History Main / Gundamjack

[[Tropers/{{System}} ghost wick]]

[[Tropers/System ghost wick]]

[[redirect:GrandTheftPrototype]]

[[quoteright:330:[[TengenToppaGurrenLagann http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kaminajack_8235.jpg]]]]
[-[[caption-width-right:330:[[MST3KMantra Just ignore the]] [[GangstaStyle upside-down gun and enjoy the ride]].]]-]

So you just found out that the enemy is developing a new SuperPrototype that will alter the course of the war. What are you gonna do about it?

The simplest answer seems to be to destroy it, but this more often than not ends up with some OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent FallingIntoTheCockpit, and then you're ''really'' boned. You can [[LensmanArmsRace come up with prototypes of your own]] to counter it, but this could just end up creating a SortingAlgorithmOfEvil that'll lead right to your doorstep. So why not just take it for yourself?

This has a double benefit: Not only does it deny the enemy a powerful weapon, but you gain said weapon in the process. You might wanna [[NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup kidnap, steal or wipe out the project data and/or the inventor(s) while you're at it]].

If this is done by TheProtagonist the story usually focuses on their attempts to get back into friendly territory with their prize. If the story is told from the view of the inevitable pursuers, then they will be attempting to recover or destroy the new unit before it can get away.

See also PhlebotinumRebel, where the heroes Gundamjack ''themselves''. May overlap with HighSpeedHijack if the vehicle is in motion when stolen. Not to be confused with the lumberjack-themed Canadian Gundam from ''GGundam'', or JustForFun/CandleJack.

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!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* As you might expect, this happens very, very often in the Franchise/{{Gundam}} series:
** The TropeNamer in this case would be ''{{Gundam 0083}}'', specifically the ''title'' of the first episode, where Anavel Gato does just that, setting off the plot of the series. Of course, how said Gundamjacking is pulled off should go down in [[Awesome/{{Gundam}} the annals of badassery]]...
** ''ZetaGundam'' has the first example of this trope in Gundam with Kamille helping the AEUG pull this off. It's also slightly more justified than many examples as the Gundam in question was already powered up and idling (being examined for damage after the pilot crashed it) when Kamille ran in and swiped it.
*** The AEUG was originally planning to steal a single Gundam Mk II prototype to reverse-engineer is revolutionary "movable frame" technology. With Kamille's help, they were able to steal ''all three''. This allowed them to send one away for study, use another for combat, and break down the last one for spare parts to keep the combat unit in service.
*** ''ZetaGundam'' is perhaps unique in that it's a case of the main protagonist pulling this off as opposed to FallingIntoTheCockpit. It's certainly unique in that Kamille's motivation for jacking the Gundam is RevengeBeforeReason; he just goes along with the [=AEUG=] afterwards because it seems like a good idea.
** Similarly, ''GundamSEED'' begins with the [=ZAFT=] G-boys snatching four of the Alliance's five new Gundams. The plan was to steal all five, but poor Rusty got killed before he could do his part. [[spoiler: Kira comes by his MidSeasonUpgrade by Gundamjacking the Freedom, with help from Lacus.]] ''GundamSEEDDestiny'' begins with the ''Alliance'' stealing three of ''[=ZAFT's=]'' new Gundams.
*** In the Cosmic Era, due to theft and salvage, ''everybody'' has at least one Gundam on their side. Even the organization that's basically a Garbage union [[RecycledINSPACE IN SPACE]].
** ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'''s protagonist hijacks a normal mobile suit in the first episode, but comes by the titular Gundam more honestly, only to hijack his second Gundam, [[spoiler:the Double X]]. Jacking Mobile Suits to sell them was actually his personal trick of the trade before he joined Vulture and he had quite a reputation for it, with experience to match.
** [[Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam In Victory Gundam]] the '''13''' year old protagonist also steals an enemy mecha... except he stole it while it was ''flying'' by landing on it in a parachute, fighting hand to hand with the ace pilot (who is wearing an helmet and is far older), and managing to take control of the machine after a brutal fight that ends underwater. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRiG9csYk2o&feature=related It really needs to be seen to be believed.]]
** [[spoiler:Ali Al-Saachez [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixe9UxVUN78 hijacks Gundam Throne Zwei]]]] in season one of ''{{Gundam 00}}'', despite the manufacturers ''finally'' thinking to put in a biometric scanner. [[spoiler:Fucking Ribbons!]]
*** A large portion of ''{{Gundam 00}}'' revolves around the various antagonist factions trying to steal the Gundams.
*** Subverted in Season 2 when Revive and [[spoiler:Anew]] fail to get the [[spoiler: 00 Gundam]] because they couldn't bypass the security. Revive DOES successfully Gundamjack the [[spoiler:0 Raiser]], only to be foiled by [[spoiler:[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome RED HARO]] of all things.]]
*** In the last episode of ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Gundam 00]]'', [[spoiler:Ribbons jacks the 0 Gundam after Lasse abandoned it when its GN particle tank ran out. Amuro and the RX-78, together again at last!]]
** In a rare hero on ''hero'' version, look at episode two of ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Gundam ZZ]]''. Judau jacks the Zeta Gundam simply because it's the only mobile suit for him to use. Heck, Judau spent the first several episodes repeatedly trying to jack the Zeta Gundam so he can sell it, only to have an enemy appear the moment he gets his hands on it and be forced to fight it off.
** Even though they were the intended pilots (for the most part), the ''GundamWing'' team stole their Gundams once they learned that the original plan for Operation Meteor [[spoiler:was to ColonyDrop the Earth, then crush all remaining opposition and TakeOverTheWorld,]] opting instead to fight the enemy that was oppressing the colonies and leaving the civilians out of it.
*** In episode 34, Zechs steals Wing Zero from OZ after [[DiscardAndDraw self-detonating his Tallgeese]], before OZ got a chance to destroy it.
** Rain Mikamura in ''GGundam'' doesn't exactly ''steal'' the Shining Gundam, as she's on its crew, but she does pilot it despite not having combat training. Later, she "borrows" Japan's Rising Gundam because she needs to get somewhere fast. Her explanation to her stunned friends was nobody was using it at the time. The only conclusion is [[CrazyPrepared She programed a subroutine into both of them that would give her a custom pink trace suit with heels in case Domon wasn't around]].
*** Later, while Domon and Rain are in Hong Kong for the finals, a local kid tries to steal the Burning Gundam, nearly killing himself and screwing up Domon's shoulder in the process.
** In ''CrossboneGundam'', Tobia [[spoiler:is captured by the Jupiter Empire and forced to face off in an arena against Rosemarie in the captured X2]]. He manages to steal the suit in a manner similar to Garrod's first-episode Jenicejack in ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'', although [[spoiler:using the X2's own decoy instead of a flashbang]].
** In ''MobileSuitGundamAGE'', the Gundam itself doesn't get hijacked, but Grodek gundamjacks the battleship ''Diva'' (which does have the Gundam and its pilot-designer on it). Then it got hijacked in episode 5. By a ''seven year old EnfanteTerrible''
** SDGundamForce. Kibaomaru's character plot is him wanting to unleash [[SealedEvilInACan Musha]] [[HumongousMecha Daishinsho]] on his enemies and take over the world with it. With the help of Genkimaru, he manages to do that, but it turns out OnlyTheChosenOneMayWield, and he's not TheChosenOne...Genkimaru is. The result is Kibaomaru getting forcibly ejected from Daishinsho and Genkimaru using is to lay siege to his forces.
* ''GetterRobo Hien'' has the protagonist jacking Getter-1, then having to talk the other two pilots into working with him. Given that they were in the middle of a battle at the time, they don't have too much of a choice.
* It happened in ''MazingerZ'' after a fashion. Minerva X was designed by Professor Kabuto, but never actually built; Dr. Hell got his hands on the plans and constructed Minerva, using mundane armor materials instead of Super Alloy Z, and installing an AI "crown" piece in place of a Pilder.
** And in the "The Relic of Evil" one-shot, Mazinger-Z itself was hijacked by [[spoiler:a [[BrainInAJar Kedora]]]] sent by Dr. Hell.
** And in ''UFORoboGrendizer'' (one of the sequels), Duke Fleed steals Grendizer and flees with it before the Vegans can seize it.
** And ''GreatMazinger'' was seized by a Vegan commander in ''UFORoboGrendizer''
** And in ''{{Mazinkaiser}}'', a Mechanical Beast hijacked Venus A, forcing the heroes to destroy it.
** [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in ''ShinMazinger'' - Baron Asura [[spoiler: steals several [[{{Robeast}} Mechanical Beasts]] from [[BigBad Dr Hell]] and]] attempts to do this, but ends up being [[spoiler: ambushed by Count Blocken, who Dr. Hell sent.]] In a surprising moment of GenreSavvy, [[spoiler: Dr Hell]] realised the ramifications of this if it failed, so aborted the operation.
* ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' has at least two angels that hijack an Eva for their own personal use.
** Then, in ''RebuildOfEvangelion 2.0'', Mari jacks Unit-02 to fight against Zeruel.
*** [[CurbStompBattle Cause THAT goes down so well]].
*** What makes this interesting is that she intentionally uses a feature of Unit-02 that Asuka never used (and may not even be aware of). The fact that she was able to Evajack it at all - given the nature of the Evangelions in the original series - has spawned a number of EpilepticTrees.
* [[CodeGeass Lelouch]] hijacks the strongest robot in the first season from Britannia.
** More hilariously, in R2, the Chinese Federation captures Kallen and her Guren Nishiki, which are turned over to Britannia. Britannia heavily upgrades the Guren, only to have it stolen BACK, by Kallen herself, before they are ever able to use it.
* Akito Tenkawa hijacks an (advanced but not exactly SuperPrototype) Aestivalis in the first episode of ''MartianSuccessorNadesico''. He [[DirtyCoward meant to use it as a convenient escape vehicle]], but ends up providing just the distraction the good guys needed.
* The King Gainer of ''OvermanKingGainer'' is stolen from a museum run by the ruler of Wulgusk. The Duke wants it back, only to clam up when Gain reminds him that the London IRA wouldn't like it if he had a working Overman on display. Later in the series Adette steals a bunch of Silhouette Machines to supply her troops.
* This is how Kamina from ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' gets his Gurren, as provided in the trope picture. This action inspires Kittan and some other humans to jack some Gunmen for their own battle against the beastmen, until they eventually joined the rest of Team Gurren to form ''Team Dai-Gurren''.
** Simon's Lagann is the reason they're able to jack their bigger targets, when simply ousting the current pilot isn't an option. Simply have Lagann drill into the target to "combine" with it, and it can hijack the target's systems. Thus the trope crosses into PowerCopying. Need to fly? Beat a flying mecha and [[strike: rip off the wings and rockets and]] attach the whole thing to your back. Lagann's ability to integrate with any and all kinds of mecha will take it from there.
* After subverting FallingIntoTheCockpit just previously, episode nine of ''Fang of the Sun Dougram'' has [[TheHero Crinn]] doing this to recover the eponymous unit from the Federation, [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome quite awesomely]].
* Young [[spoiler: Gennai]] does this in Anime/DigimonAdventure when Piemon attacks the area where the Digitama/digieggs that will become the Chosen Children's partner Digimon are being kept/maintained. He hijacks a Mechanorimon (which is apparently being controlled by a Bakemon) to hide the crests and eggs from Piemon, but dropping [[spoiler: Tailmon's egg]] in the process explaining [[spoiler: why she grew up alone]].
* The [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Grendel family]] of ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'' attempt to do one in their debut chapter, attacking a TSAB transport with intent to capture some of their newly developed [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots Raptor Units]].
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[[folder:Comic Books]]
* The Galactic Alliance Remnant does this in an issue of ''StarWarsLegacy'' during the Battle of Mon Calamari by stealing the just-completed Star Destroyer Model before it was even fielded and removing Mon Calamari's shipbuilding capabilities in the process.
* IronMan has gotten his PoweredArmor stolen on many an occasion.
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[[folder:Film]]
* The movie ''{{Firefox}}'' is about ClintEastwood's character making off with a Soviet prototype jet.
** The movie averts the NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup trope by having him subsequently get chased down by the other prototype and forcing him into a dogfight with it. Apparently the Soviets made at least two, and certainly still have the plans (although not necessarily the scientists) to make more but don't want the Americans reverse-engineering it before it goes into production.
* In ''[[Film/IronMan Iron Man 2]]'', Rhodes steals the Mark II armor, which would later be [[MoreDakka upgraded]] into the War Machine armor.
** [[spoiler:Turns out that Tony gave Rhodey authorization for the suits, ostensibly because he was dying and preparing for Rhodes to succeed him. Which explains why a machine that previously relied on the Arc Reactor in Tony's chest now has its own self-contained power source.]]
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[[folder:Literature]]
* ''StarWars'' example: Slave I, the vehicle that Jango and Boba Fett pilot, was a prototype vehicle stolen by Jango; he then blasted the other prototypes with it. Eventually more models are built...because of the popularity of the design as a result of Boba Fett being the galaxy's best bounty hunter.
** By then the Slave I was a decades-old design and remained viable mainly because of Boba's piloting skill and the very expensive custom upgrades he'd made. The production models introduced to cash in on its fame were fairly mediocre by the time they hit the market.
** The ExpandedUniverse has Kyp Durron and the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Sun Crusher]]. Of course, [[spoiler:he uses it]].
* Subverted in ''TheLordOfTheRings'': [[TheBigGuy Boromir]] [[AntiHero tries to pull one of these]] with the [[ArtifactOfDoom One Ring]] at the Council of Elrond but has his idea shot down pretty quickly.
* FateZero gives us a moment where TheBerserker hijacks a high-speed jetfighter mid-flight, customises it and improves it into a legendary artifact within seconds and then engages in a insane dogfight against Gilgamesh's nuclear-powered babylonian airship at speeds that kill the original pilot in less than a second. Without actually entering the plane. This is probably one of the most [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome memorable and epic]] moments in a series already built around the RuleOfCool.
* The ''{{Temeraire}}'' series begins with an accidental one. A French ship delivering the [[EggMacGuffin egg]] of a [[LateArrivalSpoiler Chinese Celestial]] to become the personal companion of the [[NapoleonBonaparte French Emperor]] is delayed due to a run of bad luck at sea, and is captured by a British vessel a week before the egg hatched and the dragonet [[FallingIntoTheCockpit imprinted on it's captain]].
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[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* In both the original ''Series/GetSmart'' TV series and the [[Film/GetSmart 2008 movie]], Hymie the robot was stolen from [=KAOS=] and reprogrammed by [=CONTROL=].
* In a kind of inversion, the Soviets try on several occasions to steal ''Series/{{Airwolf}}''. This is not quite the same as the first story, where Stringfellow Hawke has to Gundam Jack-back the previously stolen chopper from Libya.
* With ''Franchise/PowerRangers''' abundance of HumongousMecha, you can bet this shows up from time to time:
** ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' featured Gundamjacks of each of Tommy's Zords. Dragonzord in the first season after a briefly mind-controlled Billy was made to steal the Dragon Dagger and give it to Goldar, the Tigerzord in season 2 in an episode where Goldar stole Saba from Tommy and gave him to Rita, and in season 3 the Falconzord was stolen by Lord Zedd. The theft of the Falconzord lasted the longest, but the villains didn't use it, just kept it as a trophy.
*** The villains were the ones to claim the Shogunzords, and tried to blackmail the Rangers into piloting them. Of ''course'' the Rangers swiped the zords out from under them.
** In ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'', the two megazords were hijacked by different groups of villains and fought each other.
** The Turbo Megazord is stolen in ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'', forcing the Rangers to use the new Rescue Megazord. Something similar happened in the [[GekisouSentaiCarranger Sentai counterpart]].
** In ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'', Delta Megazord, using a virus. Then Mega Voyager, thanks to Psycho Yellow.
** In ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'', ''all'' Zords were first claimed by villains, then freed or convinced to do an HeelFaceTurn by the Rangers. Middle example of this trope because the Zords are sentient.
** In ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce,'' the Quantasaurus Rex is the focus of a multi-parter, as the heroes and villains (and [[SixthRanger Eric]], who is a side unto himself at this point) track it to where a faulty time portal dropped it and vie for control of it. It is controlled by the villains for a time until Eric winds up with it. Is it any better off in Eric's hands? [[IncrediblyLamePun Only time would tell]].
** In ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce,'' when Zen-Aku came along, three Wild Zords were part of the package. However, he stole several of the ones belonging to the Rangers and could have them attack individually or use their [[MechaExpansionPack attachment modes]] with his own Megazord, the Predazord.
*** There was also a MonsterOfTheWeek who could control any animal - or any animal-based hero. After he makes the Rangers jump through hoops ([[HypnoFool literally!)]] for a bit, the bad guys skip to MakeMyMonsterGrow ''very'' early on and the result is an episode nearly entirely given to an epic battle of the Zords he's stolen versus the Zords the rangers are still in control of, with a ridiculous(ly awesome) amount of attachment-switching to make all kinds of quick-and-dirty Megazord formations, with [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Toxica and Jindrax]] setting up a table where they announced the fight as {{Combat Commentator}}s as if it was a sporting event. (Without them, we wouldn't know the names of most of the one-off formations used!)
** The same thing happened in the [[HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger source material]].
** Gundamjacking was the ''point'' of at least the first half of ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder''. Right in the premiere, the Rangers first got their zords by jacking them from the villains. Then many episodes featured lost Dinozord eggs that were being sought after by both sides, and when the villains got them first the Rangers had to jack them back. Then the evil White Rangers (yes, plural, though there was only one at a time) showed up and they were ''very'' good at Gundamjacking the Rangers' secondary zords. Even the White Ranger's zord was "borrowed" at one point by Tommy. Ultimately only ''two'' Dinozords were used exclusively by one side: the "Mezodon" zord, which was last to appear and came after most of the jacking died down; and the Brachiozord, which was there from the beginning but was ''a carrier with no combat capabilities''.
** In ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'', there were a couple attempts to take over SPD Command (which is both [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs their base]] ''and'' a zord). Wootox only got as far as the TransformationSequence, but Broodwing had more success in the finale.
** In ''Series/PowerRangersRPM,'' Venjix's new mecha is stolen by the Rangers and turned into the Whale Zord. Later, Shifter, now rogue, decides to take one of the Rangers' megazords - the effort to break his control leads the Rangers' MissionControl to figure out how to combine all the megazords together. [[NiceJobFixingItVillain Oops.]]
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[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* Totally averted in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''. Orks salvage gear so they can use it in battle, and can start with other armies' gear at a higher point cost (i.e. more expensive), but the two true Mechs of the series are immune: The Tau booby trap theirs (With a ''Flamethrower!'') and the Space Marines'... [[BrainInAJar don't have to worry so much either]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders'' starts with an attempt to steal the previously-jacked Jehuty ''back'', until Leo complicates things by FallingIntoTheCockpit.
** The sequel, ''The 2nd Runner'', does the exact same thing, although Jehuty was in a container in Calypso rather than in a military base.
** The anime prequel ''Zone of the Enders: Idolo'' climaxes with a failed attempt at this.
* ''MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries'' did this trope once, with a faction hiring you to help steal a superheavy Clan-technology mech for their side. Possibly a double-dip of this idea, because you had the option to grab it away from them, too!
** Also occurred in at least one of the MechCommander games (the Masakari [=TWOCing=] mission in the original springs to mind) and most of the novels at one time or the other.
*** The Liao False Flag mission was basically this, send in several salvage craft in, steal the Davion Clanmechs and send the Steiner a nice middle finger barrage with it.
** The Crysis mod, ''MechWarrior Living Legends'', allows you to blast an enemy's cockpit armor, then kill the pilot inside. Once you kill him, you're free to hop in the mech and drive it back to base to repair or sell it. Additionally, if an enemy players ejects, you can hop in his mech as he's flying up into the air, then blast him in the face when he lands.
** It's a very common idea in the whole ''BattleTech'' universe. Since building mechs is fairly difficult, killing the pilot and capturing the mech is a very common goal according to the universe lore. Though generally this was done on the battlefield: disable the 'Mech, kill the pilot, and then drag the 'Mech to your repair bay and now it's yours.
*** You'd think if that were the case these people would start putting a SelfDestructMechanism on their mechs.
**** Again, building mechs is fairly difficult. Blowing up a mech just because the pilot died means your side can't recover it either.
**** This is basically expected enough in-universe that practically every [=BattleMech=] comes with standard anti-theft countermeasures already built in. The most common example, showcased in various novels, is the computer running a voice recognition check in conjunction with an individual code phrase during startup. At the same time, several novels reveal that each mech's Neurohelmet must be re-calibrated for each new user, which can pretty much only be done in the hangar. Skipping this process leads to a punch-drunk machine and a pilot with a massive, incurable hangover.
** The ''VideoGame/MechAssault'' series simplified things even further in its shift to an arcade action playstyle. With the default Battlesuit, the player could simply hack into a Mech to disable it and immediately switch over with no indication of what happened to the original warm body inside.
** Both ''Mechwarrior 3'' and ''Mechwarrior 4'' and their expansions had missions where new units could be stolen from maintenance and added to the player's TO&E.
** This trope is also played completely straight in ''Decision at Thunder Rift'', the first ''[=BattleTech=]'' novel.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' plot is kicked off by one of these operations. The game starts with the stealing team making a stand against the pursuit team. Neither side gets it, since Fei "fell into" the cockpit.
** Then everyone try to take the ''pilot'' with them, so the plot turns into a series of Feijacking
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' starts with Ocelot stealing Metal Gear RAY from The Patriots for The Patriots. It's as [[MindScrew complicated as it sounds]], yet this is [[MagnificentBastard Ocelot]] after all.
** In [=MGS4=] [[spoiler:Snake uses the old Metal Gear REX from [=MGS1=] to escape from the underground facility. He meets Ocelot in a [=RAY=] and tears the old cat a new one.]]
* In the PC game ''G-Nome'', you can capture enemy [[HumongousMecha HAWCs]] by forcing the pilot out with a special gun, then killing them.
* This is an entire combat mechanic in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''. With small vehicles, like the [[MookMobile Ghost]], [[CoolShip Hornet/Falcon]] and the [[CoolBike Chopper]], it's simply a matter of kicking the driver out, and landing in the seat. With medium vehicles, like the [[SignatureTeamTransport Warthog]], you can bash the driver, or remove the passenger or gunner and take their place. With heavy vehicles, like the [[HoverTank Wraith]], the [[TankGoodness Scorpion]], and the [[HumongousMecha Mantis]], you can punch it until it explodes, [[InsertGrenadeHere or plant a grenade in the canopy/vent.]]
* Similarly, in the Activision version of ''Battlezone'', you can steal enemy vehicles by sniping the pilots.
* And ''FrontMission 3'', you can jack any vehicle without a pilot. Though only the normal Wanzers can be kept afterward.
* Anise Azeat of ''VideoGame/GalaxyAngel II'' steals an Emblem Frame/Angel Wing/whatever-they've-decided-to-call-them-this-week from the ''Luxiole'' early in the game, but gets to keep it after her HeelFaceTurn and joins the Rune Angels.
* Undeservedly obscure vehicular shooter ''Redline'' (the one that came out in 1999, not the more recent racing game) has you either on foot or in cars. Each level has a few free cars that the character can get into should his own get too damaged/destroyed, and that's that - you can't grab enemy cars. However, should you decide to cheat and use the code that adds all the guns, you'll get the supposedly-multiplayer-only ejecto-gun, with which you can eject enemies out of their vehicles and grab them. This is when you find out that, in order to make it harder for the player, enemy cars [[TheAIIsACheatingBastard have virtually unlimited ammo]].
* ''CommandAndConquer'' Has a few examples who can do, or assist in, this trope:
** There's the Nod Mutant Hijacker in ''Tiberian Sun''
** ''Generals'' has Jarman Kell, the GLA's hero unit that can snipe the pilots of enemy vehicles, leaving them inactive. It is then sufficient to walk a basic infantry unit inside, placing the unit under your command.
*** The ''Zero Hour'' expansion pack has the [[{{BFG}} Chinese Nuke Cannon]] being capable of firing neutron shells that kill enemy vehicle crews, making the vehicle available to capture.
** ''Tiberium Wars'' has engineers capable of doing this to fallen walker units (Juggernaut Artillery, Avatar walker, Annihilator Tripod) in a similar fashion.
** ''Red Alert 3'' has the Soviet heroic unit Natasha - skill-wise an expy of the aforementioned GLA hero unit.
* Done oh-so-excellently in ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'', wherein the playable rebel faction decides the best possible way to deal with their current goal is to steal a prototype weapon of mass destruction. [[Awesome/StarCraftII By putting an insane, carnage-loving psychopath in the cockpit]].
* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'', all of the missions to destroy Leonardo's war machines will eventually involve Ezio taking the things and briefly using them against the Borgia.
* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 2}}'' has Tatsuya steal and command an enemy warmech from the Tenchu Army.
* This is both possible and surprisingly effective in ''StarWarsBattlefront'' when you play as an engineer class. Using your hydrospanner on an enemy tank long enough will eventually disable it and boot out the occupants so you can take it over. Stealing an enemy's tank not only keeps it from firing on your troops and but also keeps it from respawning for a while since you didn't technically "destroy" it in the first place.
* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'': Grungust Type 2, Gespenst S, and Weissreiter. [[spoiler: All the pilots were taken too and used by the Aerogaters]]
* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration 2'' the Neo DC steals the mass production Huckebein, the Wildfalken, and the [[spoiler:Shirogane]] from the EFA.
** [[spoiler: Weissreiter was jacked in this game also but this time was augmented to give it a significant boost in power.]]
** ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars3'' has the player re-enact the trope-naming episode of ''Gundam 0083'', among other appearances of this trope.
** ''SuperRobotWarsMX'' has the Vegans stealing GreatMazinger and MazingerZ in a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFeKFc0peH8 reenactment]] of "UFO Robot Grendizer vs. Great Mazinger".
* In the prologue missions of ''RingOfRed'', a North Japanese rebel steals a SuperPrototype AFW from right under the noses of the South Japan army, kicking off the game's main narrative.
* Creator/DataEast's ''Breakthru'' involves the player tracking down a stolen jet fighter prototype.
* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', Shepard can hijack a Cerberus Atlas if s/he either finds it unattended or s/he kills the pilot while leaving the mech itself intact.
** [[spoiler: Edi does this with Eva]].
* Done incredibly in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrOIgxQ--Tc this]] ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield 3}}'' clip, where a soldier [[ImprobableAimingSkills shoots out a jet pilot with his sniper]]. After ejecting. [[HighSpeedHijack In mid-air]].
* ''VideoGame/WingCommander IV: The Price of Freedom'' has the Border Worlds Militia do this to variously steal advanced fighters, new missiles, [[RefugeInAudacity a fleet carrier]], and several of the villains' SuperPrototype secret weapons. [[spoiler: Captain Eisen]] takes the cake, however, when he pulls off a GunshipRescue [[spoiler: with a brand new Super Carrier that he and some of his friends lifted from the Sol System - the capital of the Terran Confederation.]]
* SimulationGames that allow you to board enemy ships fall under this category if your BoardingParty can take it over. Examples include ''VideoGame/EscapeVelocity'', where you can capture disabled ships and either fly them yourself or make them your escorts, and the ''VideoGame/{{X}}-Universe'' series, where you'll be doing your boarding [[HighSpeedHijack while the enemy is still fighting]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* In ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'''s review of ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'' #1, [[spoiler: Linkara reveals he stole Neutro from Dr. Insano]].
* In the WhateleyUniverse, when the Syndicate and Deathlist's army of Sabretooths try to invade SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy at Halloween, school range officer Erik Mahren jacks one of the Syndicate's gunships. Turns out his old codename when he was in an Army special force was Hijacker.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''MegasXLR'' begins with the Earth forces having already stolen the enemy Super Prototype; the beginning of the first episode has the Glorff trying to take it back again.
* ''{{Sym-Bionic Titan}}'': In an effort to scare off a murderous classmate, Lance breaks into the military academy's armory to steal a Manus suit. Unfortunately, the classmate responded by stealing a Manus suit of his own.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:RealLife]]
* This has happened many times throughout history, ranging from boarding parties siezing enemy ships to defectors making a RunForTheBorder in an advanced jetplane. In the event of open war, many nations have simply recovered enemy hardware after it was lost in battle, and then taken it home for study.
** A Japanese Zero that crashed intact in the Aleutian Islands was extensively examined and tested by the Americans, who built an entire generation of GameBreaker aircraft designs exclusively to exploit every flaw they could find in Japanese design practices. The Axis powers similarly used captured Allied hardware and used it for their own purposes.
[[/folder]]

----

* During the ''VideoGame/StarCraftIIWingsOfLiberty'' campaign, the team steals a prototype HumongousMecha called the Odin from the Dominion and uses it to [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs smash everything in the vicinity]]. They then use it as a diversion so they can [[CantStopTheSignal broadcast to the galaxy]] just how much of an evil bastard Emperor Arcturus really is.

* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha''
** ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'' begins with Tohma unintentionally pulling one off when he comes across the captive [[MacGuffinGirl Lily Strosek]] in a heavily-guarded research facility, accidentally bonds with the [[MixAndMatchWeapon Eclipse]] [[AntiMagic Divider-996]] and the [[SpellBook the Tome of the Silver Cross]] artifacts, and uses their powers to escape after the people there detected him and tried to kill him.
** The [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Grendel family]] attempt to do one in their debut chapter, attacking a TSAB transport with intent to capture some of the newly developed [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots Raptor Units]].

See also PhlebotinumRebel, where the heroes Gundamjack ''themselves''. Not to be confused with the lumberjack-themed Canadian Gundam from ''GGundam'', or JustForFun/CandleJack. And certainly not to be confus

* As you might expect, this happens very, very often in the {{Gundam}} series:

* This is an entire combat mechanic in ''VideoGame/Halo''. With small vehicles, like the [[MookMobile Ghost]], [[CoolShip Hornet/Falcon]] and the [[CoolBike Chopper]], it's simply a matter of kicking the driver out, and landing in the seat. With medium vehicles, like the [[SignatureTeamTransport Warthog]], you can bash the driver, or remove the passenger or gunner and take their place. With heavy vehicles, like the [[HoverTank Wraith]], the [[TankGoodness Scorpion]], and the [[HumongousMecha Mantis]], you can punch it until it explodes, [[CuttingTheKnot or plant a grenade in the canopy/vent.]]

* Done incredibly in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrOIgxQ--Tc this]] VideoGame/{{Battlefield3}} clip, where a soldier [[ImprobableAimingSkills shoots out a jet pilot with his sniper]]. After ejecting. [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome In mid-air]].

*** In the Cosmic Era, due to theft and salvage, ''everybody'' has at least one Gundam on their side. Even the organization that's basically a Garbage union [-[[RecycledINSPACE IN SPACE]].

See also PhlebotinumRebel, where the heroes Gundamjack ''themselves''. Not to be confused with the lumberjack-themed Canadian Gundam from ''GGundam'', or JustForFun/CandleJack.

** Rain Mikamura in ''GGundam'' doesn't exactly ''steal'' the Shining Gundam, as she's on its crew, but she does pilot it despite not having combat training. Later, she "borrows" Japan's Rising Gundam because she needs to get somewhere fast. Her explanation to her stunned friends was nobody was using it at the time. The only conclusion is [[CrazyPrepare She programed a subroutine into both of them that would give her a custom pink trace suit with heels in case Domon wasn't around]].

** The Turbo Megazord is stolen in ''PowerRangersTurbo'', forcing the Rangers to use the new Rescue Megazord. Something similar happened in the [[GekisouSentaiCarranger Sentai counterpart]].

** Gundamjacking was the ''point'' of at least the first half of ''PowerRangersDinoThunder''. Right in the premiere, the Rangers first got their zords by jacking them from the villains. Then many episodes featured lost Dinozord eggs that were being sought after by both sides, and when the villains got them first the Rangers had to jack them back. Then the evil White Rangers (yes, plural, though there was only one at a time) showed up and they were ''very'' good at Gundamjacking the Rangers' secondary zords. Even the White Ranger's zord was "borrowed" at one point by Tommy. Ultimately only ''two'' Dinozords were used exclusively by one side: the "Mezodon" zord, which was last to appear and came after most of the jacking died down; and the Brachiozord, which was there from the beginning but was ''a carrier with no combat capabilities''.

* In ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'''s review of ''PowerRangersZeo'' #1, [[spoiler: Linkara reveals he stole Neutro from Dr. Insano]].

* This is how Kamina from ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' gets his Gurren, as provided in the trope picture. This action inspires the Kittan and some other humans who jack some Gunmen for their own, until they join the rest of Team Gurren to form ''Team Dai-Gurren''.

* This is how Kamina from ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' gets his Gurren, as provided in the trope picture. This action inspires Kittan who steals his own gunmen and on and on until Kamina has a small army of stolen giant robots.

* ''ZoneOfTheEnders'' starts with an attempt to steal the previously-jacked Jehuty ''back'', until Leo complicates things by FallingIntoTheCockpit.

[-[[caption-width-right:330:[[MST3KMantra Just ignore the]] [[GangstaStyle upside-down gun]] [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome and enjoy the ride]].]]-]

The simplest answer seems to be to destroy it, but this more often than not ends up with some OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent FallingIntoTheCockpit, and then you're ''really'' boned. You can [[LensmanArmsRace come up with prototypes of your own]] to counter it, but this could just end up creating a SortingAlgorithmOfEvil that'll lead right to your doorstep.

Better yet, why not just take it for yourself? This has a double benefit: Not only does it deny the enemy a powerful weapon, but you gain said weapon in the process. You might wanna [[NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup kidnap, steal or wipe out the project data and/or the inventor(s) while you're at it]].

If this is done by the hero, the story usually focuses on their attempts to get back into friendly territory with their prize. If the story is told from the view of the inevitable pursuers, then they will be attempting to recover or destroy the new unit before it can get away.

** Similarly, ''GundamSEED'' begins with the [=ZAFT=] G-boys snatching four of the Alliance's five new Gundams. The plan was to steal all five, but poor Rusty got killed before he could do his part. And, of course, [[spoiler: Kira comes by his MidSeasonUpgrade by Gundamjacking the Freedom, with help from Lacus.]] ''GundamSEEDDestiny'' begins with the ''Alliance'' stealing three of ''[=ZAFT's=]'' new Gundams.
*** Of course, in the Cosmic Era, due to theft and salvage, ''everybody'' has at least one Gundam on their side. Even the organization that's basically a Garbage union [-[[RecycledINSPACE IN SPACE]] [[ThisIsYourPremiseOnDrugs ON STEROIDS]]-]

*** Subverted in Season 2 when Revive and [[spoiler:Anew]] fail to get the [[spoiler: 00 Gundam]] because they couldn't bypass the security.
**** But Revive DOES successfully Gundamjack the [[spoiler:0 Raiser]], only to be foiled by [[spoiler:[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome RED HARO]] of all things.]]

** In a rare hero on ''hero'' version, look at episode two of ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Gundam ZZ]]''. Judau jacks the Zeta Gundam simply because it's the only mobile suit for him to use.
*** Heck, Judau spent the first several episodes repeatedly trying to jack the Zeta Gundam so he can sell it, only to have an enemy appear the moment he gets his hands on it and be forced to fight it off.

*** Well, technically Trowa wasn't the intended pilot of Heavyarms...[[spoiler:at least, not the Trowa ''we'' know; TheMovie shows that the real Trowa Barton was killed for being a JerkAss, leading to a nameless engineer offering to take up the dead man's name and mission for more noble purposes.]]

** Rain Mikamura in ''GGundam'' doesn't exactly ''steal'' the Shining Gundam, as she's on its crew, but she does pilot it despite not having combat training. Later, she "borrows" Japan's Rising Gundam because she needs to get somewhere fast. Her explanation to her stunned friends was, basically, nobody was using it at the time. (Somehow, both Gundams intuitively know to give her a custom pink trace suit with heels.)
*** Well, she ''is'' their designated mechanic. Wouldn't be ureasonable to assume she might have written a minor subroutine in case she needed to put on a full suit (she was using a glove to check the function of an arm repair in an early episode) to check pilot it sometime.

** In ''MobileSuitGundamAGE'', the Gundam itself doesn't get hijacked, but Grodek gundamjacks the battleship ''Diva'' (which does have the Gundam and its pilot-designer on it).
*** Although it does get hijacked in episode 5. By a ''seven year old EnfanteTerrible''
** Of course this happens in SDGundamForce. Kibaomaru's character plot is him wanting to unleash [[SealedEvilInACan Musha]] [[HumongousMecha Daishinsho]] on his enemies and take over the world with it. With the help of Genkimaru, he manages to do that, but it turns out OnlyTheChosenOneMayWield, and he's not TheChosenOne...Genkimaru is. The result is Kibaomaru getting forcibly ejected from Daishinsho and Genkimaru using is to lay siege to his forces.

*** When Cecile was upgrading the Guren, she admittedly went overboard, to the point that she thought no human pilot would even be able to handle its performance. [[TheAce Kallen]], of course, has no difficulty at all, and single-handedly turns the tide of a major battle.

* This is how Kamina from ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' gets his Gurren, as provided in the trope picture. They later pull the same feat by hijacking the Dai-Gurren.
** To an extent, this is also how the Arc-Gurren and the Cathedral Terra (later known as the Super Galaxy Dai-Gurren) are attained. There aren't any troops, but they are super prototype ships that didn't belong to the heroes.
** As a matter of fact, this is how Team Dai-Gurren got ''all'' their Gunmen, Simon's Lagann being the obvious exception.
*** Speaking of Simon's Lagann, it's the reason they're able to jack a number of their bigger targets, when simply ousting the current pilot isn't an option. Simply have Lagann drill into the target to "combine" with it, and it can hijack the target's systems.
** And most of their other tools are combination of this and MegaManning. Need to fly? Beat a flying mecha and [[strike: rip off the wings and rockets and]] attach the whole thing to your back. Lagann's ability to integrate with any and all kinds of mecha will take it from there.

* Young [[spoiler: Gennai]] does this in Anime/DigimonAdventure when Piemon attacks the area where the Digitama/digieggs that will become the Chosen Children's partner Digimon are being kept/maintained. He hijacks a Mechanorimon (which is apparently being controlled by a Bakemon) to hide the crests and eggs from Piemon, also dropping [[spoiler: Tailmon's egg]] in the process explaining [[spoiler: why she grew up alone]].

* Young [[spoiler: Gennai]] does this in DigimonAdventure when Piemon attacks the area where the Digitama/digieggs that will become the Chosen Children's partner Digimon are being kept/maintained. He hijacks a Mechanorimon (which is apparently being controlled by a Bakemon) to hide the crests and eggs from Piemon, also dropping [[spoiler: Tailmon's egg]] in the process explaining [[spoiler: why she grew up alone]].