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11[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/{{Superman}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_1live_wire_001.png]]]]
12[[caption-width-right:350:From ShockJock to just shocking.]]
13
14->''"When your hair stands on end, you are already dead."''
15-->-- ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic IV'', [[EncyclopediaExposita flavor text]] for the spell "ChainLightning"
16
17[[ShockAndAwe Lightning]]. An incredibly powerful force of nature that has awed mankind since before the beginning of civilization.
18
19Today we know this to be an atmospheric discharge of electricity, but to the people of the past, this phenomenon was an Act of God and [[LightningCanDoAnything a symbol of great power]]. So characters who happen to [[ShockAndAwe wield the power of this electric element]] can be very powerful indeed... [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity and you know what they say about those with great power]]. No, not [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility those ones]].
20
21Enter the Psycho Electro.
22
23A subtrope of PersonalityPowers, but one you have to do a bit of digging to make sense of. Lightning and Electricity related characters tend to be psychotic, sadistic, and/or just plain insane. Whether this is in [[NervousWreck a touchy and paranoid way]] or in a [[TheStoic cold, unhinged manner]] is up to the writer, but mostly, they're marinated in A-1 crazy sauce.
24
25Lightning is not associated with madness in folklore or mythology, where it's treated as a regal and divine ability. In HighFantasy, this power is attributed to [[KnightInShiningArmor knightly and chivalrous people]]. But when it comes to modern SpeculativeFiction and especially {{Superhero}} fiction, characters with lightning powers are just plain nuts or incredibly sadistic, almost guaranteed to take delight in giving their victims some ElectricTorture.
26
27Perhaps it's because of the seeming disorder of thunderstorms. The songs of chaos sung by thunder and lightning, the loud, scary, booming sounds, the darkness that entails and the jagged appearance of lightning itself can make for decent symbols of madness. Maybe it has to do with the idea that the brain is controlled by electrical impulses, and the electrical current running through them messes with their mind. Cue the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy electroshock therapy]], [[ElectroconvulsiveTherapyIsTorture which in this case just makes things worse]].
28
29It may have nothing to do with lightning and all to do with ''electricity''. Man-made electricity has allowed us to see it up close and witness its erratic patterns and behavior. Many associate electricity with pain and with good reason, thanks to the electric chair and the fact that electrocution (electrocution is ''electr''ical and exe''cution'') isn't a fun time for anyone. Whatever the reason, The Psycho Electro remains prominent in fiction. When it comes to crazy sadists with powers, nothing really expresses it better than the twitchy, destructive and unpredictable nature of lightning and electricity.
30
31Or it could possibly relate the shocking sensation of electricity that would cause a person to twitch and how the ''typical'' psychotic person twitches. It's then just A+B=C+B=D.
32
33Despite this, it is '''not''' a case of BadPowersBadPeople. There are still many heroes and good characters that have lightning abilities. It seems to be one of those "double-edged sword" powers where it can help people just as much as it can harm them, but the great potential for destruction is still there and may serve to enforce how careful they need to be.
34
35Compare PyroManiac, RideTheLightning. Often paired with FreakyElectronicMusic to really sell the "psycho" vibes. Naturally, a fitting power for a MadScientist.
36
37Subtrope of ElementalPersonalities and ShockAndAwe. Contrast AnIcePerson and PlayingWithFire, the other two elements that form the FireIceLightning trio, as well as PacifistWind, which associates the wind element with a lack of aggression and general pacifism.
38----
39!!Examples:
40
41[[foldercontrol]]
42
43[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
44* {{Subverted|Trope}} with Nue from ''Manga/AirGear''; while he ''does'' have a thing for the macabre, he's far from being villainous, and he and his team members support Ikki and company later on in the story.
45* Luck Voltia, lightning magic user from ''Manga/BlackClover'', was never a bad guy. But even after becoming less overtly bloodthirsty and more of a team player, the kid is still downright mental. His nickname, "Cheery Berserker," is appropriate. His favorite hobby is antagonizing fellow Black Bull, Magna Swing, who Luck considers to be his best friend, into trying to kill him. For fun.
46* Spooky Electric, one of the [[ArtificialHuman synthetic humans]] of the [[AncientConspiracy Towa Organization]] in ''Literature/BoogiepopSeries'' has power over electricity. Aside from being able to taze people with touch, he can also control electronics ''and'' brainwash people by subtly altering their brainwaves.
47* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'':
48** Misaka WORST. Being the youngest (and at the same time oldest) Misaka clone, her older sisters maybe a Tsundere letting off a lot of steam, a network of ten thousand military trained [[ReiAyanamiExpy Rei Ayanami]] [[StealthPun Clones]] and the most adorable MoralityPet that has crossed the screen since [[Manga/InuYasha Rin]], but she is so far the only one that managed to make [[SociopathicHero Accele]][[WorldsStrongestMan rator]] run away in fear, mind rape him and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking in general being an annoying troll]].
49** Her older, but younger sister -- and the original -- Mikoto Misaka is in regards to main character Kamijou Touma very... zap-happy. Granted, it's because he can take nearly anything, but when you get improvised sand-saws, electro-shocks, railgun bullets and thunderstorms summoned upon you, you really start wondering if this is just {{Tsundere}} or [[{{Yandere}} manic obsession and sadism]].
50** PsychoForHire Mugino Shizuri/Meltdowner, the [[FourIsDeath 4th-ranked]] [[PowerLevels Level 5]] esper in Academy City, has the ability to control electrons and fire them as incredibly destructive [[EnergyWeapon energy beams]] capable of disintegrating any matter, which initially appear as [[EnergyBall floating orbs of light]]. During their battle, [[ShockAndAwe Misaka]] [[spoiler:notes that their powers are fundamentally the same, which is why they can redirect one another's attacks]]. She's a calm and confident leader until things [[HairTriggerTemper don't go her way]], at which point she shows her foul-mouthed, AxCrazy true colors, often accompanied by a SlasherSmile. She has a ''very'' fragile ego and an InferioritySuperiorityComplex on top of it and hates being humiliated, completely [[StealthPun melting down]] whenever she suffers a defeat. Her ability is [[PowerIncontinence just as dangerous to herself]] as it is to others, so her mind [[AfraidOfTheirOwnStrength subconsciously prevents her from drawing out all of its power]] [[spoiler:lest she experience a SuperpowerMeltdown]]. She's quite possibly the most insane Level 5, managing to outdo Accelerator.
51* Kanon Ozu of ''Manga/{{Coppelion}}''. She is not what you'd exactly call "stable". Her DNA was spliced with an Electric Eel, which granted her a hoast of electric based powers, not least of which is blasting out lightning bolts from her hands. She can sense how far people are away with electronic pulses and much more. She also can't feel pain. It's partly ''from'' this power, the last part in particular, that she goes down the path of insanity.
52* ''Manga/DenjinN'': Tadahiro transforms into a being of pure electromagnetism after his death and resolves to murder anybody who gets in the way of Misaki's idol career.
53* Similar to the above, taser-wielding "knight" and title character Ame Ochibana of ''Literature/DenpaTekiNaKanojo'', who, while not malicious, clearly has a few screws loose.
54* In ''Manga/DragonBall'', a Super Saiyan 2 has a small lightning aura along with their regular golden one. The first person to achieve it, Gohan, went absolutely batshit insane and kicked the crap out of Cell.
55* Laxus from ''Manga/FairyTail'' is a [[TheSocialDarwinist Social Darwinist]] with the power to back it up. [[spoiler: He even tries to take over the guild at one point, and it takes Natsu and Gajeel working together to bring him down...and that was after Mystogan softened him up a bit first and he crippled ''himself'' trying to cast an incredibly powerful spell.]] Thankfully, he TookALevelInKindness.
56* ''Manga/GetBackers'': If electricity-user Ginji uses his powers too much or loses control of his emotions, he can convert to his Lightning Lord personality -- a super-powerful and hugely destructive badass.
57* She doesn't actually have electrical ''powers'', but Shion Sonozaki from ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' might still count with her, um, ''enthusiastic'' [[StaticStunGun taser usage]].
58* Subverted with Ryuubi Gentoku from ''Manga/IkkiTousen''. She's normally a sweet and kind girl who would rather read a book than throw a punch. The only time she's ever psychotic is when she's under the control of her dragon spirit.
59* In ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureDiamondIsUnbreakable'', Akira Otoishi is an unrepentant killer and robber who can channel the power of [[CityOfAdventure Morioh]]'s electrical grid into his [[FightingSpirit Stand]], Red Hot Chili Pepper.
60* ''Manga/KamichamaKarin'''s resident MadScientist slash ComesGreatInsanity BigBad just so happens to wield the power of [[Myth/GreekMythology Zeus]], god of thunder and lightning and such.
61* Precia Testarossa from ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha''. Mage with an affinity to Lightning and more than a tad insane. Fate, her daughter and another Lightning user, makes it a point not to turn out like her.
62** Fate could actually be considered an inversion of this trope, considering just how much of a StoicWoobie she is.
63** Fate's adopted son Erio used to be like this, until Fate basically [[CoolDownHug hugged the crazy out of him]].
64* Sasuke from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' after his FaceHeelTurn. Most of the other lightning-users seem to avert this, like the mostly stoic Kakashi and the hotheaded, but mostly good Raikage and his "brother" Killerbee.
65* Atori from ''{{Anime/Noein}}'' nails this trope. Sadistic, insane and zapping everything in sight. Even if he did lose his sadism later on, he still kept the electricity and insanity.
66* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', the user of the lightning-empowering "Rumble-Rumble" Devil Fruit is called Eneru and has the title of God. He wants to destroy an entire island of people to reach the moon. Actually, he doesn't even need to destroy the island; apparently, he just likes to blow up his old island whenever he moves.
67* Ash's Pikachu in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' is normally a lovable critter, but when he got [[DemonicPossession possessed by the]] [[ArtifactOfDoom Blue Orb]], he definitely fits.
68* Averted in ''Manga/SamuraiDeeperKyo'' with Sasuke, who, despite using lightning attacks, is one of the better-adjusted members of the team. Relatively speaking.
69* BigBad Megatron/Galvatron in ''Anime/TransformersCybertron''. He can shoot lightning from his hands, like [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers Shrapnel]]. Or a [[Franchise/StarWars Sith Lord]].
70* An electricity controlling witch in ''Anime/WitchHunterRobin'', who was certified ''in the episode.''
71* In ''Manga/TheWorldGodOnlyKnows'', Kanon Nakagawa, as a result of her neurosis in her early stages, zaps Keima with her [[StaticStunGun tazers]] whenever he crushes her little self-esteem by ignoring her. When she is that way, she is amazingly creepy.
72* Both used and subverted in ''Manga/ZatchBell'': Zatch is about as gentle as you can imagine, but his EvilTwin Zeon is extremely violent and vengeful (and is shown using ElectricTorture in the manga).
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder:Comedy]]
76* Creator/TheFiresignTheatre's "The Electrician", most prominently featured in ''Hemlock Stones and the Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra'', fits "electric crazy person" to a tee.
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder:Comic Books]]
80* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
81** Maxie Zeus is a minor ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' villain who [[AGodAmI thinks that he's the Greek god Zeus]], best remembered in the comics for running into a tree and falling unconscious while escaping Arkham Asylum in ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}''. In the not-quite-canon ''ComicBook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'', he's portrayed as a man with messianic delusions and an obsession with electroshock treatment and coprophilia, since the electric shocks cause him to lose control of his bowels.
82** The ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'' villain Mekt Ranzz, a.k.a. Lightning Lord, is nearly always evil and is frequently insane as well. In the post-Zero Hour version of the book, his brother Garth was convinced that the lightning had made him crazy and would do the same to Garth and his sister Ayla; Ayla convinced him that the lightning wasn't responsible, just Mekt's natural instability. Surprisingly {{subverted|Trope}} in the [[WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes2006 animated adaptation]], in which Mekt reforms and helps Garth save Ayla.
83*** In the Threeboot Legion, Mekt is still crazy, but this time it's because, being a solo birth on a planet of twins, he's missing out on a bond shared by everyone else he knows, and this naturally leads to depression. [[spoiler:He gets over it when he realizes he owes it to the Wanderers not to die]], but he's still got anger issues.
84*** And Storm Boy, whose non-natural powers kept him from being accepted into the Legion. He's since had over 75 separate operations to increase the voltage of his bolts and also to see what they can do with his face.
85** The ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'' villain Livewire's (pictured) powers [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity affected her brain]], kicking her natural AttentionWhore tendencies to pathological extremes. Superman eventually fixed this by giving her one of his old [[ContainmentClothing containment suits]] from [[AudienceAlienatingEra that time he was an]] {{Energy Being|s}}, facilitating a HeelFaceTurn.
86** Played with in relation to ComicBook/WonderGirl Cassie Sandsmark. She is a genuinely kind and heroic person, but her ShockAndAwe powers are [[EmotionalPowers tied to her emotions]], most strongly [[UnstoppableRage utter rage]], and the lasso she first used to be able to channel and control her powers was manipulating her behavior, making her more cold and angry all the time.
87* ''ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse'': {{Averted|Trope}} with Zafir, one of the few costumed enemies of the "original" Paperinik. She is a violent criminal, but not psychotic in the least.
88* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
89** ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Electro is normally a very {{downplayed|Trope}} version of this trope. However, he went crazy after the ComicBook/SuperiorSpiderMan (actually [[Characters/MarvelComicsOttoOctavius Doctor Octopus]] in Peter's body, at that time) experimented on him. [[PowerIncontinence He can no longer control his powers]] (to the point of accidentally frying his ally/lover) and has frequent nightmares of Spider-Man torturing him.
90** The Electro of ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'' is very psychotic, unhinged, and paranoid, unlike his original Marvel counterpart, where he was (at the time, anyway) just your basic thug with electricity powers.
91** Max Dillon's successor as Electro, Francine Frye, is a much bigger case, a MonsterFangirl that soon after getting electric abilities gave a KissOfDeath to Max in order to absorb his power.
92** ''ComicBook/XMen'': When [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]] [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor is a bad guy]], his electromagnetic powers do have a tendency to mess with his brain chemistry. However, unlike most examples, he's more of an {{Ubermensch}} with a [[AGodAmI god complex]] than your usual twitchy lightning-throwing psychopath.
93* A tragic example from ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW'' is Surge the Tenrec, a deliberately-engineered EvilCounterpart to Sonic. While outwardly brash and cruel, she was originally just a normal person before Doctor Starline kidnapped her and turned her into a cyborg, using his HypnoRay to wipe her previous personality and memories while implanting a false personality and IrrationalHatred of Sonic. when Surge finds all of this out, on top of the fact that he didn't even bother to keep a record of who she used to be, she becomes [[OmnicidalManiac rather upset]].
94* VillainProtagonist Johnny Bolt from ''ComicBook/{{Supercrooks}}'', an amoral master thief with electric powers.
95* {{Subverted|Trope}} in ''ComicBook/TopTen'', whose character Shock-Headed Peter is a [[FantasticRacism robot hater]], but definitely ''not'' psychotic. He also [[MommasBoy loves his momma]]. However, one issue stated Peter had some sociopathic tendencies.
96[[/folder]]
97
98[[folder:Fan Works]]
99* In ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainKnightOfTheOrangeLily'', Specter somehow has a SplitPersonality named "Easter" that is capable of using lightining abilities. Notably, Specter is known to be a sadist -- albeit WordOfGod reveals that this is the Season 2/3 Specter so he's not as villainous as before -- but Easter is somehow even ''more'' unhinged with how he seems to be deatched from reality, takes being electrocuted as being part of an orgy and is obsessed with hearts. This is later revealed to be that Easter is actually a ''living'' lightning botl from a car Specter passed through prior to meeting with Gladion and later stops acting psychotic.
100* ''Fanfic/PokeWars'' has two examples.
101** On the villain's side is Raikou, one of Ho-Oh's lieutenants with a major sadistic streak and penchant for overkill.
102** On the heroic side is Ash's Pikachu. After he vaporizes an entire city of Muk, the surge in power and adrenaline he gains from the battle changes his personality from "eager to fight" to "[[BloodKnight bloodthirsty]]".
103* In Fanfic/TheRainsverse, Chroma's alicorn powers are heavily lightning-themed, and she is a paranoid BloodKnight.
104* In the MagicalGirl CrisisCrossover ''FanFic/ShatteredSkiesTheMorningLights'', Kanna Kise [=/=] Bad End Peace II was originally an alternate-universe counterpart of [[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Yayoi]] [=/=] [[Anime/SmilePrettyCure Cure Peace]] who never met her teammates and never became a Precure. Joker found her, kidnapped her, and utterly broke her mind until she became his PerkyFemaleMinion. Like her counterpart, Bad End Peace II harnesses the power of lightning... and she's also an AxCrazy CloudCuckoolander TalkativeLoon, who at one point wonders aloud how much of her voltage it would take to turn [[Franchise/SailorMoon Sailor Iron Mouse]] into a [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pikachu]].
105* In ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji'', Shinji uses lightning attacks and is a manipulative, psychotic jerkass.
106[[/folder]]
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108[[folder:Film]]
109* ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'': Electro was a nice guy, but he had voices in his head even ''before'' his accident, and an obsession with Spider-Man after the hero saved him once and gave him some kind words. When he gets his powers, he heads into the [[PowerIncontinence "panicking"]] stage, and when the cops start shooting and people pay more attention to Spidey than him... [[ThenLetMeBeEvil he doesn't take it well]].
110* ''Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina'': Of the Three Storms, Lightning is the most impressive. His body is crackling with electricity that he can shoot from his hands. He's the last Storm to be defeated.
111* Parodied in ''Film/ErnestGoesToJail'' where attempting to fry him in the Electric Chair ([[ItMakesSenseInContext It happens]]) gives Ernest electric powers ([[ItMakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext It also happens]]). While he's definitely framed as one of these (and the prison guards and prisoners react to him as such) he's still the same old lovable Ernest, just with the occasional comedic twitch.
112* ''Film/GhostbustersII'': Since the two fried in an electric chair, the ghosts of the Scoleri brothers return to haunt the judge that sent them to it, as a pair of electrically-charged ghosts.
113* In ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'', [[Characters/MonsterVerseKingGhidorah King Ghidorah]] is bio-electric, generating torrents of [[YellowLightningBlueLightning yellow lightning]] through his body and [[BreathWeapon mouths]], and forming devastating thunderstorms of apocalyptic proportions -- as for the "Psycho", Ghidorah is the most explicitly-malevolent Titan featured in the movie, getting kicks out of tormenting and killing humanity, and seeking to steal Godzilla's kingship over the other monsters so that he can [[OmnicidalManiac reshape the planet and wipe out all life]]. During the FinalBattle at Boston, Ghidorah's middle head bites into a power substation, absorbing the electricity and allowing him to fire a massive barrage of lightning from his wings that would make Palpatine either proud or green with envy.
114* ''Film/{{Prison}}'': Revolves around an electrically charged ghost who wants revenge.
115* ''Film/TheRulingClass'': In a more satirical vein, the chief psychologist attempts to cure Peter O Toole's protagonist -- under the delusion that he is God -- by introducing him to another crazed man calling himself the "AC-DC Messiah". Plenty psycho, so much so that he is convinced that he is also Electro.
116* ''Film/{{Shocker}}'': Horace Pinker, SerialKiller who made a DealWithTheDevil, comes back after death as an electric ghost who can possess people.
117* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Sith Lords, most notably Emperor Palpatine, have the ability to use the Force to attack and torture people with lightning. As he is arguably the most famous person to cackle madly while shocking victims, probably the TropeCodifier.
118* ''Film/StreetFighter'': M. Bison has these vibes. [[AGodAmI FOR I BEHELD SATAN AS HE FELL FROM HEAVEN]]... [[LargeHam LIKE LIIIIGHTNIIIING!]]
119[[/folder]]
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121[[folder:Literature]]
122* In ''Literature/AfterTheGoldenAge'', Barry Quinn was a superhero with electric powers. He was also a paranoid schizophreniac who believed his medication weakened his abilities. No one was surprised when his career ended with him being institutionalized.
123%%* Olivia in ''Literature/TheCircle2011''.
124* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
125** Elaine is probably one of the least stable human characters in the ''Dresden Files'', and she most of her battle magic is electric. Possibly justified that it tends to be more targeted than fire, (thus requiring less energy,) and fire is the favorite of combat wizards with more power than technique, such as Harry. In a subversion, Harry is suitably impressed by her technique, and mimics some of her electricity-storing gadgets, though he continues to fight with air and fire.
126** In the very first book, [[spoiler:the Entropy Curses that are ripping peoples' hearts out]] are powered by the energy in thunderstorms. And sex. In this case, the thunderstorms were just big, huge natural batteries that were conveniently around, a power source to be tapped into, the nature of the rituals themselves was blood magic. And Harry harnessed the power of the storm as well to get rid of [[spoiler:the toad demon that Victor Shadowman summoned]].
127* Parricidal Luke from ''Literature/{{Duumvirate}}'' is less flashy than most examples on this page. It's the [[LightningBruiser speed, strength]], and raw hatred that make him so horribly dangerous.
128* The Rakasha in ''Literature/LordOfLight'' are pure energy beings represented by constantly shifting pillars of lightning. They are also arrogant, egocentric, and pathological gamblers.
129* The Electro-priests which show up in the first ''Literature/SoulDrinkers'' novel. They're techpriests who have their entire bodies covered in electoos (basically, tattooed circuits laid under a person's skin). They chant litanies before going into battle to drive themselves into a ''Berseker Mode'' and turn into living fonts of electricity. They actually slice the hands clean off of a fully armored Space Marine. With their bare hands.
130* In ''Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy'', the cloned Dark Jedi Master Joruus C'baoth uses mass mind control on most people, and Force Lightning on the rest. [[http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/286/blz23.jpg He is very unstable]].
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133[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
134* [[MeaningfulName Gwen Raiden]] from ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Not exactly AxCrazy, and she's a good guy in most of her appearances, but she's still very chaotic and possibly a little unhinged from her problems with PowerIncontinence, which have kept her from ever being directly touched (and which have caused at least one accidental death).
135* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Stormfront. One of her powers involves casting purple lightning from her hands, which she uses to murder innocent civilians [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain just because they were black]].
136* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime "The End of Time"]], the imperfectly-revived Master gains the ability to generate and control electricity, an appropriate elemental complement to his already-established personality and mental state.
137* ''Series/FlandersCompany'' has Carla Burnelle, TheHeavy from Season 2, who possess lightning-based power. Since she usually is a FauxAffablyEvil MagnificentBitch who work for a Clothes-producing company, you initially don't really expect her to be one, especially with {{Villain Protagonist}}s as the main cast. Then come the season finale, where [[LetSGetDangerous she is able to take down all the protagonists of her own]], and has no problem attempting to kill them. This goes even worst after her VillainousBreakdown at the end of Season 3, causing her to come back in Season 4 and attack the Flander's Company in a state of insane rage.
138* Elle Bishop from ''Series/{{Heroes}}''. Once she started indulging in electric sadomasochism with imprisoned pretty-boy Peter, it was clear she wasn't exactly right in the head. It's implied to be the result of years of being a test subject who's been denied a normal childhood. As well, though arguably psychotic to begin with, once Sylar copies Elle's power, using it somehow manages to make him seem even ''more'' unhinged.
139* Generally averted by ''Series/KamenRiderStronger'': Stronger, the protagonist, has electricity as his motif, and is only crazy in a different sense than what this trope is about.
140* Heckyl from ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'' is funny, insane and very dangerous. His lightning powers are one of the reasons why he was locked up in a solitary confinement for centuries (or longer). His EstablishingCharacterMoment in ''Wishing For a Hero'' says it all.
141* UsefulNotes/NikolaTesla in ''Series/Sanctuary2007'', a gleefully sociopathic vampire who fell asleep in Edison's electric chair. Yes, really.
142* Done to freaking death in ''Series/{{Smallville}}''. Probably Smallville's most common evil [[MonsterOfTheWeek mutant of the week power.]]
143* ''Series/TheXFiles'': Darin Oswald from the episode "[[Recap/TheXFilesS03E03DPO D.P.O.]]". If you mess with his arcade game, he will call down the lightning and fry your ass.
144[[/folder]]
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146[[folder:Podcasts]]
147* The final villain of ''Podcast/TheKingmakerHistories'' series two is Lucas Lando, a crazed army general and prolific war criminal who commands thunderstorms and throws lightning bolts with the help of his copper gauntlets.
148[[/folder]]
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150[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
151* Lightning in ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' is mostly associated with Red, the color of emotion and chaos. Therefore, unlike most fantasy settings, people with electricity powers here tend less to be divine and more passionate, which in some cases is manifested through outright psychosis. Specific examples include the [[MadScientist Izzet League]], which as a {{Steampunk}} faction tend to show the "fried brains" side of this trope, and the [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Kolaghan Brood]], who put lightning to good use by burning everything for their own amusement.
152* ''TabletopGame/PrincessTheHopeful'': The Court of Storms is (as you might guess) strongly associated with lightning, and they are the Court of [[ThePowerOfHate hatred]], [[CastFromHitPoints self-destructive powers]], and [[KnightTemplar destroying anything touched by the Darkness, without mercy or concern for collateral damage]].
153* In ''TabletopGame/UnhallowedMetropolis'', the power Electrokinesis allows the wielder to psychically control and generate electricity. At maximum power it allows the character to instantly kill anything in a particle beam blast that can take out a city block, unfortunately Electrokinesis causes a character to develop megalomania and at the highest rank it manifests as a full-blown god complex.
154[[/folder]]
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156[[folder:Video Games]]
157* Nikolai Dmitri Bulygin from ''VideoGame/AnarchyReigns'' is a cyborg with electricity powers, and the first thing we see him do is electrocute an innocent bartender robot for information. He isn't exactly a nice guy.
158* [[BigBad Lord Deus]] from ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' was probably the Regal version of a lightning user like this, like in Actual Folklore. Upon becoming the BigBad, however, He shows his real colors by acting like this to some extent, electrocuting Asura to death and throwing him out of heaven to Earth.
159* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'': Shock Treatment is electric, all around crazy, and at least once she will turn on you seemingly against her will. As her name implies, an excess of shock therapy was the source of her powers. She was technically crazy ''before'' the powers, now she's crazy ''with'' them.
160* The users of Tesla weapons in the ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'' series. Especially the Shock Trooper from the original ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert Red Alert]]'', who would declaim deranged BondOneLiner catchphrases such as "Extra crispy!", "Lights out!" and "Fully charged!" Soviet commander Moskvin from ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3 Red Alert 3]]'' is a former Tesla Trooper, and tends to be very aggressive and erratic, with unpredictable mood swings.
161* ''VideoGame/DeadByDaylight'': The Doctor is a sadistic MadScientist who manipulates electricity using the electrodes and wires on his arm, which causes survivors to be driven insane and also stuns them out of vaulting a window or pallet for a short amount of time.
162* [[EvilOldFolks The Matron]], one of your henchmen in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', is a sweet, grandmotherly old lady with a morning-star and a penchant for electroshock therapy. During her time as a 'carer' in a Swiss mental institute, she'd administrate her torture until either the fuses were about to blow or the arthritis in her hands started to flare up. It was only uncovered when the electricity board decided to check on why a small village in the mountains was sucking up more juice than Zurich.
163* Downplayed in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses''. The two most mentally unstable members of the playable cast, Dimitri and Jeritza, are both focused towards physical builds. However, if you decide to train them in Reason magic, they both gain electric spells.
164* Averted completely in ''VideoGame/FragileDreams'': The BigBad, a MadScientist ghost named Shin, has [[ShockAndAwe electrokinesis]] as part of his PsychicPowers. He, however, is TheStoic, and never acts sadistically or without purpose. He also seems quite sane, except during his "words are meaningless" rants. [[spoiler:Once you discover [[MotiveRant what he means by that]], it's hard [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds not to feel for him]].]]
165* Robo-Ky of the ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' series has some...idiosyncratic mannerisms. To be frank, he seems to be constantly malfunctioning. Ironically, he has lightning abilities because the original Ky Kiske has them, not because he's a robot. This trope is subverted by Ky Kiske himself. He's a very disciplined knight who's mastery of lightning magic is a sign of his skill. Other issues aside, he's not a psycho electro but can be consider sort of the opposite.
166* As the article quote implies, ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic'' uses this trope in the fourth game, with Lightning spells being within the domain of Chaos magic, the "hey, let's burn the world to ashes" spell school. This is an association inherited from ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', as the schools in ''Heroes IV'' are equivalent to the five colors in ''Magic''. ''Master of Magic'' has the same thing (with lightning spells coming, again, from the Chaos school), with both ''Master of Magic'' and ''Heroes IV'' also subverting the trope by having the lightning-using creatures belonging to each game's equivalent to ''M:TG'''s blue magic.
167* Cole [=McGrath=] from ''VideoGame/InFamous'' can be played [[KarmaMeter good or evil.]] And evil Cole has blood-red electricity instead of blue, and a less healthy-looking complexion ala Emperor Palpatine as well as gaining what is pretty much Force Lightning and clusterbombs for his grenades. [[spoiler:If he chooses to commit a MoralEventHorizon at the end his lightning will turn black.]]
168* Larxene from ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories''. She's not so much insane as she is a vicious DarkActionGirl who enjoys physically and emotionally abusing others. Don't forget her [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81QJDIyTDc evil laughter.]] It's creepy as hell.
169-->"More pain for you means more fun for me!"
170* ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'':
171** Normally, Shermie is a [[TheTease bubbly, giggly, flirty lady]]. When she turns into Orochi Shermie though (appropriately named Orochi Shermie of the Insanely Violent Lightning as her full title) she becomes much more serious and darker, spouting the end of humans. Oh and in 2002, [[HadesShaded her skin gets tanned]].
172** Sylvie from ''XIV'' is even worse, her cutesy mannerisms hiding a penchant for ruthless behavior, and a shocking willingness to use extreme violence, if her hobby of FightClubbing is any consideration. [[BeingTorturedMakesYouEvil Blame NESTS and regularly having her shackled to a ceiling and whipped for sending her over the edge]].
173* Zan Partizanne of ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'' is the leader of [[FireIceLightning the Three Mage-Sisters]], a trio of magic users who are [[UndyingLoyalty fanatically loyal]] to [[BigBad Lord Hyness]] and his ApocalypseCult. As Hyness's [[TheDragon Dragon]], Zan is [[TheFundamentalist far more militant]] than her underlings [[AnIcePerson Francisca]] and [[FieryRedhead Flamberge]]. During her BossBattle, she [[GigglingVillain cackles with glee]] as she [[ShockAndAwe stirs up thunderstorms]]. When she's beaten the first time, she escalates into full-on LaughingMad territory and [[CollapsingLair destroys her planet-sized Jambastion fortress]], ''[[SoreLoser just to kill Kirby!]]'' [[spoiler: During [[BossRush Soul Melter EX]], FlavorText reveals that Zan only gained her powers after [[SmiteMeOMightySmiter climbing a tower and getting struck by lightning]] in an attempt to [[DrivenToSuicide kill herself]], implying that she was unstable long before joining Hyness's religion.]]
174* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': One of the attacks of evil sorcerer Agahnim is shooting electricity from his hands. Also, if Link tries to attack Agahnim directly with the Master Sword, he will get electrocuted for his trouble.
175* [[OurGhostsAreDifferent King Boo]] in ''VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon'' uses lightning attacks thanks to [[AmplifierArtifact his new crown]] he got prior to the game's events. It's no coincidence that this game was the point at which he went from a WellIntentionedExtremist who wanted to look after his fellow Boos, to an AxCrazy sociopath who was willing to [[ApocalypseHow collapse the entire dimension]] just to have revenge on Luigi.
176* The titular shark in ''VideoGame/{{Maneater}}'' becomes this if you equip her with the Bio-Electric mutations, adding electrical jolts to her attacks and even gaining the ability to turn herself into lightning. But she's completely psycho even without electric powers.
177* ''VideoGame/MegaManZero3'': Volteel Biblio, Elec Man, Spark Man, Cloud Man, (arguably) Flash Man and Bright Man, and *shudder* [[MonsterClown Clown Man]] from ''VideoGame/MegaMan8''. As well as Spark Mandrill, Volt Catfish, and other Mavericks from the ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' series.
178* Given their BloodKnight tendencies and the [[ElementalRockPaperScissors elemental alignment]] of the unlocked SuperMode, this was probably the case for the extinct Zerker tribe of ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce''.Also Gemini Spark/Noise from the same games!You can torture any boss to death that does not have Status Guard/any player that does not have the No Paralyze ability with a constant string of Sword-type Battle Cards!Psycho Electro indeed!
179* This is how ''{{VisualNovel/Tsukihime}}'' villain Michael Roa Valdamjong is portrayed in ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood: Actress Again''. It's somewhat subverted though as he's a lot more calm than most psychopaths.
180* Colonel Volgin in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater''. There is actually a scene of him casually using ElectricTorture and he is described to be a sadist. Don't believe it? Check out the medical records of his HoneyTrap sometime. There's a reason his boss music is named: "Clash With Evil Personified." Hell, halfway through the game he takes one of his own people he believes to be a traitor and rather than interrogate him, stuffs him in an oil drum and beats him death while he's inside it.
181* Kanden the bounty hunter, from ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeHunters,'' uses a weapon called the shock coil, which fires bursts of electricity. He is also known for being a mentally unstable, and supposedly unkillable, living weapon of destruction.
182* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'':
183** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations'': Astalos is one of the most destructively violent creatures that can be encountered in the world of ''Monster Hunter''. Just entering its line of sight is enough reason for it to try to kill something with electrically charged punches.
184** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterRise'': The FinalBoss, Thunder Serpent Narwa, is one of few monsters in the series capable of rational thought, and conducts herself like a cruel and wrathful goddess who takes joy in the destruction caused by her calamitous lightning powers. [[spoiler:When she kills her mate Ibushi and steals his powers, she's said to "lust for utter annihilation" in the Hunter's Notes section for her Allmother form.]]
185* General Dynamo from the Team Ninja reboot of ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden''.
186* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
187** It's a [[DownplayedTrope lighter case]] but you could count Kanji from ''VideoGame/Persona4''. He's rather hotheaded and was known for very destructive behavior before you saved him from the TV world. His Persona uses electric powers, seems to reflect his personality well.
188** Akihiko of ''VideoGame/Persona3'', however, is actually an {{Inver|tedTrope}}sion. He uses the same element but he's a far more stable person and learns a lot of support and stat effect moves instead of attack focused techniques.
189* ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'' brings us [[spoiler:Iris Sepperin]], who uses lightning attacks. And she [[VillainousBreakdown gets crazy]] and starts LaughingMad when she finally realizes that Spiritia [[spoiler:is actually Rosenkreuz's other reincarnation, the "Blade of Rosenkreuz"]].
190* ''Videogame/{{Sonny}} 2'' plays with this one in a new way. One of the two kinds of powers Psychological builds give you, other than MindRape, are electricity-based powers. Rather than using insanity to destroy minds, you're using your own thoughts' electricity (the brain and nerves running on electric impulses and all) as a weapon, applying this insanity in a different way.
191* In ''VideoGame/SpiderMan2EnterElectro'', the titular antagonist is hit with a jolt of power due to a mystical artifact, and becomes so strong that he is able to harness massive amounts of lightning. The final battle is held on top of a large industrial building, with Electro feeding off a power generator and smacking the hell out of the player until the generator is disabled.
192* The Electro in ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'' is far more sociopathic and unhinged than previous versions. He was a career criminal even before becoming a supervillain, and one of the first things he did after he got his powers was start [[CopKiller murdering cops]]. Eventually he started expressing a desire to [[EnergyBeings "become pure energy"]].
193* Psymon Stark of the ''VideoGame/{{SSX}}'' series, who was electrocuted on power lines, leading to long-term mental health issues, noticeable tics, and a generally erratic and unpredictable personality.
194* In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', playing a Dark Side Sith Inquisitor in the Lightning discipline gets you this. Pretty much all of the Inquisitor paths are varying degrees of this trope, though.
195** In the ''Legacy of the Sith'' expansion, players are able to adopt disciplines from other classes, meaning that now any DarkSide Force user can become this. However, Inquisitors are likely to still be the only ones capable of electrocution as a dialogue option.
196* Subverted in ''Franchise/StreetFighter''. Crimson Viper, an electrified agent of the nefarious Shadaloo organization, presents a cold and villainous front (her presence is even accompanied by an ominous EtherealChoir-ridden theme song), but her in-game ending reveals that she is actually [[spoiler:a CIA double-agent working to take down Shadaloo]].
197* Subverted by Horace Gage from ''VideoGame/TheSuffering.'' Out of all the ghosts and creatures on Carnate Island, Horace is by far the most stable, though he's still unhinged from the decades he's spent frying in the electric chair that killed him to begin with. He's also the ghost for the [[KarmaMeter Good alignment]], not wanting Torque to become corrupted by prison life and the supernatural taint of Carnate, as he was.
198* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
199** Lightning is the element of choice for Hasta, the resident {{Blood Knight}}/{{Psycho For Hire}} of ''VideoGame/TalesOfInnocence''.
200** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'':
201*** Sheena Fujibayashi failed to form a pact with the summon spirit of Lightning in her backstory and it flips out and causes much destruction, as opposed to the other elemental summon spirits who just didn't give you the pact and left.
202*** Problem was that Volt didn't speak English. Or Tethe'allan. But mainly English. Volt speaks a language few other characters speak in the game and interprets nearly everything as a threat.
203*** There's also Kvar, the electricity-based [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Grand Cardinal]], who is the most sadistic of the lot and also [[spoiler:responsible for the death of Lloyd's mother]].
204*** And the other lightning-user, [[WellIntentionedExtremist Yuan]], while not exactly crazy per se, tends toward the cold and somewhat erratic.
205* The [[DepravedDwarf midget]] [[TortureTechnician torturer]] in ''VideoGame/{{Wet}}'' is pretty clearly one of these, given his [[ElectricTorture choice of torture equipment]], and it's apparently not his only "issue"...after capturing Rubi, Sorrell orders him to "finish her off... then you can do whatever you want with her."
206[[/folder]]
207
208[[folder:Visual Novels]]
209* ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney'':
210** Although lacking actual superpowers, [[spoiler:Manfred von Karma and his infamous stun gun scene]].
211** Then there's [[spoiler:Gant somehow ''striking himself with lightning'' when he's losing]].
212** The imagery returns in ''Trials & Tribulations'', when [[spoiler:Dahlia Hawthorne kills her ex-boyfriend with, of all things, a high-voltage wire.]]
213[[/folder]]
214
215[[folder:Webcomics]]
216* In ''Webcomic/{{Crankrats}}'', six of the seven titular crankrats were turned into this via {{steampunk}} AppliedPhlebotinum. Even the one who isn't crazy has [[PowerIncontinence trouble controlling his powers]] sometimes, and has given people burns by accident.
217* ''Webcomic/DominicDeegan'' has The Maestro, who isn't insane exactly but ''is'' a bit eccentric and probably not someone you want to annoy.
218* Raque, from ''Webcomic/DubiousCompany'', though her insanity is connected more with her [[{{Yandere}} heart]] than her electricity magic. After her attempt to seduce Elly [[EpicFail fails miserably]], she beats him to the ground and storms out of the room, locking and electrifying the door behind her. She later electrocutes him in [[InsaneTrollLogic an attempt]] to unbraid his hair.
219* Electricity is a common weapon in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'', but [[spoiler: Anevka Sturmvoraus is borderline this. After frying her father with enough electricity to both kill him in an instant and set her clothes on ''fire'', her only reaction is to complain about the loss of her dress.]] And then there's Bang, who, while having no ability to generate electricity on her own, is all too happy to use the defibrillator-like electrical device Gil built on anyone who gets close enough as a killing/interrogation method, as Abner unfortunately found out.
220* Slade from ''Webcomic/HeartCore'', the [[TheDragon right hand man]] of [[BigBad Royce]]. To give you an idea of just how insane the guy is, he is willing to kill his own kind [[ItAmusedMe just for fun and curiosity]], loves to torture people with electricity [[WouldHurtAChild (including children)]] and [[EvenEvilHasStandards is even shunned by most demons]] for his actions.
221* Romeo in ''Webcomic/NoSongsForTheDead'' has a very destructive personality, though it's more due to his rather rough life and the loss of his wife, than the powers messing with his mind. Despite all his anger, he is not without a softer side.
222* In ''Webcomic/{{Pacificators}}'', lightning-type people are almost universally crazy, [[http://www.sailorenergy.net/MangaPacificators/MangaPacisV02CH09P137.html due to their abilities' effects on the electrical signals in the brain.]]
223* ''Webcomic/{{Tenacity}}'': Sydney is an unhinged criminal who uses electric conduits. She literally [[spoiler:leaves people to burn to death in a lab that ''she'' robbed]]. She also tries to electrocute a man who is flying, so if she hit him, he would have fell to his death.
224[[/folder]]
225
226
227[[folder:Web Original]]
228* In ''WebVideo/PokemonApokelypse'', the Rocket torturer tortures Brock with a Magnemite's electricity and has fun doing it.
229* In ''Roleplay/RainQuest'', the main antagonist is an anthropomorphic, power-hungry lightning bolt.
230* In the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', the only group more susceptible to the neurological disorder Diedrick's Syndrome (which causes the sufferer to act like a stereotypical super-villain -- megalomania, monomania, ranting about the wrongs done to them, plotting elaborate but impractical traps and weapons, etc.) than [[MadScientist Devisors]] are Energizers, ''especially'' electrical Energizers. In an half-twist, it isn't limited to villains, though even well intentioned 'drickers tend to run afoul of the law because of it.
231** Olympia, who has both Diedrick's Syndrome and schizophrenia, is a Psycho Electro ''and'' a FlyingBrick. She spends most of her time locked up in Hawthorne (a dorm for students with PowerIncontinence or other unfortunate side-effects), not because she can't control her powers but because she ''won't''. Rumor among the students holds that the Greek government agreed to foot the bill for her education on the condition that she not return to Greece for at least the next four years.
232** Imperious thinks he's the reincarnation (or something) of Zeus, and unfortunately, he's right. He treats both mere mortals and super-powered mortals accordingly.
233[[/folder]]
234
235[[folder:Web Video]]
236* [=YouTube=]-based roboticist WebVideo/MichaelReeves is a less(-ish) dangerous example, in that a high number of his robots have tasers built into them and are ''purposefully designed'' in some way electrocute his friends, [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill and for bizarrely impractical applications]], such as a camera to make himself the tallest person in the photo [[BlackComedy by electrocuting the legs of everyone else in frame]]. It's ''probably'' not life-threatening, and he isn't above taking a few bad shocks himself, but he's built up a semi-joking reputation among peers (and audiences) [[TheDreaded as a threat who enjoys tasing people a little too much]].
237[[/folder]]
238
239[[folder:Western Animation]]
240* Frylock of the ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' can shoot electricity out of his eyes. Subverted in that he's the most even-tempered member of the Hunger Force, and is usually no worse than a ControlFreak. [[NotSoAboveItAll Usually.]]
241* Lightningbending is the secondary ability of Firebenders in ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
242** In [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender the original ATLA]], it's a complete subversion as it requires a kind of emotional clarity and detachment (which can be calmness, such as with Iroh, or cold-heartedness, as with Azula and Ozai) which allows one to separate and focus the necessary energies. [[spoiler:Azula's ability to continue shooting lightning even after her VillainousBreakdown is probably due to a combination of familiarity, the significant power boost provided by Sozin's Comet, and having great clarity in terms of ''really'' wanting to kill Zuko and Katara.]]
243** Then it's subverted in the 70-years-later ''WesternAnimation/LegendOfKorra'', where bending lightning has become commonplace. There are even factories where lightningbenders can work to provide electricity for utilities.
244** On the ''other'' hand, in the prequel novel ''Literature/TheRiseOfKyoshi'', set about 412 years before Aang's show and 482 before Korra's, lightningbending is a secret technique first demonstrated by the ''daofei'' mob boss Xu Ping An. Xu Ping An was captured years before the story takes place and only escaped an Earth Kingdom death penalty because high-ranking Fire Nationals wanted to wring the secret out of him. Kyoshi had no idea lightningbending was a thing until he did it to her, and nor did her firebender girlfriend. Xu Ping An achieves the clarity and detachment necessary ''through'' being absolutely bonkers. One of Kyoshi's friends points out that he refers to himself as the 'General of Pandimu.' There is no such place as Pandimu; it is just Xu's name for the world that he thinks he owns and therefore he thinks that everyone on it owes him for allowing them to live.
245* ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'': Maxie Zeus is a CorruptCorporateExecutive who believes that he's Zeus and demands worship, building a giant aircraft with a private army and outfitting himself with a suit that shoots lightning bolts.
246* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'': Kevin is like this in his debut episode. His ability to absorb electricity is later revealed to give him insanity as a side effect, and it shows, what with him using it to derail a subway train and later electrocute the bullies that had been giving him a hard time. At the end of this episode, Kevin gains a [[EvilCounterpart power-up]] that allows him to phase out the electro part of this trope, and in the sequel series, avoids using his electric powers altogether to phase out the psycho part.
247* Megavolt in ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck''.
248-->'''Megavolt:''' They called me mad. They called me ''insane''! [[MadHatter They were right.]] But I'm running things now!
249* Parodied in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', when Peter goes mad with power after he finds out he can shock people by rubbing his feet on the carpet.
250* When TheArchmage of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' possessed the spellbook the ''Grimorum Arcanorum'', his primary offensive spell was a lightning bolt that jumped from his fingertip to the target. "Fulminus venite!"
251* Electronique, a villain from one episode of ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible''.
252* In ''WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes2006'', we have the hotheaded Lightning Lad and his morally ambiguous brother Mekt.
253* Sparky from ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries'' is a subversion of this trope. Although he starts out as a destruction-happy monster, he is rehabilitated and put to constructive ends, such as powering an abandoned lighthouse.
254* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': [[FallenAngel Nightmare Moon]] zapped three [[PraetorianGuard Royal Guards]] when they tried to apprehend her. Her non-corrupted form [[DarkIsNotEvil Princess Luna]] also has power over lightning, but she only uses it for [[DramaticThunder dramatic effect]].
255* The [[Characters/MonsterVerseSkullIslandKaijuAndOtherCreatures Kraken]] in ''WesternAnimation/SkullIsland2023'' can electrocute people and Kong via its red-colored set of tentacles, and it's an [[ItCanThink intelligent]] but extremely psychopathic piece of work that torments and kills the humans for kicks.
256* Electro from ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' exemplifies this trope, essentially running around in a panic and discharging voltage uncontrollably. Before the accident he seems like a cocky {{Jerkass}}, and right after it, although he's rude and snappish, he isn't villainous so much as panicking and [[PowerIncontinence accidentally shocking things]]. However, after encountering Spider-Man and being threatened by cops, he immediately becomes the spastic crazed type.
257* Although usually pretty lowkey, Unagi from ''WesternAnimation/SushiPack'' has a tendency to [[DrunkOnTheDarkSide lean toward megalomania]] when overdosing on electricity.
258* Livewire (pictured) from ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''. She has electrical powers and isn't very sane.
259* The appropriately named "Lightning" (along with his sound-based brother "Thunder"), from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'', though he comes across more as a PsychopathicManchild since wasn't aware of the destruction he caused.
260* Shrapnel from the ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' series, who [[VerbalTic repeats the last word of every sentence]] and is generally insane, insane.
261* ''Westernanimation/UncleCrocsBlock'': The "Fraidy Cat" segments feature a cat whose [[CatsHaveNineLives nine lives]] come back to haunt him as ghosts. Fraidy's final (and current) life is personified as Cloud Nine, a sinister storm cloud who's fond of ejecting lightning strikes and always chases down Fraidy to zap him to death.
262%%* Electric Eel from ''WesternAnimation/{{Underdog}}''.
263* ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'': Lord Hater is a somewhat downplayed example, in terms of psychopathy at least. He's not exactly a laughing, murderous maniac, but he ''is'' a would-be planetary conqueror with vicious, cruel tendencies and horrific temper. His electric powers, however, are definitely not downplayed; he is ''enormously'' powerful when he's properly riled up, being able to fight a villain that Curbstomped every other at once without a problem to a standstill, and even [[spoiler:one-shotting a planet-killing starship with an electric blast]].
264* From ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'', we have Stormy, a witch with [[ThemeNaming powers based on lightning]], who is the most unstable villain of the whole series.
265* In ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'', Quintessence manifests itself as lightning, and Nerissa, wielder of this power since her days as a Guardian, went corrupted by her power and insane, in contrast to Will, her successor as a Guardian and wielder of the same power who does her utmost to NOT end like her.
266[[/folder]]
267----
268''[[TheStinger These people have gone]] [[{{Pun}} ec-static with the powers they've conducted,]] [[AxCrazy aren't exactly grounded]] [[LackOfEmpathy and may get a jolt out of doing]] [[MoralEventHorizon revolting things, whether it hertz others or not.]] Indeed, sometimes they [[JumpingOfftheSlipperySlope Jump Off the Slippery Slope]] [[ForTheEvulz for a simple surge of enjoyment,]] [[MultipleReferencePun and as such should never be left in charge.]] [[HurricaneOfPuns Notably, most of them go with the current, do watt they do best and sometimes,]] [[StartOfDarkness with a shocking past from their childhood's ohms as the driving spark,]] [[PungeonMaster they run down the wire and]] [[DeadlyEuphemism pull the plug]] [[AndYourLittleDogToo on a few puppies.]] [[StealthPun Suffuse to say,]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity their power has corrupted them]] [[BroughtDownToNormal and is reason enough to have them]] [[KarmicDeath put in the chair.]]''
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