History Main / MagicalSpeciesTransformation

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Treehouse of Horror}}'': In the first segment of {{Recap / The Simpsons S13 E1 "Treehouse of Horror XII" The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XII}}, "Hex and the City", Homer accidentally trashes a fortune teller's office, as a result she places a curse on Homer saying that he will "bring bad luck to everyone he loves". As a result of the curse Lisa is transformed (possibly permanently) into a Centaur.

''WesternAnimation/{{Treehouse of Horror}}'': In the first segment of {Recap / The Simpsons S13 E1 "Treehouse of Horror XII" The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XII}, "Hex and the City", Homer accidentally trashes a fortune teller's office, as a result she places a curse on Homer saying that he will "bring bad luck to everyone he loves". As a result of the curse Lisa is transformed (possibly permanently) into a Centaur.

** This property is exploited with Ozorne, the seeming BigBad, in ''Emperor Mage''. He's given a metal feather to use in his hour of need, which he's told will carry him from his enemies as if on wings of steel and take him beyond the reach of death forever. At the end of the book he's cornered and told to choose between abdicating and being killed - Ozorne [[TakingAThirdOption takes a third option]] and uses the feather, which transforms him into a [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies Stormwing]]. This also means he's no longer Emperor or a human-style mage. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, he's a bit of an InstantExpert and this isn't the end of him.]]

** This property is exploited with Ozorne, the seeming BigBad, in ''Emperor Mage''. He's given a metal feather to use in his hour of need, which he's told will carry him from his enemies as if on wings of steel and take him beyond the reach of death forever. At the end of the book he's cornered and told to choose between abdicating and being killed - Ozorne [[TakingAThirdOption takes a third option]] and uses the feather, which transforms him into a [[HarpingAboutHarpies Stormwing]]. This also means he's no longer Emperor or a human-style mage. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, he's a bit of an InstantExpert and this isn't the end of him.]]

* In Creator/TamoraPierce's ''Literature/TheImmortals'' quartet powerful mages can shapeshift into animals for disguises or to fly, but if they choose the form of a magical creature they'll be turning themselves into that creature permanently with no way to become human again.

Very common for this trope are characters becoming a {{vampire|Tropes}} or [[OurWerebeastsAreDifferent lycanthrope]]. Can also occur with AngelicTransformation, DemonOfHumanOrigin, and DeityOfHumanOrigin.

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These transformations are often used as a plot device on human protagonists in magical worlds: the protag begins as human, making the character more relatable to the [[{{AudienceSurrogate}} audience]] and allows the author to introduce the magical world through their eyes. As the story progresses, the protag transforms into the magical race, giving them the abilities to defeat the BigBad as well as fully initiating them into the magical world.

If the character is awake for the transformation, it's often a [[{{PainfulTransformation}} physically painful process]]. However, frequently the character falls unconscious out of [[{{FaintInShock}} shock]] as the transformation begins. The changes can also reflect the character's personality, be it their virtues or flaws, resulting in a KarmicTransformation. This may result from a PhysicalAttributeSwap if it involves two characters "trading" species, or a ViralTransformation if it spreads.

After the transformation, the character might take time to adjust to their new form and abilities. They might initially experience FreakinessShame with their new abilities or be clumsy as they [[{{DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength}} underestimate their own strength]]. They could also be pleased with the transformation, particularly if the magical species is [[{{SuperiorSpecies}} attractive and powerful]], or it can be a case of ForcedTransformation which is received less gracefully.

Inverse trope is HumanityEnsues.

Compare [[UndeadIndex undead characters]] who may stay mostly human, even with the advent of being supernatural.

Very common for this trope are characters becoming a [[{{VampireTropes}} vampire]] or [[OurWerebeastsAreDifferent lycanthrope]]. Can also occur with AngelicTransformation, DemonOfHumanOrigin, and DeityOfHumanOrigin.

* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'': The city of Yharnam is afflicted by the "Scourge of the Beast", an ailment that slowly transforms the residents into lycanthropic monsters the more they're exposed to the Old Blood. The change is seemingly irreversible and [[IdentityAmnesia erases the victim's identity]], replacing it with [[AxCrazy beastial hunger and violence]]. Other inhuman species exist too, like the Palebloods, the game's take on vampires, and the [[spoiler:aquatic monstrosities of the Fishing Hamlet, who are all an homage to ''The Shadow over Innsmouth''.]]

* In ''Literature/TheTwiligtSaga'', [[spoiler:Bella]] undergoes this. The transformation is painful and lasts three days. It results in red or gold eyes, sharp teeth, stone-like skin, enhanced strength, constant thirst for blood, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking increased physical attractiveness]], and occasionally specific superpowers.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'': Fiona was cursed to turn into an ogre every night for years, and once she kisses her true love Shrek, she becomes an ogre permanently and appreciates being this way because it lets her live without fear of hiding parts of her that others would shun.

* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000:'' Although still rare, some background mentions that psykers are being born more often, possibly indicating humanity will become an all-psychic race. This is less than a good thing given the BlessedWithSuck fate of psykers (undergoing MindRape to prevent them from turning to Chaos, sacrificed to allow FTLTravel if they aren't strong enough for that, or turning to Chaos and/or exploding into a demonic portal).

* In ''VideoGame/EscapedChasm'' and ''VideoGame/DwellersEmptyPath'', this can happen to people who get into another world. For example, [[spoiler:the main character of the first game]] turned into a semi-intelligent wolf.

** ''Sburb'' players can become immortal gods, but for this they need to die in a certain place and in certain circumstances. [[spoiler:And a lot of them actually did it.]]
** Sprites are a game construct provided by ''Sburb''. Sprites are initially generated as a glowing orb known as the Kernelsprite, which are meant to be given form by the player; this is achieved by "prototyping" an object, or putting an object into the sprite. If the Sprite is prototyped with ashes or dead bodies, the dead character gets a new life as a mystical adviser who knows many secrets of the game. Sprites can also combine several characters, creating a new unique personality. Many characters, including but not limited to [[spoiler:Equius, Nepeta and Tavros,]] have been given new life in this form.

*** [[PlayingWithATrope Playing with]] in the case of the Draconian Dignitary. For a while, he gets the Queen's ring, making readers wait with interest and horror for his transformation. However, due to the specifics of the gaming session, it is impossible for him to get physical changes. [[spoiler:He still gets almost infinite power though.]]
** Trolls can become blood-drinking creatures, [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Rainbow Drinkers]]. This is what happened to [[spoiler:Kanaya and Porrim.]]

** [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] and {{Inverted|Trope}} in the case of cherubim. While the normal life cycle of cherubim includes transformation into winged creatures and temporary transformation into giant snakes, [[spoiler:Caliborn in one universe and Calliope in another]] became omnipotent beings, but at the same time lost the ability to transform. [[spoiler:Caliborn was still going through several life phases though, including the one [[AndIMustScream where he was trapped in the doll's body.]]]]
*** The life phases of [[spoiler:Caliborn]] themselves can be considered as such, since they mean gaining more and more power and are accompanied by enormous physical and mental changes. One of the most significant moments of the webcomic was the transformation of [[spoiler:[[TheChessmaster Doc Scratch]] into [[TheBrute Lord English]]]], which differ from each other so much that it is even difficult to consider them as the same person.

* In ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'', [[spoiler:Bella]] undergoes this. The transformation is painful and lasts three days. It results in red or gold eyes, sharp teeth, stone-like skin, enhanced strength, constant thirst for blood, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking increased physical attractiveness]], and occasionally specific superpowers.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'': In the climax of the film, [[Characters/AladdinJafar Jafar]] uses the magical lamp to turn himself into a genie, granting himself an insurmountable level of power. [[spoiler:This all turns out to be a plot by Aladdin who uses the lamp to seal Jafar away forever; Jafar is a genie now after all.]]

%%* In ''Literature/TheGrishaTrilogy'', [[spoiler:Nikolai]] experiences a BalefulPolymorph version of this. However, his transformation does become useful [[spoiler:when he aids Alina in the end]].

* ''Anime/SoImASpiderSoWhat'' has an interesting variation of this. The plot involves an entire classroom being killed and reincarnated into an RPG-fantasy adventure. The main protagonist, as the title suggests, winds up as an ordinary spider in this world, so she decides to train herself up to evolve into an Arachne for a better means of survival. [[spoiler:She gets what she bargained for, although it turns out that's exactly what the demon Ariel intended.]]
* ''LightNovel/ThatTimeIGotReincarnatedAsASlime'':
** The very premise of the title is how Satoru Mikami dies on Earth and [[ReincarnateInAnotherWorld reincarnates as a slime in another world]] and having to come to terms with his new slime and magical being's senses, as well as regaining various senses via [[TheAssimilator absorbing other beings' traits]].
** It's possible for humans (usually those with magical potential) to become majin, gaining various advantages such increased physical and magical powers alongside longer lifespans, though this can also come at cost of gaining a majin's weaknesses (greater vulnerability to AntiMagic as well as reduced capacity to have children). Myulan was once a human witch who [[DealWithTheDevil made a deal with the Demon Lord Clayman]] near the end of her lifespan to become a majin. Shizue Izawa is notable for having the potential to become a majin [[IJustWantToBeNormal but refusing due to personal hang-ups about herself]] despite the fact doing so would save and extend her already failing lifespan.

** Sprite prototyping affects creatures inside the ''Sburb'' game, directly determining the appearance and abilities of those who wear the royal rings. The most striking example of this influence is the transformation of [[spoiler:Jack Noir]] into an [[EldritchAbomination almost omnipotent demon with wings, tentacles and (later) a dog's head]]. He became the most powerful and scary antagonist of the webcomic [[spoiler:[[DiscOneFinalBoss before we met Doc Scratch.]]]]

*** The life phases of [[spoiler:Caliborn]] themselves can be considered as such, since they mean gaining more and more power and are accompanied by enormous physical and mental changes. One of the most significant moments of the webcomic was the transformation of [[spoiler:[[TheChessmaster Doc Scratch]] into [[TheBrute Lord English]]]], which differ from each other so much that it is even [[LiteralTransformativeExperience difficult to consider them as the same person.]]

*** [PlayingWithATrope Playing with]] in the case of the Draconian Dignitary. For a while, he gets the Queen's ring, making readers wait with interest and horror for his transformation. However, due to the specifics of the gaming session, it is impossible for him to get physical changes. [[spoiler:He still gets almost infinite power though.]]

*** {{PlayingWith|ATrope}} in the case of the Draconian Dignitary. For a while, he gets the Queen's ring, making readers wait with interest and horror for his transformation. However, due to the specifics of the gaming session, it is impossible for him to get physical changes. [[spoiler:He still gets almost infinite power though.]]

* ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventure'': [[Characters/JoJosBizarreAdventureDIO DIO]] is introduced in the first arc of the series as Jonathan Joestar's evil adopted brother. And then things get worse by DIO attaching an ancient stone mask to himself and becoming a vampire, becoming not only [[TheAgeless forever young]] but also a superhuman menace that can tank gunfire and suck blood from people. He revels in his newfound power by becomingly increasingly cruel and inhuman.

* ''VideoGame/TheSims'': Starting with ''VideoGame/TheSims2'', characters can, under certain circumstances, transform into [[FantasyKitchenSink werewolves, vampires, zombie, ghosts, or plant-like beings]]. Downplayed, as most of these states are reversible.

** Played with and inverted in the case of cherubim. While the normal life cycle of cherubim includes transformation into winged creatures and temporary transformation into giant snakes, [[spoiler:Caliborn in one universe and Calliope in another]] became omnipotent beings, but at the same time lost the ability to transform. [[spoiler:Caliborn was still going through several life phases though, including the one [[AndIMustScream where he was trapped in the doll's body.]]]]

** Many deceased players have become ghosts after death, who [[OurGhostsAreDifferent continue to communicate after death, have to use the toilet and may die a second time]].
** Played with and inverted in the case of cherubs. While the normal life cycle of cherubs includes transformation into winged creatures and temporary transformation into giant snakes, [[spoiler:Caliborn in one universe and Calliope in another]] became omnipotent beings, but at the same time lost the ability to transform. [[spoiler:Caliborn was still going through several life phases though, including the one [[AndIMustScream where he was trapped in the doll's body.]]]]

If the character is awake for the transformation, it's often a [[{{PainfulTransformation}} physically painful process]]. However, frequently the character falls unconscious out of [[{{FaintInShock}} shock]] as the transformation begins. The changes can also reflect the character's personality, be it their virtues or flaws, resulting in a KarmicTransformation. This may result from a PhysicalAttributeSwap if it involves two characters "trading" species.