Line #86 Main/CoolKey


1	[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/LockeAndKey https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/LAK.JPG]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Take your [[{{Pun}} pick]].]]
3
4	The keys we use every day are small metal objects with little grooves on them. Accustomed as we are to their use, it's hard to imagine something less tropeworthy than a humble key. Yet consider the symbolism of this tiny object -- it opens that which is closed, changes barriers into passageways (or vice versa). A key in the wrong hands can be disastrous. And possession of a key can be a sign of authority and responsibility, from a housewife's key ring that indicated she alone could disburse food and drink to a lord's master key giving him the run of his domain.
5
6	A Cool Key is one that is intended to reflect these values. It may simply be ornate and fancy, or it may have some special attributes that are unusual, most commonly the power to OpenAndShut. The most common type is the SkeletonKey, which in addition to just [[RuleOfCool being cool]], is associated with the ability to open any lock for historical reasons: skeleton keys were used in antiquity to pass warded locks, which is why warded locks aren't very popular anymore. There are also master keys, which are designed to open any lock in a given set, allowing its possessor unlimited access to the household or area associated with the locks.
7
8	A Cool Key typically goes hand in hand (so to speak) with an equally elaborate lock or possibly a CoolGate. In speculative settings, the key to a particular mechanism may not resemble a normal key at all, or not even be a traditional key, but a particular word or phrase to be spoken or even [[HeroicSacrifice a person]].
9	----
10	!!Examples:
11
12	[[foldercontrol]]
13
14	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
15	* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'': [=ClavisAngemon=] wields a large key simply referred to as "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Key]". It is the one thing that can unlock the 360 doors of the Zenith Gate which [=ClavisAngemon=] guards.
16	* Sailor Pluto, guardian of the time gate in ''Anime/SailorMoon'', uses a giant key called the Garnet Rod as her MagicStaff. It's so big that when she stands on a floor with it, it reaches her neck.
17	* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', the ouken is a key to the Palace of the Spirit King. Naturally this made acquiring it, or at least circumventing it's necessity, the goal of several Big Bads. [[spoiler:It's actually stored in the bones of each member of Squad Zero.]]
18	* In ''Manga/BoboboboBobobo'', Hatenko uses the Fist Of Keys as a weapon to lock his opponents up.
19	* In ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', Simon's Core Drill not only activates his mini-mech, it also functions as a drill, albeit a very small one. He uses it to drill through [[spoiler:Lordgenome at the end of the first StoryArc]]. In the CompilationMovie he also uses it to escape from a prison and climb a mech that is holding Nia hostage.
20	* [[SummonMagic Celestial Spirit Magic]] in ''Manga/FairyTail'' requires keys to open celestial spirit gates, which are basically gateways into their dimension. The manga originally gave these keys fairly plain designs until the anime decorated them more intricately. Shortly after, the manga followed suit.
21	* In ''Manga/CardCaptorSakura'', Sakura has a little key she wears as a necklace when she's not using it. It can transform into her MagicStaff. And it changes form whether she's dealing with Clow Cards, or turning them into Sakura Cards.
22	[[/folder]]
23
24	[[folder:Comic Books]]
25	* The key to Franchise/{{Superman}}'s Fortress of Solitude is [[http://superman.wikia.com/wiki/File:Superman187.JPG a huge thing]] that only he can lift; it's also used as an aircraft path marker.
26	** In ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'', he replaces it with a small but super-dense key that supposedly weighs ''half a million tonnes''. Whether or not he's exaggerating, only someone with his abilities can lift it.
27	* The Key to Hell that Lucifer passes to Dream of the Endless in ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989''.
28	* The Magical Keys (seen above) from ''ComicBook/LockeAndKey''. Each one has a unique appearance that matches its individual power.
29	* The ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' villain called The Key uses key-shaped gadgets.
30	* In ''ComicBook/MegaManArchieComics'', Mega Man is awarded the key to the city up until Break Man blasts it to pieces.
31	* In ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'', the key to Two-Edge's treasure vault is [[spoiler:hidden in the pommel of Cutter's sword, New Moon]].
32	[[/folder]]
33
34	[[folder:Fan Works]]
35	* ''Fanfic/TheKeysStandAlone: The Soft World'' (whose title simply screams this trope) has several:
36	** The white key that the four retrieve from the cliff dwelling—a seven-foot glowing staff.
37	** The Nine-part Key that someone has to assemble in order to get into the Black Tower.
38	** The Keys—you'll learn about them in ''Keys: The Hard World''. The ''ultimate'' in Cool Keys.
39	* In ''Teen Titans: Witch-Hunt'', one of the three gifts Wonder Girl receives from [[spoiler:her Aunt Circe]] is the Key to the Cosmos. While small and not really cool-looking, it's for opening portals, seemingly to anywhere in the universe.
40	* The ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story series has the Key of Chronos, which gives its user the ability to travel through time by opening portals.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
44	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'', the key to opening the door to the other world has a button-shaped bow.
45	[[/folder]]
46
47	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
48	* The Keymaker in ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'' could make keys to open any door or lock in the Matrix, or keys to make any door go to a particular destination.
49	* The key to the elements chamber in ''Film/TheFifthElement'' doesn't look all that fancy, but is distinctive in having four wings instead of one and fitting between the door panels themselves.
50	* The blue key in ''Film/MulhollandDrive''. [[spoiler:It's to open a similar blue box, although what that exactly does is [[MindScrew unclear]].]]
51	* ''Film/PansLabyrinth's'' Ofelia is given a key by the faun as part of the magical second task. The same ornate key is reflected in the real world as Vidal removes it from Mercedes so that he is the only one with access to the store room
52	* In ''Film/TheMummy1999'', a key disguised as a puzzle box is used to open several things: The Book of the Dead, The Book of Amun-Ra, and Imhotep's sarcophagus. The key is an octagonal box that, when opened, makes a sun shape with the top of the box splitting into eight rays.
53	* ''Film/ReturnToOz'': Mombi's ruby key to unlock the cabinets containing her various heads. Mombi keeps the key tied to her wrist, and Dorothy has to steal it in order to steal the Powder of Life.
54	[[/folder]]
55
56	[[folder:Literature]]
57	* In ''Literature/TheDreamsideRoad'', [[SignatureTeamTransport the Aesir's]] key ring has robotic legs and basic AI. It can be used to remotely start and even drive the odd camper -- fantastic for [[TheDrifter Orson's]] frequent tight getaways.
58	* Downplayed in ''Literature/TheFamousFive'' book ''Five Go To Demon's Rocks''. Nine-year-old Tinker always carries the large key to his very own lighthouse with him, as a symbol of his pride in owning a lighthouse. Soon after he has said "I am looking forward to unlocking ''my'' lighthouse with ''my'' key", he finds it has become stiff, and needs Julian to help him unlock it. [[spoiler:Later, the key is stolen, used against the Five, and is never recovered.]]
59	* In Creator/GarthNix's ''Literature/KeysToTheKingdom'' books, there are seven keys, each signifying control over a part of the [[CelestialBureaucracy The House]], and which each do different things (such as being able to transform into weapons or gloves).
60	* In ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'', the key kept by the Black Friars is the main PlotDevice. It is the key to a gate to heaven as well as "to all reality", as the abbot says. The full limitations of this are not explained.
61	* James Butler Hickok Stark, aka ''Literature/SandmanSlim'' stole the key to The Room of Thirteen Doors, which is the only way to Earth from Hell (unless you're [[{{Satan}} Lucifer]] himself). We don't know what the key looks like as Stark buried it in his body, but he doesn't need to actually fit it into a lock for it to work, either.
62	* In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', the key to get through one of the obstacles guarding said stone has wings and tries to escape from anyone who comes near. It's made even more difficult to catch by filling the room with hundreds of other flying keys, all of which would be pretty cool if they actually opened anything.
63	* The enchanted key crafted by Christina of Milan in ''Literature/TheSixtyEightRooms'', that allows any woman who touches it to shrink.
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
67	* In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', the key to Kal-El's space ship is a metallic octagonal disc. You heard me.
68	** The keys to unlock a very deadly artifact guarded by a powerful secret society... has only one tooth. Try using a lock pick next time, [[spoiler:Lex]].
69	* The Key (note capitalisation) in ''Series/TheLostRoom'' has the ability to make any door (within certain specifications) lead into the Room, which has powers of its own. It's one of the most desired Objects in the show.
70	* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
71	** The keys to the TARDIS look perfectly ordinary, but are given to companions as a sign that they've been fully accepted by the Doctor. More in line with the trope, they've been shown to glow when the TARDIS is active, and been retrofitted to [[PerceptionFilter make people ignore the person wearing them]].
72	*** The TARDIS key may look ordinary ''now'' (and in TheSixties), but back in TheSeventies it looked like [[http://www.doctorwhoprops.co.uk/dw_images/tardis-key2.jpg this,]] and in TheEighties like [[http://www.doctorwhoprops.co.uk/dw_images/tardis-key.jpg this.]]
73	*** Part of the coolness factor ''is'' the fact that it looks like a normal everyday key. You expect a device that allows you into the ship that can take you anywhere and anywhen and is {{bigger on the inside}} to be fancy and alienesque and Franchise/{{Star Trek}}kian. That it's oh-so-innocuous is awesome.
74	** ''Series/DoctorWho'' also had the Key to Time, which when assembled looked like a metal cube.
75	** The sonic screwdriver also often acts like a skeleton key.
76	** The Osterhagen Key is considered quite cool just because of what it [[EarthShatteringKaboom does]].
77	* In season 5 of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', a mystical key to alternate dimensions is transformed into human form, [[spoiler:and the timeline is altered to place her into reality as Buffy's younger sister, Dawn.]]
78	* ''Series/KamenRiderDrive'': Two of them, both based on car keys.
79	** The Tridoron Key, featured in the ''Surprise Future'' movie, allows the user to control Tridoron and collects data from Kamen Rider Drive. Shinnosuke used it in the Mach Driver Honoh to transform into Super Deadheat Drive, but soon figured out that it was actually serving as a backup for Krim's consciousness and, with the help of the Type Change Shift Cars, used it to restore Krim's AI into the future Drive Driver at the cost of the Key's existence.
80	** The Tokujo-ka Key (lit. "Special Investigation Unit Key") is designed after the Tridoron Key and, if used in the Mach Driver Production Model, transforms the user into the production model of Kamen Rider Mach. However, technical difficulties in the suit prevented it from being mass-produced, and the remaining Roidmudes were all dealt with before it could be perfected, making it redundant.
81	* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' and ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
82	** ''Series/ChourikiSentaiOhranger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'': Gunmazin spends most of his time in a small tiki form, which can only be unlocked via inserting a special golden key into its forehead and reciting a spell. His Zeo counterpart, Auric the Conquerer, requires only the key and no spell.
83	** ''Series/GekisouSentaiCarranger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'': The Rangers in both series transform via inserting keys (Accel Keys and Turbo Keys, respectively) into their ignition/gearshift themed TransformationTrinkets (Accel Changers and Turbo Morphers); the Turbo Keys are based on Lerigot's Golden Key (which, despite its name, looks more like a wand). Carrying the car theme forwards, the keys would also be used in the formation of the first HumongousMecha they used (insert the keys, [[PedalToTheMetalShot hit the]] [[BrakeAngrily brake pedals]], robot stands up via gravity).
84	** ''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'': The demons possessed a Golden Key that could unlock a door to the Shadow World (their afterlife) and back; it also unlocked a coffin-like tomb that would have allowed all the deceased monsters to escape, had the Rangers not stopped them.
85	** ''Series/BakuryuuSentaiAbaranger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'': [=AbareBlack=] transforms by inserting the Dino Harp (which can also be used as a harmonica), which turns into a key-like form, into his Dino Commander; the same holds for its Dino Thunder counterpart, the Brachio Morpher (though Tommy's key isn't a harmonica, as far as we know).
86	** ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'' / ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'': The Gokaigers have keys based on their many, many [[Franchise/SuperSentai predecessors]], allowing them to mimic their powers (basically, keys are to ''Gokaiger'' what cards are to ''Series/KamenRiderDecade''). The Mega Rangers used their own versions. Both series also had a special Gold Anchor Key that, inserted into the bottom, activated the Silver Rangers' Gold Mode.
87	** ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'': Unlike its Sentai counterpart (the Morphin Brace), the Beast-X Morpher is activated by the insertion of a Morph-X Key.
88	* Just like the [[ComicBook/LockeAndKey comic series]] it's based on, ''Series/LockeAndKey2020'' has the Magic Keys, each with a unique appearance that matches their individual powers. There's even a couple that exist in the show that don't in the comics.
89	* In the ''Series/{{Thunderbirds}}'' episode ''Vault of Death'', Lord Stilton holds the electronic key to the vault of the Bank of England. He keeps this key in his briefcase, which he emphasises "never leaves my side". [[spoiler:Of course, this does happen, and it turns out the vault can be opened with a hairpin.]]
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Radio]]
93	* ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'': In "Key to the School", Miss Brooks is given the key to the school by the custodian. HilarityEnsues when Mrs. Davis takes the key with her on a visit to her brother Victor, leaving students and faculty alike locked out of Madison High School. Despite being a key to a school, it looks cools:
94	--> '''Custodian''': Here it is. It's this fat little devil with the blue ribbon on it.
95	[[/folder]]
96
97	[[folder:Religion]]
98	* ''Literature/TheBible'':
99	** Jesus in the [[Literature/TheFourGospels the gospel of Matthew]] tells Simon Peter, the apostle who is blessed for his declaration of Jesus being the Christ, the Son of the living God, that He will give him "the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven", that with them, whatever he "binds" on earth will be (or will already have been) "bound in heaven" and whatever he "looses" on earth will be (or will already have been) "loosed in heaven". This is usually interpreted by Catholics as Peter having the authority to determine who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven and who won't upon Judgment Day.
100	** Jesus in the Literature/BookOfRevelation tells John the apostle that He holds the keys to Death and Hell (Hades in the Greek).
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
104	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' had at least twenty standard types of magical keys, each with its own powers.
105	** Adventure X2 ''TabletopGame/CastleAmber'': The CoolGate "The Gate of the Silver Keys" can be opened only by three silver keys found at various places in the Castle.
106	** In Adventure C2 ''The Ghost Tower of Inverness'', to enter the title tower, the {{Player Character}}s must find and assemble a four-part key.
107	* ''TabletopGame/HeroQuest'': In "Melar's Maze", Melar's key can be found. When it is touched, the key disappears and the throne slides sideways, to reveal a secret door.
108	* The "Skeleton Key" is a character template in ''TabletopGame/BigEyesSmallMouth'' third edition; they have the power to open the portals between worlds.
109	* ''TabletopGame/InvisibleSun'' has wicked keys, which vislae can use to unlock any barrier in their way; these keys are not just limited to doors and gates, as they can even be used on people. On rare occasions they can be found during a [[RainOfSomethingUnusual keystorm]], but more often than not they must be earned by characters.
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder:Toys]]
113	* ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}'': the Keystone, which is made of many components each containing instructions on how to awaken [[FirstChurchOfMecha Mata Nui]]. Once all piece were retrieved, it was used to deactivate the barrier surrounding the Codrex. As a bonus, its united form was a miniature Mata Nui sculpture.
114	[[/folder]]
115
116	[[folder:Video Games]]
117	* The Yatagarasu's Key in ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigations''. Not only is it very ornately designed, [[spoiler:it also has a built-in knife blade that is also a key.]]
118	* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': Advanced Cryptokeys are designed with colored lines that are utilized to open any tightly locked [[InexplicableTreasureChests containers]] having useful items.
119	* ''VideoGame/DareToDream'': The game's central plot device is the Key of Enigami, which is worked into the shape of a unicorn and allows Tyler to enter his dreamscape.
120	* ''VideoGame/{{Nethack}}'': Rogues eventually get the Master Key of Thievery, an artifact that reduces physical damage by half and lets you control where you land after being teleported, in addition to being able to open any lock with 100% success. [[GameMod SLASH'EM]] adds three additional artifact keys (one for each alignment) that, while easier to get, only offer the 100% success on lock opening.
121	* The Keyblades of ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' combine this with CoolSword. Giant magical key-swords that allow you to travel between worlds and dimensions, open any lock and, as of the latest games, [[MorphWeapon shape-shift]] into anything from a hovercraft to a cannon. They don't get much cooler than that.
122	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'''s Boss Keys or Big Keys usually have horns on the back, or horns as the teeth of the key. The CelShading games added an eye on the back of the key.
123	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess''' [[http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100402014830/zelda/images/0/00/Boss_Key_(Twilight_Princess).png Boss Key]] has a more crystalline shape.
124	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'''s Boss Keys are 3-dimensional golden sculptures that have to be turned the right way before inserting them. Their shape is also thematically related to the dungeon they are found in; the one in the Ancient Cistern resembles the dungeon's central Buddha-like statue, while the Sand Ship's resembles a squid.
125	** In the [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI NES games]], Link can collect the Magical Key, an imposing lion-faced key in gold that can open infinite doors.
126	* Taking its cue from the Zelda series, ''VideoGame/DistortedTravesty 3'' has a big fancy key which even gets a short, rather strange [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72_DXed4HfM cut-scene]] when used.
127	* ''VideoGame/{{Darksiders}}'' has a Beholder's Key that is basically a dagger. This is used to unlock "doors", which are actually forcefields with an eye in the middle. War takes the key and stabs it in the eye, lowering the force field.
128	* ''VideoGame/WarioLand4'': Keyzer, a ghost with a key for a nose.
129	* The old UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum game ''Atic Atac'' had the Golden Key of ACG, a key with an ornate head and the letters ACG for the teeth (as a shout-out to the game's creators, Ashby Computers and Graphics). It was scattered around the game in three pieces; rebuilding it ([[InventoryManagementPuzzle in the right order]]) and using it to escape the castle was the whole goal of the game. (There were also regular keys for the four colour-coded locked doors.)
130	* A.B.A. of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' uses a giant key that is also an axe as a [[ImprobableWeaponUser weapon]]. Its name is Paracelsus, and it has googly eyes and a stitched-up mouth, and is larger than A.B.A. herself. ''Guilty Gear'' is that kind of game.
131	* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series has the SkeletonKey, a recurring artifact with differing abilities depending on the game. To note:
132	** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsArena Arena]]'', the Skeleton Key will open any non-magical locked door or chest once per day.
133	** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]'', the Skeleton Key functions similarly to ''Arena'' but can now open magical locks and can be worn as an amulet for a stat boost.
134	** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', the Skeleton Key is a lockpick which will never fail. It only has 50 uses, however, and does not disarm trapped locks.
135	** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'', the Skeleton Key is an unbreakable lockpick that greatly increases your lockpick skill; this allows players to simply press the button to automatically make an attempt over and over until the lock opens, allowing for any pickable locks to be bypassed entirely.
136	** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', the Skeleton Key has the power to open anything from doors to abstract things like hidden potential inside a person. Unfortunately, in the hands of the player, all the Key does is function as an unbreakable lockpick (which is, admittedly, pretty handy), but you only get the key for a little while unless you decide to not complete the quest to turn it in. Plus, there’s a perk that makes your lockpicks unbreakable anyway, so it’s really only useful until you get that.
137	* ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' has the Key to the Embedded. Though it only opens one door in the game, it also doubles as a greatsword.
138	* The ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' Klefki is at least related to this trope. It's a sentient key ring that also looks like a key itself, and which steals keys from people to wear.
139	* ''VideoGame/TheCrystalKey'': The translucent blue key. It's used to interface with [[CoolGate portal devices]] made by the Arkonians, and each plane added to it, which you'll [[DismantledMacGuffin eventually collect]], contains coordinates for the various colony worlds within the game.
140	* The ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' series is full of ornate keys, usually with a fancy design or engraving that shows which doors they can unlock
141	* In ''VideoGame/ReturnToMonkeyIsland'', the titular Secret is secured in a large case with five locks, with a corresponding set of five golden keys that Guybrush has to go and find.
142	[[/folder]]
143
144	[[folder:Web Comics]]
145	* One appears to Cynthia in ''Webcomic/CarawayTalesOfLucidity'', angel wings and all.
146	* The Lost Key of the Red Pyramid of Bishara from ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' is an [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091016 elaborate giant key.]]
147	* In ''Webcomic/ProblemSleuth'', keys are [[RunningGag sometimes]] weapons. The key is a pistol, the ring of keys is a machine gun, and the [[MacGuffin Megaton Key]] ([[TronLines a particularly cool key in its own right]]) is a set of brass knuckles.
148	[[/folder]]
149
150	[[folder:Web Original]]
151	* In ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'', Tucker's sword, a legendary binding artifact, has the second function of being the key to the hangar of a cool spaceship.
152	-->'''Church:''' So it's a sword. It just happens to function like a key in very specific situations.
153	-->'''Caboose:''' Or it's a key all the time, and when you stick it in people, it unlocks their death.
154	* The [[{{Platform/Newgrounds}} Lock Legion]] has the Key of Glorton.
155	* The Website/SCPFoundation has [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-005 SCP-005,]] a key that can open any lock in the world, provided the user can find and identify the lock.
156	** There's also [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-860 SCP-860,]] which when used inside of coordinates which appear randomly on the key's blade to open a door, will cause the door to open to a mysterious forest clearing dubbed SCP-860-1. The key has also been shown to be able to dematerialize in one place and appear in another.
157	* The Review Reviewer of ''WebVideo/ThoseDudesWithAHat'' gains [[spoiler:a Keyblade in his battle with sub channel, the Game Tyrant]]
158	[[/folder]]
159
160	[[folder:Western Animation]]
161	* In the ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' episode "The Enchiridion", the key to opening the gates to get the MacGuffin is literally the [[TrollBridge Gate Keeper]], whose hat looks (and functions) just like a giant key.
162	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': The Air and Fire temples are both locked with mechanisms which can only opened by the appropriate bending discipline being used on the doors.
163	* Early on in ''WesternAnimation/{{Detentionaire}}'', Lee is given an octagonal key with retractable spikes. The spikes are what open things, as the locks the key is meant to open are also octagonal and have holes to the spikes to grab. The key opens several doors throughout the [[spoiler:underground passageways beneath the school]], and Season 3 reveals that [[spoiler:it's one of two identical keys that are meant to be used to open the [[PyramidPower mysterious pyramid]], also located under the school.]]
164	* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' episode "Finders Key-pers" revolves around this trope in a sense. Arthur, Brain and Binky find a key, and spend much of the episode thinking of all of the cool things that it might unlock, such as an F1 race car or a literal key to the city. In the end, the key is revealed to actually just go to the sprinklers for the school's baseball field.
165	* The Keys of Harmony from the 4th season of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''. They are created from mundane objects the Mane Six earn through exhibiting their corresponding Element of Harmony, and are for unlocking the Tree of Harmony's mysterious chest. [[spoiler:Unlocking the chest gives the six a rainbow-themed SuperMode to beat the ArcVillain.]]
166	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
167	** The episode "500 Keys" is about finding a collection of keys to every imaginable lock in Springfield, which leads to Lisa finding a hidden room (and its dark secret) at the elementary school Bart (quite accidentally) being awarded the symbolic key to the city, and Marge's adventure with a silly wind-up toy (which is actually Homer's anniversary present to her).
168	** Homer is awarded the key to the city in an earlier episode, but is forced to return it. He admits trying to eat it, believing it to be chocolate wrapped in tinfoil.
169	** In "Simpson and Delilah", the Springfield nuclear power plant has a highly coveted key to the executive washroom (just saying it's a fancy bathroom wouldn't do it justice). It's awarded to only the highest executives in the plant's hierarchy and it's so legendary that someone can just say "the key" and everyone will know what they're talking about. Homer briefly has access to it after a promotion.
170	** In "This Little Wiggy", Chief Wiggum has a [[SkeletonKey master key]] that works on every single lock in Springfield. From local shops to an abandoned prison. Bart and Ralph steal it from Wiggum and mischief ensues.
171	* In the ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'' episode "Key to My Ed", the Eds find a mysterious key and spend the entire episode trying to find out what it is. Eddy thinks it to something really expensive like a treasure chest or a vault while Edd just wants to return it to its owner. In the end they find out it's just Ed's house key that he lost.
172	[[/folder]]
173
174	[[folder:Real Life]]
175	* The occupational badge (optionally) worn by [[UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks US Air Force]] personnel in Intel career fields is a key superimposed over a globe.
176	* The Key to the City, an award occasionally bestowed on folks who do particularly good things for a city (such as being the BigDamnHeroes), is a tradition hearkening back to the days when cities were protected by walls with gates that they would lock at night to keep outsiders out. If you had a key to the city, you could come and go as you pleased.
177	* In 19th C. household, when a man brought his new bride home there was a little ceremony in which his mother, unmarried sister, grown-up daughter, or whoever had been mistress of the household, handed over the keys to the house to the new wife.
178	* [[http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/07/05/key-guns Key Guns,]] which are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin exactly what they sound like]]. Supposedly intended for use by prison guards, enabling them to quell a rowdy prisoner without opening the door by firing ''through'' the lock, most were probably not functional as keys and were probably intended as a disguised holdout firearm or just a gimmicky conversation piece.
179	* The Keys of St Peter, the symbol of the Pope's authority. Each pope gets a set of actual keys, which is destroyed upon his death.
180	* In something that sounds like it came from a HighFantasy/Sci-Fi crossover, [[https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/the-problem-with-the-seven-keys-13-2-2017-en the Internet's DNS service is maintained]] by seven keys, held by seven keyholders[[note]]In fact, 21 people are involved; the seven keyholders, plus 14 Trusted Community Representatives, which still satisfies the RuleOfSeven given that the total number is a multiple of 7[[/note]] around the globe. While the rumours that these keys can 'turn off the internet' are just that, the seven keys and their keyholders must unite to access the DNS master key, should the service ever be in trouble.
181	[[/folder]]

Context Main / CoolKey