Line #75 Main/TallIsIntimidating


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3	%% The examples have been alphabetized. Please put any new example in its proper place in the folder rather than at the end.
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6	[[quoteright:1000:[[Manga/MyLoveStory https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ore_monogatari_17_large_01.jpg]]]]
7	[[caption-width-right:1000: IT'S THE URBAN LEGEND!!!]]
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9	->'''Boss:''' I could kill you right now.\
10	'''Maero:''' No. ''[he stands up to show how tall he is]'' You couldn't.
11	-->-- ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2''
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13	When tall characters are introduced, their height often makes them imposing or intimidating to other characters by default. Generally because there is an assumption that a larger person will be more physically threatening. This fear is not limited to muscular characters, as even NoodlePeople can make others hesitate on their imposing stature alone.
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15	This may involve a looming shot of the tall person casting a wide shadow over someone else. Eventually the shorter character might gawk upward at their size sheepishly (possibly after talking very confidently about being able to fight them). Occasionally the characters themselves won't be intimidated at all, but the intensity of the camerawork and presentation tells us they ''should'' be.
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17	This is a common trope of TheBigGuy, especially during their introduction to establish their tough credibility. They might even invoke it on purpose in the case of a bouncer or hired muscle. The StatuesqueStunner also runs into this a lot, as being intimidating can be part of the character's appeal.
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19	Whether or not the intimidation is justified depends, as nowadays it's pretty likely to lead into a GentleGiant reveal. When this trope isn't subverted, expect it to be applied to TheBully. This trope can also justify LargeAndInCharge if the smaller minions follow their boss ''because'' his size is intimidating.
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21	Compare EvilIsBigger and DavidVsGoliath. May be subverted via BigLittleMan if he's not as tall as he seemed.
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23	Supertrope to ScaryBlackMan, and AttackOfThe50FootWhatever.
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25	-----
26	!!Examples:
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28	[[foldercontrol]]
29
30	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
31	* Sakaki from ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'' is seen as intimidating by most other characters. It's partly due to her [[AloofDarkHairedGirl quiet personality]], but [[HugeSchoolgirl her height]] certainly contributes.
32	* ''Anime/{{Chihayafuru}}'': During the first match against Hokuo, Kanade notices that her opponent is nearly twice her height. All she can do is let out a startled "Eep!"
33	* ''Manga/TheDangersInMyHeart'': Anna Yamada's father, Yuki, scares the absolute hell out of people who meet him largely due to being a giant of a man. That and his quiet, awkward personality making him ''real'' hard to read.
34	** In a bonus chapter, Yoshida recalls the time she first met Yamada in fifth grade sitting at ''her'' desk. She tried to intimidate Yamada out of her seat until Yamada, realizing she was in in the wrong classroom the whole time, got up and showed [[HugeSchoolgirl just how tall she really was for her age]]. ''Yoshida'' ended up being the one terrified.
35	* At the start of ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureDiamondIsUnbreakable'', Jotaro Kujo's imposing stature intimidates Koichi Hirose on his way to school.
36	* ''Manga/MyLoveStory'': Takeo stands at an impressive 6ft 6 in., and as a result most people are very intimidated by his presence, from a woman whose child dropped a shoe he was trying to return to a group of hoodlums who thought he was an urban legend before meeting him in person. About the only people who aren't intimidated by him initially are his lifelong friend Suna and his girlfriend Rinko, who know he's a GentleGiant.
37	[[/folder]]
38
39	[[folder:Comic Books]]
40	* ''{{ComicBook/Blacksad}}'': A thug tries to intimidate Blacksad into leaving a bar. Blacksad stands up, revealing he's OneHeadTaller than the thug.
41	* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'': During the "Shadowplay" flashbacks, when Orion is trying to take his Senator friend into protective custody, a young Skids objects. Roller -- who turns into a Cybertronian paddy-wagon -- suddenly turns up and asks if there's a problem. Skids meekly backs down.
42	[[/folder]]
43
44	[[folder:Fan Works]]
45	* ''Fanfic/TheMountainAndTheWolf'': The Wolf is even bigger than the biggest man in Westeros, and doesn't hesitate to use it when intimidating people by bending down to their level.
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Films — Animated]]
49	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Antz}}'': In the bar, Z asks Bala if she's crazy for provoking an ant much larger than them since he's "built like a pebble".
50	* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'': While Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl are arguing, Mr. Incredible looms over the much smaller Elastigirl. But then Elastigirl uses her [[RubberMan stretching powers]] to increase her height so she looms over Mr. Incredible.
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
54	* ''Theatre/SeventeenSeventySix'': Played straight and then subverted near the end of the "Dear Mr. Adams" scene, when Adams (William Daniels, at 5'7" the same height as the historic Adams) is trying to get Jefferson (6'6" Ken Howard, four inches taller than the historic Jefferson) to write the Declaration of Independence, the two are on a staircase. Adams declares that Jefferson will write it. Jefferson asks who will make him. Adams declares he will. Jefferson ascends to the same step Adams is on, towers over him, and calmly asks "How?" (He does, of course, ultimately write it, but he's not happy about it.)
55	* In the ''Film/PoliceAcademy'' movies, Moses Hightower is the tallest and most intimidating of the cops. He never needs to ''say'' anything, just a towering glare from this ScaryBlackMan is enough to make any bully back down, or any racist jerk retract their words.
56	* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/TheSuper''. While meeting his teammates for a basketball game, the title character Louie (played by the rather short Creator/JoePesci) is introduced to one of his teammates nicknamed "Milkman" and asks why he's called that. The guy, who looks to be ''at least'' six and a half feet in height, rises from his seat and towers over Louie (complete with a low-angle shot from Louie's POV) to bluntly explain "''Because I killed a milkman.''" However, [[SubvertedTrope Milkman turns out to be a friendly guy]] who was apparently just messing with him.
57	[[/folder]]
58
59	[[folder:Literature]]
60	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': In ''Literature/MenAtArms'', there has just been an explosion at the Assassin's Guild, and Captain Vimes of the City Watch wants to get inside and investigate. The Assassin guard at the front gate denies him entry, on the grounds that "your uniform doesn't scare me."
61	-->'''Vimes:''' ''[looking at self]'' You're right. This is not a scary uniform. Forward, Corporal Carrot and Lance-Constable Detritus.\
62	''[Corporal Carrot (somewhere around 2m tall) and Lance-Constable Detritus (a troll, formerly employed as a bodyguard and bouncer) step forward; the Assassin becomes aware of the sun becoming blocked out]''\
63	'''Vimes:''' ''[from behind the eclipse]'' These, I'll think you agree, are scary uniforms.\
64	'''Assassin:''' I'll go and get Dr Cruces.\
65	'''Carrot:''' ''[leaning down]'' Thank you for your co-operation.
66	* ''Literature/TheHungerGames'': Katniss finds practically every other tribute intimidating because they're all bigger and stronger than her thanks to her childhood of malnutrition. However, this is especially pronounced with the careers and Thresh, all of whom are described as massive and scary. Thresh in particular is so large that even the careers -- trained killers from childhood -- are intimidated enough to avoid him for most of the game.
67	* ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'': Gandalf is, of course, already quite tall compared to hobbits. But when Bilbo starts throwing accusations that he wants the One Ring for himself, the wizard shows a glimpse of how truly intimidating he can be.
68	-->"Well, if you want my ring yourself, say so!" cried Bilbo. "But you won't get it. I won't give my Precious away, I tell you."\
69	His hand strayed to the hilt of his small sword. Gandalf's eyes flashed.\
70	"It will be my turn to get angry soon," he said. "If you say that again, I shall. Then you will see Gandalf the Grey uncloaked."\
71	He took a step towards the hobbit, and he seemed to grow tall and menacing; his shadow filled the little room.
72	[[/folder]]
73
74	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
75	* Lurch of ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'', the family's loyal butler is well known for his tremendous height and super-human strength.
76	* ''Series/{{Haven}}:'' Discussed in regards to Dwight, played by [[Wrestling/EdgeWrestler WWE wrestler "Edge."]] He's part of Haven's CleanUpCrew, keeping up TheMasquerade by quietly doing away with Trouble-related messes. At one point, Audrey comments that his job isn't as hard as it could be, because when you look like a Viking, people just kind of believe anything you say. Subverted with Duke, who is tall and can be scary when he wants to be, but is far too much of a LovableRogue to come off as intimidating.
77	* Deliberately invoked many times on ''Series/NightCourt'', with Bull, one of the bailiffs. Due to the wacky hijinks of the court Harry often asked Bull to defuse tense situations by simply looking very large and menacing.
78	* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': Discussed in "Hollow Pursuits". Will Riker is offended by Reg Barclay making a holodeck version of him who's short. Deanna Troi says that, considering [[ShrinkingViolet Reg]]'s personality and Riker's height, perhaps Reg was afraid of Riker because Riker was tall.
79	* Sometimes comes into play on ''Series/{{Taskmaster}}'' with the Taskmaster himself (6'8" Greg Davies). Case in point, in "OLLIE", when James Acaster [[DidIJustSayThatOutLoud made a flippant insult at him]], Greg stands up and takes James aside for [[TranquilFury a quiet but stern talking to]], with James clearly terrified the whole time.
80	[[/folder]]
81
82	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
83	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'':
84	** ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsThirdEdition'':
85	*** As an optional rule in edition 3.5 (and an official rule in its spin-off ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' 1st edition), a character gains a +4 bonus on Intimidate checks for every size category that he or she is larger than the target.
86	*** The ''towering oak'' ranger spell (''Spell Compendium'') gives a +10 bonus on Intimidate checks through the power of the forests.
87	---->''You loom over others like a mighty tree dwarfs lesser plants.''
88	** ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition'': The illustration for the Intimidation entry of the 5th edition PHB shows a barbarian bending down to terrify a considerably smaller guard.
89	* The ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' RPG, characters with the Monolith alt-mode (a large vehicle like Optimus Prime or Ultra Magnus) a bonus to social skill checks against smaller characters. In the ''Decepticon Division'' supplement book, Decepticon [=PCs=] are also given a bonus to Intimidate checks against smaller characters.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Video Games]]
93	* ''VideoGame/LittleNightmaresII'': All of the antagonists fall under EvilIsBigger, but the thin man is specifically made imposing for how tall he is.
94	* Two villainous examples in the ''VideoGame/SaintsRow'' series:
95	** Maero, the ArcVillain of the Brotherhood storyline in ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'', is an imposing TattooedCrook. We are first introduced to him when he invites the Boss to a meeting place where both of them are alone (except for the Boss' tagalong sidekick, Carlos). The Boss finds him sitting alone on a bench, and he responds to a threat by standing up and showing him how large he is.
96	** Killbane/[[DoNotCallMePaul Eddie Pryor]] in ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' is the leader of the [[MaskedLuchador Luchadores]], [[spoiler:and eventually, the entire Syndicate]], and he's an imposing man with a gravelly voice and a HairTriggerTemper who is all-too-willing to [[BadBoss use physical force to cow his subordinates]]. When the Boss challenges him to a wrestling match out of anger that Killbane framed them for a terrorist attack earlier, his reply is to walk towards them to show off his height and rattle off a long string of [[BadassBoast Badass Boasts]] to make it clear that they don't stand a chance against him. Of course, the Boss being [[OneManArmy the]] [[ExperiencedProtagonist Boss]], they don't show any fear of the taller Killbane and remain confident that they can defeat him.
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder:Webcomics]]
100	* ''Webcomic/{{Insecticomics}}'': The Constructicons try to pull this off by combining into Devastator. As the G1 Constructicon toys were fairly small, this fails because G1 Devastator isn't any taller than most of the other Decepticons. And then Tidal Wave, whose toy is enormous, successfully does it to him.
101	* ''Webcomic/{{Paranatural}}'':
102	** Doorman briefly uses this technique to get Isaac to listen, looming his large figure over him.
103	** Olly Ops does this frequently as well, and it helps with both his role as TheBully and a hired bouncer.
104	[[/folder]]
105
106	[[folder:Web Original]]
107	* Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos: The intimidating nature of tall people is one of the anxieties built into Slender Man's success as a creepypasta.
108	[[/folder]]
109
110	[[folder:Western Animation]]
111	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': When the (very large) Pipsqueak hears Aang call his name funny, foreboding music plays as he looms over Aang. Subverted when [[ActuallyPrettyFunny he starts laughing about it too.]]
112	* ''WesternAnimation/FluffyGardens'': Pertrie the bear is the largest character in the Fluffy Gardens and he often intimidates the other animals with his size, but he's a GentleGiant.
113	* ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'': This is done accidentally by the large Eduardo when Mac meets him; Eduardo's large size (combined with scary appearance) causes Mac to scream about a monster. Of course, since Eduardo is a LovableCoward, this just ends up with ''both'' of them scared about the so-called monster.
114	* ''WesternAnimation/PegPlusCat'': In "The Big Dog Problem", Peg and Cat see an English Sheepdog and worry that he'll [[BewareOfViciousDog attack them]] because he's so large. However, he turns out to be a BigFriendlyDog, leading to AnAesop about not judging someone based on size.
115	* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': During Scorpia's introduction, her large form looms over Catra from the shadows, making Catra look up at her meekly. Subverted when it turns out she just wanted to give Catra a big hug.
116	* This is a running theme in ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', as Gem society is heavily structured on size. As a general rule, the larger a Gem is, the more powerful she is, and the camera works to stress their imposing size to the audience.
117	** [[KnightTemplar Jasper]] towers over other Quartz soldiers and is as big as [[TheLeader Garnet]], who's a fusion of two gems already. In a later episode, Peridot notes that Jasper is, for all intents and purposes, the ideal Quartz.
118	** [[LadyOfWar Yellow Diamond]], who's originally TheUnseen, first appears on a video call with Peridot; she picks up the entire camera in one hand and has to lean back to appear in the frame, and given that all of the Crystal Gems react in horror at the sight of her, it's clear that she is a force to be reckoned with. Her sister [[EmotionBomb Blue Diamond]] gets a similar introduction--she is first seen towering over a massive palanquin, and Greg Universe (a fully grown adult man) is about the size of one of her fingers.
119	** [[GreaterScopeVillain White Diamond]] takes the introductions of Yellow and Blue and goes even further, as she's the tallest and scariest Gem in creation. When Steven first enters her chamber, we [[FeetFirstIntroduction only see her feet]], then a cut to her face--and then the camera slowly pans up to reveal just how ''massive'' she truly is. [[HorrifyingTheHorror Even the other Diamonds are terrified of her.]]
120	** Alexandrite has a hilariously mundane example where the towering giant comes to meet Connie's parents for dinner. Her parents are clearly exceedingly intimidated by how large she is but decide not to bring it up since it would be rude.
121	[[/folder]]

Context Main / TallIsIntimidating