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4[[quoteright:301:[[Webcomic/GirlGenius https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/motivational_kiss.jpg]]]]
5
6->'''Link:''' How about a kiss, for luck?\
7'''Zelda:''' You've ''got'' to be kidding.
8-->-- ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaCDIGames Link: The Faces of Evil]]''
9
10TheHero is just about to take on a herculean and possibly life-threatening task, be it facing down the BigBad, barging into a burning building, or even trying to clear a massive BottomlessPit. All his friends are depending on him, and time is running out, but he ''still'' may be a little nervous and apprehensive. He needs some sort of HeroismIncentive.
11
12All he needs is a little peck and he'll be ready to go.
13
14A Motivational Kiss happens when someone, almost AlwaysFemale, gives the main protagonist a kiss that gives him an extra boost in confidence. The kisser will often, but not always, be the protagonist's LoveInterest, or at least someone with whom he's been [[ShipTease Ship Teased]] in the past.
15
16May sometimes overlap with ForcefulKiss, LastKiss, NowOrNeverKiss, or a (successful) ComicallySmallBribe. Inverted by the SmoochOfVictory.
17----
18!!Examples:
19
20[[foldercontrol]]
21
22[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
23* Sometimes the hero is the one who steals a kiss to give himself motivation: In ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', both Kamina and Kittan [[spoiler: choose to kiss Yoko shortly before dying heroically in battle.]]
24* Inverted in ''Literature/{{Baccano}}'', when [[spoiler: Jacuzzi kisses Nice just before running off to confront an AxCrazy Mook with a Flamethrower. She admits that's the first time they kissed.]]
25* Sara gives one to Knuckles in ''Anime/SonicTheHedgehogTheMovie''.
26* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. Misato's infamous LastKiss to Shinji in ''The End of Evangelion''. Although she'd tried being a CoolBigSis to Shinji, she kisses Shinji in an attempt to bring him out of his depression, saying, "That was a grown-up kiss. We'll do the rest when you get back." Misato then shoves him into the elevator and collapses onto the floor, having been shot in the back moments earlier. Exactly how motivated Shinji was by the kiss is open to question, as he tastes blood on his mouth afterwards and realises Misato is dying.
27* Inverted in ''Manga/GunslingerGirl'' when cyborg Triela gives her handler Hilshire a peck on the cheek before going to take on some terrorists.
28[[/folder]]
29
30[[folder:Fan Works]]
31* ''Webcomic/NaruHinaChronicles'':
32** After getting a book about time-space jutsu from the library, Naruto [[OcularGushers cries]] over how it looks so hard and he'll never work his jutsu out. In order to cheer him up, [[ShutUpKiss Hinata decides to interrupt him with a kiss]]. After the kiss is over, she asks him if he feels calmer and he replies with "Eh, heh, heh heh. ...Yeah~" while blushing and having a large smile.
33** When Naruto and Hinata are talking about Kosuke's connection to the Kyubi, the Uzumaki is sad and wonders if their discussion about it was also the kind of discussion the elders and the Third Hokage would have about himself. This causes Hinata to interrupt Naruto again with this kind of kiss.
34* In ''FanFic/NarutoTheSecretSongsOfTheNinja,'' [[spoiler:Hinata]] gives Naruto a kiss on the cheek the night before his arranged duel with [[spoiler:Gaara]] as "a good luck charm", after Naruto confesses his fears and insecurities to her. [[spoiler:It ends up saving Naruto's soul from the Kyuubi when it tries to take over his body during the battle, [[ThePowerOfLove allowing Naruto to hear Hinata]] [[SayMyName scream his name]].]]
35[[/folder]]
36
37[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
38* At the climax of ''WesternAnimation/MonsterHouse'', protagonist DJ is faced with the task of climbing up a tower crane and dropping a stick of dynamite down Constance's chimney, destroying her once and for all. When he says that he doesn't think he can do it, his LoveInterest Jenny loudly proclaims, "Yes, you ''can''!" before kissing him on the mouth.
39* In ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnoldTheMovie'', before she sends them on their quest to save Arnold's neighborhood from being demolished, Bridget gives Arnold and Gerald a kiss for luck, after she kisses Gerald [[SomethingElseAlsoRises his hair springs out]] and he faints.
40* ''WesternAnimation/StarshipTroopersTraitorOfMars''. Johnny Rico is dying of thirst in a Martian desert when a HelpfulHallucination of his deceased lover Dizzy Flores wakes him up with a kiss and gets him moving again. There's HomoeroticSubtext to this as 'she' is actually a psychic vision sent by Carl Jenkins.
41[[/folder]]
42
43[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
44* Subverted radically by [[TheVamp the villainess Poison Ivy]] in ''Film/BatmanAndRobin''. Late in the film, [[RecklessSidekick Robin]] is lured into the villainess' lair under the pretense of her love for him. When Ivy reveals Freeze's plan to destroy Gotham City, Robin turns to leave in order to stop him, only to be pulled back by her. [[spoiler:In truth, it's {{Double Subver|sion}}ted by Robin, as he came prepared and thus doesn't die.]]
45-->'''Poison Ivy:''' [[KissOfDeath One kiss]], my love. For luck. ''[Robin and she lean in, with Robin unaware of her [[PsychoticSmirk evil smirk]], and share a passionate kiss]'' ''[[ExactWords Bad luck]]'', I'm afraid.
46* In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', Steve Rogers receives a kiss from Peggy Carter just before he boards [[BigBad the Red Skull]]'s plane.
47* Played more-or-less straight in ''Film/MysteryTeam''... except that Jason doesn't actually know how to kiss, and just blows into the love interest's mouth.
48* In ''Film/ANewHope'', Princess Leia gives Luke a peck on the cheek "for luck" before he tries to swing over a precarious gap.
49* In ''Film/PeterPan'', Peter is nearly defeated by Hook until he gets one of these from Wendy.
50* Happens in ''Film/VanHelsing'' when Van Helsing and Anna split up before the climactic battle, he to face down Dracula [[spoiler: using his werewolf power to defeat the vampire]] and she to retrieve the werewolf cure serum.
51[[/folder]]
52
53[[folder:Literature]]
54* GenderFlipped in Creator/StephenKing's ''Literature/TheStand'', where Stu Redman gives Dayna Jurgens two kisses for luck when she's about to go away on a dangerous mission.
55* ''[[Literature/PercyJackson The Battle Of The Labyrinth]]'': [[spoiler: Right before Percy heads into a volcano for a very dangerous mission, Annabeth gives him a kiss and tells him to be careful. [[ItMakesSenseInContext Then disappears under her hat.]]]]
56* The ''Literature/DresdenFiles'' book ''Literature/ColdDays'' has a ShoutOut to the ''Franchise/StarWars'' example between [[spoiler: Harry]] and [[spoiler: Murphy]], and later they get a {{The Big Damn|Kiss}} NowOrNeverKiss right before another probable SuicideMission.
57* In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'', Hermione gives Ron a kiss on the cheek before his first Quidditch game.
58* Another GenderFlipped example in ''Literature/AWrinkleInTime'' in which [[spoiler: Calvin kisses Meg right before she goes off to face It and save her brother. In front of her own father, no less.]] Actually subverted in the film version, in which he whispers, [[spoiler: "I'd kiss you, but your father's here."]]
59* In ''Literature/TheMartian'' when Dr. Beck, the mission EVA specialist is suiting up to [[spoiler: save Watney at the end of the story]] Johannsen gives him a kiss on the outside of his helmet.
60-->'''Johannsen:''' That was stupid. Don't tell anyone I did that.\
61'''Beck:''' Don't tell anyone I liked it.
62* ''Literature/ADarkerShadeOfMagic'': Lila kisses Kell before they cross worlds the first time, telling him it's for luck - not that she ''needs'' it. At the [[BookEnds end of the book]] Kell echoes the kiss and her words.
63-->'''Lila:''' What was that for?\
64'''Kell:''' For luck. Not that you need it.
65[[/folder]]
66
67[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
68* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': One time when Data was on an away mission a local girl gave him such a kiss. He was perplexed.
69* ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOnDeck'' episode ''Maddie On Deck'': Maddie's kiss to Zack allowed him to do an overkill of noodle-whacking towards the prince, enough for the prince to surrender and run home crying for his mommy!
70* Done by Series/{{Captain Power|AndTheSoldiersOfTheFuture}} to his female crewmate Pilot before the big trench run against the Icarus Platform.
71-->'''Power:''' For luck.
72* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''
73** In "Never Kill A Boy On The First Date", Buffy has to run off and save Giles from a vampire, [[TheMasqueradeWillKillYourDatingLife interrupting her date]] with Owen who doesn't know anything about TheMasquerade. So she makes a point of kissing Owen to let him know she's not just making an excuse to run out on him.
74** In "No Place Like Home", Riley Finn (who does know about TheMasquerade) gives Buffy a good luck kiss on her forehead when she has to do something dangerous. Buffy says she needs more luck than that, so he smooches her on the lips as well.
75* ''Series/Daredevil2015'': In "[[Recap/Daredevil2015S2E2DogsToAGunfight Dogs to a Gunfight]]", Grotto tries to ask Karen to give him one prior to participating in a sting as part of his plea deal (actually a police operation to ambush the Punisher). [[BaitAndSwitch Karen steps close...and gives him]] [[FlippingTheBird a middle finger]].
76-->'''Grotto:''' ''[chuckles]'' I'll take it.
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
80* Wrestling/GailKim to Wrestling/EricYoung at ''[[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling TNA]] Slammiversary 2007'' as a way for him to get his mind off of Ms. (Traci) Brooks seducing him once again and focus on defeating [[Wrestling/BobbyRoode Robert Roode]] to free himself from his service.
81* Wrestling/MichelleMcCool to [[Wrestling/LowKi Kaval]] before he faces [[Wrestling/BrayWyatt Husky Harris]] for the third time on [[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]]. While he was already motivated to defeat him, the look he gives after receiving a kiss shows he appreciated it.
82[[/folder]]
83
84[[folder:Video Games]]
85* ''VideoGame/GalaxyAngel'':
86** At the climax of her route in the first game, Ranpha specifically requests Tact to kiss her, so he can give her a boost of confidence before the final battle.
87** In Moonlit Lovers, Vanilla gives Tact a kiss on the cheek as a good luck charm (apparently on Ranpha's suggestion) after he convinces her to pilot Unit #7 together at the end of her route. Once they're aboard and ready to launch, Tact returns her the favor at her request.
88* VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaCDiGames:
89** Actively defied by Zelda in ''Link: The Faces of Evil'' - see the page quote.
90** In ''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''. Link gave his canteen to Lady Alma in exchange for a kiss.
91* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', when EDI describes the ''Normandy''[='s=] readiness before the final battle, she states she even kissed Joker for luck.
92* In ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble'', once you lose all your lives, Ed is teleported to a graveyard where [[BigBad Grögh]] and [[LoveInterest Suzy]] wait for you to decide to "Quit" or "Continue". If you choose "Quit", Grögh will beat Ed up, but if you choose "Continue", Suzy will shower Ed with kisses.
93[[/folder]]
94
95[[folder:Web Comics]]
96* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'':
97** Gil gets one [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20110817 here]] (continued to the next page). Unusual in that it's prompted by his romantic rival -- it's not that Tarvek ''wants'' him to end up with Agatha, but he knows that everyone's depending on Gil to do well, so it's in his best interests.
98--->'''Gil:''' Right. I... I'm off.\
99'''Tarvek:''' ''[whispering to Agatha]'' Oh, for pity's sake. Go give him something to ''fight for''.\
100'''Gil:''' GET '''''WOUND''''', STURMVORAUS! I DO '''''NOT''''' NEED '''''YOUR HELP'''''--\
101'''Agatha:''' ''[[[TheBigDamnKiss launches herself at Gil and kisses him]]]''
102** A lesser version from Pix and Abner, serving as the [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20050117#.Vu8WdOKLTIU start of their relationship]].
103[[/folder]]
104
105[[folder:Web Original]]
106* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'' has [[ShipTease Pike kiss Scanlan]] during the battle against K'Varn the Beholder, and the GameMaster, Creator/MatthewMercer, rules that this grants him ''inspiration for his next roll''. Vax's attempt to replicate the feat by kissing ''Percy'' is unsuccessful, though, with the note that it will need more narrative buildup.
107[[/folder]]
108
109[[folder:Western Animation]]
110* In the ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'' episode "Fame" after Ben fears the entire school will hate him after finding out his secret that he can change into different aliens, Julie gives him a kiss to assure him that not everyone hates him.
111* In ''WesternAnimation/CaptainCavemanAndTheTeenAngels'', Taffy often asks Captain Caveman to do something for her which he doesn't want to do. Once she kisses him, he's ready for anything.
112* In the ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanet'' episode "You Bet Your Planet," before Wheeler participates in the foot race for the fate of Earth, Linka gives him a kiss for luck.
113* Towards the end of ''WesternAnimation/FriskyDingo'', at one point Stan and Taqu'il are dangling from a ledge, and Ta'quille uses a grappling hook concealed in his belt to lift them to safety. Before he does, Stan (referencing the Star Wars example above) gives him a quick kiss and says "For luck." Taqu'il is not amused, and activates the grappling hook with nothing more than a cold look.
114* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/PunkinPussAndMushmouse'', Mushmouse's girlfriend kisses him as incentive to face up to Punkin' Puss. It gives Mushmouse plenty of courage, but the matter of size weighs against him.
115* In the ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'' episode "Into The Astral Plane'' before Lion-O begins his quest in the plane Cheetara gives him a kiss for luck. Tygra becomes jealous of this, thinking she has feelings for Lion-O, and volunteers to go with him.
116* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'': There's been a few motivational kisses, most of them [[ForcefulKiss delivered forcefully]].
117** Because Vito is being uncooperative during the challenge in "[[Recap/TotalDramaFindersCreepers Finder Creepers]]", Anne Maria promises him he'll "get more of this" if he gets moving. Having uttered that line, she delivers an intense kiss on his lips. With that prospect in mind, Vito throws himself into the game enthusiastically.
118** Sky ends up with Dave as her helper in "[[Recap/TotalDramaLiesCriesAndOneBigPrize Lies, Cries and One Big Prize]]". After her earlier rejection of his advances, she knows he'll be a worthless ally unless he has a motivation of his own. Thus, she kisses him and explains that her earlier rejection was because she wanted to stay focused on winning. She suggests he still has a shot with her after the finale, which is plenty for Dave to want to do everything in his power to make sure Sky wins.
119[[/folder]]
120
121[[folder:Real Life]]
122* "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morganna Morganna the Kissing Bandit]]" was a woman who'd sneak onto the baseball field and try to kiss a player. By 1990 she'd kissed over ''40'' professional athletes. She continued despite being beaten by security once.
123[[/folder]]

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