History Main / SticksToTheBack

This phenomenon also allows characters to draw [[{{BFS}} swords that outstrip their entire arm]] -- after all, there's no actual scabbard to get in the way. Note that though the words "sword" and "back" are used a lot throughout this article, this trope covers any and all situations where a character's equipment is held in place without a viable sheathing mechanism, be it by the hip or on the back, a {{BFG}} or a shield, by a diminutive sash or someone's bare skin, et cetera.

* Many games, particularly role-playing games, that show the player's equipped weapons will likely have them be holstered this way. From axes to rocket launchers, whatever large weapon or tool the player character is armed with will appear floating a few centimetres off their back or hip when not in active use. This becomes especially obvious with any game where characters can strip down to their underwear or birthday suit -- you have gear sticking to the back or hips of a completely naked body, with no trace of any belt or strap to hold them.

* Averted in the ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' series, where the characters simply never let go of their weapons. Unless they're deliberately [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks throwing them]]. Or having them explode into a dozen tiny blades and shredding you with a whirlwind of evil-powered steel. [[KatanasAreJustBetter Mitsurugi]] plays the exception-to-the-exception, having moves based upon drawing his sword from its scabbard (or just hitting you with the scabbard). [[RealityIsUnrealistic Not actually that ridiculous:]] Samurai (like Mitsurugi) were regularly trained in [[IaijutsuPractitioner Iaijutsu]]. See that trope for details. Played straight with [[{{Ninja}} Taki]] though. While the art shows otherwise, the scabbard for her right-hand kodachi looks more like this trope.

Compare to MagnetHands. Can be considered a form of ImpossiblyCoolClothes. If the weapon is stuck to the back and rarely actually used, then it's an OrnamentalWeapon. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Has nothing to do with]] something being [[FunWithHomophones stuck to one's back]].

* ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' has weapons materialize behind your back when you aren't attacking, and then disappear entirely after not attacking for a while. Uniquely, the weapon isn't actually "stuck" to the character's model; They noticeably lag behind as you walk and drift through the air as though they're floating.

** Continued in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' (and ''VideoGame/Fallout4''), except with most of the BadassLongcoat armors, where the guns clip into the back instead.

Compare to MagnetHands. Can be considered a form of ImpossiblyCoolClothes. If the weapon is stuck to the back and rarely actually used, then it's an OrnamentalWeapon.

This phenomenon also allows characters to draw [[{{BFS}} swords that outstrip their entire arm]] -- after all, there's no actual scabbard to get in the way. Note that though the words "sword" and "back" are used a lot through this article, this trope covers any and all situations where a character's equipment is held in place without a viable sheathing mechanism, be it by the hip or on the back, a {{BFG}} or a shield, by a diminutive sash or someone's bare skin, et cetera.

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Averted by Guts, who wears his sword across his back but has an actual suspension mechanism to hold it there. His early {{BFS}} has a flexible leather sheath that only holds the blade at the point, middle, and base, and which flaps behind him like a pointed devil's tail while his sword is drawn. His even larger {{BFS}} the Dragon Slayer has no scabbard but instead is held up by a ring on the hilt that engages a hook on his baldric. It is kept from swaying by a leather strap on a chain that wraps around the opposite side. When he draws his sword, all he needs to do is release the security chain and lift the sword clear of the hook.

* The martial artists of ''Manhua/ChivalricTornado'' (小俠龍捲風) all tend to wear their swords on their backs while doing long-distance travel, but only the ones capable of remotely operating their swords via telekenesis don't bother to switch to wearing their swords on their waist when they're expecting a fight.

* Zabuza in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' exhibits this with his [[{{BFS}} rather sizable sword]], as Zabuza carries no visible strap on him. Suigestu averts this, as you can see the strap from his front, and it's shown [[http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-351/page002.html quite clearly]] how it wraps around (which also explains the functional purpose of the huge semicircular notch in the Decapitating Carving Knife). Likewise Samehada, being a giant mass of hooks/spikes, is "sheathed" in a cloth wrapping and has a strap (or in [[spoiler:Killer Bee]]'s case, a rope) that goes around that, though it's often very hard to see. Being an EmpathicWeapon with [[MorphWeapon some degree of shapeshifting]], Samehada presumably assists its wielding by staying in place. The ninjas in ''Naruto'' world are also able to stick to the walls, so using their magical powers to simply hold swords onto their backs would not be too far-fetched.

* Some versions of Creator/DCComics character ComicBook/{{Steel}} has him just sticking his huge hammer to his back. Justified, usually, with the explanation that magnets (which do often play a role in his arsenal) are involved.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fable}}'' does this as well. And by "does this" we mean that you can run around [[ShirtlessScene completely barechested]], with no sign of a leather strap on you, and no scabbard for the sword even and the sword sticks to your back. [[FridgeLogic Oddly enough, you still hear]] AudibleSharpness when you draw your sword. Or whatever you happen to have equipped.

** ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' follows this trope, although for the bigger weapons this only applies to the ammo reservoir; the gun itself is presumably kept in the HyperspaceArsenal. Except for most one-handed weapons, which stick to the hip.

** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'' is much like it's predecessor XI, for example, all the great swords stick right to your back, with a slight clang, suggesting they're stuck there with magnets.

* Averted in ''Franchise/DotHack'', where in The World R:1, weapons only appear outside towns, and they never appear inside towns ''for some unexplained unknown reason''. Kinda jarring when [=BlackRose=] is carrying [[{{BFS}} a sword that is as tall as she is]]. In R:2, they decided to sod the issue entirely by having everyone the ability to [[HyperspaceArsenal pull said weapons from a flash of light]] from their backs. Justified that The World is an online game, and it's the kind of game where small things like that is [[RuleOfCool simply glossed over for cool points]].

* The ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' series exhibits this in every game made so far. The games various {{BFS}}s, bows, lances, gunlances, and hammers all stick to the players back or hips when not in use. Slightly averted with the Longsword as it is held in a sheathe, although the sheath itself Sticks To The Back. Shields however are attached firmly to the arm. Furthermore, the bigger weapons actually have smaller models when you're carrying them on your back, as they'd clip through the ground otherwise.

* ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'': If Sam Fisher's toting the [[AKA47 "SC-20K" (the F2000)]] in a mission but doesn't have it equipped and thus in his hands, this applies. Depending on which game is being played he may actually have a fully-modeled holster for both rifle and pistol.

* In ''VideoGame/ThreadsOfFate'', Rue's weapon the Arc Edge -- a large circular axe -- is stuck to his back when not in use. Somewhat less noticeable but still just as odd is Mint's weapons, a pair of hoops called the Dual Halos, levitate at the small of her back. IF you look closely, There is a loop in the sash around her waist where the rings hook onto. How they connect and disconnect from that, who knows? She is a spellcaster, a Ring trick maybe?

* ''VideoGame/TheWindRoad'' depicts you travelling with your sword sheathed to your back, and you can draw and sheathe it in two seconds despite it's length. Later on you can obtain a Neptunian Blade, both which attaches conveniently to your back no problem.

* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': A scene where Diana infiltrates a reception with the God-Killer sword tucked down the back of her [[SexyBacklessOutfit revealing dress]] caused fans to joke that she was gripping it with her buttocks. However [[http://booksandquillsmag.com/articles/wwgotyourback/ several women tried the same with their own swords and dresses]] under the hashtag [=#WWGotYourBack=]. Turns out, it actually works!

This phenomenon also allows characters to draw [[{{BFS}} swords that outstrip their entire arm]] -- after all, there's no actual scabbard to get in the way. Note that though the words "sword" and "back" are used a lot through this article, this trope covers any and all situations where a character's equipment is held in place without a viable sheathing mechanism, be it by the hip or on the back, a {{BFG}} or a shield, by a diminutive sash or someone's bare skin, etcetera.

** Trish, who doesn't have any sort of harness on her, does it with the sword Sparda in ''2'' and ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3''. Nero, who does have a harness, does it in ''4'' with his Red Queen-- and in one cutscene, with Sparda ''[[SerialEscalation crossed on top]]'' of Red Queen, which no one in the said cutscene even seems to notice.

* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'', the Blades of Chaos/Athena/Exile just stick to Kratos' back, but then [[AWizardDidIt it is a divine artifact.]] Averted with Kratos's Leviathan Axe in the [[VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4 fourth game]] as it clearly attaches to a hoop on the straps that he's wearing. [[spoiler: The Blades of Chaos however still play this trope straight once he retrieves them]].

!!Examples

* In both the ''Manga/ViolinistOfHameln'' manga and anime, Hamel's big violin seems to hang off his back with a strap that's only pictured in four panels in all 37 volumes.

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Averted by Guts, who wears his sword across his back but has an actual suspension mechanism to hold it there. His early {{BFS}} has a flexible leather sheath that only holds the blade at the point, middle, and base, and which flaps behind him like a pointed devil's tail while his sword is drawn. His even larger {{BFS}} the Dragon Slayer has no scabbard but instead is held up by a ring on the hilt that engages a hook on his baldric. It is kept from swaying by a leather strap on a chain that wraps around the opposite side. When he draws his sword, all he needs to do is release the security chain and lift the sword clear of the hook.
* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' has Negi doing this with his staff. Of course, [[AWizardDidIt he's a mage]].

* Coon in ''Manga/FreeCollarsKingdom'' carries his ''[[ImprobableWeaponUser anchor]]'' around like this.
* Zabuza in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' exhibits this with his [[{{BFS}} rather sizable sword]], as Zabuza carries no visible strap on him. Suigestu averts this, as you can see the strap from his front, and it's shown [[http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-351/page002.html quite clearly]] how it wraps around (which also explains the functional purpose of the huge semicircular notch in the Decapitating Carving Knife). Likewise Samehada, being a giant mass of hooks/spikes, is "sheathed" in a cloth wrapping and has a strap (or in [[spoiler:Killer Bee]]'s case, a rope) that goes around that, though it's often very hard to see. Being an EmpathicWeapon with [[MorphWeapon some degree of shapeshifting]], Samehada presumably assists its wielding by staying in place.
** The ninjas in Naruto world are also able to stick to the walls so using their magical powers to simply hold swords onto their backs would not be too far-fetched

* Ukyō Kuonji of ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' carries a huge spatula (or rather, a baker peel) on her back most of the time, as part of her [[MartialArtsAndCrafts Okonomiyaki Martial Art]]. A tiny strap linking it to her bandolier can eventually be spotted, but most of the time it just seems to stick to her back.
* ''Anime/SerialExperimentsLain'' has a scene where Taro has a sword stick in his back with an audible click. Justified since it was in an online computer game.
* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': Future Trunks has a sword he wears on his back, sheathe and all, the length of which seems just barely short enough to draw without problems. The one time we see him sheathe it, he tosses it up in the air and then angles himself to catch the blade on its way back down.
* The martial artists of ''Manhua/ChivalricTornado'' (小俠龍捲風) all tend to wear their swords on their backs while doing long-distance travel, but only the ones capable of remotely operating their swords via telekenesis don't bother to switch to wearing their swords on their waist when they're expecting a fight.
* Seen sometimes with the Sword and Lance Heroes in ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', who carry their weapons this way when not in use. Somewhat justified given that said weapons are {{Clingy MacGuffin}}s and they're permanently stuck to their wielders.

* Seems to apply to the MMORPG in which ''ComicBook/{{Noob}}'' is set. However, due to the work being adapted from a webseries in which actors just took the habit of somewhat using staffs as walking sticks and had appropriate holders for anything else as part of their costume, only one regular character actually benefits from it (the sword lost the hilt it had in the webseries and seems attached to his capelet rather than his knife strap).

* Unlike in the games, this is averted in ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'', where Cloud is seen with a very complex set of scabbards for carrying around his six swords.

[[folder:Films - Live Action]]
* ''Film/WonderWoman2017''. A scene where Diana infiltrates a reception with the God-Killer sword tucked down the back of her [[SexyBacklessOutfit revealing dress]] caused fans to joke that she was gripping it with her buttocks. However [[http://booksandquillsmag.com/articles/wwgotyourback/ several women tried the same with their own swords and dresses]] under the hashtag [=#WWGotYourBack=]. Turns out, it actually works!

* The namesakes of ''VideoGame/MercenariesPlaygroundOfDestruction'' do seem to be using a type of harness for the weapons they carry, but on the other hand not only will it accept anything from a light submachine gun to an anti-tank missile launcher, they also appear to attach them with Velcro. The player models generally have visible clips and straps to hold the guns; at least they tried.
* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'', the Blades of Chaos/Athena/Exile just stick to Kratos' back, but then [[AWizardDidIt it is a divine artifact.]]
** Averted with Kratos's Leviathan Axe in the [[VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4 fourth game]] as it clearly attaches to a hoop on the straps that he's wearing. [[spoiler: The Blades of Chaos however still play this trope straight once he retrieves them]].
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' has The Ninja "sheathe" his sword as though expecting it to stick to his back, though it simply vanishes. Stealth camouflage?
* ''VideoGame/InfiniteUndiscovery'' both averts this trope and plays it straight: Edward, the resident BFS user, has his sword stick to his back, but Sigmund, "The Man", sheaths his sword in a holder at the back of his shield.
* Nearly averted in ''VideoGame/MountAndBlade'' by a variety of visible sheaths, belt straps, quivers, and bow cases to hold equipped items. Most two-handed weapons and shorter polearms simply stick to the back, though.
* Done in ''VideoGame/PlanetSide'', where there is an animation but they don't even look backwards to see if it's on right. One possible justification is that the Exo-suits have a built-in Ancient-tech Device that keeps the Weapons from falling off.
* This trope has turned up in some of the cinematics of ''VideoGame/HellgateLondon'', namely the game's intro and the initial announcement trailer. In both videos, a character draws a large two-handed sword from their back, despite clearly not having any sheath for it. Though it could be an unexplained version in the game's intro; because if you look closely, you can see a pair of metal... clamps is the only thing I can describe them as, on his back right where the sword's blade goes and it wouldn't be inconceivable that there are magnets in there as well (you could also say that it's held by [[AWizardDidIt magic]] considering the story).

* Throughout ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series, whenever a weapon isn't being pulled from {{Hammerspace}}, it is this trope instead. Large two-handed weapons (claymores, battle axes, bows, etc.) typically just stick to the back, while smaller weapons like daggers and one-handed axes appear to be stuck to the hip. Starting with ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'', most one-handed swords gain a sheath, but these sheaths still appear to simply be stuck to the character's hip (and often clip through the character's leg when crouching).
* In ''VideoGame/UltimaIX'' all weapons from staffs to huge lightning swords Stick to the Back.
* This trope even sometimes occurs with HumongousMecha; in ''Mobile Suit Gundam Crossfire'', your suit's weapons are stuck to the back while you have your melee weapon out. Said melee weapons usually avert this trope, though, as mobile suit designs usually include dedicated holding spots for their melee weapons.

* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'':
** Dante is another necessary example, sometimes carrying his sword just on his naked back. Maybe it's a nifty feature of his magical blade or something. Considering that a lot of his weapons can literally merge with him for his Devil Trigger, this isn't that implausible... for, y'know, the DMC universe.
** Averted in regards to the second game, namely the second novel -- one illustration shows that the leather belt/harness he's wearing across his chest (in official game art, at that) holsters Rebellion.
** Also averted in the third game, where he wears a harness with holsters for his guns and the back of his trenchcoat has a strap for holding in Rebellion. Played straight with all his other weapons, though.
** Trish, who doesn't have any sort of harness on her, does it with the sword Sparda in ''2'' and ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3''. Nero, who does have a harness, does it in ''4'' with his Red Queen-- and in one cutscene, with Sparda ''[[SerialEscalation crossed on top]]'' of Red Queen, which no one in the said cutscene even seems to notice.
** Though, despite any justifications, there are numerous [[CutscenePowerToTheMax cutscenes showing Dante simply touching his sword to his back and having it stick there]], without him putting it ''in'' anything.
** ''VideoGame/DMCDevilMayCry'' handwaves it by having the weapon being conjured from Dante's tattoo on his back (thus a case of HyperspaceArsenal).
* Link's shield and sword both Stick to the Back in some games of ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series. Though scabbards and such are usually shown in art, graphical limitations often caused them not to appear in actual gameplay. He has an actual scabbard in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'' (except for the Biggorron's Sword/Giant's Knife), but the scabbard itself appears to stick to his back. ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'' and subsequent "realistic" games give him a proper belt with which to hold his scabbard. The baldric disappears again in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'', and other games that share the "Toon Link" CelShaded art style. Link was supposed to have the baldric in ''Ocarina of Time'', according to promotional art; its absence was an oversight and was corrected in the 3DS version, which also gave the Biggoron's Sword/Giant's Knife its own, larger scabbard. This lack led to a player asking ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' how Link keeps his sword attached to his back. The response? Hylian Velcro.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' is [[ZigZaggedTrope all over the place with this one]]. One-handed swords and such get proper sheaths. {{BFS}}es like claymores get rings through which the blade slides, while spears and halberds have two-strapped holsters. Bokoblin/Moblin weapons like [[CarryABigStick Boko Clubs]], or {{Improvised Weapon}}s like sticks and mops lack fastens entirely. However, all outfits have a belt or chain going around Link's torso, and if you [[WalkingShirtlessScene decide to forego those]], Link automatically equips one after the first time he picks up a weapon[[labelnote:*]]unless 'the first time you pick up a weapon' happens to be the ''[[SelfImposedChallenge drawing of the Master Sword]]''[[/labelnote]], so it's safe to assume Hylian Velcro survived the Great Calamity.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' shares most of the same treatment for weapons on their own as ''Breath of the Wild'' (and the first thing you do after the intro is pick up a weapon, which guarantees a belt to put your gear on). When you use Fuse to attach an added material to a weapon, however, any sheathes vanish to leave it sticking to the belt, which prevents the Fused material from clipping through things. The exception is the Master Sword: materials Fused to the Master Sword only appear as glowing phantoms when the blade is swung, and are otherwise invisible with only a glowing pattern on the blade to show that something's attached, allowing it to always be sheathed properly no matter what has been affixed.
* The ''Franchise/PrinceOfPersia'' series [[PlayingWithATrope plays]] with this, with ''[[VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime Sands of Time]]'' being an [[AvertedTrope aversion]] and both ''[[VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaWarriorWithin Warrior Within]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheTwoThrones Two Thrones]]'' playing it straight. ''Two Thrones'' features the "by the hip" variation.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fable}}'' does this as well. And by "does this" we mean that you can run around [[ShirtlessScene completely barechested]], with no sign of a leather strap on you, and no scabbard for the sword even and the sword sticks to your back. [[FridgeLogic Oddly enough, you still hear]] AudibleSharpness when you draw your sword. Or whatever you happen to have equipped.
* ''VideoGame/TheWindRoad'' depicts you travelling with your sword sheathed to your back, and you can draw and sheathe it in two seconds despite it's length. Later on you can obtain a Neptunian Blade, both which attaches conveniently to your back no problem.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': two-handed weapons and shields use the classic "on the back" version, while the rest just stick to the hip.
%%* Ditto ''VideoGame/WarhammerOnline''.
%%* ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' also does this as well.
* In the ''Franchise/TombRaider'' series, any two-handed weapons such as shotguns seem to stick to Lara's back without any obvious unclipping mechanism. In ''[[VideoGame/TombRaiderLegend Legend]]'', Excalibur does this, with sheathing and unsheathing sounds to boot.
* [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'', where the official explanation is that the Master Chief's armor is literally magnetized, even causing weapons to stick with a distinct [=*clunk*=] noise. On the other hand, a Bungie employee who explained the magnetization holstering also gave this as the answer to where [[HyperspaceArsenal the ammo and grenades go]]: "Who knows? [[AWizardDidIt It's magic.]]"
** One of the novels describes the armor having thigh compartments for holding grenades, a clamp system for sticking rifles to the back, and double-sided tape for gluing on ammo.

* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' and ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', everyone's weapons and shields hover a couple of inches away from their backs: swords, shields, daggers, staffs, axes, maces... everything. Can be pretty jarring if seen from the side. Or when the weapons are [[ElementalPowers on fire]].
* In ''VideoGame/ThreadsOfFate'', Rue's weapon the Arc Edge -- a large circular axe -- is stuck to his back when not in use. Somewhat less noticeable but still just as odd is Mint's weapons, a pair of hoops called the Dual Halos, levitate at the small of her back. IF you look closely, There is a loop in the sash around her waist where the rings hook onto. How they connect and disconnect from that, who knows? She is a spellcaster, a Ring trick maybe?
* ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'': If Sam Fisher's toting the [[AKA47 "SC-20K" (the F2000)]] in a mission but doesn't have it equipped and thus in his hands, this applies. Depending on which game is being played he may actually have a fully-modeled holster for both rifle and pistol.
* Non-RPG variant example: The guitars in ''VideoGame/RockBand'' 1 and 2 have no shoulder straps. Yet they don't move... apparently because they stick to your ''belt buckle''. The characters even have animations for removing the guitar after completing a song yet they don't actually pull anything off their shoulder.
** This has been done since the original ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' game. Supposedly this is due to odd collision physics that can occur with trying to animate a real-time guitar strap while the characters are moving.
* Averted in ''Franchise/DotHack,'' where in The World R:1, weapons only appear outside towns, and they never appear inside towns ''for some unexplained unknown reason''. Kinda jarring when [=BlackRose=] is carrying [[{{BFS}} a sword that is as tall as she is]]. In R:2, they decided to sod the issue entirely by having everyone the ability to [[HyperspaceArsenal pull said weapons from a flash of light]] from their backs. Justified that The World is an online game, and it's the kind of game where small things like that is [[RuleOfCool simply glossed over for cool points]].
* In ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'', the large firearms curiously and conveniently attach to the characters' backs when they're not being used, with no straps apparent. The same applies to the medical kits. Straps are shown on the guns in the characters' official art, though. Still doesn't explain how to have one for a baseball bat or frying pan...
* The stronger swords in ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' actually have scabbards that appear on a character's back when he or she is climbing a ladder. This trope is still played straight in that there is no sheathing animation and the swords just kind of "teleport" themselves to their storage position. Weaker swords just [[HyperspaceArsenal disappear]] under the same circumstances. A content patch altered the idle stances for the bulk of the particularly large weapon classes from holding the weapon in front of the player to sticking it to the back, regardless of if it has a proper scabbard sprite.
* Rayne of ''VideoGame/BloodRayne'' usually keeps her weapons in her HyperspaceArsenal, but a cheat in the first game sticks her weapons (somewhat arbitrarily) all over her body. Since she can hold a very large amount of guns at a given moment, it looks ''ridiculous'' (probably why it's not on by default). But also pretty awesome since she discards any guns that are out of ammo and grabs new ones as you fight. In [[BulletTime slow motion]], no less. The exception are her dedicated melee weapons, which are attached to her arms with visible straps.
* The Angelic Rifle in ''VideoGame/{{Baroque}}'' sticks to the protagonist's back when he's not using it. Interestingly, any swords he's carrying don't; if a sword isn't in his hands, it's in his HyperspaceArsenal.
* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'''s Amaterasu does this when she wields a glaive or reflector. The rosaries kind of float around her neck. Same goes for [[VideoGame/{{Okamiden}} Chibiterasu]], who gets another divine instrument: a pair of crystals that float by his sides. Technically, they never really "wield" them; they just fly off their back/neck/sides and attack.

* Melee weapons in ''VideoGame/JurassicParkTrespasser'' are stored on the player character's back and can be seen hovering behind her character in the DummiedOut third-person viewmode. Sadly, this caused a glitch where the player would be constantly taking damage because the weapon's hitbox would collide with the character's, so they fixed this by removing all mass from melee weapons, making them completely useless... apart from Nedry's mace.
* In ''VideoGame/DarkenedSkye'', Skye can stow her staff by sticking it on her back, and doing so has an additional feature of letting her run faster.

* Averted in the ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' series, where the characters simply never let go of their weapons. Unless they're deliberately [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks throwing them]]. Or having them explode into a dozen tiny blades and shredding you with a whirlwind of evil-powered steel. [[KatanasAreJustBetter Mitsurugi]] plays the exception-to-the-exception, having moves based upon drawing his sword from its scabbard (or just hitting you with the scabbard). [[RealityIsUnrealistic Not actually that ridiculous:]] Samurai (like Mitsurugi) were regularly trained in [[IaijutsuPractitioner Iaijutsu]]. See that trope for details. Played straight with [[{{Ninja}} Taki]] though. While the art shows otherwise, the scabbard for her right-hand kodachi looks more like this trope.
* Averted in ''VideoGame/FreedomFighters2003'' where your longarm is strapped to your back when not in use.
* Played perfectly straight in ''[[VideoGame/ModernWarfare Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]'''s multiplayer. Any secondary weapon that the player has in his weapon class will show up on the character's back, regardless if it's a pistol, shotgun, or grenade launcher. Taken to further lengths with the [=FIM-92=] Stinger anti-air missile launcher - the thing is so long that it will stick up above the character's head when put on the back. As expected, this can be a problem if you're using a stealthier loadout.
* ''VideoGame/SeaOfThieves'' has a pretty drastic example. Instead of weapons sticking to your person, anything that requires two hands to carry (treasure chests, loot, storage crates, gunpowder barrels) will teleport to the player's back when they climb a ladder.
* ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'' was originally going to avert this --- pre-release screenshots show both of Geralt's swords in sheaths on his back -- but the sheaths were dropped not long before release, making the game fall square into this trope. There is a third-party mod however that adds the sheaths back into the game (although they don't clip properly during the sheathing/unsheathing animations). This is also shown by how he draws his sword: rather than just removing it from his back like a fridge magnet he pulls it up and out, keeping it straight as if it were in a scabbard. He does the same when putting it away again, holding it partially by the blade. Proper back sheaths for Geralt's swords did manage to make it into ''VideoGame/TheWitcher2'' and ''VideoGame/TheWitcher3''.
* Almost averted by ''VideoGame/AgeOfConan''. Sheaths existed during the game's beta, but they were removed at the last minute due to clipping bugs.
* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'' has this particularly blatantly, given [[{{BFS}} the size of some weapons]]. Something interesting is the two characters who don't use something with a sheathe (Sharla's [[{{BFG}} Ether rifles]] and Reyn's [[SwissArmyWeapon massive shields with gun and sword attachments]]) visibly duck under their weapons as they put them away, suggesting the presence of an invisible strap. Shulk uses the Monado for a great portion of the game, which makes it all the more blatant when some camera angles show you that the thing isn't even ''touching'' his back at all.
* Occasionally when sprinting while equipping anything larger than a pistol in ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'', the Boss will move the gun onto his/her back as s/he starts doing so, and then pull it back into his/her hands after the player releases the sprint button or runs out of stamina.

* ''VideoGame/CounterStrike Global Offensive'' inverts this: most characters have their primary weapon hanging on their front while having equipped something else, as if held by a sling. Characters with backpacks like the Anarchists and the Pirates have their weapon stuck next to their backpack. Also, terrorists who do not have holsters have their pistols tucked in their belts.
* In ''VideoGame/SniperEliteV2'', your rifle and SMG are both stored on your back when not in your hands. This means that if you have your pistol out, you're wearing your rifle on your back and your SMG ''on your rifle''.
* ''7.62 High Caliber'' lets weapons be slung onto both shoulders and around the neck (for a total of four weapons: one in the hands and three on the back). There's no actual sling model, so the weapons just magically stick to your fatigues, and only the gun in the first shoulder slot or hands is actually visible on your model. All other items, however, are invisible except when being held; putting a pistol in a holster simply causes it to evaporate into the visible belt on the character model.
* ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' features the Demon Avenger class, that uses their own weapon called the Desperado (a sword) that sticks to their backs when they are idle. A contrast to every other weapon that characters simply hold in their hands when idle.

* In the first three ''VideoGame/{{Uncharted}}'' games, none of the rifles and shotguns Nate picks up have slings on them. But it doesn't matter because they just stick to his back until he needs to use them, the implication being that he has a magnet in his chest holster. The exceptions are the fourth game in the series, ''[[VideoGame/Uncharted4AThiefsEnd A Thief's End]]'', where the long guns have slings, and all the multiplayer modes, where characters feature leg holsters (but only for their handguns).
* ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'' lets you choose whether you want your weapon to stick to the character's back or disappear into HyperspaceArsenal when not being used.

* In ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'' and the ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series, you can equip a weapon or shield in each hand. By pressing Y/Triangle, you hold your right-hand weapon with both hands for extra damage while your left-hand weapon/shield sticks onto your back, or if it's small enough, your hip (which is how [[ComplacentGamingSyndrome literally everybody plays these games]], with a weapon in both hands and a {{Stat Stick|s}} of their choice permanently glued to their back). Some weapons do have sheaths, but there's nothing attaching the sheath itself to you, so the trope still applies. If you go naked, weapons sheathed at the hip will often be floating in midair a noticeable distance away from your body.
* ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' has weapons materialize behind your back when you aren't attacking, and then disappear entirely after not attacking for a while. Uniquely, the weapon isn't actually "stuck" to the character's model; They noticeably lag behind as you walk and drift through the air as though they're floating.

* ''VideoGame/PikminBloom'': Some Decor Pikmin wear items that just cling to their backs, such as fishing lures for ones found by watersides and dental hygiene products like toothbrushes for ones near pharmacies.

* A talking dog in ''WebAnimation/{{asdfmovie}}''''6'' carries a knife sticking on his side. [[ImplausibleDeniability And he still has the gall to say he doesn't have a knife]].

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* The title character's ninja-to in ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja''.
* From ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Roy Greenhilt's greatsword, Haley Starshine's longbow, and Thog's barbarian greataxe. Mostly related to the limited StickFigureComic style. Post-ArtEvolution, Roy actually has straps for the sword, as seen in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0689.html strip #689]].
* Webcomic/{{Mindmistress}}, of the eponymous comic, [[http://mindmistress.comicgenesis.com/imperv71.htm has recently done a literal version of a Magnetic Back]].

* In ''Webcomic/TheMansionOfE'', this is a possibly-magical technique some characters have learned.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats1985'', while the Sword of Omens was actually sheathed in the clawshield, the clawshield just stuck to Lion-o's leg, often with a glowing effect. Similarly, Cheetara's bo-staff stuck to her armband, and [=WilyKit=]'s capsules just stuck to her belt (her brother's were at least in a pouch).

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Reboot}}'', accessories like Guardian Keytools like Bob's Glitch, Matrix's gun, and even everyday items like zip boards or Enzo's yo-yo are simply stuck to their owner's wrist or hip without any form of strap or holster. [[JustifiedTrope Fully justified]], as the series takes place inside a computer-based world and might even be considered akin to attaching a file to an e-mail. Looking at how common this trope is in video games nowadays, it's also a case of AccidentallyCorrectWriting.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': The Sword of Protection regularly sticks to Adora's back throughout the first few seasons. Sometimes, she'll even drop it or otherwise have it end up on the ground, and then without her seeming to go back for it, it'll reappear on her back offscreen. In season 4, she figures out how to convert it into a stylish gold bracelet instead. [[spoiler:And in season 5, when the Sword has been destroyed and manifests as part of the regained She-Ra transformation, she no longer needs to worry about even having it; it just pops into existence when she transforms.]]

* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'', the Blade of Chaos/Athena/Exile just sticks to Kratos' back, but then [[AWizardDidIt it is a divine artifact.]]