History SixthRanger / AnimeAndManga

** The ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon Sun and Moon]]'' series has an odd variation where ''the protagonist'' is the Sixth Ranger, due to Ash meeting up with an already extant group. (Pikachu, though still an outsider, is merely the ''Fifth'' Ranger of their Pokémon, however, as Lillie would not obtain her starter Pokémon, Snowy, until after they had met).

* ''Anime/{{Guyver}}'', being an homage to ''Franchise/KamenRider'' and ''Series/{{Kikaider}}'', has Guyver III in the role of the Second Rider (to those who don't know, Guyver II was the EvilCounterpart).

* ''Anime/Eyeshield21'':

* In ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'', Tsuruya, for the FiveManBand ''SOS-Brigade'' is very involved in their activities, but for some reason isn't recruited. That is, ''despite'' being a natural co-conspirator of Haruhi, since they are so similar. [[spoiler: She also appears to know that the SOS-Brigade isn't "normal", telling them to work on their {{masquerade}} more.]] She actually states that she prefers looking from outside, though other people on the outside sometimes considers her part of the group.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' has a whole horde of recurring secondary characters, both human and independent Pokémon , who join the main party for specific episodes or arcs. Sometimes, they will be counterparts to characters from the games, but they're just as often {{Canon Foreigner}}s. Misty, Brock, May and Dawn also act somewhat like Sixth Rangers in their [[TheBusCameBack return appearances]].
** The ''Sun and Moon'' series has an odd variation where ''the protagonist'' is the Sixth Ranger, due to Ash meeting up with an already extant group. (Pikachu, though still an outsider, is merely the ''Fifth'' Ranger of their Pokemon however, as Lillie would not obtain her starter Pokemon, Snowy, until after they had met).

* The ''Anime/{{Slayers}}'' TV series features frequently this trope:

* The ''Mother's Rosario'' arc of ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' centers around the "Sleeping Knights", a tight-knit guild lead by Yuuki. While Asuna never officially joins the guild, she becomes their seventh ranger, joining them in a party and aiding them in their quest to clear a floor boss by themselves.

** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'': Ken/Wormmon, the villain of the first arc before making a HeelFaceTurn, and joining as TheAtoner.

** ''Anime/DigimonDataSquad'': Ikuto/Keenan & Falcomon, a wild child the core trio meets when they enter the digital world. It takes some time to get him to acknowledge them.
** ''Anime/DigimonFusion'': Nene/Sparrowmon and Monitamon. (Joining Xros Heart)[[note]]In Episode 21. And expect more.[[/note]]

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Post-Eclipse, Guts forms a loose FiveManBand with [[TheLancer Schierke]], [[TheSmartGuy Serpico]], [[TheChick Farnese]], and [[TagalongKid Isidro]], with the elves as {{Team Pet}}s and Casca as a rather tragic example of TheLoad. Then their journey takes them out to sea, and Farnese [[ContrivedCoincidence turns out]] to have a fiancée with a CoolShip. Enter Rodrick, the Sixth Ranger.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'' essentially works this way, even though Luffy didn't have a FiveManBand established since the beginning. However, by the time he went through Reverse Mountain, he had TheHero, TheLancer, TheBigGuy, TheSmartGuy and TheChick. Vivi joined after this, and for a while was the Sixth Ranger until she left again. You could say all the TrueCompanions that joined him after that are Sixth Rangers, though, including her.

* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': Dororo and Angol Mois like to trade places being this and TheChick, depending on the episode.

* Kagura from ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh''. She starts out as a rival in another class, but joins the group in the second year, as part of a plan by Yukari to win the Athletics Festival. Kaorin to an extent, too.

** Seigaku: Echizen Ryoma starts out as a Sixth Ranger and becomes DesignatedHero.

* Every ''Anime/PrettyCure'' continuity except [[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Smile!]] has at least one late arrival midway or late in the series, with either a different transformation (+ [[TransformationTrinket Trinket]]) or half-completely different powers or both. Some of them came from redeeming villains.

** Karin first appears in episode 3 of ''Anime/YukiYunaIsAHero''. The rest of the [[MagicalGirl Heroes]] had been friends for months and had been Heroes for a few weeks before Karin popped up. She is TheAce of the group, as she had been training for years to be a Hero. The Taisha told Karin to supervise the others. She acts [[SmugSuper uppity]] due to the others being less experienced than her, but is mostly {{tsundere}} and is heavily implied to have an InferioritySuperiorityComplex.

** [[SharkMan Jimbei]] is a more traditional example, being the first person to join the core Straw Hat team after the TimeSkip, much later than their last official member, Brook. For this reason, Jimbei is initially unaware of the full dynamics of the crew.

* ''Anime/MartianSuccessorNadesico'' had LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters as it was, but continued to pick up more as the series progressed. First was the three spare Aestivalis pilots, Ryoko, Izumi, and Hikaru. After they [[spoiler: returned to Earth]], they reluctantly allowed military-appointed leader Admiral Munatake, the company chairman's secretary Erina, and fifth pilot Akatsuke Nagare [[spoiler: the chairman himself]]. Finally [[spoiler: after the exiled crew's hijacking of the Nadesico, the Jovian pilot Shiratori briefly joined]].

* Kotaro from ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', who started out as an enemy, but thanks to DefeatMeansFriendship, turned into TheRival and eventually this. Though in a series where LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters are ''constantly'' being added to the main cast, several more can fit this.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' has a whole horde of recurring secondary characters, including the Pokémon themselves, who join the main party for specific episodes or arcs. Sometimes, they will be counterparts to characters from the games, but they're just as often {{Canon Foreigner}}s. Misty, Brock, May and Dawn also act somewhat like Sixth Rangers in their [[TheBusCameBack return appearances]]. The ''Sun and Moon'' series has an odd variation where the protagonist is the Sixth Ranger, due to Ash meeting up with an already existent FiveManBand (Pikachu is not the Sixth Ranger of their Pokemon however, as Lillie would not obtain her starter Pokemon, Snowy until after they had met).

** The manga introduced an actual sixth ranger in chapter 174.
[[spoiler:The "Second Keroro Platoon", a young recruit also named "Keroro", whose Keron Star gives him [[AllYourPowersCombined alternate modes based on the data of each platoon member]]. He befriends a human child called Tomosu, who's an occult fan and member of an occult club, similar to Fuyuki, but he's younger and actually a Fuyuki fan himself.]]

* ''Anime/MartianSuccessorNadesico'' had LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters as it was, but continued to pick up more as the series progressed. First was the three spare Aestivalis pilots, Ryoko, Izumi, and Hikaru. After they [[spoiler: returned to Earth]], they reluctantly allowed military-appointed leader Admiral Munatake, the company chairman's secretary Erina, and fifth pilot Akatsuke Nagare [[spoiler: the chairman himself]]. Finally [[spoiler: after the exiled crew's hijacking of the Nadesico, the Jovian pilot Shiratori briefly joined]].
* ''Anime/MajesticPrince'' is considered to be ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' [[RecycledInSpace as a]] [[RealRobotGenre real robot]] series, and as such it naturally has a [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience color-coded]] Sixth Ranger, Ange, pilot of Black 6, who joins at exactly the midpoint of the series.
* Hana in the 4th season of ''Anime/OjamajoDoremi''. She transformed from her baby form to her human form to become the same age as the girls. Before that, Onpu was the Sixth Ranger to the original PowerTrio, though she was fully integrated into the team in ''Sharp''.
* [[AmbiguousGender Crona]] from ''Manga/SoulEater'' {{subverted}} this even after his/her HeelFaceTurn, as they did not take part in several of the battles between the heroes and Arachnophobia, and even reluctantly became TheMole for Medusa in order to mentally cripple Stein. In the manga, [[spoiler:they were thought to be kidnapped by Arachnophobia, but they actually ''willingly'' returned to Medusa and sank deeper and deeper into madness after the TimeSkip, even ''after'' they killed the witch.]]
* ''Franchise/LupinIII'' started out with the main cast being just [[WithAFriendAndAStranger Lupin's friend Jigen and the stranger Fujiko.]] The samurai Goemon was added later on because the creator thought there should be a clearly Japanese character. True to the trope's usual form, he was a bad guy at first - an assassin sent to kill Lupin - but they soon became allies instead.
* ''Anime/CyberTeamInAkihabara'' started with Hibari, Suzume, and Tsugumi as a PowerTrio. About halfway in, Kamome shows up and acts antagonistic, but forces her way into the team somewhat awkwardly. [[spoiler:In the second half, Tsubame is introduced as a villain and eventually [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face Turns]] close to the end of the series.]]
* ''Manga/FairyTail'' has Gajeel, who started off as an EvilCounterpart to [[TheHero Natsu]] until he joined the guild, whereupon he became TheRival, and is still not trusted by some members of the guild. [[spoiler:He is, however, a DoubleAgent for [[BigGood Makarov]] and takes on the tough job of spying on Raven Tail for him.]] There's also Wendy Marvel and her sidekick Carla, who fills the temporary 6th character spot in their intro arc, but proceeded to become a permanent addition to both the guild, and the usual focused team of Natsu/Lucy/Gray/Erza/Happy.
* ''Manga/TheRedRangerBecomesAnAdventurerInAnotherWorld'': In addition to the Kizuna Five, there is also a Kizuna Silver, nicknamed "Sil". According to Red, she was so observant that she could say things you'd never admit as if seeing right through you.

* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion'' will introduce a new MagicalGirl named Nagisa Momoe, who is clearly meant to evoke this trope. But they don't exactly play it straight. [[spoiler: For one thing, she spends most of the film as TeamPet "Bebe", which is [[YouDontLookLikeYou a slightly altered version]] of Nagisa's witch form Charlotte.]]
** The online RPG game places this situation on Homura in regards to the pre-existing Magical Girl team of Madoka, Mami, Sayaka, Kyoko, and the PlayerCharacter. The combination of Homura's newness to the rest of the group (beyond just her NewTransferStudent status), her unsociability and aloofness, and her choice of [[MoreDakka firearms and explosives]] presenting an ever-present risk of UnfriendlyFire on melee-fighters Sayaka and Kyoko make her integration into the group difficult - the later chapters of the main storyline place more focus on this.
** The manga ''Manga/PuellaMagiOrikoMagica'' has an example in the form of Yuma Chitose, a young girl who is convinced to contract by Oriko. Unlike most examples, however, it only happens for this timeline, and her fate in the other timelines is never revealed.
* Renji Abarai is the most obvious example in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', becoming committed to fighting alongside sworn enemy Ichigo and his close pals after getting defeated by him in the Soul Society, and succeeding in rescuing Rukia together. Renji's still an abrasive guy but likes chilling around with Ichigo whenever nearby, especially in the anime's numerous filler arcs.
* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' has a whole horde of recurring secondary characters, including the Pokémon themselves, who join the main party for specific episodes or arcs. Sometimes, they will be counterparts to characters from the games, but they're just as often {{Canon Foreigner}}s. Misty, Brock, May and Dawn also act somewhat like Sixth Rangers in their [[TheBusCameBack return appearances]]. The ''Sun and Moon'' series has an odd variation where the protagonist is the Sixth Ranger, due to Ash meeting up with an already existent FiveManBand (Pikachu is not the Sixth Ranger of their Pokemon however, as Lillie would not obtain her starter Pokemon, Snowy until after they had met).
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Post-Eclipse, Guts forms a loose FiveManBand with [[TheLancer Schierke]], [[TheSmartGuy Serpico]], [[TheChick Farnese]], and [[TagalongKid Isidro]], with the elves as {{Team Pet}}s and Casca as a rather tragic example of TheLoad. Then their journey takes them out to sea, and Farnese [[ContrivedCoincidence turns out]] to have a fiancée with a CoolShip. Enter Rodrick, the Sixth Ranger.
* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
** Iggy from ''Stardust Crusaders'' joins the main characters' group on their journey to defeat DIO halfway into the part, serving as the Sixth Ranger in Joseph, Jotaro, Polnareff, Kakyoin and Avdol's pre-existing team.
** Rohan Kishibe from ''Diamond is Unbreakable'' joins the cast halfway into the part, and helps the Joestars hunt down Yoshikage Kira.
* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': Dororo and Angol Mois like to trade places being this and TheChick, depending on the episode.
** In the anime, Joriri joins the Keroro Platoon officially during an episode of the 6th season. However, because StatusQuoIsGod, it turns out there was a mistake and he leaves... That event was still referenced afterwards though and he continued to be a minor recurring character for the anime.
** The manga introduced an actual sixth ranger in chapter 174.
[[spoiler:The "Second Keroro Platoon", a young recruit also named "Keroro", whose Keron Star gives him [[AllYourPowersCombined alternate modes based on the data of each platoon member]]. He befriends a human child called Tomosu, who's an occult fan and member of an occult club, similar to Fuyuki, but he's younger and actually a Fuyuki fan himself.]]

* In ''Animation/FloweringHeart'', the mysterious, aloof Syuel ends up joining the team eventually.

* James Bond in ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'' joins Moriarty's team after volume six, well after his group has been established. He's even the sixth member of the band!
* Being practically ''Anime/YokaiWatch'' meets Super Sentai, ''Anime/YokaiWatchJamYokaiAcademyYCloseEncountersOfTheNKind'' has several examples: School Student President Ranto Kirigakure/Mist Shadow, who initally antagonized the heroes for his personal revenge agenda, and Chiaki Hebiyama/Sky Snaker and Nozuchika Mitsumatagi/The Viper, who once fought the heroes as heads of the School Mafia, eventually join the team to fight their common enemy, the aliens. Later, Kuka Nanakumo ([[spoiler:a reinstated Kumako Kumoike]]) builds a UR Watch and (with the help of the team's summoned Onryo friend Momo) becomes Momonga Lady. Unusually, Fubuki Himekawa/Clock Lady, while part of the team from the movie, did not get a YSP Watch until Episode 3 (coincidentally, in which the team fought her would-be Onryo partner, Broken Clock); likewise, Mataro Tamada instead got a Shining Watch in Episode 27 to become the TV Hero Shining Boy [[spoiler:and only got a proper UR Watch in Episode 44 to become T-Dine]].

** Shitenhouji: Chitose Senri transferred to the school late (in fact, he was never supposed to even be part of the team, but the author changed this to accomodate the story, and in so doing pushed the team's vice-captain into almost complete irrelevancy), and in many ways remains a loner

* Karin first appears in episode 3 of ''Anime/YukiYunaIsAHero''. The rest of the [[MagicalGirl Heroes]] had been friends for months and had been Heroes for a few weeks before Karin popped up. She is TheAce of the group, as she had been training for years to be a Hero. The Taisha told Karin to supervise the others. She acts [[SmugSuper uppity]] due to the others being less experienced than her, but is mostly {{tsundere}} and is heavily implied to have an InferioritySuperiorityComplex.

* [[AmbiguousGender Crona]] from ''Manga/SoulEater'' Subverted this even after his/her HeelFaceTurn, as they did not take part in several of the battles between the heroes and Arachnophobia, and even reluctantly became TheMole for Medusa in order to mentally cripple Stein. In the manga, [[spoiler:they were thought to be kidnapped by Arachnophobia, but they actually ''willingly'' returned to Medusa and sank deeper and deeper into madness after the TimeSkip, even ''after'' they killed the witch.]]

* ''Manga/FairyTail'' has Gajeel, who started off as an EvilCounterpart to [[TheHero Natsu]] until he joined the guild, whereupon he became TheRival, and is still not trusted by some members of the guild. [[spoiler: He is, however, a DoubleAgent for [[BigGood Makarov]] and takes on the tough job of spying on Raven Tail for him.]] There's also Wendy Marvel and her sidekick Carla, who fills the temporary 6th character spot in their intro arc, but proceeded to become a permanent addition to both the guild, and the usual focused team of Natsu/Lucy/Gray/Erza/Happy.

* Being practically ''Anime/YokaiWatch'' meets Super Sentai, ''Anime/YokaiWatchJamYokaiAcademyYCloseEncountersOfTheNKind'' has several examples: School Student President Ranto Kirigakure/MistShadow, who initally antagonized the heroes for his personal revenge agenda, and Chiaki Hebiyama/Sky Snaker and Nozuchika Mitsumatagi/The Viper, who once fought the heroes as heads of the School Mafia, eventually join the team to fight their common enemy, the aliens aliens. Later, Kuka Nanakumo ([[spoiler:a reinstated Kumako Kumoike]]) builds a UR Watch and becomes Momonga Lady. Unusually, Fubuki Himekawa/Clock Lady, while being with the team from the movie, did not get a YSP Watch until Episode 3; and likewise, Mataro Tamada instead got a Shining Watch in Episode 27 to become the TV Hero Shining Boy [[spoiler:and only got a proper UR Watch in Episode 44 to become T-Dine]].

* ''Manga/TheRedRangerBecomesAnAdventurerInAnotherWorld'': In addition to the Kizuna Five, there is also a Kizuna Silver, nicknamed "Sil". According to Red, she she was so observant that she could say things you'd never admit as if seeing right through you.

** The manga introduced an actual sixth ranger in chapter 174. [[spoiler: The "Second Keroro Platoon", a young recruit also named "Keroro", whose Keron Star gives him [[AllYourPowersCombined alternate modes based on the data of each platoon member]]. He befriends a human child called Tomosu, who's an occult fan and member of an occult club, similar to Fuyuki, but he's younger and actually a Fuyuki fan himself.]]

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' has a whole horde of recurring secondary characters, including the Pokémon themselves, who join the main party for specific episodes or arcs. Sometimes, they will be counterparts to characters from the games, but they're just as often {{Canon Foreigner}}s. Misty, Brock, May and Dawn also act somewhat like Sixth Rangers in their [[TheBusCameBack return appearances]]. The ''Sun and Moon'' series has an odd variation where the protagonist is the Sixth Ranger, due to Ash meeting up with an already existent FiveManBand (Pikachu is not the Sixth Ranger of their Pokemon however, as Lillie would not obtain her starter Pokemon, Snowy until after they had met).