History Main / LiteralTransformativeExperience

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* In ''ComicBook/GiraffesOnHorsebackSalad'', after Jimmy fully embraces surrealism, [[{{Clownification}} he turns into Harpo Marx,]] complete with top hat, trenchcoat, and bicycle horn.

* In ''WesternAnimation/FernGullyTheLastRainforest'', Zak starts out as an uncaring employee of a logging company in the progress of destroying the eponymous rainforest, right up until Crysta [[IneptMage accidentally]] [[IncredibleShrinkingMan shrinks him down to fairy size]]. The experiences that follow -- falling in love with Crysta, seeing the beauty of the forest up close, and helping to stop [[BigBad Hexxus]] -- gradually awaken his sense of empathy, and once he's returned to normal size, he leaves Fern Gully with the intention of putting a stop to any further logging.

* ''Manga/{{Devilman}}'': Akira became much more aggressive after his transformation.
* ''Manga/DragonBall'': Super Saiyan transformation brings forth sadistic and violent urges from the Saiyan, making them even more [[SmugSuper Smug]] {{Blood Knight}}s than they were before. Some Saiyans, such as Goku and Gohan, become naturally horrified at things they did or wanted to do under the influence of the transformation and force themselves to suppress these urges. Characters like Vegeta give in wholeheartedly to it. However, [[NotQuiteBackToNormal even after turning back to normal]] the urges are never ''truly'' gone until the Saiyan spends time in said form learning to control the anxiousness bubbling inside of them.

* In ''Anime/HowlsMovingCastle,'' Sophie starts out insecure and ([[IAmNotPretty as self proclaimed]]) plain and unlovable. After being turned into an old woman, she learns to be more confident in herself.
* Throughout ''Anime/{{Paprika}},'' Dr Atsuko Chiba has been stoic, cold, and professional - to the point that she can only express joy and compassion in dreams as her alter-ego Paprika. In the finale, Atsuko is separated from Paprika in the dreamworld, forcing the repressed scientist to unveil her true feelings and transform in the process: first, she manifests herself as a giant ghostly figure [[spoiler: that embraces the Tokita robot and confesses her true feelings for him.]] Then, in the ultimate reconciliation between herself and her alter-ego, [[spoiler: Atsuko merges with Paprika and is [[SymbolicRebirth reborn as a giant infant]] that devours the [[BigBad Chairman]]'s infectious dream so she can grow up again, literally maturing into a complete person in the process.]] As a result, Atsuko is much more affectionate and exuberant, having achieved the full potential of her dream self in the real world.

* ''Fanfic/BetterToReignInHeaven:'' [[spoiler: Mattie begins the story as a directionless young man looking for his father in the hope that it'll make his life start making sense again; he has little confidence, a serious case of imposter syndrome, and a tendency to agonize over doing the right thing. Upon arriving in [[{{Dreamville}} Tranquility Lane]], he's [[FountainOfYouth regressed to childhood]] by Braun and forced to play along with the PsychopathicManchild's sick games, even briefly going BackToTheWomb as a result of his childish doubt. However, Mattie is coached to become more confident by Tessa Dithers, and he learns to believe in himself and trust his own judgement, to the point that he's able to humble Braun on his own turf in a ShapeshifterShowdown. By the end of his time in the simulation, Mattie has both figuratively and literally grown up, finally accepting his title as the Lone Wanderer.]]
* Several cases crop up in the ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' fanfic ''Fanfic/TheLandOfWhatMightHaveBeen'':
** Subverted in the case of the alternate-universe Elphaba: after being magically "de-greenified", Elphaba seems to lose a good deal of her bad temper upon being accepted by the people of Oz, even becoming calmer and more contemplative over time. [[spoiler: Except it's nothing to do with her personal experiences: it's due to Madame Morrible altering her personality to make her easier to control. Worse still, the brainwashing progress gradually drives Elphaba insane, transforming her into the [[BigBad Empress of Unbridled Radiance]] AKA "Alphaba."]]
** It's eventually revealed that the alternate-universe Cowardly Lion took part in an experiment involving VoluntaryShapeshifting via magic potion; the sense of freedom and power he achieved went a long way to gradually eroding his fear - as by the time we meet him in the present, he's become [[spoiler: the First of the Shapeless, the effortlessly-confident leader of the Amorphous League.]]
** The alternate [[ThoseTwoGuys Shenshen and Pfannee]] fell victim to the final outbreak of the Plague of Transformations and were horribly merged into a single being. Though this was only a temporary change, it was enough to make them rethink their lives: [[spoiler: in the present, they're found to have joined the Amorphous League; quite apart from having gone from shallow fashionistas to heroic spies working alongside our universe's Elphaba, they've also used their shapeshifting powers to permanently fuse themselves into a gestalt entity.]]
** Several members of Unbridled Radiance's think tank have been afflicted with a condition that cases them to [[FountainOfYouth dramatically regress at random]], [[BabyMorphEpisode sometimes all the way back to infancy]]. As many of these researchers were extremely arrogant prior to affliction, this proves to be a major case of BreakTheHaughty, especially after being locked in a hidden nursery and treated according to their apparent age by the caretakers for the last few years. For example, Dr Lintel, a [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain notoriously racist]] MadScientist, has been reduced to a contrite child by the time the present narrative catches up with him, and only occasionally recaptures a hint of his old megalomania before being gently discouraged. [[spoiler: It's also revealed that the constant regressions and humiliations are eroding the memories of their past lives, effectively leaving the researchers as children in mind as well as body, retaining only instinctive knowledge of magic and science (plus the random regression syndrome). Before long, Madame Morrible is one of the last members of this cabal to retain an adult mind - and even that won't last for long.]]

** ''WesternAnimation/BrotherBear'': a reckless young hunter named Kenai kills a bear and is transformed into a bear himself; he ultimately teams up with the [[HeartwarmingOrphan orphaned cub]] of the very same bear he killed, learning love and respect on the way.
** ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'': Naveen, the party-loving, irresponsible prince gets [[BewitchedAmphibians turned into a frog]] after a foolish bargain with [[WitchDoctor Dr Facilier]]. Tiana, the {{Workaholic}} waitress, kisses him on his request and turns into a frog herself. [[AllWorkVsAllPlay The two of them]] team up to find a way to break the curse, and learn lessons from each other on the way, Naveen learning responsibility and Tiana learning to loosen up and enjoy life.
* Disney also has an example where the character is already nice, and the transformations are about teaching other lessons: ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone''.
* In ''WesternAnimation/FernGullyTheLastRainforest'', Zak starts out as an uncaring employee of a logging company in the progress of destroying the eponymous rainforest, right up until Crysta [[IneptMage accidentally]] [[IncredibleShrinkingMan shrinks him down to fairy size]]. The experiences that follow - falling in love with Crysta, seeing the beauty of the forest up close, and helping to stop [[BigBad Hexxus]] - gradually awaken his sense of empathy, and once he's returned to normal size, he leaves Fern Gully with the intention of putting a stop to any further logging.

** In ''Film/XMen1'', the arrogant anti-mutant Senator Kelly is [[ColorMeBlack transformed into a mutant]] by Magneto's test run of his mutation machine. After getting to grips with his unstable new powers - and being regarded with fear by other human beings - he [[BreakTheHaughty swallows his pride]] and seeks help from his former enemy, Jean Grey. [[spoiler: Tragically, his mutation proves fatal, and [[AlasPoorVillain he dies while sharing a heart-to-heart moment with Storm]].]] Magneto's end goal was to forcibly impose this trope on the world leaders to make them more sympathetic to mutant-kind.
** Throughout ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', Mystique has been using her shapeshifting powers largely to pose as an ordinary human being and is actually quite shy compared to her future self. However, as her relationship with Magneto grows, he begins encouraging her to spend more time in her [[ShapeshifterDefaultForm true form]]; now inclined to regard her scaly blue real self as beautiful, she gains more and more confidence - until at last she becomes the sly, acrobatic temptress encountered in the first trilogy. [[spoiler: And then ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'' takes most of her villainy out of the equation, but that's another story.]]

* In ''Literature/AllTheBirdsInTheSky,'' Patricia's first use of demonstrably real magic is to transform into a bird to escape her tyrannical older sister. The confidence and sense of freedom she achieves as a result ultimately paves the way for her saving [[ScienceHero Lawrence]] from military school, learning how to use her powers consciously, and eventually leveling up into a BlueCollarWarlock hero.
* ''{{Literature/Animorphs}}:''
** Tobias was a shy, lonesome BullyMagnet constantly shuttled between a neglectful aunt and uncle; after he'd been given the morphing power and first transformed into a red-tailed hawk, he would not shut up about how awesome flying was - which might explain why he took his ShapeshifterModeLock so well after getting trapped in bird morph during the team's first mission. Later in the series, he starts living as a hawk (hunting his own food and defending his territory) for so long that once he gains the ability to morph back into his old human body, his behavior is no longer entirely human: he stares at people when he forgets to check himself, and since hawks don't show emotions he becomes TheStoic (which actually saves his life after he learns that [[spoiler:his father is Elfangor]] and he doesn't react, so the Yeerks trying to use the info to catch him are fooled into thinking he really is just a mundane human).

** In ''The Ellimist Chronicles,'' [[BigGood the Ellimist]] himself grows weary of his constant defeats at the hands of [[EvilCounterpart Crayak]] and decides to temporarily abandon the life of a technological demigod in favor of [[WhatIfGodWasOneOfUs a simple existence as a primitive Andalite]]. For many years, he enjoys a life in the company of others, reveling in marriage and family life while also suffering the death of his firstborn daughter. When the time comes to reclaim his old SapientShip body, he returns to his role as the Ellimist [[HesBack with renewed vigor and certainty]], having finally learned the way to outfight Crayak: "more children, some live."

** Eddie O'Hare begins the story as a NervousWreck on the run from Mafia debt collectors, powerless to save anyone but himself and [[TheDitherer continuously paralyzed by indecision]]. However, after suffering fatal injuries and being rebuilt as an extremely clumsy cyborg several centuries into the future, Eddie gradually begins taking decisive steps to save the crew of the ''[[GenerationShips Willflower]]'' - even risking his life to save Apton Styx from death in space. [[spoiler: When he finally meets the dreaded debt collector for the second time, he refuses to flee or beg for his life, instead opting to fight him to the death.]]
** Paulo San Pablos provides a ''very'' dark version of the trope: [[spoiler: prior to stowing away aboard the ''Willflower,'' he was a FauxAffablyEvil [[EvilDebtCollector Debt Collector]] pursuing Eddie for money. After getting caught, being executed, then resurrected as a cyborg like Eddie, he goes completely insane from the loss of his body and degenerates into a SerialKiller prowling the ship for victims - and for revenge.]]
* In the first ''{{Literature/Dinoverse}}'' awkward nerd Bertram becomes an Ankylosaur, AlphaBitch Candayce becomes a Leptoceratops, loveable jock Mike becomes a Tyrannosaurus, and loner Janine becomes a Quetzalcoatlus. They all undergo CharacterDevelopment as both a direct result and as a result of living in the Cretaceous and having to work together to get home. Bertram becomes more confident and secure in his armored shell, Candayce becomes more sociable and kinder as a small runner, Mike becomes bolder and more willing to reject a toxic 'friend' at home, and Janine... decides to run away from her problems and live as a pterosaur, but that doesn't work out; when she gets back, she reconciles with [[DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou her mother]].
* ''Literature/DrFranklinsIsland'' has ShrinkingViolet Semi turned into a [[MellowMantas manta ray-like fish]] and wrestling with the dark element of her shyness - a resentment towards people who're more comfortable with strangers, and with the [[CowardlyLion uncertain, weak aspects]] that her dear friend Miranda is showing. At the end of the book, Semi's returned to almost human and feels she's left her shyness behind.

* During the visit to [[WizardingSchool Brakebills]]' [[MysteriousAntarctica southern campus]] in ''Literature/TheMagicians,'' fourth-year students are taught how to transform into arctic foxes; as it turns out, this is another part of the TrainingFromHell, this one ensuring that the students are humiliated by the end result of combining animal instincts with several months without sex. However, the experience encourages Quentin and Alice to take their relationship to the next level and become lovers. For good measure, Alice also experiences [[TookALevelInBadass another spike in confidence]], driving her to refuse the offered magical ingredients from [[SadistTeacher Mayakovsky]] and tackle the UltimateFinalExam - walking naked to the South Pole with only her magic to defend her - entirely on her own; she jokingly attributes it to having a few fox traits left over from the transformation.
* ''Literature/RedDwarf:''
** While trapped in [[LotusEaterMachine the eponymous VR game]] in ''Better Than Life,'' [[JerkAss Rimmer]] finds himself suffering an escalating HumiliationConga as the game begins taking cues from his self-loathing, concluding with him ending up trapped in the body of a prostitute in the company of two psychopathic fugitives. He's quickly subjected to increasingly demeaning treatment by the fugitives, ranging from sexist condescension to outright physical abuse. In a rare moment to himself, Rimmer reflects on his attitude towards women, and how most of the female characters in his BTL fantasy were based on women who rejected his advances, were out of his league, or already taken, here reincarnated in the game as sex objects to fuel his ego. As a result, [[JerkassRealization he is finally able to realize how miserable and screwed-up he really is]] [[spoiler: especially after discovering that the woman he was going to marry before the body swap was a younger version of ''[[IncestSubtext his own mother]].'']] Perhaps as a result of this, after escaping from BTL with the rest of the crew, Rimmer is [[TookALevelInKindness a much nicer person]] - to the point of deferring to Kristine Kochanski in ''Last Human'' - though he never loses his trademark sarcasm.
** In ''Last Human'', Lister is forced to sign up for a SuicideMission in exchange for being released from [[MindPrison Cyberia]], but is allowed to spend his final night with an enslaved [[ShapeshiftingSeducer symbi-morph]] by the name of [[TokenHeroicOrc Reketrebn]]. Though she attempts to make him happy by taking on the forms of various loved ones, she's ultimately encouraged to relax in her ShapeshifterDefaultForm - leading to them sharing a meal together and becoming genuinely friendly. Later, Reketrebn assumes Lister's form and finally understands just how miserable her current host really is while separated from Kochanski, leading to her helping him escape from prison.
* Invoked by Merlin in ''Literature/TheOnceAndFutureKing'', who changes Wart into a variety of animals, as insight into the kind of compassionate perspective-shifting he'll need to be a good king.

* This is the main premise behind ''Series/OneHundredDeedsForEddieMcDowd''; {{Jerkass}} Eddie [=McDowd=] is changed into a dog, and he won't change back until he does 100 good deeds, proving that he's become a better person in the process. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled before Eddie made serious progress in that direction.

* In ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Odo ends up [[BroughtDownToNormal having his shapeshifting powers locked]] by the Founders as punishment for siding with the "[[FantasticSlur solids]]" over his fellow Changelings. After a long period of adjustment and gradual acceptance, the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS05E12TheBegotten The Begotten]]" features him unexpectedly becoming a ParentalSubstitute to a sickly infant Changeling. With the help of his estranged mentor, Dr Mora, he begins teaching the young shapeshifter how to use its powers; despite being vocally opposed to the use of Mora's [[EducationMama harsher teaching methods]], he reluctantly makes use of them after another argument - even coming to understand the pressure his own surrogate parent was under when they first met. Tragically, the baby fails to recover from its initial sickness and dies, but not before restoring Odo's powers. Now back to being a Changeling, Odo has also developed a better relationship with Mora and vows not to fall out of contact with him this time.
* ''Series/The10thKingdom'': The [[ManChild immature]] RoyalBrat Prince Wendell gets usurped, [[ForcedTransformation transformed into a dog]], and chased out of the kingdom. The BreakTheHaughty experience, combined with being forced to cooperate with and rely on others for the first time, forges him into a [[TookALevelInKindness much better]] person by the time he regains his human form and throne.

* According to [[Myth/CelticMythology Celtic folklore]], Gwion Bach started out as a lowly servant of the goddess Ceridwen with no prospects or ambitions in life. After accidentally drinking a potion of knowledge meant for Ceridwen's son - and incurring the goddess's wrath in the process - Gwion fled in terror, using the magical knowledge he acquired to transform into a number of forms he thought could be used to outrun his former employer; unfortunately, [[ShapeShifterShowdown Ceridwen could shapeshift as well]], forcing him to take the form of a grain of wheat in an attempt to hide. Ceridwen just transformed into a hen and ate him... only to somehow become ''pregnant'' as a result. Despite still being angry with him, the goddess couldn't bring herself to kill her former servant, and allowed him to be reborn as her son before [[MosesInTheBulrushes sending him away]]. After all this transformation, the lowly, unambitious Gwion Bach starts a new life as Taliesin, a brilliant young man who eventually [[FromZeroToHero became a legendary bard and prophet]] - in some versions of the story, even a protege of Merlin and a member of King Arthur's court.

* In ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'', the Verbena character template known only as "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Shapeshifter]]" started out as a ShrinkingViolet with an unattainable desire to escape from her routine-bound life. However, everything changed when she fell in love with a Verbena mage: not only did she end up losing her virginity to him, but she ended up [[SuperEmpowering Awakening]] in the process, the two of them transforming into animals as they had sex. Now, the character is described to have become "like a house pet gone feral," taking on [[MasterActor any persona]] [[VoluntaryShapeshifting or form]] imaginable on a whim, living life with exactly the kind of ''joie de vivre'' she always wanted.

** The Nosferatu clan have a particular hate-on for attractive individuals with attitude problems. As a result, it's not uncommon for such figures to be Embraced and forced to endure the transformation into [[PunishedWithUgly a hideously-deformed Nosferatu]] - sometimes with the justification of teaching the "[[Film/{{Freaks}} Cleopatra]]" [[KarmicTransformation a lesson]], sometimes just ForTheEvulz. Whatever the case, the few Cleopatras who don't end up self-destructing may eventually mature into responsible, level-headed members of the clan in full support of its mission... and in time, they may end up Embracing Cleopatras of their own.

* ''Franchise/DragonAge''

** The Mage origin of ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' introduces Mouse, a mage trapped in [[SpiritWorld the Fade]] during his [[UltimateFinalExam Harrowing]]. With his body now dead as a result of failing the test, his spirit is condemned to roam endlessly, often taking on the form of a mouse in order to avoid being preyed on by demons - appropriately coinciding with his personality having turned despondent and fatalistic by the time you meet him during ''your'' Harrowing. However, with a little effort, you can find a way for him to transform into a bear and join you in combat, netting him a massive boost in confidence. [[spoiler: And then it turns out the whole thing's a lie: he's actually the pride demon you were sent into the Fade to duel wits with, and he was just trying to trick you into letting him into your mind.]]
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX,'' [[EmperorScientist Regent Cid]] of Lindblum has been [[ForcedTransformation transformed into an oglop]] by his wife, Hilda, as revenge for his repeated affairs, eventually paving the way for a depressive period in which his once-revolutionary airship designs all fail and [[spoiler: Lindblum is devastated in a surprise attack by Alexandria]]. However, in Disc 3, the Regent is finally reunited with his wife, forgiven for his infidelity and transformed back into a human: not only is Cid able to return to work with renewed confidence ''and'' design the CoolAirship of the game, but he enjoys a much better relationship with Hilda from then on.
* ''Videogame/HonkaiImpact3rd:'' Kiana underwent the transformation into [[spoiler:[[SuperpoweredEvilSide Herrscher of the Void]]]] courtesy of [[BigBad Otto Apocalypse]]. She became sadistic and destructive, and had to be stopped by her mentor, Himeko [[spoiler:which costed her life]]. But the most significant part is what Kiana becomes after she goes back normal - the transformation brought back the knowledge and memories of what she used to do/be, and after the experience she loses her cheerful, brash and silly personality and turns into an emotional wreck, in part because she fears how destructive she can be. She then struggles with depression, loneliness, and especially guilt over what she had done. Then she undergoes this again, but this time it's more positive: she tries to conquer her "inner demon" with the aid of her friend, Fu Hua, and eventually succeed, allowing her to command the greater power inside her with her own will, with the side effect of her transforming her looks; now she looks more mature, and she's more serious and straight-laced than before.
* ''VideoGame/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream'' features Benny, previously a vain and arrogant military commander [[spoiler: who murdered several men under his command for failing to live up to his Darwinian standards]], being transformed into a hideously-crippled "[[BeastMan ape-thing]]" by the [[BigBad deranged supercomputer AM]]. By the start of the story, he's been starved for so long he's become obsessively focused on eating, and AM hopes to tempt him into sinking to new lows in his attempts to assuage his hunger. However, if played correctly, Benny gradually learns compassion from his experiences as a mutant, seeks forgiveness for his crimes, and can ultimately sacrifice himself to save a child.
* In ''VideoGame/Portal2'', [[spoiler: [=GLaDOS=]]] is transformed into a potato battery when [[spoiler: Wheatley]] takes over the Enrichment Center halfway through the game. Following a long HumiliationConga featuring bird attacks, electrical malfunctions, and [[EnemyMine being forced to team up with Chell]], it looks as though [[spoiler: the ex-BigBad]] is actually becoming a better person, especially once the DarkAndTroubledPast is revealed and confronted. [[spoiler: And then it's subverted all to hell once [=GLaDOS=] reclaims her position as an all-powerful supercomputer: having worked out where her compassion resides in her brain, she deletes it and goes right back to being the snarky, heartless psychopath she's always been... [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold or so it seems]].]]
* Issue 10 of ''VideoGame/TheSecretWorld'' reveals that an instance of this lay in the [[EldritchAbomination Black Signal]]'s backstory: previously a shy, socially-inept young man desperate for friends, he was brainwashed into becoming a suicide bomber for the Fear Nothing Foundation - only for the FantasticNuke he was equipped with to transform him into a living Filth signal when it finally detonated. Now liberated from danger by his newfound power and freedom, the nervous young man has since become a [[AffablyEvil slick, chatty]] [[TheTrickster trickster]] with [[PsychopathicManchild a childishly sadistic streak]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Soma}}'':

** Records reveal that Catherine Chun started out as a shy loner with no convictions and a habit of getting pushed around by just about everyone. However, after having her mind uploaded to a machine, she swiftly gains confidence and assertiveness, enough to serve as Simon's MissionControl and even reveal several deeply personal moments of her life with Simon - something she never would have had the courage to do beforehand. Catherine directly attributes this boost in confidence to the fact that she'd never been fully comfortable as a human being and finds her new mechanical form much more to her liking. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, the surge in confidence also allows her to be manipulative and even ruthless, especially when [[FlingALightIntoTheFuture the success of the ARK project]] is on the line.]]
* Combined with LaserGuidedKarma in ''VideoGame/SunlessSkies.'' [[spoiler: If you pull a fast one on the Amiable Vagabond before he can sacrifice you to Old Tom's Well, he will end up being taken instead and [[{{Transflormation}} transformed into a tree]] at the bottom of the Well. However, saving him at the last minute allows him to live on as an officer... but still partially transformed, living out his days in a planter aboard your locomotive. Unable to travel on his own or play the fiddle, the now-Dendrified Vagabond's charm and lust for life is completely lost, reducing him to a chronically-depressed shell of his former self, stranded alone in his cabin by crewmembers who now despise him for his crimes. As a result, he's pathetically grateful for any attention you pay him.]]

* ''Webcomic/{{PVP}}'': Happens at LevelUpAtIntimacy5. Literally. With CharacterLevel-based [[LampshadeHanging lampshading]]. Twice:

* The ''Webcomic/SkinHorse'' arc in which Unity is trained as a notary public affectionately parodies Creator/THWhite; Unity's consciousness resides in [[EscapedFromTheLab a slurry of nanotech that animates her stitched-together corpse]], and the [[AncientConspiracy Ancient Order of Notaries Public]] decides it needs to inject her into a variety of Montanan wildlife to fulfil a prophecy. This actually does end up helping her earn her license, as [[FantasticalSocialServices every single species turns out to have its own complicated bureaucracy she has to learn to navigate]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfSuperMarioBros3'' episode "Life's Ruff", Luigi meets King Windbag, an obnoxiously arrogant king. After Hip and Hop steal the king's magic scepter and turn both of them into dogs, the two of them have to chase them around to get the scepter back. During the adventure, King Windbag ends up learning how being rude with other people all the time is not the right way to behave. After turning back to normal, Windbag uses his scepter to make a dognapper that kept chasing after him and Luigi fall asleep and transforms him into a poodle for a few seconds, so that he can feel in his dreams how it feels to be a stray dog in order to get a small life lesson of his own.
* Throughout ''WesternAnimation/TheMidnightGospel'', Clancy has been a reckless, irresponsible ManChild who frequently shies away from situations that might leave him emotionally vulnerable, especially ones involving family. However, in the episode "[[Recap/TheMidnightGospelS1E8MouseOfSilver Mouse Of Silver]]", Clancy meets his mother in the Universe Simulator - and almost immediately [[FountainOfYouth regresses to infancy]]. Over the course of their time together, Clancy [[RapidAging grows up all over again]], even ending up older than his mom as they discuss psychology and society... until it's finally revealed that she's dying of cancer (hence Clancy's behaviour), eventually driving a now now-elderly Clancy to express [[CatharticCrying the full extent of his grief]]. In the finale, the two of them transcend their physical bodies and become planets, whereupon the two of them are finally parted by a black hole symbolizing death. Clancy is emotionally crushed for the first time in the story but, after being forced to flee into the Universe Simulator by events back in the real world, is able to begin his next adventure with a clear heart and a new outlook on life.
* ''WesternAnimation/MutantLeague'': a character who hates mutants is [[ToxicWasteCanDoAnything doused with toxic waste]] [[KarmicTransformation and mutates]]. He ends up playing on the hero's team for a time, and though the mutation is temporary, the former baddie grows to respect mutants and continues to do so even after he's back to normal.
* The B-Plot of the ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' episode "[[Recap/RickAndMortyS3E5TheWhirlyDirlyConspiracy The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy]]" features Summer having a breakdown after her boyfriend dumps her for a girl with bigger breasts (exacerbated by [[ParentalNeglect Beth all but ignoring her]]). She tries to use one of Rick's inventions to [[BreastExpansion enhance her bosom]], only to end up accidentally [[GiantWoman turning herself into a giant]]; worse still, Beth's attempts to fix the problem not only make Summer even bigger, but also render her [[TheUnintelligible completely incoherent]] and ''[[BodyHorror turn her inside-out!]]'' Eventually, after the hideously-deformed Summer storms off to take out her frustrations on her boyfriend, Beth is able to coax her off the metaphorical ledge by transforming ''herself'' in the same way, allowing the two inside-out giantesses to share [[FailedAttemptAtDrama a heartfelt but completely unintelligible reconciliation]]. As a result, the relationship between the two improves, Summer is able to move on with her life, and Beth becomes a much better mother.
* ''WesternAnimation/SummerCampIsland'': After an encounter one night, Hedgehog becomes a werewolf in "Hedgehog Werewolf". Whilst initially panicking and wanting to be cured, after getting to enjoy the freedom that comes with the transformation she decides to stay a werewolf at the end, and in turn focus more on what she wants over her future.
* ''WesternAnimation/MightyDucksTheAnimatedSeries'' has one episode where a particularly aggressive and underhanded rival hockey player agrees to undergo a transformation by the bad guys into a beast to take out the Mighty Ducks. Having an epiphany when Grin shows him mercy after everything he's done he realizes he's as monstrous on the outside as he is on the inside. Once turned back to normal, he's become a much more noble person, deciding to ensure fair games as a referee so firm no player with an attitude like his would go against him.