History Main / WeaponJr

If this is used in a flashback, expect it to be milked for "UsedToBeASweetKid" points if they aren't an EnfantTerrible. If older versions of the protagonists using more advanced "weapons" show up then it's GenerationXerox or FutureBadass. A video game might have your character wield them in a JustifiedTutorial. In an RPG they might serve as StarterEquipment. May be wielded by a KidSidekick. This can be either a CallForward or {{Foreshadowing}} depending on when it's revealed who the child in question grows up to be. If children are actually being given weapons to played with (as toys or not) then it's MyLittlePanzer (although it still counts as this trope if the owner of it "upgrades" when they're older). Often turns up in AMinorKidroduction and overlaps with EarlyPersonalitySigns.

In real life weapons are similar to music instruments... [[InstrumentOfMurder no, not like that]]. What we mean is, no matter what someone's WeaponOfChoice may be, using it is a finely honed art that they must practice, [[CripplingOverspecialization to the point where using another weapon might prove problematic]].

In fictionland, however, if someone with an IconicItem WeaponOfChoice is [[SpinoffBabies shown as a child]], [[FollowInMyFootsteps has a child]] or meets a younger counterpart (a {{fanboy}} who wants to grow up to be [[IrritationIsTheSincerestFormOfFlattery just like them]], perhaps) then you can expect them to own a toy or weapon with some perceived similarity to it.

* [[EpicFlail Flail]]: [[KillerYoYo Yo-yos]] or toy [[FightingWithChucks nunchucks]]. For those who are cheap, a ball or a rock attached to a string also works.

* In ''VideoGame/Fallout3'', the tutorial has the player learn to shoot with a BB gun on their 10th birthday.

* [[AnAxeToGrind Axe]]: An actual axe, but of the domestic, firewood chopping variety.

* [[SimpleStaff Staves]] and [[XOnAStick Polearms]]: A mop or any similarly shaped everyday object. Weapons that resemble tools (like [[SinisterScythe scythes]]) can also have smaller versions of said tools.

* [[HeroesPreferSwords Swords]] ([[SwordTropes and other blades]]): Wooden swords are the most common, followed by [[BatterUp baseball bats]], but a simple stick or any object longer than it is thin will also do. More [[{{Delinquents}} violent children]] might instead use a [[KnifeNut smaller blade until they're older]]. Bonus points if they also use a trash can lid as a shield.

* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', Yasopp uses a rifle to snipe at his foes. His son Usopp uses a slingshot for the same purpose. Usopp seems to have no intention to graduate beyond a slingshot, however, instead upgrading the slingshot itself, notably with Skypea's superpowered seashells. It gets to the point where he can hit targets a normal rifle can't reach.

* [[StockSuperpowers Superpowers]]: Finally, expect a child who will grow up to become a SuperHero ([[SuperVillain ...or]] perhaps [[UsedToBeASweetKid not]]) and has [[PubertySuperpower yet to]] manifest their powers play with or own some trinket that suggests them, such as a lighter for a [[PlayingWithFire pyrokinetic]] or "grabby thing" for telekinesis.

The nature of this "Weapon Jr" and how functional it is can vary. It might be a literal toy version (wooden swords are popular, as are more high tech toys, like dart guns) or it might be an actual weapon that people wouldn't mind a kid having (BratsWithSlingShots, Slings, etc) which might actually be dangerous in RealLife (but not necessarily in fictionland). Whether it's just kids playing at soldiers, or children [[ChildSoldiers actually being forced into combat]] depends on the series.

Some stock examples of WeaponJr include;

!!Examples;

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

* In ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', Guts used a full sized sword as a kid, as the mercs raising him didn't have any kid-sized weapons... but as an adult he also scales up his weapon and uses a {{BFS}}.

[[folder: Fan Works ]]
* In the Literature/{{Discworld}} of Creator/AAPessimal, as various members of the original cast grow older, marry and have children, the issue of equipping them with valuable life skills comes to the fore. Aware their children are already penilled in to the Assassins' School, young mothers Johanna Smith-Rhodes and Emmanuelle de Lapoignard deliver appropriate fun activities suitable for a mother and child to enjoy together, such as learning how to use a sword and how to fire a crossbow accurately. As teachers at the School, Johanna and Emanuelle take care to provide suitably scaled-down weapons which are approriate for children of five and six. In the case of [[TykeBomb Famke Cornelia]], who really wants to grow up to be just like Mummy, supervised training with appropriate weapons is ''essential''. Elsewhere, Air Witch Olga Romanoff has twin children. She wants Vassily and Valentina to grow up fully aware of their [[MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong heritage]]. As well as [[UsefulNotes/RussianLanguage language lessons]], the twins are packed off to learn essential skills from the Cossacks, and both proudly carry what are for the moment wooden training sabres.

[[folder: Film ]]
* "Training lightsabers" can be seen in use in ''Film/AttackOfTheClones''. The ExpandedUniverse elaborates on these lightsabers: they are built using the "kiddy" Bondar crystal which produces a merely zapping blade, rather than a deadly blade produced by the lethal, adult Ilum crystal. There's also a middle-ground crystal, called an Adegan Kathracite, which produces a cutting blade, but not as powerful as the real deal; Padawans tend to use these crystals in their sabers.

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda''

[[folder: Webcomics]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* In the ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' short ''The Old Gray Hare'', there's a flashback where Baby Elmer has a pop-gun which he fires at Baby Bugs. The episode also begins with an elderly Elmer obtaining a RayGun.

* In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'' Link gets the slingshot, and uses it until he can get the bow (which he can only use as an adult).

* In ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' which featured child versions of several ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' characters had sword-wielding Tidus use a wooden pole, and nunchaku-wielding Selphie had a jump rope. Wakka may count too, if you consider some of his spikier [[ImprobableWeaponUser Blitzballs]] in FFX.
** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' had a teenaged version of Axel, when his name was Lea, wielding a pair of frisbees.

* Flashbacks in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikerS'' show that Teana had a toy gun when she was a kid trying to emulate her older brother, [[spoiler:which she still keeps as a TragicKeepsake after he died during a mission]].

* In ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'', Guts used a full sized sword as a kid, as the mercs raising him didn't have any kid-sized weapons... but as an adult he also scales up his weapon and uses a {{BFS}}.
* In ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'', small wands are used for magic training and as emergency magical foci. [[WeaselMascot Chamo]] even describes them as beginner wands.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', the tutorial has the player learn to shoot with a BB gun on their 10th birthday.

[[folder: Web Comics ]]

* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'''s "Hearthfire" expansion you can buy wooden swords for the children you adopt. They are also equipable weapons. You can even enchant them and make them LethalJokeWeapon.
* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'': Franziska Von Karma, the infamous [[WhipItGood whip-wielding]] prosecutor from Justice For All, favored a riding crop when she was 13 as seen on a flashback case in ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigations''.

* In the Literature/{{Discworld}} of Creator/AAPessimal, as various members of the original cast grow older, marry and have children, the issue of equipping them with valuable life skills comes to the fore. Aware their children are already penilled in to the Assassins' School, young mothers Johanna Smith-Rhodes and Emmanuelle de Lapoignard deliver appropriate fun activities suitable for a mother and child to enjoy together, such as learning how to use a sword and how to fire a crossbow accurately. As teachers at the School, Johanna and Emanuelle take care to provide suitably scaled-down weapons which are approriate for children of five and six. In the case of [[TykeBomb Famke Cornelia]], who really wants to grow up to be just like Mummy, supervised training with appropriate weapons is ''essential''. Elsewhere, Air Witch Olga Romanoff has twin children. She wants Vassily and Valentina to grow up fully aware of their [[MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong heritage]]. As well as [[UsefulNotes/{{Russian}} language lessons]], the twins are packed off to learn essential skills from the Cossacks, and both proudly carry what are for the moment wooden training sabres.

* In an episode of ''Disney's Disney/{{Hercules}}'' [[RecycledTheSeries series]], in which Hercules initially scoffs at being forced to train with a basic training javelin rather than a more heroic weapon. But at the end of the episode, he uses a basic javelin to bring down the big bad guy (having been offered his choice of any weapon by Athena) and turns down the offer of a proper spear from an (actual) AmazonianBeauty.

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands1'''s opening cutscene shows a picture of the {{Player Character}}s as children; [[FriendlySniper Mordecai]] has a slingshot, [[TouchedByVorlons Lilith]] has a bubble wand, [[TheBigGuy Brick]] has a glove and [[StillWearingTheOldColors Roland]]... has a map (although he does wear an approximation of the armour he wears as an adult).

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'''s opening cutscene shows a picture of the {{Player Character}}s as children; [[FriendlySniper Mordecai]] has a slingshot, [[TouchedByVorlons Lilith]] has a bubble wand, [[TheBigGuy Brick]] has a glove and [[StillWearingTheOldColors Roland]]... has a map (although he does wear an approximation of the armour he wears as an adult).

* GoodOldFisticuffs: This tends to be harder to "kiddyfy", but adorable oversized gloves, handwraps, safety gear or a simple martial arts uniform (especially if they don't wear one or [[NonUniformUniform customise it]] when they're older) can have the same effect.

* [[WhipItGood Whips]]: Riding crops, as demonstrated by a certain [[Franchise/AceAttorney prosecutor]] during her early teen years.

* In the extended edition of ''Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney'', after a long prologue sequence told by old Bilbo on the eve of his going-away birthday party (featured in ''Film/TheFellowshipOfTheRing''), he recounts his first meeting with Gandalf, as a child at one of the Old Took's parties. Kid Bilbo hits Gandalf's legs with a wooden sword, foreshadowing his acquisition of his Elvish Shortsword, Sting, when he goes on his own journey instigated by Gandalf.

If this is used in a flashback, expect it to be milked for "UsedToBeASweetKid" points if they aren't an EnfantTerrible. If older versions of the protagonists using more advanced "weapons" show up then it's GenerationXerox or FutureBadass. A video game might have your character wield them in a JustifiedTutorial. In an RPG they might serve as StarterEquipment. May be wielded by a KidSidekick. This can be either a CallForward or {{Foreshadowing}} depending on when it's revealed who the child in question grows up to be. If children are actually being given weapons to played with (as toys or not) then it's MyLittlePanzer (although it still counts as this trope if the owner of it "upgrades" when they're older). Often turns up in AMinorKidroduction.

The nature of this "WeaponJr" and how functional it is can vary. It might be a literal toy version (wooden swords are popular, as are more high tech toys, like dart guns) or it might be an actual weapon that people wouldn't mind a kid having (BratsWithSlingShots, Slings, etc) which might actually be dangerous in RealLife (but not necessarily in fictionland). Whether it's just kids playing at soldiers, or children [[ChildSoldiers actually being forced into combat]] depends on the series.

* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'': Franziska Von Karma, the infamous [[WhipItGood whip-wielding]] prosecutor from Justice For All, favored a riding crop when she was 13 as seen on a flashback case in ''VideoGame/AceAttorneyInvestigations''.

* In ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'', Guts used a full sized sword as a kid, as the mercs raising him didn't have any kid-sized weapons...but as an adult he also scales up his weapon and uses a {{BFS}}.

* At the end of ''MetalGearSolid4'', Raiden meets [[spoiler: his son]] who uses a toy sword to perform the same moves he does.
* ''SuperMario'': In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'', Bowser used his Koopa Clown Car in his showdown against Mario. In ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii,'' Bowser Jr. uses his own, miniature version of the Koopa Clown Car in his attempts to take out Mario (and Luigi, Blue Toad, and Yellow Toad).

[[AC: {{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

[[AC: {{Film}}]]

[[AC: VideoGames]]

[[AC:WebComics]]
* Roy Greenhilt of ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' had, as a kid, a toy mockup of his family's [[AncestralWeapon ancestral sword]], [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0113.html as seen in a flashback]] when the real one is [[WreckedWeapon broken]].

[[AC: WesternAnimation]]