Line #38 Main/StationaryWings


1	->''"Listen. In order to maintain air-speed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right?"''
2	-->-- '''Soldier with keen interest in birds''', ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail''
3
4	{{Wing\|edHumanoid}}s themselves have a particular pattern during flight, and once you give them to creatures who really aren't built for them, the motions just don't jibe. It can also be visually distracting, meaning simply being able to [[PowerFloats hover]] requires an intrusion to the viewing angle. This is also hard to do mechanically in live-action without looking fake, as well as requiring added motion in animation.
5
6	So there's a fair number of characters with wings who don't even actually seem to ''move'' them, aside from the initial 'takeoff' that seems more like someone opening an umbrella.
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8	This can even apply to [[OurFairiesAreDifferent fairies]], who really seem to float about despite it being somewhat easier to draw the insect-like blur of wings. In fact, '[[PowerGivesYouWings energy wings]]' are done much in the same vein, as wings that don't ''{{p\|ureEnergy}}hysically'' exist naturally don't have to move anyway.
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10	If you do see a character who does flap their wings, rest assured it's someone ''cute,'' as motionless soaring is always seen as cooler.
11
12	See also WingsDoNothing.
13	----
14	!!Examples
15
16	[[foldercontrol]]
17
18	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
19	* ''Anime/SailorMoon'' falls slightly into this trope. In her final Senshi form she gains a back bow in the form of two pairs of wings shaped like one. While they never move she has flown in a few episodes while in this form.
20	* Reinforce and Hayate's [[DarkIsNotEvil black wings]] and Nanoha's Flier Fins in ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' rarely ever move even in flight. Considering how [[IBelieveICanFly every other mage flies without wings]], these seem to be purely decorative.
21	* Inexplicably averted with the movie version of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Wing Zero]], which actually does flap it wings, which just makes it even sillier, since not only is it a giant robot, but most of the time it's in space.
22	** The larger wings are shown to be lined with thrusters, hence "flapping" is a form of thrust vectoring. The sub-wings on the middle of the back stay stationary and provide the main thrust, however.
23	* In the ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' series, most Digimon with wings don't flap them in order to fly. The primary exceptions to this are Digimon like Lilymon and Flymon, who are of the "Nature Spirits" type of Digimon. This trope is most obvious on the angel-based digimon, some of which are bristling with wings (e.g. Angemon has six, Angewomon has eight and Lucemon has twelve).
24	** ''Anime/DigimonTamers'' justifies this trope in continuity, possibly for the entire franchise; Basically, in a close up of Grani taking off we are shown air being accelerated along the surface, which explains why digimon without wings can fly; whatever their shape may be, and provided the have [[PowerFloats enough power]] they can simply create thrust by using their skin (of sorts) to accelerate the air around them! This not only justifies why some digimon have many wings (more wings = more surface area = better thrust = quicker and better flying ability), it enter FridgeBrilliance considering that in this series the titular mons live in a digital world with gravity; the simplest way to instruct movement in something is to have it literally move the world around it, with or without direct physical contact.
25	* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'': In a case of inconsistency, flying Pokémon in the anime are sometimes shown flying by flapping their wings and other times are shown flying without moving their wings at all.
26	* Sometimes occurs in ''Anime/BloodPlus''. [[spoiler: Haji]] and [[spoiler: Solomon]] flap their wings when flying vividly. Otherwise, they're just stationary.
27	* In ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'', neither Yue or Kero move their wings while in flight. They will sometimes flap to take off from the ground, but the wings remain stationary once they are in the air.
28	* Sugar and her fairy pals in ''Anime/ALittleSnowFairySugar'' rarely ever flap their wings. They seem to fly because they want to, their wings are decorative.
29	* All of Amu's character transformations in ''Manga/ShugoChara'' seem capable of limited flight but her character transformation with [[spoiler:Diamond]] gives her what appear to be wings as part of her dress. Both she and Utau fly without flapping much at all when Utau is transformed with [[spoiler:El]].
30	* Shin Manga/GetterRobo, one of the few HumongousMecha with wings, is guilty of doing this. It'll flap its wings at least to lift off, but after that, no flapping.
31	* Flying [[HumongousMecha Knightmares]] in ''Anime/CodeGeass'' have energy wings that don't flap. The [[AceCustom Lancelot's]] wings also double as laser guns.
32	* Averted in ''Manga/BirdMen'', you need to flap, ''constantly''.
33	* In the ''Manga/SandsOfDestruction'' manga, the Destruct's wings are never shown to move. Rhi'a may or may not move hers, depending on the scene (they always seem to be drawn the same way, but sometimes have lines or sound effects implying she might flap them). In the [[Anime/SandsOfDestruction anime]], Rhi'a rarely flies (and thus [[PartialTransformation rarely has her wings]]), and when she does it often appears to be more of a "big jump" than actual flight, but her wings are mostly unused.
34	* Cell from ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' possesses wings, but does not move them even when flying. Given that most of the cast [[IBelieveICanFly flies despite lacking wings]], this is unsurprising.
35	* Dark from the ''Manga/DNAngel'' anime usually doesn't have to flap.
36	* ''Anime/{{Devilman}}'': Neither Akira, nor Sirene bother to flap their wings.
37	** This could be chalked up to the limited animation of the 70s.
38	** The angels in the [=OVAs=] don’t flap their wings either, justified because of [[EnergyBeings their nature]].
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Comic Books]]
42	* ComicBook/{{Hawkman}}: The flight mechanics of the various Hawkmen and Hawkwomen are a case of DependingOnTheWriter, as Hawkman and co. have been subjected to many {{RetCon}}s and changes over the years on whether their wings and flight ability are organic or not. In cases where they are not organic, their flight ability is explained as being a result of using AntiGravity technology for propulsion, with their wings being non-organic devices that are used to steer while in flight.
43	[[/folder]]
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45	[[folder:Fan Works]]
46	* ''Fanfic/ACrownOfStars'': Avaloni people are winged humanoid aliens. When they fly, their wings only flap during the take-off and the landing.
47	[[/folder]]
48
49	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
50	* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', when Mei sees 4*Town sprout wings and fly, their wings only flutter slightly. Justified because they are actually hanging on wires and the wings are fake. Mei only imagined them with real wings.
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
54	* This is a common problem in {{Kaiju}} movies. When the wings flap at all, it is generally done very slowly as a result of the difficulty of making wings on such large puppets move quickly, as well as the method of filming, whereby the footage is slowed down to aid in the illusion of size. Film/{{Mothra}} is a well known offender with the most notorious example of this is likely found in 1992's ''Film/GodzillaAndMothraTheBattleForEarth''. Film/{{Rodan}} is another example of a famous flying Kaiju who almost never moves his wings at all in flight. This is especially the case whenever he is shown flying around at high speeds.
55	* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': Despite having birdlike wings in his flight suit, Falcon doesn't actually flap his wings to fly. This is justified because his flight comes from the propulsion of his {{Jetpack}}, while the wings are mechanical and are only used to help him steer during flight.
56	[[/folder]]
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58	[[folder:Literature]]
59	* ''Literature/AccelWorld'': Silver Crow's wings are depicted as fins which fan out from his back, which are inflexible but can be tilted somewhat like rudders. His "Light Speed" Incarnate technique averts this by transforming them into realistic bird wings of PureEnergy, doubling his speed. The AnimatedAdaptation leans more into this by redesigning his wings into completely static sheets of HighTechHexagons, even while using Light Speed (which is reduced to a simple BattleAura around his body).
60	* In the Literature/{{Discworld}} book ''Literature/GuardsGuards'', a dragon is able to fly gracefully with the barest flap of its wings despite being a house-sized behemoth. It turns out that copious amounts of magic are required to make this work, and even the ability of flight itself is magic-based, as it is explained in some detail [[SquareCubeLaw that simply making things bigger without altering the proportions wouldn't work]].
61	* Similarly in Mercedes Lackey's [[Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar Valdemar]] books, although gryphons' wings are large and powerful, they aren't quite powerful enough to allow such a large animal to fly; fortunately, gryphons all--even those who aren't really mages--have enough magic to help. Gryphons who blunder into areas where there is little or no magical energy, however, will crash.
62	[[/folder]]
63
64	[[folder:Live Action TV]]
65	* Almost every winged character in a {{Tokusatsu}} show has this. Since most characters are portrayed by PeopleInRubberSuits, it's hard to portray realistic moving wings. Especially with the low budget these shows normally receive.
66	* Angels in ''Series/WizardsOfWaverlyPlace'' have wings that don't move.
67	* ''Franchise/SuperSentai''/''Franchise/PowerRangers:'' Pretty much any time a winged {{Mecha}} is used as a MechaExpansionPack, due to the limitations of the props/suit similar to other Toku shows.
68	[[/folder]]
69
70	[[folder:Video Games]]
71	* While most characters with wings in ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' do flap, [[spoiler:Yuan, Kratos and Zelos]] all have wings that don't.
72	* In ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'', Sephiroth has no trouble staying aloft with ''one'' stationary wing. [[YourHeadAsplode The mind boggles.]]
73	** In the fight before that, he flew around without a wing.
74	** Similarly with Genesis and Angeal in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore''.
75	*** The three of them are capable of unaided flight. the Wings are purely decorative. So more a case of WingsDoNothing.
76	* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' a flying mount chooses when to flap its wings seemingly at random. You can go up, do loops, turns or anything without the wings so much as twitching, and then you pitch down and suddenly the wings go FLAP FLAP. Oh, and the wings only go up and down. They don't actually appear to pull you along. Acceptable break there, wing animations are never really done accurately.
77	* ''VideoGame/BattleForWesnoth'' is a mixed bag; units such as the WingedHumanoid Elvish Shyde and Sylph have more stationary, insectoid wings. JustifiedTrope in those cases by them mainly flying using [[AWizardDidIt magic]].
78	* ''VideoGame/{{Okamiden}}'' uses this trope. Kurow's pink feather wings don't move at all when he's flying, although they very rarely beat once or twice if he's hovering near the ground.
79	* The energy wings of the Winglies in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' are completely stationary.
80	* ''Franchise/TouhouProject'': Given that absolutely everyone can fly anyway, this isn't that much of a problem.
81	* In an amusing inversion, you can give your characters wings in ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline''. They'll flap when flying or hovering, but they'll also flap when gliding, when one'd expect them to be outstretched and still.
82	* ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'' plays this straight all the way through. At some points in ''Origins'', you can see people ''take off'' without ever flapping their wings. As the wings in question are "Wings of the Heart", which appear to be only partly physical, it's an open question as to whether they actually work the same way as ordinary wings.
83	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
84	** Flying Pokémon are sometimes subject to this when it comes to games that use 3D models. Some Pokémon like Salamence, Xatu, and Swellow don't move their wings at all, while other Pokémon actually do flap their wings.
85	** Togetic's ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Silver and Crystal]]'' Version dex entries specifically states that Togetic floats without flapping its wings, even in the games' canon. This makes Togetic an odd inversion of the trope, since it doesn't ''have'' to flap its wings to fly but it ''does'' in the ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' sprites.
86	* In ''VideoGame/MegaManXDive'', the [=DiVE=] Armor variants of X, Zero and Axl all project holographic wings shaped as their respective letters from their backs. Their purpose seems to [[RuleOfCool just make them look cool]].
87	[[/folder]]
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89	[[folder:Webcomics]]
90	* Fenton in ''Webcomic/KevinAndKell'' is always shown with his wings at full extension in flight. Somehow, Lindesfarne can hitch a ride by holding the edge of a wing without interfering with his flying.
91	[[/folder]]
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93	[[folder:Western Animation]]
94	* Iago in ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries''. So much that he can [[FeatherFingers gesticulate with his wings]] while "flying."
95	* Almost no winged character in ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddparents'' ever flaps their wings, even if removing their wings means they can no longer fly. Justified, obviously, because they're [[AWizardDidIt magic]].
96	* Avoided in ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', where the titular characters mention not a few times that [[NotQuiteFlight don't fly so much as glide]] on wind currents. This has the added bonus of including an element of danger, since they can get in trouble if they can't escape to higher ground for a takeoff. Now and again they do beat their wings, and when Goliath is briefly changed by Odin's eye, he hovers in place, wings flapping slowly.
97	** The Mutates can supposedly actually fly unlike the gargoyles, but only one scene in the series features enough of an AnimationBump to really demonstrate that there's a difference.
98	* Hawkgirl in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' never needed to flap her wings, and she was frequently seen ''hovering in the air'' with her wings just lazily swaying back and forth. This is despite the fact that she's just supposed to be a winged alien with no supernatural powers.
99	** She does a decent amount of flapping in the first few episodes, then it seems the animators got lazy. (Compare Secret Origins to, say, the scene with her and Copperhead from Only a Dream.)
100	* ''WesternAnimation/StanleyAndStellaInBreakingTheIce'': Mostly [[AvertedTrope averted]], as the birds and fish move realistically. The one time it's played straight is after [[TheNamesake Stanley breaks the ice]]. Stanley appears to be able to maintain his position with minimal wing movement. [[AmbiguousSituation Though it's not clear]] if he is suspended in [[WaterIsAir air or water]].
101	* Averted in the ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' series. The fairies' wings flutter like a hummingbird's wings do. And yes, it can be distracting.
102	** Played straight, however, in the CG movies, where the girls' wings occasionally flap (not flutter), but it's only for visual appeal and clearly has nothing to do with their ability to fly.
103	* Same case with the ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' girls, though one might argue that the Guardians' wings don't lend well to a fluttering animation, and so they're drawn as blurs.
104	[[/folder]]
105
106	[[folder:Real Life]]
107	* Airplane wings don't move at all during flight.[[note]] Not counting the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aileron Ailerons]] [[/note]] This is justified by the fact that the Aerodynamic [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust Thrust]] of an Airplane is provided by the engines, whether it's a propeller engine or a jet engine, and the wings only provide [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_(force) Lift]]. This is in contrast to flying animals, where the wings provide Lift and also provide Thrust via the animal flapping its wings.
108	[[/folder]]

Context Main / StationaryWings