History Main / CowerPower

* ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' has Wimpod, a wimpy little isopod and its special ability "Wimp Out" where "The Pokémon cowardly switches out when its HP becomes half or less" and lets one of its stronger teammates take the heat for it. Wimpods's evolution, Golisopod, a massive samurai isopod, [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial does not "Wimp Out"]]. Rather it makes an [[TacticalWithdrawal "Emergency Exit"]] when its [[HypocriticalHumor HP becomes half or less]].

* In an episode of ''Series/{{Castle}}'', there is a scene when the resident badass Beckett hides behind a local sheriff, while Castle hides behind her. Both decisions actually make sense in context: Castle is a NonActionGuy who is used to stepping back and let Beckett handle a criminal; Beckett is a highly trained police officer, but she is unarmed, while the sheriff at least has a gun (which he is very uncomfortable with).

* An episode of ''Series/{{Mythbusters}'' that involved testing the myth as to whether a large container of non-dairy creamer could serve as an effective explosive resulted in a fireball so large that a startled Kari Byron reflexively pulled Grant Imahara in front of her before running up the hill behind her. "Today I learned that in a crisis situation, I will hide behind a coworker. Sorry, Grant." - Kari Byron

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' has [[SpoonyBard Edward]] who has an ability that lets him do this. He also does it when he's low on HitPoints.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' has [[SpoonyBard Edward]] who has an ability that lets him do this. He also does it when he's low on HitPoints.
* ''VideoGame/{{Mother}}'':
** In ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'', Porky Minch does this as one of the many useless actions he's capable of performing in battle while accompanying Ness at the start of the game.

** In ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'', [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Porky/Pokey]] Minch does this as one of the many useless actions he's capable of performing in battle while accompanying Ness at the start of the game.

[[quoteright:350:[[Theatre/TheComedyOfErrors https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cower_conga_6655.jpg]]]]

** In ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Porky/Pokey]] Minch does this as one of the many useless actions he's capable of performing in battle while accompanying Ness at the start of the game.

Sometimes this is used for comedic effect, with a hero who is AfraidOfNeedles reacting with complete terror to mundane things, sometimes even jumping into his {{Sidekick}}'s arms or ducking behind his LoveInterest like a DamselInDistress. The FishOutOfWater might hide from otherwise harmless things too (and notice who/what they're hiding behind looks far more threatening). See also PoseOfSupplication. Bonus coward points if the character also ScreamsLikeALittleGirl. Compare EekAMouse. Contrasy GoThroughMe.

Sometimes this is used for comedic effect, with a hero who is AfraidOfNeedles reacting with complete terror to mundane things, sometimes even jumping into his {{Sidekick}}'s arms or ducking behind his LoveInterest like a DamselInDistress. The FishOutOfWater might hide from otherwise harmless things too (and notice who/what they're hiding behind looks far more threatening). See also PoseOfSupplication. Bonus coward points if the character also ScreamsLikeALittleGirl. Compare EekAMouse

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'':
** Serena's Eevee starts out very timid and comfortable only around Serena herself or Clemont's Bunnelby. When frightened, she will run and hide behind whichever of those two is available.

* In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamTheWitchFromMercury'', Suletta's first instinct in any kind of confrontation while outside the Aerial is to dodge behind whoever or whatever is closest and cower there until the conversation is done, no matter how ineffective a protection this is.