History Main / KillingIntent

* As mentioned above, Killing Intent occurs in everyday life, to an extent. [[note]]i.e. Body language, verbal cues, and the way you can just FEEL it when someone is glaring at you.]]

[[/folder]]

* In KungFuHustle, when Sing is sent to retrieve [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Beast]], when he ends up right outside the room he's in, he hallucinates a wave of blood bursting through the door [[TheShining Shining-style.]]

While most people can only detect Killing Intent subconsciously, people who have enough combat experience (or are just perceptive) can notice it so well that it borders on SpiderSense or DetectEvil. Likewise, some particularly vicious characters hone their Killing Intent to the point where it can leave people nearby paralysed with fear. In either case, this will be treated as [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower a mundane skill and not a supernatural ability]]. Some people will even tell you it's possible in RealLife.[[note]]sometimes adopting [[DoingInTheWizard the less mystical explanation]] that it's really detecting slight differences in air pressure, temperature, smell and so on[[/note]]

In some works, Killing Intent is also used as a rough way to measure PowerLevels, as, against weaker opponents, it can restrain or even immobilize them through fear. In extreme cases, it can even cause weaker opponents to halucinate their own death, which is used to show that the person emitting said Killing Intent is way above their level.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' most experienced ninjas can explicitly sense killing intent, and [[http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Killing_Intent using it to paralyse enemies]] is a recognised strategy (most famously used by Orochimaru). This ability explicitly does not use [[LifeEnergy chakra]].

* Parodied in ''BusouShinki'', where Clara claims that she's "never felt so much killing intent"... shortly before a letter falls on her head (she's 15cm tall, but still).

Since it's hard to depict a sixth sense through a visual medium, KillingIntent is often represented in {{Anime}} and {{Manga}} by a BattleAura (the metaphorical version), though this has become less common over time. When KillingIntent is considered a form of (or augments) Ki, it can be represented by a ''non''-metaphorical aura.

* In ''SuperSmashBros'', while chatting with Otacon, [[Franchise/MetalGear Snake]] mentions [[LegendOfZelda Ganondorf]] has "murder in his eyes." He's also uneasy with trying to fight him.

* In ''SuperSmashBros'', while chatting with Otacon, [[MetalGearSolid Snake]] mentions [[LegendOfZelda Ganondorf]] has "murder in his eyes." He's also uneasy with trying to fight him.

* SuperSmashBros: By chatting with Otacon, [[MetalGearSolid Snake]] mentions [[LegendOfZelda Ganondorf]] has "murder in his eyes," and is aprehensive of facing him.

* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' uses this, while [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane leaving it ambiguous whether it's based on Ki or just body language]]. The only time Kenshin had significant trouble fighting against someone of a (slightly) lower skill level was Soujirou, whose combination of being a StepfordSmiler and super speed made him both difficult to read and difficult to react to.

Particularly common in Eastern works is the idea that when someone intends to inflict pain or death, their "Killing Intent" can be felt as a slight pressure or chill, even to people unaware of their presence. The effect is amplified if you [[WindowsOfTheSoul look into their eyes]], or if they want to hurt ''you'' in particular. Trained and vigilant warriors generally radiate low levels of Killing Intent at all times, while anyone who constantly radiates ''high'' levels of Killing Intent is either evil or [[BloodKnight obsessed with combat]] (and may [[NotSoDifferent feel kinship towards heroes who possess it]]). There's generally a noticeable difference between "hot-blooded" and "cold-blooded" Killing Intent too. Sometimes this is considered a form of {{Ki}}, or has an effect on {{Ki}}.

While having some degree of Killing Intent is normally [[TeachHimAnger required to fight effectively]], sometimes a character will be able to attack without exuding any Killing Intent at all (through LackOfEmpathy, [[NervesOfSteel controlling their emotions]] or even [[CloudCuckoolander spacing out while fighting]]), making them an [[ConfusionFu unpredictable combatant]] or even a HeroKiller.

Since it's hard to depict a sixth sense through a visual medium, KillingIntent is often represented in {{Anime}} and {{Manga}} by a BattleAura (the metaphorical version), though this has become less common over time. When KillingIntent is considered a form of (or augments) {{Ki}}, it can be represented by a ''non''-metaphorical aura.

The Japanese term for this is ''sakki'' (short for ''satsu {{ki}}''), which is primarily used by [[{{Ninja}} practitioners of Ninjutsu]]; "Killing Intent" is the most literal translation.

Compare DetectEvil, AllergicToEvil, SpiderSense and KungFuClairvoyance. See also {{Ki}} and MagicRealism.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' most experienced ninjas can explicitly sense killing intent, and [[http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Killing_Intent using it to paralyse enemies]] is a recognised strategy (most famously used by Orochimaru). This ability explicitly does not use [[{{Ki}} chakra]].

* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'' Sousuke's past as a ChildSoldier has given him the ability to sense killing intent, which he uses to set traps for assassins targeting him.

* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' utilizes the {{Ki}}-based version as a major element known as the ''Satsui no Hadou'' (Aura of the Murderous Intent). [[BloodKnight Akuma]] is considered a master of this energy and as such fights and kills anyone who faces him. Ryu also temporarily gets possessed by this energy as [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Evil Ryu]], and tends to go further than Akuma. This is an especially present element in the Alpha series and the ''Ryu Final'' Manga.

* In ''Vampire Savior[=/=]VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} 3'', [[AxCrazy B.]][[EnfantTerrible B.]] [[CuteAndPsycho Hood]], a [[PsychoForHire bloodthirsty]] [[RankInflation Special S-Class]] [[BountyHunter Darkhunter]], is so malevolent that her stare alone can instill a paralyzing fear into the [[PowerLevels lower-ranked]] Darkstalkers of Makai. This same darkness in her heart was what caught [[BigBad Jedah]]'s attention and allowed her to enter his [[PocketDimension Majigen]]. Let it be said that B.B. Hood is the ''TokenHuman of the cast''.

[[folder: Anime And Manga ]]

* In the manga version of ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'' this is how Riza [[spoiler:figures out that Selim Bradley is actually the homunculus Pride.]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* ''Videogame/StreetFighter'' utilizes the {{Ki}}-based version as a major element known as the ''Satsui no Hadou'' (Aura of the Murderous Intent). [[BloodKnight Akuma]] is considered a master of this energy and as such fights and kills anyone who faces him. Ryu also temporarily gets possessed by this energy as [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Evil Ryu]], and tends to go further than Akuma. This is an especially present element in the Alpha series and the ''Ryu Final'' Manga.

* In ''Vampire Savior[=/=]VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} 3'', [[AxCrazy B.]][[EnfantTerrible B.]] [[CuteAndPsycho Hood]], a [[PsychoForHire bloodthirsty]] [[RankInflation Special S-Class]] [[BountyHunter Darkhunter]], is so malevolent that her stare alone can instill a paralyzing fear into the [[PowerLevels lower-ranked]] Darkstalkers of Makai. This same darkness in her heart was what caught [[BigBad Jedah]]'s attention and allowed her to enter his [[PocketDimension Majigen]].

[[folder: Web Comics ]]

The Japanese term for this is ''sakki'' (short for ''satsu {{ki}}''), which is primarily used by [[{{Ninja}} practitioners of Ninjutsu]].

Particularly common in Eastern works is the idea that when someone intends to inflict pain or death, their "Killing Intent" can be felt as a slight pressure or chill, even to people unaware of their presence. The effect is amplified if you [[WindowsOfTheSoul look into their eyes]], or if they want to hurt ''you'' in particular. Trained and vigilant warriors generally radiate low levels of Killing Intent at all times, while anyone who constantly radiates ''high'' levels of Killing Intent is either evil or [[BloodKnight obsessed with combat]]. There's generally a noticeable difference between "hot-blooded" and "cold-blooded" Killing Intent too. Sometimes this is considered a form of {{Ki}}, or has an effect on {{Ki}}.

While most people can only detect Killing Intent subconsciously, people who have enough combat experience (or are just perceptive) can notice it so well that it borders on SpiderSense or DetectEvil. Likewise, some particularly vicious characters hone their Killing Intent to the point where it can leave people nearby paralysed with fear. In either case, this will be treated as [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower a mundane skill and not a supernatural ability]]. Some people will even tell you it's possible in RealLife.[[note]](sometimes adopting [[DoingInTheWizard the less mystical explanation]] that it's really detecting slight differences in air pressure, temperature, smell and so on)[[/note]]

A villain who can detect TheHero's KillingIntent will sometimes use it to claim they're NotSoDifferent.

The Japanese term for this is ''sakki'', short for ''satsu ki'', which is primarily used by practitioners of Ninjutsu, though the word can also translate to "thirst for blood."

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' most experienced ninjas can explicitly sense killing intent, and [[http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Killing_Intent using it to paralyse enemies]] is a recognised strategy (most famously used by Orochimaru). This ability explicitly does not use {{Ki}}.

The Japanese term for this is ''sakki'', short for ''satsu ki'', which is primarily used by practitioners of Ninjutsu, though the word can also mean "thirst for blood."

The Japanese term for this is ''sakki'', short for ''satsu ki'', which is primarily used by practitioners of Ninjutsu, though the word can also mean "thirst for blood."

Particularly common in Eastern works is the idea that when someone intends to inflict pain or death, their "Killing Intent" can be felt as a slight pressure or chill, even to people unaware of their presence. The effect is amplified if you [[WindowsOfTheSoul look into their eyes]], or if they want to hurt ''you'' in particular. Trained and vigilant warriors generally radiate low levels of Killing Intent at all times, while anyone who constantly radiates ''high'' levels of Killing Intent is either evil or [[BloodKnight obsessed with combat]]. There's generally a noticable difference between "hot-blooded" and "cold-blooded" Killing Intent too. Sometimes this is considered a form of {{Ki}}, or has an effect on {{Ki}}.

While having some degree of Killing Intent is normally required to fight effectively, sometimes a character will be able to attack without exuding any Killing Intent at all (through LackOfEmpathy, [[NervesOfSteel controlling their emotions]] or even [[CloudCuckoolander spacing out while fighting]]), making them an [[ConfusionFu unpredictable combatant]] or even a HeroKiller.

* ''Videogame/StreetFighter'' utilizes this as a major element known as the ''Satsui no Hadou'' (Aura of the Murderous Intent). [[BloodKnight Akuma]] is considered a master of this energy and as such fights and kills anyone who faces him. Ryu also temporarily gets possessed by this energy as [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Evil Ryu]], and tends to go further than Akuma. This is an especially present element in the Alpha series and the ''Ryu Final'' Manga.

Particularly common in Eastern works is the idea that when someone intends to inflict pain or death, their "Killing Intent" can be felt as a slight pressure or chill, even to people unaware of their presence. The effect is amplified if you [[WindowsOfTheSoul look into their eyes]], or if they want to hurt ''you'' in particular. Trained and vigilant warriors generally radiate low levels of Killing Intent at all times, while anyone who constantly radiates ''high'' levels of Killing Intent is either evil or [[BloodKnight obsessed with combat]]. There's generally a noticable difference between "hot-blooded" and "cold-blooded" Killing Intent too. Sometimes this is considered a form of {{Ki}}, or has an effect on {{Ki}}.

While most people can only detect Killing Intent subconsciously, people who have enough combat experience (or are just perceptive) can notice it so well that it borders on SpiderSense or DetectEvil. Likewise, some particularly vicious characters hone their Killing Intent to the point where it can leave people nearby paralysed with fear. In either case, this will be treated as [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower a mundane skill and not a supernatural ability]]. Some people will even tell you it's possible in RealLife.[[note]](sometimes adopting [[DoingInTheWizard the less mystical explanation]] that it's really detecting slight differences in air pressure, temperature, smell and so on)[[/note]]

While having some degree of Killing Intent is normally required to fight effectively, sometimes a character will be able to attack without exuding any Killing Intent at all (through LackOfEmpathy, [[NervesOfSteel controlling their emotions]] or even [[CloudCuckoolander spacing out while fighting]]), making them an [[ConfusionFu unpredictable combatant]] or even a HeroKiller.

Since it's hard to depict a sixth sense through a visual medium, KillingIntent is often represented in {{Anime}} and {{Manga}} by a BattleAura (the metaphorical version), though this has become less common over time. When KillingIntent is considered a form of (or augments) {{Ki}}, it can be represented by a ''non''-metaphorical aura.

A villain who can detect TheHero's KillingIntent will sometimes use it to claim they're NotSoDifferent.

Compare DetectEvil, AllergicToEvil, SpiderSense and KungFuClairvoyance. See also {{Ki}} and MagicRealism.
----
!!Examples

[[AC:AnimeAndManga]]
* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' most experienced ninjas can explicitly sense killing intent, and [[http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Killing_Intent using it to paralyse enemies]] is a recognised strategy (most famously used by Orochimaru). This ability explicitly does not use {{Ki}}.
* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' the force of [[BloodKnight Kenpachi Zaraki]]'s killing intent causes Ichigo to hallucinate that he is being stabbed as he approaches.
* The martial artists in ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' can sense if someone is about to attack them. Ranma is so good, he sometimes dodges attacks in his ''sleep''. Unfortunately for Ryoga, his "danger sense" is also [[TheExitIsThatWay affected]] by his terrible sense of direction.
* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', this is one of the functions of Haki.
* In ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub'', every half-way decent martial artist possesses this ability.
* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' uses this, while [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane leaving it ambiguous whether it's based on Ki or just body language]]. The only time Kenshin had significant trouble fighting against someone of a (slightly) lower skill level was Soujirou, whose combination of being a StepfordSmiler and super speed made him both difficult to read and difficult to react to.
* In the manga version of ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'' this is how Riza [[spoiler:figures out that Selim Bradley is actually the homunculus Pride.]]

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'' Sousuke's past as a ChildSoldier has given him the ability to sense killing intent, which he uses to set traps for assassins targeting him.
** This was also used to torment him. [[spoiler: One of Mithril's agents would observe him via the scope of a rifle, and find that Sousuke actually got visually agitated when he did this. It's implied that much of Sousuke's misbehavior in school is caused by him sensing the agent's killing intent without being able to tell where it's coming from, causing him to lash out against people nearby.]]
* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' refers to the ability to sense killing intent from monsters in the game as "Hypersense", which may or may not actually exist.

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* ''Videogame/StreetFighter'' utilizes this as a major element known as the ''Satsui no Hadou'' (Aura of the Murderous Intent). [[BloodKnight Akuma]] is considered a master of this energy and as such fights and kills anyone who faces him. Ryu also temporarily gets possessed by this energy as [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Evil Ryu]], and tends to go further than Akuma. This is an especially present element in the Alpha series and the ''Ryu Final'' Manga.
* In the ''{{Nasuverse}}'' skilled fighters can do this. In the ''Unlimited Blade Works'' route of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' Shirou is able to sense that he is being followed by [[TheSnarkKnight Archer]] because he is taunting Shirou with his killing intent. When Shirou calls him out on it he is impressed that such an [[IneptMage unskilled magus]] could detect it. Shirou also uses Archer's killing intent to tell from where he is launching his [[TrickArrow attack]] against Berserker during their fight in the graveyard, and notes that [[spoiler:it's directed at more than ''just'' Berserker]].

[[AC:WebComics]]
* Early in ''Webcomic/TheDragonDoctors'', the invisible MurderInc assault is detected in advance due to so many people radiating killing intent at the same time.

* In ''Vampire Savior[=/=]VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} 3'', [[AxCrazy B.]][[EnfantTerrible B.]] [[CuteAndPsycho Hood]], a [[PsychoForHire bloodthirsty]] [[RankInflation Special S-Class]] [[BountyHunter Darkhunter]], is so malevolent that her stare alone can instill a paralyzing fear into the [[PowerLevels lower-ranked]] Darkstalkers of Makai. This same darkness in her heart was what caught [[BigBad Jedah]]'s attention and allowed her to enter his [[PocketDimension Majigen]].

* In ''LightnNovel/FullMetalPanic'' Sousuke's past as a ChildSoldier has given him the ability to sense killing intent, which he uses to set traps for assassins targeting him.

* In ''{{Naruto}}'' most experienced ninjas can explicitly sense killing intent, and [[http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Killing_Intent using it to paralyse enemies]] is a recognised strategy (most famously used by Orochimaru). This ability explicitly does not use {{Ki}}.
* In ''{{Bleach}}'' the force of [[BloodKnight Kenpachi Zaraki]]'s killing intent causes Ichigo to hallucinate that he is being stabbed as he approaches.
* The martial artists in ''RanmaOneHalf'' can sense if someone is about to attack them. Ranma is so good, he sometimes dodges attacks in his ''sleep''. Unfortunately for Ryoga, his "danger sense" is also [[TheExitIsThatWay affected]] by his terrible sense of direction.
* In ''OnePiece'', this is one of the functions of Haki.
* In ''LoneWolfAndCub'', every half-way decent martial artist possesses this ability.
* ''RurouniKenshin'' uses this, while [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane leaving it ambiguous whether it's based on Ki or just body language]]. The only time Kenshin had significant trouble fighting against someone of a (slightly) lower skill level was Soujirou, whose combination of being a StepfordSmiler and super speed made him both difficult to read and difficult to react to.

* In ''FullMetalPanic'' Sousuke's past as a ChildSoldier has given him the ability to sense killing intent, which he uses to set traps for assassins targeting him.

* ''SwordArtOnline'' refers to the ability to sense killing intent from monsters in the game as "Hypersense", which may or may not actually exist.

* ''StreetFighter'' utilizes this as a major element known as the ''Satsui no Hadou'' (Aura of the Murderous Intent). [[BloodKnight Akuma]] is considered a master of this energy and as such fights and kills anyone who faces him. Ryu also temporarily gets possessed by this energy as [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Evil Ryu]], and tends to go further than Akuma. This is an especially present element in the Alpha series and the ''Ryu Final'' Manga.
* In the {{Nasuverse}} skilled fighters can do this. In the ''Unlimited Blade Works'' route of ''FateStayNight'' Shirou is able to sense that he is being followed by [[TheSnarkKnight Archer]] because he is taunting Shirou with his killing intent. When Shirou calls him out on it he is impressed that such an [[IneptMage unskilled magus]] could detect it. Shirou also uses Archer's killing intent to tell from where he is launching his [[TrickArrow attack]] against Berserker during their fight in the graveyard, and notes that [[spoiler:it's directed at more than ''just'' Berserker]].