One-Winged Angel: Difference between revisions

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(For extra effect, try listening to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=736Ed0Fc8zg this] while reading this page.)
(For extra effect, try listening to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=736Ed0Fc8zg this] while reading this page.)


Classic [[Big Bad|Big Bads]] have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to [[Power Makeover|turn into]] big honking monsters. A mad scientist in a fit of urgency might [[Psycho Serum|down his own mutagen]], or a [[Artificial Limbs|cyborg]] turns his body [[Explosive Overclocking|into a living bomb,]] or a [[Killer Rabbit|mild-mannered enemy]] reveals her terrifying [[This Was His True Form|true form.]] Bets are good they'll become way more [[What Measure Is a Non Cute|bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured]]. Sometimes this is [[Glamour Failure|more subtle]], and the character will look perfectly normal (or even [[Bishonen Line|attractive]]) save for [[Red Right Hand|a few glaring monstrosities]] that [[Sculpted Physique|give them]] a scary [[Game Face]].
Classic [[Big Bad|Big Bads]] have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to [[Power Makeover|turn into]] big honking monsters. A mad scientist in a fit of urgency might [[Psycho Serum|down his own mutagen]], or a [[Artificial Limbs|cyborg]] turns his body [[Explosive Overclocking|into a living bomb,]] or a [[Killer Rabbit|mild-mannered enemy]] reveals her terrifying [[This Was His True Form|true form.]] Bets are good they'll become way more [[What Measure Is a Non-Cute?|bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured]]. Sometimes this is [[Glamour Failure|more subtle]], and the character will look perfectly normal (or even [[Bishonen Line|attractive]]) save for [[Red Right Hand|a few glaring monstrosities]] that [[Sculpted Physique|give them]] a scary [[Game Face]].


This shows the villain means business and it's time for the heroes to end it. And for those with firmer morals, this qualifies the villain as a monster, [[What Measure Is a Non Human|making it fine to kill him]]. (See also [[Karmic Death]].) This is probably why item 34 in the [[Evil Overlord List]] says "I will not [[Scaled Up|turn into a snake]]. It never helps."
This shows the villain means business and it's time for the heroes to end it. And for those with firmer morals, this qualifies the villain as a monster, [[What Measure Is a Non-Human?|making it fine to kill him]]. (See also [[Karmic Death]].) This is probably why item 34 in the [[Evil Overlord List]] says "I will not [[Scaled Up|turn into a snake]]. It never helps."


Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[Badass Boast|"No one who has seen me in this form has lived to tell about it!!!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"Now you'll face my '''true''' power!"''
Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[Badass Boast|"No one who has seen me in this form has lived to tell about it!!!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"Now you'll face my '''true''' power!"''
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If there's one ''final'' final form after the heroes beat the bad guy, and it loses handily, it was a [[Clipped-Wing Angel]].
If there's one ''final'' final form after the heroes beat the bad guy, and it loses handily, it was a [[Clipped-Wing Angel]].


Named in honor of Sephiroth, [[Big Bad]] of the video game ''[[Final Fantasy VII (Video Game)|Final Fantasy VII]].''<ref>Okay, named in honor of his theme music, as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.</ref> Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Dragonball Z|Frieza]] in 1991, [[Rule of Three|three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In JRPGs, particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of [[One Winged Angel]]: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eeriely beautiful and accompanied by [[Ominous Latin Chanting]] (the original One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, is the codifier of this subtrope). Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the [[Bishonen Line]] and into safer territory for an [[Evil Makeover]] to work its magic (though it's a huge case of [[Tropes Are Not Bad]]; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''fucking awesome'').
Named in honor of Sephiroth, [[Big Bad]] of the video game ''[[Final Fantasy VII (Video Game)|Final Fantasy VII]].''<ref>Okay, named in honor of his theme music, as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.</ref> Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Dragonball Z|Frieza]] in 1991, [[Rule of Three|three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In JRPGs, particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of [[One-Winged Angel]]: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eeriely beautiful and accompanied by [[Ominous Latin Chanting]] (the original One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, is the codifier of this subtrope). Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the [[Bishonen Line]] and into safer territory for an [[Evil Makeover]] to work its magic (though it's a huge case of [[Tropes Are Not Bad]]; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''fucking awesome'').


Sometimes you never even fight their human form at all and they immediately turn into a monster. Can count as [[The Unfought]] if they showed fighting ability in their human form. This is more popular among minor video game villains who will often transform into [[Underground Monkey|tougher]] [[Palette Swap|versions]] of earlier monsters like in the ''[[Breath of Fire]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' games, as it takes time to create a unique battle sprite for them.
Sometimes you never even fight their human form at all and they immediately turn into a monster. Can count as [[The Unfought]] if they showed fighting ability in their human form. This is more popular among minor video game villains who will often transform into [[Underground Monkey|tougher]] [[Palette Swap|versions]] of earlier monsters like in the ''[[Breath of Fire]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' games, as it takes time to create a unique battle sprite for them.


Interestingly, heroes, particularly [[Voluntary Shapeshifting|transforming characters]], have been [[Super Mode|known to use this "turn into a big scary monster" tactic]] as well. It's extremely rare for it not to cross into [[Super Powered Evil Side]] territory.
Interestingly, heroes, particularly [[Voluntary Shapeshifting|transforming characters]], have been [[Super Mode|known to use this "turn into a big scary monster" tactic]] as well. It's extremely rare for it not to cross into [[Super-Powered Evil Side]] territory.


Sadly, this transformation can often be anti-climactic, as it telegraphs to the audience that the villain will most likely face his final defeat soon. Outside of video games, it is quite rare for a bad guy to invoke this trope and actually WIN. This might be because the less human a character looks, the more "acceptable" it is to kill them.
Sadly, this transformation can often be anti-climactic, as it telegraphs to the audience that the villain will most likely face his final defeat soon. Outside of video games, it is quite rare for a bad guy to invoke this trope and actually WIN. This might be because the less human a character looks, the more "acceptable" it is to kill them.
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For those looking for actual winged people, see [[Winged Humanoid]] and [[Our Angels Are Different]].
For those looking for actual winged people, see [[Winged Humanoid]] and [[Our Angels Are Different]].
{{examples|Examples}}
{{examples}}


* [[One-Winged Angel/Anime and Manga|Anime and Manga]]
* [[One-Winged Angel/Anime and Manga|Anime and Manga]]
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[[Category:index]]
[[Category:index]]
[[Category:One Winged Angel]]
[[Category:One Winged Angel]]
[[Category:Trope]]
[[Category:Trope]][[Category:Pages with comment tags]]

Revision as of 09:40, 9 January 2014

Maleficent scales up.
Maleficent scales up.
"I've avoided showing you this form! You'll wish you never crossed Veran, Sorceress of Shadows!"
—Veran, Zelda: Oracle of Ages


(For extra effect, try listening to this while reading this page.)

Classic Big Bads have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to turn into big honking monsters. A mad scientist in a fit of urgency might down his own mutagen, or a cyborg turns his body into a living bomb, or a mild-mannered enemy reveals her terrifying true form. Bets are good they'll become way more bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured. Sometimes this is more subtle, and the character will look perfectly normal (or even attractive) save for a few glaring monstrosities that give them a scary Game Face.

This shows the villain means business and it's time for the heroes to end it. And for those with firmer morals, this qualifies the villain as a monster, making it fine to kill him. (See also Karmic Death.) This is probably why item 34 in the Evil Overlord List says "I will not turn into a snake. It never helps."

Usually accompanied by the stock phrases "No one who has seen me in this form has lived to tell about it!!!", "I have only begun to fight!", or "Now you'll face my true power!"

If there's one final final form after the heroes beat the bad guy, and it loses handily, it was a Clipped-Wing Angel.

Named in honor of Sephiroth, Big Bad of the video game Final Fantasy VII.[1] Video games in general absolutely adore having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of Frieza in 1991, three-form bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In JRPGs, particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eeriely beautiful and accompanied by Ominous Latin Chanting (the original One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, is the codifier of this subtrope). Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the Bishonen Line and into safer territory for an Evil Makeover to work its magic (though it's a huge case of Tropes Are Not Bad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something fucking awesome).

Sometimes you never even fight their human form at all and they immediately turn into a monster. Can count as The Unfought if they showed fighting ability in their human form. This is more popular among minor video game villains who will often transform into tougher versions of earlier monsters like in the Breath of Fire and Final Fantasy games, as it takes time to create a unique battle sprite for them.

Interestingly, heroes, particularly transforming characters, have been known to use this "turn into a big scary monster" tactic as well. It's extremely rare for it not to cross into Super-Powered Evil Side territory.

Sadly, this transformation can often be anti-climactic, as it telegraphs to the audience that the villain will most likely face his final defeat soon. Outside of video games, it is quite rare for a bad guy to invoke this trope and actually WIN. This might be because the less human a character looks, the more "acceptable" it is to kill them.

Scaled Up and Make My Monster Grow are major subtropes. See also I Am Not Left Handed, Evil Makes You Monstrous and Shapeshifter Showdown. Compare Emergency Transformation, Came Back Wrong, and Not Even Human. One subversion is to make it a Clipped-Wing Angel.

For those looking for actual winged people, see Winged Humanoid and Our Angels Are Different.

Examples of One-Winged Angel include:


  1. ↑ Okay, named in honor of his theme music, as he has in fact seven wings, but just one in place of an arm.
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