History Main / ElementalPowers

*** The villains of ''GoGoV'', known as the [[LegionsOfHell Psyma Demon Family]] play this straight: Darkness King Zylpheeza is air, Cobolda is earth, Denus is water and Drop (later known as Salamandes) is fire.

** ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger''/''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'': Fire (Red and Wolzard Fire/Wolf Warrior), Lightning (Yellow), Water (Blue), Wind (Pink), Wood (Green), Sun (MagiShine/Solaris Knight), and Ice/Snow (MagiMother/White). One of the team's allies has Moon.

** ''Series/TensouSentaiGoseiger''/''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'': [[LandSeaSky Sky (Red and Pink), Land (Black and Yellow), and Sea (Blue and Goseiger's late Green)]]. GoseiKnight can [[AllYourPowersCombined use all three elements]]. Each category also had some secondary elements involved; Land had Wood and Lightning attacks, and Sea had Ice, and Sky also had Lightning. Red also used Fire when teaming with the Shinkengers.
** ''Series/ShurikenSentaiNinninger''/''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'': The main team all have access to Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Metal; while StarNinger/Gold uses Wind and Lightning.
** ''Series/DoubutsuSentaiZyuohger'': The Zyuohgers' special attacks are charged with an element that in most cases is related to their AnimalMotifs: Fire (Red, eagle/gorilla), Water (Blue, shark), Lightning (Yellow, lion), Earth (Green, elephant), and Snow (White, tiger). SixthRanger Zyuoh TheWorld, originally created as a pawn of the villains, has Shadow.

* Nearly everyone in ''Literature/TrintonChronicles'' from hero, villain, to [[InnocentBystander every-day-citzens]] has one of the above abilities or [[MixAndMatch more then one in some cases]]. Magic is treated like [[ForScience science]] as it is learnable by all and everyone uses it [[{{Magitek}} in everyday]] life.

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* Later episodes of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' introduce {{four|ElementEnsemble}} [[{{Reincarnation}} reincarnated]] {{Elemental Embodiment}}s. Each wields one of the four elements: ice, fire, candy, and slime.

* In the hybrid webcomic/browser game ''Webcomic/DemonThesis'', the four main characters find themselves suddenly gifted with Elemental Powers after a mysterious ManipulativeBastard entity from another dimension reaches into our world and starts creating chaos. They get almost exactly [[FourElementEnsemble the classic western elements]], except that Sam's powers are over [[AnIcePerson ice]] instead of water.

* The magi human subspecies in ''Webcomic/{{Royal}}'' have a very common chance at being born with Elemental Powers. A good example is the Schmitt brothers who can be considered a FourElementEnsemble of Fire, Ice, Lightning and Water.

* ClassicalElementsEnsemble: A grouping of four (sometimes five) superpowered or magical characters based on the ClassicalElements.

* FourElementEnsemble: A grouping of four (sometimes five) superpowered or magical characters based on the ClassicalElements.

This does not occur in Real Life, so Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease Water, wind, etc. do have energy, but it's the same type of energy and therefore not an example of this trope.

''Any'' natural force can count as an element and indeed, works have played with the concept with multiple different kinds of elements, often by [[ElementalFusion combining two or more of the classical elements]] to make a new one, e.g. fire + water = steam. Here's a list of the most common, all of which are {{Sub Trope}}s (note, '''examples of a character who can only make use of a single one these powers should be troped under that specific subtrope'''):

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''Any'' natural force can count as an element and indeed, works have played with the concept with multiple different kinds of elements, often by [[ElementalFusion combining two or more of the classical elements]] to make a new one, e.g. fire + water = steam. Here's a list of the most common, all of which are {{Sub Trope}}s (note, examples of a single character making use of one of these powers should be troped under that specific subpage):

''Any'' natural force can count as an element and indeed, works have played with the concept with multiple different kinds of elements, often by [[ElementalFusion combining two or more of the classical elements]] to make a new one, e.g. fire + water = steam. Here's a list of the most common:

One of the most common uses of this idea is to give characters some superpower over an aspect of nature — like a character who can conjure or control fire or water. This may also involve the ability to summon or create {{Elemental Embodiment}}s, living manifestations of the elements themselves. Most settings that make use of FunctionalMagic will inevitably have elemental spells or ElementalMagic. Because of this, Elemental Powers is one major class of the StockRPGSpells.

In the past, the forces of nature were considered to be the building blocks of all life and matter in the world, known as the natural elements. The discovery of the atom mostly disproved that,[[note]]with ''several'' elements being found in earth, water, and/or air, with at least [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen one]] being found in all three, as well as being directly responsible for the creation of fire.[[/note]] but the idea was so deeply rooted in mankind's mind, that it's become a popular [[{{Motifs}} thematic motif]] for supernatural fictional settings, and still finds parallels in modern physics' four commonly observable states of matter: solid (earth), liquid (water), gas (air), plasma (fire).

!This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16845906520.64586700 under discussion]] in the Administrivia/TropeRepairShop.

[[caption-width-right:350:''Water'' you waiting for? You should be getting ''fired'' up because she's ready to ''rock''. ''Air'' you up for it?]]
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-->-- ''Webcomic/{{xkcd}}'' #965: [[http://xkcd.com/965/ Elements]][[note]]"Of all the nations, the armies of the ununoctium-benders are probably the least intimidating. The xenon-benders come close, but their flickery signs are at least effective for propaganda."[[/note]]

In the past, it was thought that all of matter could be classified into easily viewable "elements" that one can observe with the naked eye. Thus, all of the world was made up of natural forces such as "earth, air, fire, water" et al. The discovery of the atom[[note]]which ''aren't'' visible to the naked eye[[/note]] mostly disproved that,[[note]]with ''several'' elements being found in earth, water, and/or air, with at least [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen one]] being found in all three, as well as being directly responsible for the creation of fire.[[/note]] but the idea was so deeply rooted in mankind's mind, that it's become a popular [[{{Motifs}} thematic motif]] for supernatural fictional settings, and still finds parallels in modern physics' four commonly observable states of matter: solid (earth), liquid (water), gas (air), plasma (fire).

The most common use is to give characters some superpower over an aspect of nature -- like a character who can conjure or control fire or water, given the [[ElementalBaggage right conditions]]. This usually goes hand in hand with ElementalPersonalities -- you're not likely to find a [[PowerStereotypeFlip calm and collected guy who can shoot fire]], for instance ([[FieryStoic or are you?]]). These "elements" are probably the source of the association of {{color|CodedElements}} with [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience personality traits]]. A character with elemental power in animation will often have the fitting eye color. It also makes for easy SuperheroSpeciation.

This may involve the capability to summon {{Elemental|Embodiment}}s, the living embodiment of the elements themselves.

Just what the "classical elements" are varies from culture to culture. In Greek (and by extension most European), Hindu, and Buddhist mythology, it's usually Fire, Air, Water, and Earth -- with Aether (which can be "{{heart|IsAnAwesomePower}}", SoulPower, or PureEnergy) occasionally mixed in. In classical Chinese mythology, it's typically Fire, Water (which includes [[TheSkyIsAnOcean the sky]]), Earth (which includes the concept of "balance" or "the center", making it a rough equivalent to the aforementioned Aether), Wood (which includes control over plants as well as [[WindIsGreen the wind]]), and Metal (which includes light and electricity). The classical Japanese elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. In some alchemical texts, there are salt, sulphur, mercury, and quintessence, with salt representing the physical, sulphur representing the spirit of life, mercury representing volatility or fluidity and the "passive principle", quintessence was supposed to be the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies, and also sometimes was included with the more common 4 elements. (Indeed, quintessence quite literally means "the fifth element".) It is possible for "secondary" elements to exist as add-ons to a core system, typically created by modifying the primary elements in various ways or by [[ElementalFusion mixing them together]].

Usually, there will be an effort to make all powers equally important -- the elemental powers used in such settings usually employ some form of ElementalRockPaperScissors, in order to avoid having any particular power being clearly more powerful than the others (unless there's an InfinityPlusOneElement involved). If some are more important/intrinsically more potent, then the InverseLawOfComplexityToPower may come into play or WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway may result.

Depending on your mileage, you might also have any natural force counted as an element -- [[CastingAShadow Darkness]] (black evil death energy), [[HolyHandGrenade Light]] (glowing holy life energy), regular [[LightEmUp Light]] (as in lasers and holograms), [[AnIcePerson Ice]], [[ShockAndAwe Electricity]], [[MagnetismManipulation Magnetism]], {{Time|Master}}, {{Space|Master}}, [[{{Lunacy}} Moon]], [[ThePowerOfTheSun Sun]], [[StarPower Stars]], [[VideoGame/QuestForGlory Pizza]], {{Gravity|Master}}, [[PowerOfTheVoid Void]] (which is usually like a cross between Space, Dark, and Aether), {{Acid|Attack}}, Sky (Wind with [[WeatherManipulation storm and weather]] added), [[VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing Sleaze]], [[MakeSomeNoise Sound]], and [[WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}} Amber]] as alternative elements.

In works of fiction, these tend to have a consistent naming scheme either ending in -mancy ("pyromancy", "cryomancy", and so forth) or in -kinesis ("pyrokinesis", "cryokinesis", and so on). These suffixes technically mean "divination" and "movement", respectively, and compound words range all the way from being semi-common IRL ("necromancy"), to haphazardly made-up in faux-Greek ("radiokinesis"??). '''These naming schemes themselves are [[{{Whatevermancy}} a different trope]]''', so please don't add your favorite here.

A lot of cultural baggage has become attached to the elements over the ages, making some of them "{{bad|PowersBadPeople}}" and assigning personality traits to them and their practitioners much like a FourTemperamentEnsemble. Fiction exploring elemental powers tends to use these as [[FourElementEnsemble tropes and character traits]]:

[[folder:Classical Elements]]
[[index]]
* '''[[DishingOutDirt Earth]]''': Stable and resilient, Earth is the element of solidity and support. Earth characters are frequently dependable, strong, protective and, if female, motherly; on the negative side they may also be stubborn, repressive, or just far too stuck in their ways. As such, it is aligned with the melancholic temperament. It is frequently [[MightyGlacier the strongest element, but also the slowest]], or alternatively it's good at defensive magic, but not in offensive. It's generally represented as by either [[YellowEarthGreenEarth the colors green, brown, orange, tan, or yellow]] (the latter four especially if [[DishingOutDirt actual earth]] is distinguished from [[GreenThumb plants]] or other stuff). This is the "element" corresponding to the solid state.
* '''[[PlayingWithFire Fire]]''': Has positive connotations like warmth, light, [[FirePurifies purification]], and even rebirth. On the flip side, it's very, very easy to {{exaggerate|d}} it into [[EvilIsBurningHot an antagonistic element]] by emphasizing its wild, destructive, and unpredictable nature. As it is aligned with the choleric temperament, Fire characters have a habit of being [[HotBlooded impulsive, hotheaded, and brash]]. As such they make a great RedOni to any BlueOni and are typically TheHero, TheLancer or an [[TheDragon important]] [[BigBad bad guy]]. More rarely they can be TheSmartGuy as the ability to make and manipulate fire in Real Life is often [[TheDiscoveryOfFire seen as the being first step towards "inventing" science]]. [[FireIsRed Usually associated with the color red]], even though actual flame is naturally more orange in color, if not outright gold or yellow. This is the "element" corresponding to either the plasma state or to [[HeatIndex heat energy]].
* '''[[BlowYouAway Air/Wind]]''': The element of freedom and movement; unpredictably calm one moment and flying into a tempest the next. [[FragileSpeedster The quickest of the elements, but sometimes seen as physically fragile]] or lacking in raw strength (unless it is referred to as "Sky" or "Heaven"). Therefore, what it lacks in raw power it makes up for in offensive and defensive maneuvers. It can also include WeatherManipulation. Aligned with the sanguine temperament, Air characters are often cheerful, energetic, and free spirits. [[MakeSomeNoise Noise]], when used as an elemental attack, is sometimes depicted and treated as an air-like attack. When electricity isn't a separate element, it's often folded into Air. It can also sometimes feed energy to Fire, so an Air mage working with a Fire mage is not a team to tangle with. [[WindIsGreen Green is often used to represent it in eastern products]], but it's also fairly common to see [[TechnicolorWind yellow, light blue, purple, and white]]. Air typically corresponds to the gaseous state.
* '''[[MakingASplash Water]]''': The element of change and adaptability; capable of taking any form. Water is pretty much always seen positively, symbolizing [[HealItWithWater healing]], adaptability, and [[TheStoic calm]]. While Earth is strong and solid and Air is weak but fluid, Water is both strong and fluid, but not to the same extent as the other two. This is analogous to the liquid state of matter, insofar as liquids have a definite volume as solids do, but lack a definite form just like gasses.[[note]]Gases have neither definite form nor volume, solids have both definite form and volume.[[/note]] Aligned with the phlegmatic temperament, Water characters are usually laid-back and "go with the flow". [[WaterIsBlue Usually depicted as blue or cyan.]] Although not thought of as much of a combat power, when roused a Water Mage can be unstoppable (think tsunamis)— and [[ConfusionFu unpredictable]] -- especially combined with Wind (think hurricanes.) Almost always the absolute BlueOni, and often TheHeart.
[[/index]]
[[/folder]]

Some shows that absolutely need a FiveManBand will come up with a [[ElementNumberFive fifth element]] in addition to the classical western ones, and find a way to make it a team attack that uses AllYourColorsCombined. Anime usually employs Light or Lightning, but Western Animation prefers to make something up like [[PureEnergy Energy]] or [[KiManipulation Spirit]] or possibly [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway Heart]].

Some works, especially VideoGames and {{RPG}}s, will often add more to the list. Common additions include:

[[folder:Other Elements]]
[[index]]

* '''[[AnIcePerson Ice/Snow]]''': May or may not be combined with Water or Air. As a separate element, it carries connotations of [[EvilIsDeathlyCold coolness, detachment, harshness]], and even [[KillItWithIce death]]. As a foil to Fire they tend to be TheLancer or villains, and play Blue Oni to anyone's Red. [[FireIceLightning Like the rest of its trio]] it can be TheSmartGuy, likely because [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything old monasteries, libraries and places of learning]] are known for being cold inside. [[ProudScholarRace They'll be scholarly, by-the-book smart guys]] however instead of [[ShockAndAwe techies]] or [[PlayingWithFire curious types]]. Snow is almost the same as Ice generally but carries connotations of fun, softness, cheerfulness, and even [[SnowMeansLove love]]

* '''[[LightEmUp Light]]''': Light can be for healing or destruction. Light is, however, usually associated with absolute good. Sometimes mixed with Lightning or Fire. May also be portrayed as [[ThePowerOfTheSun Sunlight]].

* '''[[GreenThumb Nature/Wood/Plants/Flora]]''': Power over plants and vegetation. Can include the ability to manipulate and control plants, change the growth and size of plants, or summon forth plants from the ground; including [[StatusEffects poisonous]], spiky, or [[ManEatingPlant carnivorous ones]]. Sometimes these abilities get lumped in with another element but which one is differs by culture, with Earth being a popular choice in Western works and [[WindIsGreen Wind]] being popular in Asian works. May manifests as PetalPower attacks. Sometimes referred to as "Life", since it concerns living, growing things. Or as "Nature", because NatureEqualsPlants

* '''[[GemstoneAssault Crystal]]''': Sometimes combined with Light (via PowerCrystal), but usually lumped with Earth since crystals are from earth. An even weirder category for this is Ice, but often, it is a standalone element that may work as NonElemental. Often associated with piercing or cutting attacks, as well as protection.
* '''[[BioManipulation Life]]''': Life is concerned almost exclusively with healing, curing and strengthening others. That's not to say it can't be abused to cause damage to living things, though, but it's rare. Sometimes it comes as part of the "good" Light powers; other times it's part of Nature/Wood/Plants since that element concerns living things (or Life is simply another name for it, even when Nature powers ''don't'' involve healing). At higher level, the user may be capable of CreatingLife.
* '''[[{{Necromancer}} Death]]''': Just as Life may get combined with Light in some settings, Death often gets lumped in with Darkness (or occasionally Void). As its own element, death magic is usually focused on [[BlackMage destruction]], [[BlackMagic defilement]], and summoning spirits from the less-than-pleasant parts of the afterlife. Sometimes overlaps with Time (via RapidAging and YouCantFightFate) or Poison. Expect practitioners of Death magic to have made some sort of [[DealWithTheDevil infernal pact]] or [[BloodMagic sacrifice]] in order to obtain their power. High-end Death attacks tend to [[WoundThatWillNotHeal have permanent effects that are difficult to remove]], or [[OneHitKill the ability to instantly kill a target from full health]]. Ironically, it can sometimes be used to revive someone just like Life magic, as long as you're not concerned about them [[CameBackWrong coming back intact]]. That said, if DarkIsNotEvil, then Death doesn't have to be, either. After all, ''natural'' death is just as much a part of life as anything else.

* '''[[ExtraOreDinary Metal]]''': Either a subset of Earth (including metals and non-metals) or contrasted against Earth (metal alloys as opposed to non-metal rocks). Metal is used for either ridiculously high defensive capabilities (clang) or offensive capabilities (stabby). It has associations with strength, technology, civilization, rigidity, craftsmanship, and determination. Even though it's like a stronger version of Earth, [[CripplingOverspecialization it's also sterile, inflexible, cold, and can't bear life like Earth can]]. Often opposed by Nature or Wood. The easiest of the elemental powers to produce {{Magitek}} from. Metal is rarely seen as a classical element or power outside of Asia (and China in particular). A character with powers over this may be a MetalMuncher.
* '''[[SoulPower Soul]]''': The ability to manipulate spiritual energy, or spirits themselves. This is occasionally involved with religion, too. People possessing this power can probably talk to the dead, as well. Sometimes related to life and death powers above, PsychicPowers, FauxFlame, and especially KiManipulation. This can be either a villainous or heroic power, depending on [[TheDarkArts how it's portrayed.]]

* '''{{Poison|ousPerson}}''': Powers relating to poison, [[AcidAttack acid]], [[PlagueMaster disease]] and sometimes garbage and pollution. Can be classified as an element and/or status effect depending on the work. Sometimes folded into Death, although it can also be [[LightIsNotGood a more sinister application of Life]] (by supercharging the micro-organisms that cause disease) or Nature (a lot of plants and animals are poisonous).
* '''[[MagmaMan Lava]]''': May overlap with Fire due to both being hot substances, even though it's molten rock, so if anything it should be part of Earth. Sometimes it's both, as a hybrid of Earth and Fire. Usually stresses the more negative connotations of fire, and may be considered "hellish".
* '''[[ThePowerOfTheSun Sun]]''': Power relating to the sun. It's usually something of a mix of [[PlayingWithFire Fire]] and [[LightEmUp Light]]. May involve Gravity, as well.
* '''[[{{Lunacy}} Moon]]''': Power relating to the moon. Can be considered evil, but not always. Usually relates to [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolves]], and by extension [[TarotMotifs insanity or confusion]]. May involve Light, just like the Sun. May involve [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity power in exchange for sanity]]. It may also involve [[MakingASplash Water]], since the moon's gravity controls the ocean's tides.
* '''{{Star|Power}}''': Power relating to the stars and celestial bodies. Most commonly associated with divination and [[LuckManipulationMechanic manipulating fate]], but it also has some elemental properties. Most commonly, this takes the form of calling forth shooting stars to hit people with. It's not unheard of for Star to eat the Sun and/or Moon elements, and/or to overlap with Space, Ice or Void elements. May also involve UsefulNotes/{{Constellations}}.
* '''[[MakeSomeNoise Sound]]''': Using sound as a method of attacking and/or battling with an instrument falls under this section. Sometimes a subset of Air powers. Sometimes can be extended into power of vibration. May involve using sounds that affect the mind, or [[GaleForceSound making sound itself into a destructive force]].

* '''[[AtomicSuperpower Radiation]]''': Generally of the gamma kind, the kind related to reactors, bombs, and fallout. You're probably not going to see this very often at all, [[NuclearWeaponsTaboo for obvious reasons]], and when you do it'll generally be either BadPowersBadPeople or serious BlessedWithSuck. Has the potential to be DarkerAndEdgier than Darkness powers. May overlap with [[LightIsNotGood light, if portrayed negatively]], since radiation is often associated with Light (i.e. the Sun itself, that gives us light and skin cancer).
* '''{{Magnetism|Manipulation}}''': The ability to control magnetic fields; most commonly appears as a form of telekinesis which only works on metal. Often folded in with either Electricity or Metal, but appears as a distinct element on occasion. When both Metal and Magnetism exist, Metal will generally be more powerful and Magnetism more flexible (such as allowing the user to attack and defend at the same time). In some cases Magnetism users [[LogicalWeakness need a pre-existing supply of metal to use their powers]], while Metal users can simply [[ElementalBaggage create it from thin air]]. When combined with Electricity, you get Electromagnetism, which (along with Gravity below) is one of the four fundamental forces.
* '''[[SuperSmoke Smoke/Gas/Mist]]''': The ability to control a cloudy-looking element like smoke, mist or some other gaseous substance. While this kind of power has limited capabilities at dealing direct damage, it can still be effectively used in combat by suffocating enemies or hiding oneself from view for a potential sneak attack. The associations tend to be pretty negative as smoke or gas rarely signal something good (fires, eruptions, imminent explosions, health risks caused by smoking, gas chambers, etc), thus they could be considered the Darker and Edgier form of [[BlowYouAway Air]]. Mist is not much better due to its presence in [[OminousFog mysteries, hauntings and supernatural phenomena in general]]. Often becomes a subset of Fire or Poison (or Water/Ice, in the case of mist), but it might also show up as its own thing.
* '''[[HavingABlast Explosion]]''': The power to [[StuffBlowingUp blow stuff up]]. It's very often a subpower of Fire (or possibly even its Darker and Edgier counterpart, with the negative aspects of Fire being played up like Lava), although any energy-based element, like Radiation, Lightning or Light, can potentially have this as well (Metal too, which bombs and missiles tend to be made of). Weirdly, if the wielder of this kind of ability is not a MadBomber, then he will be the complete opposite: a [[TheStoic stoic]] type who creates [[DemolitionsExpert controlled explosions]], contrasting with the sheer destructiveness of this power. May occasionally come in form of beautiful fireworks, which combines this with Light.
* '''[[SandBlaster Sand]]''': When treated as its own element, Sand often has more "lightweight" connotations compared to the dense and heavy Earth. Can be combined with Air/Wind to create a DeadlyDustStorm. May also grant the ability to [[ThirstyDesert dehydrate enemies to death]]. Sometimes associated with Time, evoking hourglasses, Ancient Egypt or the ability to make things crumble to dust.
* '''[[ThePowerOfGlass Glass]]''': Controlling glass, ranging from the everyday soda-lime glass to volcanic glass and whatnot. Used to cut up or perforate, creates mirrors, lenses or shields, or some {{Glass Weapon}}s. Closely related to crystal powers above. Is sometimes connected with Earth and Sand due to the large presence of silica in them, and heat or magma since that also helps create glass (obsidian). May also involve light, or fragility.
* '''[[BlobMonster Slime]]''': The ability to manipulate gel. Similar to Water, but more solid and sticky, and leaning more on the defensive side, with users often being able to absorb attacks with no damage taken to themselves, [[StickySituation ensnare their opponents]], [[RubberMan stretch their bodies beyond what is normally possible]], turn into a puddle and move around and [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshift into different forms]].
* '''[[BloodyMurder Blood]]''': The power to control blood. Very much the Darker and Edgier version of Water. No good guy is going to have this as a power due to its inherent creepiness, with the exception of perhaps the darkest NinetiesAntiHero. A common power for vampires, demons and other supernatural horrors. BloodMagic may be involved and other applications tend to not be any less terrifying, such as making the blood acidic or controlling people from the inside.
* '''[[HellFire Hellfire]]''': Usually a [[ElementalTiers suped-up version of Fire]], with negative, demonic, and dark connotations. May be folded into Dark or Death. Expect it to not obey the usual laws of physics of regular fire.
** '''[[TechnicolorFire Colored Fire]]''': Fire that comes in various colors tend to have different effects associated with each color. For example, Blue Fire tends to be cold or associated with spirits (despite being even hotter than regular Fire in real life), Green Fire might be of an evil nature and so on...

* '''[[TimeMaster Time]]''': Controlling the flow of time. The ability to stop time, slow time down, speed up time, etc. Often combined with Space below, or occasionally with Moon or Star due to their roles in tracking time. Usually focused on [[StatusBuff buffs]] and [[StatusInflictionAttack debuffs]] with few direct attacks, but sometimes lets the user [[SeasonalBaggage control the seasons]] to borrow effects from Weather.
* '''[[SpaceMaster Space]]''': The ability to control the fabric of space and spatial dimensions. Teleportation and causing objects to phase in and out are usually included. May give the ability of interdimensional travel if they're sufficiently powerful.
* '''{{Gravity|Master}}''': The ability to manipulate gravity, making objects super-heavy or super-light, or causing something (or a point in space) to become a center of gravity. Is sometimes connected with Darkness via black holes. For some reason, the gravity may be [[GravityIsPurple purple-colored]] if visually depicted.
* '''[[PowerOfTheVoid Void]]''': This is generally considered to be even DarkerAndEdgier than Darkness. Generally involves erasing things from existence, whether via black hole, draining LifeEnergy, or simply causing a CessationOfExistence. Rarely has an opposing element. Might be the source of Space or Gravity powers.

[[/index]]

Any setting with magic in it will inevitably have elemental spells. Because of this, Elemental Powers is one major class of the StockRPGSpells.

Finally, it's worth noting that [[ElementalRockPaperScissors possessing specific elemental powers can make a character vulnerable against a specific element]]. Fire-elemental beings, for example, don't take too well to Water-elemental attacks. Similarly, Elemental Powers (especially the core four/five) are very competitive if not ''stronger'' than abstract elements because of the InverseLawOfComplexityToPower.

Those with these powers may also have the ability of ElementalAbsorption. FireIceLightning and ElementalShapeshifter are subtropes.

See also FourElementEnsemble, ElementNumberFive, InfinityPlusOneElement.

ElementalBaggage is when a character whose powers require an elemental source in order to work can make do without much of it lying around. ElementalMotifs is a related concept, when a character who may or may not have elemental abilities is still heavily associated with the elements.

[[noreallife]]

[[index]]

[[/index]]

[[folder:Animation]]

[[folder:Card Games]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' has the heroic FiveManBand control the four western elements, plus [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway "heart"]]at first. And then the four western elements plus [[InfinityPlusOneElement Quintessence]] in the second. Some of the elemental character tropes are played straight (laid-back Irma controls water, CloudCuckoolander Hay Lin controls air), while others are averted (quiet, sensible Taranee controls fire, girly, LovableAlphaBitch Cornelia controls earth).

[[folder:Fan Works]]

* ''Fanfic/{{Fractured|SovereignGFC}}'': ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' guns keep their elemental properties. This becomes more important in the sequel as lack of [[NoOSHACompliance proper gunkeeping]] on Pandora is actually the reason most bandits were driven mad, making them easier targets for a CorruptChurch. Killing [[spoiler:Flood]] is also more straightforward when your gun spits fire bullets, making the "[=FireHose=]" machine gun very literal.

** Kindness: [[LightEmUp Light]]

* ''Fanfic/TheLegendOfRuby'', being the cast of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' with the powers of [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender Avatar]], features the four elemental bending styles. Each of the main girls gets one: Yang is [[PlayingWithFire Fire]], Blake is [[DishingOutDirt Earth]], Weiss is [[MakingASplash Water]], while Ruby is [[BlowYouAway Air]]. Ozpin is the [[AllYourPowersCombined Avatar]] of the story.

* ''Fanfic/FairyDanceOfDeath'': The [[{{Cyberspace}} VR]] [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMORPG]] ''Alfheim Online'' (ALO) has seven schools of Elemental Magic -- the basic four, plus Holy and Dark. And there's Illusion, which works more-or-less like the others. Any player character can learn any of them, but six of the nine races have elemental affinities which give them big advantages in doing so.

* ''Fanfic/TokimekiPokeLiveAndTwinbee'' has all 18 Pokémon types just like ''Pokémon'' proper does.
* ''Fanfic/NewBloodArtemisgirl'': Due to capturing an Air Element, Hermione is able to use [[BlowYouAway Air Magic]] wandlessly as well as fly. The method was invented by Voldemort, passed on to Snape then to Hermione and her Coven. Hermione later adds an Earth Elemental, granting her [[DishingOutDirt Earth Magic]] and [[spoiler: stabilizing her magical core after a botched ritual she did in her first year.]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* On the Spanish movie ''WesternAnimation/DragonHill'' the classical western elements are pretty much said to be the only way a person can get into the titular LostWorld ([[spoiler: and the only way out is via a supercomputer]]). The sequel El Cubo Mágico goes further [[spoiler: by making the [[ArtifactOfDoom Magic Cube]] reacting to any of the four elements (which makes one wonder why doesn't it react all the time as it is constantly in contact with the air) by creating an EldritchAbomination]]. The bad guy also uses what appears to be [[LightIsNotGood light blasts]], while the dragon Ethelbert uses ones of a blue colouration.

* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheWitchsGhost'' is rife with ArtisticLicenseReligion in its portrayal of Wicca, but just to make sure, at the end the Hex Girls sing a song naming the elements as "Earth, Wind, Fire, Air". Yes, it rhymes, yes it scans, but... it's missing water! And who considers "wind" and "air" separate elements? Although given how well witches and water [[Film/TheWizardOfOz normally mix]]...

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/TheFifthElement'' -- duh. In this case the classic four are joined by [[spoiler:the fifth "perfect" element, which is actually a humanoid girl. In this case Milla Jovovich, and what could be more perfect, after all?]]

* Film/{{Thor}} can naturally summon lightning and wind through the power of {{Mjolnir}}. Fire seems to be the specialty of The Destroyer, and the Jötunns, who live in an icy climate, use ice powers.

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]

** Early seasons would sometimes base the heroes' powers on ''single'' elements in no consistent pattern. The very first one used wind, and ''Stronger'' would be the first lightning one -- but later ones like ''Super-1'' could switch between several at will. More so for the Heisei (2000-onward) seasons, as changing colors and forms to shift the MultiformBalance ''and'' enable different elemental abilities became the standard.

** ''Series/KyukyuSentaiGoGoV''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'': Although this team doesn't have actual elemental powers, they do get an elemental motif from their occupations and main mecha: Fire (Red, fireman with a fire truck), Water (Blue, chemist/sea animal trainer with a water tanker), Air (Green, pilot with a jet), Earth (Yellow, policeman/extreme athlete (including rock climbing) with a hazmat truck), and Life (Pink, paramedic with an ambulance). In ''Lightspeed Rescue'', the Titanium Ranger's motif can either be Metal from his name and [[ChromeChampion color scheme]] or Sun since his mecha is a solar-powered space shuttle.
*** The villains of ''[=GoGoV=]'', known as the [[LegionsOfHell Psyma Demon Family]] play this straight: Darkness King Zylpheeza is air, Cobolda is earth, Denus is water and Drop (later known as Salamandes) is fire.
** ''Series/NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm'': [[LandSeaSky Sky/Wind (Red), Water (Blue), Land/Earth (Yellow)]], Thunder (Goraigers/Thunder Rangers), and NonElemental (Shurikenger/Samurai Ranger; there's a minor Fire ''motif'' but no overt powers).
** ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'': Fire (Red and Wolzard Fire/Wolf Warrior), Lightning (Yellow), Water (Blue), Wind (Pink), Wood (Green), Sun ([=MagiShine=]/Solaris Knight), and Ice/Snow ([=MagiMother=]/White). One of the team's allies has Moon.
** ''Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersSamurai'': Fire (Red), Water (Blue), Heaven/Sky (Pink), Wood/Forest (Green), Earth (Yellow), and Light (Gold). Red also sometimes used Lightning.
** ''Series/TensouSentaiGoseiger''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'': [[LandSeaSky Sky (Red and Pink), Land (Black and Yellow), and Sea (Blue and Goseiger's late Green)]]. [=GoseiKnight=] can [[AllYourPowersCombined use all three elements]]. Each category also had some secondary elements involved; Land had Wood and Lightning attacks, and Sea had Ice, and Sky also had Lightning. Red also used Fire when teaming with the Shinkengers.
** ''Series/ShurikenSentaiNinninger''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'': The main team all have access to Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Metal; while [=StarNinger=]/Gold uses Wind and Lightning.
** ''Series/DoubutsuSentaiZyuohger'': The Zyuohgers' special attacks are charged with an element that in most cases is related to their AnimalMotifs: Fire (Red, eagle/gorilla), Water (Blue, shark), Lightning (Yellow, lion), Earth (Green, elephant), and Snow (White, tiger). SixthRanger Zyuoh [=TheWorld=], originally created as a pawn of the villains, has Shadow.

** ''Series/UltramanOrb'' is the first where it plays a significant role in both the hero and his monster foes. The show's {{kaiju}} include six King Demon Beasts associated with one of six elements (Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Light, and Shadow). All other Ultra monsters are also classified under the same elements by the series' Ultra Cards. Ultraman Orb himself in his [[spoiler:long-lost true form]] SuperMode Orb Origin wields the Orbcalibur, a sword that possesses the power of the four classic elements -- Fire creates a spherical prison of flame, Water conjures a whirlpool, Earth summons explosive shockwaves, and Wind forms a tornado.

[[folder:Music]]
* {{Music/EXO}} bestowed elemental powers to members [[DishingOutDirt D.O]], [[PlayingWithFire Chanyeol]], [[BlowYouAway Se Hun]], [[MakingASplash Su Ho]], [[ShockAndAwe Chen]], [[AnIcePerson Xiumin]], [[LightEmUp Baek Hyun]], [[GreenThumb Lay]] (More on the Life side), and former member [[TimeMaster Tao]] as part of the group's ongoing "story" (The powers for the rest of the formerly 12-member group may not be considered elemental).
* Video game remix musician named [[http://djthes.com/ DJ the S]] has the Disciple series. A series of compilation remixes made from various elemental themes from video games but all share one common song as their foundation: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25-BEGZCc0U Fighting of the Spirit]]" from [[VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia Tales of Symphonia]]. Two songs in particular known as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3oDdPUwXwc Lord of the Elements]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J4hdam0KIo Master of the Elements]]" are mash-ups of previous elemental remixes he has done, and concludes the entire Disciple series to give one the sense of the true nature of the elements. And apparently, he's still going at it. Now he has a new entry in the series dubbed "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km6tLP6KKgM Disciple Month Aftermath -- VS The 4 Elemental Fiends]]".

[[folder:Music Videos]]

[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
* A basic run down of historic elemental systems:
** The famous western system revolves around the classic four elements, usually divided into "hot"/"cold" (fire and air = hot, water and earth = cold) and "dry"/"wet" (earth and fire = dry, water and air = wet) axis[[note]] In the original Greek thought, it was pretty much a metaphor for separation versus unity (heat spreading things apart, cold uniting them) and the form cohesion (dry being a distinct shape, wet being flexible/absent shape), but expect no-one to remember this[[/note]]. May be aligned with seasons (nowadays Air/Spring, Fire/Summer, Water/Autumn, Earth/Winter, but apparently [[http://web.eecs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/JO-PE.txt originally starting]] in Greece as Water/Spring, Air/Summer, Fire/Autumn and Earth/Winter), and many other things. Aether was also always a part of it as the "superior element"; nowadays, it equals "Spirit", but historically it was pretty "[[LightEmUp light]]".
** Most famously used by Aristotle whose ideas became the basis for medieval physics. Aristotle, unlike several of his predecessors, favored a blend of the elements in most objects. The main reason he was so influential was because of his ingenious and plausible sounding, but unfortunately completely wrong idea, of giving each element a preferred direction to move. Thus in Aristotelian physics a rock falls because it has lots of Earth in it and Earth's "natural motion" is down, while a flame rises because Fire's "natural motion" is up. Of course the ancient Greeks knew that whatever the heck the planets were doing they weren't moving in straight lines so Aristotle proposed they were made of a fifth element whose "natural motion" was circular. This is one of the main reasons Astronomy made no progress for hundreds of years. Thanks to Aristotle's brainwave people didn't bother asking why the planets were acting as they did because they had been educated to think that they were made of something so different that Earth's physics just didn't apply to them. Of course it's a bit harsh to put all the blame for this on Aristotle, it was his successors that (in keeping with scholarly thought of the time) simply assumed he'd got it right.
** Alchemy throws in salt, sulphur and mercury.
** In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the elements, or "tattvas", are more like states of being than anything else, forming a ladder from the solid earth to the heavenly light. They're aligned with the senses (earth = smell, water = taste, fire = sight, air = touch and "akasha" [[note]]Originally meaning "[[LightEmUp sky]]", it's now pretty much synonymous with "[[MusicalAssassin sound]]". It's always described as a pure nectar[[/note]] = sound. They're also aligned with the chakras, which represent their ladder: [[DishingOutDirt Muladhara]] at the bottom, [[MakingASplash Swadhisthana]] in the genitals, [[PlayingWithFire Manipura]] in the stomach/solar plexus, [[BlowYouAway Anahata]] in the heart, [[MusicalAssassin Vishudda]] in the throat and [[LightEmUp Ajna]] in the forehead.
** In Chinese thought, the elements are [[GreenThumb Wood]] (which is also synonymous with [[BlowYouAway Wind]]), [[PlayingWithFire Fire]], [[DishingOutDirt Earth]], [[ExtraOreDinary Metal]] (which also includes [[ShockAndAwe Electricity]] and [[LightEmUp Light]]) and [[MakingASplash Water]]. They are pretty much described as states of matter and natural phases, so logically they're also closely tied with seasons (Wood/Spring, Fire/Summer, Metal/Autumn, Water/Winter, and Earth being the time between seasons) and life stages (Wood = birth/childhood, Fire = teenagehood, Earth = adulthood, Metal = old age and Water = old age or death). They're divided in the Yin/Yang axis (Wood and Fire = Yang, Metal and Water = Yin and Earth is both Yin and Yang). TheFourGods each represent an element (the often forgotten Yellow Dragon is the fifth, representing the Earth). The elements are also associated with personality traits, some good, some bad (fire is politeness and aggression, water contemplation and indecision, earth stubbornness and greed, wind flexibility and yielding, metal righteous and headstrong)[[note]]Not a comprehensive list[[/note]] and are sometimes used as a form of horoscope. The system of thinking also includes ElementalRockPaperScissors, with each element "nurturing" another at their own expense, being nurtured by a second, and suppressing or being suppressed by the third and fourth (for instance, wood feeds fire, which produces earth, melts metal, and is extinguished by water), although excesses of any given element can throw this system out of whack (eg: excess fire scorches earth and boils water).
** In addition, UsefulNotes/BaGua further splits the elements, with Metal being divided into Heaven and Lake, Wood/Air into Wind and Thunder, Earth into Earth and Mountain, and Fire and Water remaining the same. Some correspondences are switched (i.e. Earth becomes pure Yin and Metal pure Yang, with Wood/Air being the "in between" element).
** Japan has a classical four elemental system, with [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Void]] being at the center. However, it switches the Earth and Air correspondences, as Earth is understandably attributed to Wood and Air to Metal.
** There's little evidence for a concrete Native American system, though the Plains Indians attributed their directional winds to South/Fire, West/Lightning and North/Water (as ice). In general, directions and times of day seem to have been the concepts that got formalized instead, with groups from at least across the American Southwest (extending into Mexico) associating each direction (North, South, East, West) with a time of day (morning/predawn, midday, evening/twilight, full night) and a color (what colors are used, and for what direction, varies significantly from culture to culture).
** The ritual of the Kabbalistic Cross is an Esoteric protection ritual use in Cermonial Magick an summons the protection of four archangels, one for each element:
*** Michael: Fire
*** Raphael: Air
*** Gabriel: Water
*** Uriel: Earth
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pinballs]]

[[folder:Roleplay]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]

* ''TabletopGame/DragonDice'' uses magic of the four classical elements -- Air, Water, Earth, and Fire -- and a fifth, Death. The dice representing units in the game have access to magic based on the colors of plastic that compose the die with blue representing Air, green representing Water, gold representing Earth, red representing Fire, and Black representing Death. There are two additional colors -- white, which represents an affinity for all elements, dependent upon the terrain that the white die is located at, and ivory, which represents and affinity for life, though there are no ivory exclusive spells.
* Similar to its entry in the "Literature" section, ''TabletopGame/TheDresdenFiles'' RPG classically distinguishes between air, earth, fire, water, and spirit (alternatively force). It's explained that this is more a matter of tradition and wizard psychology than necessarily cold hard scientific "fact", that there is room for overlap in achievable effects by applying one's elemental mastery in creative ways, and that wizards more used to thinking in terms of other "elemental" schemes -- such as Ancient Mai, presumably -- can work with those just as easily. Wizard characters usually start out familiar with only ''three'' elements (in Harry's case, those would be air, fire [naturally] and spirit) and specialized in one of them, but can add more elements and/or specialization bonuses later by spending refresh on Refinements.

** First through third editions of ''D&D'', elaborated further in 2nd Edition's ''TabletopGame/{{Planescape}}'' setting, are a lot more complicated. First you have the four (classic) elemental planes, then two energy planes (Positive, or "life" energy, and Negative, or "death"/"unlife" energy) which aren't elements proper. Paraelemental planes occur where the elemental planes cross over each other ("magma" between earth and fire, for example), and quasielemental planes where the elemental planes cross with the energy planes -- Fire + Positive = Radiance (plane of pure, blinding light of all colors), Air + Positive = Lightning (infinite storm), Air + Negative = Vacuum (the vast absence of air and most other things). So a quasielement touches energy, the base element, two quasielements and two paraelements, and a paraelement touches two base elements and their four quasielements.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Everway}}'' makes extensive but relatively subtle use of the four classical elements in character creation. To start with, characters' personal stats are named for the elements: "Fire" relates to active energy, dynamism, combat skills, and so on; "Water" determines sensitivity and intuitive feelings; "Earth" is the stat of raw might and resilience; "Air" determines thinking ability and verbal skills. Furthermore, special character powers and schools of magic are all linked to one element or another. However, these associations rarely involve direct invocation of the element itself; rather, "air magic" involves words of power, fire-linked powers can involve the manipulation of any sort of energy, and so on.

** Creation is defined by the interactions of five basic elements -- Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Wood -- each with associated {{elemental|Embodiment}}s and Dragon-Blooded Exalted. The Aspect of a particular Dragon-Blooded determines their favored attributes (such as Craft for Earth, Sail for Water, Thrown for Air, etc.), and one Charm (Elemental Bolt) lets them produce a blast attack of their particular element. Each element also has an Elemental Pole in Creation (Air in the North, a frozen waste; Fire in the South, a vast desert; Wood in the East, a dense mass of forests and jungles; Water in the West, a vast ocean; and Earth in the center, a massive mountain).
** Other planes of reality in ''Exalted'' all possess certain elements that dominate the makeup of that place, corresponding to the elements of Creation. [[EternalEngine Autochthonia]] has the peculiar elements of Steam and Smoke (Air), Electricity (Fire), Crystal (Wood), Oil (Water) and Metal (Earth) all with corresponding elementals and mechanical dragons (the Lesser Elemental Dragon of Smoke is lovingly titled [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast the Shogun of Genocide]]). The [[DarkWorld Underworld]] has the ghostly "Corpse Elements" of Prayer (Air), Pyreflame (Fire), Bone (Wood), Blood (Water) and Void (Earth)[[note]]In-universe, these are only theoretical as the Underworld doesn't actually have physical substance.[[/note]]. [[BloodyBowelsOfHell Malfeas]] has Vitriol -- and that's it. It kind of sucks to live there.
* Of the five magic systems given as examples in the ''Fate System Toolkit'', two draw upon the same five elemental "Great Storms" -- Earthquake, Flood, Glacier, Inferno, and Thunder. (That these terms give each element, even the traditionally more "passive" ones, a decidedly ''dynamic'' aspect is probably not a coincidence.) One system models channeling their power directly, somewhat [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender bender]]-style, while the other deals with summoning [[ElementalEmbodiment elemental spirits]] from the same Storms; either can be used standalone in a given campaign, but they can also just as easily be combined and then potentially used by a single character given suitable investment.

* The Japanese-themed RPG ''TabletopGame/LegendOfTheFiveRings'', which places great significance in the Five Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Void) -- all spellcasters in that system work by controlling one of the four (other than Void).

** ''Mazes & Minotaurs Companion'' adds [[LightEmUp Light]] and [[CastingAShadow Darkness]], but they're restricted to secondary elements only.

* ''TabletopGame/RuneQuest'': The Glorantha setting has five basic elements: Darkness (the primal element), Earth, Sky (which includes fire), Water, and Storm (the air between Earth and Sky). The Lunar Empire regards "Moon" as a sixth element, and most other cultures hate and fear them.

[[folder:Toys]]

[[folder:Visual Novels]]

[[folder:Web Animation]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' has the twelve Aspects that form half of a Hero's role (along with Class): [[BlowYouAway Breath]] (traditional Air powers with light emphasis on freedom and movement as well), [[LightEmUp Light]] (includes knowledge and luck, which all adds up to powers over definition, existence and truth; actual light may be involved as well), [[TimeMaster Time]] (seemingly also related to death and destruction, or [[EntropyAndChaosMagic entropy]]), [[SpaceMaster Space]] (seemingly also related to creation), [[GreenThumb Life]] (shown to be healing; may include powers over life other than healing, and has light emphasis on energy and power), [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Void]] (invisibility, elusiveness and AntiMagic; it all adds up to lies, non-existence and obfuscation), [[HeartBeatDown Heart]] (emotions and SoulPower), [[HolyHandGrenade Hope]] (nature unknown but possibly related to belief), [[PsychicPowers Mind]] (telepathy, mind reading, prediction), [[BloodMagic Blood]] (possibly related to unity, DishingOutDirt, and bonds), [[CastingAShadow Doom]] (related to death, sacrifice, and destruction, with light emphasis on law and fate), and [[ThePowerOfHate Rage]] (related to negative emotions like anger and fear, with a heavy emphasis on restriction).

* ''Webcomic/{{Talamak}}'' has 12 elements: water, fire, wind, earth, flora, fauna, flux, chimera, storm, time, space, and decay.

[[folder:Web Original]]

* In ''Literature/{{Elcenia}}'', kyma can learn elemental kamai, which allows them control over all four classical elements -- earth, air, water, and fire. This is in contrast to magic native to Elcenia, where a mage can only control one type of elemental magic, and has to "die" by it first. For instance, someone with the ability to become a water mage would have to drown, but would be alive afterwards.

* In ''Literature/ImpracticalMagic'' The MagicSchool, Istima, has several courts. Each court has it's own magic system and culture. The Winter Court teaches [[SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic sufficiently analyzed]] elemental magic that has some elements of wonder and vagueness that prevent that part of the story from becoming rationalist fiction.

[[folder:Western Animation]]

* Later episodes of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' introduce [[FourElementEnsemble four]] [[{{Reincarnation}} reincarnated]] {{Elemental Embodiment}}s. Each wields one of the four elements: ice, fire, candy, and slime.

** The ''Avatar'' franchise has the four [[https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Bending_arts Bending Arts]], namely Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. Indeed, all four nations are themed around their respective elements -- the Water Tribes, [[TheFederation Earth Kingdom]], [[TheEmpire Fire Nation]], and Air Nomads, with a certain percentage of people born within those countries manifesting their respective signature elemental power. Normally, a bender can only use the element they're born with, but there is one exception in the titular [[MessianicArchetype Avatar]], a reincarnated figure who can (with training and time) [[TheRedMage harness the powers of all four elements]], and serves more or less as the resident {{Superhero}}. Note that the cycle of Avatar reincarnation corresponds with the ancient Greek order: Air (warm and wet) to Water (cold and wet) to Earth (cold and dry) to Fire (hot and dry) to Air to etc.

* Many of the aliens in the ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'' series have these kind of powers. Most notably however is in ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', Ben obtains the forms of five aliens who each possess one of these: Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, and Lightning. [[spoiler:When BigBad Aggregor [[AllYourPowersCombined absorbs the powers of all five aliens]], he ends up being virtually unstoppable]].
* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'' -- Kwame (Earth), Wheeler (Fire), Linka (Wind), Gi (Water), Ma-Ti (Heart) And when their powers combine... well, you know the rest.
* The Dragamon of ''WesternAnimation/{{Dragamonz}}'', are divided into five distinct races of sentient dragon-like creatures. They are the [[AnIcePerson Stormclaw]], [[GreenThumb Wildthorn]], [[PlayingWithFire Firewing]], [[DishingOutDirt Stonescale]], and [[PoisonousPerson Slytoxin]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'' has the Primal Sources of Magic, which basically fit the same role. They include [[ThePowerOfTheSun the sun]] (which seems to include [[PlayingWithFire fire]] and [[LightEmUp light]]), [[{{Lunacy}} the moon]] (illusions), [[StarPower the stars]] (divination), [[MakingASplash the ocean]], [[DishingOutDirt the earth]] and the sky (which seems to including [[BlowYouAway air]], [[AnIcePerson ice]] and [[ShockAndAwe lightning]]). [[OurElvesAreDifferent Elves]] and [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] are naturally tied to a Source, as are some animals, while human mages have a harder time. There's also Dark Magic, which draws on the LifeEnergy of magical creatures; it's easier for humans to use, but controversial even among them.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'' has only one element -- ''Metal''.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}}'': The four ninja have the powers of Fire (Kai), Earth (Cole), Lightning (Jay), and Ice (Zane) -- all of which are considered the four main elements in Ninjago that make up the power of Creation. The latter is utilised in the "Tornado of Creation" technique, in which the ninja combine their Spinjitzu together to create something out of nothing.

** Two more elements are introduced in Season 5: Wind (Morro) and Water (Nya). Unusually for this trope, the Wind user is a villainous ghost, and the WindIsGreen trope is alluded to in his jealousy of Lloyd becoming the Green Ninja instead of him. Fortunately, ghosts are repelled by water -- though Nya initially struggles with controlling her newfound element due to her reluctance to embrace her identity as a ninja.
** The main villains of Season 7 are the twins Acronix and Krux, collectively referred to as "the Hands of Time". Notably, Acronix is the younger and more tech-savvy twin with the ability to speed up time while Krux is the older twin with a disdain for technology and the ability to slow down time.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' there were the Foot Mystics, powerful servants of the Demon Shredder who were composed of (and commanded powers of) Wind, Earth, Water, Fire, and Metal.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'' has the heroic FiveManBand control the four western elements, plus [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway "heart"]]at first. And then the four western elements plus [[InfinityPlusOneElement Quintessence]] in the second. Some of the elemental character tropes are played straight (laid-back Irma controls water, CloudCuckoolander Hay Lin controls air), while others are averted (quiet, sensible Taranee controls fire, girly, LovableLibby Cornelia controls earth).

* ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf - Mission Incredible: Adventures on the Dragon's Trail'': Borrowed from his previous appearance in ''Xiao Shen Long Kung-Fu'' (小龙大功夫), Xiao Shen Long has powers representing the five classical Chinese elements. The "Blazing Ham" kick is PlayingWithFire, generating a fire on his foot as he uses the attack; the "Diamond Snap" is based around [[ExtraOreDinary metal]] and involves a scream; he has an unnamed (at least here) [[DishingOutDirt soil tornado]] attack; he can create a [[MakingASplash water dragon]] with "Gushing Faucet"; his "Split Image" ability to [[SelfDuplication self-duplicate]] would go in the [[GreenThumb grass's]] place, but it doesn't seem to have much of a connection to it.

* ''Webcomic/MyImpossibleSoulmate'': Every human or demi-human has the ability of wielding magic that corresponds to the one of the 7 magical elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Frost, Light, and Spirit) they are aligned with at birth.

* ''Webcomic/MyImpossibleSoulmate'': Every human or demi-human has the ability of wield magic that corresponds to the one of the 7 magical elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Frost, Light, and Spirit) they are aligned with at birth.

The most common use is to give characters some superpower over an aspect of nature -- like a character who can conjure or control fire or water, given the [[ElementalBaggage right conditions]]. This usually goes hand in hand with ElementalPersonalities -- you're not likely to find a [[AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance calm and collected guy who can shoot fire]], for instance ([[PowerStereotypeFlip or]] [[FieryStoic are you?]]). These "elements" are probably the source of the association of {{color|CodedElements}} with [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience personality traits]]. A character with elemental power in animation will often have the fitting eye color. It also makes for easy SuperheroSpeciation.