History Main / EnergyAbsorption

* The Necromes introduced in season 4 of ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}''. Some disaster in their past turned all of the inhabitants of their world into Wakfu-starved beings who feel nothing but constant unending hunger for Wakfu. While this is a horrific state of existence that they want to end someday, it has the benefit of making them nearly impossible to fight for users of Wakfu-based attacks like the Eliatropes. The Necromes just absorb the Wakfu thrown at them. They notably can't absorb the destructive Stasis energy the same way, though it's usually not a problem since not many others can use Stasis like them. [[spoiler:In the FinalBattle between Yugo and Goultard vs. the Necrome king Toross Mordal, Yugo has to resort to creating a ''Stasis'' energy sword alongside his Wakfu energy sword to gain the edge needed to prevail against Toross.]]

* The Necromes introduced in season 4 of ''WesternAnimatoin/{{Wakfu}}''. Some disaster in their past turned all of the inhabitants of their world into Wakfu-starved beings who feel nothing but constant unending hunger for Wakfu. While this is a horrific state of existence that they want to end someday, it has the benefit of making them nearly impossible to fight for users of Wakfu-based attacks like the Eliatropes. The Necromes just absorb the Wakfu thrown at them. They notably can't absorb the destructive Stasis energy the same way, though it's usually not a problem since not many others can use Stasis like them. [[spoiler:In the FinalBattle between Yugo and Goultard vs. the Necrome king Toross Mordal, Yugo has to resort to creating a ''Stasis'' energy sword alongside his Wakfu energy sword to gain the edge needed to prevail against Toross.]]

** Majin Buu annihilated countless worlds before he was sealed by Supreme Kai Shin, and the life force of these worlds served to make him stronger, a fact he highlights in delight when facing Vegito with an enormous energy sphere.

** Majin Buu from ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' as well. He annihilated countless worlds before he was sealed by Supreme Kai Shin, and the life force of these worlds served to make him stronger, a fact he highlights in delight when facing Vegito with an enormous energy sphere.

%%** Yakon, Androids 19 and 20 from ''Anime/DragonBallZ''.

** Adam Taurus can also absorb energy by blocking attacks, ranged and physical, with his sword. Blake compare his semblance to Yang's. He then releases the energy in powerful SwordBeam attacks. Unlike Yang and Nora, Adam ''needs'' a weapon to use his semblance, as he can't absorb attacks that hit him personally.

* ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' has a variation with a villain who gains his powers through [[ProfessorGuineaPig self-experimentation]] in bypassing metabolic processes for gaining energy. This gives him the power of matter absorption, of which energy absorption is a side-benefit, but makes him increasingly denser the more he absorbeswith a hunger to absorb more. Eventually, he becomes too heavy to move and needs to be carted to custody with a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawler-transporter crawler-transporter]]. This example deconstructs the trope because he succeeds in bypassing eating to gain energy but doesn't have any way to expel said energy, leading to the density problem. Also, since he doesn't actually have a capacity limit like he would with a stomach, he can't feel full, thus the unending hunger.

* Lord Tirek from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has this ability, making him NighInvulnerable unless you hit him with such a powerful blast that it overwhelms him before he can absorb it.

%% Image removed per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1519850842045100400
%% Please start a new thread if you'd like to suggest an image.

** In the ''[[Anime/DragonBallZTheReturnOfCooler Return of Cooler]]'' movie, Cooler hooked Goku and Vegeta up to the Big Gete Star that brought him back from the dead to drain their energy, and suffered the PhlebotinumOverload version of this trope. Yakon was taken down in a similar way.

* ''Anime/GodzillaThePlanetEater'': Ghidorah drains Godzilla's electromagnetic energy through sustained contact. When Godzilla attempts to use his heat defense mechanism against Ghidorah, Ghidorah siphons off the energy even faster than Godzilla can generate it.

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':
** Nel can absorb Ceros by swallowing them and fire them back, enhanced by her own power.
** Yumichika's [[CoverblowingSuperpower true power]] is the ability to absorb the life force from his opponent, killing them. He can also use that absorbed energy to heal any injuries he might have in a form of VampiricDraining.
** Ukitake's shikai absorbs the attack of his opponents and fires it back with a little twist to make it hard for the opponent to predict the retaliatory strike.
** Quincies use this to absorb ambient {{Mana}} and even steal it from their enemies in order to power their attacks.
** The antagonist of the first {{OVA}} could absorb spiritual energy.
** In the anime-only Invasion arc, this is Nozomi's true ability.
* The [[TokenMiniMoe prepubescent looking]] Hinako Ninomiya of ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' can absorb both {{Ki|Manipulation}} and LifeEnergy (causing her to [[DualAgeModes transform]] into a [[MsFanservice curvaceous adult]]), and then return the energy in a [[KiManipulation ki attack]] of her own (causing her to revert to her child form).

** ''Manga/DiamondIsUnbreakable'': Yuya Fugami's Stand, Highway Star, can take the nutrients of a victim and transfer it to Yuya which he uses to recover his own wounds.
** ''Manga/GoldenWind'': Carne's Notorious Big absorbs kinetic energy it [[LivingMotionDetector senses]] to grow its size. Someone moving their limbs around won't grow it in any noticeable way, but the hundred-thousand RPM of a plane engine, on the other hand is enough to make it move/grow at unparalleled speed.

* ''Anime/SailorMoon'': Constantly, especially in the first season where the Dark Kingdom's each evil plan of the week is always to drain LifeEnergy from people to reawaken Queen Metalia.
* ''Literature/ShakuganNoShana'': The [[DemonicInvaders Guze no Tomogara]] maintain their continued, unnatural existence in this world by feeding on humans' power of existence. The first villain's evil plan is to go even further by casting a "''City Devouring''", a spell greatly feared for its ability to consume and convert ''everything'' into a huge supply of usable energy.
%%* ''Anime/KiddyGrade'': Alv and Dvergr can use this power to absorb any matter at all.%%All right, and what about energy?

*** During the 4th Shinobi World War, Nagato himself used the Preta Path power to absorb Killer B's chakra while he was in his Version 2 form. He then apparently used the chakra to revitalise his body to its state before it was emaciated by the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. The ability of the Preta Path is a standard ability of those who wield the [[MagicalEye Rinnegan]].

* Evangeline and [[spoiler:Negi]] can do this as well in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi''.
* The titular ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' [[spoiler:absorbs the energy of a big bang after it is converted into Spiral Power.]]
* Nanoha's [[WaveMotionGun Starlight Breaker]] in ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' works by absorbing the residual energy left by magical attacks in a battlefield and firing it in a massive beam. This makes it both deadly and cost-efficient since it doesn't completely rely on a mage's own power, [[spoiler:which is the main reason why Nanoha decided to teach it to [[WeakButSkilled Teana]] after ''[=StrikerS=]'']].
** Also, the [[ArtifactOfDoom Book of Darkness]] in ''A's'' was powered by the energy absorbed from the Linker Cores of various mages and other magical beings.
** Miura Rinaldi from ''Manga/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaVivid'' is another mage who is specialized in ''Breaker'' magic. This is not surprising considering that she's Nanoha's {{Expy}}.[[note]]Despite being Hayate's ''[=ViVid=]'' representative.[[/note]]
* Jegan from ''Manga/RaveMaster'' uses a Dark Bring, '''Yggdrasil''', which absorbs energy and converts it into plant-life.
* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': The special ability of the Sword Samurai X, the buso renkin of [[KendoTeamCaptain Shusui Hayasaka]] is to adsorb any energy based attack with its blade and transfer the energy to the cord dangling from its hilt so that the wielder can make a short ranged energy attack of their own. [[Creator/NobuhiroWatsuki The author]] has said that he gave the weapon this ability because he was tired of seeing swords [[SwordBeam firing energy attacks]].

* Part of ''Shin Manga/GetterRobo'''s ability to [[CombiningMecha combine]] with anything includes this. The Getter's ultimate goal would presumably involve reconstituting the energy and mass of the universe back into itself.
* In ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia2013'', dragons get bigger and stronger the more magic is used on them. [[spoiler:A rather small one is freed in a dungeon about halfway through, and becomes the main conflict of the story very soon after.]]
* ''Manga/MobileSuitGundamSEEDAstray'' has the Gold Frame Amatsu, whose Maga-no-Ikutachi ([[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "Living Sword of Evil"]]) backpack can grab an enemy [[HumongousMecha mobile suit]] and drain their power. Since ''SEED'' mobile suits operate on finite power batteries instead of the nuclear fusion reactors seen in other ''{{Franchise/Gundam}}'' universes, this obviously can cause quite a problem for Gold Frame's enemies.
* ''Anime/GundamBuildFighters'' has the Star Build Strike's "Absorb Shield", which can absorb enemy beam attacks and later release that energy to supercharge the MS's performance. Doesn't work so well on beam sabers, though, and of course, cannot absorb physical ammunition.
* ''Literature/TheFamiliarOfZero'' has Saito's sword, Derflinger. Derflinger has the ability to consume any magic his blade encounters and can later use it for his own spells, such as controlling the body of his wielder should they lose consciousness. He does have a limit on how much and how fast he can consume magic.
* ''Manga/FairyTail''
** [[spoiler:Part of Jellal's BatmanGambit, the Tower of Heaven is really made out of magic-absorbing [[AppliedPhlebotinum Phlebotinum]], so firing the KillSat at the tower actually harvests the energy necessary for the ritual.]]
** [[spoiler:[[GreaterScopeVillain Acnologia]] has this as he's the [[NonElemental Dragon of Magic]] itself, meaning he can devour ''any'' magical attack used against him.]]
* ''Manga/BlackClover'':
** Ladros has the ability to absorb other people's magic and re-emit it in the form of [[KiManipulation ki lasers]] or [[HealThyself healing]]. He also learned how to forcibly disperse incoming magic into the air around him so he can absorb it at a pace he can handle, rendering him immune to the usual PhlebotinumOverload associated with this trope.
** [[spoiler:Charmy's Food Magic, which she switches to from Cotton Magic when she gets sufficiently angry, allows her to "eat" any magic she comes in contact with and add it to her own. Appropriately enough, her spirit companion changes from a [[SweetSheep sheep]] to a [[SavageWolves wolf]] during this switch, who has the same ability. Unlike Ladros, there is no known level in which she can overload herself; she has absorbed everything a Magic Knight Captain, empowered further by an elf, has thrown at her without slowing down, though it may be mitigated by her expending magic power via attacks at the same time she's absorbing it.]]
* Meliodas from ''Manga/TheSevenDeadlySins'' has this ability, utilizing it to ''devastating'' effect [[spoiler: by having his ''allies'' target him to unleash a ChargedAttack in the climax of the first season.]]
* ''Literature/ThatTimeIGotReincarnatedAsASlime'': As part of his TheAssimilator powerset, Rimuru can use his Skills to absorb a foe's attacks (including magical or energy-based ones) or even directly siphon off their magical energy to replenish his own.
* ''Literature/RebuildWorld'':
** Akira once encounters snail monsters who absorb energy from a nearby ruined building (wrecking its RagnarokProofing in the process) to shield themselves. They still need to prepare their shields, so Akira uses HitAndRunTactics on them.
** While escorting a BigBadassRig, Akira fights mechanical monsters that look like white MiniMecha. One of them plugs itself into the rig to super-charge its DeflectorShields. Akira uses his sword to cut the floor out from under it, severing its connection.

** Carol's shield turns out to be able to do this, as it's made of Uru and enchanted like Mjolnir. Since she has no inherent superpowers beyond being a SuperSoldier, it gets much more use. ''Unfinished Business'' reveals that [[spoiler: it's actually a MorphWeapon, capable of turning into her canon battle-suit and, if charged up sufficiently, granting her FlyingBrick powers.]] In a pinch, it's also a convenient substitute for the shattered [[spoiler: Green Lantern]].
** Ván, the ancient (and lost) sword of Frey, could absorb any energy, up to and including [[spoiler: Phoenix Fire]], and was designed to fight Surtur.

** The Parasite a.k.a. [[spoiler: Robert Reynolds/The Void]] has this as his main power, originally through SympatheticMagic, before being able to absorb energy on contact and on proximity and reuse it as fuel for magic and FlyingBrick powers. However, he suffers from CripplingOverSpecialisation (genius at SympatheticMagic, useless at everything else), and he's effectively on a battery, so he can be worn down quite easily.

* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:''
** Iron Man's suit absorbs Thor's lightning bolt in ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''.
--->'''Jarvis:''' Power to four-hundred percent capacity. [[note]]Despite this, the display in his helmet shows that it is actually at four-hundred and seventy-five percent.[[/note]]\\

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', any energy, even the kinetic force propelling bullets, is something Sebastian Shaw can fully absorb into his body, and it is stated that this is how he was able to retain a youthful body. However, retaining his youth is literally the least he can do with it, as he is capable of sending the energy right at someone or something. His absorption skills are potent enough to also absorb the entire explosive output equivalent to that of a nuclear bomb.
** In ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', Bishop's mutant ability allows him to absorb any form of energy and redirect it, which he uses to charge his gun.
* In ''Film/TheAndromedaStrain'', the alien germ is being investigated in a sealed lab which will detonate with a nuclear explosion if the lab's seals are breached. The scientists find out the germ will do this with the nuclear explosion, and multiply exponentially.
* ''Film/{{MonsterVerse}}'':
** Of the nuclear kind in ''Film/{{Godzilla 2014}}'', with the [=MUTO=]s seeing nukes as more of a pastry than a weapon of mass destruction. [[spoiler:This becomes a problem later when the [=MUTO=]s snag a live and ticking nuke under everyone's noses to feed their young.]]

* A weaker version in ''Film/{{Evolution|2001}}''. The alien lifeforms turn out to use fire to amplify their HollywoodEvolution. Originally, it was triggered by the meteorite superheating in the atmosphere. Near the end, the US Military decides to use napalm to burn the alien lifeforms before they spread to the world. This results in a giant amoeba-like creature that begins to split in two. Earlier, someone entertained the thought of nuking the aliens.

* ''Film/Kronos1957'' features an alien device/war machine that is sent to Earth to absorb energy to take back to its alien creators; it grows ever larger the more it absorbs.

* The Langston Field from ''Literature/TheMoteInGodsEye'' absorbs any sort of energy - pass through one and it will slow you down and drain your body heat. The authors are very thorough about exploring the implications of this technology, and the rules of space combat in the setting are mostly controlled by the way Langston Fields absorb, store, radiate, and get overloaded by energy applied to them.
* The power of the black gelstei crystals in the ''Literature/EaCycle''.
* Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse:
** [[DeflectorShields "Molecular" shields]] absorb at least part of the energy of incoming laser blasts to power the weapons of the vehicle they protect.
** Sufficiently advanced Force-Users have the ability to absorb lightning attacks without injury, a technique called Tutaminis. Then again, their weapon can do the same thing, so it's mostly for bragging rights. Someone should have told Luke, "Now, when you meet up with the Emperor, don't throw your lightsaber away. It can block Force-Lightning!"
** Energy absorption is one of the two theories about how Vader caught that blaster bolt in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' (The other is that [[Literature/TheGloveOfDarthVader he had an indestructible glove]]). A few Jedi in the Expanded Universe, most notably [[Literature/XWingSeries Corran]] [[Literature/IJedi Horn]], can also absorb heat energy and the power of a lightsaber's blade.
** In ''Literature/LukeSkywalkerAndTheShadowsOfMindor'', a stormtrooper hits a captured Luke Skywalker, who then says "Please don't hit me". When he's hit again, he breaks the blaster. Another tries to shoot him.
--->''"Please don't shoot me, either." He turned the palm upward in a friendly shrug and let the astonished troopers stare at the only effect of the Force-blunted blasterfire: a faint curl of steam that trailed upward from his unmarked palm. "Let's try to end the day [[BewareTheNiceOnes with nobody else dying]], shall we?"''
* When petite brown-haired Suzuho in ''Literature/MagiciansAcademy'' removes the hair ribbon from her ponytail, she transforms into her blue-haired alter ego Suzuka, who is foul-talking and violent. She also absorbs all magical power in her region (which is a real problem at the Magician's Academy).
* Later models of [[MilitaryMashupMachine Bolos]], in Creator/KeithLaumer's ''Literature/{{Bolo}}'' books, have {{Deflector Shield}}s which can shunt power from energy weapon hits to the Bolo's power cells. One short story features a Bolo which loses both its reactors to battle damage but is able to continue fighting since it's still getting shot enough to keep it powered.
* ''Literature/WildCards'':
** the Amazing Bubbles, who can absorb kinetic energy and later release it in the form of detonating "bubbles." Thing is, the energy stores on her in the form of fat, and she's ''always'' absorbing kinetic energy, even by walking. Still, the fat storage is helpful, as [[spoiler: she uses it to cover up the fact that she's a famous model]].
** the Reflector can absorb any kind of energy, which makes him physically stronger. Despite being perhaps one of the most powerful aces in the whole saga he is [[spoiler: defeated twice, once by Mr. Gravemold, an energy absorber himself, and once by Modular Man by making a whole building collapse on him, trapping him under the rubble.]]

* ''Literature/TheSecretOfCrickleyHall'': In the titular HauntedHouse, twelve-year-old Loren often feels tired; to her adolescent life force, the ghosts are apparently drawn.
* In ''Literature/SuperPowereds'', this is Vince's ability. Until recently, it's been a BlessedWithSuck kind of power due to his inability to control it. The whole point of the secret program is to help the Powered (those who have superpowers but not the ability to control them) to become Supers (superpowered people who can control their abilities). Vince is first introduced after he accidentally drained an entire county of power, when trying to fix a toaster and receiving an electric shock. His doctor put him in an isolated dark ward to wait for the accumulated power to slowly bleed out of him. When demonstrating the power to Nick, Vince has him light a match and then absorb its energy (including heat), turning the match to ash. When Nick asks why the match turns to ash, Vince explains that he also absorbs the match's ''potential'' energy due to his inexperience. Unfortunately, his arch-nemesis in college is AnIcePerson, meaning Vince can't absorb his energy because cold is the ''absence'' of energy. The best he can do is charge himself up with fire beforehand and use it to counter the ice, coupling it with his superior tactical and hand-to-hand combat skills. He is later chastised by his gym teacher for only charging up the bare minimum in order not to feel exhausted for fear of losing control. The teacher gives him a year to get over it and learn to use his power to the fullest or risk getting cut from the Hero Certification Program. It's eventually revealed that Vince lets go of his inhibitions when his friends are in danger, such as when he [[spoiler:absorbs a forest fire in California and continues to use that fire for the following year]]. In Year 2, he learns that he can [[spoiler:absorb and emit kinetic energy, meaning he can now MegatonPunch with the best of them and be able to take a crippling blow without a problem (the other fist simply stops, losing all momentum)]]. The one ability he has no one thought was possible is to [[spoiler:absorb the energy created by another Super]].
* ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'': The titular monster of "It Came From Beneath The Sink" is the Grool, a sponge-like lifeform that feeds on negative energy from emotions like fear or anger. It not only grows stronger and healthier but can channel it's power to cause accidents and misfortune, which in turn gives it more energy to feed on. [[spoiler:By contrast, giving the Grool positive energy like love and tenderness causes it to wither and die.]]
* In ''Literature/ThePoint'' the main protagonist Scarlett Winter is a Post-Human who is listed as level 3. Level 1 post-humans are strong or fast, Level 2 are telekinetic's, and level 3 (very rare) is any other power, with hers being energy absorption.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E10TheEatersOfLight The Eaters of Light]]", the beasts are capable of feeding on all forms of light, even that located inside living beings, killing them instantly.
** The [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Great Vampires]] were capable of draining all of the energy from an entire planet in seconds, and EU material reveals that they were also effectively immune to energy weapons, as they could absorb any radiant energy thrown at them. Yet, like conventional vampires, they were vulnerable to a stake through the heart, so the Time Lords created massive 'bowships' that would fire enormous steel bolts to impale them.
* The space amoeba from the original ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'', which was surrounded by a field that could drain all energy from any approaching starship.
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': After the [[Characters/SupernaturalNephilim Nephilim Jack Kline]] [[spoiler:explodes in The Empty]], he becomes a "power vacuum", allowing him to absorb [[spoiler:all types of power -- even God's]].
* The alien healing machine in ''Series/BabylonFive''. An alien space probe and a [[{{Precursors}} First Ones]]' ship are also equipped with Energy Absorption.

** There were also the intelligent microbes from the episode "Message in a Bottle". It was determined that staff weapon and zat blasts fed them. When the self-destruct is activated, they tell SG-1 [[spoiler:(through O'Neill, whom they'd taken control of so they could communicate)]] that the explosion would only feed them.
** The Ori planet shield in the episode "Beachhead" (though others are implied in future episodes) uses energy absorbed from attacks by other weapons (for example, a ''nuclear bomb'') to expand and eventually collapse a planet into a black hole.

* TheMaster in ''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'' does this.

* In the first season of ''Series/{{The Flash|2014}}'', Farooq Gibran (AKA Blackout) can absorb and emit electricity. Since Barry's speed is related to electricity, Farooq ends up draining him, which temporarily robs him of his speed. However, after Farooq nearly killing Dr. Wells causes Barry to regain his speed and even more faster than before, Farooq's second attempt at draining him results in [[GoingToGiveItMoreEnergy Farooq burning out from the overload]].
* ''Series/MonsterWarriors'': In "Buzz!", a [[BigCreepyCrawlies huge]] electricity-sucking [[BeeAfraid bumblebee]] is draining all of Capital City's power supply.
* After going through the Hex twice, Monica Rambeau in ''Series/WandaVision'' gains some kind of superpower, though the exact nature of it remains unexplored for now. The first major use of it, however, is when she takes a bullet for the Maximov kids, and seemingly reduce the kinetic energy of the bullets as they harmlessly pass through her body.

* Game examples: Black Globes from ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'' and the Andromedans from ''TabletopGame/StarFleetBattles''. Both are subject to PhlebotinumOverload.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' the Absorption enhancement turns your Damage Reduction into a battery that you can use to heal yourself or improve any one of your primary stats.
* ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' has a power for this, as with everything else comics can ever do. As do ''Champions'', ''DC Heroes'', ''MSHRP'', ''Villains and Vigilantes'', and pretty much every other superhero RPG ever made.

** The quote above originates from Vezon, the FinalBoss of the 2006 storyline. One of the powers the [[MacGuffin Mask of Life]] gave him after making him its guardian was the ability to absorb kinetic energy, so any attack that struck him or his mount Fenrakk would only make them physically stronger. They could also get stronger by attacking things ''themselves'', so that even in the event an enemy could hurt them indirectly (creating a vacuum, dehydrating the air, increasing or decreasing the temperature to extreme levels), all they'd have to do to restore their energy was to literally ''stomp on the ground continuously and very hard''. [[spoiler:Things only got slightly easier later on when Fenrakk transformed and lost the ability to share Vezon's ability, but gained [[BreathWeapon extremely powerful energy blasts]] in exchange]]. Due to its [[StoryBreakerPower game-changing abilities]], Vezon lost this power when he lost the mask.

* In ''Franchise/TheTransformers'', the original bio for G1 Decepticon Thundercracker stated that he had the ability to steal electricity from nearby sources, like power lines, in order to make himself stronger, but this power was never used in any Transformers media.

* The Utwig Jugger in ''VideoGame/StarControl2'' has a shield which refills its energy banks when shot. Used correctly, this can make it one of the most powerful ships in the game, able to take down the Ur-Quan, Kohr-Ah, and even Chmmr battleships without much trouble.
* The penultimate light-side ability in ''VideoGame/JediKnightDarkForcesII'' is Force Absorb, which converts offensive Force attacks against you into mana.
* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'': Heidern's "Bringer" grab-attacks let him nick a little energy from the opponent.
* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
** The eponymous creatures feed by absorbing energy from living things through an unknown process. According to the ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'' lore, their victims lose no blood or other body mass but appear unable to survive without [[LifeEnergy the energy]] the Metroids drain. This power is the only known way to kill an [[VideoGame/MetroidFusion X Parasite]], which is exactly why the [[GodzillaThreshold Metroids were made in the first place.]] After being infused with Metroid cells, Samus herself gains a similar power that allows her to safely absorb X, [[spoiler:and by ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'', once the Metroid DNA fully integrates within her, she can absorb ''any'' energy within a certain proximity of her, even from machines.]]
** Many enemies in the ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' subseries have beam-absorbing abilities.
* ''VideoGame/MegaMan7'': Be ready to slide away when Shade Man flies up to the top of the room, because he'll steal some energy if he grabs you on the way back down.
* In ''VideoGame/MetalCombatFalconsRevenge'', Zephyr's Cobra [[HumongousMecha ST]] carries a shield that can absorb any attack you throw at him. If you shoot his shield again with a powerful blast while he's absorbing, it'll be destroyed, and he'll have to fight the rest of the battle with only his [[{{BFG}} really big]] ArmCannon.
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'':
** [[VideoGame/{{Mother}} Ness and Lucas]] have an ability called PSI Magnet which they can use to absorb energy attacks and use them to heal themselves.
** Mr. VideoGame/GameAndWatch's bucket can absorb energy attacks (and turns them into flat oil). Absorb three and he can spill the full bucket of oil to damage opponents.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** In general, the games have a number of energy absorbing abilities, from the Dragoon's Lancet to the Element Eater abilities.
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', Celes has an ability called "Runic," which absorbs the MP of any single spell cast, completely negating the effect itself. This effectively means that magic is worthless until Celes absorbs a spell or selects a different action. This is very helpful against the boss you fight shortly after recruiting Celes, but is rarely useful afterwards, unless you know an enemy uses powerful magic and can fight effectively without using magic of your own.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'':
** Several classes have limited absorption abilities, often of their primary elements. Mages can gain various side benefits with talents, such as absorbing mana or spellpower from the negated spells. Deathknights can use an AntiMagic shield that gives them additional runic power when absorbing damage. Mages can also steal enemy buffs, although only for a maximum of two minutes.
** Preceded by ''The Frozen Throne'' expansion pack of Warcraft III, with the Blood Elves' ''Spellbreaker'' unit. Playing the magic addiction card of the ''former'' High Elves, the Spellbreaker can absorb '''any''' magic buff from '''any''' unit (friend and foe alike), to the bane of casters everywhere.

* Sarara's block special in ''VideoGame/MagicalBattleArena'', which creates a shield that will absorb most attacks that strike it, making them heal her instead.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Crysis}}'' it is said that the alien structure acts as a ''giant power sink'' draining energy from the surrounding environment to power itself up. This leads to an expanding bubble of flash-frozen mountain jungle around it. [[FromBadToWorse Guess what happens when]] [[NukeEm they detonate a nuclear weapon hoping to destroy it]].
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'': Leevers attack by draining energy from their victims.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'': Fi uses this power to call down divine energy for [[SwordBeam Skyward Strikes]], as well as to direct the three sacred flames into the Goddess Sword to power it. The final battle has Link using the Master Sword as an ImprovisedLightningRod, and ends with [[spoiler:Fi absorbing Demise into the blade and sealing him there]].
* ''VideoGame/MasterOfOrion 2'' has the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Energy Absorber]], which absorbs a quarter of the damage from an attack in combat, and allows the equipped ship to fire it back like a regular energy weapon in the next turn.
* In ''VideoGame/SwordOfTheStars'', one of the "shield" sections available is the absorber. It cuts energy weapon damage by 75% and uses that energy to recharge the energy-based weapons of the ship it's on. Ships with this section and an all-energy weapon layout are going to be duking it out for some time.

* ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'' is defined by this concept, as well as ReversePolarity.
* In ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', there are several abilities that nullify damage taken from certain types, instead of raising one of the target's stats.
** Volt Absorb, Water Absorb, and Earth Eater will all heal the user if they take hits from Electric, Water, or Ground attacks, respectively.
** Flash Fire boosts the power of Fire moves if the user is hit with one.
** In [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Generation V]], Sap Sipper, Lightningrod, and Storm Drain nullify Grass, Electric, and Water moves, respectively, to increase Attack (Sap Sipper) or Special Attack (Lightningrod and Storm Drain), provided the user doesn't have a type immunity to the move. The latter two will also redirect attacks of the absorbed type toward the user in double and triple battles. Before the fifth generation, however, the latter two only provide redirection rather than absorption.
* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' demons can have, depending on their position on the food chain, various absorptive abilities, allowing them to siphon the energy of various enemy attacks (even Physical attacks) and using it to replenish their own HP. However, is is worth mentioning that even EliteTweak has its limits and no demon by itself is perfect.
* In the ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' spinoff fighting games, Yukari can open a portal to absorb enemy bullets, which are turned into projectiles of her own which can be released using another ability.
* ''VideoGame/ProjectEden'' has the extractor weapon which allows you to slowly kill enemies while charging your batteries.
* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'' has Lifedrain (ranged) and Devour Essence (melee) powers.
* A not-uncommon ability ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' Champions:

** [[OurCentaursAreDifferent Hecarim]] has an aura that absorbs enemy & ally damage into self-healing.

* In ''VideoGame/InfamousSecondSon'', the protagonist Delsin Rowe, finds out that he's a [[SuperHero Conduit]] (labeled as a [[BlessedWithSuck "Bio-terrorist"]]) that can absorb and copy another person's powers, but suffers from [[PowerStrainBlackout blackouts]] every time he acquires a new one.

* lorewise, this is how the Blood Elf racial ability Arcane Torrent works in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''. The Blood Elves passively absorb mana from their foes and the environment, which they can then expel all at once to stun an enemy. Draining mana from people more intentionally and directly is also possible.
** The warlock can drain hit points with their Drain Life ability.
* Leoric, Gul'dan and Malthael in ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm'' all have abilities that directly drain an enemy's hit points. This operates according to a mechanic called "percent damage" where the more health the enemy has the more health they take with each drain. This is an important balancing mechanic in the game, since there are also characters with infinitely scaling hit points.

* In the "Hope" cinematic trailer for ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', [[TheArchmage Satele Shan]] demonstrates her mastery of the tutaminis technique by ''catching a lightsaber with her bare hands''. It clearly takes a lot out of her, and she's saved from the stalemate by her future lover Malcolm.
* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' has Zarya, a Tank whose gameplay is about applying powerful particle shields onto herself and her teammates, with any damage they absorb being redirected into her giant [[PlasmaCannon particle cannon]]. The cannon itself [[MagikarpPower starts off rather weak, but becomes far more devastating as it gets charged]], so Zarya ''really'' wants [[SchmuckBait to bait opponents into shooting her barriers and make them regret having done so]].
* ''VideoGame/PrimalCarnage'': The ''Ceratosaurus''' roar grants it the temporary ability to leech the stamina of humans it attacks. This makes it more difficult for them to escape (since stamina is used for running and jumping) while at the same time giving the ''Ceratosaurus'' more energy to keep up the assault for longer.
* ''VideoGame/AMCSquad'': Micky has a special item called the "Laser Absorber," which, upon activation, allows him to absorb lasers from enemy weaponry and convert them into armor points for his [[PoweredArmor S.M.A.R.T. Suit]].

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Tazer from ''Webcomic/HeroesUnite''/''Heroes Alliance'' can absorb energy (although he is not able to contain Webcomic/{{Energize}}'s unique form of energy).
* Anvil from ''Webcomic/GrrlPower'' is super strong by default but she can dramatically boost it by absorbing kinetic energy. Other brick-type superhumans [[https://grrlpowercomic.com/archives/comic/grrl-power-202-predictable-but-only-if-you-know-what-anvils-powers-are/ find this a nasty surprise]] when she gets stronger the more times they punch her.
** And when she unleashes even more power [[WrestlerInAllOfUs while suplexing a robot]], [[https://grrlpowercomic.com/archives/comic/grrl-power-517-here-comes-the-wha-boom/ she demolishes the building entirely]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]

** Several characters, like Icer, absorb heat and can use that ability in an Iceman-like way.

** And Lancer, a PK brick, can absorb energy attacks and fire them back at his opponents.
* The basis of many of Trayen's powers in ''Literature/{{Phaeton}}''. He absorbs the element, assimilates it and uses it.

* ''Literature/AcademyOfSuperheroes'': Arc in a peculiar variant converts kinetic energy into superstrength and superspeed. This includes her own kinetic energy so she charges up her powers by running back and forth.
* The unnamed EldritchAbomination narrator from Axel Taiari's [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180630002341/http://fantasyscrollmag.com/article/beyond-the-visible-spectrum-axel-taiari/ Beyond the Visible Spectrum]] feeds via energy absorbation.

* ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'': In "Balloonenstein", after Meatwad tries to remove the electricity inside him by storing it in a balloon ends up supersizing it, Frylock attempts to destroy with his powers but only makes it bigger due to the rubber.
* ''Franchise/{{Ben 10}}'':

** [[WesternAnimation/Ben10 Original Series]]: Kevin 11 has this power for a time, at first only shown absorbing electrical power -- until he meets the Omnitrix.
** ''Ben 10: Alien Force'' example: Chromostone can absorb and then redirect energy. Redirection is usually done in the form of energy beams shot from the hands. Diamondhead also gains this ability.
** Aggregor in ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'' also has these powers. Coincidentally, he's the same alien race as Kevin and after alien powers (much like young Kevin in the original series). However, his plan seems to be going over better than Kevin's did. Until Kevin absorbed ''his'' powers.
** ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse'': This is Feedback's signature power.

* In ''WesternAnimation/MegasXLR'' episode "Buggin' the System", the team encounters blind metallic creatures that absorb energy whenever it's in front of them.

* Parasite from ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'': The Energon Harvester can absorb energon from anything, including Cybertronians.
* The 1966 Creator/{{Filmation}} series, ''WesternAnimation/TheNewAdventuresOfSuperman'' provides a classic example of the abovementioned PhlebotinumOverload: Superman deals with the Parasite by letting him absorb his nigh-infinite powers until he simply explodes, fatally. Deliberately arranging for an enemy's death was seriously out-of-character for the Man of Steel.
* A reborn [[spoiler:Solomon Grundy]] in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited''.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}}'': In "[[Recap/NinjagoS7E66TheHatching The Hatching]]" it's explained in a flashback that Wu and Garmadon used blades forged from "Chronosteel" to drain {{Time Master}}s Krux and Acronix of their ElementalPowers, which they then used to create a [[SwirlyEnergyThingy Time Vortex]] to send the Krux and Acronix into.

* After Dr. Landon falls into his own mutant-destroying compound in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'', he ends up mutating into a large green reptilian creature, and the only way to ease the constant pain he endures while in this form is to absorb electrical energy, which also [[MiracleGroMonster increases his size]].

* ''[[WesternAnimation/StaticShock Static Shock]]'' had a variation with a villain who gained his powers through [[ProfessorGuineaPig self-experimentation]] in bypassing metabolic processes for gaining energy. This gave him matter absorption, by which energy absorption was a side-benefit, but made him increasingly more dense the more he absorbed with a hunger to absorb more. Eventually, he rendered too heavy to move and needed to be carted to custody with a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawler-transporter crawler-transporter]]. This example deconstructs the trope because he succeeded in bypassing eating to gain energy but didn't include any way to expel said energy, leading to the density problem. Also since he didn't actually have a capacity limit like he would with a stomach, he couldn't feel full, thus the unending hunger.
* In ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes'', former P.O.I.N.T. member Laserblast had this power, forming an energy bubble around himself that knocks down his foes and takes their energy. K.O's SuperpoweredEvilSide T.K.O. also has this power. [[spoiler:This is because they are father and son.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'': "[[Recap/StarTrekLowerDecksS2E01StrangeEnergies Strange Energies]]": After gaining godlike powers and going on a destructive rampage, Ransom simply absorbs the phaser fire of the ''Cerritos''.

** Majin Buu from ''Dragon Ball Z'' as well. He annihilated countless worlds before he was sealed by Supreme Kai Shin, and the life force of these worlds served to make him stronger, a fact he highlights in delight when facing Vegito with an enormous energy sphere.
--->'''Super Buu (Gohan Absorbed)''': Every time I have destroyed a planet, I have taken a piece of its energy with me. This orb is the culmination of eons of destruction. We're going to play catch, if this falls to the ground, you can say goodbye to this planet as well. Are you up for the challenge?

* ComicBook/CaptainAtom is able to absorb any form of energy, sending it back into the 'quantum field'. However, if he absorbs too much in one go, it catapults him through time.

* ''ComicBook/BrotherPowerTheGeek'': If injured to the point of unconsciousness, Brother Power can revive by recharging himself with energy.
* Franchise/{{Superman}} enemy The Parasite is all about this. He absorbs life energy from other beings, and even gets any powers they have (he even got Spider-Man's agility and spider-sense during a crossover). He also absorbs their skills and memories, although it's got a [[BlessedWithSuck major downside]] for him as well: he has to constantly absorb the life force of other beings or else he'll 'starve'.