History Main / InstantKnots

* This was not uncommon in ''WestenAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries''. He usually used a grappling pistol, but any time he didn't, this trope was in effect. In fact, sometimes the grappling pistol ''itself'' would do this, wrapping around a flagpole or other object rather than embedding itself into or hooking onto something.

* Makie from MahouSenseiNegima can snag oranges with her rhythmic gymnastics ribbon, and it also ends up as part of her pactio.

* {{Dil Se}}: in the song and dance number, "Satrangi Re", Amar throws out his long black scarf which whips around the waist of Meghna so he can use it to reel her in.

* This was not uncommon in WestenAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries. He usually used a grappling pistol, but any time he didn't, this trope was in effect. In fact, sometimes the grappling pistol ''itself'' would do this, wrapping around a flagpole or other object rather than embedding itself into or hooking onto something.

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

* 3rd Edition ''DungeonsAndDragons'' included the Lasher prestige class, a whip-specialist who could grab objects in this manner.
* 3.5 ed. ''DungeonsAndDragons'' included a spell called "Animate Rope" that would let you use a rope in this way (though not in combat); a very difficult use of the Use Rope skill allows you to do it without magic.

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* In the pilot episode of the ''{{FX}}'' TV series, Rolly manages to do this with a thrown winch, and snags it so tightly on the helicopter that it winds up snapping the high tension steel cable.

* Ash does this with his belt to escape a pit at the start of ''[[EvilDead Army of Darkness]]''.

* This was not uncommon in BatmanTheAnimatedSeries. He usually used a grappling pistol, but any time he didn't, this trope was in effect. In fact, sometimes the grappling pistol ''itself'' would do this, wrapping around a flagpole or other object rather than embedding itself into or hooking onto something.

* In one {{Filler}} episode of ''{{Yu-Gi-Oh}}'' the characters were inside a virtual-reality video game. Joey was battling the arena's champion in order to win a card they needed to get across a desert--the champion turned out to be Mai, and when he explained the situation to her she decided to quit fighting and just order the Harpie Lady to snag the card from its display with her Rose Whip.

* [[{{Batman}} Catwoman]] can do this with her whip, either to swing from a high object or to immobilise an opponent.
* Birdie of the ''StreetFighter comics'' traps Chun Li with a normal chain this way.

* In the pilot episode of the ''[=~F/X~=]'' TV series, Rolly manages to do this with a thrown winch, and snags it so tightly on the helicopter that it winds up snapping the high tension steel cable.

* This is one of the attacks of Majora's Wrath in ''TheLegendOfZelda: Majora's Mask''.

* Subverted in ''TheLegendOfZelda: SpiritTracks''. Your whip seems to instantly curl around objects like you would expect of an action hero's, but really it has a snake head on the leading end that bites onto things instead.

* Ninjette used a chain to catch {{Empowered}} the first time they met. They became friends afterwards.

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blacjk[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

* In the animated ''TheMagicFlute'', the hero swings from a rafter using his ''cloak''.

* Rapunzel can do this with her hair in ''{{Tangled}}''.

* In season 1 of ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'', Iroh wrapped a chain immovably around a flying boulder and redirected it. Oddly, when he swung at the smaller boulders, they ''shattered''.

* Done with a snake in ''ChuckNorrisKarateKommandos''.

** WindWaker does something similar, but with a hook instead. Still can't be that safe however...

Particularly notable when someone has a chain as a weapon. It's rare you'll see them actually beating anyone to a pulp with it, as happens in real life -- they'll do this instead. Also, a character wielding a [[WhipItGood whip]] will usually tie up an enemy with this technique, rather than actually whipping anyone with it.

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

* While all martial artists in ''[[RanmaOneHalf Ranma 1/2]]'' can do this with chain, cloth, or rope (and ''have'', repeatedly,) it's a particular specialty of Kodachi, [[MartialArtsAndCrafts champion of Martial Art Rhythmic Gymnastics]], who can wrap her ribbon around anything from a cup of tea to the referee's table... and whip it right back at the opponent's face. Mousse, [[ImprobableWeaponUser who attaches various implements of bodily harm to chains and ropes]], also favors wrapping up opponents to skewering or bludgeoning them.

[[AC:ComicBooks]]

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

* Gogo Yubari of ''KillBill'' has a similar trick with her EpicFlail.

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[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

[[AC:VideoGames]]

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

[[AC:TabletopGames]]

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** This troper has heard that good kangaroo bullwhips could do the famous Indy whip-swing (steady downward pressure holds the leather lash in a tight wrap and it will come loose when the pressure is released). Still waiting for [[{{Mythbusters}} Adam and Jamie]] to confirm this one, though.

* Oddly enough, in the attempt at the use of a vehicular grappling gun to turn tight corners, the [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Mythbusters Mythbusters]] crew repeatedly managed to get an "instant knot" out of their launcher as the grapnel wrapped itself around the target beams.

* In one {{Filler}} episode of ''{{Yu-Gi-Oh}}'' the characters were inside a virtual-reality video game. Joey was battling the arena's champion in order to win a card they needed to get across a desert- the champion turned out to be Mai, and when he explained the situation to her she decided to quit fighting and just order the Harpie Lady to snag the card from its display with her Rose Whip.