History Main / NothingButSkinAndBones

* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'': [[Characters/MetroidRidley Ridley]], in many of his non-robotic incarnations, is an example PlayedForHorror. His body is positively gangly in appearance, with his lack of defined muscle gruesomely emphasizing how LeanAndMean he is. Though since he's a space dragon, this doesn't stop him from posing a serious threat that can effortlessly grab Samus with his claws. His playable appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' is an especially notorious example.

* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}: Ridley, in many of his non-robotic incarnations, is an example PlayedForHorror. His body is positively gangly in appearance, with his lack of defined muscle gruesomely emphasizing how LeanAndMean he is. Though since he's a space dragon, this doesn't stop him from posing a serious threat that can effortlessly grab Samus with his claws. His playable appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' is an especially notorious example.

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* A character hasn't eaten anything in a long time ([[HyperactiveMetabolism or a short time]]) and it's just a joke to exaggerate how long they've been starving or how hungry they are.
* A character is about to be eaten by a monster or predatory animal and they make themselves look this way [[YouWontLikeHowITaste so the creature won't want to eat them]].

Most often PlayedForLaughs, this is usually just a short SightGag with no relevance on the plot. Plot-relevant examples are much less common, and are [[DudeNotFunny rarely funny]].

* Fans were a bit surprised when a trailer for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'' showed Cloud, who's normally depicted as being fairly well-built, had been redesigned to look unsettlingly thin, sinewy, and sickly. Some of the fanbase were not happy with the change, while others thought it was a [[FridgeBrilliance perfect fit for his characterization at that point]]. [[spoiler: For those not in the know, prior to the start of the game Cloud had spent years locked in a jar as a lab specimen.]]

* A dramatic example comes with ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption2''. [[spoiler:Arthur Morgan]] starts out as a powerfully built, broad-shouldered man in the prime of his life. After he [[spoiler:contracts [[IncurableCoughOfDeath tuberculosis]]]], it becomes harder for [[spoiler:the player to maintain]] his 'perfect' weight. In the terminal stages, it becomes impossible for [[spoiler:Arthur]] to keep any weight on at all, and [[WeightLossHorror he becomes painfully thin and frail-looking]]. [[spoiler:All of this is reflected in his [[LifeMeter health]] and [[SprintMeter stamina]] cores, which gradually diminish as the TB ravages his physical condition.]]

* Literature/VanasHeritage: When Nirvy is finally rescued, she is so emaciated that it is apparent that she was only days from starving to death. She herself estimates that she had lost more than 5 kg of weight, which would drop her below 32 kgs.

* Literature/Vanas Heritage: When Nirvy is finally rescued, she is so emaciated that it is apparent that she was only days from starving to death. She herself estimates that she had lost more than 5 kg of weight, which would drop her below 32 kgs.

* In ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'', Alphonse's body has become this, becoming gaunt with emaciation and barely strong enough to stand.
** When [[spoiler: Al is given the chance to get it back (but unable to fight in the final battle as a consequence) he says this line verbatim.]]

* In the ''{{Series/Highlander}}'' fic [[http://hlfiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=207&warning=Mature%20Content The Dragon And His Wrath]] Duncan, Methos and Joe are captured. Only the mortal Joe is supposed to be fed but Joe shares his food with Duncan because the Highlander has the best shot at defeating the insane immortal who captured them. Methos however doesn't eat anything for weeks and by the time they escape, Methos is looking like this. Duncan's internal monologue as he's getting Methos into the barge describes Methos' waist being way too small and being able to feel his ribs as he helps him into the barge.
* Another ''{{Series/Highlander}}'' fic [[https://m.fanfiction.net/s/11994999/1/Welcome-Back Welcome Back]], has Richie escape from being imprisoned and abandoned. He died repeatedly from starvation and is still bony and way too thin when he's found. Even after a few weeks, the sequel [[https://m.fanfiction.net/s/11995084/1/Long-Journey-Back Long Journey Back]] has him RageAgainstTheReflection and nearly driven to suicide-which for an immortal means trying to hack his head off with broken glass)by how people react to his way too skinny frame when Duncan takes him out for new clothes.
* In the ''Franchise/MyHeroAcademia'' fic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/27853170/chapters/68194306 Pulse and Void]]'' Present Mic is captured by a villain and horribly tortured. The guy has an energy siphon quirk and his stealing Mic’s energy while not feeding him anything leaves him bony and emaciated and looking like he’s been starved for weeks despite only being missing a single week.

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* In ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', The Ice King is actually very skinny under his robe. Though sometimes he's very fat, depending on what's funnier or more pathetic.
** In a rare serious example of the trope, "All Your Fault" features two frighteningly gaunt, starving Lemongrabs.

* WesternAnimation/BugsBunny and WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck have been known to show skinnier frames [[FurIsClothing under their skins]] to try to deter those who wish to eat them.

* In ‘’Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/27853170/chapters/68194306 Pulse and Void]]'' Present Mic is captured by a villain and horribly tortured. The guy has an energy siphon quirk and his stealing Mic’s energy while not feeding him anything leaves him bony and emaciated and looking like he’s been starved for weeks despite only being missing a single week.

* Happens to [[Creator/MattDamon Mark Watney]] in ''Film/TheMartian'' by the time he begins his rover journey to the waiting Mars Ascent Vehicle. Non-comedic example, in that it is the result of nearly a year of subsisting on a reduced-calorie diet of home-grown potatoes on a low-gravity planet, leaving his body only the minimum of fat and muscle as it needs to survive.

* In [[{{WesternAnimation/Opal}}Jack Stauber's ''OPAL'']], the titular character is very thin looking, especially when compared to the other characters in the short film. [[spoiler:Justified because it turns out she was actually getting abused and neglected, which implies that she's actually malnourished and starving]].

* In {{WesternAnimation/Opal}}, the titular character is very thin looking, especially when compared to the other characters in the short film. [[spoiler:Justified because it turns out she was actually getting abused and neglected, which implies that she's actually malnourished and starving]].

* ''Fanfic/RiskItAll'': A six-month
coma leaves Ren emaciated and so weak that he has to relearn how to walk and stand. Luckily, his ability helps him build muscle quickly by dumping his prestige points into strength, letting him recover and return home within a month of waking up.