Beam of Enlightenment



A commonly used device when the character gets a moment of clarity, shock, or insight what looks like a laser or a lightning bolt on a black background will shoot behind their heads. Used to emphasize the urgency or impact of what the character has just realized.

The Idea Bulb is a similar convention in Western media. Alertness Blink also has a lot in common with this trope.

Not to be confused with the similar Thunder Shock, which expresses, well, shock.

Anime and Manga

 * Various moments in Dragonball Z when someone senses another character's ki (energy).
 * Gohan also had a Beam Of Enlightenment when he snapped and transformed into a Super Saiyan 2.
 * Another instance where it is used frequently is in Detective Conan, whenever the title character finally realizes who the criminal is.
 * It's also used when a character finds a breakthrough, when the suspect/victim of the week hears something uncomfortable that is bound to turn up later.
 * Can be seen at various points in Ranma 1/2, usually used for comic effect.
 * Often occurs in Yu-Gi-Oh!, when Yugi manages to think up a strategy to beat his latest opponent.
 * Seen in the sixth episode of the TV version of Ah! My Goddess, when Belldandy sensed the entity possessing Megumi's apartment.
 * In Gundam shows, the Beam of Enlightenment signifies a Newtype's danger sense going off, and is generally referred to as the "Newtype flash" by fans.
 * Every time Kaiji discovers anything at all, there's a notorious close-up of his face with a lightning bolt in the background.
 * One of the songs on the soundtrack is even entitled "Beam of Light".
 * Sena, the running back nicknamed Eyeshield 21, often has these when noticing his enemy's weakness, or realizing how to make himself faster/stronger.
 * Also very frequent in Cromartie High School.

Video Game

 * Shows up whenever the Dimensional Scream activates in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky, and the anime specials based on them.

Web Comics

 * Used in El Goonish Shive when, thinking that she's going to die, Ellen temporarily goes nuts.