Line #72 Main/LeotardOfPower


1	[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/XMen https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stormleotard.png]]]]
2
3	->'''Starlight:''' I can't wear that. ... It's – it's not me.\
4	'''Seth:''' You're wrong. It's totally you. It's bold, it's brave, it's feminist.\
5	'''Starlight:''' How is ''that'' feminist?\
6	'''David:''' Empowering. It says you're confident in your own skin, and you're not afraid to show it.
7	-->-- ''Series/TheBoys2019''
8
9	A character fights in a skintight leotard or, more generally, a swimsuit-esque one piece. Pretty common as a SuperHero trope, especially during its [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]], where the costume originated as gymnasts' and circus performers' garb and since then it isn't ''always'' used for {{Fanservice}} (strongmen and wrestlers were as likely to wear it as acrobats, and so you'll still see the occasional hulking bruiser wearing it to show off their massive musculature).
10
11	One of the leotard's advantages is that it is more "modest" or less revealing than a two-piece garment like a bikini, and thus for a long time was used in comics, games, TV shows and media to convey the portrayal of a ''[[RuleOfSexy sexy]]'' female character (or at least, ''"bold"'') without enraging MoralGuardians. Note that also, back in TheEighties and TheNineties the leotard (or one piece swimsuit) was ''"the"'' ultimate in fashion clothing, being much more popular than the two-piece garments and portrayed in aerobics shows, ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'' and such, so it can be used in [[NostalgiaFilter retro references]] too.
12
13	Similar to UnderwearOfPower, some females who wear this may suffer a GroinAttack at least once either for comedy, fan service, or simply for her enemy to really humiliate her. Especially for a [[{{Superhero}} Superheroine]] it's not uncommon because, surprisingly, some of them may be weak in that spot.
14
15	This is a {{Fanservice}} trope, the backbone of MostCommonSuperPower. Essentially a cross between SensualSpandex and ShowSomeLeg. Will often feature a NavelOutline.
16
17	Compare MinidressOfPower, PlayboyBunny, ShowgirlSkirt, UnderwearOfPower (which is often worn in a way that pretty much looks like a leotard anyway), WalkingSwimsuitScene, SuperheroesWearTights.
18
19	----
20	!!Examples:
21	[[foldercontrol]]
22
23	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
24	* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': For the climactic battle with Aizen, Yoruichi is wearing one of these.
25	* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': (Male) villain Pampillon's outfit is...uh...rather fabulous and definitely off-putting.
26	* All of the Kisugi sisters from ''Manga/CatsEye'' wear one. Of course, despite what some sources say, their leotards are actually [[SpyCatsuit unitards]].
27	* Kasumi Asou from ''Manga/CityHunter'', who is as an acrobatic [[JustLikeRobinHood Robin Hood-like phantom thief.]] And also inspired to quoted above Kisugi sisters.
28	* The [[spoiler:seven surviving]] title Manga/{{Claymore}}s wear an outfit like this after the time skip, often with a variant of a short skirt or ZettaiRyouiki.
29	* ''Franchise/CodeGeass'':
30	** Anya Alstreim from [[Anime/CodeGeass the main series]] is the main symbol.
31	** There's also Luciano Bradley's Valkyrie Squadron.
32	** In ''Manga/CodeGeassNightmareOfNunnally'', Anya again, Alice after making her contract with Nemo, and Marianne in her days as a Nightmare pilot.
33	** ''Manga/CodeGeassOzTheReflection'' has this present with the Glinda Knights and their leader [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething Princess Marrybell mel Britannia]] whenever they wear their pilot suits.
34	* In the 2020 anime of ''Manga/DragonQuestTheAdventureOfDai'', Princess Leona tries on the Angel Leotard at Bengarna's department store, among other pieces of clothing from the games. The design is lifted straight from the Super Famicom version of ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV''. Popp vetoed the leotard since it would be too inappropriate for a Sage.
35	* Major Motoko Kusanagi from ''Franchise/GhostInTheShell'' wears a leotard with a jacket over it, and really long stockings. She later gets pants. For some odd reason, the fan consensus is that getting the pants improves her character.
36	* In ''Anime/{{Gunbuster}}'', the official uniform of the Earth Defense Force's HumongousMecha pilots looks like a one-piece swimsuit with a sweatshirt over it.
37	* Church assassins Xenovia and Irina from ''Literature/HighSchoolDXD'' wear painted-on bodysuits in battle. Accordingly, they're [[FragileSpeedster Fragile Speedsters]], relying on maneuverability and holy artifacts their targets can't touch to get the upper hand.
38	* This is actually the default pilot suit (complete with ZettaiRyouiki) used in ''Literature/InfiniteStratos''. Well, save for [[TheOneGuy Ichika]]'s, that is...
39	* Vanilla Ice from ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' wears one.
40	* ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple'': Miu Furinji's leotard, which bears more resemblance to body paint than clothing[[note]]and is really a biketard (a unitard with short legs, like bike shorts), rather than a leotard[[/note]]. Justified in that she is actually a gymnast.
41	* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'':
42	** Fate Testarossa. With even less skirt than the Sailor Senshi.
43	** The uniform of most of the [=N2R=] Nakajima Sisters formed after ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', which is a leotard with a jacket and chaps worn over it. The only exception is Cinque, who wears a miniskirt with leggings instead.
44	* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': Pro Hero "Mirko" wears a white leotard with a high fur collar that helps to show off her muscular legs.
45	* Not during the fighting part of the manga, but ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' has plenty of gratuitous scenes of Makie performing her rhythmic gymnastics. And it's a flashy routine -- every time we see her practicing in anything ''other'' than her leotard, she gives a lot of {{Panty Shot}}s.
46	** Evangeline is more proper example of this troupe.
47	* The standard MagicalGirl outfit in ''Anime/OkusamaWaMahouShoujo'' is one, plus frills and other accessories.
48	* Kodachi Kunō of ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' will readily [[FlungClothing fling her clothes]] to reveal the leotard she wears underneath with little provocation. Somewhat "justified" by her [[MartialArtsAndCrafts martial art]] being based on rhythmic gymnastics... but mainly because she's a shameless loon.
49	** Played with a couple of times when Ranma in female form and dressed in a leotard finds herself changed to her male form suddenly.
50	* Rina's avatar in ''Characters/PhantasyStarOnline2TheAnimation.''
51	* The Sailor Senshi from ''Manga/SailorMoon'' wear sailor-collared leotards with skirts over them. Since the leotards are white, many viewers thought they were seeing panties whenever the 90s anime averted the MagicSkirt trope.
52	* ''Manga/SaintSeiya'': All of the Amazons have these as their trainers.
53	* Ryoko's skintight battlesuit from ''Anime/TenchiMuyo''
54	* The Girls's default costume in ''Manga/ToLoveRu'' is this, as it's basically a parody of Magical Girl outfits. And is a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifting]] [[RobotGirl robot]] named Peke. It's also called "Dress Form", despite having more in they way of large frills on the sides than a full skirt.
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder:Comic Books]]
58	* Creator/DCComics pretty much made this trope; nearly every other DC Comics superhero or superheroine wears a Leotard of Power, if not wearing UnderwearOfPower instead:
59	** ComicBook/WonderWoman is the classic example, which is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in ''Franchise/{{Justice League\|of America}}'', where Gordon Godfrey snarkingly compares her to a showgirl. Also played with in [[Film/WonderWoman2017 the movie]], when ComicBook/SteveTrevor says "Let's get you into an outfit that doesn't get me arrested for solicitation".
60	*** Her original outfit was an aversion, while she showed a lot of back she wore mid-thigh culottes--baggy shorts--which she'd exchanged for tighter shorts by the time ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'' started. Her shorts only shrunk into a leotard in the Silver Age.
61	*** There was an attempt to avert it with a jacket/pants update in ''ComicBook/WonderWomanOdyssey''. It didn't last long.
62	*** During the 1970s, Wonder Woman went through a big makeover, which also didn't last too long. She sometimes wore a fringed jacket and pants and sometimes wore a minidress. Both of these still managed to show a lot of leg, because of the shortness of the dress and the fact that the pants had large circular holes in them running down the outside of the leg.
63	*** Wonder Woman's ''ComicBook/New52'' outfit was set to be another aversion, until her creative team opted for something closer to her traditional look. Certain covers and promotional images were even released with "pants" and "no pants" versions.
64	** ComicBook/PhantomLady is the trope founder
65	** Just one of the many fanservices given to us by ComicBook/PowerGirl, whose standard outfit comes with a white leotard that exposes most of her legs. The biggest difference with other superheroines is the addition of a CleavageWindow.
66	** Franchise/{{Batman}}'s foe Poison Ivy wears a leotard made of leaves. Given that she's practically MsFanservice, it's not really surprising.
67	** ComicBook/{{Huntress}}: The Earth Two version wears one all the time, the ComicBook/PostCrisis version less consistently so.
68	** Star Sapphire
69	** ComicBook/{{Starfire}} (When her costume isn't a ChainmailBikini, anyway.) In ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' she's mistaken for a stripper after showing up on someone's doorstep.
70	*** Also Nightstar, her daughter from an alternate universe.
71	** Terra of ComicBook/TeenTitans, alongside her Post-Crisis counterpart, Atlee. In the ''ComicBook/New52'' she wears a black jumpsuit.
72	** ComicBook/BlackCanary wears this with the addition of fishnets and a leather jacket.
73	** ComicBook/{{Zatanna}} wears a shirt and jacket over the top half. That's because it's a classic magician look, it's her shtick. She also wears fishnet stockings, apparently because the leotard itself didn't scream "stripper" loud enough.
74	** [[ComicBook/{{Hawkman}} Hawkgirl / Hawkwoman]], during UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks and UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks. ComicBook/PostCrisis, she switched to a two-piece costume.
75	** ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'s outfit was always leotard-ish, but she typically covered her hips with a skirt of at least mid-thigh length until the ComicBook/New52 reboot, which made it a straight up leotard with thigh high boots. In the ''ComicBook/RedDaughterOfKrypton'' arc, her Red Lantern outfit lacks a skirt.
76	** Both Dick Grayson and Jason Todd wore one during their time as ComicBook/{{Robin}}, what with their costumes being based on Dick's circus leotard. One issue of ''[[ComicBook/TeenTitans New Teen Titans]]'' has Dick removing the shirt to his Robin costume revealing that the part of his costume that appears to be green trunks is actually the bottom part of a green leotard covering his entire torso. [[DependingOnTheWriter This varies from writer to writer]], because sometimes they actually are depicted as green trunks.
77	** ComicBook/{{Darkseid}}'s classic outfit is a hooded leotard with an optional miniskirt. Suffice it to say that the outfit gives off a very different impression when worn by a hulking, craggy-skinned EvilOverlord rather than a beautiful superheroine.
78	** Even the DC-published ''Animaniacs'' comic book got in on the act: the outwardly dumb blond Hello Nurse was revealed to be the mundane version of Hello Nurse, Agent of H.U.B.B.A., a James Bond-style superheroine with a leotard styled to look like a nurse's uniform.
79	* Creator/{{Marvel\|Comics}} does this as well, though not as much as DC (they generally seem to prefer spandex bodysuits instead and are shifting away from this trope):
80	** [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]], during TheSixties
81	** ComicBook/{{Rogue}} during TheEighties (though she usually wears it over another layer of tights).
82	*** She also wore the old Ms. Marvel costume for a very short time during the ''Acts of Vengeance'' arc, when she absorbed her powers.
83	** ComicBook/{{Psylocke}}, for almost '''seventeen years.''' To the point that ''any'' change to [[MsFanservice her costume]] is met by a cry of "TheyChangedItNowItSucks!" On the other hand, the "[[ThongOfShielding Thongkini]]" is also something divisive among fans, with some decrying it as blatant fanservice and much preferring her in the SpyCatsuit-style uniform she picked up during the late 2000s. She now seems to have settled on to the SpyCatsuit.
84	*** Psylocke does wear a virtually right-off-the-page adaptation of the Thongkini in ''Film/XMenApocalypse'', however. Partly {{justified\|trope}} by it being set in TheEighties.
85	** ComicBook/ScarletWitch, until after ''ComicBook/AvengersVsXMen''. Now, she wears something closer to a red trench coat.
86	** [[ComicBook/Warlock1967 Adam Warlock]], historically.
87	** Destiny of Characters/XMenBrotherhoodOfMutants
88	** [[Characters/XMen60sMembers Polaris]] (her classic outfit, usually worn over tights, as well)
89	** ComicBook/MsMarvel, until she became [[LegacyCharacter Captain Marvel]] and opted for a more uniform like spandex bodysuit.
90	*** The new ComicBook/{{Ms Marvel\|2014}} [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor wishes]] for the classic costume when her [[ShapeShifter powers]] first manifest, but learns quickly how uncomfortable it is. Opting later for [[SubvertedTrope one made from a re-purposed swimsuit]].
91	** ComicBook/SheHulk. A purple and white one is her most common attire unless she's in a courtroom.
92	** ComicBook/SquirrelGirl (though she always wears it over another layer of tights)
93	** Valkyrie, though again, this has changed in recent years.
94	** Colossus, according to WordOfGod from Dave Cockrum, Colossus's costume was designed with bare legs to better show off his superpower of having a metal body.
95	** ComicBook/RachelSummers, during her earliest days with the X-Men, didn't have a proper costume, and was usually wearing a black leotard with some leg-warmers. When she got her first real costume, she commented about having been running around in her Danskins to that point.
96	** Lampshaded at the conclusion of the ''ComicBook/SpiderIsland'' event. A few heroes casually discuss how comfortable they are standing nude among hundreds of other people after being returned to normal, saying it feels no different than wearing their skin tight suits.
97	* ComicBook/{{Incandescence}} is proud to wear her leotard.
98	%% * ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'': Bunnie Rabbot
99	* Caitlin Fairchild of ''ComicBook/Gen13''. Probably the [[StatuesqueStunner tallest example]] of this trope.
100	* The ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' comic ''Bloodquest'' has a male example, as [[TheCaptain Captain Leonatos]] is depicted as wearing a leotard over his HeroicBuild when he takes off his PowerArmor to rest. He also sits upright in bed, [[PillowPistol holding his bolter]] over his chest the whole time.
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:ComicStrips]]
104	* ''ComicStrip/InkPen'' has Ms. Amazement, a Wonder Woman spoof.
105	* ''BloomCounty'' has Steve Dallas seeking a job at "Superactioncomix" which is largely populated by ridiculously voluptuous superheroines in revealing bodices drawn by artists whom the editor admits "Didn't date much in high school"
106	* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' has Calvin writing in his school report that after he leaves for school each day his mother puts on a patriotic leotard, thigh boots and cape and fights crime as a superheroine. "Wow!" says his dad, "Show me THAT outfit sometime!".
107	[[/folder]]
108
109	[[folder:FanWorks]]
110	* In ''Fanfic/TheGoodHunter'', Ursula, Captain of the Forth Company, has this as part of her outfit, complete with thigh-high leggings.
111	* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': After becoming [[spoiler:the next ''Franchise/WonderWoman'',]] Asuka tore her [[LatexSpaceSuit plugsuit]] to model it after [[spoiler:Diana's]] swimsuit. In the rewrite she wears [[spoiler:''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' uniform.]]
112	* ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'': Asuka's uniform as ''ComicBook/PowerGirl'' (little change from the 'canon' design is Asuka having a V-shaped cut which shows her cleavage instead of the classic "[[CleavageWindow boob window]]"). As ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' she uses the Pre-ComicBook/New52 "cheerleader" outfit, with plenty of midriff. Needless to say, both can be pretty {{Stripperiffic}} at times (and this is pointed out in the fic and the {{omake}}).
113	* ''Fanfic/SuperwomenOfEva2AmazingAmazon'': Rei Ayanami, as ''Franchise/WonderWoman'', gets the classical Wondie leotard. The fact that Rei, a ''Japanese'' superwoman, runs around with an outfit [[PrimaryColorChampion with a coloring modeled after]] [[WearingAFlagOnYourHead the flag of the United States]] is explained as Hepaestus having been ''incredibly'' impressed with the United States' work on UsefulNotes/TheSpaceRace (which is when he made the outfit) and the reason why the uniform is a leotard is explained because... well... [[AllMenArePerverts Hepaestus occasionally felt lonely]].
114	* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' of Creator/AAPessimal, two Lady Assassins go undercover in a circus. Alice Band and Johanna Smith-Rhodes have to don leotards, one as a trapeze artiste, one with a lion-taming act. Both discover the drawbacks of leotard-wearing quite early on and decide it is, [[PottyEmergency in one crucial respect]], impractical as working gear for a fighting woman.
115	* ''Fanfic/TheSecretReturnOfAlexMack'': Terawatt's costume is just a slightly modified leotard. Justified in that she only needs it for disguise; her silvery morph gives better protection than any body armour, and carrying more weight makes it harder for her to fly.
116	[[/folder]]
117
118	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
119	* Worn by Christopher Reeve as part of his ''Film/{{Superman\|FilmSeries}}'' costume in a rare male example. Granted, it isn't obvious to the naked eye (as he's mostly covered in identical shades of blue so the red in the middle looks like UnderwearOfPower to the naked eye), but there's at least one account that describes Reeve's costume as incorporating a leotard.
120	* Adam West's original Batman costume was also a leotard and tights, similarly disguised by a separate pair of briefs. This wasn't generally known until it appeared on eBay for charity, fetching over $30,000 (though the leotard was called a "tunic" in the eBay listing, it was shown separately).
121	** But Burt Ward's Robin costume was not based on a leotard, even though the comics version was. Ward's costume used a T-shirt and trunks instead (and flesh-colored tights, which Ward hated).
122	* ''Film/XMenApocalypse'': Psylocke wears a purple leotard as her "Horseman of Apocalypse" uniform just like her comic counterpart.
123	[[/folder]]
124
125	[[folder:Literature]]
126	* In ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'', the morphers will normally tear their clothes if they morph into bigger animals, and the clothes will fall off if they morph into smaller ones. To prevent this, they wear skin tight clothes when morphing, such as bicycle shorts, tight undershirts, and for the girls of course, leotards.
127	* ''Literature/RubberGirl'' wears a leotard made of Elaztixium designed to stretch with her.
128	* in ''Literature/TalesOfAnMazingGirl'' Mazing Girl Wears one- though its more of a skintight jumper that cuts off at her knee.
129	* The woman shown [[http://patricktreardon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/robert_a__heinlein___the_menace_from_earth.jpg on one version of the cover]] of ''The Menace from Earth'' wears one.
130	[[/folder]]
131
132	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
133	* Leela in ''Series/DoctorWho''.
134	* In the Series/WeirdScience episode "Rock Hard Chett", Chett dons a leotard and tights after becoming invulnerable to just about anything. He vehemently resists the idea at first, until his brother points out that he should "think of it as a uniform".
135	** The audience is treated to several gratuitous full-body shots, and an instance of ClothingDamage that leaves the leotard bottom and mask intact but little else.
136	* Played with in some series of ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' franchise (namely ''Series/ChoudenshiBioman'', ''Series/DengekiSentaiChangeman'', ''Series/ChoushinseiFlashman'' and after more than ''three decades'' later, ''Series/KikaiSentaiZenkaiger''). The pattern on the suits of the female rangers resembles a leotard, but the suits themselves cover the entire body. ''Series/ChoujinSentaiJetman'' is the only one which used the design for ''male'' rangers (depending on your perception, their design can give UnderwearOfPower impression instead). Straighter example is Miss America from ''Series/BattleFeverJ'' who, in her transformed form, wears an actual leotard that leaves her legs uncovered.
137	* ''Series/WonderWoman'': Wonder Woman's iconic uniform. Lynda Carter brought the character back to her roots after a couple of very odd turns in 1967 and 1974, but dramatically changed the way we look at the character forever thanks to [[MsFanservice how she filled out the outfit]]. Previously, Wonder Woman was portrayed as a slim and athletic build. Afterwards in the comics, she unquestionably had the MostCommonSuperPower.
138	* Averted in ''Series/JessicaJones2015''. In a flashback scene when the title character first tries being a superhero, Jessica rejects both a proposed superhero name and skintight costume offered by her friend Trish.
139	-->'''Jessica:''' ''[[ComicBookMoviesDontUseCodenames Jewel]]'' is a stripper's name...a really slutty stripper! And if I wear that thing, you're going to have to call me Cameltoe.
140	[[/folder]]
141
142	[[folder:Manhua]]
143	* Liu Li's first military outfit in ''Manhua/SchoolShock''.
144	[[/folder]]
145
146	[[folder:Music]]
147	* A common staple in Music/LadyGaga's wardrobe, particularly earlier in her career. These ranged from relatively simple with shoulder pads to increasingly gaudy pieces that had mirrors, crystals, spikes, etc.
148	* "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Music/{{Beyonce}}. 'Nuff said.
149	* Leotards of various kinds are basically Music/JessieJ's signature outfits.
150	[[/folder]]
151
152	[[folder:Pinball]]
153	* In Creator/{{Stern}}: ''[[Pinball/XMenStern X-Men]]'', we have [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]].
154	[[/folder]]
155
156	[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
157	* This used to be all over the place in ProfessionalWrestling, though you rarely see it nowadays unless someone is either an older wrestler or is going for that old school look.
158	** The legendary Memphis wrestler [[Wrestling/JerryLawler Jerry "The King" Lawler]] (now known as the priapistic screaming nut on RAW) mixed this with a MyNameIsInigoMontoya routine in which he would pull the shoulder strap down before destroying a particularly annoying opponent.
159	** A [[Administrivia/ThereIsNoSuchThingAsNotability Notable]] modern example would be Wrestling/KurtAngle.
160	*** Like Kurt, many wrestlers with notable "shoot" wrestling backgrounds will wear the full singlet/leotard. Such as Jeff Cobb and Chad Gable, who were both wrestled in the Olympics ("''merely''" wrestling, no medals). StoutStrength types also often wear a singlet, as it still lets them show off their large legs, chest, and shoulders, but covers up their usually less-than-defined midsection. Taz, Wrestling/BigELangston, and Michael Elgin are high profile examples of this.
161	[[/folder]]
162
163	[[folder:Sports]]
164	* TruthInTelevision: gymnastics and figure skating.
165	** Though one hopes it's less fanservice-y considering most Olympic-level female gymnasts (and figure skaters, to an increasing degree) hit their prime at sixteen.
166	*** Which is A-OK in most of the world, ''including'' the better part of the US (except California and couple other states). It's still squicky, though, because actually female gymnasts are at their prime not at sixteen, but at ''twelve'', thirteen tops. By sixteen years they already start to lose their edge and finesse, compensating more by brute force.
167	*** This is thankfully changing with the continued dominance of Simone Biles and her power- and explosiveness-focused style, which favors relatively older athletes. For example, the top 10 finishers at the women's all-around competition at the 2021 US Championships featured one sixteen-year-old and one seventeen-year-old, and the rest were all over 18 (including two 24-year-olds, one of whom was Biles, the all-around champion).
168	*** Occasionally, they compensate by starvation.
169	*** Different in the case of rhythmic gymnastics, where athletes compete well into their twenties, and are often [[StatuesqueStunner tall]], leggy and curvy to boot.
170	*** But ever since 2000(?), rhythmic gymnastics leos tend to [[{{Pun}} skirt the issue]]. Rhythmic gymnastics and "women's" figure skating tend to occupy the surprisingly obscure line between this trope and MinidressOfPower.
171	*** NCAA women's gymnastics. At least the competitors are around twenty years old, instead of eleven.
172	[[/folder]]
173
174	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
175	* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' has this if the cover of [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ExaltedContemptibleCover.jpg Savant and Sorcerer]] is any indication.
176	* [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Sky-Scraper]] wears one in her [[http://sentinelswiki.com/index.php?title=File:Extremeskyscraper.jpg Extremist outfit]] in ''TabletopGame/SentinelsOfTheMultiverse'', changing from her midriff-baring standard outfit. Presumably it has holes in the back for her spikes.
177	[[/folder]]
178
179	[[folder:Video Games]]
180	* Mei-Fang of ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart'' wears one with the top part of a [[AnimeChineseGirl Chinese dress]] jacket worn over it. "Top part", as in just the collar and sleeves, to better display her assets.
181	* In the ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' series, the Paladin class has this as the armorless model.
182	* The Dark Queen from ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}''.
183	* [[BoxingBattler Tia]] [[KickChick Langray]] from Neo Geo Fighting Game ''VideoGame/{{Breakers}}'' wears a strapless Playboy-style leotard as part of her outfit. High cut as well to help accentuate her slender and well-toned legs.
184	* ''Franchise/BreathOfFire'':
185	** Nina from ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireI''.
186	** ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireII'' actually has an armor called, simply, "leotard".
187	* ''VideoGame/ChoAniki'' : Benten wears a strapless one that bares her back to emphasize how busty and muscular she became in ''Zero''.
188	* Of course this is a valid costume option in ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes''.
189	* ''Franchise/DragonQuest'':
190	** The piece of armour known as the "Pink Leotard" which appears in ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIV''. Only female characters can wear it and it somehow manages to be more protective than a full suit of plate armour. (Fanart of various characters wearing it is popular in Japan.)
191	** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'' also introduced the "Angel Leotard", another powerful piece of clothing for female characters that would either protect the wearer from ice damage or even instant death spells. The original design from the Super Famicom games was referenced in the 2020 anime of ''Manga/DragonQuestTheAdventureOfDai'' as one of the outfits that Princess Leona tried on at Bengarna's department store.
192	** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'' has the "Zenithian Leotard" and "Zenithian Leggings" (''VideoGame/DragonQuestIV'' heroine's costume). The leotard has 52 points of Defence, only 10 below the Metal King Armour. It's green and leaves some of the wearer's limbs exposed.
193	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
194	** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', [[LadyOfBlackMagic Rydia]] wears one both as a child and as an adult along with a number of very frilly trails and sleeves. Rydia however, is somewhat reasonable compared to Rosa, who tends to switch between this and a damn bikini between actual in-game and concept arts. She is also covered in scarves and in the DS CG, actually wears ''two'' capes.
195	** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', Celes and Terra's sprites seem to be wearing these. Celes' concept art has her wearing a completely different kind of suit, but it was changed for the game for [[MostGamersAreMale whatever reason]] and Terra's concept art extends it to a sort of evening dress (this may simply be a matter of a short dress being hard to show on a sprite).
196	** Terra's alternate look in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' which is based on her [=FFVI=] sprite shows it to be a really short dress.
197	* Creator/FoxEye is fond of this from time to time:
198	** ''VideoGame/{{Holdover}}'' has a [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] example in the blue one-piece swimsuit Marie can find early on in the game. She starts off wearing a white one, but due to having a very fragile LifeMeter, she's practically an OneHitPointWonder to the game's multitudes of SpikesOfDoom and [[EnergyWeapon Frickin' Laser Beams]]. However, the blue swimsuit lets her survive against those longer, but ''only'' enough to protect the top or bottom half of her body before that half of the swimsuit [[ClothingDamage tears away]] from the hazard just as fast as they can kill Marie. On top of all of that, this upgraded swimsuit is considered an "armor" by the scientists that designed it, something [[LampshadeHanging Marie herself questions the validity of.]]
199	** ''VideoGame/NaticaAndSandyUnderwaterRescue'' plays this trope more straight compared to ''Holdover''. The player can unlock a "Power Swimsuit" skill which then appears as a RandomDrop from killing fish enemies. Wearing this makes Natica invincible, draws the enemy's attention towards her instead of [[DamselInDistress Sandy]], and extends the length of her harpoon. All of this lasts for 10 seconds.
200	* ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'': If a women in Genshin isn't wearing a [[ProperTightswithaSkirt Proper Tights with a Skirt]], a [[PimpedOutDress Pimped-Out Dress]], a [[KimonoFanservice Sexy Kimono]] or is [[BareMidriffsAreFeminine Baring one's Midriff]], then they will most likely wear a leotard with some tights, these include:
201	** Mona, the most ''infamous'' wearer of this combo; wearing what is essentially a blue BunnyGirl one-piece swimsuit to both highlight her element of Hydro and accentuate her ''thighs and ass.''
202	** Ganyu, the ''other'' infamous wearer, although hers is a bit more subtle and ironically more modest than Mona's. Ganyu wears a blue and white apron-like dress as outerwear. However, her innerwear is comprised literally of only a high-cut black leotard that fully exposes her back and black tights. Granted, the leotard does blend with the tights which create an illusion that she is wearing a bodysuit. Nevertheless, like Mona, her leotard really likes to emphasise Ganyu's assets.
203	** Fischl is a ''presumed'' [[VagueAge teenager]] who wears a ''[[AgeInappropriateDress sheer leotard lingerie]]'' as well as a black corset and back-skirt. Although compared to Ganyu and Mona, Fischl's leotard puts less emphasis on fanservice (due to the ''very'' [[{{Squick}} unfortunate implications on her age]]) and more on her eccentricities as a Chuuni.
204	** Lynette, a character from Fontaine that was shown during the 2020 teaser trailer for Genshin Impact. This [[CatGirl Cat Girl]] is somehow the twin sister to the relatively human Lyney and acts as his personal assistant and acrobatic performer. She wears a relatively modest and low-cut black lace leotard with a black and blue frilly skirt; resembling those of a rhythmic gymnast.
205	* ''VideoGame/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2021'': Lady Hellbender battles in a sleeveless leotard complemented by spiky pauldrons, gauntlets, and thigh high boots.
206	* Michelle from ''VideoGame/HardEdge'' wears a high-leg leotard over a blue spandex bodysuit.
207	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'': Damia, Lenus, and Meru all have Dragoon armor resembling a leotard with thigh high boots.
208	* Fortune's outfit in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' is basically a one-piece swimsuit worn under a BadassLongcoat.
209	* In [[RegionalBonus the NES version]] of ''VideoGame/{{Metroid\|1}}'', players are able to play as a purple leotard-wearing Samus if they complete the game in under three hours. You can also play as Samus in the purple leotard without beating the game by entering certain passwords, the most famous of which is JUSTIN BAILEY. Subsequently, Samus's leotard is sometimes referred to by fans as the Justin Bailey outfit. The leotard is also seen in the second-best ending for the game.
210	* In ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', nearly every female character does this, most often Sindel, Kitana, Tanya and occasionally, Mileena and Jade (who both have other costumes with Underwear of Power instead).
211	* In the ''Franchise/{{Nasuverse}}'':
212	** [[ShamelessFanserviceGirl The playable Saber]] in ''VideoGame/FateExtra'' wears a [[http://smg.beta.photobucket.com/user/Sensui22/media/303d0226.jpg.html leotard]] under her partially see-through dress, but since the leotard is white and it isn't shown in full in the game many players initially assume that she's showing off her underwear instead.
213	** Besides featuring the above mentioned Saber, ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' also has Mash, who wears one under her armor, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, who has one with a small ruffled skirt, and in a RareMaleExample, Romulus.
214	* From ''Creator/NipponIchi'':
215	** After [[spoiler: her fall,]] Flonne from ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' wears one.
216	** Eclaire of ''VideoGame/LaPucelleTactics'' wears one when she's in her "dark" form. Priere as well.
217	* ''VideoGame/NumanAthletics'': As one of the titular [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividual Numans, or "modern day supermen"]], Sharon wears a leotard in competition. The same goes for Makoto in [[VideoGame/MachBreakers the sequel]].
218	* Kasumi Yoshizawa, the newest party member added to ''VideoGame/Persona5'' ''[[UpdatedReRelease Royal]]'' is a gymnast, and her Phantom Thief attire reflects this with a high-cut black leotard that helps show off her slender and shapely legs, and gives her move freedom of movement.
219	* [[CuteBruiser Claw users]] in the classic ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' series wear this. On the heroic side, there are a combat cyborg [[VideoGame/PhantasyStarIII Mieu]] and [[CuteMonsterGirl Cute Monster Girls]] [[VideoGame/PhantasyStarII Nei]] and [[VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV Rika.]] On the villain side, there are NM-2011 from the drama CD and Neifirst.
220	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
221	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'', Maylene, the third gym leader (fourth in ''Platinum'') wears a leotard with sweatpants. When the player encounters her walking to Snowpoint City in ''Platinum'', she doesn't wear anything more, and lampshades her being ExposedToTheElements by saying she's done it so often that the cold no longer bothers her.
222	** In ''VideoGame/PokemonMasters'', Brock's Sygna Suit incorporates a black wrestling singlet with orange trim which emphasizes his muscles.
223	* In ''VideoGame/PunchOut Wii'', Disco Kid wears a purple leotard when he challenges you for the World Championship in Title Defense mode.
224	* Though most animal-human characters from Creator/RandleSimRacing wear UnderwearOfPower, a few, mainly female characters are wearing the Leotards. Brenda, which wears a strapless corset, Foxie, who wears a sleeveless one, and Lizzie, who wears what would be considered a "Sling Leotard," which covers most of her middle, but the sides are completely bare.
225	* Benikage from ''VideoGame/RumbleRoses'' wears one. Her skill in the ring is just as visible as most of her buns.
226	* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'':
227	** Cammy White is the poster girl for this trope in Fighting Games. The same series also features Rainbow Mika. Given they're each wearing a ''thong''-cut Leotard of Power, both have their asses on full display, too. Chun-Li also wears a leotard under her qipao as seen in official Capcom concept art.
228	** In ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'', Ibuki's swap costume is based on an incarnation of ''Tekken'''s Yoshimitsu and sees Ibuki wearing one as her [[https://i.imgur.com/VZ5Q8yT.png top]]. It is worth noting that Yoshi himself was shirtless while wearing the outfit Ibuki's is based from, so Ibuki wearing said top is a compromise so she doesn't show her breast (though it doesn't leave much to the [[MaleGaze imagination]]).
229	* This is actually what [[Franchise/TombRaider Lara Croft]] wears, instead of what is believed to be a tank top.
230	* Angela of ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'' wears one. In the remake, both she and Riesz wear leotards in some of their classes (for example, Riesz wears a leotard as a Rune Maiden).
231	[[/folder]]
232
233	[[folder:Webcomics]]
234	* Preferred by Athleta in the [[http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_KAMics/5108842/ Fashionably Heroic]] cartoons in ''Webcomic/TheKamics''.
235	* Awesome Lady from ''Webcomic/MyRoommateIsAnElf''.
236	* A bright red leotard with boots and gloves of the same color is the standard costume of superheroine Webcomic/{{Dasien}}. Commented upon in ''Webcomic/TheCrossoverlord'':
237	-->'''Webcomic/{{Mindmistress}}:''' Who's [your tailor]? Hugh Hefner? All you need is [[PlayboyBunny a cotton tail on your butt and some rabbit ears]].
238	* Also from the ''Webcomic/HeroesUnite'' universe, we have Bombshell.
239	* Dream Girl's initial sidekick outfit in ''Webcomic/{{Sidekicks}}''.
240	* [[http://www.evil-comic.com/archive/20080503.html Lightning Lady]] from ''Webcomic/EvilInc'' fits into this. We meant, fits into this ''category''.
241	* The [[https://eheroes.thecomicseries.com/comics/91/ Jane Gang]] from ''Webcomic/EverydayHeroes''.
242	* The minor villain, WaifFu practitioner, fae mercenary called "Odile" in ''Webcomic/{{Roommates}}'' has such an outfit. It also has {{expressive\|Shirt}} little "feathers".
243	* Diane in ''Webcomic/{{RPG World}}'' wears a thing that's sort of a combination trench coat and dress over a leotard and boots. It was originally thought by fans to be a skirt with no front for whatever reason until Author Ian JQ diagrammed the outfit.[[/folder]]
244
245	[[folder:Web Original]]
246	* Literature/JusticeSquad: Satirized by having the outfit being worn by a large, somewhat overweight, male.
247	* Literature/InterviewingLeather: Dynamo Girl wore one of these [[spoiler: before becoming the supervillain Leather]].
248	** Leather wears these sometimes (made of leather, of course), particularly in non-combat (sometimes very non-combat) situations.
249	** In ''Interviewing Trey,'' both Beguile and Lady Violet wear these as well.
250	* Favored by some members of the ''Roleplay/LeagueOfIntergalacticCosmicChampions''.
251	* At [[SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy]] in the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'':
252	** Kismet. Turns out, it's not too good in a cold classroom.
253	** And Mega-Girl, and Gloriana, and... Well, it's a popular look for teenaged girls who are built like Playboy Playmates.
254	** "Sara's Little Purple Book", the in-universe guide to both PowerPerversionPotential and ManOfSteelWomanOfKleenex issues, points out that unless they are specially reinforced, skintight leotards are distinctly vulnerable to tearing, especially around the chest area. For this reason, she recommends that women with the MostCommonSuperpower wear an armored girdle, corset or bustier of some kind either over or under the leotard.
255	[[/folder]]
256
257	[[folder:Western Animation]]
258	* Finn's father, Martin Mertens from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' wears a red one with matching colored boots.
259	* ''WesternAnimation/TheHollow'': Old-fashioned [[TheStrongman strongmen]] Benjamin and Benjamini in traditional leotards.
260	* Evil-Lyn, Teela, and the Sorceress all wear them in ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983''.
261	* Ace and Queen from ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''.
262	* Vambre from ''WesternAnimation/MightyMagiswords'', who for some unexplained reason has [[BerserkButton an intense pathological hatred of pants]]. It may something to do with a childhood illness that gave her permanently "uncomfortably warm legs".
263	* Many of the characters from ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'' (including She-Ra herself... as Princess Adora; as She-Ra, she only appears to be wearing a MinidressOfPower).
264	* Wonder Red from ''WesternAnimation/SuperWhy'' is a rare educational show example.
265	* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'':
266	** Raven. This is a change from the comics version, who's a bit older. The animators changed her dress with long, narrow skirt to a leotard to avoid getting too... revealing in action poses with a teen character.
267	** Also Pantha.
268	* Princess Ariel from ''WesternAnimation/ThundarrTheBarbarian''.
269	* Cheetara from ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats''... along with just about everyone else in the series.
270	[[/folder]]
271
272	[[folder:Real Life]]
273	* Mr. [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Leotard Jules Léotard]] himself and his various trapeze-swinging colleagues, naturally. Lots of circus people wear them to accentuate the awesome.
274	[[/folder]]
275

Context Main / LeotardOfPower