History Main / LivingGhost

[[quoteright:349:[[Webcomic/WarAndPeas https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/war_and_peas_ghost_dream.png]]]]

->'''Egon:''' It would seem that the energy backlash has completely destabilized my molecular structure.
->'''Peter:''' In other words... you're a ghost!
->'''Egon:''' Not technically, since I'm still alive, but for all practical purposes -- yes.
-->-- '''''WesternAnimation/TheRealGhostbusters''''', [[Recap/TheRealGhostbustersS2E60EgonsGhost "Egon's Ghost"]]

[[folder: Anime and Manga]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]

[[folder: Film -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'': As a child, the Ghost was exposed to quantum energy while caught in an explosion that killed her parents. This granted her invisibility and intangibility. However, these powers came with a price; her molecular structure and equilibrium became imbalanced and she requires a special suit to control her phasing ability.

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games]]
* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', the Phantom subclass for Rogues gives them ghost-themed powers, including the ability to temporarily turn into a ghost for a time, making them intangible and able to fly.

[[folder: Video Games]]
* Fenris from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' has been infused with [[AppliedPhlebotinum lyrium]] in a way that gives him the ability to turn incorporeal for a while. The corresponding gameplay skill is even called "Lyrium Ghost". After ''[=DA2=]'', this ability even gains him the sobriquet "ComicBook/BlueWraith".

[[folder: Webcomics]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

* ''Series/SpaceCases'': An episode has some technical incident turn Harlan invisible and intangible, as well as a crucial piece of equipment. [[spoiler:Turns out Radu can still hear him]].

These characters though, are very much alive, and yet have many of the abilities described above, and possibly others such as Poltergeist-y {{Telekinesis}}, [[MasterOfIllusion illusion-making]] and levitation. They might also be able to create some of the atmosphere ghosts have, such as random noises or "cold spots" where the temperature is below normal. Some might theme themselves around ghosts, with things such as [[EtherealWhiteDress white clothing]].

Note that Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible. This trope also applies to entire species with those traits or characters who normally don't have those characteristics gaining them and[=/=]or becoming incorporeal temporarily for a single storyline or installment. In those cases it can overlap with TheDisembodied.

* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'': An early issue sees Sonic apparently killed in an explosion of one of Robotnik's newest inventions, much the the sadness of his friends who hold a funeral for him. Even Sonic thinks this is the case when he wakes up and finds he cannot interact with anything else. In reality, his superspeed combined with the machine's explosion has thrown him out of phase with reality, a condition that is slowly correcting itself when he suddenly discovers a random passerby can hear his voice but can't see him and that he can grab objects but still walks through walls. Taking advantage of this, Sonic proceeds to help his friends beat Robotnik by using his temporary powers to convince the doctor he's being haunted. By the end of the issue Sonic is back to normal.

[[folder: Film - Live Action]]

---> '''Donna:''' It's not like Creator/AgathaChristie went around surrounded by murder, not really. That would be like [[ObliviousMockery meeting Charles Dickens and he's surrounded by ghosts]] ... at [[Literature/AChristmasCarol Christmas]].
---> '''Doctor:''' Well...

* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': One episode had Geordi and Ensign Ro Laren get caught in an explosion by a malfunction experimental cloaking device that a top secret Federation research facility was working on. It not only rendered them invisible, it also phased them so that they could pass through solid objects. They spend the episode trying to find a way to return to normal.

* Fenris from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' has been infused with [[AppliedPhlebotinum lyrium]] in a way that gives him the ability to turn incorporeal of a while. The corresponding gameplay skill is even called "Lyrium Ghost". After ''[=DA2=]'', this ability even gains him the sobriquet "ComicBook/BlueWraith".

* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': Spirit Walkers are casters that can switch between Ethereal and Corporeal Form. In the latter they can't be attacked (save for spells and Magic-type damage) or attack (but can cast spells).

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'': Danny Fenton explores the inside of his parents' Ghost Portal and accidentally turns it on. As his theme song suggests, he can now turn intangible and walk through almost anything, turn invisible, fly, as well as possess people and even has access to other ghost powers such as [[EnergyWeapon Ghost Rays]], Cryokinesis, and the [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]]. Danny's nemesis, Vlad Plasmius, after contracting a virus from being exposed to ghost energy, amassed the same powers as Danny (minus [[AnIcePerson Cryokenesis]] and [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]]), which he mastered and abused over years of experience. Danny's clone, Danielle, also has all his powers minus [[AnIcePerson Cryokenesis]] and [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]] (at least, yet).

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheRealGhostbusters'' episode "[[Recap/TheRealGhostbustersS2E60EgonsGhost Egon's Ghost]]", an accident results in Egon becoming noncorporeal and able to sense ghosts. However, he must be turned back into a normal human because being noncorporeal too long would make him disappear completely.

* ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'': The inhabitants of the planet Bgztl, including legionnaire Phantom Girl, all have ghost-like powers, majoritarily phasing/intangibility, but also sometimes invisibility. To add to the theme, they normally wear white clothing, and on [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes2020 the post-rebirth continuity]] they even have an ethereal purple body.

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom''
** Danny Fenton explores the inside of his parents' Ghost Portal and accidentally turns it on. As his theme song suggests, he can now turn intangible and walk through almost anything, turn invisible, fly, as well as possess people and even has access to other ghost powers such as [[EnergyWeapon Ghost Rays]], Cryokinesis, and the [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]].
** Danny's nemesis, Vlad Plasmius, became this after contracting a virus from being exposed to ghost energy. He has the same powers as Danny (minus [[AnIcePerson Cryokenesis]] and [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]]), which he mastered and abused over years of experience.
** Danny's clone, Danielle, is this by default. She has all his powers minus [[AnIcePerson Cryokenesis]] and [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]] (at least, yet).

These characters though, are very much alive, and yet have many of the abilities described above, and possibly others such as Poltergeist-y {{Telekinesis}}, [[MasterOfIllusion illusion-making]] and levitation. They might also be able to create some of the atmosphere ghosts have such as random noises or "cold spots" where the temperature is below normal. Some might theme themselves around ghosts, with things such as [[EtherealWhiteDress white clothing]].

Note that Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible. This trope also applies to entire species with those traits or characters who normally
don't have those characteristics gaining them and[=/=]or becoming incorporeal temporarily for a single storyline or installment. In those cases it can overlap with TheDisembodied.

* ComicBook/XMenChrisClaremont: During the 80s, a battle between the X-Men and the Marauders left Kitty Pride trapped in her intangible state for months. During this time, she lamented that she had become a "living ghost", unable to interact with anyone.

* ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'': As a child, the Ghost was exposed to quantum energy while caught in an explosion that killed her parents. This granted her invisibility and intangibility. However these powers came with a price; her molecular structure and equilibrium to become imbalanced and she requires a special suit to control her phasing ability.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': While the Doctor generally doesn't believe ghosts exists, there are a few instances of aliens who are mistaken for ghosts by humans due to their similar abilities:

---> '''Donna:''' It's not like Agatha Christie went around surrounded by murder, not really. That would be like [[ObliviousMockery meeting Charles Dickens and he's surrounded by ghosts]] ? at [[Literature/AChristmasCarol Christmas]].

** Beings that seem to be ghosts appear all over Earth in "Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday" two-parter, but are actually [[spoiler: beings from a parallel Earth that haven't quite broken through the barrier between the worlds yet, making their appearance ethereal and roughly humanoid, although specific characteristics are impossible to make out. Of course, this doesn't stop humans from assuming they are literally their dead loved ones returning, even believing they can smell/see certain traits associated with the real person (for example, Rose's mother believes she can smell her father's cigarettes).]]

* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', the Phantom subclass for Rogues gives them ghost themed powers, including the ability to temporarily turn into a ghost for a time, making them intangible and able to fly.

* In ''Franchise/MagicTheGathering,'' the planeswalker Kaya comes from a world where the line between living and dead is a bit blurred. Thus, she has ghostly powers such as turning intangible and walking through walls. Most notably, however, her abilities allow her to [[DeaderThanDead assassinate ghosts,]] and she serves as a sort of HitmanWithAHeart-slash-exorcist who travels the multiverse getting rid of troublesome ghosts.

** Danny Fenton explores the inside of his parent's Ghost Portal and accidentally turns it on. As his theme song suggests, he can now turn intangible and walk through almost anything, turn invisible, fly, as well as possess people and even has access to other ghost powers such as [[EnergyWeapon Ghost Rays]], Cryokinesis, and the [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]].
** Danny's nemesis, Vlad Plasmius, became this after contracting a virus from being exposed to ghost energy. He has the same powers as Danny (minus [[AnIcePerson Cryokenesis]] and [[SuperScream Ghostly Wail]]) which he mastered and abused over years of experience.

* ComicBook/UncannyXMen: During the 80s, a battle between the X-Men and the Marauders left Kitty Pride trapped in her intangible state for months. During this time, she lamented that she had become a "living ghost", unable to interact with anyone.

don't have those characteristics gaining them and[=/=]or becoming incorporeal temporarily for a single storyline or installment. In those cases it can overlap with TheIncorporeal.