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1[[quoteright:292:[[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/azulalal2.png]]]]
2[[caption-width-right:292:May be a symptom of advanced stages of a VillainousBreakdown.]]
3
4Sometimes, when a character is sufficiently angry and deranged, or just about to snap, they adopt this pose: head down, everything limp, lurching as if they were a marionette that's had its strings cut. KubrickStare, and [[{{Angrish}} inability to form coherent sentences]] optional. This is sometimes taken as the start of UnstoppableRage -- any character that dares to get close risks serious injury, especially if the character is also [[SwordDrag dragging a large weapon across the ground.]]
5
6In horror works, this may be a sign the character has been overtaken by TheCorruption, TheVirus, or DemonicPossession. Compare with PrimalStance, DrunkenBoxing, MarionetteMotion and ZombieGait.
7
8Compare {{Heroic| RRoD}} and VillainousRROD, where the character may be exhausted and not wasting energy on posture, but still seething with UnstoppableRage. Maybe that rage is the only reason they are still standing. Compare CombatBreakdown, where combatants get sloppy as they lose composure.
9----
10!!Examples:
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12[[foldercontrol]]
13
14[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
15* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': [[TheBerserker Guts]] sometimes does this when in the grip of UnstoppableRage. Usually right before his enemies die a very messy death.
16* In ''Anime/CasshernSins'', this pops up from time to time - primarily from Casshern himself during his UnstoppableRage freakouts early on, but mook robots sometimes do it too.
17* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'': Gyutaro, the true Upper Rank 6 of the Twelve Kizuki, is a demon who's default posture is a haggard slouch.
18* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': Goku struck this pose when Frieza killed Krillin. [[UnstoppableRage The rest]], [[SuperMode as they say]], [[CurbStompBattle is history]].
19* In ''Manga/ElfenLied'', whenever Nyuu flips over to Lucy her head drops so her hair covers/shades her eyes.
20* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', [[LoveFreak Juvia Loxar]], after her ImpliedLoveInterest Gray Fullbuster's life is threatened.
21* ''Literature/HighSchoolDXD'': Issei confronts Raynare like this. The limp is because he just took two holy spears through the thighs, the livid is because [[spoiler:she just killed Asia]].
22* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
23** ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureDiamondIsUnbreakable Diamond is Unbreakable]]'': Yoshikage Kira gets into a livid position once Josuke directly confronts him and they begin their last showdown.
24** ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'': At [[spoiler:the start of his ResurrectionDeathLoop, Diavolo]] is stabbed by a drugged man with a blank stare and he is bend over, constantly drooling, twitching and slashing his knife at random.
25* In ''Manga/MinamiKe'', Chiaki does this briefly when Kana challenges her to decide who goes out for drinks in the rain.
26* Ginias from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThe08thMSTeam'' ends up like this once he goes over the edge towards the end of the series. It's worth noting it could stem from the fact that he seems two steps away from falling on the floor and going into cardiac arrest at this point, presumably due to neglecting even his most basic health needs in favor of working on his pet project.
27* After [[spoiler:his]] FreakOut, [[spoiler: [[ButtMonkey Shinji]]]] from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' does this. He also strangles [[spoiler: [[{{Tsundere}} Asuka]]]] in this pose.
28* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
29** Kuro, an early villain in the [[Manga/OnePiece manga/anime]] , goes like this and sways back in forth in order to put himself into a blind trance where he slashes up everything around him.
30** Luffy himself does it in TheMovie, ''Anime/BaronOmatsuriAndTheSecretIsland'', after [[spoiler:Lily eats his friends, turns into millions of arrows, and shoots them all into his skin]]. It's one of the creepiest things in ''One Piece'' history.
31* There is a non-aggressive example in the ''Anime/ReadOrDie'' TV series, Maggie is forbidden to go into any bookshops in a town full of them, despite her being a total bibliomaniac. Cue lurching from shopfront to shopfront.
32* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' uses this in the first [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]], ''Trust & Betrayal'', when Kenshin is chasing after Tomoe and is increasingly worn down by his attackers.
33* Since the two main female leads of ''Anime/SchoolDays'' are {{Yandere}} for Makoto, they do this towards the end.
34* Harima of ''Anime/SchoolRumble'' pulls a version of this in the episode when they're cleaning the pool. Played for laughs, in this case.
35* When brutally questioned by TheMenInBlack about her family, Lain from ''Anime/SerialExperimentsLain'' does this. [[spoiler:Then reverts to her Wired persona and chews him out.]]
36* Yuu in ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'' does this when giving into his SuperpoweredEvilSide.
37* ''Manga/SoulEater'':
38** Crona and Maka when they use the black blood, because it is driving them crazy even while it makes them more powerful.
39** The 'marionette' description is particularly apt for Crona's first appearance. Firstly, they look as though being dragged by Ragnarok rather than wielding him, secondly they're being at least provoked into killing Maka by Medusa, if not physically controlled by her.
40** Madness personified, the Kishin Asura moves this way all the time, primarily due to having been skinned alive and sealed in a bag of said skin for hundreds of years, meaning he has to learn how to walk upright again.
41* ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'': Kaneki and Mutsuki are similar with their respective roles as one eyed ghouls who initially couldn't control their powers and attracting admirers of the AxCrazy variety, and Kaneki even garners one in Mutsuki himself. When Mutsuki shows up to attack Touka out of jealousy she stabs him in self defense with her kagune and he pushes himself up with his kagune while bleeding making this stance. Kaneki does this at times when going into his centipede kakuja form which is obtained by eating other ghouls and comes with SanitySlippage attached.
42* ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'': Kisshu does this after [[NotGoodWithRejection getting rejected by Ichigo and losing his sanity as a result]]. He tries to then [[IfICantHaveYou kill Ichigo]], [[SpurnedIntoSuicide himself]] and [[MurderTheHypotenuse her love interest]].
43* Sumire in ''Manga/VenusVersusVirus'' gets this when fighting Luca. Her [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Berserker mode]] gets shot with [[ShockAndAwe lightning]] to [[ShootingSuperman no effect]].
44* ''Manga/TheWallflower'': Sunako cracks after her chocolate is destroyed by the InstantFanClub. She also does this when the four main {{Bishonen}} characters first meet her. This is one of the many signs that the guys have their work cut out for them in turning her into a lady.
45* The Berserk Fury in ''Anime/ZoidsNewCentury'' pulls this off during its final battle with the Liger Zero. This is after its pilot has been knocked unconscious and the Fury is relying purely on its feral instincts to fight.
46[[/folder]]
47
48[[folder:Film]]
49* Silva does this at the end of ''Film/{{Skyfall}}''. After [[spoiler: Bond's manor and his own helicopter]] blow up practically in his face, he loses both his posture and what remains of his sanity. He spends the rest of his screentime stumbling around with only willpower keeping him vertical.
50--> "Do you see what comes of all this... running around, Mister Bond? All this jumping and fighting... it's ''exhausting''."
51[[/folder]]
52
53[[folder:Literature]]
54* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': During his recovery from mana mutation, [[spoiler: Eric]] slips into one of these, which concerns the guards watching him. They call it a "berserker stance" observed in other monsters.
55[[/folder]]
56
57[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
58* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'': In the final video of the R. Tam Sessions, River is shown sitting behind a table with her head bowed....right before she [[ThePenIsMightier stabs her interrogator in the throat with a pen.]]
59[[/folder]]
60
61[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
62* Randy Orton tends to do this as part of the setup for his finisher, the RKO. He also tends to just move like this overall, especially when acting as a {{Heel}}, as part of his "viper-like" persona.
63[[/folder]]
64
65[[folder:Theatre]]
66* Most stage portrayals of ''Theatre/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet'' have the title character do this after the most decent character in the play royally bollixes up his revenge.
67[[/folder]]
68
69[[folder:Video Games]]
70* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': When C starts to undergo a VillainousBreakdown, he starts to limp over as his [[DraconicAbomination draconic form]] begins manifesting within his body. In the bad ending, after witnessing [[spoiler:Ryan getting killed in front of her]], Ann assumes this posture just as she fully succumbs to her SuperpoweredEvilSide.
71* Asura from ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' does this when in [[spoiler: Wrath Form]]. Goes into a PrimalStance occasionally, too.
72* Folon, one of Giacomo's {{Quirky Miniboss|Squad}}es in ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'', adopts a combat stance like this where his head and limbs hang limp and sway with his body while battling Kalas and his group. Unsurprisingly, he's the least sane of the trio contrasting the [[SoftSpokenSadist cold and cruel]] Ayme and the AffablyEvil Giacomo.
73* ''VideoGame/Bioshock2'': If you can catch a Big Sister being idle (very hard to do, as she'll be gunning for Delta from the moment she spawns), she'll stand with her arms drooping, her legs splaying away at the knees, and her feet pointing inward.
74* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'': In the ''Arorias of the Abyss'' [[DownloadableContent DLC]], also included in the [[UpdatedRerelease Prepare to Die Edition]] and the {{Remaster}} of the same, [[FallenHero Abysswalker Artorias]] spends the entirety of the fight in this posture. The reason he does it is one of his arms is horribly broken and mangled, and the other one is [[SwordDrag dragging]] his signature [[{{BFS}} greatsword]]. True to form for this trope, he manages to be perhaps one of the single most relentless bosses in the game (considering that this is ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'', that's saying something), lunging forward abruptly over impossible distances and somersaulting through the air and crashing down on you repeatedly.
75* ''VideoGame/Destiny2: The Witch Queen'' brings us [[GreaterScopeVillain Rhulk]], [[TheDragon Disciple of the Witness]], FinalBoss of the Vow of the Disciple raid. He [[EvilGloating taunts and mocks]] [[PlayerCharacter the Guardians]] throughout the raid, and when you encounter him directly, he spends most of it in ReverseArmFold, as befits his [[SmugSuper arrogant demeanor]], while also [[TheSlowWalk leisurely approaching]] targets or [[FlashStep flash-stepping]] before attacking. As the fight goes on, however, he falls into this stance as he realizes [[LetsGetDangerous he has to take them seriously]].
76* In ''VideoGame/DiabloII'', a certain type of skeletal enemy fits this trope to a T. They shamble around dragging enormous broadswords, but if a player gets too close they can swiftly attack.
77* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' does this to [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Terra]] in the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII Onion Knight]]'s storyline. However, it doesn't quite work due to [[GoingThroughTheMotions the limited expressive range]] of the character models used, and she ends up looking hung over more than anything.
78* ''Franchise/DragonBall'':
79** The cloned fighters of ''VideoGame/DragonBallFighterZ'' are distinguishable from their originals by their resting stances; most fighters are hunched and stiff-armed, crossing this with a PrimalStance.
80** Kid Buu in ''VideoGame/DragonBallZBudokai 3'' has this as his fighting stance.
81* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Conquest'', the FinalBoss uses their wounded animation during the cutscene before the fight to give off this impression.
82* The ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' GameMod ''VideoGame/VsWhitty'' features the titular Whitty, a fellow with a CartoonBomb for a head. He makes it clear that he wants to be left alone and doesn't want to rap battle The Boyfriend, but by the time The Boyfriend pushes him for a ''third'' rap battle, Whitty snaps, lights his head fuse, and assumes a slumped, arms-limp position while he gets WingdingEyes and a SlasherSmile for the third song, a wickedly difficult piece called "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_UCF-lX6T4 Ballistic]]".
83* Zappa from ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' adds some additional horror into [[http://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters4/zappa-a.html his version]]. In his case though it's due to DemonicPossession. He's normally a sane guy but S-Ko enters his body and he flops around like a deranged contortionist.
84* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'':
85** Most of the main cast tend to do this eventually, but Satoshi and Keiichi usually bring their [[WeaponSpecialization weapon of choice]], the [[BatterUp baseball bat]] with them.
86** [[{{Yandere}} Shion]] walks around like this whenever she's pacing about the Sonozaki Theater and Torture Chamber during Maekashi-hen.
87* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'': Riot of the Blood Iori's default stance is this, complete with GlowingEyesOfDoom and steam coming out of his mouth.
88** The stance that DarkActionGirl Vice uses in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters98'' adds up to her creepiness.
89* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel IV'' has this happen to [[TheHero Rean]] after breaking out of his chains in his [[SuperpoweredEvilSide enraged state]]. He limps for a bit and hunches before he starts grabbing his sword and starts going on a rampage, trying to reach [[HumongousMecha Valimar]].
90* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
91** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', Ghirahim briefly does this during the final confrontation with him once Link exposes the [[AttackItsWeakPoint weak spot]] in his abdomen.
92** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', the Flower Lady, Magda, adopts this pose if you step on her flowers too often. She then beats Link enough to KILL an ordinary human. Only Link’s supernatural health saves him.
93* ''VideoGame/Mother3'': After learning of [[spoiler:Hinawa]]'s death, Flint immediately pulls a flaming branch from a nearby fire and randomly attacks anyone who gets close to him, before furiously slamming it into the ground while taking on a truly enraged, yet equally broken stance.
94* Weepers from ''VideoGame/ThePersistence'' stand limp with their heads resting on their shoulder. Yet they are not restful, for at the mere sight of they you, they will let out a scream so terrible that it will paralyze you and may even kill you from its sheer malice.
95* ''VideoGame/Persona5'': After using their own HatePlague power on themself, [[spoiler:Black Mask Akechi]] assumes one of these for the second phase of their boss fight, slouching backwards while holding their weapon at their hip.
96* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
97** In the remakes of ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', Zinnia leans forward and sways to the side with a manic look on her face at the beginning of a battle with her.
98** Allister in ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' moves like a possessed puppet.
99* Oichi in the third ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' game, due to being little more than a living puppet animated by malevolent shadows. Mitsuhide, Mitsunari and Matabe also have tendencies towards acting like this, highlighting their mental instability.
100* The Tails Doll from ''VideoGame/SonicR'' isn't ''overtly'' malevolent, but the way it remains almost constantly limp has given it a legendary reputation.
101* Tira in ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soulcalibur]]'' does this in her "Gloomy" personality. Her voice is deeper and more guttural, her idle stance has her head pointed down, her weapon hanging around her neck, and she barely moves. Her attacks in said state are mostly more savage-looking and ignoring the thought of hurting herself, such as attacking with her weapon still hanging around her neck. In contrast, her "Jolly" personality speaks with a higher-pitched and childish voice, her idle stance is just shy of a dance, and her attacks are much more acrobatic, even playful.
102* The Gangrel player character in ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines'' does this when he or she is using the Protean discipline. For bonus points they grow elongated claws from their hands and run in a loping, beast-like fashion.
103* ''VideoGame/WayOfTheSamurai'': Kyojiro Kagenuma in ''VideoGame/WayOfTheSamurai 2'' stands neutral with her sword to the side, but her combat style [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkvOnEwpC5k#t=4m54s most assuredly fits]], underlying her bloodthirsty nature.
104* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles3'': N loses his composure and staggers in rage after finding out [[spoiler:that M died in Mio's place]]. Even when he calms down, he sits like a puppet with his strings cut at Z's theatre.
105* In ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator'', this is one of the signs that Yandere-Chan is visibly insane, as well as anyone completely mindbroken by ColdBloodedTorture.
106[[/folder]]
107
108[[folder:Western Animation]]
109* ''Franchise/{{Avatar|TheLastAirbender}}'':
110** ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Azula goes like this during her final battle with [[spoiler: Zuko]], in the advanced stages of her VillainousBreakdown. Along with her LaughingMad persona and perfectly-working [[PlayingWithFire firebending]], she becomes a [[https://i.imgur.com/WUEYugt.gif really creepy opponent.]]
111** ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[spoiler:Korra encounters a hallucination of herself multiple times that moves like this.]] Like with Azula's breakdown in the example above, it's very unsettling.
112* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': In "Change Your Mind", the Diamond ships would normally be controlled by multiple Diamonds operating as a unit, but with [[spoiler:Blue and Yellow brainwashed]], White Diamond is trying to operate all four pieces by herself, resulting in the mech's movements seeming disjointed and puppet-like.
113* ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'': In the OriginsEpisode, Noximilien's posture grows hunched, limp-armed and creepy-eyed as his SanitySlippage advances, and by the time he [[spoiler:finds out about his family's deaths and completely snaps]], his demeanor is anything ''but'' reassuring.
114[[/folder]]

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