Line #88 Main/EmergingFromTheShadows


1	[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/AmericanDad https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nerdbane.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Thus we beheld the face of ''[[LukeNounverber Morwyn Nerdbane]]''!]]
3
4	->''"Sorry, this corner was really dark and I couldn't help myself. ''[beat]'' I think a bulb is out or something."''
5	-->-- '''Agent Phil Coulson''', ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'', "Pilot"
6
7	Someone's face, or whole body, is kept in shadows until just the right moment to come out and show his/her face to the other characters and/or the audience.
8
9	This person might be someone the audience knows, or looks like that person, or it might just be someone we don't know, but it's time to see who this character looks like.
10
11	The duration of the shadow hiding can also vary. It could be just a few seconds, to spending several episodes not seeing this person.
12
13	And how much shadow there is can also vary. This can range from going into the only source of light in a dark area, to leaving the only shadow in a bright area.
14
15	This is especially popular in some HighFantasy (usually involving a shadow in a lighted scene) and FilmNoir (usually involving a light in a dark scene). If anyone has [[CastingAShadow dark powers]], expect them to use this at least once.
16
17	Occasionally [[PlayedForLaughs comically]] subverted by having someone cluelessly turn on the lights to reveal the darkness-shrouded figure.
18
19	A SubTrope of TheReveal, {{Chiaroscuro}}, RuleOfDrama.
20
21	A SisterTrope to LightningReveal, TheUnmasking.
22
23	Compare FaceFramedInShadow, DramaticSpotlight, NaturalSpotlight, FaceRevealingTurn.
24
25	Contrast TheUnreveal.
26
27	----
28	%%Please keep the examples alphabetized in their sections, to make it easy to find works.
29	!!Examples
30
31	[[foldercontrol]]
32
33	[[folder:Advertising]]
34	* Used for a VisualPun in ''Film/TheNakedGun''-type adds for Red Rock Cider. Creator/LeslieNielsen shouts, "Hey! You, over there, in the shadows!" The man steps forward and reveals himself to be Hank Marvin, guitarist with sixties pop group, the Shadows.
35	[[/folder]]
36
37	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
38	* ''Anime/TheUltraman'' has a race of alien slavers called the Baladons, who released various past kaiju of the Franchise/UltraSeries from their cells, one at a time, to hunt down the humans. Their final and strongest monster, [[Series/{{Ultraman}} Red King]], is revealed in this manner, being obscured by shadows but the iconic Red King screech being faintly audible, before the entire monster makes itself known to audiences.
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Comic Books]]
42	* In the first two issues of ''ComicBook/TheBatmanAdventures'', the Penguin and Catwoman receive two-way video screens that put them in contact with a figure hidden in the shadows... until a hapless henchman turns on the lights to reveal the Joker. In both cases, Joker shoots the offending minion and continues the conversation as if nothing had happened.
43	* ''ComicBook/UltimateDaredevilAndElektra'': Matt did this trick at the sensei's dojo, when Elektra was training alone in the night.
44	[[/folder]]
45
46	[[folder:Fan Works]]
47	* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': Godzilla pulls off such an entrance when he arrives outside Castle Bravo, seeming to just materialize out of the darkness.
48	* Adam does this in the epilogue of Chapter 52 of ''Fanfic/BlazBlueAlternativeRemnant'' when Cinder asks if he can get the White Fang back in line after [[spoiler:Mountain Glenn was thwarted]]. Terumi even lampshades this, mockingly praising Adam's "performance" as if he was watching a tv show or stage play.
49	* ''Fanfic/OldWest'': In this ''WesternAnimation/{{Rango}}'' fanfiction, Rattlesnake Jake pulls off such an entrance when he slinks out of a dark cave, [[RedEyesTakeWarning eyes]] appearing first.
50	* ''Fanfic/FateLongNight'': Zouken Matou performs the summoning ritual, but nothing seems to happen. Losing patience, he commands his "Servant" to come out. The Stranger's Champion steps out of the shadows, but shocks him by wearing the form of his lost love Justeaze von Einzbern.
51	* In the first part of ''Fanfic/HopeForTheHeartless'', Avalina's two first meetings with [[VillainProtagonist the Horned King]] include him concealing himself in shadows [[MonstrousHumanoid for a reason]]. During their third meeting, he reveals himself fully to her by slowly walking out of the shadows, giving her a [[OhCrap major scare]] at the confirmation to her suspicions about ''[[TheDreaded who]]'' she's dealing with. While the Horned King's identity is never a secret to the readers, the effect is still strong when the reveal is told from Avalina's POV.
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
55	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanGothamByGaslight''. Director of the Arkham Asylum Hugo Strange has worked out the identity of Jack the Ripper and asks Bruce Wayne to contact Batman for a meeting (it's implied he knows they're the same man). Shortly before the appointed time, Hugo finds a cloaked man waiting in his dark office and so starts discussing his theory about the killer, only to have an OhCrap when Jack the Ripper steps out of the shadows instead of Batman.
56	* When Belle pleads for her father in ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'', she asks Beast to step into the light, and we see his full form for the first time.
57	* In ''WesternAnimation/Cars1'', this is how we first meet Lightning [=McQueen=].
58	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'': Héctor does this in his Frida Kahlo guise when he confronts Miguel and Ernesto and reveals the truth.
59	* Esmeralda beckoning Quasimodo to come out of the cathedral at the end of ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame\|Disney}}''.
60	* ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut'': Joy is introduced this way during Riley’s birth.
61	* Downplayed in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'', when the Dazzlings introduce themselves to Sunset Shimmer. Not the first look at them since they're seen already in the prologue, but at least a first look at them with their standard clothes.
62	* Rapunzel does this to Flynn in ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}''.
63	* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Little Mermaid\|1989}}'':
64	** This is how Ursula was introduced in her own lair, whilst spying on Ariel and Flounder with her [[CrystalBall crystal bubble]].
65	** King Triton does this to Ariel when he discovers her secret grotto.
66	* In ''WesternAnimation/QuestForCamelot''
67	** [[BigBad Ruber]] is first introduced by coming from a dark hallway before secretly following the knights to the round table.
68	** This is also how Garrett was introduced after Kayley fell into his net and before he defeats Ruber's ironmen.
69	* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', this is how the face of Ming's panda form was introduced, moving from the relative darkness of the city in the evening to the brightly lit stadium.
70	[[/folder]]
71
72	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
73	* Creator/DavidLynch has done this in many of his movies, particularly when revealing a love interest or FemmeFatale.
74	** ''Film/{{Eraserhead}}''
75	** ''Film/BlueVelvet''
76	** ''Film/MulhollandDrive''
77
78	* Colonel Kurtz's face in ''Film/ApocalypseNow'' is emerging from the shadows only after minutes of talking.
79	* In ''Film/Batman1989'', Jack Napier does this to his old crime boss Carl Grissom, revealing his new form as The Joker, before shooting him.
80	* ''[[Film/BenHur1959 Ben-Hur]]'' uses this trope for a big return to his adversary's home place.
81	* ''Film/BloodDiamond''. Used for the reveal that the feared warlord Danny Archer is going to meet is actually a {{Child Soldier\|s}}.
82	* In ''Film/DeadAgain'', Roman's face is in the shadows for a couple minutes.
83	* In ''Film/TheFly1986'' remake, during the "Insect Politics" scene, when Veronica tells Brundle, "I don't know what you're trying to say," he finally reveals himself to her, as he steps into the light coming from the skylight.
84	* In ''Film/FriendOfTheWorld'', this is how Berenger is introduced.
85	* ''Film/TheFunhouseMassacre'': Manual Dyer is introduced by having him walk out of a shadow in his first scene.
86	* ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'': Twice this occurs.
87	** When [[Characters/MonsterVerseGodzilla Godzilla]] is approaching Castle Bravo underwater, it's completely dark outside... then a flare of blue light from Godzilla's spines reveal his silhouette slowly approaching before darkness closes back in. Then the light flashes again, revealing Godzilla getting closer.
88	** When Godzilla and Mothra have Ghidorah down, Ghidorah's overhead stormclouds turn red as [[Characters/MonsterVerseRodan Rodan]]'s silhouette materializes and he makes his entrance onto the FinalBattle with a DynamicEntry upon Mothra.
89	* In ''Film/{{Gooby}}'', this is how [[spoiler:Gooby introduces himself to Willy’s dad]].
90	* Done very creepily in ''Film/{{Hellboy\|2004}}''. The door at the end of a shadowed hallway opens, a security guard shines his flashlight around to make sure no one's lurking there... and as soon as he leaves and the hallway is dark again, out steps [[BigBad Rasputin]].
91	* The male lead in ''Film/HouseOfGames'' enters the story this way.
92	* Dr. Claw is sort of revealed this way in ''Film/InspectorGadget1999''.
93	* Inverted in ''Film/TheInvisible'', when [[spoiler: Nick's spirit recedes into indistinct shadow when the physical Nick regains consciousness]].
94	* A variant in ''Film/JurassicParkIII''; a ''Pteranodon'' approaches Eric Kirby whilst surrounded by OminousFog.
95	* There's a scene in ''Film/LandOfTheDead'' where ZombieInfectee Cholo was heading back to the city, determined to settle things with his BadBoss Kaufman before dying. When Kaufman is trying to flee the zombie invaded city, we see Cholo take a shot at him while standing in the shadows and miss. Kaufman shoots back, hitting him in the chest, and Cholo falls. Kaufman goes back to packing his bags into the escape car only to hear a noise. Turning, he turns to see Cholo walking towards him. "You're dead!" Kaufman shouts. Cholo then finally comes into the light, revealing that he had turned into a zombie at some point while walking back into the city, and he's now close enough to do a DeadlyLunge at Kaufman. Kaufman reacts by saying "Oh god, you ''are'' dead!" in dismay.
96	* In the Creator/StanleyKubrick adaptation of ''Film/{{Lolita}}'', Humbert comes home to find a man waiting inside; he [[LightSwitchSurprise turns on the lights]] to reveal Claire Quilty (known to the audience but not Humbert) in the guise of the college psychiatrist, Dr. Zempf. "[[JustAStupidAccent I sat in ze dark to save you ze expense of ze electricity.]]" Given his general behavior, it's likely this is a deliberate attempt to screw with Humbert's head.
97	* Inverted with Gandalf's reappearance in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'': his face is revealed after a bright flare dies down to background lighting.
98	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
99	** ''Film/IronMan1'': In TheStinger, Nick Fury is at first hidden in the dark when he starts talking to Tony, before stepping into the light for Samuel L. Jackson's first appearance as the character.
100	** In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Steve Rogers reveals himself after coming to help Wanda and Vision by walking out of the shadows that had previously been hiding his face.
101	** In ''Film/ThorLoveAndThunder'', having his plan been exposed by Jane Foster, Gorr the God Butcher proceeds to reveal his creepy white persona, coming out of the endless, all-encompassing shadows of his tent. It's '''SUPER''' effective, given the aesthetic of the Shadow Realm makes this entrance colorless.
102	* In ''Film/TheMenWhoStareAtGoats'', Bill is revealed this way to Lyn and Bob in the goat barn.
103	* ''Film/TheMummy1999'': When Evelyn finds Mr. Burns wandering around [[spoiler:without his eyes]] in a darkened corridor, Imhotep suddenly moves out from a dark corner with a booming low-brass rendition of his theme.
104	* Blackbeard combines this with FeetFirstIntroduction and HitlerCam for his first scene in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides''.
105	* ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'': Indiana Jones is first seen from the back, chest-height shots, or in shadow. But when he disarms an attempt to kill him, he steps forward and reveals himself to be played by Creator/HarrisonFord.
106	* In ''Film/SawIII'', [[spoiler:Amanda]] emerges from the shadows to a soon-to-be-killed [[spoiler:Allison Kerry]].
107	* ''Film/{{Screamers}}''. Just as he's about to use the escape rocket to get off the planet, Colonel Hendrickson is knocked down and his weapon taken by one of the [[TheyLookLikeUsNow human Screamers]], who then steps out of the dark to reveal [[spoiler:he's Hendrickson's NumberTwo, who should have been killed by the Screamers when they swarmed the Alliance base. Turns out the real NumberTwo was [[KillAndReplace killed and replaced]] by the Screamer before the events of the movie even started.]]
108	* ''Film/SkyCaptainAndTheWorldOfTomorrow''. IntrepidReporter Polly Perkins is waiting for Sky Captain [[TrespassingToTalk in his darkened office]]. Rather than stepping from the shadows, her face is revealed when our hero tilts his desk lamp towards her.
109	* In ''Film/TheThirdMan'', Harry Lime is revealed when light from a window shines on him from across the street.
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder:Literature]]
113	* In the science fiction series, ''Literature/{{Alterien}}'', the antagonist, Theseus Spencer reveals himself to be the one behind the string of terrorist attacks executed by brainwashed people. Theseus had actually used his telepathy to program them into doing what he wanted in an elaborate test to see if Oberon was another Alterien.
114	* ''Literature/CradleSeries'': The Akura family mostly practice [[CastingAShadow Shadow paths]], which often involve teleportation and always involve stealth. Therefore, it is quite common for them to pull this trick on a regular basis.
115	* In the ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'' Chronicles, Raistlin Majere intentionally invokes this in the opening meeting, sitting in the shadows and leaning forward into the light in order to shock his former comrades with his new unsettling appearance.
116	* ''Literature/GodsAndWarriors'': When Hylas is in the last book brought to meet the leader of the Akean rebels, [[RightfulKingReturns the true High Chieftain of Mycenae]], the latter is obscured by the darkness of a cave until he steps into the light and reveals himself to be [[spoiler:Akastos]].
117	* In ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', a revived Gandalf the White keeps his face and new garments hidden until it is time to reveal himself, inadvertently causing much fear and suspicion as the only other old man in white robes the heroes know about is one of the world’s greatest enemies. The films actually invert this, by having him reveal himself as a blinding light fades.
118	* In ''[[Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar Take a Thief]]'', when the thief Skif, having just been Chosen, is brought to the Collegium, one of the Heralds confronting him is waiting in the shadows. That Herald, Weaponsmaster Alberich, turns out to be a tough guy familiar to Skif.
119	[[/folder]]
120
121	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
122	* In ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'', Phil Coulson reveals [[NotQuiteDead he's still alive this way]], and immediately lampshades it in true Creator/JossWhedon fashion.
123	-->'''Agent Coulson:''' ''[steps out of shadows dramatically]'' Welcome to Level Seven. ''[beat]'' Sorry, that corner was really dark and [[IAlwaysWantedToSayThat I couldn't help myself]]. I think a bulb is out or something.
124	* Happens in almost every season of ''Series/{{American Horror Story}}'' (In season one it's Ben appearing to Larry. In season four, Desiree appears to Dell)
125	* In the ''Series/{{Angel}}'' episode "[[Recap/AngelS01E10PartingGifts Parting Gifts]]", a demon comes to Angel Investigations seeking protection from the {{Determinator}} who's been chasing him across several states. Angel is then confronted by a leather-clad man in the shadows holding a crossbow, but is singularly unimpressed when ComedicHero Wesley steps into the light.
126	* Angel himself does this in the ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' episode "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E14Innocence Innocence]]", knocking out the lights, then emerging in GameFace to attack Willow in the InternalReveal that he's turned evil. Given Angelus' love for mind games, he's obviously doing it deliberately to scare everyone.
127	* The final villain in ''Series/{{Chuck}}'' is revealed this way.
128	* ''Series/DearWhitePeople'': In the season 2 finale, [[spoiler:this is how the narrator introduces himself to Sam and Lionel, implying that he's actually be a member of the Order of X.]]
129	* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' serial "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS17E2CityOfDeath City of Death]]", Captain Tancredi's identity is revealed in this way.
130	* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': When the Tyrell-Greyjoy fleet is ambushed in the middle of the night, Yara and Theon Greyjoy don't know who their attackers are, until the distinctive black ship of their EvilUncle emerges from the fog and rams their own.
131	** ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'': The dragon once ridden by King Jaehaerys, Vermithor, lives in a dark cave beneath Dragonstone. Daemon Targaryen goes in that cave [[MusicSoothesTheSavageBeast singing an old Valyrian song]] with the intent of taming the beast so he can have a new rider and WeaponOfMassDestruction for the faction of the Blacks, and the gigantic beast first signals its presence (and becomes first visible in the dark) by breathing fire at the ceiling.
132	* ''Series/TheGates'': Used effectively at the end of "Little Girl Lost", when the villainous vampire Christian is heading out of town on foot by night... only for a completely shadowed figure to emerge from the darkened forest. [[spoiler:It's Claire, come to stake him for kidnapping her daughter and general emotional torture.]]
133	* ''Series/{{Smallville}}''
134	** "Kandor": [[spoiler:Jor-El]] is revealed this way.
135	** "Idol": [[spoiler:Chloe does this to the Wonder Twins; comes with a pretty epic threat.]]
136	* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''
137	** Our very first look at Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E1EncounterAtFarpoint Encounter at Farpoint]]" is this trope, as he steps into the light to look out a window of the Enterprise.
138	** In "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E26S5E1Redemption Redemption]]", Sela showing her face is the last shot. [[spoiler:This is TheReveal that she is the Romulan daughter of Tasha Yar.]]
139	* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. In "Persistence of Vision", the crew encounters an alien who greets them with his FaceFramedInShadow, which Captain Janeway puts down to psychological warfare. When he does step into the light, Janeway is shocked to see her fiance Mark whom she left back on Earth, as the alien is [[LotusEaterMachine using telepathy to lure victims]].
140	* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
141	** In "[[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe What Is and What Should Never Be]]", the shadow of [[Characters/SupernaturalDjinn the djinn]] appears on the screen behind the woman in white before he appears.
142	** In the [[Recap/SupernaturalS06E22TheManWhoKnewTooMuch Season 6 finale]], the third fragment of Sam inside his mindscape pulls this off to unsettling effect. When Sam first finds him, he's silhouetted in shadow. Then he stands up, and his face is illuminated, revealing he's disheveled as he explains to Sam that he's the fragment that remembers their time being tortured in Hell.
143	* ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'' does this in "Eye of the Beholder" (when revealing that these "humans" have quite a different standard of beauty than ours) and "He's Alive" (when revealing that the person guiding the neo-Nazi is [[spoiler:Hitler himself]]).
144	* A very common occurrence in ''Series/TheXFiles'', particularly if it's someone involved in some way with the myth arc conspiracy.
145	[[/folder]]
146
147	[[folder:Pinballs]]
148	* The original version of Creator/SternPinball's ''Pinball/{{Batman\|Stern}}'' has a large black cylinder in the middle of the playfield. During the game, the side rotates away, revealing ComicBook/TheJoker inside.
149	* Creator/SternPinball's ''[[Pinball/PlayboyStern Playboy]]'' has the "Tease Screen," a black curtain that drops down during a game to reveal the Playmate hidden behind it.
150	[[/folder]]
151
152	[[folder:Podcasts]]
153	* PlayedForLaughs in ''Podcast/WoodenOvercoats''. Taking everyone by surprise by dramatically slinking out of the shadows is the only way Antigone ''can'' appear. Even in broad daylight.
154	-->'''Eric:''' I didn't know they had any shadows around here.\
155	'''Antigone:''' They follow me everywhere.\
156	'''Eric:''' Of course they do.
157	[[/folder]]
158
159	[[folder:Theme Parks]]
160	* The gangster that hijacks the ride vehicle on ''Ride/TheGreatMovieRide'' does exactly this in his/her first scene.
161	[[/folder]]
162
163	[[folder:Video Games]]
164	* ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'': The Joker's first on-screen appearance in the game is this, with his face hidden in shadows after he seemingly faked his death with a BodyDouble to ambush Batman from behind. Batman initially guesses that Joker was just PlayingSick and nothing's wrong with him... until Joker steps into the light and reveals [[FacialHorror the nasty rash]] [[GrossUpCloseUp on his face]]:
165	-->'''Joker:''' Nice of you to say, but you of all people should know... there's ''plenty'' wrong with me.
166	* ''VideoGame/PersonaQShadowOfTheLabyrinth'' has it revealing the protagonists from P3 and P4.
167	* The fight against Meta Knight of ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror'' starts as this, he appears as a colorless shady figure, then he becomes suddenly colored and proceeds to strike toward you ''without'' [[MythologyGag giving you a sword]]. [[spoiler: this is the first sign he's an impostor, he's actually [[EvilKnockoff Dark Meta Knight]].]]
168	* ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'': Kratos is introduced in the E3 2016 gameplay trailer as such.
169	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' introduces [[{{Ninja}} Sheik]] in this manner.
170	* In ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', Sans is shown only as an ominous advancing shadow until the moment the player character turns around to greet him. A much later and very serious scene has [[spoiler:both Sans and the player character]] entirely shadowed in a brightly-lit corridor.
171	* ''VideoGame/{{Battletech}}'' achieves the same basic visual effect with a slow-moving hatch in a moodily-lit airlock for TheReveal that a certain character is not as dead as the player character had been led to believe.
172	* ''VideoGame/RenderingRangerR2'' has the ChickenWalker boss revealing itself in this manner; you're in an empty room after fighting a factory full of enemies, then the back wall suddenly opens up to reveal total darkness. And then, in the middle of the darkness, the robot's [[RedEyesTakeWarning glowing red eyes]] appears through the shadows, followed by the rest of the machine.
173	[[/folder]]
174
175	[[folder:Web Comics]]
176	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Mr. Verres [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2002-12-23 appears]] seemingly from a shadowed part of the room as he is initially seen in silhouette.
177	* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', Xykon [[InvokedTrope won't let the Creature in the Darkness step out of the shadows until it's dramatically appropriate]]. The creature was ''supposed'' to do this during the big battle at Dorukan's Gate, but things didn't quite go to plan. It's spent ''years'' hiding in shadows, being shut in a box, or being forced to carry around a magical ([[ParasolOfPrettiness albeit nice-looking]]) umbrella that creates darkness beneath it.
178	* ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'': Quant loves to do this. It looks especially cool with his red GlowingEyesOfDoom.
179	* ''Webcomic/VampireGirl'': This is how the Vampiress enters the story just before she formally introduces herself via a monologue; half of her throneroom remains darkened.
180	[[/folder]]
181
182	[[folder:Web Original]]
183	* ''Literature/{{Deviant}}'': [[spoiler:Verity, who is supposed to be dead]], skulks in the shadows for a small portion of chapter 2.06.
184	[[/folder]]
185
186	[[folder:Western Animation]]
187	* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'': In "[[Recap/AmericanDadS3E5DungeonsAndWagons Dungeons and Wagons]]", Haley's [[DeepImmersionGaming game avatar]] is revealed this way.
188	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'':
189	** "[[Recap/BatmanBeyondS2E3Splicers Splicers]]": Terry is spliced with vampire bat DNA by [[VillainOfTheWeek Dr. Cuvier]]. After breaking free of his restraints and saving Barbara and DA Young from Cuvier's mooks, Terry goes back to the Batcave. First, all we see is a massive silhouette of Batman... and then Terry throws his mask at Bruce's feet and comes into the light, revealing he's become a Man-Bat.
190	--->'''Terry:''' Bruce! Help... me!
191	** ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyondReturnOfTheJoker'': When we first see the Jokerz and their gang speak with their leader, he is partly concealed in the shadows at first, except for his {{red\|EyesTakeWarning}} GlowingEyesOfDoom and his grin, but then, [[spoiler:after shooting Bonk dead for [[YouHaveFailedMe defecting him]], he emerges from the shadows, revealing himself to be the newly-resurrected Joker.]]
192	%%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Castlevania}}'': The Blue Fang demon makes an entrance using this. It even has an line while stepping out.%%Using what?
193	%%-->'''Bishop:''' The speakers must die before sundown!\
194	%%'''Blue Fang:''' The sun... is already down.
195	* ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse'': In "Mousefall" Augustus P. Crumhorn VI tried to do this inside Crumhorn Headquarters, but after three failed attempts he approached Danger Mouse and Penfold from outside.
196	* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'': PlayedForLaughs in "[[Recap/KimPossibleS2E3TwoToTutor Two to Tutor]]". Señor Senior Senior records a warning message about an upcoming heist by Junior and Shego (he'd gotten annoyed with them because, after he hired Shego to tutor Junior in villainy, she kept blowing him off whenever he tried to check in on them). He records the message in a dark room with [[ByTheLightsOfTheirEyes only his eyes showing]]... until Junior barges in and turns on the light.
197	-->'''Junior:''' Father? Why are you sitting in the dark?
198	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': In "[[Recap/TheLegendOfKorraS2E10ANewSpiritualAge A New Spiritual Age]]", a figure whose face is clad in shadow welcomes young Korra to the spiritual world, only to milk out for a few more seconds the WhamShot of [[spoiler:Uncle Iroh's return]].
199	* ''WesternAnimation/LoveDeathAndRobots''. Played for horror at the end of "[[Recap/LoveDeathAndRobotsBeyondTheAquilaRift Beyond the Aquila Rift]]". As the alien emerges from the shadows, it first appears to resemble a slightly exotic [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Pink-Skinned Space Babe]]. However, as it comes fully into view, it's revealed to be a horrible, oozing, multi-eyed StarfishAlien that resembles a GiantSpider.
200	* ''WesternAnimation/MightyMouse'': The Bakshi episode "Bat With a Golden Tongue" has Bat-Bat arriving to an arranged meeting where he faces a shadowy figure he first thinks is not of this world. The figure turns out to be Mighty Mouse.
201	-->'''Bat-Bat:''' What'd ya bring me out here for? I haven't got time to play Spielberg!
202	* ''WesternAnimation/MollyOfDenali'': In "Wise Raven and Old Crow," in Molly's dream, Grandma Catherine appears in the light as a shadow, and steps out to reveal herself to Molly.
203	* ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'':
204	** "WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyRescueAtMidnightCastle": Tirac spends most of his early scenes hidden in the gloom of his throne room and only steps into the light when he is about to use his Rainbow of Darkness for the first time.
205	** ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
206	*** "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E10ARoyalProblem A Royal Problem]]": Daybreaker appears at first completely obscured by shadows, so that only the dark silhouette of an alicorn (with no mane or tail) can be seen. This increases the impact of the WhamShot when [[spoiler:she lights up her FlamingHair and reveals herself as Celestia's EvilTwin]].
207	*** "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E25SchoolRazePart1 School Raze – Part 1]]": [[spoiler:[[BitchInSheepsClothing Cozy Glow]] does this as she reveals her true nature to Starlight Glimmer being held hostage and announces her plan to take over Equestria.]]
208	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': PlayedForLaughs. Bart and Lisa meet a shady figure in a parking garage, and he stands in the shadows as he tells them to investigate Sideshow Bob's successful run for mayor, but refuses to give away his identity. Suddenly Homer drives up, illuminating the man in his headlights, and cheerfully calls out "Hi, Mr. Smithers!"
209	%%* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': Captain Hindsight in "Mysterion Rises".
210	* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekLowerDecksS1E03TemporalEdict Temporal Edict]]", the Gelrakian leader describes how Vindor, their gladiatorial champion, would usually emerge from the shadows at the arena for maximum intimidation, but they'll skip that since he's present right now. Vindor still manages to pull it off.
211	* ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries:'' Apocalypse pulls this off twice;
212	** In "Sanctuary, part 2", when he saves Cortez from dying in space (the reveal helped by him having a different VA from last time, but the silhouette's pretty unmistakable).
213	** In "Beyond Good and Evil, part 1", revealing he's TheManBehindTheMan for Sinister abducting Jean Grey.
214	--->'''Jean:''' Why have you kidnapped me?\
215	'''Apocalypse:''' BECAUSE I '''TOLD''' HIM TO!
216	[[/folder]]

Context Main / EmergingFromTheShadows