History Main / PerpetuallyProtean

In the case of individuals who constantly shapeshift by choice, characters with this brand of shapeshifting tend to have few (if any) drawbacks to using their powers, and may possess bizarre personalities to match their constantly-changing bodies -- from the [[CloudCuckooLander harmlessly eccentric]] to the [[ShapeshiftingTrickster unabashedly mischievous]]. Some may even possess utterly alien viewpoints as a result of their powers, and rarely ever return to their true form -- if they even have one.

** Character Impossible Man has a particular flair for this. A cosmic AttentionWhore with the powers of both [[RealityWarper reality-manipulation]] and shapeshifting, he can turn into literally anything from inanimate objects to all-powerful threats to humanity, his only limitation being the [[MorphicResonance inability to change colors]]. Combined with [[{{Manchild}} his low tolerance for boredom]], this often results in him shapeshifting on a near-constant basis, unless of course he's gotten more interested in futzing with the nature of reality. Case in point, his meeting with the Silver Surfer in ''Rebirth of Thanos'', in which he spends almost every single frame turning into something new -- much to the Surfer's annoyance.

* ''WesternAnimation/SinbadLegendOfTheSevenSeas'' has Eris, the Goddess of Discord. She's a somewhat downplayed example in that she does stay looking like a purple-skinned human most of the time, but her hair, her dress and sometimes even her fingertips are constantly drifting around like smoke, and she's very casual about changing her size, often shifting from human-sized to kaiju-sized and back mid-conversation.

* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': While perfectly capable of remaining in a single form if they choose, Double Trouble has a habit of switching between forms while delivering breaking speeches to people in order to add a certain punch to a line delivery.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Nimona}}'': The titular character shapeshifts almost constantly. Not shapeshifting makes her uncomfortable, comparing it to holding in a sneeze.

* ''WesternAnimation/Nimona'': The titular character shapeshifts almost constantly. Not shapeshifting makes her uncomfortable, comparing it to holding in a sneeze.

If their shapeshifting is [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting involuntary]], however, they may not have a choice. In more fortunate cases, something may trigger their shapeshifting, such as [[EmpathicShapeshifter people's perception of them]]. In the absolute worst-case scenario, their bodies may simply shift wildly without any obvious cause/trigger, and this can be played either for drama or laughs.

* Warlock of the ''ComicBook/NewMutants'' is a techno-organic being that exists in a constant state of transformation; lacking a default form, he instead alters his body to fit the situation at hand -- meaning almost always -- often demonstrating a wacky, anarchic sense of style in the process.
** HilarityEnsues when the team runs into Impossible Man and Warlock takes issue with the fellow shapeshifter's attitude, both of them shapeshifting on autopilot as they get angrier until the whole argument turns into an epic ShapeshifterShowdown in which the two duel in progressively more destructive forms until they end up duking it out as ''Uatu the Watcher and Galactus.'' The battle ends when the New Mutants remind Warlock that all he has to do is [[spoiler:change color]].
* ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}: Dangerous Habits'' reveals that the [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Third of the Fallen]] exists in this state: unlike the [[HumanoidAbomination First]] and the [[LivingShadow Second]], he is constantly transforming into different shapes, often taking wildly different forms from panel to panel. In this first appearance alone, he appears as a BlobMonster, a flaming serpent, a floating brain with eyeballs, an armoured warrior, a skeleton, Elvis Presley, and many more -- though it's later revealed he's capable of disguising himself for long periods of time if need be [[spoiler:as one of John Constantine's friends finds out [[CruelAndUnusualDeath the hard way]].]] For this reason, he's known as the Lord of a Billion Faces.

Contrast ShapeshifterSwanSong, which usually only happens when the shapeshifter is either horribly wounded or dying, and ShapeshifterModeLock, where the shapeshifter is unable to change at all.

* Warlock of the ''ComicBook/NewMutants'' is a techno-organic being that exists in a constant state of transformation; lacking a default form, he instead alters his body to fit the situation at hand -- meaning almost always -- often demonstrating a wacky, anarchic sense of style in the process. HilarityEnsues when the team runs into Impossible Man and Warlock takes issue with the fellow shapeshifter's attitude, both of them shapeshifting on autopilot as they get angrier until the whole argument turns into an epic ShapeshifterShowdown in which the two duel in progressively more destructive forms until they end up duking it out as ''Uatu the Watcher and Galactus.''

* ''Fanfic/WithApologiesToHarlanEllison'' features the Administrator subjecting the VideoGame/TeamFortress2 team to decades of torture a la ''Literature/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream.'' Apparently despising Spy worst of all, she inflicts the worst fate on him by making him into a '''real''' shapeshifter: not only is he perpetually transforming and unable to control it, but the constant process of growing, shrinking, expanding, contracting melting and morphing [[PainfulTransformation causes him agonizing pain]] -- to the point that he avoids walking [[BodyHorror because his legs break and reset with every step]]. Also, making eye contact with him is extremely difficult, for not only is his face changing constantly into everything from Richard Nixon to Frank Sinatra, but his eyes are described as "[[EyeScream runny]]."

* Following the trip to Milliways in ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', the heroes end up unwittingly stealing the flagship of a death fleet owned by the Haggunenons, an alien race whose bodies are in a state of constant and barely-controlled evolutionary flux as a result of having "The most impatient chromosomes of any lifeform in the galaxy". This instability has rendered them [[FantasticRacism extremely resentful of all non-shapeshifter lifeforms]] and not above launching unprovoked military strikes on the "samelings." Thankfully, Zaphod and Trillian end up [[AchievementsInIgnorance accidentally]] tricking the Haggunenons into thinking that they are both the admiral of the fleet in different forms. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, the admiral is already on board, having fallen asleep in the form of Zaphod's chair -- and is not at all amused.]]

** One of the many monsters featured in the ''Epic Level Handbook'' is the hagunemnon, a pretty obvious ShoutOut to the Haggunenons of ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''. Like their inspiration, they are constantly taking on new shapes and possess a xenophobic hatred of all non-shapeshifters. More worryingly, they are known to travel extensively in search of new shapes to copy -- and they prefer to kill their targets once they've finished acquiring their forms. Their talents allow them to mix and match body parts from multiple creatures to create some truly dangerous attack options, but the problem is, since they're constantly changing shape, they have to spend a move action each turn to ''keep'' the form they were in the previous round.

* Downplayed in ''ComicBook/CaptainBritainACrookedWorld.'' When [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Mad Jim Jaspers]] finally unveils himself as the RealityWarper behind the ongoing apocalypse, his ''hat'' keeps changing to fit his mood -- and given how demented Jaspers is, [[MoodSwinger he ends up wearing something new on every single panel]]. Later played straight in the case of his ''main'' universe counterpart -- who in one scene shapeshifts from a giant-sized version of himself, his ordinary size, TheGrimReaper, the Devil, a stereotypical SadistTeacher and a farmer driving a combine harvester.

* The Genie from ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' transforms constantly, usually to [[TheGenieKnowsJackNicholson impersonate various real life celebrities]] but also changing his size and shape in other ways -- from objects to animals to other humans; sometimes this is for specific practical purposes, but usually just for the sake of a gag (he's played by Creator/RobinWilliams after all). He tamps down on it for the more serious scenes, though.

** From the 3[[superscript:rd]] Edition ''Monster Manual II'', the grimalkin is a shapeshifter whose true form is a large blue-gray housecat, but which can turn into any animal close in size. Their chosen form depends on the situation, but in combat they will change shape every round to confuse the opponent and make it difficult to adopt a strategy.
** One of the many monsters featured in the ''Epic Level Handbook'' is the hagunemnon, a pretty obvious ShoutOut to the Haggunenons of ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''. Like their inspiration, they are constantly taking on new shapes and possess a xenophobic hatred of all non-shapeshifters. More worryingly, they are known to travel extensively in search of new shapes to copy -- and they prefer to kill their targets once they've finished acquiring their forms. Their talents allow them to mix-and-match body parts from multiple creatures to create some truly dangerous attack options, but the problem is, since they're constantly changing shape, they have to spend a move action each turn to ''keep'' the form they were in the previous round.

* ''TabletopGame/OdysseyOfTheDragonlords:'' Legends disagree on the exact height of the titan Kentimane, because his form is always shifting.
* Chaos Beasts from ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' have no set form except a single eye and a maw with MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily. They shapeshift every turn, and are actually immune to ForcedTransformation of any stripe, including ''flesh to stone'' and the like.

** In the Gehenna event book, the Withering of vampire blood begins to have some rather unusual effects on the Tzimisce Clan: more specifically, in the scenario "Fair Is Foul," [[{{Biomanipulation}} Vicissitude]] becomes simultaneously more powerful and significantly [[PowerIncontinence harder to control]], prompting random displays of mutation in both the wielders and their targets. Towards the end, Tzimisce may lose their ability to maintain a single shape for even the briefest period of time, [[BodyHorror constantly sprouting new claws, tentacles, jaws and eyeballs]]; as a result, breaking the {{Masquerade}} becomes practically inevitable.

** Chaos Spawn are wandering masses of ever-shifting organs, limbs and perpetually-warping flesh, most commonly created when a Chaos champion or mutant receives too many "rewards" from their patron god, causing their bodies to collapse into an unending series of random mutations. Reduced to feral madness by the experience, Chaos Spawn will eventually die from their condition as the Chaotic energy mutating will quite literally rip them apart -- though most tend to die in battle first.

* In ''Literature/TheNewNarnia'', the Nanny's form constantly shifts depending on her mood, ranging from her [[ShapeshifterDefaultForm default Nanny outfit]], to a nun, a nurse and even an adult baby around Tommy's age.

* As [[TimeMaster master of time]], Clockwork of ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' is constantly cycling between different ages, appearing as a child, an adult and an old man -- all wearing perfectly-fitting versions of his costume and all speaking in the same voice.

* From ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie2TheSecondPart'', Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi is not a minifig but made entirely of LEGO bricks. If at first she appears as a horse for a BaitAndSwitch, she soon enough demonstrates her shapeshifting power ''constantly''. In fact, the Queen pretty much change shape just to ''move around''. Especially during her {{Most Definitely Not a|Villain}} VillainSong, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIvW2tSjfXk "Not Evil"]], where she transforms for about every verse.

* In ''Film/ValerianAndTheCityOfAThousandPlanets'', the shapeshifting burlesque dancer Bubble introduces herself in [[SignatureScene a memorable performance]] that features her adopting a wide variety of fetishistic styles; even once the show's over, she reveals a habit of transforming on a whim until a standoff with Valerian forces her to revert to her true form. Justified, as she's an entertainer.

* Chaos Beasts from ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' have no set form except a single eye and a maw with MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily. They shapeshift every turn, and are actually immune to BalefulPolymorph of any stripe, including ''flesh to stone'' and the like.

A possible hallmark of the BlobMonster. Compare ShapeshifterShowdown, which is essentially this trope utilized in combat, and ShapeshifterShowoffSession.

** From the 3[[superscript:rd]] Edition ''Monster Manual II'', the Grimalkin is a shapeshifter whose true form is a large blue-gray housecat, but which can turn into any animal close in size. Their chosen form depends on the situation, but in combat they will change shape every round to confuse the opponent and make it difficult to adopt a strategy.
** One of the many monsters featured in the ''Epic Level Handbook'' is the Hagunemnon, a pretty obvious ShoutOut to the Haggunenons of ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''. Like their inspiration, they are constantly taking on new shapes and possess a xenophobic hatred of all non-shapeshifters. More worryingly, they are known to travel extensively in search of new shapes to copy -- and they prefer to kill their targets once they've finished acquiring their forms...

** The Changelings of ''TabletopGame/{{Eberron}}'' shapeshift as instinctively as breathing, and might shift their appearance multiple times in the span of a single conversation in order to punctuate their statements, or simply on a whim.

A possible hallmark of the BlobMonster. Compare ShapeshifterShowdown, which is essentially this trope utilized in combat.

* Downplayed in ''ComicBook/CaptainBritainACrookedWorld.'' When [[CloudCuckooLander Mad Jim Jaspers]] finally unveils himself as the RealityWarper behind the ongoing apocalypse, his ''hat'' keeps changing to fit his mood -- and given how demented Jaspers is, [[MoodSwinger he ends up wearing something new on every single panel]]. Later played straight in the case of his ''main'' universe counterpart -- who in one scene shapeshifts from a giant-sized version of himself, his ordinary size, TheGrimReaper, the Devil, a stereotypical SadistTeacher and a farmer driving a combine harvester.

* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' character Impossible Man has a particular flair for this. A cosmic AttentionWhore with the powers of both [[RealityWarper reality-manipulation]] and shapeshifting, he can turn into literally anything from inanimate objects to all-powerful threats to humanity, his only limitation being the [[MorphicResonance inability to change colors]]. Combined with [[{{Manchild}} his low tolerance for boredom]], this often results in him shapeshifting on a near-constant basis, unless of course he's gotten more interested in futzing with the nature of reality. Case in point, his meeting with the Silver Surfer in ''Rebirth of Thanos'', in which he spends almost every single frame turning into something new -- much to the Surfer's annoyance.

* From ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie2TheSecondPart'', Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi is not a minifig but made entirely of LEGO bricks. If at first she appears as a horse for a BaitAndSwitch, she soon enough demonstrates her shapeshifting power ''constantly''. In fact, the Queen pretty much change shape just to ''move around''. Especially during her {{Most Definitely Not a|Villain}} VillainSong, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIvW2tSjfXk "Not Evil"]], where she transforms for about every verse.

* Downplayed in ''ComicBook/CaptainBritain: ComicBook/ACrookedWorld.'' When [[CloudCuckooLander Mad Jim Jaspers]] finally unveils himself as the RealityWarper behind the ongoing apocalypse, his ''hat'' keeps changing to fit his mood -- and given how demented Jaspers is, [[MoodSwinger he ends up wearing something new on every single panel]]. Later played straight in the case of his ''main'' universe counterpart -- who in one scene shapeshifts from a giant-sized version of himself, his ordinary size, TheGrimReaper, the Devil, a stereotypical SadistTeacher and a farmer driving a combine harvester.

** The [[Humanshifting Changelings]] of ''TabletopGame/{{Eberron}}'' shapeshift as instinctively as breathing, and might shift their appearance multiple times in the span of a single conversation in order to punctuate their statements, or simply on a whim.

* This is a state of being to which all members of the [[BrotherhoodOfFunnyHats Amorphous League]] aspire to in ''Fanfic/TheLandOfWhatMightHaveBeen'': known simply as "shapelessness", it is a level of existence in which no further [[SuperSerum potion]] is needed to maintain their powers and transformation is as easy as breathing -- and just as frequent. The leader and founder of the society, the [[OurFounder First of the Shapeless]], has attained this state and spends most of his scenes changing from shape to shape, only taking on specific forms for practical purposes or simply for amusement. [[spoiler:It also hides the fact that he used to be the Cowardly Lion.]] Attempting to attain this state early by macrodosing on the potion results in a full-blown ShapeshifterSwanSongb instead, followed by a [[ImMelting messy collapse]].

* This is a state of being to which all members of the [[BrotherhoodOfFunnyHats Amorphous League]] aspire to in ''Fanfic/TheLandOfWhatMightHaveBeen'': known simply as "shapelessness", it is a level of existence in which no further [[SuperSerum potion]] is needed to maintain their powers and transformation is as easy as breathing -- and just as frequent. The leader and founder of the society, the [[OurFounder First of the Shapeless]], has attained this state and spends most of his scenes changing from shape to shape, only taking on specific forms for practical purposes or simply for amusement. [[spoiler:It also hides the fact that he used to be the Cowardly Lion.]] Attempting to attain this state early by macrodosing on the potion results in the PerpetuallyProtean effect turning into a full-blown ShapeshifterSwanSong, followed by a [[ImMelting messy collapse]].

* Undercover police officers in ''Literature/AScannerDarkly'' are required to exist in an ''electronic'' version of this state: in order to protect their identities while in public or at headquarters, they wear full-body "scramble suits" that constantly cycle their appearances through a million and a half fractal identities -- noses, eyes, mouths, etc. Consequently, the wearer is impossible to identify and is said to resemble a "vague blur."