History Main / Weredragon

* In ''Webcomic/DemonKingGF'', the titular Demon King, Alvida, belongs to a race of demons known as the dragonborn. They used to have the ability to transform into dragons, but the ability has been lost over the eons and the most Alvida herself can do is sprout temporary wings or [[ShapeshifterWeapon morph one arm into a massive draconic claw]]. Right as she's explaining all this to her husband the Hero, their toddler daughter Zenith turns into a dragon by complete accident.

* In ''Webcomic/DemonKingGF'', the titular Demon King, Alvida, belongs to a race of demons known as the dragonborn. They used to have the ability to transform into dragons, but the ability has been lost over the eons and the most Alvida herself can do is sprout temporary wings or [[ShapeshifterWeapon morph one arm into a massive draconic claw]]. Right as she's explaining all this to her husband the Hero, their infant daughter Zenith turns into a dragon by complete accident.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'': Dragons, or at least those that are siblings of Eliatropes, are able to shapeshift into different forms including humanoid forms, [[MorphicResonance although they will still have features that resemble their natural forms]]. The first dragon we see in the series is initially shown as an old man, with his actual nature not being revealed until later on.

* ''VideoGame/DragonAge'': Flemeth uses this ability in the first and second games, even suggesting that the dragon is her true form. This makes sense once it’s revealed that she’s [[spoiler:what’s left of the elven goddess Mythal, who was heavily associated with dragons.]]
* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'':

* ''VisualNovel/MarcoAndTheGalaxyDragon:'' Arco spends most of her time in the form of a [[SleepModeSize tiny dragon]], but she can take on a human form as long as she feels full. She’ll revert to the tiny dragon's form as soon as she gets hungry again.
* ''VisualNovel/SablesGrimoire'': Drakan the half-dragon spends most of her time in a DraconicHumanoid form, but she can shapeshift into a completely human form or into the form of an enormous dragon. [[spoiler:Her mother, the dragon Nidhogg, can likewise assume a human form.]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* ''WebAnimation/{{Hololive}}'': Kiryu Coco is a vtuber, as well as a dragon who takes the form of a young woman. Her dragon form still shows through in her horns and tail, as well as less obvious traits like her pointed ears and CuteLittleFangs.
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* ''WesternAnimation/SupernaturalAcademy'': There are several characters in show including main character Jessa who have the ability to shift to dragons forms.

** Manaketes, found in multiple games across the series, have both human and dragon forms, with the former often identified by their distinct green hair. According to the lore, they were initially full-on dragons, but a cataclysm forced them to seal their dragon powers in stones and take on human forms to conserve their energy and[=/=]or sanity. As playable units, they can equip Dragonstones (their own, those of any dragon, or those of dragons from the same tribe, depending on the game and character) as a unique weapon type which lets them return to their original form while in combat, granting hefty stat bonuses. However, since Dragonstones are rare and subject to the usual BreakableWeapons mechanic, they frequently end up TooAwesomeToUse.

** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' doesn't use the term "Manakete", but still features green-haired humanoids who are actually dragons in disguise: [[spoiler:they are known as "Children of the Goddess" here and are, as the name implies, descendants/creations of the Goddess Sothis -- an ancient god who uplifted humanity thousands of years ago. The Archbishop herself, Rhea, is the only one of her family that can still transform into her dragon form, which is known as The Immaculate One]].

* ''WesternAnimation/RayaAndTheLastDragon'': The titular last dragon, Sisu, gains the ability to willingly transform into human form early on.

* ''Literature/TheCosmere'' has dragons who are capable of shapeshifting to perfectly resemble any of the universe's many species, including humans. The only dragon to have thus far been physically introduced within the series, [[spoiler:Koravellium Avast/Cultivation]], is said to actually prefer using a human form when interacting with others.

* ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'': [[spoiler:Meleanor Draconia]] is the only dragon fairy shown to fully transform into a dragon.

*** 2nd Edition ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'': During the days of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'', this setting was home to a creature literally ''called'' the weredragon -- an [[OneGenderRace all-female]] species of iridescent blue-silver scaled dragons similar in appearance to copper dragons, defined by their ability to assume the form of human women and their love of integrating into human society. They have a particular fondness for using their beauty to beguile evil men into becoming their suitors, and then murdering them once they can financially benefit from their deaths. In 3rd edition, they were changed only slightly to become the song dragon race, retaining many of the same proclivities and behaviors but losing the uniqueness of the shapeshifting (most 3e dragons that can shapeshift can become any humanoid or animal, while song dragons have only a single form).

*** 2nd Edition ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'': During the days of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'', this setting was home to a creature literally ''called'' the weredragon -- an [[OneGenderRace all-female]] species of iridescent blue-silver scaled dragons similar in appearance to copper dragons, defined by their ability to assume the form of human women and their love of integrating into human society. They have a particular fondness for using their beauty to beguile evil men into becoming their suitors, and then murdering them once they can financially benefit from their deaths. In 3rd edition, they were changed only slightly to become the song dragon race, retaining many of the same proclivities and behaviors but losing the uniqueness of the shapeshifting.

Enter the Weredragon: a dragon that can spend most of its time comfortably [[{{Humanshifting}} looking like a human being]] or, alternatively, a human being who can transform into a dragon. Either way, you get a relatable humanoid character while simultaneously having a big intimidating lizard to do lizard stuff. The reason they might be human can vary. Sometimes it's because maintaining a dragon form can consume energy, sometimes it's to blend in, or sometimes it's in order to play AFormYouAreComfortableWith. However, they will still commonly be referred to and identified as a dragon even if they spend most of their days as a human. Whether they are born like a human or hatch from an egg is usually a question left to fan speculation. May or may not actually involve moons like the more traditional werebeasts.

We all know that [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] make a work better, but when it comes to actually making dragons into characters, it's a little troubling. Large flying lizards are cool but it's hard to put them in buildings or give them emotive expressions.

Enter the Weredragon: a dragon that can spend most of its time comfortably [[{{Humanshifting}} looking like a human being]] or, alternatively, a human being who can transform into a dragon. Either way, you get a relatable humanoid character while simultaneously having a big intimidating lizard to do lizard stuff. The reason they might be human can vary. Sometimes it's because maintaining a dragon form can consume energy, sometimes it's to blend in, or sometimes it's in order to play AFormYouAreComfortableWith. However they will still commonly be referred to and identified as a dragon even if they spend most of their days as a human. Whether they are born like a human or hatch from an egg is usually a question left to fan speculation.

A SubTrope of OurWerebeastsAreDifferent, VoluntaryShapeshifting and, for the dragon-to-human variant, of HumanityEnsues. See also ScaledUp for transforming into (large) reptiles (including dragons) as a OneWingedAngel; it can overlap with this if the dragon is their true form (as opposed to ''gaining'' a dragon form).

Compare DraconicHumanoid (subtrope of BeastMan), creatures who have humanoid figure and draconic features; Weredragons may be able to assume a Draconic Humanoid form, but it's not necessary.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'': During the wizard duel witch Madam Mim transforms into a dragon, even though it is against one of the rules she herself set (which she gets away with due to LoopholeAbuse as she turns into a ''Purple'' dragon when she said no ''pink'' dragons.)

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'': During the wizard duel witch Madam Mim transforms into a dragon, even though it is against one of the rules she herself set (which she gets away with due to LoopholeAbuse as she turns into ''Purple'' dragon when she said no ''pink'' dragons.)

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'': During the wizard duel with witch Madam Mim transforms into a dragon, even though it is against one of the rules she herself set (which she gets away with due to LoopholeAbuse as she turns into ''Purple'' dragon when she said no ''pink'' dragons.)

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'': During the wizard duel with human Witch Madam Mim, after turning into different real animals (crocodile, fox, chicken, elephant, tiger, snake and rhino) Mim then transforms into a dragon, even though it is against one of the rules she herself set (which she gets away with due to LoopholeAbuse as she turns into ''Purple'' dragon when she said no ''pink'' dragons.)

* ''WesternAnimation/RayaAndTheLastDragon'': The titular last dragon, Sisu, gains the ability to willingly transform into human form early on.