History Main / OneWingedAngel

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' (okay, named [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy in honor]] of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music]], as he in fact has ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm). Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a case of Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' (Okay, named [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy in honor]] of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music]], as he in fact has ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm). Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a case of Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

[[quoteright:294:[[Disney/SleepingBeauty https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/onewingedangel_sleepbeauty.jpg]]]]

Before adding examples, please be aware that this trope is not about "just" transforming into a monster. It's not even about villains who ''can'' transform into a monster. It's a plot trope for final battles with villains.

[[caption-width-right:294:"Now shall you deal with me, O prince, [[BadassBoast and all the powers of '''HELL!''']]"]]

[[caption-width-right:294:"Now shall you deal with me, O prince, [[BadassBoast and all the powers of '''HELL!]]'''"]]

[[caption-width-right:294:"Now shall you deal with me, O prince, [[BadassBoast and all the powers of HELL]]!"]]

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' (Okay, named [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy in honor]] of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music]], as he in fact has ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm). Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

[[ClassicVillain Classic]] {{Big Bad}}s have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to [[PowerMakeover turn into]] big honking monsters. A MadScientist in a fit of urgency might down his own PsychoSerum, or a practitioner of BlackMagic might mutate himself into an EldritchAbomination, or… you get the idea. Bets are good they'll become way more [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured]]. And with this new form, their power grows immensely.

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.'' (Okay, named [[AwesomeMusic/FinalFantasy in honor]] of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music,]] as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.) Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

[[caption-width-right:294:"Now shall you deal with me, O prince, [[BadassBoast and all the powers of hell]]!"]]

[[caption-width-right:294:"See for yourself, [[BadassBoast all the powers of hell]]!"]]

ScaledUp and MakeMyMonsterGrow are major subtropes. SuperMode is a sister trope. See also PowerUpgradingDeformation, IAmNotLeftHanded. Compare EmergencyTransformation, LovecraftianSuperpower, CameBackWrong, and NotEvenHuman. Some subversions are to make it a ClippedWingAngel or PowerUpLetdown. When the transformation is caused by the character's pain or anger it's HulkingOut.

[[caption-width-right:294:Maleficent [[ScaledUp scales]] [[VisualPun up]].]]

Before adding examples, please be aware that this trope is about "just" transforming into a monster. It's not even about villains who ''can'' transform into a monster. It's a plot trope for final battles with villains.

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.'' (Okay, named in honor of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music,]] as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.) Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.'' (Okay, named in honor of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music,]] as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.) Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a huge case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

[[caption-width-right:294:Maleficent [[ScaledUp scales up]].]]

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.'' (Okay, named in honor of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music,]] as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.) Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting. Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a huge case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

Classic {{Big Bad}}s have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to [[PowerMakeover turn into]] big honking monsters. A MadScientist in a fit of urgency might down his own PsychoSerum, or a practitioner of BlackMagic might mutate himself into an EldritchAbomination, or… you get the idea. Bets are good they'll become way more [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured]]. And with this new form, their power grows immensely.

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.'' (Okay, named in honor of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU theme music,]] as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.) Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting (the original One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, is the codifier of this subtrope). Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a huge case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.''(Okay, named in honor of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7h0JR1dZxo theme music,]] as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.) Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting (the original One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, is the codifier of this subtrope). Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a huge case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

Named in honor of Sephiroth, FinalBoss of the video game ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII.''[[note]]Okay, named in honor of his theme music, as he has in fact ''seven'' wings, but just one in place of an arm.[[/note]] Video games in general absolutely ''adore'' having their final boss do this, even when their original form is scary enough anyway. In fact, it's gotten to be somewhat of an arms race: thanks to the popularity of [[Manga/DragonBall Frieza]] in 1991, [[RuleOfThree three-form]] bosses are now somewhat common, and those games going for "epic" will sometimes go for even more. In [=JRPGs=], particularly, it is rather common to see two stages of One-Winged Angel: the "bizarro" form, that is huge and scary, and the "angel" form, that is winged, eerily beautiful and accompanied by OminousLatinChanting (the original One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, is the codifier of this subtrope). Once beaten, or on becoming even more powerful, the villain may cross the BishonenLine and into safer territory for an EvilMakeover to work its magic (though it's a huge case of TropesAreNotBad; as much as it's used, you'd be hard pressed to complain when they turn into something ''completely awesome''). Usually accompanied by the stock phrases ''[[BadassBoast "No one who's witnessed this form has lived to tell the tale!"]]'', ''"I have only '''begun''' to fight!"'', or ''"This isn't even my '''final''' form!"''

ScaledUp and MakeMyMonsterGrow, LovecraftianSuperpower are major subtropes. SuperMode is a sister trope. See also PowerUpgradingDeformation, IAmNotLeftHanded. Compare EmergencyTransformation, CameBackWrong, and NotEvenHuman. Some subversions are to make it a ClippedWingAngel or PowerUpLetdown. When the transformation is caused by the character's pain or anger it's HulkingOut.

Classic {{Big Bad}}s have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to [[PowerMakeover turn into]] big honking monsters. A MadScientist in a fit of urgency might down his own PsychoSerum, or a practitioner of BlackMagic might mutate himself into an EldritchAbomination, or ... you get the idea. Bets are good they'll become way more [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured]]. And with this new form, their power grows immensely.

[[quoteright:294:[[Manga/Bleach http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/bleach/images/1/1e/44Uryu_vs._Mayuri.png/revision/latest?cb=20140903235807&path-prefix=en]]]]

[[quoteright:294:[[Disney/SleepingBeauty http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/onewingedangel_sleepbeauty.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:294:Maleficent [[ScaledUp scales up]].]]

Classic {{Big Bad}}s have the tendency, when push comes to shove, to [[PowerMakeover turn into]] big honking monsters. A MadScientist in a fit of urgency might down his own PsychoSerum, or a practitioner of BlackMagic might mutate himself into an EldritchAbomination, or ... you get the idea. Bets are good they'll become way more [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute bloated, ugly, or plain disfigured]].

[[quoteright:308:[[Disney/SleepingBeauty http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/onewingedangel-sleepbeauty02_3279.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:308:Maleficent [[ScaledUp scales up]].]]