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1%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1301245583079529200
2%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.
3%%
4[[quoteright:300:[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hairboner_2065.jpg]]]]
5[[caption-width-right:300:Silver gives IdiotHair a [[SomethingElseAlsoRises whole new meaning]].\
6[-Image by [[http://luo-qin.deviantart.com/ luo-qin]]. Used with permission.-]]]
7
8->''"I think your whole body becomes suspicious when you're not ready for a test. And when you look at the questions, your hair is the first to know!"''
9-->-- '''Peppermint Patty''', ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}''
10
11Either it's unconscious telekinesis or itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny muscles (or just the animators being weird!), but however it's managed, the character's hair is independently mobile and responsive to their moods. Sometimes it's nothing more than a pigtail that sticks out straight in defiance of gravity when the character's shocked or frightened, but it can go so far as fully prehensile braids that shape themselves into hearts, question marks, and other iconic forms.
12
13See also its sister trope, ExpressiveMask, and its (occasionally) more violent cousin, PrehensileHair. For when it's specific to illness, head over to {{Bedheaditis}}. See also ExpressiveEars, ExpressiveAccessory. Can be related to KaleidoscopeHair if the hair changes color.
14----
15!!Examples:
16
17[[foldercontrol]]
18
19[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
20* This happens in every single Creator/StudioGhibli film by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki -- when she's angry or surprised, the female lead's hair will visibly ''puff up''.
21* ''Literature/AccelWorld'': When upset, Thistle's fur involuntarily twists into spikes and stands on end.
22* In the unexpectedly violent anime/manga ''Manga/AlienNine,'' the winged hat-like alien symbiotes eventually transform themselves into consciously controllable, spike/spear/drill-forming hair, replacing a host's natural hair.
23* In the "[[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle KiraKira Special Issue]]" segment following Episode 7 of ''Manga/AsteroidInLove'', Mira and Ao discuss meteor showers. Towards the end of the segments, the two goes up to the school roof. As Ao provides suggestions to observe those (without any telescopes!), [[GenkiGirl Mira]]'s sidetail starts to flap up and down in excitement, and combining that and her [[ImportantHairAccessory star-shaped hairpins]]:
24-->'''Ao''': Mira, you're having meteor hair.
25* ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'': Chiyo's pigtails occasionally flap up and down when she gets emotional, such as when a thunderclap scares the living daylights out of her, when she tries to reassure Osaka that everyone will still be classmates in their next year of school, or when Yukari gets offended by her claim that Osaka would make a great teacher. Osaka's first New Year's dream takes this trope literally, depicting Chiyo's pigtails as sentient.
26* In ''Literature/{{Bakemonogatari}}'', Koyomi Araragi's hair shows his expressions, even pointing out that SomethingElseAlsoRises. At times it's blushed, formed a question mark, and at one point in ''Nisemonogatari'', it morphs into a ''kanji''.
27* In ''Manga/BungoStrayDogs'', Doppo's ponytail becomes a jagged zig-zag when he's particularly angry.
28* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': Okakura's large ducktail has a tendency to move and change sizes according to his mood, growing and standing up straight when he annoyed, and drooping when he is depressed. One dream sequence {{Parodie|dTrope}}s this quirk by having his friends manipulate his dream so his hair rolls and unrolls and eventually twist into a drill.
29* ''Manga/ACertainScientificRailgun'':
30** In one page of the manga, Mikoto's hair stands up waves around like an antenna points towards Touma, who is completely behind her at this point walking a different direction, and she runs after him. She has Touma seeking radar hair.
31** Her [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents mom]] suddenly develops an antenna when she senses an opportunity to make fun of [[{{Tsundere}} Mikoto]] regarding [[SheIsNotMyGirlfriend "him"]].
32* In ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'', when Satella is first introduced, one of her hair antenna into a question mark to show her confusion over something.
33* Noboru Yamaguchi's (for lack of a better word) ''pulsating'' afro whenever he's thinking hard in ''Manga/CromartieHighSchool''. Also, just like the Saki example below, Hayashida's mohawk moves around regardless of context... Apart from the scene where he is confused, he scratches his head, and ''his hair scratches his hand''.
34* In ''Manga/DeathNote'', Light is noted for his ridiculously neat hair -- except at the very end, when it flies around like crazy [[spoiler:after he's finally exposed]]. In fact, ''any'' time he has a major freakout, his hair goes wild -- such as right at the start, and after L introduces himself.
35* Then there's Nono's hair, in ''Anime/DieBuster''. It was part cute, part SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome [[spoiler:watching her conducting her newly-acquired drones using flicks of her hair.]]
36* Suzuna from ''Manga/Eyeshield21'' has an antenna-like bit of hair in the front that zeros in on anyone talking about their romantic relationships (usually denying one). Also, sports commentator "Machine Gun" Sanada has [[AnimeHair sawblade-like protrusions of hair]] that start rotating when he gets fired up (moreso than usual, anyway).
37* ''Manga/FruitsBasket'': Saki "Hana-chan" Hanajima's hair will sometimes stand on end when picking up on other people's waves with her PsychicPowers.
38* Edward Elric's braid (and the rest of his body, for that matter) flares up when ever someone calls him short on ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''.
39* Ogiue from ''Manga/{{Genshiken}}'' has a spiky pigtail that sometimes stands up when she's startled.
40* Alucard from ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' chose his form as the vampire we see, so when he gets bit on the crazy bloodlust side, his hair writhes like tentacles and get more of a jagged outline.
41* In ''Anime/HetaliaAxisPowers'', Yonsoo aka Korea's hair has a single strand that curls up. It's often drawn with a little face inside of the curl, so he ''literally'' has expressive hair.
42** The Italies' hair curls also do a little of this, occasionally shaping into hearts when happy or going jaggedy in shock.
43** There's also been a couple of instances where America's little ahoge will seem to emphasize his emotions as well.
44** Austria's ahoge as well, in some instances. Most notably during the Buon San Valentino strip and the Maria Theresa and the War of Austrian Succession strip.
45* ''Manga/{{Hyakunichikan}}'': Chiho's TwinTails flip up like [[AnimalMotifs rabbit]] ears sometimes to show her emotions.
46* ''Manga/ICantUnderstandWhatMyHusbandIsSaying'': Mayotama's ponytail wags like a dog's tail when he's excited or nervous.
47* Although not used as extensively as many of the examples here, in ''Anime/IGPXImmortalGrandPrix'' major emotional shifts will cause Takeshi's hair curl to either point up for happiness or fall down for depression, complete with a corresponding slide whistle.
48* In ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureDiamondIsUnbreakable'', Josuke's hair spikes up when he gets angry, scared, or surprised (especially the former).
49* ''Manga/KaijuGirlCaramelise'': Kuroe Akaishi has two spikes of hair that [[MorphicResonance resemble]] the horns she has when she turns into [[{{Kaiju}} Harugon]]. They often rise up higher when she gets a bit emotional -- though at times, it's ambiguous if it's this trope or if she's going through a PartialTransformation.
50* Kazane Aoba from the anime ''Manga/{{Keijo}}'' has this in the form of her ponytail. It got to the point where one character had a limited conversation with her (without Kazane saying a single word) by reading the ponytails movements and determining what each movement meant.
51* Ma Renka in ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple'' has two short pigtails that droop when she's sad, stand up when she mad, and ''wag'' when she's happy!
52* Sernia Iori Flameheart of ''Literature/LadiesVersusButlers'' presents us a particularly bizarre version of this trope: Her [[AnimeHair coiffure]] is already as ridiculous as it gets, with her curly pigtails which resemble [[http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/270/170524-hair7_super.jpg two gigantic drills]]. If Sernia gets upset, those drills actually start ''[[SpectacularSpinning spinning]]'' (complete with appropriate sound effects)!
53* In ''Literature/LoveChunibyoAndOtherDelusions'', Rikka's IdiotHair bounces when she gets excited.
54* Elizabeth in ''Literature/{{Maburaho}}'' on many occasions, as well as one expressive hair battle between Yuuna and Kuriko.
55* ''Anime/{{Macross}}'':
56** Ranka in ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'' has startlingly mobile hair, a legacy of her quarter-Zentradi genetics.
57** In ''Anime/MacrossDelta'', the strands of hair that hold Freyja's Rune are quite mobile, due to her being Windermeran.
58* A few characters in ''Manga/{{Mahoraba}}'':
59** Natsume Kanno's hair occasionally sprouts flowers.
60** Chanohata Tamami's braids are known to rise up in anger.
61** Momono Megumi's hair antenna can be used to point or form punctuation.
62%%* Mahoro in ''Manga/{{Mahoromatic}}'' has two little sideways locks of hair that follow this trope.
63* ''Manga/{{Mitsudomoe}}'': Futaba's topknot wriggles during activities that require more than average brain activity (that is, when she's drawing, thinking, making a plan etc.)
64* [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kerai/1125987253429.jpg Shiho]] in ''Anime/MyHime'' has four long curls/ponytails which take on a life of their own whenever she gets angry, going so far as to manifest little snake heads at their ends or [[PrehensileHair spontaneously throttle people]] when she's ''particularly'' upset.
65* ''Anime/MyOtome'':
66** Shiho's counterpart wears the same hairstyle but it seems somewhat less [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kerai/1142784306250.gif versatile]] (although still expressive).
67** Arika's waist-length braids have been everything from an ant's antennae to punctuation marks to a [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kerai/1129311451965.jpg heart]], in addition to generally flailing about whenever she gets excited.
68* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', it happens with Kushina's [[spoiler:(Naruto's mother)]] hair. Whenever she handed out violent retribution for people making fun of her (her round face and red hair), earning the nickname "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero", her hair floated wildly in the air. Furthermore, the ''Naruto'' cover for chapter 503 [[http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/File:Chapter_503.png]] features Kushina's hair resembling Kyuubi's tails, symbolizing her status as [[spoiler:the previous Kyuubi Jinchuuriki.]]
69* In ''Anime/NegimaSecondSeason'', an AlternateContinuity of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', being expressive is the default state of Asuna's hair, forming anything from exclamation marks and question marks to words and CrossPoppingVeins. In the first episode alone, her pigtails stand up when she is agitated, and repeatedly formed the numerals for the number of minutes of extra sleep she wanted. And as if that weren't enough, the bells she wears in them get into the act as well, firing off like cannons when reaches a certain level of frustration.
70* In ''Manga/NoMatterHowILookAtItItsYouGuysFaultImNotPopular'', Yuu has an expressive hair ''ribbon'' during the school festival.
71* ''Literature/NyarukoCrawlingWithLove'' has Nyarko's overly long and expressive ahoge. Actually being an [[TabletopGame/CallOfCthulhu outer god]], that is technically a tentacle, but that doesn't stop it from being VERY expressive.
72* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
73** Mr. 3 of Baroque Works often forms his number-three-shaped top-knot into question marks and exclamation points. For some reason, when he is about to use his Wax-Wax powers, the tip sets itself on fire without the flame spreading or him feeling it.
74** And then there is [[{{Cyborg}} Franky]] whose hair works as a fuel gauge and also indicates what kind of fuel he's currently on. Franky can now control his hair by pressing down his nose. Considering how much Oda loves afros and mohawks, it's no surprise that this is currently all it's been used for.
75* Himeko of ''Anime/PaniPoniDash'' has an expressive [[IdiotHair ahoge]] that not only wiggles when she's happy and stands straight up when she's startled, it also occasionally form shapes like a heart or a question mark, and in the first episode even became a rainbow when she [[OcularGushers cried buckets of tears]].
76* May from ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' did this a couple times during her first appearance.
77* Sasami in the ''Anime/PrettySammy'' series has two long tails that often contort and stand on end when she's stressed.
78* ''Anime/PrincessConnectReDive'': Pecorine's IdiotHair has been known to do things like stand straight up in shock or form a question mark shape when she's confused.
79* ''Anime/PrincessTutu'' rarely does this, but there is one comical scene when Fakir is surprised and the bangs covering his face stand straight up in shock. (Oddly enough, his ponytail ''doesn't'' do this.) Ahiru's IdiotHair also seems to have a bit of a mind of its own at times.
80* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'':
81** Ranma has the "simple" extending pigtail form.
82** A {{Filler}} manga story has Genma Saotome take a hair-restoring tonic that gives him a ridiculously large, spiky hairdo (a parody of the hairstyles of Super Saiyans from ''Anime/DragonBallZ'') when he's angry, which actually attacks the source of his anger.
83* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'':
84** Misao's braid often acts like a cat's tail: from stiffening (or [[http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/89903855/20244212 getting a kink]]) when she's angry to curving up when she's surprised.
85** Chou, he of perpetually vertical AnimeHair, once claimed that he was so mad his hair stood on end. Kenshin snarked right back that Chou's hair is always like a broom.
86* ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' uses this effect to make Usagi (whose name means "bunny") vaguely resemble a rabbit at comic moments. Not to mention that during [[TransformationSequence transformation sequences]], her odango seem to move on their own in whatever way they want, regardless of the external forces. There's even an early example of her round balls turning into detached ''stars'' for a moment.
87* [[{{Ojou}} Touka's]] IdiotHair in ''Manga/{{Saki}}''. It spins, stiffens, points every which way... It's like it has a life of its own.
88* Haruka and Yuzu from ''Manga/SakuraTrick'' both have bits of their hair that react to their emotions.
89* ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei'': Ai Kaga has a ponytail that wags like a nervous dog's tail whenever she apologizes. [[ApologizesALot Which is all the friggin' time.]]
90* Tenma from ''Manga/SchoolRumble'' has two very small [[GirlishPigtails pigtails]] which waggle when she's happy or angry. This is lampshaded in the manga once: she's feeling decidedly mixed, so one pigtail is sticking straight out, the other straight ''up''.
91* ''Manga/ScienceFellInLoveSoITriedToProveIt'': Himuro's ponytail wags side to side like a dog's tail when she's thinking about Yukimura. Unlike most examples where it's merely an anime gag, [[TheSpock Yukimura]] actually acknowledges that her hair is moving and [[LampshadeHanging questions how it does that]].
92* Lucy in ''Manga/ServantXService'' has an IdiotHair that has the interesting ability to change form depending on her current feelings. A pretty exaggerated example occurs in episode 11, when Saya saw Lucy [[{{Bookworm}} in the bookstore]] but there was a bookshelf between the two, so all that is visible to Saya was the said idiot hair. Saya then started watching that idiot hair when Lucy looks for a book and predicted what happened accordingly--from looking for it (Side to side bobbing), to finding it (It literally wags), and at last to disappointment when it costs too much (It droops down). When she actually get to talk to Lucy, those predictions came to be ''completely correct''.
93* On ''Manga/SgtFrog'', Momoka's Fawcett curls become [[SpikesOfVillainy sharp and pointy]] when her SplitPersonality takes over.
94* Two notable examples in ''Manga/ShamanKing'': Ren's trademark spike of hair raises/gets taller when he gets angry. On the other hand, Ryu's pompadour (whatever state it's in) droops and raises with his mood. The most extreme example was when he realized that Lyserg had gone to another team, and his hair fell out of the pompadour instantly due to grief.
95%%* ''Manga/ShugoChara'' has [[IdolSinger Hoshina]] [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Tropes_Utau_Tadase_7915.jpg Utau]] and her [[CrossPoppingVeins Expressive]] [[GirlishPigtails Pigtails]].
96* Solty in ''Manga/SoltyRei'' has her ears, which look like thick, [[HairColors green]] versions of Mahoro's side locks, do this.
97* Maka from ''Manga/SoulEater'' has pigtails that have a life of their own when she's agitated. (At least in the anime.)
98* The titular character of ''Manga/SquidGirl'' has this in spades. Justified because she's a squid girl and the hair isn't hair, but ten very long, very fast, very powerful tentacles.
99* In ''Manga/SweetBlueFlowers'', Akira's braids jump up whenever she is startled. Which happens quite a bit.
100* ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'': Retasu's braids do this on a few occasions, and Ichigo's pigtails also do this somewhat.
101* Kicker's hair in ''Anime/TransformersEnergon'' goes white and ruffles whenever he predicts something.
102* In the manga ''Manga/WanderingSon'', this occurs often. All the characters have expressive hair and it changes depending on their reaction or the general scene. Sometimes its just messy because it is, while other times they're shocked or surprised so it stands up.
103* ''Manga/{{Yotsubato}}'': Yotsuba's quadruple pigtails point downwards when she's sad and become rigid when she's exhilarated or shocked.
104* Bakura and Malik in ''Anime/YuGiOh'', as well as Takuma Saiou in ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'', get much more bizarre hairstyles when their evil sides emerge. The same thing happens with Yugi, although in his case the only change that occurs when Yami Yugi appears is that lightning-bolt-shaped strands of hair float up.
105* ''Anime/ZombieLandSaga'': Tae's side-bangs tend to react to how hot her emotions are. When she's excited, angry, or worried, they stick out like crazy; when she's more relaxed and peaceful, they relax down to frame her face.
106[[/folder]]
107
108[[folder:Comic Books]]
109* ''ComicBook/EmilkaSza'': The titual heroine has one long lock of hair which tends to change shapes to illustrate whatever she is feeling at the moment (like shape hearts, star) or can stand up when she is shocked or fall down when she is sad. Note that the hair is only smal detail so it's only a funny extra, not focus of the gags.
110%%* Franco-Belgian comics example: ''ComicBook/{{Titeuf}}''.
111[[/folder]]
112
113[[folder:Comic Strips]]
114* In ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'', this is a qualification for becoming an engineer.
115* In ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'', Linus' hair stands on end when he's startled, excited, angry, or just feels strong emotions.
116* In the Israeli comic ''ComicStrip/{{Zbeng}}'', the female lead's hair color changes based on her emotional state -- black when in mourning, red when angry, etc.
117* In ''ComicStrip/{{Zits}}'', Jeremy has a great poker face but terrible 'poker hair'.
118[[/folder]]
119
120[[folder:Fan Works]]
121* ''Fanfic/{{Girlfrenemies}}'': According to Raven, the way Apple's hair bounces changes with her emotions.
122* ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' fanfic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11886910/1/Gankona-Unnachgiebig-Unità Gankona, Unnachgiebig, Unità]]'': When [[{{Keet}} Italy]] is especially happy, his curl morphs into the shape of a heart. When he is distressed, it becomes all crumpled. Just like in canon.
123* ''Webcomic/NaruHinaChronicles'': In the Mini-sodes, the shiny part in Hinata's hair takes the shape of words that reflect either her mood or the current situation.
124* While nothing of the sort happens in canon, [[https://twitter.com/krekalie/status/1155642707106136064 this]] piece of ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'' fanart depicts Outrageous Lime's drill-shaped buns wiggling up and down to reflect her current emotional state.
125[[/folder]]
126
127[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
128* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', this is downplayed. When Mei struggles to keep her emotions in check like when she is goaded by Tyler during the dodgeball game, her hair expands and becomes frizzy.
129[[/folder]]
130
131[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
132* ''Film/FlirtingScholar'': Madame Wah and her attending ladies are so impressed with Tong's singing ability that their hair stands on end.
133* As with the books, Tonks from the ''Film/HarryPotter'' series can change her hair color at will. In the films, her hair color functions somewhat like a mood ring; it is pink when she is contented, and briefly turns fire-red when Mad-Eye Moody calls her by her first name, Nymphadora (which she ''despises'').
134* ''Film/HowardTheDuck'' has this with his ''feathers''. When he gets turned on, the feathers on his head stand up.
135* Moe Howard of the ''Film/TheThreeStooges''. Whenever he gets scared, his sugar-bowl haircut would fly up [[RuleOfFunny in a hilarious manner]] [[spoiler:thanks to a blast of compressed air from a hidden tube]].
136[[/folder]]
137
138[[folder:Literature]]
139* Fully adult female Clan in ''Literature/TheClanChronicles'' have hair with a mind of its own that twitches and curls roughly in tune with their emotions.
140* It's implied that Pony-Tail, a missing stripper from Creator/KimNewman's ''Literature/DiogenesClub'' short story "Soho Golem", has ''seductive'' hair. Her signature ankle-length locks would entwine her body enticingly as she performed.
141* Susan Sto Helit in the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novels has hair that restyles itself to fit the situation. It's assumed this is one of the powers she inherited from [[TheGrimReaper her grandfather]], although it's obviously not one he uses himself.
142* ''Literature/{{Escape}}'': Mike Donovan's perpetually MessyHair "bristle[s] into separate wires" in his agitation.
143* Tonks from the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series is a Metamorphagus, which means she can change her hair (and other features) at will. Her standard hair color is pink, but it changes to several colors, such as purple and mousy brown throughout the series. This trait is also passed to her son Teddy.
144* Luzzie from ''Literature/HoshiAndTheRedCityCircuit'' has programmed his emotive routines into his [[DigitalAvatar franca]]'s hair, which twitches when he's surprised, jabs when he's angry, and goes limp when he receives unexpected bad news.
145* ''Literature/LuckyStarrAndTheBigSunOfMercury'': Bigman Jones's pale red hair "[stands] on end with passion".
146* Sumi in ''Literature/{{Moetan}}'' (pictured above) has various symbols appear at the end of her [[IdiotHair ahoge]], including exclamation marks and CrossPoppingVeins.
147* ''Literature/ThePlaneteers'': In "The Brain Stealers of Mars'', Rod Blake's hair "[rises] very slightly from his head" when he finds out about the [[VoluntaryShapeshifting thushol]]'s tendency to KillAndReplace the other Martians.
148* In ''Literature/ATaleOfTwoCities'', of all things. For most of the story, Jerry Cruncher's hair is simple described as very spiky, but in chapter thirty eight, while Jerry is being lied to, there is a "sudden extraordinary rising and stiffening of all the risen and stiff hair on Mr. Cruncher's head." As if to hammer the point home, Dickens relayed this to the reader by having another character ''notice the shadow of the hair moving on the wall.''
149* In ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'', one nation's royalty is able to change their hair color and length. Unless they are otherwise suppressing it, the color changes according to their emotions at the time.
150[[/folder]]
151
152[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
153* The Tenth Doctor from ''Series/DoctorWho'' has this to an extent. General rule of thumb, the happier he is, the more gravity-defying his hair becomes (mostly due to the fact that he likes to [[CharacterTics run his hands through it]] when he's excited).
154* In ''Series/MyNameIsEarl'' when it looks like Joy may be going to prison, Darnell becomes depressed and his hair starts to droop. Earl narrates that his hair acts like a mood ring.
155[[/folder]]
156
157[[folder:Theater]]
158* OlderThanSteam, apparently, if these lines from ''Theatre/{{Macbeth}}'' are anything to go by:
159-->'''Macbeth:''' If good, why do I yield to that suggestion\
160 Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair\
161 And make my seated heart knock at my ribs\
162 Against the use of nature?
163[[/folder]]
164
165[[folder:Video Games]]
166* In ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'', when Ayane leads Ann to a dress shop to help her get into [[CoolestClubEver Nocturne Maze]], Ann's hair shoots straight up when the shop owner's three (bulky) assistants arrive to put the dress on her.
167* In ''VideoGame/BugFables'', numerous bugs have antennae that move in a way evocative of this. This is especially apparent with Vi, whose ponytail-like antennae will shoot straight up when she's startled, shoot straight up and get jagged when she's angry, and droop and get wobbly when she's low on health.
168* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'':
169** Kino's ponytail droops in his sad sprite. And it is absolutely [[{{Moe}} ADORABLE]].
170** Marle's ponytail turns into a fro when she's startled.
171* In ''VideoGame/DetectiveGrimoireTangleTower'', Felix and Poppy's hair droops whenever their mood lowers.
172* Laharl from ''VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness'' has two hair "antennae" on his head that have the tendency to go stiff (or straight up) when he's particularly angry or annoyed.
173* ''VideoGame/IkenFell'': Ibn's hair usually has a loveheart shape seen in it, but when he gets furious, it turns into what appear to be scratches at first, then disappears, and then becomes a skull.
174* Nikki's IdiotHair from ''VideoGame/ManaKhemiaAlchemistsOfAlrevis'' can get as ''angry'' as she is, which is often.
175* Kai's hair in ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest'' is very expressive. When she gets angry, it practically explodes.
176* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonAndTheUnwoundFuture'', Don Paolo's flashback of what started his hatred towards Layton shows his hair growing into a pointy upward before collapsing into tails upon seeing Claire give Layton a kiss.
177* Marina from ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'' has expressive tentacles. This is most noticeable in her first hologram concert (the next concert downplayed their movement), but her "hair" frequently moves on its own.
178* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker2'': The little strands of hair poking up atop Nina's head will sometimes change shape to accentuate her mood, such as forming a question mark shape when she's pondering something.
179* ''VideoGame/TouchDetective 2'': Jack the Conductor's hair waves up when he’s furious and stays down when he's calm.
180* [[HistoricalDomainCharacter Toyosatomimi no Miko]] of ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' is occasionally portrayed as having this in fanon with her [[BuffySpeak hair flappies]]. Her hair's supposed to look like [[ExpressiveEars cat/dog ears]], since [[{{Pun}} "satomimi" can also mean "animal ears"]].
181* ''VideoGame/TrinityUniverse'': Lucius's IdiotHair. It's a tension gauge according to him, but it still expresses emotions. Flonne has a field day asking him if it shoots lasers.
182* Music/{{Vocaloid}}: Some fan depictions of Miki make her ahoge change shape according to her emotions.
183* ''VideoGame/WorldsEndClub'': Tattsun's ahoge can change shapes depending on his mood, such as becoming a question mark when he's confused about something.
184[[/folder]]
185
186[[folder:Visual Novels]]
187* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'':
188** Daryan Crescend from ''VisualNovel/ApolloJusticeAceAttorney''. He has a massive long hairdo reminiscent of a shark. [[spoiler:It flops around, droops when you catch him lying on the witness stand and becomes rigid when he's in a good mood.]]
189** ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyTrialsAndTribulations Trials & Tribulations]]'' has Ron [=DeLite=], whose cinnamon-bun curls of hair on the sides of his head uncurl and spring out when he's upset. This trope is actually pretty common across a lot of animations in the series, especially when the character is nervous.
190** ''T&T'' also introduces us, in a flashback case, to Winston Payne's pompadour which droops whenever he's nervous. [[spoiler:When Mia corners him into a state of shock, ''[[HairTodayGoneTomorrow it rapidly disintegrates]]'', explaining his present hair loss]].
191** Pearl's pretzel-hair mysteriously bounces when she's shocked, or grinning manically/happily. Also, when she's sad, her hair droops backward while she tilts forward.
192** Hell, Phoenix and Apollo themselves. Their hair looks quite downcast when they're losing, and returns triumphant come victory time.
193** ''VisualNovel/GyakutenKenji2'' introduces us to Sebastian Debeste's question mark-shaped IdiotHair that turns into an exclamation mark whenever he's surprised.
194** Uendo Toneido in ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice Spirit of Justice]]'' has a ponytail that moves around [[spoiler:depending on which of his SplitPersonalities is currently speaking]].
195* GenkiGirl Momoko from ''VisualNovel/AoiShiro'' has short braids that stick up and go spiky when she is surprised or excited and droop when she's feeling down (not that that state of affairs ever lasts long).
196* This is a common trait for most of the characters in the ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'' series, most specifically when they are scared, shocked or angry.
197[[/folder]]
198
199[[folder:Web Animation]]
200* Sir Pentious's hair in ''WebAnimation/HazbinHotel'' acts like a cobra's hood, and he flares it up when he's being dramatic.
201* [[VideoGame/MetalGear Snake]] in ''[[WebAnimation/AwesomeSeries Metal Gear Awesome]]'' does this a lot with his eyebrows. They become thicker, bushier and/or longer the more pissed off he gets. At one point, they grow to the point they resemble tree branches, complete with oranges sprouting out of them.
202* In some of the earlier ''WebAnimation/{{Eddsworld}}'' "eddisodes", the characters' hair in often became frizzy [or in Tom's case, stood up] when they got shocked or scared.
203[[/folder]]
204
205[[folder:Webcomics]]
206* ''Webcomic/{{Blip}}'': On [[http://rakugakiwall.com/blip/archive/721 this page]], Angela [[LampshadeHanging wonders how K's hair does that]]; which is funny since Angela's hair can be [[http://rakugakiwall.com/blip/archive/722 just]] as [[http://rakugakiwall.com/blip/archive/724 expressive]].
207* Kavonn of ''Webcomic/CharbyTheVampirate'' has hair and eyebrows that shift and twist with his moods due to his [[PrehensileHair prehensile hair]].
208* ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'':
209** Grace. {{Justified|Trope}} in that she actually has antennae from her uryuom blood.
210** This is part of Ashley's arsenal of cuteness. In one embarrasing moment it goes from [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2049 normal to deflated]], then [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2050 stands on end]].
211* The sorceress Suspiria in ''Webcomic/{{Flipside}}'' has her hair enchanted to reflect her emotions. It also becomes large and billowy when she does magic.
212* ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'''s Sam and Helix have expressive ''radio antennae''.
213* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'', Molly, Golly, and Jolly are {{Cute Monster Girl}}s with big pompom-like poofs of pink hair on either side of their heads, which (along with their tails) move about in accordance with their emotions, making them look very expressive.
214%%* In ''Webcomic/TheKAMics'' Gertrude's pigtails & Nikki's ponytail sometimes do this.
215* Rachel's hair tends to flip upwards whenever [[http://www.ladiesinwaitingcomic.co.uk/comic/121115/ she's]] [[http://www.ladiesinwaitingcomic.co.uk/comic/81215/ shocked]] or [[http://www.ladiesinwaitingcomic.co.uk/comic/41115/ frightened]] in ''Webcomic/LadiesInWaiting''.
216* ''Webcomic/LovelyLovecraft'': Noyes appears to have this, as the spiky portions of his hair are once shown drooping in a moment of distress.
217%%* Yuki from ''Webcomic/{{Megatokyo}}'', thanks to [[MagicalGirl magic]].
218* ''Webcomic/{{Misfile}}'s'' Missi has had her pigtails stick out a couple times.
219* Mob of ''Webcomic/MobPsycho100'' is prone to SupernaturalFloatingHair when using his PsychicPowers; and since said PsychicPowers are an inherent part of his emotional expression, this means that his conservative bowlcut tends to fray and fall apart as he gets increasingly worked up, turning into full-on ShounenHair when he hits 100%.
220* Multiple characters from ''Webcomic/{{Monsterful}}'':
221** Lawrence Spectrum's FlamingHair is very expressive and often shows emoticons related to his emotions, including [[http://www.monsterful.com/chapter08page10.php exciment]] or [[http://www.monsterful.com/chapter14page24.php disappointment]].
222** Samantha Thing also uses her hair to enhance multiple [[http://www.monsterful.com/chapter16page02.php expressions like doubt]].
223** Sapphire Gem hair shows this in a lesser degree.
224* The author of ''Webcomic/OtherPeoplesBusiness'' has joked that Mercedes' hair is sentient, and attempts to restrain it will only incur its wrath.
225%%* Used, and then lampshaded, in ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'' [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2066 here.]]
226* In ''Webcomic/{{Rhapsodies}}'' Paul's mullet fluffs up whenever he's excited or angry.
227* In ''Webcomic/SequentialArt'', Pip's strand/feather perks or droops depending on his mood.
228* Many fans consider this to be one of the most endearing things about Webcomic/{{Shadowgirls}}' resident BadassNormal Lindsey Jun Yeoh.
229* (Fallapart)Fernando the zombie from ''Webcomic/UnlifeIsUnfair'' has some rather expressive [[http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Unlife_is_Unfair/5451763/ antenna hair]].
230* The girls of ''Webcomic/WapsiSquare'' have hair that behaves according to their moods. If happy, their hair is perky. It droops if they're sad, and it gets spiky and pointy if they're angry.
231[[/folder]]
232
233[[folder:Web Original]]
234* While never seen in action, the author of the web fiction serial ''Literature/DimensionHeroes'' has stated that the tufts of hair on Tami's head change depending on her emotions; when she's sad, they droop. When she's scared, they stick straight up. When she's furiously angry, they frizz out like a cat.
235* In ''Website/GaiaOnline'''s Valentine's Day '09 NPC Valentines, Blaze's gigantic ponytail is formed heart shapes.
236[[/folder]]
237
238[[folder:Web Videos]]
239* A rare, real-life example: [[Creator/JohnGreen John]] of the WebVideo/VlogBrothers has a nervous habit of running his hands through his hair when anxious, which causes it to get puffy.
240[[/folder]]
241
242[[folder:Western Animation]]
243* Cruella De Ville's niece Ivy from ''WesternAnimation/OneHundredAndOneDalmatiansTheSeries'' has two pigtails that stick upward and curve like devil horns whenever her bad side shows.
244* In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieStarLightAdventure'', Barbie has a pink streak in hers that seems to fluctuate in intensity depending on how sure of herself she feels, even disappearing entirely when the opposite is true.
245* Harley Quinn from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' has blond pigtails when she's not in costume that perk up or droop, depending on her moods. They still do it ''in'' costume; they're just stuffed in her hat and take it with them.
246** Poison Ivy's hairdo near the end of her [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE5PrettyPoison debut episode]]. When she's calm/sultry its straight, when she's angry or frightened it becomes wild and unkempt.
247* In the ''WesternAnimation/ChalkZone'' episode "Secret Passages", Rudy's cowlick stands up on it's own when he gets scared at the beginning of the episode. Though it also counts as EarlyInstallmentWeirdness as this never happens again in the show.
248* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': Helga's pigtails occasionally perk up or droop depending on her mood.
249* ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'': In "Game Slave 2", when Gaz is angry at Iggins, rain pours down and straightens her hair. When he finally gives the game to her, her hair is restored to its normal state with a magical glow.
250* ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam'':
251** In some early episodes, June's ponytail seemed to stick up when she was scared or shocked, and drooped when she was sad or tired. This was dropped after a few episodes, however.
252** Loopy's pigtails seem to rise a bit when she's scared, curious or inspired.
253** Also in the episode "Comics of Champions", when June keeps on teasing Henry about his crush on Thundergirl, he gets so upset that his hair goes on fire, but June puts it out (wearing a firefighter hat with a siren in the background).
254* In at least two episodes of Hanna-Barbera's version of ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleRascals'', when Darla is frightened, her hair resembles a brown sea urchin.
255* Mr. Milk from ''WesternAnimation/MakingFiends'' is almost completely bald, but has a few hairs on his head that stick up when he's scared or nervous. Charlotte seems to have an expressive ''bow''.
256* Normally, Cat Noir in ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' has a belt for a "tail" that nonetheless [[ExpressiveAccessory moves like a real cat's tail]]. When Marinette uses his Miraculous to become Lady Noire, her floor-length braid acts the same way.
257* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has Pinkie Pie's mane, which is apparently made curly by sheer exuberance. When she's bummed out, it becomes straight. It can't even be styled when she's sufficiently happy or excited — it just springs back to its usual curly shape. Her ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls Equestria Girls]]'' counterpart is similar, with the addition of her hair being straight in the morning and only bouncing to its usual curly appearance once she's fully awake.
258* On both the [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998 original show]] and [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls2016 reboot]] of ''Franchise/ThePowerpuffGirls'', Bubbles's pigtails droop when she's nervous, sad, or unsure about something. When she's surprised, shocked, or excited, they tend to either perk up or flick upwards.
259* ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'': Each hair on Shaggy's head has a tendency to [[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrJbjptBkG4/UNWjBvVwBJI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/n-5cTOL6DlQ/s1600/scooby_doo_3.jpg stick out every which way when he's frightened]].
260* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
261** Parodied; when Music/WillieNelson successfully reunites the family, his trademark braids rise like those of Literature/PippiLongstocking.
262** Krusty the Clown has expressive hair, especially in the season 4 episode "Lisa's First Word". During a Krusty Burger commercial for the 1984 Olympics, Krusty bites into a Krusty Burger. When the commercial ends and the director yells, "Cut!", Krusty spits out the burger and his hair droops (then slightly comes back up after he drinks some booze from a flask to wash the taste out of his mouth).
263** In "The Caper Chase", Lisa's hair "spikes" droop when Homer becomes a college professor and shows that he doesn't have the slightest idea of what he's supposed to do.
264* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': Spinel's heart-shaped buns become messy pigtails which can move on their own according to her mood.
265* Sari Sumdac in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' has the "sticking up pigtails" version, though it a couple occasions they friz up like a scared cat's tail. Somewhat justified: [[spoiler:she is a robot and the hair may just as well be metallic.]]
266* ''WesternAnimation/WeBareBears'': Chloe's hair frizzes up in a rage when Professor Lampwick implies to her she isn't a real prodigy.
267[[/folder]]
268
269[[folder:Real Life]]
270* This is actually TruthInTelevision, as humans still retain tiny muscles in the hair follicles that are used to puff the hair in most warmblooded animals, and this is the same reaction that give us goosebumps. Said muscles are much too weak to control long and heavy hair, but if a person has, say, a crewcut, it can visibly swell when that person is angry, afraid or simply cold. This is also why cats ''ripple'' and dogs raise their hackles when they're alarmed. Part of this is a vestigial defense mechanism from when humans were much hairier animals. By making all the hair follicles on our body stand on end when we're afraid, we look larger to predators and have a chance of scaring them off.
271* Some birds (like cockatoos and bluejays) have expressive ''feathers'' on their heads (crests). Most birds, in fact, will fluff up for various reasons (happy, frightened, cold, etc.), sometimes resulting in what looks like little more than a feathery fluffball with legs. Consequently, paleontologists think that some dinosaurs may have done this, too.
272[[/folder]]

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