Epiphany (trope)

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An Epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, "manifestation, striking appearance") is an experience of a sudden and striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe scientific breakthroughs, or religious or philosophical discoveries, but it can apply in any situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective. Here at All The Tropes, we employ it primarily to describe any illuminating discovery, realization, disclosure, or insight used as a device for Character Development. This is usually a life-changing revelation on some (or all) levels, and can be the critical moment that leads to a Heel Face Turn -- or its opposite. An Epiphany often leaves its subject momentarily stunned as the world makes a complete paradigm shift around him.

Super-Trope to

• Epiphany Comeback
• Epiphany Therapy
• Heel Realization
• Ignored Epiphany

Compare Anagnorisis, Eureka Moment.

Examples of Epiphany (trope) include:

Anime and Manga

• The ride Raimu gives Hane in episode 1 of Bakuon!!, which pushes Hane over the line from "motorcycles are kinda cool" to "I MUST HAVE ONE!"

Western Animation

• In the SpongeBob SquarePants episode, "Pickles", Spongebob's epiphany was when he realizes that Bubble Bass was lying about him forgetting to add pickles in his Krusty Krabs burger. That the pickles were hiding underneath Bubble Bass's tongue all this time.