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It's been decided that Manhua and Manhwa examples shall be placed into their own folders. Moving example to the correct section.


* ''Manhua/RavagesOfTime'':
** Liaoyuan Huo does this when Xiao Meng kicks him out of the way of incoming enemy spears, taking two in his own side and plummeting to his seeming death. When Xiao Meng is impaled with a thrown spear to prevent him from assassinating Cao Cao and falls off of a roof, he [[CallBack sees Liaoyuan Huo reaching out for him]]... and when he's executed via sword and then a mass of impaling with spears, the final page of the chapter is just covered in spears and Xiao Meng's hand.
** A decade in-story and over a hundred chapters later, when Liaoyuan Huo[[note]]now under the ''nom de guerre'' [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Zhao Yun]][[/note]] is trapped under a myriad of incoming spears that he's just managed to block and parry but nevertheless believes himself about to die under, it's not his life that flashes before his eyes -- it's Xiao Meng reaching for him through the spears.


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[[folder:Manhua]]
* ''Manhua/RavagesOfTime'':
** Liaoyuan Huo does this when Xiao Meng kicks him out of the way of incoming enemy spears, taking two in his own side and plummeting to his seeming death. When Xiao Meng is impaled with a thrown spear to prevent him from assassinating Cao Cao and falls off of a roof, he [[CallBack sees Liaoyuan Huo reaching out for him]]... and when he's executed via sword and then a mass of impaling with spears, the final page of the chapter is just covered in spears and Xiao Meng's hand.
** A decade in-story and over a hundred chapters later, when Liaoyuan Huo[[note]]now under the ''nom de guerre'' [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Zhao Yun]][[/note]] is trapped under a myriad of incoming spears that he's just managed to block and parry but nevertheless believes himself about to die under, it's not his life that flashes before his eyes -- it's Xiao Meng reaching for him through the spears.
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* ''Series/MonarchLegacyOfMonsters'': In Cate Randa's flashback to the destruction of San Francisco in [[Recap/MonarchLegacyOfMonstersS1E1Aftermath "Aftermath"]], she stretches out her arm and screams a BigNo when she sees the BusFullOfInnocents a few meters away is falling off the bridge with most of the schoolkids still onboard.
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fixed metroid section


* ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption'': Gandrayda does this as part of her ShapeshifterSwanSong, reaching out desperately towards Samus while [[spoiler:Dark Samus forcibly absorbs her]].

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* ** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption'': Gandrayda does this as part of her ShapeshifterSwanSong, reaching out desperately towards Samus while [[spoiler:Dark Samus forcibly absorbs her]].
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* ''WesternAnimation/SkullIsland2023'': In the episode "[[Recap/SkullIsland2023S1E8YoullNeverCatchAMonkeyThatWay You'll Never Catch a Monkey That Way]]", Annie reaches out her arm towards Dog when the latter is caught in the tides and at risk of drowning, though it's physically useless since there's several meters between them.



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* In the RomanceNovel ''Whisper To Me Of Love'', after accusing the hero Royce of not loving her and only marrying her because she was heir to a great fortune, the heroine Morgana storms out of the room. The writing describes him standing their frozen with an anguished expression and his arm outstretched as if to stop her from leaving (he actually ''is'' madly in love with her and she with him, but true to this genre, a myriad of mix-ups have left each thinking otherwise).

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* In the RomanceNovel ''Whisper To Me Of Love'', after accusing the hero Royce of not loving her and only marrying her because she was heir to a great fortune, the heroine Morgana storms out of the room. The writing describes him standing their there frozen with an anguished expression and his arm outstretched as if to stop her from leaving (he actually ''is'' madly in love with her and she with him, but true to this genre, a myriad of mix-ups have left each thinking otherwise).
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* In the RomanceNovel ''Whisper To Me Of Love'', after accusing the hero Royce of not loving her and only marrying her because she was heir to a great fortune, the heroine Morgana storms out of the room. The writing describes him standing their frozen with an anguished expression and his arm outstretched as if to stop her from leaving (he actually ''is'' madly in love with her and she with him, but true to this genre, a myriad of mix-ups have left each thinking otherwise).

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* ''VisualNovel/YourTurnToDie'': In the manga adaptation, while Sara is taking stock of her surroundings after waking up to find herself and Joe strapped to two different folding beds, she notices a viewing window into another room, with another girl trapped in the same way. The other girl then notices Sara in turn, and the two lock eyes right as the DeathTrap activates, with the other girl helplessly reaching towards the glass before she's crushed. Not only does this give Sara a clear idea of what kind of fate will befall her and/or Joe if they don't manage to free themselves, she later learns that [[spoiler:that girl was Kugie, Kanna's older sister]].



* ''WesternAnimation/ChickenRun'': Rocky does one near the climax when it looks like [[spoiler:Mrs. Tweedy successfully chopped Ginger's head off]].



* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2''. Tigress does a Futile Paw Reach as Po is blasted by Lord Shen's cannon. Later it happens again, but [[TakingTheBullet Tigress shoves Po aside in time and takes the impact herself]]. All the heroes are blown into the harbour, and Po swims up to Tigress, who is clinging to wreckage, to check that she's still alive. He gently pushes Tigress out of harms way and swims off to confront Lord Shen's fleet single-handed. Tigress can be seen in the background, [[TearJerker feebly reaching out to stop him]].

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* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2''. Tigress does a Futile Paw Reach as Po is blasted by Lord Shen's cannon. Later it happens again, but [[TakingTheBullet Tigress shoves Po aside in time and takes the impact herself]]. All the heroes are blown into the harbour, and Po swims up to Tigress, who is clinging to wreckage, to check that she's still alive. He gently pushes Tigress out of harms harm's way and swims off to confront Lord Shen's fleet single-handed. Tigress can be seen in the background, [[TearJerker feebly reaching out to stop him]].



* ''VideoGame/AmongUs'':
** One of the possible kill animations involves the victim attempting to crawl away from their attacker, reaching out desperately right before getting shot in the head. If they had a hat on, it gets knocked off in the process, making it appear that they're trying to reach it; if they have a pet, it looks as though they're reaching out to them instead.
** This can also happen to crewmates who get voted out on Polus Outpost or the Airship if Confirm Ejects are on, showing them reaching out as they either sink into the lava or plummet to their demise.



* At the very beginning of ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', we are taken back to the battle against Mother Brain at the very end of ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', with the Baby Metroid shielding Samus as it uses the life energy it stole to recharge her Power Suit and bring her back from near death. Just as Mother Brain is about to unleash a Hyper Beam, the Baby lets go of Samus and charges forward, taking the entirety of the blast. As Samus enters a SlowMotionFall she reaches her hand up towards the Baby, only to see it explode before her eyes.

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* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
* ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption'': Gandrayda does this as part of her ShapeshifterSwanSong, reaching out desperately towards Samus while [[spoiler:Dark Samus forcibly absorbs her]].
**
At the very beginning of ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', we are taken back to the battle against Mother Brain at the very end of ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', with the Baby Metroid shielding Samus as it uses the life energy it stole to recharge her Power Suit and bring her back from near death. Just as Mother Brain is about to unleash a Hyper Beam, the Baby lets go of Samus and charges forward, taking the entirety of the blast. As Samus enters a SlowMotionFall she reaches her hand up towards the Baby, only to see it explode before her eyes.

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* ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'':

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* ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'':''Manga/{{Berserk}}'':



* In ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'' Byleth does this a lot. In fact, it's how the story begins, with Byleth doing a Futile Hand Reach in response to Dimitri and Edelgard's deaths.

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* ''Fanfic/AnywayIveBeenThere'': During one of their monster hunts, Dipper isn't ''quite'' able to reach Mabel's hand during a desperate midair maneuver. As a result, he lands ''hard'' and winds up hospitalized.
* ''Fanfic/ArchivistAngels'': Even after being judged by the Archangels for his attempted genocide of the Boiling Isles, hearing Jesus Christ Himself condemn him to Hell for his many crimes, Belos still reaches desperately towards Jesus while falling into the underworld, apparently hoping He'll change His mind and save him. Nobody comes to his aid.
* In ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'' ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'', Byleth does this a lot. In fact, it's how the story begins, with Byleth doing a Futile Hand Reach in response to Dimitri and Edelgard's deaths.deaths.
* ''[[Fanfic/EnneaSeries For Our Sakes]]'' reveals that Pink witnessed the deaths of her parents when their apartment building collapsed around them. She desperately reached out to try and save them with her powers, but just ''barely'' missed her father's hand.
* ''Fanfic/TheLegendOfTotalDramaIsland'': After Leshawna accidentally drives Heather off the diving cliff during the first challenge, she reaches out after her and calls her name.
* ''Fanfic/SaikoRocks'': Saiko does this when she thinks she sees Tari [[QuicksandSuck sinking into quicksand]].
* ''Fanfic/ShadowsOverHell'':
** When Stolas is trapped in a nightmare courtesy of the Choir, he snaps out of it when Octavia briefly manages to break out and reach out for him. However, they're unable to reach each other, and she's quickly dragged back into [[spoiler:Mother's hold]].
** During the last steps of the Rescue Party's return to Hell, Lilith reaches for Charlie's hand, but misses, sending the team spiraling through space. [[spoiler:Fortunately, they recover, and Stella manages to grab Octavia during a second attempt.]]


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* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'':
** [[spoiler:Poor Erik]] witnessed his sister being turned into [[TakenForGranite a golden statue]] by a cursed necklace that granted her the MidasTouch. This actually ''prevented'' him from being able to reach back, as touching her would have meant ''he'' turned to gold as well.
** Later on, this happens again when [[spoiler:Gyldygga]] loses control of their powers. This time, [[spoiler:Erik leaps in to try and save her despite the risk]].
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** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'': When Link and Zelda fall in a chasm at the start of the game, both extend their hands towards each other. They ''almost'' reach, but Zelda falls too far and DisappearsIntoLight.
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[[folder: Fan Works]]

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[[folder: Fan [[folder:Fan Works]]
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Narm is YMMV


* ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderman2'' does it to the {{Narm}}iest degree when Peter's ''web line'' forms a hand fruitlessly reaching out to Gwen Stacy.

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* ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderman2'' does it to the {{Narm}}iest degree evokes this when Peter's ''web line'' forms a hand fruitlessly reaching out to Gwen Stacy.
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* Parodied in ''Film/AustinPowers''. When a security guard sees a steamroller approaching him, he stretches his hand out and screams a BigNo... when the camera cuts and reveals that the steamroller's still several yards away and he could easily outrun it.

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[[folder: Fan Works]]
* In ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'' Byleth does this a lot. In fact, it's how the story begins, with Byleth doing a Futile Hand Reach in response to Dimitri and Edelgard's deaths.
[[/folder]]



[[folder: Fan Works]]
* In ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'' Byleth does this a lot. In fact, it's how the story begins, with Byleth doing a Futile Hand Reach in response to Dimitri and Edelgard's deaths.
[[/folder]]
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Fixed a broken spoiler.


** Eglamore does this to Antimony when she falls off a bridge, however he actually shouts [[spoiler[[WrongNameOutburst her mother's name]] by accident]].

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** Eglamore does this to Antimony when she falls off a bridge, however he actually shouts [[spoiler[[WrongNameOutburst [[spoiler:[[WrongNameOutburst her mother's name]] by accident]].
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* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Mei reaches out toward Ming when Ming recognizes Devon in Mei's drawings and leaves to go confront him.
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[[folder: Fan Works]]
* In ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'' Byleth does this a lot. In fact, it's how the story begins, with Byleth doing a Futile Hand Reach in response to Dimitri and Edelgard's deaths.
[[/folder]]
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** [[TearJerker Played for sadness]]: after awakening days after the Eclipse, Guts rushes to his lover Casca to attempt to comfort her [[spoiler: as she had been through a truly horrific ordeal of being savagely raped by their former commander and friend Griffith and Guts was helpless in saving her.]] However, the event traumatized Casca so much that [[GoMadFromTheRevelation she went insane]] from a severe case of [[spoiler: [[RapeLeadsToInsanity rape trauma syndrome]]]] and now goes into a panic attack whenever Guts tries to touch her. Appearing to be [[DoesNotLikeMen fearful of all men]] after what had been done to her, Guts attempts to reach out to Casca one last time, but Casca rejects him in fear. This was the last straw for Guts before going through a massive FreakOut.

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** [[TearJerker Played for sadness]]: after awakening days after the Eclipse, Guts rushes to his lover Casca to attempt to comfort her [[spoiler: as she had been through a truly horrific ordeal of being savagely raped by their former commander and friend Griffith and Guts was helpless in saving her.]] However, the event traumatized Casca so much that [[GoMadFromTheRevelation she went insane]] from a severe case of [[spoiler: [[RapeLeadsToInsanity rape trauma syndrome]]]] and has become an {{empty shell}}, now goes going into a panic attack whenever Guts tries to touch her. Appearing to be [[DoesNotLikeMen fearful of all men]] after what had been done to her, Guts attempts to reach out to Casca one last time, but Casca rejects him in fear. This was the last straw for Guts before going through a massive FreakOut.

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Alphabetized examples.


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* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', Sakura reaches out and runs to the middle of the first fight between Sasuke and Naruto. Those two had their hands out as well, but in their hands were special techniques they were trying to use to fight each other.
* In ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack: Shikkoku no Hana'' Misaki Kirihara ran toward Hei about to enter a portal, screaming [[SecretIdentityIdentity his old identity's]] name and extending an open hand toward him. She looked [[TearJerker very sad and broken]] when he didn't even turn, [[HeIsNotMyBoyfriend however loud]] she may [[DatingCatwoman deny her very personal interest]] at other times. Also a nice contrast with their previous crime scene encounters ending with her [[RecklessGunUsage aiming at his fleeing back but never able to fire even a warning shot]].
* Happens in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=XgCzOP-QhDE&vq=hd720#t=20 this episode]] [[spoiler: when Ulquiorra and Orihime try [[http://www.mangakong.com/manga/Bleach/353/21 to grab each other's hands]]. [[TearJerker DEFINITELY a tear jerker.]]]]
* An odd variant at the end of ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003'', when Ed and Al, in parallel dimensions, both reach toward the sky out train windows while the voiceover shows that they're determined to get back together. Presumably they clench hands when their hands "cross".
* This was used in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' by Ogremon before Leomon dies.



* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'': The infamous ''End of Evangelion'' features [[AcePilot ace mecha pilot Asuka]] finally overcoming her issues and saving the day when [[DysfunctionJunction every single other pilot is incapacitated.]] Angelic music plays as she slaughters the creepy baddies...and then they all regenerate, completely unharmed...at which point they animalistically tear her [[HumongousMecha Evangelion]] to shreds with her in it. She reaches up to the sky, completely helpless as they fly over her like buzzards, trying to grasp at them, whispering that she'll kill them... and, believe it or not, [[spoiler:she doesn't. They descend. [[GoryDiscretionShot We are mercifully spared from seeing what happens.]] And things only get worse for everyone.]]

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* Happens in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=XgCzOP-QhDE&vq=hd720#t=20 this episode]] [[spoiler:when Ulquiorra and Orihime try [[http://www.mangakong.com/manga/Bleach/353/21 to grab each other's hands]]. [[TearJerker DEFINITELY a tear jerker.]]]]
* In ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack: Shikkoku no Hana'' Misaki Kirihara ran toward Hei about to enter a portal, screaming [[SecretIdentityIdentity his old identity's]] name and extending an open hand toward him. She looked [[TearJerker very sad and broken]] when he didn't even turn, [[HeIsNotMyBoyfriend however loud]] she may [[DatingCatwoman deny her very personal interest]] at other times. Also a nice contrast with their previous crime scene encounters ending with her [[RecklessGunUsage aiming at his fleeing back but never able to fire even a warning shot]].
* This was used in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' by Ogremon before Leomon dies.
* An odd variant at the end of ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003'', when Ed and Al, in parallel dimensions, both reach toward the sky out train windows while the voiceover shows that they're determined to get back together. Presumably they clench hands when their hands "cross".
* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'': In a shot noticeably absent from the manga, [[spoiler:Rohan]] of ''Diamond is Unbreakable'' reaches out in the anime just before [[spoiler:he's blown up in Bites The Dust's first loop]].
* In the second opening for ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', Nanoha and her daughter Vivio (who had been kidnapped) are shown reaching for each other.
* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', Sakura reaches out and runs to the middle of the first fight between Sasuke and Naruto. Those two had their hands out as well, but in their hands were special techniques they were trying to use to fight each other.
* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'': The infamous ''End of Evangelion'' features [[AcePilot ace mecha pilot Asuka]] finally overcoming her issues and saving the day when [[DysfunctionJunction every single other pilot is incapacitated.]] incapacitated]]. Angelic music plays as she slaughters the creepy baddies...and then they all regenerate, completely unharmed...at which point they animalistically tear her [[HumongousMecha Evangelion]] to shreds with her in it. She reaches up to the sky, completely helpless as they fly over her like buzzards, trying to grasp at them, whispering that she'll kill them... and, believe it or not, [[spoiler:she doesn't. They descend. [[GoryDiscretionShot We are mercifully spared from seeing what happens.]] And things only get worse for everyone.]]]]
* In the last episode of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler:Homura]] reaches out to [[spoiler:the recently deified Madoka]] like this while she is [[spoiler:dragged out of Madoka's atemporal cosmic dimension and back to Earth. From her perspective, Madoka DisappearsIntoLight]]. It doesn't get much more futile than that. A less spoilery version of that scene is depicted in the ending theme.



* In the last episode of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler:Homura]] reaches out to [[spoiler:the recently deified Madoka]] like this while she is [[spoiler:dragged out of Madoka's atemporal cosmic dimension and back to Earth. From her perspective, Madoka DisappearsIntoLight]]. It doesn't get much more futile than that. A less spoilery version of that scene is depicted in the ending theme.
* In the second opening for ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', Nanoha and her daughter Vivio (who had been kidnapped) are shown reaching for each other.
* In a shot noticeably absent from the manga, [[spoiler:Rohan]] of ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Diamond is Unbreakable]]'' reaches out in the anime just before [[spoiler:he's blown up in Bites The Dust's first loop.]]



* Subverted in ''Franchise/{{Batman}}: Under The Red Hood''. [[ComicBook/RedHood Jason Todd]] has just captured Joker and gives Batman a choice. Either he kills Jason to stop him, or he lets him kill the Joker and avenge his death. Jason begins counting down, and just as he's about to shoot Joker, Batman yells out and reaches for him--to disguise the fact that he was throwing a batarang, knocking Jason down.
* This was a staple of illustrations in Victorian-era publications like ''The Illustrated Police News'' and ''Punch'', drawn in a style we might now call [[LargeHam overblown]] or comically melodramatic.
* Happened with ComicBook/LexLuthor in the Silver Age shortly before the original Crisis when Lexor was going to explode after an energy blast ricocheted off of Superman striking the device intended to prevent the planet from exploding. He immediately raced to his wife and child and in a truly heart-wrenching scene as his wife cradling his son reaches out to him and he to her and everything explodes just as he's a few feet from her.



* Subverted in Franchise/{{Batman}}: Under The Red Hood. [[ComicBook/RedHood Jason Todd]] has just captured Joker and gives Batman a choice. Either he kills Jason to stop him, or he lets him kill the Joker and avenge his death. Jason begins counting down, and just as he's about to shoot Joker, Batman yells out and reaches for him--to disguise the fact that he was throwing a batarang, knocking Jason down.
* Happened with ComicBook/LexLuthor in the Silver Age shortly before the original Crisis when Lexor was going to explode after an energy blast ricocheted off of Superman striking the device intended to prevent the planet from exploding. He immediately raced to his wife and child and in a truly heart-wrenching scene as his wife cradling his son reaches out to him and he to her and everything explodes just as he's a few feet from her.
* This was a staple of illustrations in Victorian-era publications like ''The Illustrated Police News'' and ''Punch'', drawn in a style we might now call [[LargeHam overblown]] or comically melodramatic.



* Merida in ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}'', while locked into her room by her father, symbolically reaches from her window towards her mother as the latter flees the castle.



* ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut''. When Riley runs away, Family Island starts collapsing in her mind world. The collateral damage it causes to long term memory leads to Joy and Bing Bong falling into the memory dump while Sadness futilely reaches out to help them.



* Merida in ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}'', while locked into her room by her father, symbolically reaches from her window towards her mother as the latter flees the castle.
* ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut''. When Riley runs away, Family Island starts collapsing in her mind world. The collateral damage it causes to long term memory leads to Joy and Bing Bong falling into the memory dump while Sadness futilely reaches out to help them.



* ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'': Rapunzel reaches out to [[MyBelovedSmother Gothel]] as [[spoiler: the latter topples out a window, despite everything she's done to Rapunzel.]]
* During the climax of ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Ralph sees Vanellope [[spoiler:failing to exit ''Sugar Rush'' due to her glitch while Cy-Bugs are approaching.]] He quietly but desperately [[SayMyName calls out her name]] while reaching out to her in vain.

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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'': Rapunzel reaches out to [[MyBelovedSmother Gothel]] as [[spoiler: the [[spoiler:the latter topples out a window, despite everything she's done to Rapunzel.]]
Rapunzel]].
* During the climax of ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Ralph sees Vanellope [[spoiler:failing to exit ''Sugar Rush'' due to her glitch while Cy-Bugs are approaching.]] approaching]]. He quietly but desperately [[SayMyName calls out her name]] while reaching out to her in vain.



* The titular character in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'', towards young Hagrid in a PensieveFlashback in which he was shown to have been hiding a monster which he thought was the monster of the chamber.



* Subtly invoked in ''Film/{{Irreversible}}'''s infamous rape scene. After her struggles to escape have failed and Alex's brutal rape has begun, there is one moment where she reaches towards the screen in a gesture similar to this trope. This is not BreakingTheFourthWall, as the movement is simply one of many she makes in reaction to her pain and horror, but a behind-the-scenes commentary confirmed that the image was meant to reference a desperate plea for help which the viewer would not be able to give.



* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:

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* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':



* In ''Film/MortalKombat2021'', Liu Kang reaches out for Kung Lao as [[spoiler:the latter is having [[YourSoulIsMine his soul drained]] by Shang Tsung]].



* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''

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* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''''Film/XMenFilmSeries'':



* The titular character in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'', towards young Hagrid in a PensieveFlashback in which he was shown to have been hiding a monster which he thought was the monster of the chamber.
* Subtly invoked in ''Film/{{Irreversible}}'''s infamous rape scene. After her struggles to escape have failed and Alex's brutal rape has begun, there is one moment where she reaches towards the screen in a gesture similar to this trope. This is not BreakingTheFourthWall, as the movement is simply one of many she makes in reaction to her pain and horror, but a behind-the-scenes commentary confirmed that the image was meant to reference a desperate plea for help which the viewer would not be able to give.
* In ''Film/MortalKombat2021'', Liu Kang reaches out for Kung Lao as [[spoiler:the latter is having [[YourSoulIsMine his soul drained]] by Shang Tsung]].



* Described in great detail in the reprise of "The Beauty Is" from ''Theatre/TheLightInThePiazza'', a flashback to [[spoiler:Margaret trying and failing to prevent Clara from being kicked in the head by the pony as a child, causing brain damage]].



* Described in great detail in the reprise of "The Beauty Is" from Theatre/TheLightInThePiazza, a flashback to [[spoiler: Margaret trying and failing to prevent Clara from being kicked in the head by the pony as a child, causing brain damage.]]



* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'', both in the ending of the "Lost in Nightmares" DLC and a flashback in the main game, Chris reaches out his hand and calls "JILL!" as Jill, with the BigBad Wesker, fall to their demise down a seemingly bottomless cliff.
* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6''. In the ending of the second chapter of Chris's campaign, Chris reaches out for Finn through the bars of the gate while Finn is transforming into a B.O.W cocoon.
* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'', in the ending of Chapter 4, [[spoiler:Phoenix reaches out and screams "MAAYYAAAAAA!!" as Maya is dropped down into the raging fire, just like what was done to other convicted witches]].
* In the true ending of ''VideoGame/NiGHTSJourneyOfDreams'', Will and Helen desperately reach out toward [[spoiler: [=NiGHTS=] as they smile, take a bow, and DisappearsIntoLight.]]
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': During the ending, Link tries desperately to reach out for [[spoiler:the King of Hyrule, so he can come with him as he rises to the surface. The King, for a moment, extends his hand too, but lowers it, knowing that his place isn't in the world of the living.]]
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': During the FinalBoss battle, Link tries to reach out for Midna, who prepares to sacrifice herself to take out Ganon. She warps him and Zelda to safety before he can get to her.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': Done by Link during the endgame, as Zelda's body is carried off by Cole and Byrne.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': A cutscene at the beginning of the game has the latent powers kick in variant. Zelda stands in front of Link with her hand up, which should be ineffectual against the possessed guardian: but because she loves Link the power of the Goddess activates and kills the guardian.

to:

* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'', both in ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' has Elizabeth silently reaching out for Booker's hand [[spoiler:as the ending of the "Lost Songbird swoops away with her in Nightmares" DLC and a flashback in the main game, Chris its grasp]]. He reaches out his hand back but misses, and calls "JILL!" as Jill, with both Elizabeth and the BigBad Wesker, fall to their demise down a seemingly bottomless cliff.
* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6''. In the ending of the second chapter of Chris's campaign, Chris reaches out for Finn
Songbird disappear through the bars of the gate while Finn is transforming into a B.O.W cocoon.
* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'',
hole in the ending of Chapter 4, [[spoiler:Phoenix reaches out and screams "MAAYYAAAAAA!!" as Maya is dropped down into the raging fire, just like what was done to other convicted witches]].
* In the true ending of ''VideoGame/NiGHTSJourneyOfDreams'', Will and Helen desperately reach out toward [[spoiler: [=NiGHTS=] as they smile, take a bow, and DisappearsIntoLight.]]
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': During the ending, Link tries desperately to reach out for [[spoiler:the King of Hyrule, so he can come with him as he rises to the surface. The King, for a moment, extends his hand too, but lowers it, knowing that his place isn't in the world of the living.]]
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': During the FinalBoss battle, Link tries to reach out for Midna, who prepares to sacrifice herself to take out Ganon. She warps him and Zelda to safety before he can get to her.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': Done by Link during the endgame, as Zelda's body is carried off by Cole and Byrne.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': A cutscene at the beginning of the game has the latent powers kick in variant. Zelda stands in front of Link with her hand up, which should be ineffectual against the possessed guardian: but because she loves Link the power of the Goddess activates and kills the guardian.
tower.



* At the very beginning of ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', we are taken back to the battle against Mother Brain at the very end of ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', with the Baby Metroid shielding Samus as it uses the life energy it stole to recharge her Power Suit and bring her back from near death. Just as Mother Brain is about to unleash a Hyper Beam, the Baby lets go of Samus and charges forward, taking the entirety of the blast. As Samus enters a SlowMotionFall she reaches her hand up towards the Baby, only to see it explode before her eyes.
* Happens several times in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' where [[TheHero Shepard]] has a recurring nightmare about a little boy s/he failed to save on Earth, and at the end tries to reach the boy as he bursts into flames. Depending on your choices, this can also happen on [[spoiler:Rannoch]] if [[spoiler:you fail to solve the Geth and Quarian's conflict and then side with the Geth, so Tali is forced to watch as the Migrant Fleet gets blasted out of the sky, and starts to walk off a cliff to her death]]. Cruelly, right then you have a Paragon interrupt where you can reach out, but [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption it doesn't work]].
* ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' shows Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad all doing this in the opening cutscene in reaction to Bowser kidnapping the Sprixie Princess.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''

to:

* At the very beginning of ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', we are taken back to the battle against Mother Brain at the very end of ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', with the Baby Metroid shielding Samus as it uses the life energy it stole to recharge her Power Suit and bring her back from near death. Just as Mother Brain is about to unleash a Hyper Beam, the Baby lets go of Samus and charges forward, taking the entirety of the blast. As Samus enters a SlowMotionFall she reaches her hand up towards the Baby, only to see it explode before her eyes.
* Happens several times in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' where [[TheHero Shepard]] has a recurring nightmare about a little boy s/he failed to save on Earth, and at the end tries to reach the boy as he bursts into flames. Depending on your choices, this can also happen on [[spoiler:Rannoch]] if [[spoiler:you fail to solve the Geth and Quarian's conflict and then side with the Geth, so Tali is forced to watch as the Migrant Fleet gets blasted out of the sky, and starts to walk off a cliff to her death]]. Cruelly, right then you have a Paragon interrupt where you can reach out, but [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption it doesn't work]].
* ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' shows Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad all doing this in the opening cutscene in reaction to Bowser kidnapping the Sprixie Princess.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''
''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':



* ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' has Elizabeth silently reaching out for Booker's hand [[spoiler:as the Songbird swoops away with her in its grasp]]. He reaches back but misses, and both Elizabeth and the Songbird disappear through the hole in the tower.



* Played to it's most heartbreaking levels in ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' when Shuichi and Kaede reach for each other...[[spoiler: as Kaede's being dragged off to be executed.]]

to:

* Played ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': During the ending, Link tries desperately
to it's most heartbreaking levels in ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' when Shuichi and Kaede reach out for each other...[[spoiler: [[spoiler:the King of Hyrule, so he can come with him as Kaede's being dragged he rises to the surface. The King, for a moment, extends his hand too, but lowers it, knowing that his place isn't in the world of the living.]]
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': During the FinalBoss battle, Link tries to reach out for Midna, who prepares to sacrifice herself to take out Ganon. She warps him and Zelda to safety before he can get to her.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'': Done by Link during the endgame, as Zelda's body is carried
off by Cole and Byrne.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': A cutscene at the beginning of the game has the latent powers kick in variant. Zelda stands in front of Link with her hand up, which should be ineffectual against the possessed guardian: but because she loves Link the power of the Goddess activates and kills the guardian.
* Happens several times in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' where [[TheHero Shepard]] has a recurring nightmare about a little boy s/he failed
to be executed.]]save on Earth, and at the end tries to reach the boy as he bursts into flames. Depending on your choices, this can also happen on [[spoiler:Rannoch]] if [[spoiler:you fail to solve the Geth and Quarian's conflict and then side with the Geth, so Tali is forced to watch as the Migrant Fleet gets blasted out of the sky, and starts to walk off a cliff to her death]]. Cruelly, right then you have a Paragon interrupt where you can reach out, but [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption it doesn't work]].
* At the very beginning of ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'', we are taken back to the battle against Mother Brain at the very end of ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', with the Baby Metroid shielding Samus as it uses the life energy it stole to recharge her Power Suit and bring her back from near death. Just as Mother Brain is about to unleash a Hyper Beam, the Baby lets go of Samus and charges forward, taking the entirety of the blast. As Samus enters a SlowMotionFall she reaches her hand up towards the Baby, only to see it explode before her eyes.
* In the true ending of ''VideoGame/NiGHTSJourneyOfDreams'', Will and Helen desperately reach out toward [[spoiler:[=NiGHTS=] as they smile, take a bow, and DisappearsIntoLight]].
* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'', in the ending of Chapter 4, [[spoiler:Phoenix reaches out and screams "MAAYYAAAAAA!!" as Maya is dropped down into the raging fire, just like what was done to other convicted witches]].
* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'':
** In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'', both in the ending of the "Lost in Nightmares" DLC and a flashback in the main game, Chris reaches out his hand and calls "JILL!" as Jill, along with the BigBad Wesker, fall to their demise down a seemingly bottomless cliff.
** In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6''. In the ending of the second chapter of Chris's campaign, Chris reaches out for Finn through the bars of the gate while Finn is transforming into a B.O.W cocoon.
* ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' shows Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad all doing this in the opening cutscene in reaction to Bowser kidnapping the Sprixie Princess.



[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* Played to its most heartbreaking levels in ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' when Shuichi and Kaede reach for each other... [[spoiler:as Kaede's being dragged off to be executed]].
[[/folder]]



* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' Eglamore does this to Antimony when she falls off a bridge, however he actually shouts [[spoiler:[[WrongNameOutburst her mother's name]] by accident.]]

to:

* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'':
**
Eglamore does this to Antimony when she falls off a bridge, however he actually shouts [[spoiler:[[WrongNameOutburst [[spoiler[[WrongNameOutburst her mother's name]] by accident.]]accident]].



* Batman does this towards Superman in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' after he gets shot and killed by Toyman's energy weapon. [[spoiler: Superman is only in the distant future, and comes back just in time to save Earth.]]

to:

* Batman does this towards Superman in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' after he gets shot and killed by Toyman's energy weapon. [[spoiler: Superman [[spoiler:Superman is only in the distant future, and comes back just in time to save Earth.]]

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