History Main / MusicalAssassin

* ''Every'' '''single'''' '''''character''''' in ''VideoGame/CryptOfTheNecrodancer'' is more or less this as they slay their opponents on the rhythm of the music. The straightest examples include Melody who kills her enemies by playing the Golden Lute and the Bell Ringer who [[EnemySummoner summons enemies]] by... well, ringing a bell.

* In ''Anime/{{Pokemon}},'' music is an [[JustForPun instrumental]] part of [[WanderingMinstrel Nando's]] battle style.

* Kidaf Gillot from ''LightNovel/ScrappedPrincess'' used an instrument to command [[spoiler:robotic]] bugs for assassination.

* Azami from ''Anime/WeissKreuz'' uses a violin as his weapon.

** Cai Wenji wields a spike fiddle in her debut spin-off game and a harp in the main installments. In ''9'', however, she discards the harp in favor of [[WhipItGood a chain whip]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Dubloon}}'' features the Quartet of the Seas, [[JustForPun a band]] of {{four|IsDeath}} {{bonus boss}}es, [[HurricaneOfPuns composed of]] a rapper Vypa, guitarist Standish, flutist Captain FC and a pianist Sparkles.

* [[Literature/TheBible God told the Israelites to march around the walls of Jericho]], and shout and sound trumpets on the seventh day. On the seventh day, the walls were breached.

* ''LightNovel/TheAsteriskWar'': Rusalka are an all-girl rock band that together wield the Orga Lux Lyre-Poros, which takes the form of their musical instruments and blasts opponents with sound waves.

* In Mercedes Lackey's ''Bardic Voices'', Rune and Sparrowhawk get trapped "underhill" by elves who force them to play for them. Rune turns the tables on them by using her fiddle to force them to dance until they drop from exhaustion, then starts playing laments to make them cry until they nearly die from depression. She threatens to keep on playing until they DO die unless they release the two of them. In her "Valdemar" books, many bards have projective empathy that can make their audiences feel the emotions of their music; although we never see any of them use it to harm or kill anyone, it is implied that a Bard with a strong enough Gift could do so.

* Fou Lafine of ''Anime/BtX'', whose WeaponOfChoice is a violin. Unlike Kurumada's examples in Saint Seiya, disabling X's auditory sensors ''did'' block the attack. Unfortunately Fou was no slouch in combat either.

* The Pop Stars in ''VideoGame/{{Miitopia}}'' can use their voice to inflict damage upon their enemies. Their WeaponOfChoice is a microphone.

* ''Anime/SuitePrettyCure'' uses this a few times, first with Cure Muse (the masked version) conjuring a magical piano keyboard for some of her spells and later with Cure Beat's Love Guitar Rod, [[InstrumentOfMurder the magical guitar]] which turns into [[AnAxeToGrind a battle ax]] and shoots exploding rings of magical death.

* Erica Hayes's ''Literature/{{Shadowfae}}'' urban fantasy series features a variety of supernatural beings getting involved in a crime-ridden underworld, including vampires, [[HornyDevils succubi]] and various types of [[OurFairiesAreDifferent fae]]. In this setting, [[OurBansheesAreLouder banshees]] have magical voices that can [[MagicMusic cast spells through song]], [[MakeMeWannaShout shatter glass or physically harm/kill enemies with a scream]], and [[CompellingVoice persuade/seduce humans]]. They have [[SuperSenses supernaturally sharp hearing]], but their magic lets them filter all sounds so they are not overwhelmed by them, and the magical enhancement of their inner ear apparently also gives them perfect balance and enhanced coordination. The third volume of the series, ''Poison Kissed'', is narrated by a banshee who is employed by supernatural mobsters as a bodyguard/enforcer.

* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'', Nevan, a [[HornyDevils succubus]] boss character, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oskw8aGIFk0 becomes an electric guitar]] after you defeat her as Dante. She is arguably the most [[DifficultButAwesome difficult to use yet most powerful]] weapon in the game, easily allowing [[RankInflation SSStylish]] combos if used properly. It electrocutes enemies by shooting lightning at them and summoning bats to attack them.

* The blind musicians (well, only one of them was blind) in ''Film/KungFuHustle'' can tear people apart with their guqin music, [[RazorWind in the form of invisible blades and fists]], and at the height of their performance they're summoning hordes of Chinese zombie warrior ghosts out of their instruments.

* In ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'', each character could obtain a musical instrument that could be used as a limited-ammo special attack to destroy nearby enemies (Donkey Kong got bongos, possibly inspiring his final smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, while Diddy, Lanky, Tiny, and Chunky have an electric guitar, trombone, saxophone, and triangle, respectively).
* The villains of ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' are the Tiki Tak Tribe, who combine MindControlMusic and plain old soundwave-based attacks to lead a takeover of Donkey Kong Island. The {{Mook}}s of the group all look like bongo drums, while the [[QuirkyMiniBossSquad seven lieutenants]] of the tribe each resemble a different musical instrument: Kalimba the mbira (a kind of small Zimbabwean keyboard), the Maraca Gang ([[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin take a wild guess]]), Gong-Oh the gong, Banjo Bottom the banjo, Wacky Pipes the panpipes, Xylobone the xylophone, and Cordian the accordion. [[spoiler: Their leader, Tiki Tong, resembles a ''gigantic'' drum.]]

->''"I remember every little thing as if it happened only yesterday. I was barely seventeen... and I once killed a boy with a Fender guitar. I don't remember if it was a Telecaster or a [[AllGuitarsAreStratocasters Stratocaster]], but I do remember that it wasn't at all easy. It required the perfect combination of the right power chords and the precise angle from which to strike."''

* The 'death flutes' of the Zoromen in the Franchise/DocSavage novel ''Murder Melody'' can induce either unconsciousness or death in the listener depending on the tune played.

* The antagonist seemingly destined to cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt in ''The Apocalypse Suite'' arc of ''ComicBook/TheUmbrellaAcademy'' is the appropriately-named White Violin.

* ''Series/TheUmbrellaAcademy'': [[spoiler: Vanya is not quite an assassin, but does cause a lot of damage with her violin, including slashing Allison's throat and nearly collapsing the Icarus Theatre.]]

* In ''Literature/{{Lullaby}}'', we have the Culling Song, which kills anyone it's sung to, or even thought at.

* Musical weapons are the gimmick of ''Series/KamenRiderHibiki'', where they use the ultrasonic vibrations of their music to shatter the MonsterOfTheWeek. The main Rider uses drumsticks (creating a drum on the surface of the monster), the second Rider uses a trumpet-slash-machine gun and the third Rider uses an electric guitar. All three styles are apparently relatively common among the various Oni. Another present-day Rider uses a harp, while four movie-exclusive Riders from the distant past use a flute/machine gun, a gong stuck, a triangle, and a pair of cymbals.
* ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'': Decade and Diend get in on the act during the finale of the Hibiki arc of their show, each using a set of drumsticks (joined by several other Riders using trumpets and guitars) against the final monster there.

* How Sweety Belle works in the ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' [[GameMod ROM Hack]] ''VideoGame/EquestriaBound''. Her main weapons are ''microphones'' and she uses MagicMusic as opposed to PSI.

* [[MeaningfulName Noise Marie]] From ''Manga/DGrayMan'' uses this, his innocence binds Akuma in a net of holy string that summons the hymns of angels, causing a BrownNote on its victims. We also had Daisya earlier in the series, whose Miracle Bell's chimes utterly ruined his foes [[ImprobableWeaponUser after he kicked it into them like a soccer ball]]. [[spoiler: [[DroppedABridgeOnHim Doesn't help him any against Tyki though.]]]]

* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry 3'', Nevan, a [[HornyDevils succubus]] boss character, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oskw8aGIFk0 becomes an electric guitar]] after you defeat her as Dante. She is arguably the most [[DifficultButAwesome difficult to use yet most powerful]] weapon in the game, easily allowing [[RankInflation SSStylish]] combos if used properly. It electrocutes enemies by shooting lightning at them and summoning bats to attack them.

* Midgard of the Counterfactual.net crew from ''Script/AHDotComTheSeries'', who once destroyed a civilisation with the right power chord.
** And later, The King.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros. Brawl'' has several. Donkey Kong uses bongos for his Final Smash (the damage and range of which depend on your rhythm); assist trophy Barbara the Bat jams on an electric guitar for a wide-range attack; [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Jigglypuff]] and [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Peach]] put enemies to sleep with song; Luigi uses a dance number to summon the Negative Zone; and King Dedede has a [[strike:song and dance summon]] [[FanNickname Big Gay Dance]].

** The Ghost Saint Lyra Orpheus from first non-canon movie and his two {{Exp|y}}ies: the Benetnasch Mime (lyres, though Mime's armor can turn into a harp) from anime-only "Asgard Arc" and the Silver Saint Lyra Orphée. All three use a lyre as weapon, share the same music and a similar attack where the [[RazorFloss lyre's strings trap and shred anything]]. Plus, Mime and Orphée have MagicMusic abilities. Mime can create illusion while Orphée can put to eternal sleep his opponents.

** The Mariners Siren Sorrento who use a flute to weak and destroy opponent's mind. His music is so powerful that it leads directly to the brain; destroy your eardrums is useless.

** The Fiddler had a female successor named Virtuosa whom has only ever appeared in books featuring the ComicBook/SecretSix, which is fitting since she was created by Creator/GailSimone. Virtuosa claims that she's an ardent admirer of the original Fiddler and took up his violin and legacy after his death in honor of him. She in fact had something of a fangirl moment when Fiddler was revived as a Black Lantern during ''ComicBook/BlackestNight'' and offered his violin back, though he was more interested in ripping her heart out.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TrollsWorldTour'', the Rock Trolls use weaponized instruments to fight the other Tribes. Chaz and the Ultimate Power Chord are also capable of posessing Trolls under a specific music genre (Smooth Jazz and Rock, respectively).

* ''Literature/{{Indexing}}'': A Pied Piper, can, as [[spoiler:discussed]] in the first chapter, induce with their music, such as with [[spoiler:tons of rats]] via a "descending trill".

* In the ''Series/FridayThe13thTheSeries'' "The Maestro", the cursed antique of the week was a music box whose melody forced the listener to dance themselves to death. Death occurred either though strain on the body or dancing into deadly situations, such as out a window.

* The harp of the god Angus Og, in Irish mythology, held great power. It was captured in battle by the hideous troll race of the [[OurTrollsAreDifferent Fomorians]]. One night, Angus and a comrade crept into the Fomorian camp and were discovered stealing the harp back. Undeterred, Angus played the harp and even the foul trolls were overcome by the beauty of his playing. Legend has it he played the harp three times. first he played the notes of joy that caused the enemy to rejoice. Then he played the notes of sorrow that caused them to be overborne with tears. Finally he played the notes of sleep, that rendered them insensible. Thus was he able to return unscathed to the Tuatha de Danaan having won back the harp.

* ''Theatre/{{Rent}}'', which is based on ''Theatre/LaBoheme'', features a similar plot point, with Angel (Schunard's equivalent) playing his drums (pickle tubs) to a rich woman's neighbor's dog in hopes that it will die. The dog eventually jumps from the window ledge of a twenty-third story apartment.

* One of the bonus weapons in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaCurseOfDarkness'' is a badass looking skull guitar that would make metalheads envious. Hector attacks by RAWKIN' OUT DOOD! The screen shakes and vibrates for every uninterrupted riff he plays, though some larger enemies aren't staggered by the playing, ditto for those which can move underground or 'phase out.'

* ''VideoGame/{{Cocoron}}'', a Japanese only video game, in which you build six characters to play as, including the weapon they use. One of the weapons is musical notes, and the characters generally launch their attacks from their heads. LetsPlay/DeceasedCrab, Website/YouTube celebrity, made this famous through his Let's Play of the game, with the third character he made being Tasian, the Singing Ninja Tank. ''''.

** From the same game, Lilith also has a special, the Gloomy Puppet Show. When the move input is completed, she tosses a top hat at the opponent. If it connects, she switches outfit, while the opponent is put upon a makeshift stage. A mini-game then starts, where you need to tap the right keys in the right rhythm. Depending on how well you perform, the opponent could take massive amounts of damage, or very little.

* ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors'' has Sheik, who uses a harp which generates both sonic shock waves and various elemental attacks. Zelda, who can use a conductor baton that shoots electricity and wind. Skull Kid who uses an ocarina to command both [[FairyCompanion Tatl and Tael]] as well as sinister puppets. Medli, whose harp shoots air blasts and light energy and Marin who uses a bell that shoots water as well as being able to summon the Wind Fish.

* Sona, the Maven of the Strings from ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' attacks by firing waves of sound from a guzheng-like instrument. She can also amplify her attacks by playing songs, send out discordant waves of sound to hunt down opponents, and her ultimate ability forces opponents to dance to her song while their health drains.

* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' games of late have adopted a Hammer subclass called the Hunting Horn, which induces StatusEffects by entering what's called Recital Mode and then pressing attack buttons to play different notes. Different note combinations got you different effects. In a nice change of pace from your standard self-buffing classes in an action-RPG, they're also good for clocking a monster over the head without a Recital beforehand.

* There's a mod for ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2'' actually called Lute Hero. It makes you play a VideoGame/GuitarHero style rhythm game which is used to power your spells in combat. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n0vmCqv5yo It has to be seen to be believed.]]

* Lúcio from ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' fights his enemies and supports his team-mates through [[DiscoTech various sonic-based devices]] that play his music. He can either heal or increase the moment speed of any allies within range, blast enemies backward with GaleForceSound and create soundwaves from his gun that wrap around and protect his allies from incoming damage.

* In ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'', Harpy's spell theme consists of her [[DreadfulMusician awful]] singing. Her skill in ''Puyo Quest'' causes a power reduction on blue-colored cards, while Songstress Harpy's skill, Shivering Chant, outright does direct damage. As a party member in ''[[VideoGame/MadouMonogatari Madou Monogatari Saturn]]'', she has two spells that weaponizes her singing: Grand Song, her LimitBreak, and Shock Voice, which stuns enemies.

* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'', Tear Grants makes her first appearance by singing all the guards in Luke's house to sleep so she can get in and assassinate Van. All of her highest level fonic artes, including a couple of very powerful magical attacks, are cast by singing the [[MagicMusic Yulian Fonic Hymns]].

** Protagonist Olivia's weapon of choice against monsters is a clarinet allows her to fly and create magical shields, among other things. Once [[spoiler:John]] joins her in the fray, he uses a trombone as a sword and a cannon.

* "Music Land", a 1935 Disney ''WesternAnimation/SillySymphonies'' short, features a Romeo and Juliet-esque romance between the saxophone prince of the Isle of Jazz and the cello princess of the Land of Symphony, and briefly leads to a literal musical war between the parents of the couple.

* The LostEpisode of ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' had the teens facing off against Punk Rocket whose music was destructivly loud.

* ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'' has the leading cast, collectively called "Valkyries", as {{Magic Idol Singer}}s fighting partially with their voice. During battle, they sing their {{Leitmotif}} in order to weaken enemies and fight properly against them. Even the background music changes actively to fit the theme of the situation. The "Assassin" portion comes as part of their LimitBreak: a solo that creates a near-infinite amount of strength at the cost of their life.