History Main / CreepyCoolCrosses

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* Wrestling/DragonGate wrestler Dragon Kid names his trademark moves with a religious theme in mind. He has a spinning flying headscissor submission called the Christo that looks vaguely cross-like when applied. Wrestling/GailKim brought the move to America during her first WWE run.

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[[folder: Real Life ]]

* ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'': Father Alexander Anderson ([[ChurchMilitant given his profession]]) wears one, as do many of his Iscariot protégés. Alucard is sometimes seen with them as well, and they're a running theme in the series itself. Both Alucard and Anderson sometimes position their weapons (two {{BFG}}s and {{Absurdly Sharp B|lade}}ayonets respectively) into crosses before battle, too.

** Oddly, Yoshihiro Nightow is reported to be Christian, though if he is he's goddamn sloppy about it. Wolfwood, on the other hand, is a ''[[NinjaPirateZombieRobot future]] space-Episcopalian orphan [[HitmanWithAHeart assassin]] [[TheMole spy]] [[StrappedToAnOperatingTable science-experiment]] [[BadassPreacher priest]] created by a [[ReligionOfEvil plant-worshiping murder cult]].''

Most Japanese are not [[ChristianityInJapan Christian.]] They hear Westerners talk about it; and most of it gets lost except for the imagery of some poor guy getting ritually killed and then reanimated, and a vague understanding of a specific kind of afterlife and hell. Ironically, this makes the more unfamiliar aspects seem somewhat morbid to those unfamiliar with the context -- in fact, similar to how many Westerners view [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Vodou/Vodun/Voodoo]]. Additionally, many places are familiar with crosses as historically common execution devices but lack the religious baggage making their depiction explicitly taboo.

** Misa and Mello's respective necklaces (and, in Misa's case, also earrings). Interesting in that while Misa's is generally seen as her being into typically commercialized gothic trends, Mello's is often seen as an indication he is Catholic by fandom. This is probably because Misa's are just random crosses, while Mello is seen at least once with an actual rosary. Not to mention that while Misa is Japanese, Mello is European (what kind is up for debate) and thus more likely to actually have some personal connection to the religion itself. In the anime, the crosses are [[{{Bowdlerise}} omitted]], with Misa's cross replaced with a fleur de lis and all crosses worn by Mello removed - though interestingly, the cross is retained on the Misa collector's figure included with volume 5 of the DVD series, and she is also depicted wearing it in the anime's first opening. It's also worth noting that, in the scene where he interrogates Soichiro, he's sitting benearth a ''crucifix.'' [[ChristianityIsCatholic All Christianity may be Catholic]] in American and European media, but crucifixes are much less common that regular crosses in Japanese media. The fandom also cites the fact that his real name, [[spoiler: Mihael Keehl]], appears to be Croatian and German. Both countries have a high percentage of Catholics.

* ''{{Hellsing}}'': Father Alexander Anderson ([[ChurchMilitant given his profession]]) wears one, as do many of his Iscariot protégés. Alucard is sometimes seen with them as well, and they're a running theme in the series itself. Both Alucard and Anderson sometimes position their weapons (two {{BFG}}s and [[AbsurdlySharpBlade Absurdly Sharp Bayonets]] respectively) into crosses before battle, too.

* Jung from ''{{Gunbuster}}'' wears one, despite being from [[TheGreatPoliticsMessup East Germany]], when the Communist Bloc historically persecuted devout Christians. Maybe they got lax in the future.

* Crosses feature prominently in ''WeissKreuz'', the title of which is in fact (slightly mangled) German for "white cross." A white cross appears to be the logo of Weiss, the team of four [[HitmanWithAHeart Hitmen With Hearts]] who are the protagonists of the series. Several members of Weiss habitually wear crosses - particularly in the OddlyNamedSequel ''Weiss Kreuz: Gluhen'', in which every member of Weiss has a red cross somewhere on his "working clothes," including one who paints a cross on his bare chest. Possibly justified in the cases of Aya and [[RaisedCatholic Ken]], as they are [[JapaneseChristian at least nominally Christian]]. Crucifixion symbolism also turns up at least once.

* And in the manga of ''MahouSenseiNegima'' by the same author, Evangeline (who can qualify as both creepy ''and'' particularly cool) has been seen with a cross on her clothing. (She may get extra {{Badass}} points for doing so, given that she's a ''[[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampire]]''.)Other characters wear them, but all of them are either nominal Christians or impersonating nuns (or in-between, or both at once - at one point a student who normally wears a cross is praying to God to forgive the cross she's wearing... as part of the fetish nurse costume her classmates have dressed her in). And one of the maybe-fake nuns is seen using figures formed of darkness as her main weapon, which probably fits the trope.

* Crosses show up plenty in ''RosarioToVampire'', usually in the form of {{Power Limiter}}s. Another example of crosses and vampires holding a strong thematic association.

* Since ''ChronoCrusade'' is about a [[ChurchMilitant nun with guns]] and the [[DealWithTheDevil demon she's contracted to]] fighting other [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demons]], it makes sense that crosses would pop up--and they do, a ''lot''. The bullets Rosette uses show crosses in the air when fired, the barriers used to trap the demons also glow with cross-shaped energy, in the anime Chrono is badly injured when [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic a cross-shaped piece of a building falls on top of him]], Remington's energy blade looks like a cross relic until it's activated...

* Strangely enough, this is completely averted in {{Berserk}}, this troper cannot remember even one cross of religious context throughout the series, when you consider that the resident CrystalDragonJesus is based largely on inquisition era Catholicism, and the portrayal of the Kushan religion, this is surprising.

* In [[{{Warhammer 40000}} the grim darkness of the far future]] Christianity is a forgotten religion, but you still have crosses: they're usually combined with skull motifs, and worn by TheEmpire's elite terror troops. It doesn't really get any creepier than this.

* In the SNES game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' The Christian crosses can be seen in the North American version of VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI (released as ''Final Fantasy III'') The crosses can be seen on characters shield icons. Also during the turn based battles the cross can be seen when the character like Terra or Locke holds up a shield. Also in the Graveyard of Thamasa or Mobliz the crosses can be seen on the tombstones especially General Leos memorial grave. This is one of the examples of church crosses getting past the Nintendo censorship.
* ''LufiaIIRiseOfTheSinistrals''' Christian cross at the church has been replaced with the obelisk, or taken out of the North American release. If you visit a town that has been destroyed like Gordovan you can see the Christian cross at the ruins of the church. It is unclear if it has gotten past the Nintendo censorship or if it represents death.
* Seifer Almasy in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' is distinguished by the [[TheKnightsTemplar Templar]] cross that he wears.

* Rin Tohsaka in ''FateStayNight''.

* Skeith from the ''Franchise/DotHack'' series of games gets a pagan cross as his primary weapon (or a 'red wand' in the English version). When he uses his Data Drain move, the cross teleports behind the victim, giving the impression of a cruxifiction.

* [[UrbanLegend Urban legends]] allege that the Japanese or Chinese make holiday decorations or Christmas tree ornaments featuring a [[http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/cross.asp crucified Santa]]. No such displays in Japan or China have been verified, but New York artist Robert Cenedella's painting of a [[http://www.rcenedellagallery.com/slideshow.php?theme=Commentary&i=5 crucified Santa]] (intended as a commentary on the commercialization of Christmas) has muddied these waters.
* The mediaeval Japanese used crucifixion as a method of execution, having developed this independently of the West. The first Western visitors - Catholic missionaries - were amazed at this (and especially at the way the prisoner was eventually despatched with long spears) and speculated the country must have had some prior contact with decent Christian folk, reasoning back from the two thieves executed with Jesus. Crucifixion was used as public execution until well into the final Shogunate, and accounts exist of its being used on British and American prisoners of war in WW2.

* ''LoveHina'': An interesting subversion: Naru is neither creepy nor particularly cool, yet a discreet and small cross can be seen around her neck at times. This small cross necklace helped ''save her life'' in volume 12, where it and the engagement ring Keitaro had been trying to give to her snagged a tree branch as they fell off a cliff. Then the chain snapped and they fell the last couple feet with no problem.

* Seifer Almasy in ''FinalFantasyVIII'' is distinguished by the [[TheKnightsTemplar Templar]] cross that he wears.

* In the SNES game VideoGame/{{Lufia2}} The Christian cross at the church with the priest has been replaced with the obelisk or taken out of the North American release. If you visit a town that has been destroyed like Gordovan you can see the Christian cross at the ruins of the church. It is unclear if it has gotten past the Nintendo censorship or if it represents a death in Lufia 2 Rise of the Sinistrals.

* ''AngelsEgg'': The nameless young man ([[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory who may be the Christ or Anti-Christ]]) in Mamoru Oshii's animated film carries a large, cross-shaped weapon in his back. Mamoru Oshii is a former Christian who once aimed for priesthood, so he presumably knows his way around the symbolism better than an average Japanese, but it's still a case of TrueArtIsIncomprehensible.

** What about her gigantic cleavage which has a shape of an upside-down cross?

** Misa and Mello's respective necklaces (and, in Misa's case, also earrings). Interesting in that while Misa's is generally seen as her being into typically commercialized gothic trends, Mello's is often seen as an indication he is Catholic by fandom. This is probably because Misa's are just random crosses, while Mello is seen at least once with an actual rosary. Not to mention that while Misa is Japanese, Mello is European (what kind is up for debate) and thus more likely to actually have some personal connection to the religion itself. In the anime, the crosses are [[{{Bowdlerise}} omitted]], with Misa's cross replaced with a fleur de lis and all crosses worn by Mello removed - though interestingly, the cross is retained on the Misa collector's figure included with volume 5 of the DVD series, and she is also depicted wearing it in the anime's first opening.
*** It's also worth noting that, in the scene where he interrogates Soichiro, he's sitting benearth a ''crucifix.'' [[ChristianityIsCatholic All Christianity may be Catholic]] in American and European media, but crucifixes are much less common that regular crosses in Japanese media. The fandom also cites the fact that his real name, [[spoiler: Mihael Keehl]], appears to be Croatian and German. Both countries have a high percentage of Catholics.

* During his Wrestling/MinistryOfDarkness days, Wrestling/TheUndertaker had a creepy cool cross. His was more of a T with an X in the middle of it, and no matter how often Wrestling/JimRoss tried to sell the thing as a "symbol", it still looked like a cross.
*** It probably didn't help when, after the Ministry had kidnapped [[Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon Stephanie [=McMahon=]]], the Undertaker ordered the Ministry to "put her on the cross", shortly followed by him saying "put her on the symbol".

** In fact, the original version of ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' was brimming with crosses, the protagonists being a squad of battle clerics and all. ''Every single one'' was edited out, from Alouette's earrings, which became rectangular, to Prier's staff, which lost its cross-tip, to the little cursor for target selection in combat, which became a sort of Damocles' sword, not to mention the church buildings. Croix also lost his cigarette, but still put his hand to his mouth at the end of battles...
*** His name means "Cross" in French. There's a lot of BilingualBonus in this game if you know a bit of French.

** This is actually explained in [[AllThereInTheManual backstory]]. Rin is decended from "Kakure Kirishitans". Japanese Christians who went into hiding in after Japan banned foreign influences (including the Christian religion). Also, her legal guardian is a Catholic Priest. Of course, that doesn't explain the crosses on the school uniforms...
*** The entire town once belonged to Rin's family - if they used crosses as symbols, the school might have kept it/use it as part of the same tradition.

** [[spoiler: Justified, since Skeith kills the resident CrystalDragonJesus with it by... [[CrucifiedHeroShot well, you know]].]]

*** Speaking of Croix, his name means "Cross" in French. There's a lot of BilingualBonus in this game if you know a bit of French.

* In ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'', one weapon is a blade those various forms of attacks are all crosses. The charged shots are large crosses with equal-length arms, the rapid-fire shot are lots of tiny traditional crosses, the weapon itself is cross-shaped, and the melee attack extends the weapon with a cross-shaped LaserBlade. For BonusPoints, the weapon is called the ''Crusader'' Blade.

* Wrestling/{{Sheamus}}'s ring gear is loaded with crosses, and his finishing move is a crucifix powerbomb.

* ''{{Hellsing}}'': Father Alexander Anderson ([[ChurchMilitant given his profession]]) wears one, as do many of his Iscariot protégés. Alucard is sometimes seen with them as well, and they're a running theme in the series itself. Both Alucard and Anderson sometimes position their weapons (two {{BFG}}s and [[AbsurdlySharpBlade Absurdly Sharp Bayonets respectively) into crosses before battle, too.

* ''{{Hellsing}}'': Alexander Anderson ([[ChurchMilitant given his profession]]) wears one, as do many of his Iscariot protégés. Alucard is sometimes seen with them as well, and they're a running theme in the series itself.

* ''{{Hellsing}}'': Alexander Anderson ([[ChurchMilitant given his profession]]) wears one.

* Fujiwara Zakuro from ''TokyoMewMew'' wears a cross, goes to church, and uses a [[WhipItGood whip]] with a cross-shaped handle. In the {{Macekre}}d English dub, the crosses were all [[{{Bowdlerise}} edited]] into sticks without sides so as not to offend people. This has made for some interesting jokes about Renee venerating toothpicks.

* Subverted in the ''SandsOfDestruction'' anime. Funeral crosses are just straight lines going through circles.

** Valvatorez from ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 4| A Promise Unforgotten}}'' has some inverted ones embroidered on his pants.
* Large crosses double as boomerang-style throwing weapons in the ''{{Castlevania}}'' series of video games. Richter Belmont's [[LimitBreak Item Crash]] for this particular subweapon summons a screen-filling cross, with a carving of Jesus Christ on it, to smash down foes. Also, rosaries (with large crosses on them) will instantly destroy all enemies in the room.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea}}'' series has a recurring gun attack called Totenkreuz, which is German for "crux mortis" or "death cross". The character using this attack charges energy into his gun before firing a thick shot, which looks like a fiery laser, down on the target(s). Upon impact, the shot explodes into a ''gigantic flaming cross''. Unlike most of the attacks in ''Absence of Justice'', this one remains almost unchanged from its ''Hour of Darkness'' incarnation.

* In the SNES game [[''Final Fantasy VI'']] The christian crosses can be seen in the North American version of Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III) The crosses can be seen on characters shield icons. Also during the turn based battles the cross can be seen when the character like Terra or Locke holds up a shield. Also in the Graveyard of Thamasa or Mobliz the crosses can be seen on the tombstones especially General Leos memorial grave. This is one of the examples of church crosses getting past the Nintendo censorship.
* In the SNES game [[''Lufia 2 Rise of the Sinistrals'']] The christian cross at the church with the priest has been replaced with the obelisk or taken out of the North American release. If you visit a town that has been destroyed like Gordovan you can see the Christian cross at the ruins of the church. It is unclear if it has gotten past the Nintendo censorship or if it represents a death in Lufia 2 Rise of the Sinistrals.

* ''SoulEater'': Death Scythe wears a cross shaped tie and has crosses on his shirt lapels, and had a similar style as a child. It also reflects his Weapon form, which looks like a cross when the blade isn't present. Also the aptly named Death Room is full of hundreds of grave marker style crosses. Justin the priest wore a cross and had some on his clothing but these vanished as part of a [[MadnessMakeover Madness/Villanous Makeover]] IIRC replaced by the eye symbol of the Bigger Bad.

* ''ToAruMajutsuNoIndex'' has a suitably {{Squick}}y and creepy version of this with Vento of the Front, who has a cross attached to a length of chain which is bolted to her tongue.

* Skeith from the ''[[DotHack .hack]]'' series of games gets a pagan cross as his primary weapon (or a 'red wand' in the English version). When he uses his Data Drain move, the cross teleports behind the victim, giving the impression of a cruxifiction.

[[folder:Films - Live-Action]]
* Employed as a stylistic choice in ''UltramanZeroTheRevengeOfBelial'' with Mirror knight, whose powers manifest as cross shapes.

* Despite being a [[YourVampiresSuck vampire]], Remilia Scarlet of ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' likes cross imagery, and uses them in her spellcards. (This doesn't seem to be the only religious imagery that she likes; she's got a spellcard named "Star of David" as well.)

* In the free-to-play MMORPG Forsaken World the Kindred race, Vampire class uses a large stylized crucifix as their main weapon, in which it is used as a more conventional staff to help increase their magical power.
* One weapon in ''KidIcarusUprising'' is a blade those various forms of attacks are all crosses. The charged shots are large crosses with equal-length arms, the rapid-fire shot are lots of tiny traditional crosses, the weapon itself is cross-shaped, and the melee attack extends the weapon with a cross-shaped LaserBlade. for BonusPoints, the weapon is called the ''Crusader'' Blade.