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5[[quoteright:299:[[Literature/{{Paprika}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/girlyrun04.png]]]]
6
7->''"You see? Never be late for a plane with a girl. 'Cause a girl runs like a girl, with the little steps and the arms flailing out... You wanna make this plane, you gotta run like a '''man'''! Get your knees up!"''
8-->-- '''Jerry Seinfeld''' to '''Elaine Benes''', ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', "The Airport"
9
10A gait particular to female characters (and sometimes used to mock effeminate males). The BigHeroicRun is typically done with expert form: long strides, locked viewpoint and consistent arm movement. This is functionally the opposite, a serious attempt at running that lacks any semblance of efficiency and athletic coordination.
11
12Among many possible forms of the Girly Run:
13* Upper arms are kept against the sides in order to control "bounce", with the lower arms flared out, wrists bent and fingers lightly touching each other (rather than the hand being clenched or in a bladed shape). Probably the iconic image of the trope.
14* Lower arms do not swing consistently, acting different from each other with every run cycle whether it be the height of the motion or odd horizontal movement.
15* Legs are held close together but the calves may windmill out slightly, giving her a knock-kneed look, with fairly shorts steps that can be called a "twinkle toes" form.
16* Feet are planted straight down with exaggerated knee lifts, as though she were marching.
17* Her back is carried straight up from the hips to the shoulders, in extreme cases may even lean ''back'' slightly.
18* Full on windmill patterns with their arms, as though they are hoping to gain speed like an airplane propeller.
19* Arms kept flat against their body and weight is transferred through their shoulders.
20* Minor variants include running only on the toes (the way a barefoot person runs) or on the heel (as someone wearing running shoes does); and flapping hands.
21
22Obviously, this is not very efficient from a biomechanical perspective. Game characters with girly runs will often seem unreasonably slow. It puts the character at very high risk of [[BrokenHeel breaking a heel]].
23
24Any women with athletic training is likely to avoid this [[TruthInTelevision but there are a handful out there]]. It's also not exclusive to women and can be excused through the clothing they are wearing at the time or unusual terrain that prevents a traditional sprinting form.
25
26This is similar to AirplaneArms, but whereas AirplaneArms conveys exuberance and confidence, this conveys exaggerated femininity and lack of confidence.
27Contrast NinjaRun, TheSlowWalk, SillyWalk, SupermodelStrut, TeamPowerWalk, and UnflinchingWalk.
28
29----
30!!Examples:
31
32[[foldercontrol]]
33
34[[folder:Advertising]]
35* Averted in the ''Always'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs #LikeAGirl]] campaign. When asked to run like a girl (fight like a girl, throw like a girl, etc.), the people did something silly... with the exception of the little girls themselves.
36[[/folder]]
37
38[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
39* In Episode 8 of ''Anime/TenchiUniverse'', a Mihoshi!Washu Clone does this.
40* Iyami and Nyaa-chan do this in the second opening of ''Anime/OsomatsuSan''.
41* Azaka Kokuto from ''Literature/TheGardenOfSinners'' noticeably ran like this when she did a FoeTossingCharge, although it might be because she was running on the backs of pews to get directly to her target.
42* The opening credits of ''Anime/ExcelSaga'' give Hyatt an exaggerated version of this, alongside a loose-limbed Excel.
43* Mikuru in ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'', especially in the student film shown in the first episode. It doesn't control her bouncing, though.
44** Further exemplified in the opening of Haruhi's second season, Super Driver. She clearly stands out from the rest of the SOS Brigade.
45* Momomiya Ichigo from ''Manga/TokyoMewMew''. As [[MagicalGirl Mew Ichigo]], she seems to lose the reflex completely, her movements visibly shifting from [[{{Joshikousei}} schoolgirl]] to {{catgirl}}.
46* While ''Anime/{{Naruto}}'' is better known for the NinjaRun and AirplaneArms, certain female characters tend to run like this, [[https://orig00.deviantart.net/2492/f/2013/339/7/8/sakura_crying_while_running_towards_naruto_by_kakashixirukalover14-d6wvpu1.gif Sakura being the biggest culprit]].
47* During the ending credits of ''Manga/BlueDrop'' the silhouettes of Hagino and Mari are shown running in this manner. This is a bit weird since in the series they run normally and generally don't behave overly girly.
48* Ryuubi from ''Manga/IkkiTousen'' runs like this, when she is not [[spoiler: tearing up the place in her dragon form]].
49* Lynette does this in episode 12 of ''Anime/StrikeWitches''. Maybe that's why she was [[spoiler: the last one to arrive at the base]].
50* For some reason, Nanoha routinely did this in the first season of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha''. Fortunately for anyone taking her seriously, she could and did fly more often than not when in costume. She later grows out of it as an adult, but she is succeeded by her {{Expy}} Caro who is even [[PinkMeansFeminine pinker]] than Nanoha.
51** Again in ''[[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 2nd A's]]'' as Nanoha reminisces about the importance of meeting Fate and how much she means to her. After a brief stop to catch her breath and continue, Nanoha sees Fate is really there and we get to see a double girly run as Fate also runs to Nanoha's encounter. After six months apart, they end their run in an [[BigDamnReunion emotional hug]].
52* Casca from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' is a TomBoy ActionGirl, but she still has a very girly run with her arms aloft.
53* Gilbert from ''Manga/PandoraHearts'' does this in the first omake.
54* Kagome of ''Manga/InuYasha'' does a bit of this throughout the show.
55* Female characters in ''Franchise/DragonBall'' with the exception of Android 18, run like this [[http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/38300000/Maron-dragon-ball-z-38395274-500-374.gif e.g Maron.]]
56* Madoka Kaname in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', especially in the opening.
57** Mami does this while leading Madoka through Charlotte's barrier in episode 3.
58** [[spoiler:''Homura Akemi'' does this back when she was Moemura in the [[MentalTimeTravel first timeline]], and, recovering from a heart condition, she'd just come from a 6-month long stint in a hospital bed]].
59* Nova / Yuki in ''Anime/StarBlazers / Anime/SpaceBattleshipYamato'' runs this way.
60* Emporio Ivankov's paramilitary legion of crossdressing men in ''Manga/OnePiece'' run like this.
61** Mostly [[https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/705/361/4fa.gif averted]] with Nami, yet interestingly when Sanji a dude is [[FreakyFridayFlip in control of her body]] he runs [[https://preview.redd.it/5j76n9kqqb811.gif?width=500&s=5718141ae1f3e81cbc48d91a00fb709d2f2d0274 like this]]... happily exclaiming that Nami's breasts are heavy.
62* ''Anime/PrettyCure'':
63** Komachi/Cure Mint of ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5''.
64** Reika/Cure Beauty of ''Anime/SmilePrecure'' does this as well.
65* Izaya from ''Literature/{{Durarara}}'' lapses into this occasionally. Also skipping. He's also one of the most dangerous characters in the series.
66* ''Manga/{{Beelzebub}}'' has [[ButtMonkey Furuichi]] ([[RunningGag as well as several other characters as of late]]) [[http://www.batoto.net/read/_/49241/beelzebub_ch127_by_red-hawk-scans/17 running like a bitch.]]
67* ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'': Mio and Haruka run like this in the OP.
68* Episode 6 of ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' features the rather surreal scene of a Titan running this way.
69** Eren on episode 4. No, [[http://helmhammerhand.tumblr.com/post/81029820921 seriously.]]
70* In ''Manga/LoveLab'', Maki, Suzune, and Eno run this way. The tomboyish Riko and Sayori run normally.
71* ''Anime/MekakucityActors'': Momo briefly runs this way while fleeing a horde of fans in episode 2.
72** Hiyori also runs this way in episode 4.
73* Cecilia in ''Literature/InfiniteStratos'' runs like this, most notably in the ending.
74* In Act 1 of ''Anime/SailorMoonCrystal'', Sailor Moon makes her public debut while yelling at MonsterOfTheWeek Morga assertively, but then enters the scene with arms upraised and unsteady gait, along with the SloMo effect usually reserved for an UnflinchingWalk. It underscores that, while Usagi's heart's in the right place, she's ''really'' green at the MagicalGirlWarrior thing. While her running in-series improves to match her growing up, the opening to Season 3 falls back to this trope.
75* J. Geil from ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders'' runs in this [[spoiler:as he tries to flee from Kakyoin and Polnareff before being killed by them]]. Mariah [[https://thumbs.gfycat.com/MiniatureTheseAfricanaugurbuzzard-small.gif runs like this too.]]
76* In ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth'', Hikaru and Umi run normally. Fuu, the excessively polite {{Meganekko}}, tends to do the "arms pressed to her side with dainty hands" type.
77* Kokona runs like this during the first ending of ''Manga/EncouragementOfClimb'' Season 2. It stands out even more because the other three girls, even the non-athletic Aoi, are all running like pros alongside her.
78* Shinoa of ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'' does this occasionally.
79* ''Manga/NewGame'': In "What Happens if I'm Late for Work?", Aoba and Yun bond over their lack of athleticism and "weird" way of running. They challenge themselves to a "weird run" race and sprint from the subway to their office doing full-on Girly Runs. Aoba ends up face-planting, complete with comical slide whistle sound effect.
80* In ''Anime/YourName'', Mitsuha's run is decently feminine: her arms still flail about but not in a too ridiculous kind of way, and she does form fists.
81[[/folder]]
82
83[[folder:Comic Books]]
84* Wayne Boring, the definitive Franchise/{{Superman}} artist in the early [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]], seemed very fond of drawing women with their arms in this position, even when they were just standing around.
85[[/folder]]
86
87[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
88* Deliberately averted for the eponymous heroine of ''Anime/MillenniumActress'' according to WordOfGod. Director Creator/SatoshiKon felt it was important that Chiyoko's gait be as elegant as possible (since she spends so much time on-screen -- and in a figurative sense, almost the entire movie -- just ''running''.)
89* However, in his film ''Anime/TokyoGodfathers'' Kon plays this trope for all its worth with Hana the transvestite. Especially effective when Hana girly-runs past a surprised pedestrian while thundering, "''She's a baby thief!''"
90* Pictured above: Paprika from ''Literature/{{Paprika}}'' breaks into this at multiple points in the film. [[JustifiedTrope It makes sense]], given her [[spoiler:nature as hyper-feminized libido incarnate]]. And used effectively near the end of the film: when [[spoiler:Atsuko]] transforms in Paprika to fight the [[spoiler:dream-creatures intruding into the real world]], she starts running like a normal person, then you see her running like Paprika, then you see Paprika.
91* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Mei runs like this as she desperately tries to get home after turning into her giant red panda form at school for the first time.
92[[/folder]]
93
94[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
95* FinalGirl Sally runs like this in ''Film/TheTexasChainsawMassacre1974'', swinging her arms side to side, clearly much too terrified to do anything else.
96* Parodied and lampshaded in the third ''Film/AustinPowers'' movie where Scott Evil, who's previously been just an everyday teenager, is suddenly revealed to run in an exceedingly girly fashion. He's also sobbing madly. The below quote, by Dr. Evil, is said immediately after that. What makes this even funnier, is that not even ten minutes later, after formulating a plan [[spoiler:with his brother, Austin Powers]], he can be seen [[HypocriticalHumor running like a girl]].
97-->'''Dr. Evil''' I'd like to point out that nobody else in my gene pool runs like a girl.
98* ''Film/TheFlash2023''. When the title character is running at SuperSpeed his running style is a very distinctive form emulating a gazelle or speed skating. Then he gets BroughtDownToNormal and when he tries running, it looks more like this trope.
99* ''Film/{{Friday}}'', Red has [[https://media3.giphy.com/media/l41lPVMmb30JO72WA/giphy.gif a very unmanly run.]]
100* In ''Film/StandByMe'' it was used as an acting technique. Creator/WilWheaton was required by the plot to lose a foot race to River Phoenix but discovered that he couldn't do it naturally. He found that by flailing his limbs about, it slowed him down enough to lose but at the same time he looked like he was actually trying harder to win.
101* In ''Film/IndependenceDay'', Marty runs like this in the office.
102* The dressmaker in ''Film/KungFuHustle'' runs a bit like this. [[CampGay He's a guy.]] [[spoiler:Not to mention a [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass highly skilled martial artist]].]]
103* Creator/StevenSeagal especially in ''Film/HardToKill'' has the girliest run ever used by an action movie star. He seems to lose control of his arm while sprinting. This is a problem for Seagal in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkskuSXqUD0 all his films.]]
104* Likely due to the way it was filmed, a young Clark Kent in ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'' has a [[https://youtu.be/2AmY_TaUh8M?t=109 very girly run]] when he races a train.
105* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'': Captain Jack Sparrow uses the "arms flailing wildly" variant of a girly run; see it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUkRatOSxaI here.]] It's particularly noticeable in comparison in ''[[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadmansChest Dead Man's Chest]]'' to the much more efficient running style of the cannibals. This is eventually {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides fourth film]] (it went more or less like this):
106-->'''Jack:''' You run like a girl.\
107'''Angelica:''' And you don't?
108* Captain Jack's run was inspired by the way Tuco ran through the cemetery in ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly''. Tuco's run differed in that he didn't flail his arms, he tended to keep them down and slightly out from his sides. This is amusingly dissonant to his manic, larger-than-life personality.
109* The pilots of Manta Squadron in ''Film/SkyCaptainAndTheWorldOfTomorrow'' run like girls, for the excellent reason that they ''are'' girls.
110* Likewise LaResistance charging in to save the day in ''Film/QueenOfOuterSpace'', as they're in a LadyLand. It's not like the rest of the movie is any less ridiculous.
111* Demonstrated by Alfred in ''Film/TheBurning'' as he runs from Cropsy, who just knocked out Todd.
112* ''Film/YorTheHunterFromTheFuture''. The manliness of the handsome shirtless FuturePrimitive is rather impaired by Yor doing this in his introductory scene, as he jogs around the stone towers of Cappadocia, Turkey. As ''Website/SomethingAwful'' put it:
113-->Filmmaking hint: it's a terrible idea to establish a character by making him run down a steep hill. The human body isn't built for it, and our ill-suited legs can only compensate with flailing, galloping baby steps.
114* Film/{{Spy}}: Rayna Boyanova [[https://i.imgur.com/BrDZ7OG.mp4 runs this way]] towards the end of the film to escape the car park. She is also justified because she is wearing high heels and a tight dress
115* Film/{{MarsAttacks}}: Cindy Gomez and especially Barbara Land [[https://i.imgur.com/V1BdO9g.mp4 thus run]] to escape the bombardment of the Martians who attack Las Vegas
116[[/folder]]
117
118[[folder:Literature]]
119* In the Creator/TomClancy novel ''Literature/RedStormRising'', one of the protagonists (an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserve, at that point), comments that the protagonist character in a Soviet film he's watching runs like a girl when coming ashore from a boat. The other person watching the film with him, a Marine with amphibious landing experience, retorts that the other should try running through the surf to shore, and see how he looks.
120[[/folder]]
121
122[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
123* Probably not intentional, but Avon from ''Series/BlakesSeven'' gets a bit... [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWv2WWNZzhw flaily]] when he runs. {{Justified|Trope}} in that he's a computer technician. The same excuse can be used for Blake, an engineer. [[AxCrazy Travis]] on the other hand, is occasionally shown virtually skipping due to the small size of the sets, despite his AxCrazy tough-guy character.
124* On ''Series/BurnNotice'' Michael Westen runs like a girl while posing as a nerdy chemist so that he will be caught by a gang of drug thieves and be ''forced'' to infiltrate them.
125* Creator/PeterCapaldi in just about anything he's in.
126** Malcolm Tucker from ''Series/TheThickOfIt'' and ''Film/InTheLoop'' is an aggressive, terrifying, foul-mouthed, violent alpha male... who runs like a girl.
127** He already ran like a girl back when he was Danny in ''Film/LocalHero''. It came across as rather [[CuteClumsyGirl adorable]] then.
128** Even as [[Series/DoctorWho the Twelfth Doctor]], he ''still'' runs like that.
129--->'''Bill:''' Why do you run like that?\
130'''The Doctor:''' Like what?\
131'''Bill:''' Like a penguin with its arse on fire.\
132'''The Doctor:''' ... Ergonomics.
133* When Ken is being chased by Bart in the first episode of ''Series/DirkGentlysHolisticDetectiveAgency'', he demonstrates a decidedly unimpressive running style. It's made all the worse by the fact that Bart, who [[GenderBlenderName the name notwithstanding]] ''is'' a [[DarkActionGirl girl]], runs a lot more skillfully (and quickly catches up with him).
134* ''Series/GoGoSentaiBoukenger''. The [[CombiningMecha DaiBouken]] does this when [[GenkiGirl Natsuki]] is behind the wheel.
135* On one episode of ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', while investigating a suspicious businesswoman, the team has reason to believe her rather... ''[[CampGay effeminate]]'' assistant is hiding important information for her, and chase him down in the parking lot. The chase scene involves the terrified assistant running like a girl in a B horror movie from [=DiNozzo=] until Gibbs cuts them off and catches him. When Gibbs questions his inability to end the chase, a breathless [=DiNozzo=] can only defend himself by saying that the assistant's running style was "surprisingly efficient."
136* Creator/LyndaCarter in ''Series/{{Wonder Woman|1975}}'' has a [[https://thumbs.gfycat.com/MammothBiodegradableKob-small.gif pretty feminine sprint]] male viewers [[MaleGaze weren't fussed]] about it. Creator/GalGadot has [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/5c93e9929f677b95a6d72d42800e9e41/tumblr_org6mktRNl1v5084lo1_500.gif a more dignified run]] in [[Film/WonderWoman2017 her film]].
137* ''Series/NewsRadio'': At a Halloween party, Dave, dressed like a girl, gets in an argument with Lisa, who runs off. Dave sighs and runs after her, in heels, with no trouble. His ''Series/TheKidsInTheHall'' background served him well...
138* On ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', Elaine showed herself to have a girly run criticized by Jerry. Later, Kramer complains George is running the same way.
139* ''Series/That70sShow'': When Fez encounters racism for the first time ([[TheDitz or the first time he noticed, anyway]]), Kelso sits him down and explains that there will always be people who don't like him because of the color of his skin, or his accent, or "that girly way you run."
140* ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'': The famous [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foNKPz6iiqM Peggy Bundy Run.]] Any time Peg has to move quickly, it can be best described as a T-Rex in drag. According to Creator/KateySagal, it was the only way she ''could'' walk in the heels she always wore in character.
141[[/folder]]
142
143[[folder:Video Games]]
144* ''VideoGame/BatenKaitosEternalWingsAndTheLostOcean'': Downplayed with Xelha, who properly leans forward while running, but still keeps her arms at chest level.
145* [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Princess Zelda]] has a pretty damn girly run, [[https://orig00.deviantart.net/cacc/f/2015/249/d/6/ssbwiiu_zelda_run_animation_by_themilkguy-d98k7fc.gif especially]] in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', though at least that version of Zelda is wearing a dress, what's the [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/91/9f/39/919f399c6069443a196bab2e3fdadd96.gif pant-wearing Zelda]] from ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'''s excuse?
146** The ''Smash Ultimate'' version of Zelda has her own more down-to-earth version of the [[https://www.deviantart.com/allthestawf/art/Smash-Ultimate-Zelda-Girly-Run-848631135 girly run]]. She even runs faster than her two predecessors.
147** The carpenters got a very girly run in the 3DS remake of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''. And it was already extremely girly in the N64 original!
148* Princess Peach and, surprisingly, Ganondorf in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl''.
149** Princess Peach also runs like this in ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld''.
150* Namine from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''. Xion and Aqua have normal-looking runs, which might have something to do with the fact that they're playable characters. Kairi has a normal-looking run for most of ''Kingdom Hearts II'', but when she gets a girly run with Namine in one scene, let's just say the animators didn't do things by halves.
151* ''All'' living characters in the ''VideoGame/FatalFrame'' games run slowly and in the girliest, most delicate manner possible. Even the males.[[note]]Though detective Kirishima from ''IV'' jogs strangely stiffly like he's been tied up.[[/note]] Special mention goes to Miku Hinasaki, the ''de facto'' PlayerCharacter from the first game, who becomes even ''girlier'' in the third one, complete with flailing arms. The "unreasonably slow" part is subverted in ''VideoGame/FatalFrameMaidenOfBlackWater'', where if the player characters are outdoors where there's actual room to run around like a street or forest trail, they will ''book it''.
152* The main character of ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'', even though he's a guy who kills 50 foot stone monsters by stabbing them all for {{love|MakesYouCrazy}}. Although he is holding stuff.
153** To clarify, Wander doesn't do a "dainty" girly run -- he's more of the "wild arm-swinging" variety of girly run. Of course, this could be perceived as clumsiness rather than effeminacy.
154* Shows up frequently in Creator/{{Bethesda}} [=RPGs=] such as ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'', ''VideoGame/Fallout3'', ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' and ''VideoGame/Fallout4''. The female characters have a very [[https://www.zupimages.net/up/20/28/ryqi.gif noticeably]] [[http://i.imgur.com/0oPE8az.gif girly run.]]
155* The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series is fond of this trope
156** Aerith in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII: VideoGame/CrisisCore'', though she moves with a lot more ladylike dignity when she's older. This gets amusing in the 'escape from Shinra tower' cutscene in the original game, where (likely due to the graphical hurdles posed by her long dress) everyone else is running out of the tower, while Aerith is simply daintily walking at ''the same speed''.
157** Zigzagged with Tifa in the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'' in the casual non-fighting [[https://youtu.be/yrRfaytsZTc?t=3904 gameplay sections]] and quite a few [[https://youtu.be/EsS7XhKrc4Q?t=12498 cutscenes]] she has a fairly girly running animation with her arms swinging. When it comes to fighting however she switches to a decidedly more [[https://youtu.be/FkcHmkilnfU?t=1374 badass]] [[https://youtu.be/BLBpYYG5O3c?t=8 sprint]].
158** Selphie of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' does this, which makes her stick out a bit when she's [[DressingAsTheEnemy disguised as a]] [[SweetPollyOliver male Galbadian soldier]]...
159** Rinoa ''walks'' normally, but while running has a subdued version of a girly run.
160** Princess Garnet in ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX IX]]'' goes all out with this, especially when you control her. But then again, she ''is'' a princess.
161** Rikku and Yuna in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. Lulu holds up her skirt just a little bit.
162*** Justified with Lulu, since her skirt is literally [[TooManyBelts made entirely of interwoven belts]].
163** Particularly noticeable in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'' where Yuna is your controllable character and seems to put so much extra movement into running that she should be dead tired after five minutes.
164** Vanille in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' has such an exaggerated girly run that look less like she's trying to sprint and more like she's trying to do some esoteric arm exercise while moving.
165** Serah in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'' runs with an exaggerated prance with arms swinging at her side.
166** Female Midlander Hyurs' running animation in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' running animation is noticeably girly, especially compared to the females of other races that have more standard running animations.
167** [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Terra Branford]] in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''
168* ''Franchise/SilentHill'':
169** Heather, the protagonist of ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'', has a rather girly run.
170** Henry, from ''[[VideoGame/SilentHill4 Silent Hill 4: The Room]]'' runs almost exactly like Heather whenever he's holding a weapon he needs to carry with both hands.
171* Ash from ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage 3''. He's an [[CreepyCrossdresser evil transvestite]].
172* Colette from ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia''.
173** Cheria from ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces''.
174** Outside of battle, Elise from ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia''.
175** Estelle from ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' also. She has the straight-armed variety of girly run, and generally has feminine poses even in combat.
176* ''VideoGame/{{Atelier Totori|The Adventurer of Arland}}'''s titular main character has a particularly blatant example. The huge trails from the bow she wears doesn't help, nor does the fact that she's the on-screen character.
177* The default female walking/running animation in ''VideoGame/SecondLife'' is a sort of mincing waddle with the forearms flailing stiffly at the sides. (Well, the male default animation isn't really any better.) It looks frankly ridiculous; getting an animation override for this at the earliest opportunity is strongly recommended.
178* Most characters in ''VideoGame/EternalSonata'' run this way if they have long sleeves or a big skirt/dress to avoid the models touching. This gets to the point where characters continually are holding their arms out to the side.
179** Polka not only runs like this - she ''stands still'' like this; her arms never rest against her body but are held out in a feminine way.
180* The protagonist of ''Des Blood 4'', Esk Anderson, does this as well.
181* Hinako from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' runs almost exactly as it's mentioned in the trope description.
182* In ''VideoGame/MyWorldMyWay'', the princess does this whenever she's walking through a dungeon.
183* [[PlayingWithFire Pyra]], one of the main [[ArtificialHuman blades]] that accompanies TheHero Rex in ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'', moves noticeably like this for her running animation to emphasize her femininity. It's especially obvious compared to her [[spoiler: AlternateSelf]] and sister [[LightEmUp Mythra]], who while still very feminine in her [[MsFanservice appearance]], runs in a more neutral manner to reflect her more brash personality.
184* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil''
185** It's not ''grossly'' exaggerated, but in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis'', despite being a legitimate ActionGirl, Jill swings her forearms horizontally left and right while running in a [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/f5e8fb6e4170d34cb1cce13b9ec7e8e1/tumblr_peuu24UMBR1wh8weio2_250.gif decisively non-badass manner]] (although wearing a miniskirt and heels in the middle of the ZombieApocalypse may have something to do with it). She improves significantly in later games and the [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Remake remake of RE3]] though.
186** The ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2Remake'' shows (even in 2019) female characters aren't free from this. As Claire despite having a respectable sprint for the [[ZombieApocalypse situation]] throughout most of the game, at one point in her scenario [[https://youtu.be/e_DHrNfi1jo?t=359 girlishly runs down some stairs]] towards [[ChickMagnet Leon]] like a princess.
187* Subverted and then played straight in the form of a Girly WALK in ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}''. She runs in a somewhat feminized version of the normal action-hero run, but when she walks... wow. Her pelvis basically dislodges with each step.
188* Edge Maverick from ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheLastHope'' runs like this in the scene when you have to save Sarah from Tamiel and his gang.
189* Roger Wilco starts [[https://youtu.be/HIoU0tvPnjI?t=4405 running like this]] when he crossdresses in ''VideoGame/SpaceQuestIVRogerWilcoAndTheTimeRippers''.
190* Many female civilians will flee from a gun-wielding player in ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'' in a very exaggerated Girly Run.
191* In ''VideoGame/NeoSteam'', female characters that aren't of the Pom race tend to do the lower body half of this when they're not carrying a two-handed weapon. It's somewhat jarring out of elves and lyell (catgirls) since you would associate such races with gracefulness.
192* Leanne from ''VideoGame/ResonanceOfFate'' runs this way when carrying a single handgun or [[GunsAkimbo dual-wielded guns]]. When running with healing items, grenades, or a single machine gun her run looks much more natural.
193* Marion Wolfe of ''VideoGame/{{Outcast}}'' does not run. She flounces.
194* Thomas Maclaine of ''VideoGame/DeadlyPremonition'' has one, as befitting his naturally timid nature. [[spoiler:It also become something of Foreshadowing to his status as a DepravedHomosexual.]]
195* Zhen Ji of ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' runs like this, except one hand is held slightly lower to carry her [[ImprobableWeaponUser flute]]. So do the Qiao Sisters.
196** Enterprising fans have hacked at least one version of the game to swap out character models while retaining the same animation, so any of the characters can be given girly runs.
197* In the first ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'' game, the party's WhiteMagicianGirl, Xelha, has a downright hilarious run.
198* During Triss' brief appearance in the prologue of ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'' she has this in place of the normal run animation most people use.
199* This trope is somewhat present in ''Franchise/DragonAge'' - females of all races hold their arms up close to the body with minimal swing and loose hands as they appear to ''hop-jog'' in their intended direction, whereas males pump their arms and run like, you know, ''normal people do''.
200* In ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' and its sequel, fem![=PCs=] move their hips overmuch when they run. Like, really overmuch.
201* Tsuruhime from ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' runs like this, holding her bow in one hand. It's a wonder how anyone can run so fast with their knees bent at such an angle. Her IdleAnimation also has her sway mincingly from side to side for no apparent reason other than to look girly.
202* Jennifer from ''VideoGame/RuleOfRose'' runs like this. She also fights in an extremely stereotypical girly manner - she covers her eyes while she stabs the enemies!
203* Chie despite being a TomBoy still has a slightly more [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0d/45/cc/0d45cce4c9397bb2c957d48c3759038a.gif girlish running animation]] in ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'' [[https://em.wattpad.com/99143e5237e1bf4d8a0972fd0caac1e9e73d127a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f41395343306d694e5941384a75413d3d2d3336373331353337332e313466343337343134613135633338643239313432353130333539372e676966 compared]] to the males.
204* Florian, Niko's CampGay former Army buddy, runs like this in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV''.
205* Rain from the ''VideoGame/FearEffect'' series definitely runs like this. Hana does not. This serves as a contrast between the two characters, with Hana being more masculine and Rain being more feminine.
206* ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'': Amane Nishiki doesn't just [[DudeLooksLikeALady look like a girl]]. He runs like a girl too.
207* Alice from ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts1'' keeps her body straight and wildly flails her arms while running, which you can see when you briefly take control of her in several sections.
208* ''VideoGame/Mother3'':
209** Kumatora's run animation has her doing this. Which is funny considering her [[RebelliousPrincess usual]] [[TomboyPrincess persona]].
210** The Magypsy Ionia runs like this when [[GuestStarPartyMember they join you for a short time]] in Chapter 6.
211* If you put your player character in a dress or skirt in ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewLeaf'', they do this. Yes, even if [[WholesomeCrossdresser you're using a male character that you put a dress on]].
212* Every female wrestler does in ''VideoGame/WWFNoMercy''.
213* Spyro's walk cycle in ''VideoGame/SpyroAHerosTail'' looks a lot like prancing honestly.
214* The female protagonist of ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'', Katie, runs like this.
215* Nanashi can be customized to run like this in ''VideoGame/AkibasTripUndeadAndUndressed'' once he's unlocked the ability to [[WholesomeCrossdresser wear women's clothes]].
216* Female Inklings and Octolings in ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'' have the "arms slightly down and out at the sides" variation when in the HubWorld. Averted when in the midst of a fight, where gender is [[PurelyAestheticGender purely aesthetic]].
217* In the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' game series, Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit, and Rouge the Bat will start off running like this, though they'll stop once they reach full speed. Hilariously, in ''[[VideoGame/SonicAdvanceTrilogy Sonic Advance 2]]'', Amy will Girly ''Spin Dash''.
218* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'''s ninja girl Ibuki [[https://www.deviantart.com/allthestawf/art/SFV-Ibuki-Girly-Run-848463169 does this]] in Shadow Falls. In-game she has a more practical run.
219* Lilith's walking animation in ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' is more or less a hopping-on-tiptoes variation of this, reflecting her more playful and childish nature compared to [[SuccubiAndIncubi Morrigan]]. She does it both [[https://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters2/lilith-skipfor.gif forward]] and [[https://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters2/lilith-skip.gif backwards.]]
220* ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator'': Otohiko Meichi is ridiculed for his feminine mannerisms. He is notably the only character, male or female, who runs with his arms kept high.
221* Lolo from ''VideoGame/{{Klonoa}}'' has this gait, at least in her debut game ''[[VideoGame/Klonoa2LunateasVeil Lunatea's Veil]]'' during cutscenes, going quite well with her kind-hearted but shy personality, which contrasts with Leorina's more tomboyish personality.
222* Agnea from ''VideoGame/OctopathTravelerII'' has this run cycle, fitting her upbeat nature and dreams of becoming a worldwide star.
223[[/folder]]
224
225[[folder:Web Animation]]
226* ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'': Stolas had this run in his younger years. Justified, seeing how he was (and still is) much more of a bookworm than an athlete.
227[[/folder]]
228
229[[folder:Web Original]]
230* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic does it while freaking out about Linkara in his review of ''Film/StarTrekInsurrection''. And it's ''adorable''.
231* In a video on his second channel where various canned foods were heated in a campfire until they exploded, Lauri of ''WebVideo/HydraulicPressChannel'' fame left in footage of himself adding the final can of food to the fire, a can of [[ForeignQueasine surströmming]], and then flailing his arms as he ran away.
232[[/folder]]
233
234[[folder:Western Animation]]
235* In the final few moments of a flashback sequence in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' season 9 episode "The City of New York Versus Homer Simpson" that explains Homer's undying hatred of and why he took an oath never to go back to New York City, we see him, through a series of cosmic circumstances, cross ill paths with a pimp, who chases young Homer for miles out of the city. The pimp, due to his elongated limbs and flowing attire at first seems to have only a slightly exaggerated walking pattern. But a closer examination of the pimp's arms and elbows reveals that it's an exaggerated version of this gait.
236* In the ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' episode "Forever Phantom", the title character is physically unable to resume his secret identity as a human. He has his friends Sam and Tucker cover for him by dressing up in his clothes, and when it is Sam's turn to distract Danny's parents she runs off in plain sight of them, at which point Danny's father comments that Danny "runs like a girl". Curiously, Sam does not do a girly run -- she runs "normally", and is actually quite athletic and fast.
237* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy.'' Edd runs like this. Sorta. No wonder some fans thought he was a girl at first.
238* [[RobotBuddy Larry 3000]] from ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad'' started doing this in season 2, when his effeminate gestures became exaggerated.
239* Velma and Daphne in ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' would both run like this in the original series.
240* Something of a weird inversion in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', when Stewie states he hates Meg's "manly walk". Played straight, however, by Peter when he thought Dr. Hartman sexually violated him (the doc really was trying to give Peter a prostate exam).
241* In ''[[WesternAnimation/BlinkyBill The Adventures of Blinky Bill]]'', resident [[InTouchWithHisFeminineSide feminine boy]] Shifty Dingo is shown skipping like this and holding a flower in the Mother's Day episode.
242* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' episode "The Spirit of Competition", Bolin, of all characters, does this with bonus InelegantBlubbering while fleeing the deeply hurtful sight of [[spoiler:his friend Korra (who he'd taken on a date ''the night before'') kissing his brother Mako]]. Mako's run as he goes after Bolin to calm him down, while less exaggerated, isn't as macho as you might expect either.
243* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'': Hank and Dean each have a very... ''peculiar'' running style, as seen during the opening credits. The opening credits of episode 2x01 shows that their father has a third one.
244* In the ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' episode ''Thirst'', Knock Out tends to keep his arms raised up for no particular reason when running from zombie Terrorcons, and leans back a bit. Starscream, despite the heels, leans forward when running and his gait is more of a panicked flailing than anything really girly.
245[[/folder]]
246
247[[folder:Real Life]]
248* You have a good chance of breaking into a girly run every time you try to run down some stairs (holding your limbs close to your body makes it less likely to lose balance).
249* [[UsefulNotes/FormulaOne Adrian Sutil]] pulled this trope off in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VkRgUcP_rM 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.]]
250* Creator/AJJacobs describes barefoot running in his book ''Drop Dead Healthy'' as having a "prancing tenor" to it.
251* Creator/PeterCapaldi, as noted elsewhere on this page, does this. Given [[Series/DoctorWho who he used to play]], and how much running that character does ''every single episode'', Whovians get to enjoy seeing this frequently.
252* The late Creator/EliWallach didn't just run in his younger days, he frolicked daintily.
253* Dutch pop singer José Hoebee runs like this in her [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4BG4jxcpEQ music video]] for "I Will Follow Him".
254[[/folder]]

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