History Main / NotQuiteFlight

* In one of the early ''{{Bionicle}}'' comics, Tahu is grabbed by a Nui-Rama and lifted far into the sky before getting dropped. Since he, unlike some of his comrades, does not possess a [[MasksofPower Mask of Levitation]], he instead uses his [[ElementalPowers elemental power]] [[PlayingWithFire of fire]] to heat the air beneath him, slowing his fall. While it didn't slow him enough to avoid a lethal impact, luckily Onua caught on and took advantage of the slowed fall to grab Tahu with his [[SuperStrength Mask of Strength]].

* In one of the early ''{{Bionicle}}'' comics, Tahu is grabbed by an insect-like monster and lifted far into the sky before getting dropped. Since he, unlike some of his comrades, does not possess a Mask of Levitation, he instead uses his [[ElementalPowers elemental power]] of fire to heat the air beneath him, slowing his fall. While it didn't slow him enough to avoid a lethal impact, luckily Onua caught on and took advantage of the slowed fall to grab Tahu with his Mask of Strength.
** The Mask of Levitation itself might be a better example, however, since it only allows you to stay still in the air. Lewa uses his Air element to create winds that propels him instead.

* In ''[=~Pokémon~=]'', Dodrio apparently flies by jumping really high.

* In ''OnePiece'', there are only a handful of VoluntaryShapeshifting-based Devil's Fruit powers that can grant flight. However, Luffy can use elastic tension to launch himself into the air, and suck in/blow out air to propel himself somewhat. Robin can sprout many arms, then woven into wings, to glide, but it's incredibly tiresome for her. Usopp has a belt with a grappling-hook feature used mostly for BuildingSwing or a variant. Brook (and one of Chopper's forms) can leap tall buildings [[InASingleBound in a... well, you know]]. Franky can [[{{Squick}} launch himself using gas.]] The CP9 villains have Geppou and its faster advanced form Kamisori, which are essentially [[DoubleJump extra jumps]], or "kicking off the air". Buggy the Clown can make any part of his body fly around detached as long as his feet are on a solid surface within [[http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081231204939/onepiece/images/0/0b/Bara_range.PNG an unspecified range]] of his other parts (the author [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum stated]] the range stated to be a circle "200 Bara Bara" in diamater, but what did say is how far ''that'' is). Most impressive are the majority of [[ElementalPowers Logia]] users. They can manipulate their element, and turn themselves into their element, so they can move in something similar to flight. It's unknown if they can use this to cross bodies of water, which Devil's Fruit users are [[WeaksauceWeakness supposedly weak to]].
** Aokiji freezes the ocean under him and cycles on a thin path he makes. Ace and the others can fly over the ocean without any problems... in fact, they'd have to be submerged for them to lose strength. And submerged doesn't mean standing in a knee deep puddle is enough.

* In ''OnePiece'', there are only a handful of VoluntaryShapeshifting-based Devil's Fruit powers that can grant flight. However, Luffy can use elastic tension to launch himself into the air, and suck in/blow out air to propel himself somewhat. Robin can sprout many arms, then woven into wings, to glide, but it's incredibly tiresome for her. Usopp has a belt with a grappling-hook feature used mostly for BuildingSwing or a variant. Brook (and one of Chopper's forms) can leap tall buildings [[InASingleBound in a... well, you know]]. Franky can [[{{Squick}} launch himself using gas.]] The CP9 villains have Geppou and its faster advanced form Kamisori, which are essentially [[DoubleJump extra jumps]], or "kicking off the air". Buggy the Clown can make any part of his body fly around detached as long as his feet are on a solid surface within [[http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081231204939/onepiece/images/0/0b/Bara_range.PNG an unspecified range]] of his other parts. Most impressive are the majority of [[ElementalPowers Logia]] users. They can manipulate their element, and turn themselves into their element, so they can move in something similar to flight. It's unknown if they can use this to cross bodies of water, which Devil's Fruit users are [[WeaksauceWeakness supposedly weak to]].

** Though he believe he can actually fly for most of the first movie.

** Magneto is sometimes stated as outright flying (or "levitating") by using the Earth's magnetic field.

* In ''Pokémon'', Dodrio apparently flies by jumping really high.

* In ''OnePiece'', there are only a handful of VoluntaryShapeshifting-based Devil's Fruit powers that can grant flight. However, Luffy can use elastic tension to launch himself into the air, and suck in/blow out air to propel himself somewhat. Robin can sprout many hands in the shape of wings to glide. Usopp has a belt with a grappling-hook feature used mostly for BuildingSwing or a variant. Brook (and one of Chopper's forms) can leap tall buildings [[InASingleBound in a... well, you know]]. Franky can [[{{Squick}} launch himself using gas.]] The CP9 villains have Geppou and its faster advanced form Kamisori, which are essentially [[DoubleJump extra jumps]]. Buggy the Clown can make any part of his body fly as long as at least one part (usually his feet) is on a solid surface within an unspecified range of his other parts. Most impressive are the majority of [[ElementalPowers Logia]] users. They can manipulate their element, and turn themselves into their element, so they can move in something similar to flight. It's unknown if they can use this to cross bodies of water, which Devil's Fruit users are [[WeaksauceWeakness supposedly weak to]].

* There's also Thor who swings his hammer around his head and then releases it with it still attached to his wrist. The momentum then carries him half way across the world. Sure, that would work....
** According to ''The Physics of Superheroes'', it '''would''' work.
** [[AWizardDidIt It's a magic hammer.]]

* Magneto can also pick himself up with metal objects that he levitates with his powers. Similarly Susan Storm can jump around on invisible platforms into the sky and Storm would shoot a strong gust of wind up her backside. I believe Wonder Woman was originally unable to fly directly in the manner of Superman but (as with original Superman) they simplified all the handwaves to just give her flight.

* Siryn can fly by screaming really loud -- I have *no* idea how this is supposed to work, as she's clearly not shouting at the ground when she does this. Or, you know, moving backwards.

*** Also, sometimes they seem to be able to speak while doing this. Because TalkingIsAFreeAction, I guess?

* ''StaticShock'' did this with a trash can lid.

** In the SilverAge, and possibly the GoldenAge, Wonder Woman used to "glide on air currents" -- which somehow always seemed to be going in the right direction unless it became a plot point (like one story in which the villain encased a city in ice, which apparently meant that there were only downdrafts). This was retconned into full flight in the 1986 revamp, and has remained so ever since.

** However, there is the occasional true-flying character. Konan can achieve true flight on paper wings. The Tsuchikage can levitate, but we're not sure ''how''.

* ''{{Bleach}}'' has this in all the standard forms: Anyone with enough skill can stand on air.

* DrMcNinja has an awesome,[[{{Squick}} if slightly disgusting]], example in one of the early arcs; one villain has changed his metabolism and ''flies using his '''farts'''. ''

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* Superman himself originally could not fly, but rather used his super strength to, well, [[CatchPhrase "leap tall buildings in a single bound."]]

--> "''This isn't flying! This is falling, with style!''"
---> ''Buzz Lightyear, [[ToyStory Toy Story]]''