Okay, so I’ve known this since the series started, but I was trying to explain it and came across what I thought was some pretty interesting info about the trope. Join me, won’t you? (Source)
Let’s start with the definition:
The Foil for a hero of the closely allied variety.
In general, the Lancer will often form one half of a Red Oni, Blue Oni contrasting duo with the main character. While they may butt heads with The Leader, they're usually the Best Friend by the end of it all.
Sounds like our boy, right? But wait, there’s more!
If The Hero has No Social Skills, his Lancer is likely to be more levelheaded and a social person, or even the Morality Pet in extreme cases.
Red Oni, Blue Oni are also a popular combination. They know each others' tactics, they know when something is wrong, and they know when the other is Not Himself or saying Something They Would Never Say.
If The Hero works more from a state of passion when resolving problems, or is inspiring to his team, his Lancer tends to work harder, and in some but not all cases tends to be less popular. The Lancer in this context tends to think his way through challenges and through diligence eventually earns his team's respect for his obvious talents and successes.
In all these cases, The Leader is Shiro, The Hero is Keith, and The Lancer is, of course, Lance.
And it keeps getting better!
Just as Heroes Prefer Swords, The Lancer is often The Archer, The Gunslinger, or a literal Lancer, relying on firepower and distance. If everyone is a ranged fighter then expect The Lancer to explicitly be the best shot, or an Ace Pilot.
If The Hero and The Lancer have Elemental Powers, they will be complementary. If The Hero uses flames, The Lancer will probably use ice, electricity or water.
Yes~ DW did their homework.
When worst comes to worst, The Lancer is the one person on the team who is likely to die for the cause. He's also the most likely member of the team to pull a Face Heel Turn and get turned to The Dark Side (though this usually doesn't last), or end up Brainwashed and Crazy by the Big Bad or the Evil Genius (and if this happens, either The Chick or The Hero will talk him out of it).
Wait, no. Go back, go back! Though, he has almost died a few times.
The article also mentioned our boy specifically (or, rather, Isamu)
GoLion did an interesting bit on this trope. While Isamu Kurogane was named LANCE by Voltron fans, he was not the original Lancer of the team. . . that job was temporarily held by Takashi Shirogane (Sven).
Ah ha! But Lance in VLD is definitely the Lancer.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
You can find more information on The Lancer here.
