Line #16 Main/HenshinHero


1	[[quoteright:335:[[VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/viewtifuljoe_render.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:335:''"[[ByThePowerOfGrayskull Henshin A Go-Go]]"''-Hero, that is.]]
3
4	->''"Hayata was given the life of the alien from Nebula M78. With the Beta Capsule, he transformed into that alien. He became an invincible man, who flies at Mach 5 and smashes enemies with powerful energy. Go, our hero!"''
5	-->-- '''The Narrator''' of ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'', "[[Recap/UltramanEp1UltraOperation01 Ultra Operation No. 1]]"
6
7	The Henshin Hero is a variation or subtrope of the {{Superhero}} in which super-powered characters only have their special powers some of the time. A Henshin Hero has distinct normal and powered "forms," and needs to actively switch between the two. In essence, the character's powers are all turned off while they are in their SecretIdentity.
8
9	Henshin Heroes often have a [[TransformationTrinket special item]] which they use to change into their heroic form. These items are usually activated by a [[ByThePowerOfGreyskull command phrase]], triggering a TransformationSequence.
10
11	The transformation is frequently accompanied by a costume change. This gives the trope some overlap with ClothesMakeTheSuperman: many male Henshin Heroes wear power-armor of some kind, and their transformation allows them to [[InstantArmor don their armor almost instantly]]. Bonus points if the change of clothing is the only outward difference, but [[ClarkKenting nobody notices]].
12
13	The name comes from the Japanese term for the trope, ''henshin'' (literally meaning "change body" but more practically translated as "transformation" or "metamorphosis" ... and ''not'' to be confused with the {{Shapeshifting}} or {{Metamorphosis}} tropes — ''henshin'' always refers to superheroes).
14
15	SuperpoweredAlterEgo is when this trope [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] SplitPersonality. {{Magical Girl}}s and {{Magical Girl Warrior}}s are a subset of the Henshin Hero that are (usually) targeted toward the {{Shoujo}} demographic.
16
17	----
18	!!Examples:
19
20	[[index]]
21	* HenshinHero/AnimeAndManga
22	* HenshinHero/VideoGames
23	[[/index]]
24
25	[[foldercontrol]]
26
27	[[folder:Advertising]]
28	* ''Advertising/MetroManners'': Super Kind is an ordinary transit rider who becomes a superhero (complete with costume and TransformationSequence) after saying a key phrase when she sees bad behavior on the Metro. She seems to have NewPowersAsThePlotDemands in order to combat Rude Dude.
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Comic Books]]
32	* ''ComicBook/AllStarSquadron'': The Golden Age Fury of the sequel series ''The Young All-Stars'' transforms into her superpowered form (complete with bulletproof armor) just by thought alone (or sometimes when she gets angry).
33	* ''ComicBook/BlackHammer'': The comic features two such heroes amongst its CastOfExpies. Golden Gail is a gender-flipped and inverted version of Shazam, being a grown woman who can transform into a superpowered child by saying the magic word "Zafram". Meanwhile, Joseph Weber takes clear inspiration from the Donald Blake version of Thor, being a mortal man who transforms into the godlike Black Hammer when he strikes his eponymous weapon on the ground.
34	* ComicBook/BlueBeetle'': The first Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett, used a mystical scarab to transform into a superhero. The second Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, was never able to get the scarab to work for him, however, so he fought crime as a BadassNormal superhero. When the third Blue Beetle, Jaime Rayes, found the scarab, now revealed as an alien artifact, it turned him into a power-armored superhero).
35	* ''ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel\|MarvelComics}}'': For a while Captain Mar-Vell was trapped in the Negative Zone, and could only return to the main universe when Rick Jones struck the Nega-Bands together, switching places with him.
36	* ''ComicBook/DialHForHero'': Whoever uses the Hero Dial to transform them temporarily into a superhero-ish sort of thing. The form and powers were random, though with some thought they were always applicable somehow to the current problem.
37	* ''ComicBook/{{Earth 2}}'': Jay Garrick and Alan Scott gained their powers and costumes via mystical sources. As such, their costumes only appear when they use their powers.
38	* ''ComicBook/TheFlash'':
39	** Downplayed, but for a while Wally West had his suit as an extension of his powers, literally forming it from Speed Force energies solidifying into material. Whether this is how his suit works still varies from writer to writer depending on, essentially, if they know/remember this is a thing, but even when it is, Wally is fully able to use his powers without forming the suit first, so the transforming is just for recognisability.
40	** Johnny Quick and his daughter, Jesse, also downplay it but in a different way. Normally they're just normal people, but when they recite the formula "3x2(9yz)4a", they gain super speed for a short while, and can keep it going by reciting the formula again, however they don't transform physically and their costumes are exactly that. Shortly before Johnny died, they discovered they weren't ''really'' Henshin Heroes, and in fact they actually had access to their super speed at any time they wanted as they were Speed Force conduits like the Flash; however because Johnny had ''believed'' the formula to be the trigger, he [[PlaceboEffect merely trained himself and his daughter to only have access when they recite that equation]]. Afterwards, Jesse continues to use the formula this way but its more akin to a mantra for focusing herself so she can use her powers, and has been teased over her tendency to recite it over and over as if that would make her faster.
41	* ''ComicBook/GhostRider'': The Ghost Rider counts as this given that Johnny Blaze (and other riders) had a normal human form and a Spirit of Vengeance form.
42	* ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'': The Hulk is theoretically this; in human form, Bruce Banner is just a regular guy (though fairly smart), while in Hulk form he's extremely strong and tough, but he's also ''really'' stupid (usually). Because the comic is called The Incredible Hulk instead of The Average Banner, he tends to spend about 90% of the time as the Hulk, with the writers before the 00s reverting him to human form to have him angst for a while. Since ''ComicBook/PlanetHulk'' and its follow up stories, [[SplitPersonalityTeam Banner has been given more control/a partnership with Hulk's personality that allows them to transform back and forth at will]], with Green Hulk taking on a more intelligent form of speech, making them more a classical version of the trope, though both still see each other as the "other guy" to some extent.
43	* ''ComicBook/IronMan'': Basically, it depends on the version of the suit. Sometimes it'll form itself around a bodysuit that goes beneath it. Sometimes it has a compact form like the suitcase suit, though he does have to step in or pull it around him while it's partially formed. Iron Man fully qualifies with the "Bleeding Edge" armor, which is stored within Tony Stark's body and called out mentally at need.
44	* ''ComicBook/{{Jackpot}}'': The Amazing Three were three ordinary children given the power to transform into the heroes Oakman (ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin - a super-strong flying man made out of oak), Tanya (a flying woman with the ability to shoot lasers from her finger tips) and the Blue Wizard (who couldn't fly, but did possess no end of magic powers) in order to battle the evil alien Vogler.
45	* ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'': Ultra Boy had a slight variant. He had all the powers Superboy had, but only one at a time; he could be either super-strong or invulnerable, but not both at the same time.
46	* ''ComicBook/TheMightyThor'': Thor and Dr. Donald Blake are a variation on this - the difference being that Thor is the original and Blake was a mortal form Odin forced upon his son as a test. Most other wielders of Mjölnir or passable replicas thereof also fit under this trope more-or-less. Including but not limited to Storm when she got repowered by Loki, ComicBook/BetaRayBill (albeit he is also a super soldier; he was already strong but gets a ''lot'' stronger when transformed), ComicBook/{{Thunderstrike}} (both of them), and the new ComicBook/{{Thor\|2014}} Jane Foster.
47	* ComicBook/{{Miracleman}} (originally and still sometimes Marvelman - see MM's own page for the convoluted legal history) was a direct homage to Captain Marvel, created while the latter was in the middle of his twenty-year publishing hiatus, and transformed by speaking the word "Kimota" ("atomic" backward, more or less). He likewise had two teenage sidekicks, Young Marvelman/Miracleman and Kid Marvelman/Miracleman, who transformed by speaking their mentor's name.
48	* ''ComicBook/MsMarvel'' Starting out in ''ComicBook/MsMarvel1977'', Carol Danvers was one of these, having superpowers in her "Ms. Marvel" identity and none as Carol, with the additional wrinkle she didn't know this - Carol and Ms. Marvel were separate personalities, with Carol gaining a few centimeters and a different haircut whenever she became Ms. Marvel. After a while, the two became aware of one another, and the line between them starting blurring together.
49	* ''ComicBook/{{Shazam}}'': Captain Marvel, who debuted ''decades'' before He-Man or the Japanese heroes, which makes him the UrExample of all transforming heroes. He's normally a powerless little boy (or early teen) named Billy Batson, but when he says "Shazam" (an acronym of the names of six mythological figures), he's transformed into a powerful FlyingBrick. Cap's supporting cast featured a lot of these, including Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., Hoppy the Marvel Bunny, and the Lieutenants Marvel, as well as a lot of Henshin Villains, like Black Adam, Ibac, and Sabbac. Later it was revealed that even the wizard Shazam himself was a former Henshin Hero thousands of years ago when he was Jebediah of Canaan, who transformed into The Champion by saying the magic word "Vlarem". Most of those characters were retconned out with the New 52 reboot in 2011, but the current version of Billy Batson still says "Shazam" to transform from a normal boy into a superhero (albeit one with somewhat different powers).
50	* ''ComicBook/TheSpectre'': Depending on who's writing him, he may or may not have some form of this. The older stories treated him as a guy who had returned from death and could when he wanted, take on a ghostly form with mystical powers. Most later writers treat the Spectre and the human host it's associated with as separate characters, with how much control the host has when in Spectre form being highly variable. In the Ostrander run the two were separate to the extent that Corrigan didn't have a "Spectre form"; the Spectre essentially lived inside him (but could temporarily leave and act independently).
51	* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':
52	** For a brief period in TheNineties, he had both an Electric Superman and Clark Kent form.
53	** Prior to that, he went through a period in TheSeventies when he only had his powers while visualizing a lynx. Otherwise, they were in the possession of a young boy who was psychically connected to the lynx. No, really.
54	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: For a time Diana no longer had her powers when not "transformed" into Wonder Woman. (This was also how it worked in her TV series)
55	* ''ComicBook/XMen'': [[Characters/XMen70sMembers Colossus]] is large and buff-looking in his human form, but only superhumanly strong and tough in his [[ChromeChampion metallic form]]. He's still strong in his human form, but only "normal human who pumps iron" levels of strong.
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Fan Works]]
59	* ''Fanfic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'': Omake character Reel, AKA Kamen Rider Skull II, who became one after gaining the powers of a Kamen Rider in his backstory.
60	* ''Fanfic/APlaceInMyDreams'': One of Kirito's Authorities, [Avatar of Dreams], allows him to manifest a strong mental image of himself (a dream) into reality like armor. He first uses it to transform into his Sword Art Online Avatar, but it is capable of bringing any form he can sufficiently imagine into reality too. Such as avatars from ''other'' games.
61	* Deconstructed in ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/8327476/chapters/19073260 The 10 in Ben]]'', where the stress of being a KidHero and the confusion of having multiple different 'forms' results in Ben developing multiple personalities. The catalyst for this was his transformation into Grey Matter, as a way for his brain to process having knowledge and understanding he simply did not have before.
62	[[/folder]]
63
64	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
65	* Zigzagged in ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed''. Mei's NotQuiteFlight ability is a consequence of being able to precisely and accurately control the generation of the poof of smoke associated with her transformation between her human and giant red panda forms and vice versa. It could therefore be said that she has the ability in both forms but it alternates from one to the other.
66	[[/folder]]
67
68	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
69	* In the ''Film/{{Moonwalker}}'' movie and [[VideoGame/MichaelJacksonsMoonwalker games]], Music/MichaelJackson can morph into a sportscar, a robot (aka the Jacksonator), or a space fighter plane, with the power of a Wishing Star.
70	* Tony Stark in ''Film/IronMan'', just like the comics. As he continues to advance the technology, donning it becomes easier every time, going from needing a lot of machinery to assemble and disassemble it around him in the first to having the suitcase suit in the second to each piece flying into place on its own with so long as he wears certain arm devices to summon it in ''The Avengers'' to basically ''doing a henshin pose'' that it responds to (not quite perfected) in the third. Particularly noticeable in the [[Film/IronMan3 third film]], where the climax involves him [[spoiler: alternating between suits in quick succession, each opening, letting him in, and resealing around him as needed even in midair]]. ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' takes it even farther - nanites stored in a chest-worn device pour around him to form the suit with a touch. That’s as close to a {{Toku}} hero as you’re getting without having him shout “[[Franchise/PowerRangers It’s morphin’ time]]!”
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Literature]]
74	* The titular Behemoth of ''Literature/TheBehemoth'' is Roger's alternate form, a giant figure armored with coagulated blood and adorned with horns.
75	* This is the most common superpower (not [[MostCommonSuperpower that one]]) in ''Literature/SuperPowereds''. Most Supers are Shifters, requiring them to turn into their alt-form to activate their powers. In rare cases (such as with Hershel/Roy), this crosses with SuperpoweredAlterEgo. There are a number of Shifter-type Supers at Lander, including one of their gym teachers, who turns into a robot.
76	* In one novel of ''Literature/TheShadow'' it was declared that The Shadow had most of his powers (i.e. his ordinary powers) in any of his forms, including Lamont Cranston. However, only when fully garbed as The Shadow in his cloak and hat, could he "cloud men's minds".
77	* ''Literature/{{Captain Underpants}}''
78	[[/folder]]
79
80	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
81	* The ReligiousEdutainment show ''Series/{{Bibleman}}'' had the titular character, and later his teammates, use a special chamber in his base to transform. During the TransformationSequence a voice would name the different parts of his suit as they manifest which are based on the [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armor_of_God Armor of God]] from the ''Literature/BookOfEphesians''.
82	* ''Franchise/KamenRider'' was the TropeNamer and the TropeCodifier. Most Kamen Riders have "Henshin!" as the [[ByThePowerOfGreyskull changing command]].
83	* This trope is also a staple of ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' series, as well as their American ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' adaptations. Typically a Sentai team would all activate their {{Transformation Trinket}}s to do a group transformation, before [[SuperSentaiStance striking out in a cool pose]]. The only exception is the show ''Series/BattleFeverJ'', where the heroes had to put on their suits manually.
84	* ''Series/MetalHeroes'', being from the same folks behind ''Kamen Rider'' and ''Super Sentai'' and running from 1982 to 1999 (with some movie revivals in the 2010s). Generally, they saw the hero donning a suit of PoweredArmor to fight against the bad guys.
85	* The ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' is the UrExample for Japanese Tokusatsu. In every series, an ordinary guy uses a TransformationTrinket to become a gigantic alien warrior of light in order to battle {{kaiju}} and [[SizeShifter sizeshifting]] aliens. Unlike the previous three major franchises, it's not produced by Creator/{{Toei\|Company}}, but Creator/TsuburayaProductions.
86	* ''Series/{{Kikaider}}'' is a {{Ridiculously Human Robot\|s}} who assumes a more robotic fighting form by chanting "Switch On".
87	* ''Series/{{Inazuman}}'' had ''two'' henshins Goro needed to perform before assuming the titular form, first by shouting "Goriki Shourai" (Summon Mighty Power) to become the larvae-like Sanagiman. After building up enough energy, Goro could then shout "Chouriki Shourai" (Summon Super Power) to become Inazuman.
88	* ''Series/ChoujinBibyun'' was about a trio of humans each imbued with a demon, giving them the power to assume superhuman forms to fight against evil {{Youkai}}.
89	%% * ''Series/ChouSeiShinSeries'' and several other {{toku}}satsu franchises.
90	* There was a Japanese ''[[Series/SpiderManJapan Spider-Man]]'' series that turned him into a Henshin Hero, rather than the usual change of costume. He even got a HumongousMecha to battle the MonsterOfTheWeek whenever it turned giant-sized!
91	* Many American ''tokusatsu'' adaptations (most of which came around the same time). Asides from ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' (which started the craze), we have ''Series/VRTroopers'', ''Series/MaskedRider'', ''Series/SuperhumanSamuraiSyberSquad'', and ''[[Series/{{Beetleborgs}} Big Bad Beetleborgs]]''. There was also ''Series/KamenRiderDragonKnight'', which came sometime after the trend had faded out and left only ''Power Rangers'' standing.
92	* ''Series/TheMysticKnightsOfTirNaNog'' was a wholly American produced henshin hero program, which used no Japanese footage.[[note]]Albeit borrowing a few ''Series/{{Beetleborgs}}'' costumes, which were, in turn, borrowed ''JuukouBFighter'' and ''BFighterKabuto'' costumes.[[/note]] It was a HeroicFantasy take on the genre set in a quasi-medieval set of kingdoms roughly based on Ireland, with a smattering of characters from other lands mixed in. The mystic knights would transform from civilian clothes into magic armor each calling on an element.[[note]]The transformation phrases were: "Fire Within Me!", "Air Above Me!", "Water Around Me!", "Earth Beneath Me!", and "Forest Before Me!"[[/note]]
93	* Ema in the Japanese drama ''{{Series/Sh15uya}}'' had a henshin ability, but it was never really explained.
94	* The Lynda Carter ''Series/WonderWoman'' series. Diana Prince had to spin (along with an act of will, so she couldn't change accidentally) to transform into Wonder Woman in order to access her powers.
95	* ''Series/WarriorOfLoveRainbowman'' has no henshin device; instead he repeatedly chants "Anokutara Sanmyakusanbodai" (Supreme Correct Wisdom) to transform.
96	%%* National Kid, a series Toei made in 1960 that was fairly famous in Brazil.
97	* ''Series/BIMASatriaGaruda'' has Ray, who with the red Power Stone and the [[ByThePowerOfGreyskull changing command]] "Berubah!" (change) transforms into the eponymous hero.
98	* ''Series/TattooedTeenageAlienFightersFromBeverlyHills'' was Creator/DiCEntertainment's response to Saban's ''Power Rangers''. Rather than adapt a Japanese show they created the series from scratch. It is about a group of four teenagers recruited by a good alien named Nimbar to fight an evil alien Emperor Gorganus who wants to take over the Earth. Each teenager is given a usually invisible tattoo that glows when trouble is a foot, they use these tattoos to transform into the Galactic Sentinels, spandex clad giant martial artists each named after a constellation (which they yell the names of to transform). They can then combine forms by linking their arms to merge and become Knightron an even more power form.
99	[[/folder]]
100
101	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
102	* Appropriately for something that grew out of Champions, the superheroic tabletop game, the HERO system has a Power Limitation called "Only In Heroic Identity." It's not worth many points, but it essentially means that the character has an alternate form and that the power in question only works in his superheroic form, thus opening the possibility that the character be trapped into his normal form and denied access to his superpowers.
103	* The "normal identity" drawback in ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' means that the character has a non-powered civilian form. Both ''TabletopGame/FreedomCity'' and ''TabletopGame/HaltEvilDoer'' have Shazam {{Expy}} characters (Megastar and Ultimatum respecively) which use this.
104	* ''TabletopGame/BigEyesSmallMouth'' has a specific version of Form Change that grants the user a super-powered form.
105	* ''TabletopGame/{{Legend}}'' includes a set of abilities called "Vigilante," which allows the user to summon armor and power buffs with a shouted command (TransformationIsAFreeAction for Vigilantes).
106	* Played with in the various [[TabletopGame.NewWorldOfDarkness World of Darkness]] games.
107	** Averted in most games. You're, for the most part, always a monster at all times, and can do a variable job hiding it.
108	** Downplayed in ''TabletopGame/WerewolfTheForsaken'', where human-form [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Uratha]] enjoy slightly increased physical durability and supernatural perception, but most of their power is in their Hybrid forms. Just take care with your [[UnstoppableRage rage]].
109	** Played Straight in the fan game, TabletopGame/PrincessTheHopeful, due to its MagicalGirl inspirations.
110	* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}''
111	** Vigilantes in even the BadassNormal builds, have distinct abilities in their social and vigilante identities. The [[MagicalGirl Magical Child]] even gets a TransformationSequence.
112	** The Aegis from Dreamscarred Press can be played as transforming heroes.
113	** Little Red Goblin Games' ''[[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/180605/Gonzo-2 Gonzo 2]]'' has a Pathfinder class explicitly called the [[http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/henshin-hero Henshin Hero]], along with a MagicalGirl class, the aptly-named [[http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/magical-girl Magical Girl or Magical Boy]]. (Mechanically, they're very similar, but the Henshin Hero specializes in physical attacks while the Magical Girl/Boy specializes in magic)
114	* ''Anime/FutureCardBuddyfight'' has the Transform keyword. It's unique to the {{Toku}}-style Superheroes (or their counterparts the Dark Heroes), and is flavored this way. Monsters with this keyword may be equipped as though they were items, effectively turning you into a Henshin Hero.
115	* In the "Supertoon" setting for ''TabletopGame/{{Toon}}'', the Multiple Forms schtick gives you this. Although if you want a ''really'' weird character you can give ''both'' forms superpowers.
116	[[/folder]]
117
118	[[folder:Web Comics]]
119
120	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Elliot's magic lets him fly and gives him heightened durability and an accelerated healing factor, but only when using a particular spell that also requires him to [[SuperGenderBender turn into a woman]]. He has other superhuman abilities that can be used without transforming, though.
121	* ''Webcomic/KarinDou4koma'' features a Henshin Hero ''youkai''--not a youkai who is a Henshin Hero, mind you, but rather the concept of "Henshin Hero" ''personified''. He only makes two brief appearance with some friends, though, and doesn't appear as anything other than an ordinary schoolboy.
122	* Sheena, in ''Webcomic/KidRadd''. Complete with a parody of an anime TransformationSequence: "Magical Maid Robo Sheena!"
123	%%* In ''Webcomic/NemuNemu'', you have Henshin Rider.
124	[[/folder]]
125
126	[[folder:Web Original]]
127	%%* The Spirit Guard in ''Literature/MagicalGirlPolicy'' all fit this category.
128	%%* The Dimensional Guardians from the web fiction serial ''Literature/DimensionHeroes''.
129	* ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'':
130	** Linkara turns out to be one of these. He transforms with a classic ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' morpher into his jacketed-hatted form, albeit usually just before the show begins.
131	** [[spoiler: And thanks to the ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'' Zeonizer he can transform into his upgraded White Zeo Ranger Form]]
132	** [[spoiler: Better still, he also has a gold Power Morpher with a Dragon coin in. Which lets him become the Green Ranger.]]
133	** [[spoiler: In an anniversary episode, he uses cards and the ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'' Morpher switch between different outfits.]]
134	* The Creator/ApolloZHack Reviwarverse Saga features the eponymous hero and his nemesis possessing R-Units (which look surprisingly like Series/KamenRiderDragonKnight belts) which let them "Rev Up" to transform into Franchise/KamenRider like super powered forms called [[XtremeKoolLetterz Revuers]].
135	* LWAAS uses Jo's Manga: MechaGirl. The main character Yukasa,Takes off her clothes,just in her UnderwearofPower underwear pressing the button In the center of her bra TransformationTrinket and transforms into MechaGirl! PowerArmour.
136	* Eric Draven, from ''Roleplay/MallFight''. He started off as a Green Ranger, moved onto becoming Kamen Rider Black, and now transforms (actually saying "HENSHIN!") into a fusion between Kamen Rider and ComicBook/GhostRider.
137	* Creator/JewWario used to transform into "The Warion" but has now been upgraded into the Fami-Kamen Rider, a Nintendo/Famicom-themed Kamen Rider with powers based on 8-bit video game sprites (and a Rider Belt that's a portable Famicom unit).
138	* Inverted with Oingo in ''WebVideo/VaguelyRecallingJoJo''. His Stand, Khnum, is based off the Rider belt and he uses it for assassinations.
139	[[/folder]]
140
141	[[folder:Western Animation]]
142	* The eponymous WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong, who transforms into a dragon to battle monsters and supernatural creatures. As per this trope, Jake must be a dragon to use dragon abilities, though he can still use martial arts and is fairly capable when [[BadassNormal fighting in human form]]. Unusually, he's able to transform specific parts of himself and not the rest if he so chooses, giving himself individual dragon traits such as claws or improved vision when the situation calls for it.
143	* ''WesternAnimation/AtomicPuppet'': Neither Joey nor AP have powers until they perform their FusionDance and become the eponymous superhero, as Joey is the only one who can unlock Captain Atomic's lost powers from his ForcedTransformation.
144	* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'', and its sequels ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'', ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', and ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse''. Interestingly, [[Characters/Ben10BenTennyson Ben Tennyson]] has multiple hero forms to choose from (10 initially, then he gets more forms as each series progresses).
145	** Oh so is the rest of the PowerTrio, the LoveInterest and plenty of bit characters as well. For example, [[EnergyBeings Gwen]], [[EnergyAbsorption Ke]][[ElementalShapeshifter vin]], [[PowerArmor Ju]][[EquippableAlly lie]].
146	* ''WesternAnimation/ButtUglyMartians'': The titular Martians perform a henshin to summon their [[PoweredArmor Butt-Kicking Mode suits]]. All three of them have to be present to initiate BKM, but this is only ever brought up once.
147	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Centurions}}'': [[DownplayedTrope A downplayed example]]. The Centurions fuse with their Assault Weapon Systems by shouting "[[ByThePowerOfGreyskull Power extreme!]]" and performing an X-pose, but have to call in the weapons to be beamed to them first. It's portrayed as InstantArmor in-universe, though it's usually (but not always) accompanied by a TransformationSequence.
148	* WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom is an ordinary kid who can transform into a ghostly superhero after a freak lab accident. Even though he has access to his powers while human, they aren't as potent until he transforms. He even has his own catchphrase when he transforms, "Going Ghost!"
149	* ''WesternAnimation/DragonBooster'':
150	** Artha Penn has a magical amulet and armband which allows him transform into the titular Dragon Booster.
151	** In season 2, Moordryd Paynn finds an amulet and armband of his own that allow him to transform into the [[EvilCounterpart Shadow Booster]]. However, there were hints at him pulling a HeelFaceTurn and becoming a hero himself.
152	** The show also hinted at Kitt and Parm becoming Henshin Heroes in their own right. In one episode, Kitt finds a portrait of a woman called the Fire Booster and another episode had Parm earning a gauntlet that would allow him to become the fabled Power Booster once his found the amulet that matched it.
153	* In ''WesternAnimation/ElTigre'', the titular hero transforms by spinning the buckle of his TransformationTrinket belt.
154	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Freakazoid}}'': Dexter Douglas transforms into the eponymous hero by exclaiming, "Freak Out!", then has to say "Freak In!" in order to change back.
155	* ''WesternAnimation/FredAndBarneyMeetTheThing'' turned the ''ComicBook/FantasticFour''[='s=] Ben Grimm into a weedy teenager who can change into the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing by joining two rings and shouting "Thing Ring, do your thing!"
156	* ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983'' as well as its DistaffCounterpart, ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower''. Likewise in He-Man's [[WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse2002 2002 reboot]], in which there's a much greater visual difference between his normal and super-powered forms, and in 2018's ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', where She-Ra is notably taller than [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerAdora Adora]] ("Like, eight feet tall").
157	** ''WesternAnimation/MastersOfTheUniverseRevelation'' establishes that this was the case for past Champions of Eternia as well. He-Man is unique because [[spoiler: in the WarriorHeaven of Preternia, he chooses to be Prince Adam. That's just how much of a HumbleHero he is.]]
158	* In ''WesternAnimation/IronManArmoredAdventures,'' instead of a suitcase-suit, [[HighSchoolAU teen Tony]] has it as a backpack. It only requires that the central button be pushed and it forms around him on its own without him having to do anything else, making for the most {{Toku}}-like version yet. Now all we need is [[ByThePowerOfGreyskull voice activation]].
159	* ''WesternAnimation/JadeArmor'': While a skilled martial artist as both Lan Jun and Jade Armor, Lan Jun only has access to the ElementalPowers of the Beasticons as Jade Armor.
160	* Wonder Woman pulls it off in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' ("To Another Shore", specifically) as a homage to the aforementioned TV series starring Linda Carter.
161	* ''WesternAnimation/KingArthurAndTheKnightsOfJustice'', which may have been inspired by the armored warriors anime genre, is what happens when you apply this trope to Arthurian legend.
162	* ''WesternAnimation/MegaManFullyCharged'': this version of Mega Man is the alter ego of [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot teen robot]] Aki Light, who [[TransformationSequence transforms]] into Mega Man by telling the [[ItMakesSenseInContext miniature robot who lives in his head]] [[ByThePowerOfGrayskull "mega-tize me!"]]
163	* Ladybug and Cat Noir from ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'', as well as Hawk Moth and any other Miraculous holders that appear, complete with {{Transformation Sequence}}s.
164	* ''WesternAnimation/MummiesAlive'': The mummies, complete with transformation sequences and ByThePowerOfGrayskull phrase.
165	* Near the end of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'', the Humane Six gain pony-eared and pegasus-winged MagicalGirl forms via Twilight's Element of Magic. In the ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks Rainbow Rocks]]'' animated shorts, the characters' [[ThePowerOfRock musical instruments]] act as {{Transformation Trinket}}s.
166	* The ''WesternAnimation/PJMasks'' transform OnceAnEpisode from their civilian identities to the hero team they are in the night, and being unable to utilize their powers in the daytime.
167	* In ''WesternAnimation/RandyCunninghamNinthGradeNinja'', Randy becomes his {{Ninja}} alter-ego by putting on the [[CoolMask Ninja mask]] (Even got its own transformation sequence.)
168	* Bradley Biggle plays this trope straight to become ''Mint Berry Crunch'' in WesternAnimation/SouthPark episode Coon vs. Coon and friends. In fact, his transformation sequence gives nods to the ''Kamen Rider'' franchise and ''Anime/SailorMoon'', both of which are very prominent HenshinHero series.
169	* ''WesternAnimation/SuperDuperSumos'': The sumos go through a TransformationSequence to become "Sumo-Sized" and become even bigger and more powerful.
170	* WesternAnimation/SuperTed transforms into his super-powered state by speaking the phrase [[ByThePowerOfGreySkull "I'll just say my]] secret magic word..." and then unzipping his fur to reveal a superhero costume underneath.
171	* When the five main characters from ''WesternAnimation/SuperWhy'' are not transformed, they're normal kids and a dog without powers. Princess Pea does have her magic wand untransformed, but it doesn't seem to be capable of spelling to make things appear as it does as Princess Presto.
172	* In ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan'', the two organic heroes summon their PoweredArmor with a wrist-mounted transformation device.
173	* ''{{WesternAnimation/Trollhunters}}'' works this way with the magic amulet wielded by Jim, complete with TransformationSequence activated by reciting ''For the glory of Merlin, daylight is mine to command!''
174	* ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'': Fairies are a {{downplayed}} example. Although they behave and look mostly like humans when un-transformed, they retain a modicum of magic--making objects levitate, repairing minor messes, launching minor magic attacks, summoning clothes, and opening portals. To be fair, teleporting is a rather inconsistent power since, in some seasons, they need Stella's scepter or a special transformation to do so. This is all enough for mundane affairs and low-danger situations. However, when it's time for ass-kicking, they transform into full fairy form, where having fully functional wings is the least of their abilities. Depending on the transformation they can lift curses, heal, tap on magic while in magicless lands, draw power from people's faith in them, go underwater, and access special dimensions. The show is a MagicalGirlWarrior series [[{{Animesque}} heavily influenced by Maho Shojo anime]], and the main girls have their own set of StockFootage Sailor Moon-esque transformation sequences.
175	* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'': Though the main heroines can only transform with their leader around, who has the TransformationTrinket.
176	* ''WesternAnimation/ZakStorm'': When Zak holds his TalkingWeapon Calabrass aloft and speaks the words "[[ByThePowerOfGrayskull Give me the Eye of Element!]]", he goes through a TransformationSequence, wherein Calabrass becomes imbued with the respective element and Zak is engulfed with a [[FashionableAsymmetry full-armor on his left arm]]. His headband piece becomes a [[EyepatchOfPower matching eye-patch to boot]].
177	[[/folder]]
178	----
179	''[[EvilCounterpart Henshin a-]]'''[[PreAssKickingOneLiner bye-bye!]]'''''

Context Main / HenshinHero