History Main / BadassArmFold

* Hotsuma in the UsefulNotes/{{P|layStation2}}S2 ''VideoGame/Shinobi2002'' folds his arms when standing or walking. As does his successor in ''VideoGame/Nightshade2003'', Hibana.

** [[spoiler:{{Exaggerated|Trope}} in the finale with the entire cast pulling this as Simon saves Nia from the Anti-Spiral. Then in the second movie: this is the pose first assumed by the Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (a HumongousMecha just over half the size of the universe) in the film's climax.]]

See also ReverseArmFold (this pose's more laid-back cousin) and DynamicAkimbo. Sometimes combined with DramaticHighPerching. Often leads to RebelRelaxation, but this [[SisterTrope is when they aren't leaning]]. Among {{Anime}} fans, this is known as the "Gainax Pose" because so many badass Gainax characters used it (including the page image).

* {{Space Pirate|s}} ''Anime/CaptainHarlock'' does this from time to time, especially when he's behind the Arcadia's ship's wheel.

* Izumi and Sig Curtis from ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist.''
** Ed does it a few times when he's sulking, but he's still just as badass as the others.
** Special mention goes to Greed/Ling (Greed being dominant) while he descents slowly in the elevator of the government's central building; about to destroy the Amestris' soldiers below.

* Two more Words: [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Master Asia]]. And the ''actual'' King of Hearts that appeared [[spoiler: as part of the ''[[HeartBeatdown Sekhia Love-Love Tenkyoken]]'']] in the finale. Who cares what it was, it rocked all the same.
* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' has a habit of doing this when he's feeling particularly confident, or after having accomplished a BigDamnHeroes moment.

* Dynamis from ''[[Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi Negima!]]'' ''fights'' in that position. He still has [[MultiArmedAndDangerous two hands free]], though.
* ''Franchise/OnePiece'': There is a reason why [[Manga/OnePiece Roronoa Zoro]] is the page image for MadeOfIron. [[spoiler:Imagine all of the pain from your captain was transferred to you while you were already clinging to Death's Door. Zoro [[MadeOfIron SURVIVED THAT]]. The armfold was the cherry on top.]]
* ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'': This is King's default pose in battle, and many fear what would happen if he ever ''uncrossed'' his arms. [[spoiler:He's actually standing like this because with his arms crossed, it's easier for him not to flip out and run away.]]
* Kirino's pose on the cover of the first volume of ''Literature/{{Oreimo}}'' is more [[{{Tsundere}} tsun-tsun]] than badass, but it's enough to undergo MemeticMutation as seen [[http://danbooru.donmai.us/post?tags=can%27t_be_this_cute&searchDefault=Search here]] ({{N|otSafeForWork}}SFW).
* Treecko/Grovyle/Sceptile does this often in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries' (and man is it badass).

* ''Manga/SaintSeiya'': Taurus Aldebaran in the original series and the ''Manga/SaintSeiyaTheLostCanvas'' spin-off. He even [[ExaggeratedTrope fights multiple opponents (and wins!) in this position]].

* The Franchise/{{Batman}}'s first in-story appearance (Detective #27) had him on a rooftop with this pose confronting baddies in the middle of a break-in. One of the most luminary first entrances in comic fiction.

* ComicBook/BlackAdam uses this all the time. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis All. The. Time.]] Normally while hovering a few inches off the ground. Alexander Luthor one time called him on it, saying that his constant hovering was creeping people out.
* Slight variation with ComicBook/{{Darkseid}}, as the Lord of Apokolips tends to fold his arms behind his back.
* ''ComicBook/DoctorDoom'' does this all the time.
* Franchise/GreenLantern Guy Gardner complains that he isn't able to do to this when [[GenderBender he is turned into a woman]] ([[MostCommonSuperPower with a physical trait common with most comic superheroines]]) in an issue of ''Guy Gardner: Warrior''.

* Commonly done by Franchise/{{Superman}}, who stands and/or floats with arms crossed with a derisive look on his face after his opponent's attacks have failed to even make him flinch. Also done whenever he's chiding a crook for acting like a {{Jerkass}}, usually with a "I'm not mad, I'm just ''disappointed''" attitude. Being [[NiceGuy Superman]], this is [[ShamingTheMob really effective]].
* ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' does this every so often.

** In ''ComicBook/ElseworldsFinestSupergirlAndBatgirl'', Supergirl crossed her arms across her chest when she confronted ''Comicbook/{{Batgirl}}'' for first time. Captain Marvel and Big Barda also do this when they argue with Batgirl after arriving on Gotham.

** ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} is prone to this when he's doing the Team Leader bit. Also, he has that "impressive muscles" part down to an absurd degree.
** The genocidal supervillain ComicBook/{{Apocalypse}} can often be seen looking superior in this pose.

* Inspector Javert's default pose in ''Literature/LesMiserables''. When he stops doing it [[DrivenToSuicide he's in trouble...]]
* Visser Three from ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' makes use of this on the cover of [[VillainEpisode VISSER]].

* ''Webcomic/BasicInstructions:'' Though most of the comic's original run, resident superhero Rocket Hat silently appears in the [[LazyArtist same]] not-very-heroic pose with all of his [[ComicallyInvincibleHero effortless beatdowns]] of the Moon Men's Emperor occuring [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome off-camera]]. Toward the end, he finally adapts this trope's pose.

[[folder:Web Original]]

* Firebrand pulls it at the end of the 11/11/12 livestream video in ''WebVideo/TribeTwelve''. [[spoiler: "YOU'RE FUCKING WELCOME."]]

* As might be expected from the large number of badasses in the franchise, ''VideoGame/FistOfTheNorthStarKensRage'' has quite a few of its characters do this, especially after [[LimitBreak Musou attacks]]. Most notable is [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Souther/Thouzer]], whose Badass Arm Fold and EvilLaugh are both weaponized as part of his Nanto abilities.

* Robin and Cyborg from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'' do this from time to time.

* [[VideoGame/StarFox Falco]] in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' games.

* Hotsuma in the UsefulNotes/{{P|layStation2}}S2 ''[[VideoGame/Shinobi2002 Shinobi]]'' folds his arms when standing or walking. As does his successor, [[VideoGame/NightshadeKunoichi Hibana]].

* ''Manga/StarStrikeItRich'': During her introduction at the start Valkyria's firt tournament, Riko has her arms crossed across her chest, emphasizing her muscules and showing that she is confident in her chances of winning.

* Manga/StarStrikeItRich: During her introduction at the start Valkyria's firt tournament, Riko has her arms crossed across her chest, emphasizing her muscules and showing that she is confident in her chances of winning.

* Sonic, Knuckles and especially Shadow from the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series fold their arms on a regular basis.