History Main / EldritchTransformation

* ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'': Characters in the series who possess one of the Soulstones eventually transform into one of the Prime Evils. From what we see in the games, their bodies gradually become more corpse-like until abruptly tearing apart to reveal the demon beneath. Their minds seem to undergo a similar process. We also see [[ThisWasHisTrueForm the reverse of this]] in the first game: after slaying Diablo, his BigRedDevil form reverts to that of Prince Albrecht.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': [[Characters/TheOwlHouseLuzNoceda Luz Noceda]] undergoes an incredibly rare heroic version in the GrandFinale "[[Recap/TheOwlHouseS3E3WatchingAndDreaming Watching and Dreaming]]". As a result of the Titan giving her the last of his powers to bring her [[CameBackStrong back from the dead]], Luz gains a more nightmarish form as a hybrid half-human, half-titan witch wielding absolutely monstrous magic power. This new form is much more AdorableAbomination than most as while Luz ''does'' gain monstrous traits, she is very much a CuteMonsterGirl due to her Titan form following the style of her Azura costume, and simply adding in new traits such as skeletal hands and black sclera.

* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': PlayedStraight and {{downplayed}} in this ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' Franchise/MonsterVerse fanfiction. San, a piece of a DraconicAbomination, transforms Vivienne Graham into a human-Ghidorah ArtificialHybrid whilst merging with her to form a TwoBeingsOneBody, but due to San's lack of understanding of human biology, their first hybridized form ends up being a BodyHorror-crippled, semi-skeletal MonstrousHumanoid which can barely move without breaking its own bones. The Many, however, are essentially a CaptainErsatz of Film/TheThing with a HiveMind.

** Of course, readers shouldn't forget [[spoiler:what happened to [[HumanoidAbomination Kyril]], or rather, which [[VideoGameBloodBorne ending]] he picked prior to the events of the fanfic]].

* This is the ultimate fate of [[spoiler:Able]] in ''ComicBook/SilkHills. After being abducted by a [[TownWithADarkSecret moth cult]], the victim suffers several days of ritual abuse, ultimately resulting in him being found trapped in a coccoon, apparently of his own creation. After [[spoiler:his death]], his body sprouts wings, legs, and mandibles, ultimately transforming into [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever a truly colossal moth creature]], which flies into the night.

Subtrope of EldritchAbomination, and can overlap with many of its sisters. Related to FromNobodyToNightmare. Compare and contrast the DemonOfHumanOrigin, usually a less eldritch, less hideous-looking equivalent of this trope. Compare BodyHorror and TheCorruption. Related to PowerMakeover. Eviler twin of SuperpowerMeltdown. If the transformation itself is horrific, see PainfulTransformation and TransformationHorror. Contrast BishonenLine when a character gains a more human form as their power increases.

[[quoteright:350:[[Manga/{{Akira}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eldritch_transformation.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"[[AndIMustScream Kaori... help me...]]"]]

* ''Manga/{{Akira}}'''s film adaptation is the TropeCodifier. Tetsuo transforms into a giant human amoeba after his psychic powers get to be too much for him to control in the third act of the film. It takes Akira, himself a walking apocalypse, coming BackFromTheDead to stop his transformation, destroying Neo-Tokyo in the process and transporting him and the Espers[[note]]also Kaneda, almost[[/note]] to a new universe.
** In the manga, Akira had always been alive, Neo-Tokyo had already been destroyed once, and Tetsuo was killed instead of imprisoned.

Subtrope of EldritchAbomination, and can overlap with many of its sisters. Related to FromNobodyToNightmare. Compare and contrast the DemonOfHumanOrigin, usually a less eldritch, less hideous-looking equivalent of this trope. Compare BodyHorror and TheCorruption. Related to PowerMakeover. Eviler twin of SuperpowerMeltdown. If the transformation itself is horrific, see PainfulTransformation and TransformationHorror. Contrast BalefulPolymorph for when someone is turned into something harmless, and BishonenLine when a character gains a more human form as their power increases.

Ah yes, {{Eldritch Abomination}}s. The embodiment of the incomprehensible, the grotesque, the omnipotent. Nothing can be so terrifying as a CosmicHorror monster, regardless of its origins. Especially if those origins are [[WasOnceAMan someone as mundane as your average Joe]].