History Main / InASingleBound

* Essentially any side-scrolling video game, going back to ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'' and probably earlier (excluding games where the player controls a flying vehicle).

* Somewhat weird example... Pinoco from ''Manga/BlackJack'' has frequently demonstrated the ability to leap more than 3 times her own height - which is, of course, necessary for her to properly [[TheGlomp Glomp]] the titular character. It gets stranger when you remember that her body is mostly artificial, making her a good deal heavier than a normal person (to the point where she sinks like a rock in water), and while being partially cybernetic would generally be [[SuperpoweredRobotMeterMaids a justification]], ''Manga/BlackJack'' generally treats replacement limbs with a decent degree of realism. Considering Pinoco's uber-squicky origin, however, nobody really wants to dig into her physical capabilities too much...
** When she was (spoilered for squick) [[spoiler:a teratoma]], she was telepathic. Maybe it just changed forms.

* The titular warriors from ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'' can jump ''really, really high''. Clare, who's supposedly the weakest of all, can do some serious RoofHopping, whereas Teresa, supposedly the strongest, can jump ''several kilometers in one leap''.
** [[TalkingIsAFreeAction They can also, inexplicably, have extended conversations while hanging in the air.]]

* ''Manga/DearS'', justified in that the [=DearS=] have gravity-manipulation abilities.

* ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'': [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils Lord Horribus]] can do this due to SuperStrength; he's used it for RoofHopping.

* ''[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk The Incredible Hulk]]'' is stated to be able to leap 3 miles, typically in an arc so low that it often looks like he's flying in transit in some panels. But then, the guy can also throw tanks.

* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' devoted an entire episode to justifying this, with Jack going through TrainingFromHell to massively boost his leg strength and match the incredible jumping skills of a tribe of monkeys (and in return he teaches them how to fight with [[SimpleStaff bamboo poles]] and make traps so they can defend themselves from marauding gorillas). As quoted above, the episode ends with his showing off his new skills. And [[CallBack it shows up again]] in a later episode, where Jack beats the Scotsman at jumping (among other feats).

See also: BouncingBattler, RoofHopping, GoombaStomp, JumpPhysics, and SpringCoil. Also related to, and may be used to attain, [[IHaveTheHighGround the high ground]]. Contrast with LeParkour, which relies on a combination of climbing and running to achieve the same results, and SteppingStonesInTheSky.

It's also apparently a power [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower you can get through martial arts]] -- see ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'' for [[WireFu theatrical tree-hopping]] (not to mention balancing on the tips of branches that couldn't support a squirrel). This trope is based on an actual technique for jumping higher employed in some martial arts, although not to the extent usually shown in media. (Basically, you attach weights to your legs, get used to jumping to your current normal height with the weights, then take the weights off.)

* Actually averted in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', the only time anyone ever makes any kind of implausible jump, even in cutscenes, is while escaping a spacecraft in a high parking orbit where the gravity is pretty darned weak.
** Played straight with [[SuperpoweredMooks Geth Hoppers]] in the first game, which could leap many times their own height, stick to walls, and [[EyeBeam shoot laser beams out of their eyes.]] Saren's OneWingedAngel form can do the same.

It's also apparently a power [[CharlesAtlasSuperPower you can get through martial arts]] - see ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'' for theatrical tree-hopping (not to mention balancing on the tips of branches that couldn't support a squirrel). This trope is based on an actual technique for jumping higher employed in some martial arts, although not to the extent usually shown in media. (Basically, you attach weights to your legs, get used to jumping to your current normal height with the weights, then take the weights off.)

This tends to appear less in modern times; superpowered characters who want to, say, surmount [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} Tall Buildings]] are more likely to be [[IBelieveICanFly capable of true flight]]. However, in the earlier ages of ComicBooks and even some new characters often feature high jumping as opposed to flight. Superman himself was a jumper before flying became an iconic feature of his. If you're an anime character, however, you'll be able to [[RuleOfCool do this effortlessly without any training]], most of the time.

See also: BouncingBattler, RoofHopping, GoombaStomp, JumpPhysics, and SpringCoil. Also related to, and may be used to attain [[IHaveTheHighGround the high ground]]. Contrast with LeParkour, which relies on a combination of climbing and running to achieve the same results, and SteppingStonesInTheSky.

* ''Series/{{Angel}}'' does this occasionally in the later seasons. The Beast did this to a much more dramatic degree, making his exit from scenes by launching himself high into the night sky Superman-fashion.

* ''Series/{{Blade}}'' has vampires jump fairly high. The pilot has Krista try to kill [[MagnificentBastard Marcus van Sciver]] with a silver bullet fired from a sniper rifle atop a tall building. Van Sciver's NumberTwo knocks Krista out by coming from ''above'' (there are no taller buildings in the vicinity). The GrandFinale also shows Van Sciver and Blade having a sword fight at a big meeting hall by jumping all over the place.

* In ''Series/JessicaJones2015'', the eponymous heroine and ComicBook/LukeCage are out on a date after they find out that the other has powers. Luke asks Jessica if she's capable of flight, but she replies that she can jump... pretty high. It comes in handy for getting to the balconies of tall buildings, which she does often in the series.

* The father in ''Series/NoOrdinaryFamily'' has this. It's even lampshaded.
-->'''George:''' ''(to Jim, after he tries to fly and falls off a building)'' YOU CAN'T FLY! ... But you can jump!

* In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} Clark]] can't fly [[spoiler: until the final episode]], but can jump high and far, starting with his first real super-leap in the episode "Insurgence", leaping from the Daily Planet building to [=LuthorCorp=] Tower. His super-leaps become more powerful as the series progresses. It's hinted at during the run of the series that he possesses the ability to fly [[spoiler: before the last episode]], but just can't for some reason. (In reality, it was the "No Tights, No Flights" rule.)
** There's numerous incidences in the show of Clark being under various mental states (like red kryptonite) where he is able to fly, yet once he returns to normal he can't (and frequently can't even remember doing so). He can't seem to imagine himself having the ability of flight.

* ''Series/{{Wonder Woman|1975}}'': Wonder Woman used her iconic [[CoolPlane invisible jet]] to fly. This incarnation of the character could run almost the speed of sound (700+ mph in "Death in Disguise") and jump superheroic heights over trees, up buildings and so on. There were very few episodes in which she didn't jump with superhuman ability.

* In an urban legend of the Victorian Era, there was a man named [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring-heeled_Jack "Spring-heeled Jack"]] who was known for jumping impossible distances and terrorized many residents of England.

* Alex Mercer from ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'' can jump incredibly well, with the ability maxed out and fully charged giving him nearly [[UpToEleven a hundred foot jump]]. It naturally leads to RoofHopping given the city environs.

* In ''VideoGame/Infamous2'', Cole gains the ability to leap high by boosting off of the tops of cars. [[spoiler:If he gains Kuo's ice powers, he can jump higher still by leaping off of a column of ice created at his feet.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Epic}}'' Nod can ''really'' jump. MK finds that all miniature humans can jump high lengths after a little practice.

** In ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019', as Ghidorah sadistically flies after the ''Argo'' with numerous humans inside of it, [[Characters/MonsterVerseGodzilla Godzilla]] literally jumps at the chance, by lunging out of the ocean (with his 99,634-ton body) and collides into him while he was ''airborne''. Godzilla must've been swimming at ridiculous speeds to use both his mass and momentum, just to knock Ghidorah into the depths.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'': Red Star is shown doing this. Robin, Red X, and Slade -- all {{Badass Normal}}s -- are perfectly capable of performing unassisted jumps that would be completely impossible in RealLife.

* Pantheon from ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' is famous for his ultimate, Grand Skyfall, where he jumps and a few seconds later, lands with a giant shockwave that deals massive damage and slowing enemies caught in the radius. He can jump as far as ''half'' the whole map, and before it was nerfed for CompetitiveBalance, he can jump to ''anywhere'' on the map. This particular ultimate is [[FanNickname endearingly nicknamed]] [[RatedMForManly "Mandrop"]].

* ComicBook/{{Slingers}} member Prodigy had this as one of his powers, using his cape to help his glide...somehow. It was mentioned at least once that people weren't sure whether he was flying or leaping.

* ''ComicBook/TheTransformers'':

* ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse: [[Characters/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse The Prowler]]'s rocket-thruster equipped boots give him enhanced leaping ability.

** There are people who put out horribly broken character builds using the rules. [[http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19866466/The_CO_response_to_fastest_possible_speed?post_id=338221062#338221062 Someone who can jump 11 miles straight up? No problem.]]
*** The above has a [[GoodBadBugs really fun glitch]] where making that Jump check can also serve as a wide-area CharmPerson on crack. When [[MinMaxing CO]] says "Jump Good", they mean it!

* ''[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk The Incredible Hulk]]'' is a rare North American example, stated to be able to leap 3 miles, typically in an arc so low that it often looks like he's flying in transit in some panels. But then, the guy can also throw tanks.

* A number of characters in ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'' are improbably athletic, but [[TheHero Hibiki]] stands out a bit in that her jumps are mechanically assisted. When she needs to jump higher or further, her [[AdaptiveArmor Symphogear]] can grow a set of boot-mounted pistons that send her flying with much greater force.

** In the [[ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsActionComics Grant Morrison-written]] ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' relaunch, when Clark first started off as Superman, he had yet to learn how to fly, and is still simply leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

** [[ComicBook/CharlesMoultonsWonderWoman Earth-Two]]: Lillie Heyday can leap across a pair of rooms in a single jump when the doors are properly lined up and out a third story window with no concern. She also leaps atop a running horse while visiting the Bar-L Ranch.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': Red Star is shown doing this. Robin, Red X, and Slade -- all {{Badass Normal}}s -- are perfectly capable of performing unassisted jumps that would be completely impossible in RealLife.

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', ComicBook/{{Superboy}} can't fly like ComicBook/{{Superman}} and when he realizes this he almost goes into a HeroicBSOD He can still jump at impressive distances though. Kid Flash even uses the "Leap tall buildings in a single bound" line.

This tends to appear less in modern times; superpowered characters who want to, say, surmount [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} Tall Buildings]] are more likely to be [[IBelieveICanFly capable of true flight]]. However, in the earlier ages of ComicBooks and even some new characters often feature high jumping as opposed to flight. Superman himself was a jumper before flying became an iconic feature of his. If you're an anime character, however, you'll be able to [[RuleOfCool do this effortlessley without any training]], most of the time.