70 year old, Blue Mage who agrees to help Terra and Locke find the Espers after they learn about his unique abilities.
* ''VideoGame/GoldenSun''

* ''DuckDynasty'': Uncle Si is the only person his age (in his 60's) working at the duck call business. He's a BunnyEarsLawyer, who frequently takes naps, snack, hunting, and basketball "breaks", and plenty of other hijinks with the younger guys at work. As much as he'd like to, since no one else will take his job, Willie just can't get rid of him.

* ''DuckDynasty'': Uncle Si is the only person his age (in his 60's) working at the duck call business. He's a BunnyEarsLawyer, who frequently takes naps, snack, hunting, and basketball "breaks", and plenty of other hijinks with the younger guys at work. As much as he'd like to, since no one else will take his job, Willie just can't get rid of him.

* Franchise/FinalFantasy

* Franchise/FinalFantasy

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'': Galuf is a token grandpa among a team of people in their early 20s. He eventually gets replaced with his [[TagAlongKid 14-year old, adopted, granddaughter,]] Krile.

[[quoteright:322:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/DrachmaTAA_title_3465.jpg]]

->'''Jade Curtiss:''' ''And my other goal is to make you youngsters go crazy before I reach 40.''
-->-- ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss''

If employed to the TokenAdult because of job politics the group may have been ReassignedToAntarctica.

Contrast, TagalongKid, this trope's opposite. Compare TheChick, TheObiWan, AdultsAreUseless, ThereAreNoAdults.


!Examples

[[AC:{{Anime}} And {{Manga}}]]

** Middle aged Detective Kogoro Mouro (Richard Moore in the dub) is an adult watching over KidHero Conan. Except he's kind of a {{Jerkass}}, and [[AdultsAreUseless he's not good]] [[CompetenceZone at his job]] [[ButtMonkey either]]. Since he's an adult, people are more willing to listen to him than Conan who uses Kogoru's adult status, solves the crimes for him, and lets him take the credit for it on almost every case. Since he's an on and off ally to Conan it's a ZigZaggingTrope.
* ''Manga/{{KOn}}'': Sawako Yamanaka is the [[CoolTeacher teacher]] in charge of their high school's light music club. Fitting in that she was a rocker in the past too. She's more for [[PluckyComicRelief comic relief]] though, and she doesn't use her authority as a teacher very often. Naturally the rest of the characters are high school students.
* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' has this institutionalized in that their school's ninja teams begin as 3 twelve year olds with one adult teacher assigned to guide them.
* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' has one adult that helps out almost every episode. Sometimes it's Officer Jenny or Nurse Joy, but there's a whole list of others they come across depending on the episode. The main characters never age past their teen years.

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''{{Bushwhacked}}'' is a comedy starring Daniel Stern as Max Grabelski, a sleazy delivery guy who thinks he's been framed for murder. He impersonates a Scout leader with a group of kids while on the run into the woods, and intends to ditch the group later, but they all [[FireForgedFriends grow to like each other]], and he starts to become the role.

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]

* ''Main/TheOutsiders'': Everyone in the gang is a teenager, mostly 16-17 with one TagAlongKid at 14. The one outlier is Darry, who is 20 and the leader.

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

* ''Series/{{iCarly}}'': Spencer often gets involved in the teenage [[PowerTrio Power Trio's]] antics, despite being a good ten-fifteen years older than them.

* ''Series/{{Psych}}'': Harry (Aka "Harold") Spencer, is hired by the Chief of Police to be Shawn and Gus's adult in later seasons. Because [[ManChild they're immature]] and use questionable methods of solving crimes that get them into trouble, hiring Harry minimizes risk. He was already Shawn's {{mentor}}, and his Dad, so it works out.
* ''Series/SquarePegs'': In two episodes Johnny's band "Open 24 Hours" performs. It includes himself on lead vocal, some other teens as backup singers/guitar/etc., and John Densmore from TheDoors on drums (age about 38).
* ''Series/{{Victorious}}'' has a few episodes where Sikowitz, the gang's acting teacher, will join in with the group's daily adventure.

[[AC: {{Real Life}}]]

[[AC:{{Reality TV}}]]
* ''Main/DuckDynasty'': Uncle Si is the only person his age (in his 60's) working at the duck call business. He's a BunnyEarsLawyer, who frequently takes naps, snack, hunting, and basketball "breaks", and plenty of other hijinks with the younger guys at work. As much as he'd like to, since no one else will take his job, Willie just can't get rid of him.

[[AC:VideoGames]]

* ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}:''

* ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'': Kraden, a 70 year old scholar who goes on a journey with a party consisting of 3 teens and someone who [[VagueAge is implied to be]] Really700YearsOld but looks like a teen.
* GoldenSunDarkDawn:
** 30 years later, Kraden reprises his role, with the teen-aged descendants of the cast of the previous game, GoldenSun The Lost Age. but isn't a playable character.
** Eoleo, who is around 30 years old, joins the playable cast this time around.
* ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'':

* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTensei Devil Summoner (1995)'' has an interesting aversion with Demon Hunter Kyouji, who could have been this to the protagonist, and his girlfriend, who are both college students. Except, shortly after they meet in the beginning, [[AnyoneCanDie Kyouji dies under suspicious circumstances]].

* In ''VideoGame/WildArms''

[[AC:{{Visual Novels}}]]
* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'': Detective Akasaka plays this role to the teenage main cast by returning to Hinamizawa on a hunch and [[spoiler: ending up protecting them from [[BodyguardBetrayal Takano and]] [[MurderInc the Yamainu]] who murder many people, and are out to get Rika too]]. Ooishi would have been this but he is too aloof and often antagonizes the kids.

[[AC:{{Webcomics}}]]

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'': Parodied in the episode "American Dream Factory" where Steve forms a band consisting of his school friends and a coke snorting JadedWashout for their drummer. He is eventually replaced by the similarly older Roger.

* ''{{WesternAnimation/Arthur}}'': Francine's band "U Stink" consists of her and several of her 3rd grade friends, plus 60-something Mrs. [=MacGrady=] on keyboard.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben10}}'': Has Grandpa, Max Tennyson, an [[ParentalSubstitute authority figure]] to Ben and Gwen on their trip, and a BadassGrandpa, [[spoiler: and a member of "The Plumbers" who even BigBad Vilgax is scared of]].
* ''[[WesternAnimation/BravestWarriors Bravest Warriors]]'': Has the Emotion Lord as the TokenAdult often tagging along with a group of teenagers. He wants to help and be part of the team, but Chris keeps telling him to go away because he is too old. [[spoiler: Although the Emotion Lord is actually Chris from the future.]]
* In ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' Their teammate, Splinter, being their OldMaster, and ParentalSubstitute, in all incarnations who teaches them the art of the ninja, and stealth to hide from the cold eyes of the world. The Turtles are always teenagers.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'' Ruel, an elder to the rest of the team, joins because he's asked to watch over Yugo by his old friend Alibert who is Yugo's adoptive father. He agrees since he's become fond of Yugo. All of the other characters are younger than 18. Yugo is 10-12.

In adventure stories especially in video games or {{RolePlayingGameVerse}}s the group is often made up of children or teenagers with one "adult" exclusively allied to them. His age could be anywhere from being old enough to drink (if the other group members are just kids) to someone who is middle aged or over 50. Also sometimes TV shows will have older characters help the heroes once per episode, or for only one episode.

In stories directed at older audiences, where it's more common for this character to be the elder to a group of younger adults, a CoolOldGuy or TheMentor can fill this role when his CompetenceZone is shifted upward [[ConservationOfCompetence compared to the rest of the group]]. This can be done by making the youngsters NewMeat, {{ManChild}}ren, or {{BunnyEarsLawyer}}s. Take note, that the rest of the group don't necessarily need to be "adults"

Tends to be TheBigGuy, because he's older, taller, and stronger, at least in the beginning. Or the SmartGuy. If he's a BadAss most of the time he's a CoolOldGuy or a [[NeverMessWithGranny Badass]] [[BadassGrandpa Elder]], but he could be a ColonelBadAss or TheCaptain depending on the setting, or a BadAssBookworm. If he was TheLeader of the team at one point, but isn't TheHero, he's probably the BigGood. If he's [[{{Foil}} The Foil]] to the TheHero he might end up becoming TheLancer. If played for [[PluckyComicRelief comedic effect]], he might be a DeadPanSnarker who employs [[InsultComic Insult humor]] on his younger peers. He could also be OneOfTheKids, might be a CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass, or if [[AdultsAreUseless Adults really are useless]] he may be used by the author to [[ButtMonkey drive that]] [[CompetenceZone point home]].

[[AC:{{Anime And Manga}}]]

* ''{{Naruto}}'' has this institutionalized in that their school's ninja teams begin as 3 twelve year olds with one adult teacher assigned to guide them.

* ''Series/{{SquarePegs}}'': In two episodes Johnny's band "Open 24 Hours" performs. It includes himself on lead vocal, some other teens as backup singers/guitar/etc., and John Densmore from TheDoors on drums (age about 38).

* ''Music/{{TheRollingStones}}'': Thier bassist Bill Wyman is 7-10 years older than the rest of the band. After he "retired" they didn't add another bassist

** ''VideoGame/{{Mother1}}'': Most of the main characters aren't over 12 except for Teddy who is about or over 20 years old.
** ''VideoGame/{{Mother3}}'': Duster is most likely in his 30s, while Lucas is about 13 and Kumatora's around 17.

** ''[[{{WildArms2}} Wild Arms 2nd Ignition ]]'': Brad Evans is is 31 years old, and a war veteran from a revolution years before the story starts. The only other playable character in the party that's technically older than he is is the [[Really700YearsOld Immortal,]] [[FriendlyNeighborhoodVampires Vampire]], Marivel Armitage, but she's an optional character. Kanon, seems to be around the same age as Ashley, but we [[VagueAge never learn her actual age]]. The rest of the party are known to be over a decade younger than Brad.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{AmericanDad}}'': Parodied in the episode "American Dream Factory" where Steve forms a band consisting of his school friends and a coke snorting JadedWashout for their drummer. He is eventually replaced by the similarly older Roger.
-->'''Barry:''' We told you, no drugs!
-->'''Gerry:''' And I told you if I was responsible, I wouldn't be in a band with a bunch of 14-year-olds!

* In ''{{Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles}}'' Their teammate, Splinter, being their OldMaster, and ParentalSubstitute, in all incarnations who teaches them the art of the ninja, and stealth to hide from the cold eyes of the world. The Turtles are always teenagers.

* ''Franchise/{{TalesSeries}}''

* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'': Drachma (pictured at the top). A bitter old, sailor, who lost [[MobyDick his family to]] [[AnimalNemesis the archwhale]], saves Vyse and company when their ship capsizes. Although he's not very happy to accept help from a bunch of youngsters (all three are 17), he does reluctantly agree to let them stay on his ship as long as they pull their weight, and they get sailing experience in exchange. That is until they get separated. Then Gilder replaces him for most of the game. However Drachma's notable because his story arc is developed a lot more than Gilder's.

* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'': Drachma. A bitter old, sailor, who lost [[MobyDick his family to]] [[AnimalNemesis the archwhale]], saves Vyse and company when their ship capsizes. Although he's not very happy to accept help from a bunch of youngsters (all three are 17), he does reluctantly agree to let them stay on his ship as long as they pull their weight, and they get sailing experience in exchange. That is until they get separated. Then Gilder replaces him for most of the game. However Drachma's notable because his story arc is developed a lot more than Gilder's.

* ''Main/DuckDynasty'': Uncle Si is the only older guy his age (in his 60's) working at the duck call business. He's a BunnyEarsLawyer, who frequently takes naps, snack, hunting, and basketball "breaks", and plenty of other hijinks with the younger guys at work. As much as he'd like to, since no one else will take his job, Willie just can't get rid of him.

->'''Jade Curtiss:''' ''And my other goal is to make you youngsters go crazy before I reach 40.'''

->'''Jade Curtiss:''' "And my other goal is to make you youngsters go crazy before I reach 40. "'

A story that centers around a group made up of children, teenagers, or just younger adults, introduces an older character who decides he wants to join the youngsters. He's the oldest, character in the group. That's the TokenAdult

Tends to be TheBigGuy, because he's older, taller, and stronger, at least in the beginning. Or the SmartGuy. If he's a BadAss most of the time he's a CoolOldGuy or a [[NeverMessWithGranny Badass]] [[BadassGrandpa Elder]], but he could be a ColonelBadAss or TheCaptain depending on the setting, or a BadAssBookworm. If he was TheLeader of the team at one point, but isn't TheHero, he's probably the BigGood. If he's [[{{Foil}} The Foil]] to the TheHero he might end up becoming TheLancer. If played for [[PluckyComicRelief comedic effect]], he might be a DeadPanSnarker who employs [[InsultComic Insult humor]] on his younger peers. He could also be OneOfTheKids, might be a CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass, or if [[AdultsAreUseless Adults really are useless]] he may be used by the author to [[ButtMonkey drive that]] [[CompetenceZone point home]].

If employed to the TokenAdult because of job politics the group may have been ReassignedToAntarctica.

* ''{{Naruto}}'' has this institutionalized in that their school's ninja teams begin as 3 twelve year olds with one adult teacher assigned to guide them.

* ''TheRocker'': Rainn Wilson plays failed drummer "Robert Fishman" who joins a band of people 20 years younger.

* ''Main/TheOutsiders'': Everyone in the gang is a teenager, mostly 16-17 with one TagAlongKid at 14. The one outlier is Darry, who is 20 and the leader.

* ''Series/{{iCarly}}'': Spencer often gets involved in the teenage [[PowerTrio Power Trio's]] antics, despite being a good ten-fifteen years older than them.
* ''Series/{{NCIS}}'': Gibbs is the local CoolOldGuy in charge of the major case team. The rest of the cast [[SurroundedByIdiots often being distracted by various things]] or being held back by their character flaws, and never reaching his place in the CompetenceZone.

* ''Series/{{SquarePegs}}'': In two episodes Johnny's band "Open 24 Hours" performs. It includes himself on lead vocal, some other teens as backup singers/guitar/etc., and John Densmore from TheDoors on drums (age about 38).
* ''Series/{{Victorious}}'' has a few episodes where Sikowitz, the gang's acting teacher, will join in with the group's daily adventure.

* ''Music/{{TheRollingStones}}'': Thier bassist Bill Wyman is 7-10 years older than the rest of the band. After he "retired" they didn't add another bassist

* ''Main/DuckDynasty'': Uncle Si is the only older guy his age (in his 60's) working at the duck call business. He's a BunnyEarsLawyer, who frequently takes naps, snack, hunting, and basketball "breaks", and plenty of other hijinks with the younger guys at work. As much as he'd like to, since no one else will take his job, Willie just can't get rid of him.

* ''VideoGame/AtelierRorona'': Most of the playable characters are in their teens. Then there's the 28-year old Sterk. And later we also get CoolOldGuy Gio, who's in his forties. Both of them are considered the most powerful party members.
* ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}:''

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'': Galuf is a token grandpa among a team of people in their early 20s. He eventually gets replaced with his [[TagAlongKid 14-year old, adopted, granddaughter,]] Krile.

* GoldenSunDarkDawn:

* ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'':

** ''VideoGame/{{Mother3}}'': Duster is most likely in his 30s, while Lucas is about 13 and Kumatora's around 17.

* ''Franchise/{{TalesSeries}}''

** ''VideoGame/WildArms1:'' Jack Van Burace. A 27 year old treasure hunter, and expert swordsman, amidst a team of teenagers, trying to save a dying world. His main reason for tagging along is he hopes to find an item called the "guardian blade" while traveling with them so that he can become powerful.
** ''[[{{WildArms2}} Wild Arms 2nd Ignition ]]'': Brad Evans is is 31 years old, and a war veteran from a revolution years before the story starts. The only other playable character in the party that's technically older than he is is the [[Really700YearsOld Immortal,]] [[FriendlyNeighborhoodVampires Vampire]], Marivel Armitage, but she's an optional character. Kanon, seems to be around the same age as Ashley, but we [[VagueAge never learn her actual age]]. The rest of the party are known to be over a decade younger than Brad.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{AmericanDad}}'': Parodied in the episode "American Dream Factory" where Steve forms a band consisting of his school friends and a coke snorting JadedWashout for their drummer. He is eventually replaced by the similarly older Roger.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/BravestWarriors Bravest Warriors]]'': Has the Emotion Lord as the TokenAdult often tagging along with a group of teenagers. He wants to help and be part of the team, but Chris keeps telling him to go away because he is too old. [[spoiler: Although the Emotion Lord is actually Chris from the future.]]

A story that centers around a group made up of children, teenagers, or just younger adults, introduces an older character who decides he wants to join the youngsters. He's the oldest, character in the group. That's the TokenAdult

Tends to be TheBigGuy, because he's older, taller, and stronger, at least in the beginning. Or the SmartGuy. If he's a BadAss most of the time he's a CoolOldGuy or a [[NeverMessWithGranny Badass]] [[BadassGrandpa Elder]], but he could be a ColonelBadAss or TheCaptain depending on the setting, or a BadAssBookworm. If he was TheLeader of the team at one point, but isn't TheHero, he's probably the BigGood. If he's [[{{Foil}} The Foil]] to the TheHero he might end up becoming TheLancer. If played for [[PluckyComicRelief comedic effect]], he might be a DeadPanSnarker who employs [[InsultComic Insult humor]] on his younger peers. He could also be OneOfTheKids, might be a CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass, or if [[AdultsAreUseless Adults really are useless]] he may be used by the author to [[ButtMonkey drive that]] [[CompetenceZone point home]].

If employed to the TokenAdult because of job politics the group may have been ReassignedToAntarctica.

* ''{{Naruto}}'' has this institutionalized in that their school's ninja teams begin as 3 twelve year olds with one adult teacher assigned to guide them.

* ''TheRocker'': Rainn Wilson plays failed drummer "Robert Fishman" who joins a band of people 20 years younger.

* ''Main/TheOutsiders'': Everyone in the gang is a teenager, mostly 16-17 with one TagAlongKid at 14. The one outlier is Darry, who is 20 and the leader.

* ''Series/{{iCarly}}'': Spencer often gets involved in the teenage [[PowerTrio Power Trio's]] antics, despite being a good ten-fifteen years older than them.
* ''Series/{{NCIS}}'': Gibbs is the local CoolOldGuy in charge of the major case team. The rest of the cast [[SurroundedByIdiots often being distracted by various things]] or being held back by their character flaws, and never reaching his place in the CompetenceZone.

* ''Series/{{SquarePegs}}'': In two episodes Johnny's band "Open 24 Hours" performs. It includes himself on lead vocal, some other teens as backup singers/guitar/etc., and John Densmore from TheDoors on drums (age about 38).
* ''Series/{{Victorious}}'' has a few episodes where Sikowitz, the gang's acting teacher, will join in with the group's daily adventure.

* ''Music/{{TheRollingStones}}'': Thier bassist Bill Wyman is 7-10 years older than the rest of the band. After he "retired" they didn't add another bassist

* ''Main/DuckDynasty'': Uncle Si is the only older guy his age (in his 60's) working at the duck call business. He's a BunnyEarsLawyer, who frequently takes naps, snack, hunting, and basketball "breaks", and plenty of other hijinks with the younger guys at work. As much as he'd like to, since no one else will take his job, Willie just can't get rid of him.

* ''VideoGame/AtelierRorona'': Most of the playable characters are in their teens. Then there's the 28-year old Sterk. And later we also get CoolOldGuy Gio, who's in his forties. Both of them are considered the most powerful party members.
* ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}:''

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'': Galuf is a token grandpa among a team of people in their early 20s. He eventually gets replaced with his [[TagAlongKid 14-year old, adopted, granddaughter,]] Krile.

* GoldenSunDarkDawn:

* ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'':

** ''VideoGame/{{Mother3}}'': Duster is most likely in his 30s, while Lucas is about 13 and Kumatora's around 17.

* ''Franchise/{{TalesSeries}}''

** ''VideoGame/WildArms1:'' Jack Van Burace. A 27 year old treasure hunter, and expert swordsman, amidst a team of teenagers, trying to save a dying world. His main reason for tagging along is he hopes to find an item called the "guardian blade" while traveling with them so that he can become powerful.
** ''[[{{WildArms2}} Wild Arms 2nd Ignition ]]'': Brad Evans is is 31 years old, and a war veteran from a revolution years before the story starts. The only other playable character in the party that's technically older than he is is the [[Really700YearsOld Immortal,]] [[FriendlyNeighborhoodVampires Vampire]], Marivel Armitage, but she's an optional character. Kanon, seems to be around the same age as Ashley, but we [[VagueAge never learn her actual age]]. The rest of the party are known to be over a decade younger than Brad.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{AmericanDad}}'': Parodied in the episode "American Dream Factory" where Steve forms a band consisting of his school friends and a coke snorting JadedWashout for their drummer. He is eventually replaced by the similarly older Roger.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/BravestWarriors Bravest Warriors]]'': Has the Emotion Lord as the TokenAdult often tagging along with a group of teenagers. He wants to help and be part of the team, but Chris keeps telling him to go away because he is too old. [[spoiler: Although the Emotion Lord is actually Chris from the future.]]