Line #127 Main/DynamicAkimbo


1	[[quoteright:300:[[ComicBook/{{Superman}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/supesobama.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:"I'm UsefulNotes/BarackObama, and I approve this pose."]]
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4	%% Caption selected per Caption Repair Thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900&page=24
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7
8	->'''Keanrick:''' Why, your very posture tells me, "Here is a man of true greatness."\
9	'''Blackadder:''' Either that or "Here are my genitals, please kick them."
10	-->-- ''Series/{{Blackadder}} The Third'', "Sense and Senility"
11
12	This one is OlderThanFeudalism. A character poses boldly with both of their hands resting on their hips, and their elbows pointing outward; the impact can be increased by closing the hands into fists (in which case the knuckles rest on the hips), raising the chin, and puffing out the chest. The feet are squared up towards the viewer, and typically set wide apart for a sense of strong rootedness and balance. Usually the character will hit this pose while directly facing the viewer, especially if they do it to announce their heroic arrival on the scene usually in a BigDamnHeroes or TheParagon manner. Occasionally, however, the subject will be shown from behind, because they are so awesome or mysterious that their focus is on something or someone other than you. The dynamic akimbo pose projects confidence by demonstrating that the character isn’t afraid to face their opponent directly and flaunt their vital targets, while making them appear bigger and more impressive by widening the outline of their body.
13
14	The Dynamic Akimbo Pose is [[StockPose used so often]] in media that it's considered something of an UndeadHorseTrope. It's something so {{Camp}}y, so over-the-top ridiculous, that it's typically only used as satire or for characters saved by the GrandfatherClause.
15
16	Once upon a time, this trope was AlwaysMale, but female characters later began using it as well. A heroine who is also MsFanservice will typically get a gender-specific variation where she does this pose, but at an angle where you can see her sexy parts, serving a similar function to a BoobsAndButtPose.
17
18	Expect to see this pose used by any SupermanSubstitute. It should be noted, however, that villains often like to pull off this pose, too, when they're confident or intimidating enough to do so.
19
20	See also VFormationTeamShot, where this is often used. Compare BadassArmfold, which has a similar, though not identical, effect. Contrast TheTeapotPose, which looks similar but is typically used for feminine or sassy characters.
21
22	Not to be confused with GunsAkimbo, which is about DualWielding guns.
23
24	----
25	!!Examples:
26	[[foldercontrol]]
27	[[folder:Advertising]]
28	* ''Advertising/MetroManners'': At the end of her TransformationSequence, Super Kind strikes a variant where she stands with legs apart, one arm on her hip, and the other hand making a VSign. This alludes to her status as a superhero, but the VSign makes her more cute and less confrontational than the usual superhero, fitting as her goal is to get people to be respectful on the bus.
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
32	* In ''Franchise/DragonBall'', the pose is both played straight and satirized.
33	** Powerful characters, such as the main heroes, often pull off the pose in true dramatic fashion.
34	** Comedic characters such as Mr. Satan/Hercule, Captain Ginyu, and the Great Saiyaman all do this in a satirical, over-the-top manner as well.
35	* ''Manga/GunslingerGirl''. Triela is shown doing this pose, likely because she's more assertive and confident than the other cyborg girls.
36	[[/folder]]
37
38	[[folder:Comic Books]]
39	* Nightshade of ''ComicBook/CaptainAtom'' is fond of posing with a grin on her face and her hands on her hips.
40	* Iron Patriot and ComicBook/{{Venom}} (Mac Gargan) of ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers'' do it in a team shot.
41	* ''ComicBook/{{Doom}}'': The Cyberdemon does this as "Doomguy" tries to "'''[[MadnessMantra RIP AND TEAR]]'''" his guts out. ''Tries.''
42	* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': Mr. Fantastic, being a RubberMan, is able to do this ''[[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fantastic.jpg and]]'' BadassArmFold at the same time.
43	* ''ComicBook/{{Incandescence}}'': In the first issue, Incandescence strikes this pose after she finishes making her SpandexLatexOrLeather LeotardOfPower.
44	* ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules, being a BoisterousBruiser with [[AwesomeEgo a huge ego]], uses this trope ''very'' often, as seen in his profile pic on this very site.
45	* ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'': Hulk himself rarely does this, but the Merged "Professor" Hulk took the pose often, and was one of the more confident, handsome and intelligent forms of the character.
46	* ''ComicBook/{{Shazam}}'': Captain Marvel, the rest of the Marvel Family, and even ComicBook/BlackAdam like to pull this off.
47	* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':
48	** Superman codified this in the {{Superhero}} genre. This is the standard pose he takes when ShootingSuperman is invoked.
49	** ''ComicBook/TheGreatPhantomPeril'': When Superman first engages Faora-Hu-Ul, she just stands upright with her arms akimbo, daring him to fight her.
50	** In ''ComicBook/AMindSwitchInTime'', Superboy stands floating and smiling confidently with his hands on his hips when confronting a delinquent armed with a futuristic bike.
51	** ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} pulls this off once in a while. She doesn't often do this, though, because she's impatient and more concerned with stopping criminals than looking good.
52	** In ''ComicBook/Supergirl1982'' #17 [[http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/3/33/Supergirl_Vol_2_17.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20081031045918 Kara pulls the pose off]].
53	** In ''ComicBook/{{Bizarrogirl}}'', [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pScx8BN4h3s/TG0NWV6zj0I/AAAAAAAAJ20/CEXBYdrkHdk/s1600/sg55-09.jpg Kara poses like this]] after defeating her Bizarro counterpart.
54	** ''ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman1961'': After murdering Superman, Luthor pulls off the pose as gloating that nobody can stop him from taking over the world now.
55	** In ''ComicBook/TheGirlWithTheXRayMind'', Supergirl rests her fists on her hips and puffs out their chest when she declares she can and will hold back the Phantom Zoners single-handedly.
56	** In ''ComicBook/DeathAndTheFamily'', Kara puts her closed fists on her hips while she scans Lana Lang, sporting a grim, determined face.
57	** ''ComicBook/Supergirl1984'': After creating a whirlwind which successfully drags Selena and her shadow-clone into its twister, Supergirl smiles, places her fists on her hips and poses confidently and smilingly as looking how her sorcerous foe is tossed through a portal into another dimension.
58	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'':
59	** While Diana's most famous pose has her wrists crossed in front of her, she does like posing confidently with her hands on her hips as well as it really gets across that she has nothing to fear from an opponent's weapons, and puts her hand right on her lasso of truth. [[Series/WonderWoman1975 The Lynda Carter live-action TV version of the character]] would often pose like this and when turned into a living statue in one episode would submit to the villain's commands to assume it before being frozen.
60	--->'''Moreux:''' Now, hands on your hips I think? ''[she reluctantly complies and then looks towards his voice for approval of her obedience]'' Yes, that's it.
61	** In Phill Jimenez's two-page spread of [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 volume 1]], issue #600, [[ComicBook/WonderGirl Donna Troy]] is depicted standing confidently with her hands on her hips.
62	[[/folder]]
63
64	[[folder:Fan Works]]
65	* ''Fanfic/XMenTheEarlyYears'' gives a comedic example: ComicBook/JeanGrey takes this stance when ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} insinuates her driving skills are non-existent.
66	* ''Fanfic/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic'': Lightning strikes this pose when dealing with a biker gang in Starpops.
67	* In ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'', [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Dev-Em]] adopts this stance to highlight how absolutely unamused he is when Superman and other heroes' sudden appearance disrupts his and his girlfriend's quality time.
68	-->"El, you need to quit butting into our business without an invitation," said Dev, standing up and putting his fists on his hips. "And we aren't issuing any invitations to you!"
69	* Humorous example in ''Fanfic/EchoesOfYesterday''. Kara puts her hands on her hips when PRT's fashion designer tries to argue against her wearing a cape.
70	* ''Fanfic/RocketshipVoyager'': Captain Janeway adopts this pose when meeting the Hirogen, because as well as projecting authority it also puts her hands [[QuickDraw conveniently close to her holstered sidearm]].
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
74	* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Darth Vader, the most iconic and imposing villain in the franchise, [[http://i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/article/8/8/4/39884.jpg?v=1 is sometimes depicted in this pose.]]
75	* ''Film/Supergirl1984'': [[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} The titular heroine]] poses like this [[https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/88/42/0a8842535ed12c1d51a451a448b591bd.jpg sometimes]].
76	* ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'': Creator/ChristopherReeve [[http://k12edubuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/superman1978.jpg often posed in this fashion]].
77	* ''Film/KickAss''. Red Mist takes this stance the first time he meets Kick Ass. [[FailedAttemptAtDrama Then he sprains his ankle leaping off the dumpster he's standing on]]. A JustifiedTrope as he's a comic book fan and HeroicWannabe.
78	* In ''Film/{{Hook}}'', Peter momentarily strikes this pose when he returns to Wendy's house, [[{{Foreshadowing}} foreshadowing]] his true identity. Later, when he remembers he's Peter Pan and [[ShowdownAtHighNoon goes to confront Hook]], he cuts out a silhouette of himself in this pose and then floats above Hook's ship in this stance.
79	* Shown in the BigEntrance of ''Film/JudgeDredd''. While his fellow Judges are crouching for cover in the middle of a blockwar, Dredd rides through the flames on his hoverbike, steps off it and stands out in the open with hands on hips and [[IAmTheNoun says his famous]] catchphrase. His confidence is not misplaced, as he points out to the other Judges that the armor they're wearing protects them against the caliber of rounds being fired.
80	[[/folder]]
81
82	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
83	* ''Series/Batwoman2019'': When Ryan Wilder dons the Batsuit for the first time, she adopts this pose while looking in the mirror. In the following episode however she has to do an EmergencyImpersonation by standing in the Batsuit on a tall building at a pro-Batwoman rally; Mary Hamilton-Kane thinks this trope is overkill and advises her to go for a CapeSwish instead.
84	* ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'' mocks this trope when some actors teach the [[UpperClassTwit Prince Regent]] to stand thus while giving a RousingSpeech. See page quote.
85	* Naturally ''Series/TheBoys2019'' deconstructs the trope, with Homelander posing like this mid-air in the pilot episode, right after he's shot down an aircraft whose passengers included a child. It's a WhamShot as up till then he'd been portrayed as TheParagon.
86	* ''Series/Supergirl2015'': Kara Danvers is depicted like this fairly often. Lampshaded when [[WellIntentionedExtremist Manchester Black]] is making a speech on TV, saying that Supergirl is probably somewhere watching, "hands on her hips in the name of Justice", and dares her to come and meet with him. Supergirl, who of course ''is'' in that pose, looks annoyed.
87	* In ''Series/WolfHall'', Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) often takes the hands-on-hips, legs akimbo stance that the real Henry struck in the most famous portrait of him.
88	* In ''Series/GuidingLight'' and ''Series/OneTreeHill'', the teenage Reva clone, Michelle Santos, and Haley all have their hands glued to their hips constantly. It's actually an example of RealLifeWritesThePlot as all three characters are played by Creator/BethanyJoyLenz, who always has her hands on her hips.
89	* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': Our first sight of Captain Janeway has her standing this way, and it becomes one of her CharacterTics. In "[[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS3E11Macrocosm Macrocosm]]", she creates a diplomatic incident because [[AccidentalUnfortunateGesture standing that way is a great insult to an alien race]].
90	* ''Series/{{Farscape}}'': In "[[Recap/FarscapeS03E13ScratchNSniff Scratch 'N Sniff]]", John Crichton stands this way in defiance of a crowd of alien gawkers, then a RevealShot shows [[WhatDidIDoLastNight he's dressed in suspenders and stockings]]. When this is pointed out to him, John ScreamsLikeALittleGirl and flees.
91	* Most of the heroes of the ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' would make this pose at least once in their respective shows, either to establish their dominance over the monsters or simply to pose in front of the humans. It goes as far back as the third episode of the original ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'', when Ultraman stood with hands around his waist as an energy blast from Neronga bounces harmlessly off Ultraman's chest (receives a CallBack in ''Series/UltramanMebius'', with Ultraman repeating the same pose against Alien Mefilas' electric beam). The titular hero of ''Series/UltramanEighty'' does a similar pose as the monster Salamandora's energy missiles hits Eighty in the chest without leaving a scratch.
92	* ''Series/LazyTown'': When Sportacus actually stops moving for a short while (which isn't that often), he likes taking this pose.
93	[[/folder]]
94
95	[[folder:Literature]]
96	* ''Literature/MyBrotherIsASuperhero'': Zack adopts the pose in a few dramatic moments.
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder:Pinball]]
100	* ''Pinball/FunHouseRudysNightmare'': Rudy, the game's protagonist, stands front and center on [[https://imgproxy.pinside.com/L_B_gTquSef2RZcqdNsgG4ZRe6g5V7PJUX8T6wR21SY/rs:fit:2048:2048/q:70/aHR0cHM6Ly9vLnBpbnNpZGUuY29tLzIvNDEvZWEvMjQxZWEyMmM0MjA4ZjEzMWNmYjZiOTRkZTBiYWI3MzY1ZDg1ODUwNi5wbmc the backglass]] with his hands on his hips.
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:Video Games]]
104	* ''Videogame/MarvelVsCapcom2'': This is Amingo's blocking animation. That is, he does the pose and blocks attacks with it. He also assumes an increased musculature. The thing is pretty much played for RuleOfFunny.
105	* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'': This is [[VideoGame/FinalFight Mike Haggar]]'s VictoryPose in the crossover fighting game.
106	* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'':
107	** Goro and Shiva do a [[MultiArmedAndDangerous four-armed]] version of this, with the upper two arms usually making a bicep flex. Alternatively, Goro's been known to use his four arms to do both this ''and'' the BadassArmfold at the same time.
108	** [[BigBad Shao Kahn]] also does this, usually combined with IShallTauntYou.
109	* ''Videogame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'':
110	** Superman does a [[PowerFloats floating version]] of this as a Round 1 VictoryPose.
111	** Black Adam does this, while standing on his opponent's chest, in his victory pose.
112	** Martian Manhunter does another flying version, while in the background of the Watchtower.
113	* In ''VideoGame/Injustice2'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} [[https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wj5K5A7n5tY/maxresdefault.jpg does this when starting a match]].
114	* The Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Popplio, who debuts in ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'', puffs up its chest and strikes this pose with a rather haughty expression on its face during battle. Since it's a cute, tiny seal, it's more funny and adorable than impressive.
115	* ''Videogame/DungeonsAndDragonsOnline'' uses a silhouette of this pose for its [[http://ddowiki.com/page/Greater_Heroism Heroism and Greater Heroism]] spell icon and visual effect, complete with superhero cape.
116	* In ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'' and ''VideoGame/EarthboundBeginnings'', this is the normal pose of the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/earthbound/images/b/b6/Starman_Clay_Model.png/revision/latest?cb=20090521212858 Starman enemies]].
117	* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'': With his exaggerated manliness, Zangief takes this pose as a Victory Pose sometimes. In ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'', he can even use this as "parry" by taking a hit in Super Armor.
118	* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'': Whenever Tiny's hands aren't in use, they're resting on her hips. In fact, she opts to exclusively use her feet to attack with so she doesn't have to take her hands off of her hips.
119	* [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Daisy]] adopted this as her signature pose, to [[TomboyPrincess show]] [[SpiritedYoungLady off]] her sassy, flirty confidence as well as emphasize her HartmanHips.
120	[[/folder]]
121
122	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
123	* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'', [[spoiler:Junko Enoshima [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/danganronpa/images/3/33/Junko_Enoshima_Fullbody_Sprite_%281%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20170331094043 uses this]] for the sprite representing her "queenly" personality]].
124	[[/folder]]
125
126	[[folder:Webcomics]]
127	* Elliot of ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2014-03-06 struck this pose]] in [[SuperGenderBender his superheroine form]] while meeting Mr. Tensaided. In this case it was less about projecting confidence and more about tapping into the existing association between this pose and the superhero genre.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Western Animation]]
131	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': In her debut episode [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE5PrettyPoison "Pretty Poison"]] we see Poison Ivy do this after [[SlipIntoSomethingMoreComfortable slipping into her costume off-screen]], slinking out to watch Batman's struggle with her "sweet little flytrap" from the shadows [[https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/btas05ivy-e1546021243165.jpg as seen here]].
132	* ''{{WesternAnimation/Freakazoid}}'' villain Arms Akimbo has arms that are permanently in this position due to his work as a model. One might well wonder how he manages to dress himself.
133	* In the title sequence of T.U.F.F. Puppy, Kitty Katswell is seen doing this pose.
134	* Franchise/ThePowerpuffGirls are known to assume this pose, most notably on the print material for their movie.
135	* ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'': In [[Recap/WinxClubS1E2WelcomeToMagix "Welcome to Magix"]], Flora and Musa do this pose combined with an angry expression when they find their inexperienced new roommate and suitemate (respectively) encased in ice and being bullied by some witches.
136	[[/folder]]
137
138	[[folder:Real Life]]
139	* The Renaissance era copied the muscular style of AncientGrome and cemented this visual. Among the most world-famous usages of this would be the portrait of UsefulNotes/HenryVIII of England [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Henry_VIII by Holbein the Younger]].
140	* Circus strongmen were often posed like this on posters in the 19th and early 20th Centuries.
141	* A famous study found that doing this and other "power poses" could raise your confidence and testosterone levels, but it turned out that the study had extremely faulty methodology and was non-replicable. Despite being debunked, it was spread widely enough that it's something of an UrbanLegend.
142	* UsefulNotes/{{Bodybuilding}} features at least three poses that involve placing the hands on the hips.
143	** The front lat spread involves placing the knuckles of one's fists against either side of the stomach while flaring the elbows and protracting the shoulders, in order to display the size and width of the latissimus dorsi muscles as much as possible. The competitor may lean back as they hit the pose to provide a better angle for seeing the lats. Besides the lats themselves, pectoral, deltoid, and leg development are also displayed.
144	** The rear lat spread is basically the front lat spread turned around to display the width and density of the back, as well as the development of the glutes, hams, and calves.
145	** The Hands-on-Hips Most Muscular is a variation on the Most Muscular pose, which like the other versions involves placing the hands on the hips while flaring the elbows and shoulders. It differs from the lat spreads in some important details: open hands are placed on the hips instead of closed fists; the athlete leans forward and crunches down on the abs instead of leaning back; and while the width of the lats plays a part, the emphasis is more on overall muscularity through the deltoids, trapezius, arms, pecs, and abs.
146	* Il Duce himself, Benito Mussolini, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/March_on_Rome.jpg/800px-March_on_Rome.jpg adopted this pose at least once]] during the March on Rome. Given that Italian Fascism was built around male machismo, this isn't surprising.
147	* Bethany Joy Lenz of ''Series/GuidingLight'' and ''Series/OneTreeHill'' has her hands on her hips all the time. [[NotHyperbole Seriously.]] When standing, walking, sitting, [[ExaggeratedTrope even running]] her hands her glued to her hips. This trait has been passed down to her characters as well. The normally agreeable Joie Lenz (as she's known to fans) once refused to wear a costume that would prevent her from posing this way during a taping of One Tree Hill. Her character, Haley, was given a different costume to wear that allowed her hands to rest on her hips.
148	** One time during an interview before an awards ceremony, some of her hair blew in her face and she kept tossing her head and blowing her hair, trying (and failing) to get it out of her face, never once taking her hands off her hips to do so. You could tell the interviewer was clearly getting increasingly annoyed with her and cut the interview short.
149	** Another time when asked by Creator/DavidLetterman if she ever took her hands off her hip, she said "no" and laughed, eliciting awkward laughter from Dave.
150	* Creator/PedroPascal often [[https://heythere-mel.tumblr.com/post/634070949671698432/the-stance-returns assumes this stance]], and not just when acting.
151	* Subverting the usual "I-am-macho/tough" impression which this stance is intended to project, standing or walking with hands on hips can somewhat ease the discomfort of chronic back pain.
152	[[/folder]]

Context Main / DynamicAkimbo