Line #96 Main/BlackScreenOfDeath


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6
7	Two characters are about to fight. One charges towards the other, and suddenly...
8
9	The screen goes black.
10
11	After the screen is back, a few of these things might have happened:
12
13	* The charging character is on the floor, and the attacked character is standing perfectly fine. Often used in tandem with CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass or even as a form of comedy.
14	* Apparently nothing happens, and then one [[MutualKill or both]] characters will drop on the floor; compare BulletHolesAndRevelations.
15	* [[BolivianArmyEnding Exactly what you would expect happens]], and the Black Screen of Death was just a form of RelaxOVision or DiscretionShot.
16	* The TV show/movie ends on a {{Cliffhanger}}.
17
18	The Black Screen of Death may be used as a form of censorship, but it is usually used for other reasons. [[POVCam It may be used to represent a character closing their eyes.]] Also, black may be replaced with white, though black is more likely for quick cuts whereas whiteouts tend to FadeIn. In games, it might also be used to avoid wasting space and programmers' time with sprites or model movements that would only be used once. This is often accompanied by the sound effects you would expect of the battle, or in the case of bladed weapons, the sound of a sword slicing through the air. Occasionally, this will be accompanied by some slice marks across the screen reminiscent of a CleanCut.
19
20	This type of censorship might be used by some directors to ''increase'' the (implied) violence beyond [[TakeOurWordForIt what they're capable of portraying]]. Two people are fighting and the screen goes black. What's happening behind the black screen is subject to the imagination of the observer. While the director is imagining a stab to the stomach to kill the enemy, another observer might be thinking of a decapitation. Or maybe they're denying what is really happening and enjoying a nice tea break instead. It's all up to you.
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22	Not to be confused with a UsefulNotes/BlueScreenOfDeath, a Mac OSX [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/MacOSX_kernel_panic.png kernel panic]], or a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Screen_of_Death black version of the BSOD]] that appears in earlier versions of Windows.
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24	Compare RelaxOVision, SingleStrokeBattle, BolivianArmyEnding, BolivianArmyCliffhanger.
25
26	Often, but not necessarily, a form of SmashToBlack.
27	----
28	!!Examples
29
30	[[foldercontrol]]
31
32	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
33	* ''Anime/CodeGeass'' does this at the end of its first season, with [[spoiler:[[MagnificentBastard Lelouch]] and [[WellIntentionedExtremist Suzaku]]]] shooting each other simultaneously.
34	* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'': In [[Recap/NeonGenesisEvangelionEpisode24TheFinalMessenger Episode 24]], [[spoiler:Shinji]] is contemplating whether or not he should kill his friend [[spoiler:Kaworu, who turns out to be an Angel]]. Eventually, the screen turns black as we hear a loud squish, and then [[spoiler:Kaworu]]'s head dropping into a pool of LCL.
35	[[/folder]]
36
37	[[folder:Comic Books]]
38	* ''ComicBook/AllFallDown'' has a Black Page of Death, moments after [[spoiler:Portia steps off the roof of her apartment building]].
39	* ''ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW'' issue #28 has a minotaur that has been the antagonist against the main pony characters by having his being chased down by a hydra. One panel is completely black, the following showing the ponies looking sick and aghast. Though a 2-page teaser at the end shows that the minotaur survived, if living in the stomach of a hydra is considered "surviving..."
40	[[/folder]]
41
42	[[folder:Fan Works]]
43	* ''Fanfic/PokemonBlack'' ends with a black screen after TheHeroDies. Upon restarting the game, the file is deleted, showing that they're KilledOffForReal.
44	[[/folder]]
45
46	[[folder:Film]]
47	* On several occasions, ''Film/{{Coherence}}'' suddenly cuts to black. It's been theorized that each time this happens, the story moves to another/parallel house with different versions of the characters.
48	* Used on several occasions in ''Film/{{Cthulhu}}'', such as when the protagonist kills the Ancestor.
49	* ''Film/GoodManners'' ends this way, just as [[spoiler:Clara and Joel are about to face off an angry mob of the villagers who used to be their friendly neighbors banging at their door]].
50	* Used at the end of ''Film/TheGrey'' when Ottway [[spoiler:fights the alpha]]. Part of the scene that (should have) followed is still present in the trailer, as well as in a DeletedScene. However, this was done for artistic reasons, since it adds weight to the ending.
51	* ''Film/Howl2015'': A one-sided-fight variation. The movie ends with a shot on Adrian's OhCrap look as he's surrounded by werewolves, then it cuts to black and we hear Adrian being torn apart before the credits play.
52	* ''Film/{{Inception}}'': Did the top topple [[AllJustADream or not]]? [[spoiler:[[WordOfGod According to]] Creator/ChristopherNolan, [[ShrugOfGod even he isn't sure]].]]
53	* Used on [[spoiler:Claire]] at the end of ''Film/TheInnkeepers''.
54	* Done awkwardly in the Freedom Warrior Productions film ''Film/TheMeaningOfChoice'', with the black screen fading in and out repeatedly to the sound of a heartbeat as the girl is being attacked by her ex-boyfriend. Part of this was because of their desire to enter the film into the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, which forbade depictions of "gratuitous" levels of blood, violence, and gore, and would have rejected the film if it depicted a realistic scene of stabbing and attempted murder of a pregnant woman. Another reason for it, besides GoryDiscretionShot to get past the censors, was due to the film's cheap budget (made for under $5,000).
55	* River Tam and the Reavers at the end of ''Film/Serenity2005''.
56	* Used at the very end of ''Film/{{Threads}}''.
57	[[/folder]]
58
59	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
60	* ''Series/{{Playr}}'' often fades to black for more violent scenes.
61	* ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'':
62	** At the end of "[[Recap/SherlockS01E02TheBlindBanker The Blind Banker]]", when [[spoiler:Moriarty has General Shan killed]].
63	** Used in "[[Recap/SherlockS01E03TheGreatGame The Great Game]]" because at the time, the writers were unsure if there was going to be a second series, so that the ending either closed the show or left viewers waiting for series 2 episode 1. [[spoiler:Sherlock raises the gun, about to shoot a cluster of bombs that will kill him, James Moriarty, and John Watson... and then the screen goes black, and the credits roll.]]
64	* The series finale of ''Series/{{Skins}}'' series 4 cuts to black in the middle of [[spoiler:Cook attacking Freddie's killer]]. Hopefully TheMovie will resolve the cliffhanger.
65	* ''Series/TheSopranos'': [[AmbiguousEnding Debatably used]] in the finale "[[Recap/TheSopranosS6E21MadeInAmerica Made in America]]", as [[spoiler:Tony Soprano may have been killed just after a quick cut to the credits. Among the suspects: a character identified in the credits as [[NominalImportance "Members Only"]], plausibly a CallBack to the episode of the same name]].
66	* The ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS06E07YouAreCordiallyInvited You Are Cordially Invited]]" ends with O'Brien and Bashir charging at Worf and Dax, attacking them to conclude their wedding ceremony. The screen cuts to black rather than show O'Brien and Bashir getting schooled by a Klingon and his hot Trill wife, and the sound of clashing weapons is briefly heard.
67	* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' episode "[[Recap/SupernaturalS02E19FolsomPrisonBlues Folsom Prison Blues]]", a black screen appears after the ghost attacks two prisoners.
68	* This is used in ''Series/TopGear'' during the [[spoiler:escape from Alabama in the]] first American Special.
69	[[/folder]]
70
71	[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
72	* The above example from ''Series/TheSopranos'' has been {{Parodied}} several times in ''ComicStrip/PearlsBeforeSwine'', each time with someone about to explain what happened to Tony.
73	[[/folder]]
74
75	[[folder:Video Games]]
76	* The "Frog VS Magus" ending in ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' finishes with Frog and Magus readying for battle, then the screen goes dark as swords are heard clashing in the background while the credits roll. Then the screen fades in to show the victor standing on top of the castle: [[spoiler:someone with a cape]].
77	* In ''VideoGame/DawnOfWarII: Chaos Rising'', Gabriel Angelos executes [[PlayerCharacter the Force Commander]] if his party is nearly corrupted. The last shot of the first half of the ending has Gabriel swings Godsplitter at the Commander before the scene cuts to black.
78	* A lot of old-school Creator/{{Disney}} games do this, usually the platformers. If the character dies, he/she either passes out, dies outright or is otherwise abandoned to a gruesome fate. ''VideoGame/MickeyMania'', ''Tarzan'' and especially ''VideoGame/DonaldInMauiMallard'' are prime examples.
79	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' does this when Auron confronts Isaaru after the latter attacks Yuna in the Via Purifico. Isaaru comes back just fine in the sequel, though.
80	* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', a member of the Black Fang is launching an attack at Nils when the screen turns black and Lyn appears. In a reference to that game, when Lyn appears as an Assist Trophy in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'', the screen turns black the moment before she strikes.
81	* Happens in ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'''s first chapter -- the screen turns white as an unarmed Gordon Freeman is struck by buzz batons, and while he is stunned, Alyx Vance arrives and [[HeyYouHaymaker knocks all of the enemies in the room]]. She is the first thing you see when the screen fades from white.
82	* ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' vs. Iosa, though it's done to make it obvious whether or not [[spoiler:Iji or Ansaksie does it]].
83	* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' does this when the male PC kisses Bastila, to many fans' irritation. It's likely due to the limited number of animations in the game.
84	* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords'' does this when [[spoiler:Handmaiden is confronted by her sisters in the endgame]]. The Restored Content Mod averts this trope and the sequence is fully playable, with slightly different outcomes depending on how you approach it.
85	* ''VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw'' has two different cutscenes that appear after the credits, depending on whether you rescued all of the savable classmates or not. If you didn't, [[spoiler:you are treated to a cutscene of Juliet, her family, and Nick all coming home to celebrate her birthday, only to find that her mom is a zombie. The screen blacks out as we hear a loud CRUNCH, implying that she killed them]].
86	* ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'':
87	** In ''Mega Man Battle Network 4'', two members of the Mafia attempt to beat up their [[NeverMessWithGranny old]] (in [[RetiredBadass both]] [[HeelFaceTurn uses]] of old) leader. The screen turns black, and then we see the men on the floor.
88	** In ''Battle Network 6'', Colonel RV has an attack in which he throws his cape at you, turns the screen black, and deletes you (or leaves you at 1 HP if you have Undershirt).
89	* ''VideoGame/Mother3'':
90	** During a scene when Lucas and his dog Boney meet [[spoiler:Ionia, one of the Magypsies]], in the Hot Springs, Ionia wants to teach Lucas how to use PSI by giving him a "test of endurance". Scene then fades to black before Ionia's words appear off-screen, telling Lucas not to struggle or scream (these words may imply rape or child sexual abuse). When the scene finally fades back in, Lucas is submerged and gets his head out of the water. When he does, he learns a few PK spells, including PK Love! (And all the while [[spoiler:Ionia's]] clothes are lying near the ladder to the Hot Springs!)
91	** It also happens during the final battle. After [[spoiler:Claus]] is mortally wounded, the screen turns black. Only words appear off-screen, describing what happens in the scene. When the screen returns to normal, the boy is quietly in the arms of [[spoiler:his brother]], dead.
92	* ''VideoGame/MortalKombat3'': In ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'', this is used for Classic Sub-Zero's spine rip fatality (since the animation couldn't be used in the new engine) and Scorpion's dopplegangers-in-hell fatality.
93	* Akuma and his Raging Demon (Shun Goku Satsu) DangerousForbiddenTechnique in ''Franchise/StreetFighter''. Originally, it's a "white screen of death" -- nowadays, it's black. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_Cy0rhh2U See these videos to view how it has]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5WdGE_nf0w evolved over the years.]] It has also been copied (and parodied) in a number of other fighting games... [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] ''VideoGame/{{MUGEN}}''. It happens again in ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' during the DLC fight between Asura vs. Evil Ryu's epic conclusion... except Asura somehow counters the Shun Gouki Satsu Evil Ryu does with his own.
94	* Not the same, but similar: done in first person in the ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}} 2'' GameMod ''Project Reality'', where being dead or critically wounded blacks out the player's vision.
95	* ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'':
96	** In three of the endings, Shadow raises his hand up and delivers a sharp chop to [[spoiler:Eggman]]'s skull just after a cut to black, implying to have killed [[spoiler:him]].
97	** The game was censored in production to get a E10+ rating instead of a Teen rating. One of the edits was Maria's death. In the final game, after the gun is shot the screen fades to white while Shadow screams "Maria!" Footage exists of the original intro where Maria is seen falling (though no blood is shown) instead of the screen being white. One of the trailers for the game also had the scene, though only in a quick shot where you see it in Shadow's eyes.
98	* ''VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}}'':
99	** Used as one of Valentine's attacks. She tosses her opponent up into the air, and then down behind a row of surgical curtains. The screen flashes black except for the outline of Valentine's eyes, then back to the curtains sprayed with blood, and the other character missing a large chunk of health.
100	** A patch released in May 2015 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_zsVfF7yjQ gave Squigly a parody of Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]] as an AscendedMeme. Squigly rushes in, grabs her opponent, and the screen fades to black. Leviathan appears, says "Arrogant fool!" and roars. The screen fades to purple, and the opponent takes massive damage.
101	* ''VideoGame/StarCraftI: Brood War'' has one of these in the ending cinematic; [[spoiler:General Gerard [=DuGalle=], after reading out a letter to his wife and accepting that he will either return home in complete disgrace or be soon annihilated by [[BigBad Kerrigan]]'s forces, takes out an antique pistol and puts it against his temple before the video cuts out... granted, a gunshot is heard]].
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Webcomics]]
105	* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' uses the slice-marks variant to [[LazyArtist speed up animation]] in flash segments (the fact that the fight happened is generally [[LawOfConservationOfDetail more plot-important than animating fights carefully]]). However, usually it cuts to red, not black.
106	[[/folder]]
107
108	[[folder:Web Originals]]
109	* In ''WebVideo/EverymanHYBRID'', [[spoiler:this happens when [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome Evan attacks the Slender Man]]. The screen cuts to black; by the end of it, Slendy is gone, and Evan is disoriented and bleeding from the mouth]].
110	* As part of the fake CCG cards meme, a fake ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' card exists called RuleThirtyFour. It costs [[FourIsDeath four black mana]], has no art, and says "Everybody loses. No one wins." with flavor text along the lines of "All art submitted for this card was rejected."
111	* Used several times during ''WebVideo/MarbleHornets'', the most noticeably when [[spoiler:Jay gets attacked by Masky]]. Although it's {{justified\|Trope}} by Jay dropping the camera during some sequences.
112	* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNB615W4r7I&feature=related This]] [[MemeticMutation memetic take]] on the mysterious muted lines uttered by Gendo Ikari in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion: The End of Evangelion'' cuts to black after each version.
113	-->'''Gendo:''' Ritsuko Akagi, the truth is [insert line]\
114	'''Ritsuko:''' Huh, you liar. BANG
115	* ''LetsPlay/AScotsmanInEgypt'' has screenshots gradually fade to black until a completely black one when a character dies in battle. The fact that [[spoiler:it doesn't happen]] in the showdown between Istok and Domnall [[spoiler:foreshadows that the next few chapters are an elaborate fabrication, starting with]] Istok winning the fight.
116	[[/folder]]
117
118	[[folder:Western Animation]]
119	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' uses the cliffhanger variant in the episode "[[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderAppasLostDays Appa's Lost Days]]" partway through the fight between the Kyoshi Warriors and Azula's team.
120	* ''WesternAnimation/EmilyAndTheBabaYaga'': When Emily charges the Baba Yaga.
121	* The ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'' episode "[[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS3E9GrudgeMatch Grudge Match]]" ends with Black Canary and the Huntress about to land flying kicks on each other.
122	* Nearly all the time in ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies'' whenever the girls get captured.
123	[[/folder]]

Context Main / BlackScreenOfDeath