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1In any story in which a character changes form, regardless of whether they become [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever a giant]], an IncredibleShrinkingMan, or [[GenderBender even the opposite sex]], this is usually explained using of the following reasons:
2----
3
4[[index]]
5* They JustWokeUpThatWay.
6* A MadScientist
7** An EvilutionaryBiologist experimented on them.
8*** They may have employed the EvolutionaryPressureCooker to produce a single strong creature from many weaker ones.
9*** Or alternatively, a ScienceHero experimented on their allies.
10** They were shot with a TransformationRay or ShrinkRay.
11** They were PlayingWithSyringes.
12** They were injected with a SuperSerum.
13*** The [[PsychoSerum Super Serum went wrong]].
14** They were [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke genetically modified]].
15*** Which gave them an UnstableGeneticCode.
16* They were involved in a nasty TeleporterAccident.
17** They were accidentally [[FusionDance fused together]] with another creature.
18* They were accidentally exposed to a [[MutagenicGoo strange substance]].
19** They ate the MutagenicFood.
20*** They ate the new and improved crunchtastic [[CerealInducedSuperpowers Yummypops]].
21** [[RadiationInducedSuperpowers They were exposed to strange radiation]] or [[ToxicWasteCanDoAnything nuclear waste]].
22** They got too close to the GreenRocks.
23* They were in [[FisherKingdom a strange place that caused transformations]].
24** They took a dip in the FountainOfYouth.
25** They fell into the [[SwampsAreEvil cursed swamp]].
26** Their reality got [[RealityWarper warped or re-written]].
27** They got hit by the WorldWreckingWave.
28* They have [[BecauseDestinySaysSo always been destined to transform]] at a [[Dangerous16thBirthday certain point in their lives]].
29** They're a HalfHumanHybrid.
30*** It's a natural process of {{Metamorphosis}} for them.
31** They have a number of "natural" genetic mutations that don't manifest until [[PubertySuperpower puberty]].
32** They inherited a family {{curse}}.
33** They're "evolving" [[EvolutionaryLevels into a superior lifeform]].
34** They were [[SuperpowerfulGenetics carrying certain genes]] that [[DieOrFly got "activated" somehow]].
35** Certain conditions led to DivergingEvolutionaryPhases.
36* [[ViralTransformation Transformation is contagious]].
37** [[TheVirus It's a virus]], and the character was infected (possibly through biting).
38** They were splashed with a monster's [[SuperhumanTransfusion bodily fluids]].
39* They died and CameBackWrong, becoming a MonsterFromBeyondTheVeil.
40* They died and CameBackStrong, becoming an EmpoweredBadassNormal.
41* They are afflicted with a condition or curse that makes them [[NighttimeTransformation change into another form at night]].
42* They became the [[HeroicHost host]] to an alien parasite.
43** They received a FaceFullOfAlienWingWong.
44** They were [[TransformationOfThePossessed possessed by something that wanted them to transform]].
45* They received the form from somebody else.
46** They were [[SuperEmpowering given]] the form as a gift.
47** They earned their new form by WorkingForABodyUpgrade.
48** They were given a SuperhumanTransfusion.
49** A dying character [[ImDyingPleaseTakeMyMacGuffin gave them the power]].
50** They were given a [[PowersAsPrograms copy of the form]] from another character.
51** Another character [[CloneByConversion didn't want to wait for their clone, so they chose another person]].
52** They gained the form by [[PowerCopying fighting someone with it]] ([[DittoFighter although the form may not last]]).
53*** They [[YouWillBeAssimilated assimilated]] or [[YouAreWhoYouEat ate]] a foe who had the form.
54*** They became subject to YouKillItYouBoughtIt.
55** They gained the form [[AdaptiveAbility as a reaction to being attacked]].
56* They were on [[FirstEpisodeResurrection the brink of death]] and [[EmergencyTransformation it was the only way to save them]].
57** [[WeCanRebuildHim They were "rebuilt" with cybernetic parts]].
58* They [[FreakyFridayFlip switched bodies with someone else]].
59* They triggered a TransformationTrinket.
60** They [[BecomingTheCostume wore a garment that transformed them]].
61** A ClingyMacGuffin got stuck to them.
62* They [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor made the wrong wish]] to a LiteralGenie (or a JackassGenie).
63* They [[ForcedTransformation pissed off a witch and got cursed]].
64** They [[CosmicPlaything pissed off the Gods and got cursed]].
65** They pissed off ''[[AuthorsRetaliation the author]]''.
66*** The author [[AuthorAppeal is into that sort of thing]].
67* They were a complete jerk [[KarmicTransformation and they deserved it]].
68** They were such a jerk [[EvilMakesYouMonstrous that they started transforming all on their own]].
69* They earned the favour -- or disfavour -- of TheTransmogrifier.
70* It was a BargainWithHeaven.
71** Or a DealWithTheDevil.
72* AWizardDidIt.
73* They were [[LightningCanDoAnything struck by lightning]].
74* They [[{{Transhuman}} wanted to change]].
75* They only [[DelusionsOfDoghood think they transformed]].
76* [[OneWingedAngel A video game hero has just slain their usual form]].
77* [[SexuallyTransmittedSuperpowers They had sex or fell in love with a super]].
78* They get [[WaterTriggeredChange splashed with water]].
79[[/index]]
80
81It's also worth noting that a lot of these are also what might [[JustForFun/HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers give a character superpowers]], however, gaining a superpower tends to be more of a plot focus, whereas in a transformation story, the focus is more on what happens during or after the change rather than what caused it.

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