History Main / PowerGlows

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', Aqualad has [[PowerTattoo eel tattoos]] on his arms that glow light blue when he's using his [[MakingaSplash hydrokinesis]] powers.

** All magic produces bright glows in ''Literature/{{Elantris}}'', because it is the sign of the power of [[TheForce the Dor]] breaking in to the physical world. The most powerful practitioners of magic, the [[PhysicalGod Elantrians]] actually glow non-stop, but other magic-users produce light with their powers as well.

* ''Franchise/XMen'': In the early years, the powers of characters like ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, ComicBook/JeanGrey and Professor-X were often depicted with wavy lines, implying that they were not visible to others characters. Now they cannot seem to use their powers without unleashing incredible amounts of glow. This has been especially true whenever Jean or her daughter ComicBook/RachelSummers is channeling the Phoenix Force. In that case just performing a simple mindlink will result in actual ''flames'' flowing between them and the other person (often ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} or ComicBook/{{Cable}}).

* ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'':
** Modern Supergirl's body often glows when she is super-charged with solar energy or is using her solar flare attack.

* Franchise/{{Superman}}:

* Pretty much a common trope in comics, especially as regards PsychicPowers. One should apparently be able to spot a telepath with ease thanks to the glowing energy field that emanates from their heads and usually flows out from them around the heads of those that they are using their powers on. Telekinesis likewise tends to consist of a colored energy field surrounding the affected objects. This does however depend somewhat on artistic preference of the creators.

* In the early days of the ''Franchise/XMen'' comics, the powers of characters like ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, ComicBook/JeanGrey and Professor-X were often depicted with wavy lines, implying that they were not visible to others characters. Now they cannot seem to use their powers without unleashing incredible amounts of glow. This has been especially true whenever Jean or her daughter ComicBook/RachelSummers is channeling the Phoenix Force. In that case just performing a simple mindlink will result in actual ''flames'' flowing between them and the other person (often ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} or ComicBook/{{Cable}}).

* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' third edition, magic weapons have a 30% chance of glowing with light equivalent to that of a torch.

* In the early days of the ''Franchise/XMen'' comics, the powers of characters like ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, ComicBook/JeanGrey and Professor X were often depicted with wavy lines, implying that they were not visible to others characters. Now they cannot seem to use their powers without unleashing incredible amounts of glow. This has been especially true whenever Jean or her daughter ComicBook/RachelSummers is channeling the Phoenix Force. In that case just performing a simple mindlink will result in actual ''flames'' flowing between them and the other person (often ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} or ComicBook/{{Cable}}).

** ''ComicBook/TheSupergirlFromKrypton'': Superman and Supergirl's bodies--or at least their eyes--often glow red when they fight during this story.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', the titular character, as well as his fellow [[SealedInsideAPersonShapedCan jinchuuriki]], are engulfed in a glowing aura of chakra when in their demon forms (except Gaara, he gets covered in sand). This [[DemonicPossession takes the form of the jinchuuriki's demon]] after the initial stage, at which point it is often time to [[UnstoppableRage run]] [[SuperpoweredEvilSide away.]] Of course, there IS a threshold past which the aura disappears in exchange [[BodyHorror for]] [[OneWingedAngel something]] [[http://www.mangareader.net/93-444-13/naruto/chapter-439.html far worse]]...

* Unlike the ones in TV, real nuclear reactors glow [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherenkov_radiation blue]]. Pretty, but for the record, if you see Cherenkov radiation in air, you have basically several minutes left to live. So, in a way, this is a DeconstructedTrope in real life.

* Unlike the ones in TV, real nuclear reactors glow [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherenkov_radiation blue]]. Pretty, but for the record, if you see Cherenkov radiation in air, you have basically several minutes left to live.

* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'', when characters go into [[SuperMode Over Limit]], they get a black aura around them.
* Likewise in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'', characters gain an aura when entering Over Limit.
* In the first ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' game, Mega Man glows when [[spoiler:his program is being rewritten after Hub.bat is installed.]]

** Later games in the series implement [[{{Synchronization}} Full Synchro]] as an effect you can get in battle if you're skilled. It's depicted by Rock glowing (his color becomes light) and a pink halo spinning about his body. Very powerful [=NPCs=] and enemies in cutscenes also flash with light, notably Gospel in the second game, Proto (Alpha) in the third game and the Cyber Beasts in the sixth.

* ''ComicBook/ImmortalIronFist'': the titular character's fist glows when he summons his chi.

* In ''Pinball/DungeonsAndDragons,'' the Wizard's hands and the party's weapons are shown glowing with power.

* Notably inverted in some Creator/ValiantComics prior to the takeover by Acclaim. Powerful [[PsychicPowers psionics]] such as Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek gave off no glow even when performing massive feats of power such as levitating large objects or ripping apart buildings. However, this trope was very much in force with [[PhysicalGod Solar and Mothergod]], whose power to manipulate all forms of energy was usually accompanied by geometric patterns of rainbow light.

* ''Fanfic/AncientSins'': every character who uses magic glows whenever they channel higher forms of it. This can range from: glowing eyes, hands, or horns, but when its powerful enough, their entire bodies are covered in magical power.

* Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'s dorsal fins flash or glow (depending on the film) when he's preparing to unleash his [[BreathWeapon atomic ray.]]

* Notably inverted in some Creator/ValiantComics prior to the takeover by Acclaim. Powerful [[PsychicPowers psionics]] such as Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek gave off no glow even when performing massive feats of power such as levitating large objects or ripping apart buildings. However, this trope was very much in force with [[AGodAmI Solar and Mothergod]], whose power to manipulate all forms of energy was usually accompanied by geometric patterns of rainbow light.

** Many attacks glow (insert color here) before making things explode and blast off (Iron Tail, Focus Punch, Bubblebeam, etc).

* ''Anime/YuGiOh'' does this for several reasons. Spell and Trap cards glow whenever their effects come into play as well as various monster attacks. Millennium Items often glow in order to show they are being activated. Noteworthy glows come from whoever is summoning God cards.

* ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' does this very frequently. Shooting Star Dragon is in constant glow mode and is only ever seen once without it. The final battle with ZONE has Yusei [[spoiler: tune all 5 of his friends' dragons into Shooting Quasar Dragon]], the most overly glowing transformation sequence in the series, as it involves Yusei and his D-wheel going fully gold. One might be able guess it has whole arsenal of effects ready to beat ZONE's [[TheJuggernaut Timelords]] like they were nothing.
* Many attacks in ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' glow (insert color here) before making things explode and blast off (Iron Tail, Focus Punch, Bubblebeam, etc).

* The constructs of the ''[[ComicBook/GreenLantern Green Lanterns]]'' are all made of glow.

* ''Anime/YuGiOh!'' does this for several reasons. Spell and Trap cards glow whenever their effects come into play as well as various monster attacks. Millennium Items often glow in order to show they are being activated. Noteworthy glows come from whoever is summoning God cards.

** If you find yourself in a similar situation in ''Anime/DragonballZ'', you're about to be blown up by Majin Buu. Generally speaking, soft, pink light is best avoided in Anime.

* The finale of the third arc of ''{{Anime/Robotech}}'' and during ''WesternAnimation/RobotechTheShadowChronicles'', where Ariel glows whenever she's using creepy Invid powers.

* Once every 22 years in ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'', the WorldTree in Mahora glows with a brilliant light. This is from the magical energy within accumulating to the point where it overflows. When it's like this, it could grant wishes of the heart, from something as simple as making someone fall in love with you to [[spoiler:[[TheUnmasquedWorld convincing the entire world that magic exists]]]].

* ''Comicbook/{{Supergirl}}'':

** In ''Comicbook/RedDaughterOfKrypton'', her body gave off a golden glow after she took a literal sunbath.

** ''Comicbook/TheSupergirlFromKrypton'': Superman and Supergirl's bodies--or at least their eyes--often glow red when they fight during this story.

** ''Comicbook/KryptonNoMore'', one-time villain Protector's body glows when he uses his powers and alters his molecules.
** ''Comicbook/KryptoniteNevermore'':

* ''FanFic/AnimaExMachina'': Most Ixodida gain an aura of one color or another when using one of their elemental powers.
* In ''FanFic/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesOutOfTheShadows'', Hisako's Psychic Powers are often manifested as a sort-of green energy, and when she's truly angry, her eyes glow bright green. When April's powers unlock, her glow is yellow.

* In ''FanFic/TheDresdenFillies'', Harry's aura as a unicorn is red-orange. Makes sense considering how much he likes fire.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros''

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft,''

* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''

* ''Videogame/FireEmblem:''
** Most of the games in the series from ''Videogame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem'' onward are strong proponents of this - whenever a unit attacks with an InfinityPlusOneSword, the weapon will give off a bright split-second AudibleGleam which covers the entire screen. The exception is [[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance the Tellius]] [[Videogame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn duology]], which, for whatever reason, doesn't do this.
** The mobile spin-off game ''Videogame/FireEmblemHeroes'' covers the most powerful summoned units, five-star units, in a soft golden glow. While it's visible around the units in question in combat, it's much more evident on the unit status screen, behind a full image of the character. Four-star units are also surrounded in battle and on the status screen by more subdued silver sparkles.

* The Monsters of ''Videogame/{{Evolve}}''. The higher their [[RegeneratingShieldStaticHealth armor]] the brighter they glow, with the color of the glow depending on the monster. This serves the dual purpose of warning hunter players if the monster has high armor and letting low armor monster players hide better.

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'': Personas, [[GuardianEntity Guardian Entities]] that allow you to use FunctionalMagic, are covered in a glowing blue aura of flames when summoned.

** In ''ComicBook/JudgmentInInfinity'', the Adjudicator is always seen holding a glowing, multifaceted crystal ball which every so often sends "rays of polychromatic light in all directions".

* ''Film/FiveFingersOfDeath'' has an example that doesn't involve weapons. Whenever the protagonist, Hao, uses the titular DangeroisForbiddenTechnique, his palms glows visibly with an intense red aura; in this state his kung fu skills are multipled, at one point chopping a katana into half with his bare hands!