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** It's also seen with The Nemesis in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis''. After getting its coat burned off mid-way through the game, it sprouts tentacles, begins acting more erratically, and forgoes its rocket launcher in favor of CombatTentacles and brute force.
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** ''Manga/DragonBallSuper'' gives us Gas of the Heeter family, who wears a headband which prevents him from unleashing his full power at the cost of going completely berserk. This causes problems for our heroes when he learns to retain control of himself while unleashing his full power.
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* The Slayer class in ''VideoGame/DungeonFighterOnline'' is a swordsman with a [[DemonicPossession red, demon-possessed arm]] that constantly tries to take over the rest of his body. Right from the start, he's got a Power Limiter in the form of mystical shackles attached to the arm. One of his class advancements, the Blade Master, receives a more-powerful version called a Regulator, which allows him to focus nearly entirely on his swordplay and supresses the demon so strongly his arm [[PowerGlow turns white and glows.]] His alternate class advancements are much less positive, which involve [[DealWithTheDevil striking a bargain with the demon]] to trade his eyes for power, learning the enslave the demon and others like it which will ultimately end up with him dead due to them or just giving into the possession completely.

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* The Slayer class in ''VideoGame/DungeonFighterOnline'' is a swordsman with a [[DemonicPossession red, demon-possessed arm]] that constantly tries to take over the rest of his body. Right from the start, he's got a Power Limiter in the form of mystical shackles attached to the arm. One of his class advancements, the Blade Master, receives a more-powerful version called a Regulator, which allows him to focus nearly entirely on his swordplay and supresses the demon so strongly his arm [[PowerGlow turns white and glows.]] His alternate class advancements are much less positive, which involve [[DealWithTheDevil striking a bargain with the demon]] to trade his eyes for power, learning the to enslave the demon and others like it which will ultimately end up with him dead due to them or just giving into the possession completely.
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* ''Fanfic/VoyagesOfTheWildSeaHorse'': Minor recurring antagonist Chaser Kiyoshi wears a heavy metal-laced coat that prevents her from moving at her full speed, which means that when she [[ShedArmorGainSpeed tosses it aside, her speed goes through the roof]]. In her case, it not only doubles as [[ImposedHandicapTraining a way to passively train her strength and speed]], it also actually functions as armor.
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** [[spoiler:they are only allowed to help in an advisory capacity, because every time Ainur go to war, [[WorldSundering it's reshaped the face of the world]]]].

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** [[spoiler:they [[spoiler:The reason they are only allowed to help in an advisory capacity, because capacity because, quite simply, every time the Ainur go have gone to war, [[WorldSundering it's reshaped the face of the world]]]].
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** [[spoiler:they are only allowed to help in an advisory capacity, because every time Ainur go to war, Continents Sink]]

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** [[spoiler:they are only allowed to help in an advisory capacity, because every time Ainur go to war, Continents Sink]][[WorldSundering it's reshaped the face of the world]]]].
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* During ''ComicBook/NewAvengers2015'' and ''ComicBook/USAvengers'', ComicBook/{{Sunspot}} suffers from a disease that puts his mutant power into overdrive and gives him strength comparable to a PhysicalGod. Since this also [[CastFromLifespan takes years off his lifespan]], Toni Ho invents a headband that regulates the amount of solar energy he absorbs and allows him to use his power at a weaker, non-lethal level.

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* During ''ComicBook/NewAvengers2015'' and ''ComicBook/USAvengers'', ComicBook/{{Sunspot}} Sunspot suffers from a disease that puts his mutant power into overdrive and gives him strength comparable to a PhysicalGod. Since this also [[CastFromLifespan takes years off his lifespan]], Toni Ho invents a headband that regulates the amount of solar energy he absorbs and allows him to use his power at a weaker, non-lethal level.



* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

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* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':



* Franchise/WonderWoman:

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* Franchise/WonderWoman:''ComicBook/WonderWoman'':



* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** In the '80s, a retcon introduced the idea that Professor Xavier placed a mental block in ComicBook/JeanGrey's mind as a child to keep her more extreme powers from manifesting.

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* ''Franchise/XMen'':
''ComicBook/XMen'':
** In the '80s, a retcon introduced the idea that Professor Xavier placed a mental block in ComicBook/JeanGrey's Jean Grey's mind as a child to keep her more extreme powers from manifesting.



** Also, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' goggles, which keep his uncontrollable EyeBeams under wraps. If he takes his glasses off completely and opens his eyes fully he can hold off even the ''Juggernaut'' (for a little while, anyway) and once ''atomized'' a Sentinel. The bad news is that it means destroying everything else in the area too, so he doesn't do it often.

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** Also, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' Cyclops' goggles, which keep his uncontrollable EyeBeams under wraps. If he takes his glasses off completely and opens his eyes fully he can hold off even the ''Juggernaut'' (for a little while, anyway) and once ''atomized'' a Sentinel. The bad news is that it means destroying everything else in the area too, so he doesn't do it often.



** ComicBook/MultipleMan's power of SelfDuplication is triggered by impact when he absorbs kinetic energy. When he was a boy, his father, Dr. Daniel Madrox, created a suit for him designed to absorb the kinetic energy so Jamie wouldn't keep creating duplicates everytime he bumped into something.

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** ComicBook/MultipleMan's Multiple Man's power of SelfDuplication is triggered by impact when he absorbs kinetic energy. When he was a boy, his father, Dr. Daniel Madrox, created a suit for him designed to absorb the kinetic energy so Jamie wouldn't keep creating duplicates everytime every time he bumped into something.
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* ''Literature/ACourtOfThornsAndRoses'': Cassian uses Siphons to filter his power.

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* ''Literature/ACourtOfThornsAndRoses'': Cassian uses and Azriel use Siphons to filter his their power.
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* ''Literature/ACourtOfThornsAndRoses'': Cassian uses Siphons to filter his power.
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* In ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', Lord Sovereign has a fragment of the [[ArtifactOfDoom Sekhmet Stone]] embedded in his armor; it's the only thing that allows him to control [[LovecraftianSuperpower his dark energies]] and prevent them from overwhelming him.

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* The Franchise/GreenLantern Corps were given various restrictions on the power of their rings by the Guardians of the Universe, such as the inability to directly kill someone with them. The Guardians later released these restrictions.

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* The Franchise/GreenLantern ComicBook/GreenLantern Corps were given various restrictions on the power of their rings by the Guardians of the Universe, such as the inability to directly kill someone with them. The Guardians later released these restrictions.



* In ''VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift'', Hazama explained that Noel's Nox Nyctores Bolverk actually functions as a limiter to sustain her emotions, thus when Bolverk broke, Noel unlocked her true form -- Mu-12. This only happens because he was riling her up at the time, however. When Rachel takes Bolverk from her in an alternate timeline, she instead loses all self-confidence and dissolves into tears.
** And ''[[VideoGame/BlazblueChronophantasma Chronophantasma]]'' gives us Azrael's Enchant Dragunov (indicated by the tattoos adorning his body) that he uses so he doesn't kill his opponent too soon. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPXKxalTTI This is his power without said seal...]]

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* ''Franchise/BlazBlue'':
**
In ''VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift'', ''[[VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift Continuum Shift]]'', Hazama explained explains that Noel's Nox Nyctores Bolverk actually functions as a limiter to sustain her emotions, thus emotions. Thus when Bolverk broke, breaks, Noel unlocked unlocks her true form -- Mu-12. This only happens because he was he's riling her up at the time, however. When Rachel takes Bolverk from her in an alternate timeline, AlternateTimeline, she instead loses all self-confidence and dissolves into tears.
** And ''[[VideoGame/BlazblueChronophantasma ''[[VideoGame/BlazBlueChronophantasma Chronophantasma]]'' gives us Azrael's Enchant Dragunov (indicated by the tattoos adorning his body) that he uses so he doesn't kill his opponent too soon. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPXKxalTTI This is his power without said seal...]]
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* ComicBook/{{Ghost Rider}}s are their own power limiters. The human Riders limit naturally only use a mere fraction of the potential power of their Spirits, who, it’s been said, essentially have the power of a god when carrying out their duties. The Rider job is to focus and direct that power, in whatever way they choose. If the Rider is knocked out or gives control to the Spirit, the limit is removed, but the Spirit might stop the fight if they don't approve of the opponent, as they only fight the guilty and sinful. The best example of this is in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'', where Johnny Blaze attempted to talk the Hulk out of his rampage, then attempted to get him out of the city when he couldn't. Hulk ended up hurting Johnny enough he blacked out, giving control over to Zarathos, his spirit. Zarathos, however, dropped the fight, as he felt Hulk was innocent and the injured party in the matter.

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* ComicBook/{{Ghost Rider}}s are their own power limiters. The human Riders limit naturally only use a mere fraction of the potential power of their Spirits, who, it’s been said, essentially have the power of a god when carrying out their duties. The Rider Rider’s job is to focus and direct that power, power in whatever way they choose. If the Rider is knocked out or gives control to the Spirit, the limit is removed, but the Spirit might stop the fight if they don't approve of the opponent, as they only fight the guilty and sinful. The best example of this is in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'', where Johnny Blaze attempted to talk the Hulk out of his rampage, then attempted to get him out of the city when he couldn't. Hulk ended up hurting Johnny enough he blacked out, giving control over to Zarathos, his spirit. Zarathos, however, dropped the fight, as he felt Hulk was innocent and the injured party in the matter.
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** ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': The season's power-scaling uses "Levels" to categorize a Rider's current power. To destroy a Bugster Union and permanently save a patient, the Rider has to devolve from their Level 2 state down to the bulky Level 1, as being too strong can hurt the patient as well as the monster infecting them. The final battle sees the Doctors [[spoiler: destroy Gamedeus' Bugster Union with these starter forms, as opposed to their upgrades]].
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* ''Literature/TheBeginningAfterTheEnd'': Right before he begins attending Xyrus Academy, Arthur approaches the artificer Gideon for a seal that would hide his fire and water attributes. His reason for getting such an artifact is to hide his identity from Lucas Wykes (an adventurer his age whose actions led to a near TotalPartyKill for the party they were both in), whom not only would be attending Xyrus alongside him, but also hails from a very powerful and influential family which would put his (Arthur's) family at great risk.
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* ''Literature/TheEminenceInShadow'':
** The Cult of Diablos uses several artifacts and devices to deprive their opponents of their power. However, one can bypass this and retain almost all of their magic if he or she can turn it so dense that it's impossible for it to be taken.
** More hilariously, as part of his overall scheme as Mundane Mann (acting the role of someone who's seen as a complete weakling who is secretly the WorldsStrongestMan), Cid dresses himself in weighted armor to limit his speed (which even still does very little since very few people can see his light-speed movements). When he takes them off in front of Annerose and drops them, they crack the ground where they land.

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Crosswicking.





* In ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'', Carol spends most of the movie with a small disc on her neck that the Kree said was there to help her control her power. [[spoiler:It was actually there to control her ''by'' controlling her power, so she couldn't use it to rebel against the Kree, and to keep her from accessing the full potential of her abilities to keep her reliant on the other Starforce members, and the Kree in general.]]

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* In ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'', ''Film/{{Captain Marvel|2019}}'', Carol spends most of the movie with a small disc on her neck that the Kree said was there to help her control her power. [[spoiler:It was actually there to control her ''by'' controlling her power, so she couldn't use it to rebel against the Kree, and to keep her from accessing the full potential of her abilities to keep her reliant on the other Starforce members, and the Kree in general.]]



* ''Series/{{Wednesday}}'': The Sirens attending Nevermore wear necklaces that neutralize their siren song. They are not foolproof, however, meaning they may still subtly influence other students. That is the reason why Xavier broke up with Bianca in the past, since he could never be sure if his feelings were genuine or if she was manipulating him. [[spoiler:In the Season 1 final, when they need to use their siren song at full power to save the school, [[LetsGetDangerous they remove the necklaces]].]]



* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvoltSeries''

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* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvoltSeries''''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvoltSeries'':



* Black Mage from ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' has a huge amount of untapped potential power that is indicated to be enough to bring about at least ''one'' of the X-clases on the ApocalypseHow scale. How does the universe stop this OmnicidalManiac from destroying all reality? His physical body limits the amount of power he can access. As a result, after [[OhCrap he died the first time]] ([[EvenEvilHasStandards and a large hoard of terrified demons]] and the ''[[PragmaticVillainy villains of the comic]]'' stuck him [[PersonOfMassDestruction back into his physical form]]), the universe has been very careful to make sure he doesn't die.

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* Black Mage from ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' has a huge amount of untapped potential power that is indicated to be enough to bring about at least ''one'' of the X-clases X-classes on the ApocalypseHow scale. How does the universe stop this OmnicidalManiac from destroying all reality? His physical body limits the amount of power he can access. As a result, after [[OhCrap he died the first time]] ([[EvenEvilHasStandards and a large hoard of terrified demons]] and the ''[[PragmaticVillainy villains of the comic]]'' stuck him [[PersonOfMassDestruction back into his physical form]]), the universe has been very careful to make sure he doesn't die.



* {{Discussed|Trope}} in ''Webcomic/GRRLPower''. Superpowers in the setting are extremely varied, and their origins are unknown (mostly, [[JackOfAllTrades Halo's]] are alien artifacts and [[EmotionEater Vehemence's]] is magical), so any "one size fits all" power limiter is impossible. [=ArcAEGIS=] is, however, very creative when it comes to {{Tailor Made Prison}}s; A superhero who creates portals is kept in a pressurized cell, so any attempt at teleporting would cause explosive decompression, and an EmotionEater who gains power from violence is kept high of his ass and provided with cutesy, non-violent entertainment. On the few cases where they let him out for "feeding", they keep Halo around so she can dump him into outer space the moment he gets uppity and let him choke until he surrenders.

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* {{Discussed|Trope}} in ''Webcomic/GRRLPower''.''Webcomic/GrrlPower''. Superpowers in the setting are extremely varied, and their origins are unknown (mostly, [[JackOfAllTrades Halo's]] are alien artifacts and [[EmotionEater Vehemence's]] is magical), so any "one size fits all" power limiter is impossible. [=ArcAEGIS=] is, however, very creative when it comes to {{Tailor Made Prison}}s; A superhero who creates portals is kept in a pressurized cell, so any attempt at teleporting would cause explosive decompression, and an EmotionEater who gains power from violence is kept high of his ass and provided with cutesy, non-violent entertainment. On the few cases where they let him out for "feeding", they keep Halo around so she can dump him into outer space the moment he gets uppity and let him choke until he surrenders.



'''Saitama:''' [''[[DullSurprise deadpan]]''] OK.

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'''Saitama:''' [''[[DullSurprise deadpan]]''] ''[[[DullSurprise deadpan]]]'' OK.



* This was the intended purpose the ''Website/SCPFoundation'' had for convincing [[RealityWarper SCP]]-[[LittleMissAlmighty 239]] that she was a witch, thus limiting her power to a few "spells" that she needed a book and wand to do. It worked for a while, but then Incident 239-B happened and they just opted to put her in a coma.



[[folder:Websites]]
* This was the intended purpose the ''Website/SCPFoundation'' had for convincing [[RealityWarper SCP]]-[[LittleMissAlmighty 239]] that she was a witch, thus limiting her power to a few "spells" that she needed a book and wand to do. It worked for a while, but then Incident 239-B happened and they just opted to put her in a coma.
[[/folder]]



* From ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', Ben gains a new alien form called NRG that comes automatically equipped with a massive metal suit of power inhibiting armor. The reason for this is that NRG's true form is a being of pure nuclear energy who's very presence is dangerous due to emitting high levels of natural radiation.

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* From ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', Ben gains a new alien form called NRG that comes automatically equipped with a massive metal suit of power inhibiting power-inhibiting armor. The reason for this is that NRG's true form is a being of pure nuclear energy who's whose very presence is dangerous due to emitting high levels of natural radiation.



** In this universe, there's "Fledgling Forbearance", a spell used to curb a foal's PowerIncontinence. It was introduced in the episode "The Crystalling", [[GooGooGodlike Baby Flurry Heart]] has said incontinence to UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom levels, [[spoiler:but she's curbed at the end with Sunburst's help]].

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** In this universe, there's "Fledgling Forbearance", a spell used to curb a foal's PowerIncontinence. It was introduced in the episode "The Crystalling", Crystalling"; [[GooGooGodlike Baby Flurry Heart]] has said incontinence to UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom levels, [[spoiler:but she's curbed at the end with Sunburst's help]].



* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse''

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* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse''''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'':



** Speaking of Luz, she can't do any type of magic modern day witches use because she's not magically empowered due to being human; instead she uses [[GeometricMagic glyph magic]], which was a practice used in the old days before witches evolved their own internal magic supplies. [[YourMagicsNoGoodHere This stops working]] when she's in the human world [[spoiler:and the [[VoidBetweenTheWorlds In Between Realm]]]].

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** Speaking of Luz, she can't do any type of magic modern day witches use because she's not magically empowered due to being human; instead she uses [[GeometricMagic glyph magic]], which was a practice used in the old days before witches evolved their own internal magic supplies. [[YourMagicsNoGoodHere This stops working]] when she's in the human world [[spoiler:and the [[VoidBetweenTheWorlds In Between In-Between Realm]]]].



** The MSTN gene is responsible for the production of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myostatin myostatin]] in mammals, a protein that works to inhibit muscle growth in order to prevent cardiac issues and birthing difficulties. The British powerlifter Eddie "The Beast" Hall, TheRival to Creator/HafthorJuliusBjornsson, was born with a mutation causing myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy which allowed him to win multiple strongman competitions and achieve the world record for deadlifting 1,102 lb in 2016 (which Hafthor broke four years later, lifting 1,104).

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** * The MSTN gene is responsible for the production of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myostatin myostatin]] in mammals, a protein that works to inhibit muscle growth in order to prevent cardiac issues and birthing difficulties. The British powerlifter Eddie "The Beast" Hall, TheRival to Creator/HafthorJuliusBjornsson, was born with a mutation causing myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy which allowed him to win multiple strongman competitions and achieve the world record for deadlifting 1,102 lb in 2016 (which Hafthor broke four years later, lifting 1,104).



* When you install custom firmware on your router, you can set the transmit power to anything you want.
** It's worth noting that setting the power too high will result in the router [[ExplosiveOverclocking quickly frying itself]]. For example, setting a router to 8 times its manufactured limit is quite likely to result in you having a brick in just 6 months time.

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* When you install custom firmware on your router, you can set the transmit power to anything you want.
**
want. It's worth noting that setting the power too high will result in the router [[ExplosiveOverclocking quickly frying itself]]. For example, setting a router to 8 times its manufactured limit is quite likely to result in you having a brick in just 6 months time.



*** After 65MPH/105KM/H, the air resistance imposed on all but the most aerodynamically designed cars ramps up dramatically, thus increasing your fuel consumption by a huge amount. For those who haul large loads with trucks, monitor and note your fuel consumption at 55MPH and 75MPH. Allegedly in the 70s during the fuel crisis, the US imposed a national 55MPH speed limit so people wouldn't eat up as much gas.

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*** After 65MPH/105KM/H, the air resistance imposed on all but the most aerodynamically designed cars ramps up dramatically, thus increasing your fuel consumption by a huge amount. For those who haul large loads with trucks, monitor and note your fuel consumption at 55MPH and 75MPH. Allegedly in the 70s '70s during the fuel crisis, the US imposed a national 55MPH speed limit so people wouldn't eat up as much gas.



* Lawn mowers can jump from about 2 MPH to ''60+'' MPH by removing the limiter. People ''race them''.
** And they use the Le Mans start (drivers start outside of their cars at one side of the road, cars at the other side, when flagman waves the green, the drivers run across the track to their cars, hop in, and get them started; this formation was used from the first running in 1924 to 1969). A classic, almost ''regal'' starting formation, used to start ''lawnmower'' races. Nothing else needs to be said.

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* Lawn mowers can jump from about 2 MPH to ''60+'' MPH by removing the limiter. People ''race them''.
**
them''. And they use the Le Mans start (drivers start outside of their cars at one side of the road, cars at the other side, when flagman waves the green, the drivers run across the track to their cars, hop in, and get them started; this formation was used from the first running in 1924 to 1969). A classic, almost ''regal'' starting formation, used to start ''lawnmower'' races. Nothing else needs to be said.



* When a top of the line [[UsefulNotes/CentralProcessingUnit CPU]] or [[UsefulNotes/GraphicsProcessingUnit GPU]] comes back defective, often times the manufacturer puts the settings lower by default or disables sections of the chip that aren't working and sells it as a cheaper model. Some people have found ways to "unlock" unused portions of the chip for more performance. The most famous case of this was with AMD's tri-core processors, which were quad-cores with a defective core. Unfortunately this is a rare thing now, as the section will be completely neutered of its communications. [[note]]This is to prevent people from buying cheaper units and unlocking the defective parts, then reselling them as higher-end models.[[/note]]

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* When a top of the line [[UsefulNotes/CentralProcessingUnit CPU]] or [[UsefulNotes/GraphicsProcessingUnit GPU]] comes back defective, often times the manufacturer puts the settings lower by default or disables sections of the chip that aren't working and sells it as a cheaper model. Some people have found ways to "unlock" unused portions of the chip for more performance. The most famous case of this was with AMD's tri-core processors, which were quad-cores with a defective core. Unfortunately this is a rare thing now, as the section will be completely neutered of its communications. [[note]]This (This is to prevent people from buying cheaper units and unlocking the defective parts, then reselling them as higher-end models.[[/note]])

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Placed examples in alphabetical order


* The first two seasons of ''[[Franchise/LyricalNanoha Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' featured 10-year-old girls with PowerLevels exceeding the power meter of 1,000,000 points, and then introduced many other characters able to match them. When the series proved popular enough to go on to a [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers third season]], government-required power limiters were introduced to knock them down several ranks, with them only able to use full power when authorized by a high-ranking Bureau member.
** The new recruits have power limiters of their own; after getting their devices, they have a four-stage limiter set on them, which restricts how much power and what abilities they can use. One stage typically gets removed just before every major battle, so they can more easily get accustomed to their devices.
** In the aftermath of ''[=StrikerS=]'' Lutecia and Agito are also given limiters, reducing them to mage rank D for the duration of their probation.
* The Evangelions have these in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' in the form of their armor, which doesn't serve to protect the Eva and its pilot as much as it serves to [[spoiler:limit the Evangelions' power and allow humans to control the Eva]]. If an Eva [[spoiler:goes ''really'' berserk, it can actually break the armor from the inside, but this requires a strength of mind that pretty much exceeds any human's ability, and if the human pilot becomes so synchronised with the Eva that this can happen (this requires the human to have a ''400%'' synch ratio), that pilot's probably not coming back]].
** Unit-02 in ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'' is shown to not only possess armor, but actual limiters implanted into its back which release once [[spoiler:Mari unlocks the Eva's beast mode]].
* Used by goddesses and demons in ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'' in the form of jewelry. Releasing them without permission is a big no-no, but Kami seems to be a bit flexible about this depending on situation and especially the personality of the goddess: Urd is often the ButtMonkey of this compared to her more forward-thinking sister Belldandy, as Belldandy, being a 1st Class Goddess rather than a 2nd Class like Urd, is allowed to access far more of her full power (when Urd is temporarily given 1st Class power as part of her promotion exam, it's shown she's actually ''far'' more powerful).

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* The first two seasons of ''[[Franchise/LyricalNanoha Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' featured 10-year-old girls with PowerLevels exceeding the power meter of 1,000,000 points, and then introduced many other characters able to match them. When the series proved popular enough to go on to a [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers third season]], government-required power limiters were introduced to knock them down several ranks, with them only able to use full power when authorized by a high-ranking Bureau member.
''Manga/AhMyGoddess'':
** The new recruits have power limiters of their own; after getting their devices, they have a four-stage limiter set on them, which restricts how much power and what abilities they can use. One stage typically gets removed just before every major battle, so they can more easily get accustomed to their devices.
** In the aftermath of ''[=StrikerS=]'' Lutecia and Agito are also given limiters, reducing them to mage rank D for the duration of their probation.
* The Evangelions have these in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' in the form of their armor, which doesn't serve to protect the Eva and its pilot as much as it serves to [[spoiler:limit the Evangelions' power and allow humans to control the Eva]]. If an Eva [[spoiler:goes ''really'' berserk, it can actually break the armor from the inside, but this requires a strength of mind that pretty much exceeds any human's ability, and if the human pilot becomes so synchronised with the Eva that this can happen (this requires the human to have a ''400%'' synch ratio), that pilot's probably not coming back]].
** Unit-02 in ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'' is shown to not only possess armor, but actual limiters implanted into its back which release once [[spoiler:Mari unlocks the Eva's beast mode]].
*
Used by goddesses and demons in ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'' in the form of jewelry. Releasing them without permission is a big no-no, but Kami seems to be a bit flexible about this depending on situation and especially the personality of the goddess: Urd is often the ButtMonkey of this compared to her more forward-thinking sister Belldandy, as Belldandy, being a 1st Class Goddess rather than a 2nd Class like Urd, is allowed to access far more of her full power (when Urd is temporarily given 1st Class power as part of her promotion exam, it's shown she's actually ''far'' more powerful).



* ''Manga/FushigiYuugiGenbuKaiden'' has Hikitsu put an eyepatch (or bandages) over his right eye, where his symbol is located. If it isn't covered, he can easily see into another person's heart, make them relive horrible memories to make them remember details, [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands inexplicably view the memories held within an inanimate object]] and similar.
* Alucard from ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' uses the "Control Art Restriction System", which divides his vampiric powers into six levels, with Level 5 as his weakest and Level 0 being his full unsuppressed power. Considering how ridiculously overpowered he is, enemies tend not to be [[BloodKnight worthy enough]] to have him unlock any levels at all. The full Level 0 release, which happens in Volume 8, involves [[spoiler:Alucard unleashing every one of the millions of souls he has personally devoured and enslaved to do his will]]. The "good news" is that he can't go full power on his own accord -- full release requires approval from Integra Hellsing. When under threat, he can release a few restrictions until the threat is destroyed, such as with his fight with Luke Valentine.
** Also of note, his state of dress also indicates what power level he is at. From least to most powerful, they are his red coat-and-hat ensemble, a black body suit covered in leather straps, and [[spoiler:at Level Zero, a full suit of medieval plate-mail from the days when he was called Vlad the Impaler, a.k.a. {{Dracula}}]].
* A-Ko, from the parody series ''Anime/ProjectAKo'', wears Wonder Woman-like bracers to keep her from crushing everything she picks up. This is because she is implied with as much subtlety as a brick to the nuts to be ''the daughter of Superman and Wonder Woman''.

to:

* ''Manga/FushigiYuugiGenbuKaiden'' has Hikitsu put an eyepatch (or bandages) over his right eye, where his symbol is located. If it isn't covered, he can easily see into another In ''Manga/{{Basilisk}}'', there's a special medicine known as "Seven Day Ointment", which keeps a person's heart, make them relive horrible memories eyes forcibly closed during a week. Since this is a story with extremely powerful ninjas, if anyone gets a dose of this to make them remember details, [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands inexplicably view the memories held within an inanimate object]] eyes, they're ''severely'' limited -- and similar.
* Alucard from ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' uses
double if their superpowers '''involve their eyes'''. [[spoiler:Gennosuke, whose power is basically a '''literal''' DeathGlare, has a dose of it thrown at him and spends quite a bit of the "Control Art Restriction System", which divides story as a HandicappedBadass. On the other hand his vampiric girlfriend Oboro, whose own powers involve [[PowerNullifier neutralizing ninja powers with her own glate]], willingly seals her eyes with the ointment after she accidentally uses her skills against one of her clansmates.]]
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' has several examples:
** Soul Reapers aren't allowed to release their Zanpakuto
into six levels, with Level 5 as his weakest either Shikai or Bankai without permission. This applies to both Soul Society and Level 0 being his full unsuppressed the living world. The damage they can do is too much to contemplate without power limiters. As a result, they also have a further limit on their power. Considering how ridiculously overpowered To protect humans in the living world, Soul Reaper of Captain and Vice-captain ranks have to wear a limiter that reduces their power by 80% in the form of a tattoo of their division's symbolic flower. They again can't release this without express permission.
** [[AxCrazy Kenpachi]] normally wears a parasitic [[EyepatchOfPower eyepatch]] that was specially designed to [[EnergyAbsorption guzzle some of his energy]]. This limits the amount of energy
he is, enemies tend not can use in battle to be [[BloodKnight worthy enough]] prevent him]] from dispatching his opponents too fast. He wears it on purpose in order to have him unlock any levels at all. The full Level 0 release, which happens in Volume 8, involves [[spoiler:Alucard unleashing every one of make his fights more challenging.
** When Ichigo first encounters
the millions true form of souls [[PetalPower Senbonzakura]], [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill Senkei]], he has personally devoured and enslaved to do his will]]. The "good news" is realises that being [[DeathInAllDirections surrounded on all sides]] by thousands of swords puts him in a very bad position. Byakuya [[FlechetteStorm guesses what he's thinking]] and tells him not to be concerned. Apparently, Byakuya once made a [[PillarsOfMoralCharacter vow]] to only ever use Senkei on someone he intended to kill [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy with his own two hands]]. As a result, he can't maximize the [[StormOfBlades potential]] of his bankai's [[DeathByAThousandCuts thousands of swords]] because he can only wield the blades [[HonorBeforeReason one or two at a time]] from the palms of his hands. [[spoiler:As of the Thousand Year Blood War arc, Byakuya can now easily call upon every single sword of Senkei to strike down his opponent. It's only been seen once (as ''Bleach'' ended), but we can assume he would go full back to limiting his power on after the Quincies are defeated.]]
** Ikkaku possesses Bankai but keeps it secret, since if people knew about it he'd be pressured to become Captain of
his own accord -- squad, when he'd rather stay in his current one. Even when he finally enters Bankai, he doesn't power straight into its full release requires approval from Integra Hellsing. When under threat, he can release a few restrictions until form the threat is destroyed, such as with his way the others do. He first has to re-engage the fight with Luke Valentine.
** Also of note,
the active, but weakly powered, Bankai until he makes a first cut. Only then does it "awaken". Once the dragon crest on the highest blade turns fully red, Ikkaku finally is able to wield his state of dress also indicates what weapon at full strength.
** Findorr Calius' mask functions as one. When it's whole, Hisagi notes that his
power level is only around that of a 5th Seat's, but as Findorr chips away pieces of it, his power rises. When only one piece remains around his left eye, his power is comparable to a Lieutenant, and he proves it by giving Hisagi a close fight ([[AdaptationalExpansion especially in the anime]]). When he chips off the last piece of it (90% broken) for a last-minute power-up to try and defeat Hisagi while in Resurreccion, he boasts that he's now comparable to a Captain. It doesn't help.
** When Yumichika releases his Zanpakuto, it rather uselessly splits from one to four blades. Then it's revealed this is a fake Shikai and
he is at. From hiding his Zanpakuto's true abilities. He deliberately calls his Zanpakuto by [[EmbarrassingNickname a nickname it hates]] to piss it off and make it refuse to help him. When he calls it by its [[SayIt proper name]], it releases its true form: a snaking mass of unbreakable flower vines that [[EnergyAbsorption drains]] an opponent to death. His fake Shikai gives him no abilities, forcing him to fight with [[{{Determinator}} only base skill and resolve]]. However, his real Shikai is so powerful that he's achieved a [[CurbStompBattle single-strike victory]] every time he's used it. The reason he won't use it is the same reason Ikkaku won't use his Bankai: he wants to stay in his squad (the same squad as Ikkaku, even). Squad 11 consists entirely of {{Blood Knight}}s who value only physical strength and think kido is for pussies. As Yumichika's real Shikai is a kido-type, it would get him kicked out of the squad. Or at least he thinks it would; at the very least it could get him ostracized.
** Ichigo himself is actually under two, both acquired around the same time.
*** His [[spoiler:Substitute Shinigami badge]] actually decreases the power he can draw out thanks
to most powerful, they are [[spoiler:Soul Society remembering the last time a Bankai-wielding substitute ran around freely.]]
*** In the Thousand Year Blood War arc, he learns that Old Man Zangetsu has been a limiter all along. He represents Ichigo's Quincy powers [[spoiler:and is supposed to kill him if he uses any other form of ability, but doesn't want to. Instead, he fakes Soul Reaper powers and limits Ichigo's real ones, which interferes with
his red coat-and-hat ensemble, a black body suit covered in leather straps, abilities and [[spoiler:at Level Zero, causes instability in his power.]] On the other hand, it's not all bad: [[spoiler:since as a full suit Quincy it means he can use defensive abilities like Blut, which actually saved him a few times.]]
* In ''Manga/Brave10'', it turns out [[spoiler:the Kushimitama isn't the source
of medieval plate-mail Isanami's PowerOfTheVoid: it's keeping it at bay.]]
* In ''Manga/BungouStrayDogs'', Fukuzawa's ability effectively gives his subordinates a finer degree of control over their own abilities. For example, Atsushi went
from the days an InvoluntaryShapeshifter to a VoluntaryShapeshifter when he was called Vlad joined the Impaler, a.k.a. {{Dracula}}]].
Armed Detective Agency.
* A-Ko, from In ''Manga/ChainsawMan'', the parody series ''Anime/ProjectAKo'', wears Wonder Woman-like bracers Violence [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Fiend]] Galgali is [[BoxedCrook forced by Public Safety]] to constantly wear a PlagueDoctor mask that disperses poison gas in order to keep his SuperStrength in check, HulkingOut whenever it's removed.
* In ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'', the Youma suppression pills were designed to dampen a Claymore's power and let
her act covertly. Later on they were used to [[spoiler:allow seven warriors to survive a suicide mission by faking their deaths]].
* In ''Anime/DieBuster'', all of the Topless wear a small sticker on their foreheads that keeps their powers in check. Given that without it, they're low-level, localized {{Reality Warper}}s, this is understandable.
* ''Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime'' has Gumdramon, who has a golden band on his tail. The band was put there to keep him
from crushing everything she picks up. This is because she is implied with as much subtlety as a brick to the nuts to be ''the daughter of Superman using his abilities selfishly and Wonder Woman''.becomes an AmplifierArtifact when exposed to ThePowerOfFriendship.



* In ''Manga/FruitsBasket'', Kyo has a power limiter in the form of a bracelet; if it comes off he transforms into his monstrous "true form."
* ''Manga/FushigiYuugiGenbuKaiden'' has Hikitsu put an eyepatch (or bandages) over his right eye, where his symbol is located. If it isn't covered, he can easily see into another person's heart, make them relive horrible memories to make them remember details, [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands inexplicably view the memories held within an inanimate object]] and similar.
* In ''Manga/GakuenAlice'', there are power-limiting masks and earrings.
* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'':
** In ''Anime/GundamBuildFightersTry'', the Build Burning Gundam has a unique one -- it was hidden within the shell of a MS-09 Dom.
** ''Manga/MobileSuitCrossboneGundam'': Crossbone Gundam X3 has two variations on this trope. Its built-in [[BeehiveBarrier I-field]] generators have a cool-down period longer than their operational period (which finally gets fixed in Steel Seven by simply adding two more generators). And its Muramasa Blaster initially has a safety Tobia doesn't know about -- which isn't a huge problem, as that just makes it a club rather than a beam saber.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'': The Alaya-Vijnana System used by some Mobile Suit pilots and particularly by the Gundam Frames links the pilot's nervous system to the control systems of the Suit, allowing the pilot to control it via thought. However, the A-V System has safeties in place that prevent full synchronization between the pilot and the robot. While full synch grants the pilot unparalleled control and superhuman speed and reflexes, it also causes severe neurological damage, permanently paralyzing large parts of the user's body unless it's currently linked to the robot.
* Yuki Nagato from ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' requests permission from her boss to use her powers, and later adds a second layer of restriction in the form of Kyon.
* ''Manga/HellTeacherNube'':
** The titular character wears a black glove to keep his [[RedRightHand Oni Hand]] hidden away, and so it looks and functions as a regular human hand. When the glove comes off, the hand becomes monstrous in size and appearance, but he still keeps limits on his power with his own spiritual abilities and the help of his mentor's spirit.
** A more direct application lies in the Oni-Sealing Bracelets which En no Gyōja left scattered throughout Japan (usually to [[SealedEvilInACan seal]] something ''else'', which Nube then has to contend with after taking the bracelet.) When he wears these on his Oni Hand, he can consciously allow a [[PowerLevels specific percentage]] of the Oni's power to manifest itself, while remaining in full control.
* ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'':
** Alucard uses the "Control Art Restriction System", which divides his vampiric powers into six levels, with Level 5 as his weakest and Level 0 being his full unsuppressed power. Considering how ridiculously overpowered he is, enemies tend not to be [[BloodKnight worthy enough]] to have him unlock any levels at all. The full Level 0 release, which happens in Volume 8, involves [[spoiler:Alucard unleashing every one of the millions of souls he has personally devoured and enslaved to do his will]]. The "good news" is that he can't go full power on his own accord -- full release requires approval from Integra Hellsing. When under threat, he can release a few restrictions until the threat is destroyed, such as with his fight with Luke Valentine.
** Also of note, his state of dress also indicates what power level he is at. From least to most powerful, they are his red coat-and-hat ensemble, a black body suit covered in leather straps, and [[spoiler:at Level Zero, a full suit of medieval plate-mail from the days when he was called Vlad the Impaler, a.k.a. {{Dracula}}]].
* We see a couple of instances of this in ''Manga/KamisamaKiss''. The first is [[spoiler:Tomoe]] who had one placed on him when he became a familiar. Next we find out that the reason Kurama's powers in the human world are very weak is because a tengu's powers are derived from the mountain they were born on and the further away they are they are, and the longer they are away, the weaker those powers get.



* [[HumanAliens Thanatosians]] in ''Manga/MarisTheChojo'' wear strength-restraining harnesses that look a lot like the one from ''Manga/KyojinNoHoshi'' to control their SuperStrength. Unfortunately for the titular character, ''she'' is [[BlessedWithSuck so much stronger]] than the average Thanatosian that even ''with'' her limiter, [[PowerIncontinence she tends to destroy whatever she touches]] unless she's paying careful attention.

to:

* In ''Manga/TheLegendOfKoizumi'', during "The Twilight Of The Gods" story arc, the Pope is revealed to have been wearing "The Shackles Of Golgotha", a set of heavy wrist weights, for years in order to restrain his true power. (Koizumi remarks that he's probably been using less than a tenth of his full potential until then.) This is still a manga about playing ''mahjong''.
* ''Manga/LifeWithAnOrdinaryGuyWhoReincarnatedIntoATotalFantasyKnockout'': Following his SuperGenderBender, Tachibana spends most of his time wearing a CoolCrown that limits the effect of his SoBeautifulItsACurse looks so people won't fall madly in lust with him on sight. The crown acts like a PerceptionFilter, but it is not perfect. Tachibana's power will still kick in on anyone focused on him intently enough.
* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'':
** The first two seasons of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' featured 10-year-old girls with PowerLevels exceeding the power meter of 1,000,000 points, and then introduced many other characters able to match them. When the series proved popular enough to go on to a [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers third season]], government-required power limiters were introduced to knock them down several ranks, with them only able to use full power when authorized by a high-ranking Bureau member.
** The new recruits have power limiters of their own; after getting their devices, they have a four-stage limiter set on them, which restricts how much power and what abilities they can use. One stage typically gets removed just before every major battle, so they can more easily get accustomed to their devices.
** In the aftermath of ''[[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikerS StrikerS]]'' Lutecia and Agito are also given limiters, reducing them to mage rank D for the duration of their probation.
* Used in the background of the ''Anime/{{Macross}}'' franchise, in which Variable Fighters have, by the time of ''Anime/MacrossPlus'', achieved a top performance level which exceeds human survivability, capable of applying G-forces which would kill the pilot, and a top atmospheric speed where friction with the air would cause the plane itself to burn up. Other limiters include maximum safe thrust in a vacuum due to heat buildup. By ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'', new technology has allowed some of these limits to be removed; most mentions now are just a ContinuityNod to ''Plus'', where it served as a plot device to [[spoiler:further demonstrate Guld's [[RedemptionEqualsDeath sacrifice]], as he disables his limiters in order to get the performance he needed to destroy the X-9 Ghost, [[HeroicSacrifice at the cost of his own life]]]].
* In ''Manga/MarisTheChojo'',
[[HumanAliens Thanatosians]] in ''Manga/MarisTheChojo'' wear strength-restraining harnesses that look a lot like the one from ''Manga/KyojinNoHoshi'' to control their SuperStrength. Unfortunately for the titular character, ''she'' is [[BlessedWithSuck so much stronger]] than the average Thanatosian that even ''with'' her limiter, [[PowerIncontinence she tends to destroy whatever she touches]] unless she's paying careful attention.attention.
* ''Manga/MedakaBox'' has Unzen Myouga, little sister of head Enforcer Unzen Myouri, who fights using [[EpicFlail six 30kg ball-and-chains]]; when she removes them she becomes incredibly agile. This example is [[ShoutOut explicitly compared]] to Goku's weighted clothing, both by Myouga and her opponent.
* In what is probably a ShoutOut to Rock Lee, [=MegaMan=] and [=ProtoMan=] both have 'limiter programs' that are essentially giant weights that they drop off in their last battle in the bonus chapter of the final ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'' manga. [[spoiler:The battle ends in a tie.]]



* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'':
** Bui, an enemy from the Dark Tournament arc, wears heavy armor over every inch of his body and wields a gigantic axe. Everyone thinks this is to protect him from attack, but it turns out that the armor was actually a Power Limiter, and once it's removed, he shows off an impenetrable BattleAura that lets him defeat Hiei's WaveMotionGun, the Dragon of the Darkness Flame/Kokuryuha.
** Similarly enough, Hiei himself wears 2 limiters. His headband suppresses his Jagan's demon energy, while the bandages suppress the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, with ''very'' good reason; without said limit, Hiei's demon energy was so powerful, if his aura were to clash with Bui's, the resulting reaction was said by Kurama to be powerful enough to destroy the entire stadium.
** It was revealed in the Dark Tournament arc that Yusuke was given "spirit cuffs" by Genkai because his constant effort to overcome it would buff up his spirit energy.
** Karasu (on the same team as Bui, his skill is HavingABlast) normally wears a mask. The mask is this trope because it keeps him from having full access to his mouth, keeping a DangerousForbiddenTechnique locked up.
* In what is probably a ShoutOut to Rock Lee, [=MegaMan=] and [=ProtoMan=] both have 'limiter programs' that are essentially giant weights that they drop off in their last battle in the bonus chapter of the final ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'' manga. [[spoiler:The battle ends in a tie.]]

to:

* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'':
** Bui,
In ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', Evangeline is an enemy from enormously powerful vampire sorceress who's spread havoc and destruction on a colossal scale, ravaging Europe for many hundreds of years. In her heydays at least. After her defeat by Nagi Springfield [[WorldsStrongestMan the Dark Tournament arc, wears heavy Thousand Master]], she's been constrained to remain as student in [[ElaborateUniversityHigh Mahora Academy]] for the last fifteen years. The curse he placed on her seals away most of her ability while the school's {{Magitek}} barrier weakens her significantly. Considering that the one time we see her without the power limiters, she takes out ''a demon god'' in [[OneHitKill one shot]] it's probably good that she isn't perpetually at full power. [[IAmNotLeftHanded That doesn't go to say]] she doesn't [[WaifFu have some tricks up her sleeve]]. [[OldMaster Hundreds of years of life will do that]]. In times of dire need, the headmaster is willing to release her curse temporarily for a good DeusExMachina.
* In ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', the Evangelions'
armor over every inch of his body and wields a gigantic axe. Everyone thinks this is doesn't serve to protect him from attack, but the Eva and its pilot as much as it turns out that serves to limit the Evangelions' power and allow humans to control the Eva. If an Eva goes ''really'' berserk, it can actually break the armor was actually from the inside, but this requires a Power Limiter, and once it's removed, he shows off an impenetrable BattleAura strength of mind that lets him defeat Hiei's WaveMotionGun, pretty much exceeds any human's ability, and if the Dragon of the Darkness Flame/Kokuryuha.
** Similarly enough, Hiei himself wears 2 limiters. His headband suppresses his Jagan's demon energy, while the bandages suppress the Dragon of the Darkness Flame,
human pilot becomes so synchronised with ''very'' good reason; without said limit, Hiei's demon energy was so powerful, if his aura were to clash with Bui's, the resulting reaction was said by Kurama to be powerful enough to destroy the entire stadium.
** It was revealed in the Dark Tournament arc
Eva that Yusuke was given "spirit cuffs" by Genkai because his constant effort to overcome it would buff up his spirit energy.
** Karasu (on the same team as Bui, his skill is HavingABlast) normally wears a mask. The mask is
this trope because it keeps him from having full access can happen (this requires the human to his mouth, keeping have a DangerousForbiddenTechnique locked up.
* In what is
''400%'' synch ratio), that pilot's probably a ShoutOut not coming back.
** In ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'', Unit-02 is shown
to Rock Lee, [=MegaMan=] and [=ProtoMan=] both have 'limiter programs' not only possess armor, but actual limiters implanted into its back which release once [[spoiler:Mari unlocks the Eva's beast mode]].
* One ''Manga/{{Nichijou}}'' strip, titled "Limiter Release," implies
that taking off the weighted ribbon in Annaka's hair lets her jump or even ''fly'' at least ten feet off the ground.
* In ''Anime/PlasticMemories'', Giftias
are essentially giant weights equipped with one that they drop off in restricts their last battle in super strength and speed. [[spoiler:One reason Wanderers are so hazardous to face is because this limiter is switched off when a Giftia becomes a Wanderer.]] Alternatively, the bonus chapter limiter can be switched off manually, [[spoiler:which is part of the final ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'' manga. [[spoiler:The battle ends SAI's protocol in a tie.]]using their own Giftias to subdue Wanderers]].



* ''Manga/MedakaBox'' has Unzen Myouga, little sister of head Enforcer Unzen Myouri, who fights using [[EpicFlail six 30kg ball-and-chains]]; when she removes them she becomes incredibly agile. This example is [[ShoutOut explicitly compared]] to Goku's weighted clothing, both by Myouga and her opponent.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' has several examples.
** Soul Reapers aren't allowed to release their Zanpakuto into either Shikai or Bankai without permission. This applies to both Soul Society and the living world. The damage they can do is too much to contemplate without power limiters. As a result, they also have a further limit on their power. To protect humans in the living world, Soul Reaper of Captain and Vice-captain ranks have to wear a limiter that reduces their power by 80% in the form of a tattoo of their division's symbolic flower. They again can't release this without express permission.
** [[AxCrazy Kenpachi]] normally wears a parasitic [[EyepatchOfPower eyepatch]] that was specially designed to [[EnergyAbsorption guzzle some of his energy]]. This limits the amount of energy he can use in battle to [[BloodKnight prevent him]] from dispatching his opponents too fast. He wears it on purpose in order to make his fights more challenging.
** When Ichigo first encounters the true form of [[PetalPower Senbonzakura]], [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill Senkei]], he realises that being [[DeathInAllDirections surrounded on all sides]] by thousands of swords puts him in a very bad position. Byakuya [[FlechetteStorm guesses what he's thinking]] and tells him not to be concerned. Apparently, Byakuya once made a [[PillarsOfMoralCharacter vow]] to only ever use Senkei on someone he intended to kill [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy with his own two hands]]. As a result, he can't maximize the [[StormOfBlades potential]] of his bankai's [[DeathByAThousandCuts thousands of swords]] because he can only wield the blades [[HonorBeforeReason one or two at a time]] from the palms of his hands. [[spoiler:As of the Thousand Year Blood War arc, Byakuya can now easily call upon every single sword of Senkei to strike down his opponent. It's only been seen once (as ''Bleach'' ended), but we can assume he would go back to limiting his power after the Quincies are defeated.]]
** Ikkaku possesses Bankai but keeps it secret, since if people knew about it he'd be pressured to become Captain of his own squad, when he'd rather stay in his current one. Even when he finally enters Bankai, he doesn't power straight into its full form the way the others do. He first has to re-engage the fight with the active, but weakly powered, Bankai until he makes a first cut. Only then does it "awaken". Once the dragon crest on the highest blade turns fully red, Ikkaku finally is able to wield his weapon at full strength.
** Findorr Calius' mask functions as one. When it's whole, Hisagi notes that his power is only around that of a 5th Seat's, but as Findorr chips away pieces of it, his power rises. When only one piece remains around his left eye, his power is comparable to a Lieutenant, and he proves it by giving Hisagi a close fight ([[AdaptationalExpansion especially in the anime]]). When he chips off the last piece of it (90% broken) for a last-minute power-up to try and defeat Hisagi while in Resurreccion, he boasts that he's now comparable to a Captain. It doesn't help.
** When Yumichika releases his Zanpakuto, it rather uselessly splits from one to four blades. Then it's revealed this is a fake Shikai and he is hiding his Zanpakuto's true abilities. He deliberately calls his Zanpakuto by [[EmbarrassingNickname a nickname it hates]] to piss it off and make it refuse to help him. When he calls it by its [[SayIt proper name]], it releases its true form: a snaking mass of unbreakable flower vines that [[EnergyAbsorption drains]] an opponent to death. His fake Shikai gives him no abilities, forcing him to fight with [[{{Determinator}} only base skill and resolve]]. However, his real Shikai is so powerful that he's achieved a [[CurbStompBattle single-strike victory]] every time he's used it. The reason he won't use it is the same reason Ikkaku won't use his Bankai: he wants to stay in his squad (the same squad as Ikkaku, even). Squad 11 consists entirely of {{Blood Knight}}s who value only physical strength and think kido is for pussies. As Yumichika's real Shikai is a kido-type, it would get him kicked out of the squad. Or at least he thinks it would; at the very least it could get him ostracized.
** Ichigo himself is actually under two, both acquired around the same time.
*** His [[spoiler:Substitute Shinigami badge]] actually decreases the power he can draw out thanks to [[spoiler:Soul Society remembering the last time a Bankai-wielding substitute ran around freely.]]
*** In the Thousand Year Blood War arc, he learns that Old Man Zangetsu has been a limiter all along. He represents Ichigo's Quincy powers [[spoiler:and is supposed to kill him if he uses any other form of ability, but doesn't want to. Instead, he fakes Soul Reaper powers and limits Ichigo's real ones, which interferes with his abilities and causes instability in his power.]] On the other hand, it's not all bad: [[spoiler:since as a Quincy it means he can use defensive abilities like Blut, which actually saved him a few times.]]
* In ''Manga/ChainsawMan'', the Violence [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Fiend]] Galgali is [[BoxedCrook forced by Public Safety]] to constantly wear a PlagueDoctor mask that disperses poison gas in order to keep his SuperStrength in check, HulkingOut whenever it's removed.
* ''Manga/MobileSuitCrossboneGundam'': Crossbone Gundam X3 has two variations on this trope. Its built-in [[BeehiveBarrier I-field]] generators have a cool-down period longer than their operational period (which finally gets fixed in Steel Seven by simply adding two more generators). And its Muramasa Blaster initially has a safety Tobia doesn't know about -- which isn't a huge problem, as that just makes it a club rather than a beam saber.
* ''Manga/SquidGirl'': The protagonist's stupidity keeps her from fully using her power.
* In ''Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'' the "good" youkai of Shangri-La generally wear jewelry-like power-limiters to keep them human-shaped and closer to human-strength when in mixed company. After the Minus Wave, very few youkai are sane enough to even think about wearing limiters. Two of the protagonists wear limiters nearly all the time: Goku's diadem and Hakkai's ear cuffs. (Goku's is many, many times stronger than a standard youkai limiter due to his SuperPoweredEvilSide.) Hakkai at full strength scares the shit out of even his friends and he's more susceptible to Minus Wave influence without the ear cuffs. Goku's unlimited form is strong enough to be a direct threat to Heaven; Sanzo's the only non-god who can put the diadem back on. In both cases, if and when the limiters come off, you'd best run and not look back.
** Once, when Sanzo got hurt, Goku was so upset his power overloaded his limiter... The quartet's 'patron goddess' had to put it back on. Total beatdown on the bad guys that time, though, SuperPoweredEvilSide style.
* Moka's rosary in ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'' serves to keep her power in check [[spoiler:among other things]]. It can only be removed by [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Tsukune]] in times of extreme need.
** There's also [[spoiler:Tsukune's Holy Lock, which keeps Moka's blood in his veins]] from turning him into a [[spoiler:mindless massacre machine.]]
** And [[spoiler:Moka's older half-sister Kahlua,]] who wears a pair of cross earrings. Removing the right earring [[spoiler:[[OneWingedAngel transforms her right arm into razor-sharp wings]]]].
** And Sun Otonashi's notebook. At first it seems to merely be a way for the "mute" girl to use TalkingWithSigns, but it's later revealed that she's a [[spoiler:powerful Siren who uses the notebook to help keep [[MakeMeWannaShout her lethal voice]] under control.]]
* Kyo of ''Manga/FruitsBasket'' has a power limiter in the form of a bracelet; if it comes off he transforms into his monstrous "true form."
* Abel Nightroad in ''Literature/TrinityBlood'' is the only [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Crusnik]] who can release his powers in three stages (40%, 80%, and 100%). These restrictions are self-imposed, following a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment long before the series' begin.
** His EvilTwin [[MeaningfulName Cain]] long before had ''permanently'' locked himself into 100% power, with [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity results]] that demonstrate why Abel's Power Limiter is a really good idea. Their younger sister Seth seems to vary only between not activating the power at all and using it at 100%.
* Peacemakers in ''Literature/ScrappedPrincess'' have four "modes": compressed [[spoiler:(when they look and behave like ordinary little kids)]], normal [[spoiler:(adult mages of tremendous powers)]], limited battle form [[spoiler:(levitating monstrosities that level entire cities within minutes)]], and fully released form [[spoiler:(clearly OverNineThousand and forbidden to use inside the atmosphere)]].

to:

* ''Manga/MedakaBox'' has Unzen Myouga, little sister of head Enforcer Unzen Myouri, who fights using [[EpicFlail six 30kg ball-and-chains]]; when she removes them she becomes incredibly agile. This example is [[ShoutOut explicitly compared]] to Goku's weighted clothing, both by Myouga and her opponent.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' has several examples.
** Soul Reapers aren't allowed to release their Zanpakuto into either Shikai or Bankai without permission. This applies to both Soul Society and the living world. The damage they can do is too much to contemplate without power limiters. As a result, they also have a further limit on their power. To protect humans in the living world, Soul Reaper of Captain and Vice-captain ranks have to wear a limiter that reduces their power by 80% in the form of a tattoo of their division's symbolic flower. They again can't release this without express permission.
** [[AxCrazy Kenpachi]] normally wears a parasitic [[EyepatchOfPower eyepatch]] that was specially designed to [[EnergyAbsorption guzzle some of his energy]]. This limits the amount of energy he can use in battle to [[BloodKnight prevent him]] from dispatching his opponents too fast. He wears it on purpose in order to make his fights more challenging.
** When Ichigo first encounters the true form of [[PetalPower Senbonzakura]], [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill Senkei]], he realises that being [[DeathInAllDirections surrounded on all sides]] by thousands of swords puts him in a very bad position. Byakuya [[FlechetteStorm guesses what he's thinking]] and tells him not to be concerned. Apparently, Byakuya once made a [[PillarsOfMoralCharacter vow]] to only ever use Senkei on someone he intended to kill [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy with his own two hands]]. As a result, he can't maximize the [[StormOfBlades potential]] of his bankai's [[DeathByAThousandCuts thousands of swords]] because he can only wield the blades [[HonorBeforeReason one or two at a time]]
A-Ko, from the palms of his hands. [[spoiler:As of the Thousand Year Blood War arc, Byakuya can now easily call upon every single sword of Senkei to strike down his opponent. It's only been seen once (as ''Bleach'' ended), but we can assume he would go back to limiting his power after the Quincies are defeated.]]
** Ikkaku possesses Bankai but keeps it secret, since if people knew about it he'd be pressured to become Captain of his own squad, when he'd rather stay in his current one. Even when he finally enters Bankai, he doesn't power straight into its full form the way the others do. He first has to re-engage the fight with the active, but weakly powered, Bankai until he makes a first cut. Only then does it "awaken". Once the dragon crest on the highest blade turns fully red, Ikkaku finally is able to wield his weapon at full strength.
** Findorr Calius' mask functions as one. When it's whole, Hisagi notes that his power is only around that of a 5th Seat's, but as Findorr chips away pieces of it, his power rises. When only one piece remains around his left eye, his power is comparable to a Lieutenant, and he proves it by giving Hisagi a close fight ([[AdaptationalExpansion especially in the anime]]). When he chips off the last piece of it (90% broken) for a last-minute power-up to try and defeat Hisagi while in Resurreccion, he boasts that he's now comparable to a Captain. It doesn't help.
** When Yumichika releases his Zanpakuto, it rather uselessly splits from one to four blades. Then it's revealed this is a fake Shikai and he is hiding his Zanpakuto's true abilities. He deliberately calls his Zanpakuto by [[EmbarrassingNickname a nickname it hates]] to piss it off and make it refuse to help him. When he calls it by its [[SayIt proper name]], it releases its true form: a snaking mass of unbreakable flower vines that [[EnergyAbsorption drains]] an opponent to death. His fake Shikai gives him no abilities, forcing him to fight with [[{{Determinator}} only base skill and resolve]]. However, his real Shikai is so powerful that he's achieved a [[CurbStompBattle single-strike victory]] every time he's used it. The reason he won't use it is the same reason Ikkaku won't use his Bankai: he wants to stay in his squad (the same squad as Ikkaku, even). Squad 11 consists entirely of {{Blood Knight}}s who value only physical strength and think kido is for pussies. As Yumichika's real Shikai is a kido-type, it would get him kicked out of the squad. Or at least he thinks it would; at the very least it could get him ostracized.
** Ichigo himself is actually under two, both acquired around the same time.
*** His [[spoiler:Substitute Shinigami badge]] actually decreases the power he can draw out thanks to [[spoiler:Soul Society remembering the last time a Bankai-wielding substitute ran around freely.]]
*** In the Thousand Year Blood War arc, he learns that Old Man Zangetsu has been a limiter all along. He represents Ichigo's Quincy powers [[spoiler:and is supposed to kill him if he uses any other form of ability, but doesn't want to. Instead, he fakes Soul Reaper powers and limits Ichigo's real ones, which interferes with his abilities and causes instability in his power.]] On the other hand, it's not all bad: [[spoiler:since as a Quincy it means he can use defensive abilities like Blut, which actually saved him a few times.]]
* In ''Manga/ChainsawMan'', the Violence [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Fiend]] Galgali is [[BoxedCrook forced by Public Safety]] to constantly wear a PlagueDoctor mask that disperses poison gas in order to keep his SuperStrength in check, HulkingOut whenever it's removed.
* ''Manga/MobileSuitCrossboneGundam'': Crossbone Gundam X3 has two variations on this trope. Its built-in [[BeehiveBarrier I-field]] generators have a cool-down period longer than their operational period (which finally gets fixed in Steel Seven by simply adding two more generators). And its Muramasa Blaster initially has a safety Tobia doesn't know about -- which isn't a huge problem, as that just makes it a club rather than a beam saber.
* ''Manga/SquidGirl'': The protagonist's stupidity keeps her from fully using her power.
* In ''Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'' the "good" youkai of Shangri-La generally wear jewelry-like power-limiters to keep them human-shaped and closer to human-strength when in mixed company. After the Minus Wave, very few youkai are sane enough to even think about wearing limiters. Two of the protagonists wear limiters nearly all the time: Goku's diadem and Hakkai's ear cuffs. (Goku's is many, many times stronger than a standard youkai limiter due to his SuperPoweredEvilSide.) Hakkai at full strength scares the shit out of even his friends and he's more susceptible to Minus Wave influence without the ear cuffs. Goku's unlimited form is strong enough to be a direct threat to Heaven; Sanzo's the only non-god who can put the diadem back on. In both cases, if and when the limiters come off, you'd best run and not look back.
** Once, when Sanzo got hurt, Goku was so upset his power overloaded his limiter... The quartet's 'patron goddess' had to put it back on. Total beatdown on the bad guys that time, though, SuperPoweredEvilSide style.
* Moka's rosary in ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'' serves
parody series ''Anime/ProjectAKo'', wears Wonder Woman-like bracers to keep her power in check [[spoiler:among other things]]. It can only be removed by [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Tsukune]] in times of extreme need.
** There's also [[spoiler:Tsukune's Holy Lock, which keeps Moka's blood in his veins]]
from turning him into a [[spoiler:mindless massacre machine.]]
** And [[spoiler:Moka's older half-sister Kahlua,]] who wears a pair of cross earrings. Removing the right earring [[spoiler:[[OneWingedAngel transforms her right arm into razor-sharp wings]]]].
** And Sun Otonashi's notebook. At first it seems to merely be a way for the "mute" girl to use TalkingWithSigns, but it's later revealed that she's a [[spoiler:powerful Siren who uses the notebook to help keep [[MakeMeWannaShout her lethal voice]] under control.]]
* Kyo of ''Manga/FruitsBasket'' has a power limiter in the form of a bracelet; if it comes off he transforms into his monstrous "true form."
* Abel Nightroad in ''Literature/TrinityBlood''
crushing everything she picks up. This is the only [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Crusnik]] who can release his powers in three stages (40%, 80%, and 100%). These restrictions are self-imposed, following a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment long before the series' begin.
** His EvilTwin [[MeaningfulName Cain]] long before had ''permanently'' locked himself into 100% power,
because she is implied with [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity results]] that demonstrate why Abel's Power Limiter is as much subtlety as a really good idea. Their younger sister Seth seems brick to vary only between not activating the power at all nuts to be ''the daughter of Superman and using it at 100%.
* Peacemakers in ''Literature/ScrappedPrincess'' have four "modes": compressed [[spoiler:(when they look and behave like ordinary little kids)]], normal [[spoiler:(adult mages of tremendous powers)]], limited battle form [[spoiler:(levitating monstrosities that level entire cities within minutes)]], and fully released form [[spoiler:(clearly OverNineThousand and forbidden to use inside the atmosphere)]].
Wonder Woman''.



* Evangeline of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' is an enormously powerful vampire sorceress who's spread havoc and destruction on a colossal scale, ravaging Europe for many hundreds of years. In her heydays at least. After her defeat by Nagi Springfield [[WorldsStrongestMan the Thousand Master]], she's been constrained to remain as student in [[ElaborateUniversityHigh Mahora Academy]] for the last fifteen years. The curse he placed on her seals away most of her ability while the school's {{Magitek}} barrier weakens her significantly. Considering that the one time we see her without the power limiters, she takes out ''a demon god'' in [[OneHitKill one shot]] it's probably good that she isn't perpetually at full power. [[IAmNotLeftHanded That doesn't go to say]] she doesn't [[WaifFu have some tricks up her sleeve]]. [[OldMaster Hundreds of years of life will do that]]. In times of dire need, the headmaster is willing to release her curse temporarily for a good DeusExMachina.
* The Youma suppression pills in ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'' were designed to dampen a Claymore's power and let her act covertly. Later on they were used to [[spoiler:allow seven warriors to survive a suicide mission by faking their deaths]].
* In ''Manga/GakuenAlice'', there are power-limiting masks and earrings.
* In ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'', Fay's phoenix tattoo (which covers his entire back) restrains his huge innate magical powers. When he trades it to Yuuko for a place in the traveling party, he swears off using his magic for fear of what might happen without the limit in place. Although, [[spoiler:it turns out he's MORE dangerous with it than without, due to being cursed to kill the first person he meets whose magic exceeds his own. Suppressing his magic only makes it more likely he'll run across someone stronger]].
** Just as a reminder, without that limiter, [[spoiler:Fay's magic can destroy an entire world/dimension/at least country when he has a SuperPowerMeltdown]].
* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': Sergeant Keroro wears a power limiter during the monsoon season to prevent him from turning into "Keroro From [[NoodleIncident Back Then]]".
* The titular character from ''Manga/HellTeacherNube'' wears a black glove to keep his [[RedRightHand Oni Hand]] hidden away, and so it looks and functions as a regular human hand. When the glove comes off, the hand becomes monstrous in size and appearance, but he still keeps limits on his power with his own spiritual abilities and the help of his mentor's spirit.
** A more direct application lies in the Oni-Sealing Bracelets which En no Gyōja left scattered throughout Japan (usually to [[SealedEvilInACan seal]] something ''else'', which Nube then has to contend with after taking the bracelet.) When he wears these on his Oni Hand, he can consciously allow a [[PowerLevels specific percentage]] of the Oni's power to manifest itself, while remaining in full control.
* In ''Anime/YuGiOh'', Joey Wheeler says that the card "Gearfried the Iron Knight" uses his suit of armor to control his power. Joey then plays "Release Restraint" to reveal Gearfired's true form: the much more powerful "Gearfried the Swordmaster."
* Aki Izayoi (Akiza Izinski)'s hairband in ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' supposedly holds back her psychic powers, although whether or not it's really a MagicFeather remains to be seen. When it falls out of her hair while fighting against Yusei, her psychic powers seem to really hit home, but that may be psychological.
* Miyanaga Saki from ''Manga/{{Saki}}'' takes off her shoes to get a power up in mahjong.
* Parodied twice in ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei''. In one instance, Harumi's glasses are revealed to have a tremendous weight and prevent her from exercising her full athletic potential (and she's an amazing athlete with the glasses on). The terminology used to describe them is a ShoutOut to the RestrainingBolt for mecha in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. On another occasion, Nozomu is challenged by Lee Nakanao who is a parody of the stock Rival/ WorthyOpponent of shounen fighting anime. Lee is a white haired {{Bishonen}} with an EyepatchOfPower, and when providing stats on him, the manga indicates that the eyepatch restrains his full power and he'd go berserk if he removed it.
* Yuki Nagato from ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' requests permission from her boss to use her powers, and later adds a second layer of restriction in the form of Kyon.
* The mail-order [[PoweredArmor Power Suit]] that Gosunkugi buys in ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''. All things considered, it's extremely powerful tech: it can withstand Ranma's full-power punches without even a dent (and injuring Ranma's knuckles in return,) provides its wearer the speed to deliver RapidFireFisticuffs on par with Ranma, and, naturally, also provides SuperStrength. What prevents misuse and abuse by any common crook? Three basic rules: a) it's unbelievably ''heavy'', so once assembled, it effectively locks into place and the user cannot budge one inch until his rival is in range, at which point [[ChainedHeat it automatically latches onto them with a retractable handcuff]] and powers up; b) once latched onto the rival, the armor will deactivate and fall apart by itself as soon as the user successfully strikes the enemy; and c) the user has a time limit to accomplish this, otherwise the armor will self-destruct.

to:

* Evangeline of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' is an enormously powerful vampire sorceress who's spread havoc and destruction on a colossal scale, ravaging Europe for many hundreds of years. In her heydays at least. After her defeat by Nagi Springfield [[WorldsStrongestMan the Thousand Master]], she's been constrained to remain as student in [[ElaborateUniversityHigh Mahora Academy]] for the last fifteen years. The curse he placed on her seals away most of her ability while the school's {{Magitek}} barrier weakens her significantly. Considering that the one time we see her without the power limiters, she takes out ''a demon god'' in [[OneHitKill one shot]] it's probably good that she isn't perpetually at full power. [[IAmNotLeftHanded That doesn't go to say]] she doesn't [[WaifFu have some tricks up her sleeve]]. [[OldMaster Hundreds of years of life will do that]]. In times of dire need, the headmaster is willing to release her curse temporarily for a good DeusExMachina.
* The Youma suppression pills in ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'' were designed to dampen a Claymore's power and let her act covertly. Later on they were used to [[spoiler:allow seven warriors to survive a suicide mission by faking their deaths]].
* In ''Manga/GakuenAlice'', there are power-limiting masks and earrings.
* In ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'', Fay's phoenix tattoo (which covers his entire back) restrains his huge innate magical powers. When he trades it to Yuuko for a place in the traveling party, he swears off using his magic for fear of what might happen without the limit in place. Although, [[spoiler:it turns out he's MORE dangerous with it than without, due to being cursed to kill the first person he meets whose magic exceeds his own. Suppressing his magic only makes it more likely he'll run across someone stronger]].
''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'':
** Just as a reminder, without that limiter, [[spoiler:Fay's magic can destroy an entire world/dimension/at least country when he has a SuperPowerMeltdown]].
* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': Sergeant Keroro wears a power limiter during the monsoon season to prevent him from turning into "Keroro From [[NoodleIncident Back Then]]".
* The titular character from ''Manga/HellTeacherNube'' wears a black glove to keep his [[RedRightHand Oni Hand]] hidden away, and so it looks and functions as a regular human hand. When the glove comes off, the hand becomes monstrous in size and appearance, but he still keeps limits on his power with his own spiritual abilities and the help of his mentor's spirit.
** A more direct application lies in the Oni-Sealing Bracelets which En no Gyōja left scattered throughout Japan (usually to [[SealedEvilInACan seal]] something ''else'', which Nube then has to contend with after taking the bracelet.) When he wears these on his Oni Hand, he can consciously allow a [[PowerLevels specific percentage]] of the Oni's power to manifest itself, while remaining in full control.
* In ''Anime/YuGiOh'', Joey Wheeler says that the card "Gearfried the Iron Knight" uses his suit of armor to control his power. Joey then plays "Release Restraint" to reveal Gearfired's true form: the much more powerful "Gearfried the Swordmaster."
* Aki Izayoi (Akiza Izinski)'s hairband in ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' supposedly holds back her psychic powers, although whether or not it's really a MagicFeather remains to be seen. When it falls out of her hair while fighting against Yusei, her psychic powers seem to really hit home, but that may be psychological.
* Miyanaga Saki from ''Manga/{{Saki}}'' takes off her shoes to get a power up in mahjong.
* Parodied twice in ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei''. In one instance, Harumi's glasses are revealed to have a tremendous weight and prevent her from exercising her full athletic potential (and she's an amazing athlete with the glasses on). The terminology used to describe them is a ShoutOut to the RestrainingBolt for mecha in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. On another occasion, Nozomu is challenged by Lee Nakanao who is a parody of the stock Rival/ WorthyOpponent of shounen fighting anime. Lee is a white haired {{Bishonen}} with an EyepatchOfPower, and when providing stats on him, the manga indicates that the eyepatch restrains his full power and he'd go berserk if he removed it.
* Yuki Nagato from ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' requests permission from her boss to use her powers, and later adds a second layer of restriction in the form of Kyon.
*
The mail-order [[PoweredArmor Power Suit]] that Gosunkugi buys in ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''.buys. All things considered, it's extremely powerful tech: it can withstand Ranma's full-power punches without even a dent (and injuring Ranma's knuckles in return,) provides its wearer the speed to deliver RapidFireFisticuffs on par with Ranma, and, naturally, also provides SuperStrength. What prevents misuse and abuse by any common crook? Three basic rules: a) it's unbelievably ''heavy'', so once assembled, it effectively locks into place and the user cannot budge one inch until his rival is in range, at which point [[ChainedHeat it automatically latches onto them with a retractable handcuff]] and powers up; b) once latched onto the rival, the armor will deactivate and fall apart by itself as soon as the user successfully strikes the enemy; and c) the user has a time limit to accomplish this, otherwise the armor will self-destruct.



* In ''Anime/DieBuster'', all of the Topless wear a small sticker on their foreheads that keeps their powers in check. Given that without it, they're low-level, localized {{Reality Warper}}s, this is understandable.
* Given to Mewtwo in ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie''. When he meets with Giovanni for the first time, he barely has control of his psychic abilities and is given the armor to slowly focus his power.
* Used in the background of the ''Anime/{{Macross}}'' franchise, in which Variable Fighters have, by the time of ''Anime/MacrossPlus'', achieved a top performance level which exceeds human survivability, capable of applying G-forces which would kill the pilot, and a top atmospheric speed where friction with the air would cause the plane itself to burn up. Other limiters include maximum safe thrust in a vacuum due to heat buildup. By ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'', new technology has allowed some of these limits to be removed; most mentions now are just a ContinuityNod to ''Plus'', where it served as a plot device to [[spoiler:further demonstrate Guld's [[RedemptionEqualsDeath sacrifice]], as he disables his limiters in order to get the performance he needed to destroy the X-9 Ghost, [[HeroicSacrifice at the cost of his own life]]]].
* We see a couple of instances of this in ''Manga/KamisamaKiss''. The first is [[spoiler:Tomoe]] who had one placed on him when he became a familiar. Next we find out that the reason Kurama's powers in the human world are very weak is because a tengu's powers are derived from the mountain they were born on and the further away they are they are, and the longer they are away, the weaker those powers get.
* In ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'', [[TheAlcoholic Mansam]] limits his strength with Knocking. Without the Knocking, he's a [[TheJuggernaut rampaging near-unstoppable]] [[TheBerserker berserker]].
** [[TheParalyzer Knocking master Jirou]] uses similar seals to limit his strength, but after he removes the seals, he transforms into a monstrous version of himself, and then [[spoiler:[[BishonenLine into a middle-aged man]]]].
* ''Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime'' has Gumdramon, who has a golden band on his tail. The band was put there to keep him from using his abilities selfishly and becomes an AmplifierArtifact when exposed to ThePowerOfFriendship.
* The Build Burning Gundam of ''Anime/GundamBuildFightersTry'' has a unique one -- it was hidden within the shell of a MS-09 Dom.
* In ''Anime/PlasticMemories'', Giftias are equipped with one that restricts their super strength and speed. [[spoiler:One reason Wanderers are so hazardous to face is because this limiter is switched off when a Giftia becomes a Wanderer.]] Alternatively, the limiter can be switched off manually, [[spoiler:which is part of SAI's protocol in using their own Giftias to subdue Wanderers]].

to:

* In ''Anime/DieBuster'', all of the Topless wear a small sticker on their foreheads that keeps their powers ''Manga/RecordOfRagnarok'': Unlike in check. Given that without it, they're low-level, localized {{Reality Warper}}s, this is understandable.
* Given to Mewtwo in ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie''. When he meets with Giovanni for the first time, he barely has control of his psychic abilities and is given the armor to slowly focus his power.
* Used in the background of the ''Anime/{{Macross}}'' franchise, in which Variable Fighters have, by the time of ''Anime/MacrossPlus'', achieved a top performance level which exceeds human survivability, capable of applying G-forces which would kill the pilot, and a top atmospheric speed
mythology where friction with the air would cause Járngreipr gloves increase Thor's strength so he can lift his hammer, the plane itself to burn up. Other limiters include maximum safe thrust in a vacuum due to heat buildup. By ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'', new technology has allowed some of these limits to be removed; most mentions now are just a ContinuityNod to ''Plus'', where it served as a plot device to [[spoiler:further demonstrate Guld's [[RedemptionEqualsDeath sacrifice]], as he disables his limiters in order to get the performance he needed to destroy the X-9 Ghost, [[HeroicSacrifice at the cost of his own life]]]].
* We see a couple of instances of this in ''Manga/KamisamaKiss''. The first is [[spoiler:Tomoe]] who had one placed on him when he became a familiar. Next we find out that the reason Kurama's powers in the human world are very weak is because a tengu's powers are derived from the mountain they were born on and the further away they are they are, and the longer they are away, the weaker those powers get.
* In ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'', [[TheAlcoholic Mansam]] limits
gloves limit his strength with Knocking. Without the Knocking, he's a [[TheJuggernaut rampaging near-unstoppable]] [[TheBerserker berserker]].
** [[TheParalyzer Knocking master Jirou]] uses similar seals to limit
so that he does not accidentally crush his strength, but after he removes the seals, he transforms into a monstrous version of himself, hammer before it can awaken its full powers. The gloves are extremely heavy and then [[spoiler:[[BishonenLine into make a middle-aged man]]]].
* ''Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime'' has Gumdramon, who has a golden band on his tail. The band was put there to keep him from using his abilities selfishly and becomes an AmplifierArtifact
crater when exposed to ThePowerOfFriendship.
* The Build Burning Gundam of ''Anime/GundamBuildFightersTry'' has a unique one -- it was hidden within the shell of a MS-09 Dom.
* In ''Anime/PlasticMemories'', Giftias are equipped with one that restricts their super strength and speed. [[spoiler:One reason Wanderers are so hazardous to face is because this limiter is switched off when a Giftia becomes a Wanderer.]] Alternatively, the limiter can be switched off manually, [[spoiler:which is part of SAI's protocol in using their own Giftias to subdue Wanderers]].
he takes them off.



* In ''Manga/TokyoGhoul :Re'', this is the key difference between normal [[HalfHumanHybrid One-Eyed Ghouls]] and the Quinx. While the methods to create them are essentially the same, the Quinx have a system installed to limit their powers (and therefore, how close to being a true half-Ghoul they are). The Frame System consists of five layers of Quinque Steel, encasing the [[BadassTransplant transplanted Kakune]] inside them to limit how much it changes the host's biology. Removing each layer increases the potential power output by 20%, but increases risk of losing control or becoming a true half-Ghoul. [[spoiler:Once Hisae did this, he returned to his old identity as Ken Kaneki.]]
* In ''Manga/TheLegendOfKoizumi'', during "The Twilight Of The Gods" story arc, the Pope is revealed to have been wearing "The Shackles Of Golgotha", a set of heavy wrist weights, for years in order to restrain his true power. (Koizumi remarks that he's probably been using less than a tenth of his full potential until then.) This is still a manga about playing ''mahjong''.
* In ''Manga/Brave10'', it turns out [[spoiler:the Kushimitama isn't the source of Isanami's PowerOfTheVoid: it's keeping it at bay.]]
* Fukuzawa's ability in ''Manga/BungouStrayDogs'' is effectively this, giving his subordinates a finer degree of control over their own abilities. For example, Atsushi went from an InvoluntaryShapeshifter to a VoluntaryShapeshifter when he joined the Armed Detective Agency.

to:

* In ''Manga/TokyoGhoul :Re'', this is the key difference between normal [[HalfHumanHybrid One-Eyed Ghouls]] and the Quinx. While the methods ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'':
** Moka's rosary serves
to create them are essentially the same, the Quinx have a system installed to limit their powers (and therefore, how close to being a true half-Ghoul they are). The Frame System consists keep her power in check [[spoiler:among other things]]. It can only be removed by [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Tsukune]] in times of five layers extreme need.
** There's also Tsukune's Holy Lock, which keeps Moka's blood in his veins from turning him into a mindless massacre machine.
** Moka's older half-sister Kahlua wears a pair
of Quinque Steel, encasing the [[BadassTransplant transplanted Kakune]] inside them to limit how much it changes the host's biology. cross earrings. Removing each layer increases the potential power output by 20%, right earring [[OneWingedAngel transforms her right arm into razor-sharp wings]].
** Sun Otonashi's notebook. At first it seems to merely be a way for the "mute" girl to use TalkingWithSigns,
but increases risk of losing control or becoming a true half-Ghoul. [[spoiler:Once Hisae did this, he returned to his old identity as Ken Kaneki.]]
* In ''Manga/TheLegendOfKoizumi'', during "The Twilight Of The Gods" story arc, the Pope is revealed to have been wearing "The Shackles Of Golgotha", a set of heavy wrist weights, for years in order to restrain his true power. (Koizumi remarks that he's probably been using less than a tenth of his full potential until then.) This is still a manga about playing ''mahjong''.
* In ''Manga/Brave10'', it turns out [[spoiler:the Kushimitama isn't the source of Isanami's PowerOfTheVoid:
it's keeping it at bay.]]
* Fukuzawa's ability in ''Manga/BungouStrayDogs'' is effectively this, giving his subordinates
later revealed that she's a finer degree of control over their own abilities. For example, Atsushi went from an InvoluntaryShapeshifter to a VoluntaryShapeshifter when he joined powerful Siren who uses the Armed Detective Agency.notebook to help keep [[MakeMeWannaShout her lethal voice]] under control.



* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'': The Alaya-Vijnana System used by some Mobile Suit pilots and particularly by the Gundam Frames links the pilot's nervous system to the control systems of the Suit, allowing the pilot to control it via thought. However, the A-V System has safeties in place that prevent full synchronization between the pilot and the robot. While full synch grants the pilot unparalleled control and superhuman speed and reflexes, it also causes severe neurological damage, permanently paralyzing large parts of the user's body unless it's currently linked to the robot.
* While pretty common in Sports anime in general, ''Manga/YowamushiPedal'' goes all out with this trope. The main character, from the very very beginning, is constantly under limiters and that is in fact the *only reason* he isn't already Inter-High level. Throughout the show, it's far less him getting stronger and far more his teammates just removing his limiters one at a time and watching him go from mediocre to incredible just from that.
* In ''Manga/{{Basilisk}}'', there's a special medicine known as "Seven Day Ointment", which keeps a person's eyes forcibly closed during a week. Since this is a story with extremely powerful ninjas, if anyone gets a dose of this to the eyes, they're ''severely'' limited -- and double if their superpowers '''involve their eyes'''. [[spoiler:Gennosuke, whose power is basically a '''literal''' DeathGlare, has a dose of it thrown at him and spends quite a bit of the story as a HandicappedBadass. On the other hand his girlfriend Oboro, whose own powers involve [[PowerNullifier neutralizing ninja powers with her own glate]], willingly seals her eyes with the ointment after she accidentally uses her skills against one of her clansmates.]]
* Shadow's golden-yellow armbands are revealed to seal away a significant portion of his power for his own safety in ''Anime/{{SonicX}}''; taking them off allows him to become faster and stronger, with the standard caveat of exhausting his stamina at a higher rate.
* ''Manga/{{Totsugami}}'': Tasaku's glasses prevent him from seeing the monsters and yokai he would usually see without them.

to:

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'': ''Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'':
**
The Alaya-Vijnana System used by some Mobile Suit pilots "good" youkai of Shangri-La generally wear jewelry-like power-limiters to keep them human-shaped and particularly by closer to human-strength when in mixed company. After the Gundam Frames links the pilot's nervous system Minus Wave, very few youkai are sane enough to the control systems even think about wearing limiters. Two of the Suit, allowing the pilot to control it via thought. However, the A-V System has safeties in place that prevent full synchronization between the pilot and the robot. While full synch grants the pilot unparalleled control and superhuman speed and reflexes, it also causes severe neurological damage, permanently paralyzing large parts of the user's body unless it's currently linked to the robot.
* While pretty common in Sports anime in general, ''Manga/YowamushiPedal'' goes all out with this trope. The main character, from the very very beginning, is constantly under
protagonists wear limiters nearly all the time: Goku's diadem and that Hakkai's ear cuffs. (Goku's is in fact the *only reason* he isn't already Inter-High level. Throughout the show, it's far less him getting many, many times stronger than a standard youkai limiter due to his SuperPoweredEvilSide.) Hakkai at full strength scares the shit out of even his friends and far he's more his teammates just removing his susceptible to Minus Wave influence without the ear cuffs. Goku's unlimited form is strong enough to be a direct threat to Heaven; Sanzo's the only non-god who can put the diadem back on. In both cases, if and when the limiters one at a time come off, you'd best run and watching him go from mediocre to incredible just from that.
* In ''Manga/{{Basilisk}}'', there's a special medicine known as "Seven Day Ointment", which keeps a person's eyes forcibly closed during a week. Since this is a story with extremely powerful ninjas, if anyone gets a dose of this to the eyes, they're ''severely'' limited -- and double if their superpowers '''involve their eyes'''. [[spoiler:Gennosuke, whose
not look back.
** Once, when Sanzo got hurt, Goku was so upset his
power is basically a '''literal''' DeathGlare, has a dose of overloaded his limiter... The quartet's 'patron goddess' had to put it thrown at him back on. Total beatdown on the bad guys that time, though, SuperPoweredEvilSide style.
* Miyanaga Saki from ''Manga/{{Saki}}'' takes off her shoes to get a power up in mahjong.
* Parodied twice in ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei''. In one instance, Harumi's glasses are revealed to have a tremendous weight
and spends quite a bit of the story as a HandicappedBadass. On the other hand his girlfriend Oboro, whose own powers involve [[PowerNullifier neutralizing ninja powers with prevent her own glate]], willingly seals from exercising her eyes full athletic potential (and she's an amazing athlete with the ointment after she accidentally uses her skills against one glasses on). The terminology used to describe them is a ShoutOut to the RestrainingBolt for mecha in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. On another occasion, Nozomu is challenged by Lee Nakanao who is a parody of her clansmates.]]
the stock Rival/ WorthyOpponent of shounen fighting anime. Lee is a white haired {{Bishonen}} with an EyepatchOfPower, and when providing stats on him, the manga indicates that the eyepatch restrains his full power and he'd go berserk if he removed it.
* Peacemakers in ''Literature/ScrappedPrincess'' have four "modes": compressed [[spoiler:(when they look and behave like ordinary little kids)]], normal [[spoiler:(adult mages of tremendous powers)]], limited battle form [[spoiler:(levitating monstrosities that level entire cities within minutes)]], and fully released form [[spoiler:(clearly OverNineThousand and forbidden to use inside the atmosphere)]].
* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': Sergeant Keroro wears a power limiter during the monsoon season to prevent him from turning into "Keroro From [[NoodleIncident Back Then]]".
* Shadow's golden-yellow armbands are revealed to seal away a significant portion of his power for his own safety in ''Anime/{{SonicX}}''; ''Anime/SonicX''; taking them off allows him to become faster and stronger, with the standard caveat of exhausting his stamina at a higher rate.
* ''Manga/{{Totsugami}}'': Tasaku's glasses prevent him ''Manga/SquidGirl'': The protagonist's stupidity keeps her from seeing the monsters and yokai he would usually see without them.fully using her power.



* ''Manga/LifeWithAnOrdinaryGuyWhoReincarnatedIntoATotalFantasyKnockout'': Following his SuperGenderBender, Tachibana spends most of his time wearing a CoolCrown that limits the effect of his SoBeautifulItsACurse looks so people won't fall madly in lust with him on sight. The crown acts like a PerceptionFilter, but it is not perfect. Tachibana's power will still kick in on anyone focused on him intently enough.
* One ''Manga/{{Nichijou}}'' strip, titled "Limiter Release," implies that taking off the weighted ribbon in Annaka's hair lets her jump or even ''fly'' at least ten feet off the ground.
* ''Manga/RecordOfRagnarok'': Unlike in mythology where the Járngreipr gloves increase Thor's strength so he can lift his hammer, the gloves limit his strength so that he does not accidentally crush his hammer before it can awaken its full powers. The gloves are extremely heavy and make a crater when he takes them off.

to:

* ''Manga/LifeWithAnOrdinaryGuyWhoReincarnatedIntoATotalFantasyKnockout'': Following In ''Manga/TokyoGhoul :Re'', this is the key difference between normal [[HalfHumanHybrid One-Eyed Ghouls]] and the Quinx. While the methods to create them are essentially the same, the Quinx have a system installed to limit their powers (and therefore, how close to being a true half-Ghoul they are). The Frame System consists of five layers of Quinque Steel, encasing the [[BadassTransplant transplanted Kakune]] inside them to limit how much it changes the host's biology. Removing each layer increases the potential power output by 20%, but increases risk of losing control or becoming a true half-Ghoul. [[spoiler:Once Hisae did this, he returned to his SuperGenderBender, Tachibana spends most of his time wearing a CoolCrown that old identity as Ken Kaneki.]]
* ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'':
** [[TheAlcoholic Mansam]]
limits the effect of his SoBeautifulItsACurse looks so people won't fall madly in lust with him on sight. The crown acts like a PerceptionFilter, but it is not perfect. Tachibana's power will still kick in on anyone focused on him intently enough.
* One ''Manga/{{Nichijou}}'' strip, titled "Limiter Release," implies that taking off the weighted ribbon in Annaka's hair lets her jump or even ''fly'' at least ten feet off the ground.
* ''Manga/RecordOfRagnarok'': Unlike in mythology where the Járngreipr gloves increase Thor's strength so he can lift his hammer, the gloves limit
his strength so that he does not accidentally crush with Knocking. Without the Knocking, he's a [[TheJuggernaut rampaging near-unstoppable]] [[TheBerserker berserker]].
** [[TheParalyzer Knocking master Jirou]] uses similar seals to limit
his hammer strength, but after he removes the seals, he transforms into a monstrous version of himself, and then [[spoiler:[[BishonenLine into a middle-aged man]]]].
* ''Manga/{{Totsugami}}'': Tasaku's glasses prevent him from seeing the monsters and yokai he would usually see without them.
* ''Literature/TrinityBlood'':
** Abel Nightroad is the only [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Crusnik]] who can release his powers in three stages (40%, 80%, and 100%). These restrictions are self-imposed, following a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment long
before the series' begin.
** His EvilTwin [[MeaningfulName Cain]] long before had ''permanently'' locked himself into 100% power, with [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity results]] that demonstrate why Abel's Power Limiter is a really good idea. Their younger sister Seth seems to vary only between not activating the power at all and using
it can awaken its full at 100%.
* In ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'', Fay's phoenix tattoo (which covers his entire back) restrains his huge innate magical
powers. The gloves are extremely heavy and make When he trades it to Yuuko for a crater place in the traveling party, he swears off using his magic for fear of what might happen without the limit in place. Although, [[spoiler:it turns out he's MORE dangerous with it than without, due to being cursed to kill the first person he meets whose magic exceeds his own. Suppressing his magic only makes it more likely he'll run across someone stronger]]. Just as a reminder, without that limiter, [[spoiler:Fay's magic can destroy an entire world/dimension/at least country when he takes them off.has a SuperPowerMeltdown]].



* While pretty common in Sports anime in general, ''Manga/YowamushiPedal'' goes all out with this trope. The main character, from the very very beginning, is constantly under limiters and that is in fact the *only reason* he isn't already Inter-High level. Throughout the show, it's far less him getting stronger and far more his teammates just removing his limiters one at a time and watching him go from mediocre to incredible just from that.
* In ''Anime/YuGiOh'', Joey Wheeler says that the card "Gearfried the Iron Knight" uses his suit of armor to control his power. Joey then plays "Release Restraint" to reveal Gearfired's true form: the much more powerful "Gearfried the Swordmaster."
* Aki Izayoi (Akiza Izinski)'s hairband in ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' supposedly holds back her psychic powers, although whether or not it's really a MagicFeather remains to be seen. When it falls out of her hair while fighting against Yusei, her psychic powers seem to really hit home, but that may be psychological.
* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'':
** Bui, an enemy from the Dark Tournament arc, wears heavy armor over every inch of his body and wields a gigantic axe. Everyone thinks this is to protect him from attack, but it turns out that the armor was actually a Power Limiter, and once it's removed, he shows off an impenetrable BattleAura that lets him defeat Hiei's WaveMotionGun, the Dragon of the Darkness Flame/Kokuryuha.
** Similarly enough, Hiei himself wears 2 limiters. His headband suppresses his Jagan's demon energy, while the bandages suppress the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, with ''very'' good reason; without said limit, Hiei's demon energy was so powerful, if his aura were to clash with Bui's, the resulting reaction was said by Kurama to be powerful enough to destroy the entire stadium.
** It was revealed in the Dark Tournament arc that Yusuke was given "spirit cuffs" by Genkai because his constant effort to overcome it would buff up his spirit energy.
** Karasu (on the same team as Bui, his skill is HavingABlast) normally wears a mask. The mask is this trope because it keeps him from having full access to his mouth, keeping a DangerousForbiddenTechnique locked up.



* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** In the '80s, a retcon introduced the idea that Professor Xavier placed a mental block in ComicBook/JeanGrey's mind as a child to keep her more extreme powers from manifesting.
** Also, in ''ComicBook/TheDarkPhoenixSaga'', Jean unconsciously put blocks on her vast cosmic power to keep it at a level she could handle. Then, Mastermind started removing them. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity BAD move]].
** Also, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' goggles, which keep his uncontrollable EyeBeams under wraps. If he takes his glasses off completely and opens his eyes fully he can hold off even the ''Juggernaut'' (for a little while, anyway) and once ''atomized'' a Sentinel. The bad news is that it means destroying everything else in the area too, so he doesn't do it often.
** ComicBook/{{Cable}}'s PsychicPowers are canonically Phoenix-class-or-higher, but the majority of his power is constantly occupied, holding back the techno-organic virus that threatens to consume him. As such, he typically relies on {{BFG}}s and the occasional nowhere-near-Phoenix-class telekinetic feat.
** It's eventually revealed that [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] is naturally immensely powerful, but suffered from dangerous PowerIncontinence. Whereas Gambit's usual power is to charge an unliving object he touches with kinetic energy until it explodes, his full energy manipulation powers could potentially explode anything - or anyone - he can perceive. At least one of his AlternateUniverse versions killed everyone on his Earth in a moment of PowerIncontinence, and was also able to step between alternate worlds, twist time itself, and assume an energy form. However, when Gambit's powers started to increase and slip out of his control, long before he joined the X-Men, he made a bargain with villain Mister Sinister to surgically limit them, avoiding this fate on the main Marvel earth.
** ComicBook/MultipleMan's power of SelfDuplication is triggered by impact when he absorbs kinetic energy. When he was a boy, his father, Dr. Daniel Madrox, created a suit for him designed to absorb the kinetic energy so Jamie wouldn't keep creating duplicates everytime he bumped into something.

to:

* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** In the '80s, a retcon introduced the idea that Professor Xavier placed a mental block in ComicBook/JeanGrey's mind as a child to keep her
ComicBook/BetaRayBill's cyborg body was built with one of these, releasing it more extreme powers from manifesting.
** Also, in ''ComicBook/TheDarkPhoenixSaga'', Jean unconsciously put blocks on her vast cosmic
than triples his power to keep it at for a level she could handle. Then, Mastermind started removing them. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity BAD move]].
** Also, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' goggles, which keep
short time, but runs the risk of [[PowerIncontinence burning out his uncontrollable EyeBeams under wraps. If he takes power]].
* ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}'s HealingFactor is restrained by
his glasses off completely own cancer and opens vice versa. Without his eyes fully he can hold off even healing factor, the ''Juggernaut'' (for a little while, anyway) cancer will go wild and once ''atomized'' a Sentinel. The bad news is that it means destroying everything else in the area too, so he kill him. Without his cancer, his healing factor will go wild and kill him. Sucks, doesn't do it?
* A future version of ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'''s Franklin Richards known as Psi-Lord wears a specialized power armor designed to drain his immense psychic abilities. Without it, he was able to release power equivalent to the Big Bang. Before that, Reed Richards had to install mental blocks within Franklin when his powers started to manifest. Of course, putting
it often.
** ComicBook/{{Cable}}'s PsychicPowers
on him while putting him in a coma did near him a WhatTheHellHero from Sue.
* ComicBook/{{Ghost Rider}}s
are canonically Phoenix-class-or-higher, their own power limiters. The human Riders limit naturally only use a mere fraction of the potential power of their Spirits, who, it’s been said, essentially have the power of a god when carrying out their duties. The Rider job is to focus and direct that power, in whatever way they choose. If the Rider is knocked out or gives control to the Spirit, the limit is removed, but the majority Spirit might stop the fight if they don't approve of the opponent, as they only fight the guilty and sinful. The best example of this is in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'', where Johnny Blaze attempted to talk the Hulk out of his power is constantly occupied, holding back rampage, then attempted to get him out of the techno-organic virus that threatens city when he couldn't. Hulk ended up hurting Johnny enough he blacked out, giving control over to consume him. As such, Zarathos, his spirit. Zarathos, however, dropped the fight, as he typically relies on {{BFG}}s felt Hulk was innocent and the occasional nowhere-near-Phoenix-class telekinetic feat.injured party in the matter.
* The Franchise/GreenLantern Corps were given various restrictions on the power of their rings by the Guardians of the Universe, such as the inability to directly kill someone with them. The Guardians later released these restrictions.
* Typically, ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk has basically unlimited strength, but while Bruce Banner can manifest different versions of the Hulk, they come with their own limits. This is particularly relevant for the incarnation of the Hulk known as 'the Professor'; representing Bruce Banner's ideal self, the Professor Hulk has a default strength level able to lift up to a hundred tons and an intellect equal to Banner himself, but at the cost that he will revert to Bruce Banner with the mind of the savage Hulk if he loses control of his temper.

** It's eventually revealed that [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] is naturally immensely powerful, but suffered from dangerous PowerIncontinence. Whereas Gambit's usual power is * Five of the six [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]] act as control rods for the sixth, the Reality gem, which cannot be used alone (unlike the other five). Trying to charge an unliving object he touches do so will result in RealityIsOutToLunch (as Thanos painfully found out).
* The newest version of Steel (a member of the ComicBook/{{Justice Society|OfAmerica}} not to be confused
with kinetic energy until it explodes, his full energy manipulation powers could potentially explode anything - or anyone - he can perceive. At least one of his AlternateUniverse versions killed everyone on his Earth in John Henry Irons) wears a moment of PowerIncontinence, and was also able to step between alternate worlds, twist time itself, and assume an energy form. However, when Gambit's powers started to increase and slip out of his control, long before he joined the X-Men, he made a bargain solid metal skin with villain Mister Sinister no joints in order to surgically limit them, avoiding this fate on the main Marvel earth.
** ComicBook/MultipleMan's power of SelfDuplication is triggered by impact when he absorbs kinetic energy. When he was a boy,
resist his father, Dr. Daniel Madrox, created a suit strength enough for him designed to absorb the kinetic energy so Jamie function. It ensured that he wouldn't keep creating duplicates everytime exert so much strength that he bumped into something.might accidentally crush his family or damage doors just by opening them, but has draw backs like not being able to feel pretty much anything.



* During ''ComicBook/NewAvengers2015'' and ''ComicBook/USAvengers'', ComicBook/{{Sunspot}} suffers from a disease that puts his mutant power into overdrive and gives him strength comparable to a PhysicalGod. Since this also [[CastFromLifespan takes years off his lifespan]], Toni Ho invents a headband that regulates the amount of solar energy he absorbs and allows him to use his power at a weaker, non-lethal level.



* The lightning bolt embedded in ComicBook/RadioactiveMan's head acts as a control rod, preventing the nuclear reaction in his body from going supercritical (and turning him evil).
* ComicBook/TheSpectre's power is severely limited when sealed in a mortal host. The Spectre still has near-omnipotent power but can only use it to punish murderers (and not every murderer at that). During the Day of Vengeance event, the Spectre was between hosts and fell prey to Eclipso's manipulations and decided that magic was an affront to the Presence's will and had to be destroyed. The Spectre declared war on all magic in the universe. And pretty much won. Without anything holding him back, the Spectre [[ForcedTransformation turned Phantom Stranger into a mouse]], forced Blaze and Satanus to flee for their lives, kicked a souped up Captain Marvel's ass, killed Shazam in the place where he was strongest, and killed all of the Lords of Order and Chaos. Unfortunately for the Spectre, that last one was the final straw for the Presence. The Presence promptly demonstrated the difference between near-omnipotent and truly omnipotent power by sealing the Spectre into his new host.



* ComicBook/TheSpectre's power is severely limited when sealed in a mortal host. The Spectre still has near-omnipotent power but can only use it to punish murderers (and not every murderer at that). During the Day of Vengeance event, the Spectre was between hosts and fell prey to Eclipso's manipulations and decided that magic was an affront to the Presence's will and had to be destroyed. The Spectre declared war on all magic in the universe. And pretty much won. Without anything holding him back, the Spectre [[ForcedTransformation turned Phantom Stranger into a mouse]], forced Blaze and Satanus to flee for their lives, kicked a souped up Captain Marvel's ass, killed Shazam in the place where he was strongest, and killed all of the Lords of Order and Chaos. Unfortunately for the Spectre, that last one was the final straw for the Presence. The Presence promptly demonstrated the difference between near-omnipotent and truly omnipotent power by sealing the Spectre into his new host.
* The newest version of Steel (a member of the ComicBook/{{Justice Society|OfAmerica}} not to be confused with John Henry Irons) wears a solid metal skin with no joints in order to resist his strength enough for him to function. It ensured that he wouldn't exert so much strength that he might accidentally crush his family or damage doors just by opening them, but has draw backs like not being able to feel pretty much anything.
* Typically, ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk has basically unlimited strength, but while Bruce Banner can manifest different versions of the Hulk, they come with their own limits. This is particularly relevant for the incarnation of the Hulk known as 'the Professor'; representing Bruce Banner's ideal self, the Professor Hulk has a default strength level able to lift up to a hundred tons and an intellect equal to Banner himself, but at the cost that he will revert to Bruce Banner with the mind of the savage Hulk if he loses control of his temper.
* Five of the six [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]] act as control rods for the sixth, the Reality gem, which cannot be used alone (unlike the other five). Trying to do so will result in RealityIsOutToLunch (as Thanos painfully found out).
* ComicBook/BetaRayBill's cyborg body was built with one of these, releasing it more than triples his power for a short time, but runs the risk of [[PowerIncontinence burning out his power]].
* The Franchise/GreenLantern Corps were given various restrictions on the power of their rings by the Guardians of the Universe, such as the inability to directly kill someone with them. The Guardians later released these restrictions.
* A future version of ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'''s Franklin Richards known as Psi-Lord wears a specialized power armor designed to drain his immense psychic abilities. Without it, he was able to release power equivalent to the Big Bang. Before that, Reed Richards had to install mental blocks within Franklin when his powers started to manifest. Of course, putting it on him while putting him in a coma did near him a WhatTheHellHero from Sue.
* The lightning bolt embedded in ComicBook/RadioactiveMan's head acts as a control rod, preventing the nuclear reaction in his body from going supercritical (and turning him evil).
* ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}'s HealingFactor is restrained by his own cancer and vice versa. Without his healing factor, the cancer will go wild and kill him. Without his cancer, his healing factor will go wild and kill him. Sucks, doesn't it?
* For the longest time, it was suggested that ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}'s adamantium skeleton was this for both his healing factor and his animalistic tendencies. When Magneto torn his adamantium out of his body and his healing factor recovered from being taxed, it came back stronger than ever, but started a downward spiral of losing himself, made full when Genesis tried to give him back his adamantium and brainwashed him, which didn't work out at all.



* During ''ComicBook/NewAvengers2015'' and ''ComicBook/USAvengers'', ComicBook/{{Sunspot}} suffers from a disease that puts his mutant power into overdrive and gives him strength comparable to a PhysicalGod. Since this also [[CastFromLifespan takes years off his lifespan]], Toni Ho invents a headband that regulates the amount of solar energy he absorbs and allows him to use his power at a weaker, non-lethal level.
* ComicBook/{{Ghost Rider}}s are their own power limiters. The human Riders limit naturally only use a mere fraction of the potential power of their Spirits, who, it’s been said, essentially have the power of a god when carrying out their duties. The Rider job is to focus and direct that power, in whatever way they choose. If the Rider is knocked out or gives control to the Spirit, the limit is removed, but the Spirit might stop the fight if they don’t approve of the opponent, as they only fight the guilty and sinful. The best example of this is in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'', where Johnny Blaze attempted to talk the Hulk out of his rampage, then attempted to get him out of the city when he couldn’t. Hulk ended up hurting Johnny enough he blacked out, giving control over to Zarathos, his spirit. Zarathos, however, dropped the fight, as he felt Hulk was innocent and the injured party in the matter.

to:

* During ''ComicBook/NewAvengers2015'' and ''ComicBook/USAvengers'', ComicBook/{{Sunspot}} suffers from a disease For the longest time, it was suggested that puts his mutant power into overdrive and gives him strength comparable to a PhysicalGod. Since ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}'s adamantium skeleton was this also [[CastFromLifespan takes years off for both his lifespan]], Toni Ho invents a headband that regulates the amount of solar energy he absorbs healing factor and allows him to use his power at a weaker, non-lethal level.
* ComicBook/{{Ghost Rider}}s are their own power limiters. The human Riders limit naturally only use a mere fraction of the potential power of their Spirits, who, it’s been said, essentially have the power of a god when carrying out their duties. The Rider job is to focus and direct that power, in whatever way they choose. If the Rider is knocked out or gives control to the Spirit, the limit is removed, but the Spirit might stop the fight if they don’t approve of the opponent, as they only fight the guilty and sinful. The best example of this is in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk'', where Johnny Blaze attempted to talk the Hulk
animalistic tendencies. When Magneto torn his adamantium out of his rampage, then attempted to get him out body and his healing factor recovered from being taxed, it came back stronger than ever, but started a downward spiral of the city losing himself, made full when he couldn’t. Hulk ended up hurting Johnny enough he blacked out, giving control over Genesis tried to Zarathos, give him back his spirit. Zarathos, however, dropped the fight, as he felt Hulk was innocent adamantium and the injured party in the matter.brainwashed him, which didn't work out at all.



* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** In the '80s, a retcon introduced the idea that Professor Xavier placed a mental block in ComicBook/JeanGrey's mind as a child to keep her more extreme powers from manifesting.
** Also, in ''ComicBook/TheDarkPhoenixSaga'', Jean unconsciously put blocks on her vast cosmic power to keep it at a level she could handle. Then, Mastermind started removing them. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity BAD move]].
** Also, ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' goggles, which keep his uncontrollable EyeBeams under wraps. If he takes his glasses off completely and opens his eyes fully he can hold off even the ''Juggernaut'' (for a little while, anyway) and once ''atomized'' a Sentinel. The bad news is that it means destroying everything else in the area too, so he doesn't do it often.
** ComicBook/{{Cable}}'s PsychicPowers are canonically Phoenix-class-or-higher, but the majority of his power is constantly occupied, holding back the techno-organic virus that threatens to consume him. As such, he typically relies on {{BFG}}s and the occasional nowhere-near-Phoenix-class telekinetic feat.
** It's eventually revealed that [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] is naturally immensely powerful, but suffered from dangerous PowerIncontinence. Whereas Gambit's usual power is to charge an unliving object he touches with kinetic energy until it explodes, his full energy manipulation powers could potentially explode anything - or anyone - he can perceive. At least one of his AlternateUniverse versions killed everyone on his Earth in a moment of PowerIncontinence, and was also able to step between alternate worlds, twist time itself, and assume an energy form. However, when Gambit's powers started to increase and slip out of his control, long before he joined the X-Men, he made a bargain with villain Mister Sinister to surgically limit them, avoiding this fate on the main Marvel earth.
** ComicBook/MultipleMan's power of SelfDuplication is triggered by impact when he absorbs kinetic energy. When he was a boy, his father, Dr. Daniel Madrox, created a suit for him designed to absorb the kinetic energy so Jamie wouldn't keep creating duplicates everytime he bumped into something.



[[folder:FanWorks]]
* ''Fanfic/FateOfTheClans'':
** Chiron's is the form he takes. If he's in a more human-like form it makes him weaker. He takes this form in order to conceal his True Name since he's basically the only centaur Heroic Spirit.
** Nagare's full power is restrained by a straightjacket since he's unable to hold his power in on his own. Only by destroying it can he show his power as King. But it can only remain active for a time. Once he hits that limit, he collapses and has to wait to recharge.
** [[spoiler:Cú Chulainn Alter's chains are actually holding him back. When he gets rid of them his power rivals Tamamo's three tails state.]]
* ''Fanfic/EscapeFromTheMoon'': Doa has one on her thaumatics, preventing her from using more than a minimal amount.

to:

[[folder:FanWorks]]
[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/FateOfTheClans'':
** Chiron's
''Fanfic/AdorableMurderbeasts'' : A fanfic where a Self-Insert is put into the form Young Justice universe with six Pokeballs and all the items from the games, he takes. If he's in a more human-like form uses the Macho Brace, Power Bracers, and Power Anklets to increase his training so he can faster match the various threats of the DC Universe.
* In ''Fanfic/TheAwakeningOfAMagus'',
it makes turns out Snape had a block placed on him weaker. He takes this form in order to conceal during the school days, locking away most of his True Name since he's basically potential. It seems Voldemort was paranoid about Severus having the only centaur Heroic Spirit.
** Nagare's full
power to beat him. ProperlyParanoid.
* One ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' story shows Yachiru's entire uniform
is restrained by a straightjacket since he's unable to hold his covered in power in on his own. Only by destroying it can he show his limiters similar to Kenpachi's. They're also stated to be the reason she appears as a little girl as they seal away too much power as King. But it can only remain active for a time. Once he hits that limit, he collapses and has Yachiru to wait to recharge.
** [[spoiler:Cú Chulainn Alter's chains are actually holding him back. When he gets rid of them his power rivals Tamamo's three tails state.]]
* ''Fanfic/EscapeFromTheMoon'': Doa has one on
maintain her thaumatics, preventing her from using more than a minimal amount. adult form.



* In the ''Fanfic/PokeWars'' series it is revealed that [[spoiler:Pokémon ''and'' humans]] possess natural power limiters that keep their attacks to a non-lethal level and reduce their bloodlust and aggressiveness. The series revolves around what happens after those limiters are suddenly released and [[spoiler:the Pokémon are psychically commanded to kill all humans]].

to:

* ''Fanfic/ADiplomaticVisit'': In the ''Fanfic/PokeWars'' series it is revealed second chapter of the fourth story, ''The Diplomat's Life'', after meeting her great-niece, Princess Celestia mentions that [[spoiler:Pokémon ''and'' humans]] possess natural power as foals, her parents put limiters designed for infant alicorns on she and Luna until they were a year or so old. She doesn't know them herself until Magic speaks up and shares them with she and Twilight, allowing them to perform the same spell on Cadance's infant.
* ''Fanfic/TheElementsOfFriendship'': Book II reveals
that keep their attacks Celestia's regalia are this to a non-lethal level and reduce their bloodlust and aggressiveness. The series revolves her, as the full untapped extent of her PowerOfTheSun would either incinerate or irradiate everything around what happens after those limiters are suddenly released and [[spoiler:the Pokémon are psychically commanded to kill all humans]].her.



* ''Fanfic/EscapeFromTheMoon'': Doa has one on her thaumatics, preventing her from using more than a minimal amount.
* In ''{{Fanfic/Everqueen}}'', for a long time, Isha is only allowed to leave her rooms while wearing special enchanted manacles.
* ''Fanfic/FateOfTheClans'':
** Chiron's is the form he takes. If he's in a more human-like form it makes him weaker. He takes this form in order to conceal his True Name since he's basically the only centaur Heroic Spirit.
** Nagare's full power is restrained by a straightjacket since he's unable to hold his power in on his own. Only by destroying it can he show his power as King. But it can only remain active for a time. Once he hits that limit, he collapses and has to wait to recharge.
** [[spoiler:Cú Chulainn Alter's chains are actually holding him back. When he gets rid of them his power rivals Tamamo's three tails state.]]



* ''Fanfic/NerveDamage'': Samson covers his hair with strips of rawhide to prevent it from being cut off and depowering him. The cost is that covering his hair reduces his strength. He can remove the rawhide to significantly boost his strength but then his hair will become vulnerable to attack.
* In the ''Fanfic/PokeWars'' series it is revealed that [[spoiler:Pokémon ''and'' humans]] possess natural power limiters that keep their attacks to a non-lethal level and reduce their bloodlust and aggressiveness. The series revolves around what happens after those limiters are suddenly released and [[spoiler:the Pokémon are psychically commanded to kill all humans]].
* Harriett Potter, in ''Fanfic/TheRigelBlackChronicles'', is overwhelmed by the maturation of her magical core on her thirteenth birthday, bedridden and in pain from being bloated with magic. She then learns that her mother had a similar problem and wears a power-suppressing bracelet all the time. Even once Harry recovers from the initial shock, her magic reserves are just too big for her to handle, overloading her spells and potions, so she commissions a power-suppressing ring. The results are mixed; she regains control, but it becomes much harder to use high-level magic, and she's advised by several experts that the underlying problem will only get worse the longer she tries to squash that part of herself. [[spoiler:Eventually, the choice is taken away from her, when her ring is destroyed and she has no alternative but to come to terms with herself and her magic.]]



* ''Fanfic/TheElementsOfFriendship'': Book II reveals that Celestia's regalia are this to her, as the full untapped extent of her PowerOfTheSun would either incinerate or irradiate everything around her.
* ''Fanfic/AdorableMurderbeasts'' : A fanfic where a Self-Insert is put into the Young Justice universe with six Pokeballs and all the items from the games, he uses the Macho Brace, Power Bracers, and Power Anklets to increase his training so he can faster match the various threats of the DC Universe.
* One ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' story shows Yachiru's entire uniform is covered in power limiters similar to Kenpachi's. They're also stated to be the reason she appears as a little girl as they seal away too much power for Yachiru to maintain her adult form.
* ''Fanfic/ADiplomaticVisit'': In the second chapter of the fourth story, ''The Diplomat's Life'', after meeting her great-niece, Princess Celestia mentions that as foals, her parents put limiters designed for infant alicorns on she and Luna until they were a year or so old. She doesn't know them herself until Magic speaks up and shares them with she and Twilight, allowing them to perform the same spell on Cadance's infant.
* ''Fanfic/NerveDamage'': Samson covers his hair with strips of rawhide to prevent it from being cut off and depowering him. The cost is that covering his hair reduces his strength. He can remove the rawhide to significantly boost his strength but then his hair will become vulnerable to attack.
* Harriett Potter, in ''Fanfic/TheRigelBlackChronicles'', is overwhelmed by the maturation of her magical core on her thirteenth birthday, bedridden and in pain from being bloated with magic. She then learns that her mother had a similar problem and wears a power-suppressing bracelet all the time. Even once Harry recovers from the initial shock, her magic reserves are just too big for her to handle, overloading her spells and potions, so she commissions a power-suppressing ring. The results are mixed; she regains control, but it becomes much harder to use high-level magic, and she's advised by several experts that the underlying problem will only get worse the longer she tries to squash that part of herself. [[spoiler:Eventually, the choice is taken away from her, when her ring is destroyed and she has no alternative but to come to terms with herself and her magic.]]



* In ''Fanfic/TheAwakeningOfAMagus'', it turns out Snape had a block placed on him during the school days, locking away most of his potential. It seems Voldemort was paranoid about Severus having the power to beat him. ProperlyParanoid.
* In ''{{Fanfic/Everqueen}}'', for a long time, Isha is only allowed to leave her rooms while wearing special enchanted manacles.



* Given to Mewtwo in ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie''. When he meets with Giovanni for the first time, he barely has control of his psychic abilities and is given the armor to slowly focus his power.



* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''

to:

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''''Film/XMenFilmSeries'':



* In ''Literature/{{Bequin}}'', a choice made by those who choose to summon Daemonhosts; the more of the Daemon's power is permitted to escape, the less control is possible. [[spoiler:Cherubael is weaker working for Eisenhorn because Eisenhorn wants to keep him under control.]]
* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, a Wizard's natural instinct is to build a magic tower, and then obliterate every other wizard standing (it's noted that the plural of "wizard" used to be "war"). The [[WizardingSchool Unseen University]] with its associated lifestyle of multiple rich meals a day, bureaucracy, and general work-avoidance, acts as a Power Limiter helping keep those instincts in check, and when the system is temporarily upended in ''Literature/{{Sourcery}}'', things go ''very bad, very fast''.



* In the ''Literature/ExtremeMonsters'' book series, monster athletes wear Neutralizer Wristbands to weaken their monster powers so that they can compete fairly against humans in sporting events.



* Employed by the government in ''Literature/HarrisonBergeron'' to make sure that nobody ever excels at anything, ostensibly to make everyone equal.
* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Neville and Ron both start out with hand-me-down wands which explicitly did not choose them and are not suited for them. Ron accidentally breaks his in ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets Chamber of Secrets]]'' and has to get it replaced after which he has a lot less trouble performing spellwork. A part of Neville Longbottom's problem performing magic is the fact that he is using his father's wand for the first ''5 books'' until it gets broken in a fight in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix''. Once he gets one that chooses him and is suited for his skills, his abilities improve dramatically.
* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': The entire guild lobby was outfitted with runes that suppress [[spoiler:Mia's hammerspace ability]] so she can control it instead of turning into a blackhole.
* In the ''Literature/{{Ravenor}}'' books, Wystan Frauka, has a power limiter which can turn off his psychic blanking effect. Which is handy, when the hero is a powerful psychic...



* In the ''Literature/{{Ravenor}}'' books, Wystan Frauka, has a power limiter which can turn off his psychic blanking effect. Which is handy, when the hero is a powerful psychic...
* In ''Literature/{{Bequin}}'', the cuffs.
** Also a choice made by those who choose to summon Daemonhosts; the more of the Daemon's power is permitted to escape, the less control is possible. [[spoiler:Cherubael is weaker working for Eisenhorn because Eisenhorn wants to keep him under control.]]
* Employed by the government in ''Literature/HarrisonBergeron'' to make sure that nobody ever excels at anything, ostensibly to make everyone equal.
* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Neville and Ron both start out with hand-me-down wands which explicitly did not choose them and are not suited for them. Ron accidentally breaks his in ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets Chamber of Secrets]]'' and has to get it replaced after which he has a lot less trouble performing spellwork. A part of Neville Longbottom's problem performing magic is the fact that he is using his father's wand for the first ''5 books'' until it gets broken in a fight in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix''. Once he gets one that chooses him and is suited for his skills, his abilities improve dramatically.
* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, a Wizard's natural instinct is to build a magic tower, and then obliterate every other wizard standing (it's noted that the plural of "wizard" used to be "war"). The [[WizardingSchool Unseen University]] with its associated lifestyle of multiple rich meals a day, bureaucracy, and general work-avoidance, acts as a Power Limiter helping keep those instincts in check, and when the system is temporarily upended in ''Literature/{{Sourcery}}'', things go ''very bad, very fast''.

to:

* In the ''Literature/{{Ravenor}}'' books, Wystan Frauka, has ''Literature/SevenYearsAwesomeLuck'': Kester's watch holds a power limiter which can turn off transformation spell that gives him a generic "John" appearance, but also locks his psychic blanking effect. Which is handy, magic away until he takes it off. [[spoiler:This comes back to bite him when he's kidnapped and his hands are tied so he can't reach the hero is a powerful psychic...
* In ''Literature/{{Bequin}}'', the cuffs.
** Also a choice made by those who choose to summon Daemonhosts; the more of the Daemon's power is permitted to escape, the less control is possible. [[spoiler:Cherubael is weaker working for Eisenhorn because Eisenhorn wants to keep him under control.
watch.]]
* Employed by the government Exploited for LoopholeAbuse in ''Literature/HarrisonBergeron'' to make sure ''Literature/ThereIsNoEpicLootHereOnlyPuns'', when a party challenges a boss that nobody ever excels at anything, ostensibly [[LevelScaling becomes stronger in proportion to make everyone equal.
* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Neville and Ron both
their own strength]]. The boss' strength ''doesn't get recalculated if they become stronger partway through'', so they briefly apply armbands to restrain their magic, start out with hand-me-down wands which explicitly did not choose them and are not suited for them. Ron accidentally breaks his in ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets Chamber of Secrets]]'' and has to get it replaced after which he has a lot less trouble performing spellwork. A part of Neville Longbottom's problem performing magic is the fact that he is using his father's wand for the first ''5 books'' until it gets broken in a fight in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix''. Once he gets one that chooses him and is suited for his skills, his abilities improve dramatically.
* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, a Wizard's natural instinct is to build a magic tower, and
fight, then obliterate every other wizard standing (it's noted that take the plural armbands off. (It's a clever solution, but since the party is also a bunch of "wizard" used to be "war"). The [[WizardingSchool Unseen University]] with its associated lifestyle of multiple rich meals a day, bureaucracy, contemptuous jerks, the [[ADungeonIsYou dungeon core]] isn't impressed, and general work-avoidance, acts retaliates as a Power Limiter helping keep those instincts in check, and when soon as they reach the system is temporarily upended in ''Literature/{{Sourcery}}'', things go ''very bad, very fast''.next floor.)



* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': The entire guild lobby was outfitted with runes that suppress [[spoiler:Mia's hammerspace ability]] so she can control it instead of turning into a blackhole.
* ''Literature/SevenYearsAwesomeLuck'': Kester's watch holds a transformation spell that gives him a generic "John" appearance, but also locks his magic away until he takes it off. [[spoiler:This comes back to bite him when he's kidnapped and his hands are tied so he can't reach the watch.]]
* Exploited for LoopholeAbuse in ''Literature/ThereIsNoEpicLootHereOnlyPuns'', when a party challenges a boss that [[LevelScaling becomes stronger in proportion to their own strength]]. The boss' strength ''doesn't get recalculated if they become stronger partway through'', so they briefly apply armbands to restrain their magic, start the fight, then take the armbands off. (It's a clever solution, but since the party is also a bunch of contemptuous jerks, the [[ADungeonIsYou dungeon core]] isn't impressed, and retaliates as soon as they reach the next floor.)



* In the ''Literature/ExtremeMonsters'' book series, monster athletes wear Neutralizer Wristbands to weaken their monster powers so that they can compete fairly against humans in sporting events.



* The classic tokusatsu example is ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'''s Color Timer, where once he transforms has only [[HourOfPower three minutes to kill the monster and change back]] or "Ultraman will never rise again." The InUniverse explanation is that Earth's atmosphere is harmful to Ultraman, and three minutes is the longest he can safely stay on Earth; the Color Timer is a grafted device that serves to tell him how much longer he has before he is too weak to continue and could potentially die (more than once, being beaten badly enough by the MonsterOfTheWeek has caused the Color Timer to go off prematurely). This trait is also shared by all the other heroes of the ''Franchise/UltraSeries''.
* In ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'', Wataru (the titular hero) has his [[spoiler:{{Dhampyr}} and]] Rider abilities are chained in two ways: symbolically in that being a [[spoiler:HalfHumanHybrid denies him most of the powers of his vampiric heritage]], and literally with the chains adorning Kiva's armor that bring its power down to manageable levels. When he unlocks [[SuperMode Emperor Form]], the TransformationSequence actually begins with one of his sidekicks shattering the chains.
** Later in the series, Wataru gets his hands on an EvilWeapon that makes him go berserk. His {{Battle Butler}}s use a fragment of their souls to create a new Power Limiter that lets him use the sword without going crazy.
* In official materials from ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'', the Horoscopes' cloaks limit their powers, and removing them allows each Horoscope to fight at full strength. It acts as one level of three, the others being [[IAmNotLeftHanded Cloakless]] and [[SuperMode Supernova]].
** Fourze himself has one in that he can't change to his [[SuperMode Cosmic States]] if the bond between him and his friends weakens. Although by the time they figure that out he's fighting the strongest villains in the show and it doesn't pose much of a problem for him anymore, because he can't believably be fighting them without it.
* ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'' has [[spoiler:Blood Stalk]], who flips the franchise's entire dynamic around by being inherently ''much'' stronger than his own TransformationTrinket. He just keeps using it because outing himself as being clearly not human would be pretty bad for his plans, which rely way more on manipulating others than raw power.
* In ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'' [[SixthRanger Hikaru]] ends up having to put a time limit on the main team's [[SuperMode Legend Modes]] so that they don't [[PowerAtAPrice lose their humanity]].



* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
** ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'' has [[spoiler:Blood Stalk]], who flips the franchise's entire dynamic around by being inherently ''much'' stronger than his own TransformationTrinket. He just keeps using it because outing himself as being clearly not human would be pretty bad for his plans, which rely way more on manipulating others than raw power.
** ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'':
*** In official materials, the Horoscopes' cloaks limit their powers, and removing them allows each Horoscope to fight at full strength. It acts as one level of three, the others being [[IAmNotLeftHanded Cloakless]] and [[SuperMode Supernova]].
*** Fourze himself has one in that he can't change to his [[SuperMode Cosmic States]] if the bond between him and his friends weakens. Although by the time they figure that out he's fighting the strongest villains in the show and it doesn't pose much of a problem for him anymore, because he can't believably be fighting them without it.
** ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'':
*** Wataru (the titular hero) has his [[spoiler:{{Dhampyr}} and]] Rider abilities are chained in two ways: symbolically in that being a [[spoiler:HalfHumanHybrid denies him most of the powers of his vampiric heritage]], and literally with the chains adorning Kiva's armor that bring its power down to manageable levels. When he unlocks [[SuperMode Emperor Form]], the TransformationSequence actually begins with one of his sidekicks shattering the chains.
*** Later in the series, Wataru gets his hands on an EvilWeapon that makes him go berserk. His {{Battle Butler}}s use a fragment of their souls to create a new Power Limiter that lets him use the sword without going crazy.
* In ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'' [[SixthRanger Hikaru]] ends up having to put a time limit on the main team's [[SuperMode Legend Modes]] so that they don't [[PowerAtAPrice lose their humanity]].
* The classic tokusatsu example is ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'''s Color Timer, where once he transforms has only [[HourOfPower three minutes to kill the monster and change back]] or "Ultraman will never rise again." The InUniverse explanation is that Earth's atmosphere is harmful to Ultraman, and three minutes is the longest he can safely stay on Earth; the Color Timer is a grafted device that serves to tell him how much longer he has before he is too weak to continue and could potentially die (more than once, being beaten badly enough by the MonsterOfTheWeek has caused the Color Timer to go off prematurely). This trait is also shared by all the other heroes of the ''Franchise/UltraSeries''.



* In ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'', Deus's cape is shown to be weighted, as evidenced in episode 15.5.
* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvoltSeries''
** The [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividuals Adepts]] of the [[MegaCorp Sumeragi Group]] are kept under control through the use of Glaives that contain their extracted septimosome, the physical source of their powers, though they can still use at least a weakened version of their powers. By merging with them, they can regain access to their powers [[AmplifierArtifact and then some]] to achieve a state called "weaponization"/"Armed Phenomenon" and they can summon them remotely from the Sumeragi Headquarters when needed for combat. [[BigBad Nova]] takes the cake, however, in that he's so strong that he needs ''three'' of these Glaives to restrict his power (most need only one)... and even then he's strong enough that he can rival the power of his strongest underlings when they've ''released'' their Glaive. [[OneWingedAngel His fully-released form]] is compared to [[AGodAmI a god more than a man by both himself and others]]. By ''Azure Striker Gunvolt 3'', these types of Glaives are considered "old-fashioned" and a new type that can inhibit Septimas as a field effect without extracting the septimosome are the standard.
** Of the Sumeragi Swordsmen, [[PestController Stratos]] has a second one in the form of the S.E.E.D., a special synthetic drug Sumeragi scientists had been testing to suppress Septimas without actually extracting the septisome. Unfortunately, the drug also turned out to be [[PsychoSerum highly addictive]] and coupled with the [[PlayingWithSyringes various other experiments]] being run on him, Stratos is a [[AxCrazy barely sane individual]] inflicted with HorrorHunger. Gunvolt ends up destroying the flower producing S.E.E.D., resulting in Stratos going on a rampage and ''eating'' several unlucky Sumeragi mooks before fighting Gunvolt, and despite the fact that normally the Swordsmen need authorization to summon their Glaives, Stratos is able to summon his at will and transform.
** On the heroes' side, [[spoiler:Asimov's glasses are revealed to be his own special Power Limiter to hide his [[ShockAndAwe Azure Striker]] Septima, which he has [[PowerIncontinence trouble controlling]]]]. Only a select few amongst QUILL knew about this, and Gunvolt himself only learns about it [[spoiler:when Asimov [[TheGlassesComeOff takes them off]] for the TrueFinalBoss battle]].
** In ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt2'', [[TheDragon Tenjian]] of [[SuperSupremacist Eden]] uses a Glaive created by Eden from data [[spoiler:his sister Zonda]] stole from Sumeragi to assume his own Armed Phenomenon form, but the resulting power boost is lacking since the Glaive doesn't contain his septimosome [[WarmUpBoss and he's beaten easily]]. Indeed, the new TransformationTrinket introduced for this game called Grimories are straight-up {{Amplifier Artifact}}s due to reverse-engineering Glaive technology to ignore the Power Limiter aspect.
** ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt3'':
*** This game introduces the Binding Brands, the [[SuperPrototype original spiritual tools the technology of the Glaives would be based on]]. They were intended to be used to manipulate the energy flow of dragon veins across Japan and allowing for the creation of several special protections and defenses around the country such as the [[TheWallAroundTheWorld Kamishiro Barrier]] [[spoiler:and were secretly used to help seal the Primal Dragon [[GooGooGodlike Moebius]].]] Unlike their Glaive successors, however, the Binding Brands due to their innate energy don't require sealing an Adept's power to allow them to transform with them.
*** Kirin's [[SupernaturalSealing Radiant Fetters]] allow her to seal and limit the power of other Adepts and other supernatural powers. In the beginning of the game, she seals Gunvolt's [[ScaledUp Primal Dragon powers]] in order to keep his [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt world-ending potential]] in check (which has the side-effect of [[ForcedTransformation turning him into a dog-like form]]) and can help him release some of that power to return to human form and unleash hell on his foes. To emphasize how effective it is, Sumeragi used ''1000'' Glaives to keep him sedated and under control for decades, but he ultimately broke loose of them once his power grew too strong.
* It is revealed near the end of ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' that [[spoiler:the Siphon actually limits Elizabeth's powers at the request of Comstock to better manage and keep her under control. By destroying the Siphon Tower using Songbird, Elizabeth gains the full potential of her powers which allowed her to see through the multi universe of the world and its truth.]]
* In ''VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift'', Hazama explained that Noel's Nox Nyctores Bolverk actually functions as a limiter to sustain her emotions, thus when Bolverk broke, Noel unlocked her true form -- Mu-12. This only happens because he was riling her up at the time, however. When Rachel takes Bolverk from her in an alternate timeline, she instead loses all self-confidence and dissolves into tears.
** And ''[[VideoGame/BlazblueChronophantasma Chronophantasma]]'' gives us Azrael's Enchant Dragunov (indicated by the tattoos adorning his body) that he uses so he doesn't kill his opponent too soon. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPXKxalTTI This is his power without said seal...]]
* In the ''Ringed City'' dlc content of ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', it is revealed that [[spoiler:the Darksign]] is apparently a power limiter. [[spoiler:Gwyn placed a "seal of fire" on the Pygmy Lords and their Ringed Knights to cut them off from the power of the Abyss which they could command due to their mastery of their Dark Soul fragments. This now waning seal bears an eerie resemblance to the Darksign.]]
* In ''VideoGame/DeusExMankindDivided'' Adam Jensen is revealed to have a bevy of experimental augmentations that while very potent will severely destabilize him if he activates them on top of his existing augs. He can get around this by either disabling certain mods (including HUD elements) or obtaining a MacGuffin that will allow his surgeon (presuming that he's still alive) to eventually remove the limiter entirely.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' series, the first humans of Sanctuary (and Sanctuary itself) were Angel-Demon hybrids called the Nephalem. They possessed power beyond any angel or demon and more significantly were ImmuneToFate. The Angels feared their power and tuned the Worldstone to limit their power. Then Tyrael was forced to destroy the Worldstone after Baal corrupted it in ''Throne of Destruction''. Cue [[VideoGame/DiabloIII the sequel]], and the first of the new Nephalem become powerful enough [[spoiler:to slay the reincarnated ''GodOfEvil''.]]



* The Elona+ expansion for ''VideoGame/{{Elona}}'' has the fourth-level god gifts, which are equipment pieces that provide lots of armor, but decrease that god's favored attributes and skills by an extraordinary amount. They're meant to be used for training; attributes and skills that are very high gain levels slowly, but by lowering those attributes and skills and setting up the right situation, you can continue to train them in a time-efficient manner.
* In its obsessive dedication to accuracy, ''VideoGame/EuroTruckSimulator2'' imposes the speed limiters required by law in Europe on the game's trucks. [[IAmNotLeftHanded Later versions let you disable the limiter.]] [[PowerIncontinence This generally results in a hard lesson as to ''why'' those laws were made in the first place.]]



* In ''VideoGame/GodHand'', Gene wears the "Deistic Brace" on his titular godhand presumably so that he can keep control over the awesome power it contains. [[spoiler:The braces, along with Gene's other arm, are removed for the final fight.]]
* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'', Hercules starts out as a MightyGlacier, but when Kratos pulls off his armor and weapons, he becomes much faster, turning into a LightningBruiser.
* In ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'', Proto Bahamut looks like it has its hands and mouth tied up, its tail bandaged, and is blindfolded. They come off when it reveals its true power. In its raid boss battle, it breaks these limiters once its health is halved.



* ''VideoGame/LieOfCaelum'': After accidentally nuking part of the planet with his power, Syou sealed most of his power in the Inverse Towers.
* ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' has the surface dwellers' and Solarians' powers limited by a nanomachine device literally called a Limiter. You get to destroy this Limiter later and unlock awesome new techs for your character.
** Limiters are used in a lot of ways, not just to ensure that surfacers and Solarians can't attain their full power. [[spoiler:Fei also gets a Limiter that keeps his SuperpoweredEvilSide under control, with a system that allows him to release his Id powers in a controlled fashion. It breaks later.]]
** Later on, the heroes remove the Limiters on ''everyone''. [[spoiler:It turns out that removing the Limiters of [[NominalImportance nameless NPCs]] is [[NiceJobBreakingItHero a bad idea]].]]
* In ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'', Shulk ponders early on that there must be a reason why the Monado can't cut people and faced Mechon. Later it turns out [[spoiler:the Monado's is "in shackles" in its current form. Once Zanza unlocks it into the Monado II, those restrictions no longer apply. And it turns out that even that form is still limiting its power when the Monado III is revealed.]]
* In ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa2'', if you kill Rockbouquet before Noel, he will not allow you to make peace with him and will attack at full power; it is even worse if he is the only remaining hero since he will be the penultimate boss in the final dungeon; he will be in his second form and without the limiter, meaning he will use every technique at his disposal.
* K' in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' is forced to wear a special gauntlet, lest his flame control powers run wild. Normally, flame-users in KOF have perfect control, but since K' got his powers through an imperfect process, he has no control over them. As of ''2003'' and ''XIII'', it's implied he doesn't need it anymore but now wears it out of habit.

to:

* ''VideoGame/LieOfCaelum'': After accidentally nuking part of the planet with his power, Syou sealed most of his power in the Inverse Towers.
* ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' has the surface dwellers' and Solarians' powers limited by a nanomachine device literally called a Limiter. You get to destroy this Limiter later and unlock awesome new techs for your character.
** Limiters are used in a lot of ways, not just to ensure that surfacers and Solarians can't attain their full power. [[spoiler:Fei also gets a Limiter that keeps his SuperpoweredEvilSide under control, with a system that allows him to release his Id powers in a controlled fashion. It breaks later.]]
** Later on, the heroes remove the Limiters on ''everyone''. [[spoiler:It turns out that removing the Limiters of [[NominalImportance nameless NPCs]] is [[NiceJobBreakingItHero a bad idea]].]]
* In ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'', Shulk ponders early on that there must be a reason why the Monado can't cut people and faced Mechon. Later it turns out [[spoiler:the Monado's is "in shackles" in its current form. Once Zanza unlocks it into digital card game ''VideoGame/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft'' we have the Monado II, those restrictions no longer apply. And it turns out that even that form is still limiting its power when the Monado III is revealed.]]
* In ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa2'', if you kill Rockbouquet before Noel, he will not allow you to make peace with him and will
card 2 mana cost card [[http://hearthstone.gamepedia.com/File:Ancient_Watcher(153).png Ancient Watcher]] which has a massive 4 attack at full power; and 5 health but has a limiter which prevents it is even worse if he is from attacking. Silencing the only remaining hero since he card will be the penultimate boss in the final dungeon; he will be in his second form disable this limiter and without the limiter, meaning he will use every technique at his disposal.
makes it a potent threat.
* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'':
**
K' in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' is forced to wear a special gauntlet, lest his flame control powers run wild. Normally, flame-users in KOF have perfect control, but since K' got his powers through an imperfect process, he has no control over them. As of ''2003'' and ''XIII'', it's implied he doesn't need it anymore but now wears it out of habit.



* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'':
** ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'''s Oro willingly wears one of his arms in a sling while fighting as to use both would run the risk of killing his opponent due to his sheer power. During one of his [[LimitBreak Super Arts]], however, he removes the arm and beats the crap out of the opponent.
** [[VideoGame/FinalFight Cody Travers]] wears his prison-issued handcuffs in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha 3'' and ''Super VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'' for much the same reason, though he does so in order to up his own challenge as well as give his opponent a fair(er) bout. He proves it's a limiter by casually removing his cuffs during his taunts in order to stretch his wrists.
* In ''VideoGame/StarCraft'', the Terran Ghosts go through brutal training to suppress their innate abilities and allow their superiors to keep better control over them. It can be reversed, though; Infested Kerrigan raids a Terran ship to find out how to do it, unlocking the Psionic Storm attack.
* In the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, the gold rings on Shadow's wrists act as a limiter, but he's only ever removed them once in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. When Mephiles surrounds Shadow by [[DoppelgangerAttack duplicating himself several hundred times]], Shadow removes the rings from his wrists and proceeds to curbstomp the entire clone army. He immediately puts them back on afterward.
* Used ''twice on the same character'' in ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss''. A piece of AppliedPhlebotinum is used to bring Jade down 30 levels so he wouldn't be spectacularly overleveled for most of the game. Later, through a sidequest or two, you learn that Jade's eyes are where his ability to use fonic artes is most concentrated, and his glasses prevent all the fonic energy from going out of control and destroying him and whatever he happens to be standing by. ([[TheGlassesComeOff The glasses do come off]] for the final battle against the BigBad, however...)
* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'', pretty much every SuperRobot used by the Shadow-Mirrors is able to deactivate its power limiter by reciting a code word or phrase, i.e. "Code: Kirin". This is never used as a plot point, however, just an implied powerup during the characters' strongest attacks.
* ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'': [[spoiler:The "golden contract" functions as this for Azul's [[PowerParasite unique magic]]; without it, he'll rob his victims of ''all'' of their powers due to the magic's powerful nature, and thus he'll [[OneWingedAngel overblot]] very quickly.]]
* In ''VideoGame/GodHand'', Gene wears the "Deistic Brace" on his titular godhand presumably so that he can keep control over the awesome power it contains. [[spoiler:The braces, along with Gene's other arm, are removed for the final fight.]]
* In ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'', Proto Bahamut looks like it has its hands and mouth tied up, its tail bandaged, and is blindfolded. They come off when it reveals its true power. In its raid boss battle, it breaks these limiters once its health is halved.

to:

* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'':
** ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'''s Oro willingly
''Franchise/KingdomHearts'': Throughout ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]'' and the early part of ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII II]]'', Riku wears one of a blindfold to suppress his arms in a sling while [[CastingAShadow darkness]] and SuperpoweredEvilSide. When fighting as to use both would run the risk of killing his opponent due to his sheer power. During one of his [[LimitBreak Super Arts]], Roxas and losing, however, he removes was forced to remove the arm and beats blindfold; doing so [[ShapeshifterModeLock traps him in the crap out form of Xehanort's Heartless]], but nonetheless gives him enough power to K.O. Roxas with ease.
* Inhibitors in ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' limit the enemy's nexus into summoning weaker minions instead
of the opponent.
** [[VideoGame/FinalFight Cody Travers]] wears his prison-issued handcuffs in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha 3'' and ''Super VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'' for much the same reason, though he does so in order
mighty super minions. However, this is mainly to up his own challenge as well as give his opponent a fair(er) bout. He proves it's a limiter by casually removing his cuffs during his taunts in order to stretch his wrists.
* In ''VideoGame/StarCraft'', the Terran Ghosts go through brutal training to suppress their innate abilities and allow their superiors to keep better control over them. It can be reversed, though; Infested Kerrigan raids a Terran ship to find out how to do it, unlocking the Psionic Storm attack.
* In the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, the gold rings on Shadow's wrists act as a limiter, but he's only ever removed them once in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. When Mephiles surrounds Shadow by [[DoppelgangerAttack duplicating himself several hundred times]], Shadow removes the rings from his wrists and proceeds to curbstomp the entire clone army. He immediately puts them back on afterward.
* Used ''twice on the same character'' in ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss''. A piece of AppliedPhlebotinum is used to bring Jade down 30 levels so he wouldn't be spectacularly overleveled for most of the game. Later, through a sidequest or two, you learn that Jade's eyes are where his ability to use fonic artes is most concentrated, and his glasses prevent all the fonic energy from going out of control and
HandWave why destroying such structures grants your team super minions.
** It was stated in the lore once, but possibly retconned out later, that the Nexus and summoning spell that calls the Champions onto the Fields of Justice regulate power as well, to ensure an even playing field. This is more or less a necessity when the champions range from an anthropomorphic hamster with a blowgun to minor deities.
** There is also a lore-only example in Xerath, a mage who turned himself into what seems to be a being of pure magical energy but was then sealed in a metal sarcophagus. An unspecified amount of centuries later, the sarcophagus is broken into pieces, allowing him to move about and cast some spells, but they're still attached to
him and whatever limiting his power, though he happens is trying to be standing by. ([[TheGlassesComeOff The glasses do come off]] for remedy the final battle against the BigBad, however...)
situation.
* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'', pretty much every SuperRobot used by ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', [[GreaterScopeVillain The Imprisoned]] has an involuntary one in the Shadow-Mirrors is able to deactivate its power limiter by reciting a code word or phrase, i.e. "Code: Kirin". This is never used Sealing Spike in his head. Normally, the spike serves as a plot point, however, just an implied powerup during [[SealedEvilInACan seal]] on him, keeping him imprisoned in the characters' strongest attacks.
* ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'': [[spoiler:The "golden contract" functions as this for Azul's [[PowerParasite unique magic]]; without it, he'll rob his victims of ''all'' of their powers
Sealed Grounds. But due to the magic's powerful nature, weakening seal, he manages to emerge in a [[MonstrosityEqualsWeakness monstrous, albeit weakened]], state due to the spike sealing his power. [[BigBad Ghirahim]] aims to remove said seal by [[spoiler:sacrificing Zelda's soul to give The Imprisoned the strength to break it and thus he'll [[OneWingedAngel overblot]] very quickly.return to his true form, Demise.]]
* In ''VideoGame/GodHand'', Gene wears ''[[VideoGame/LenEn Len'en Project]]'', the "Deistic Brace" on his titular godhand presumably so that he can main protagonist Yabusame Houren has the ability to cross dimensions. She has to wear a "two-dimensional" cloth to keep control over her from just hopping to different dimensions on a whim.
* ''VideoGame/LieOfCaelum'': After accidentally nuking part of
the awesome planet with his power, Syou sealed most of his power it contains. [[spoiler:The braces, along with Gene's other arm, in the Inverse Towers.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' has an interesting example. Raiden's new cyborg body has all the bells and whistles, including systems to allow him to fight on while injured/damaged. [[spoiler:It turns out these
are removed for also keeping "Jack the final fight.Ripper", his long-suppressed ChildSoldier side, in check. When an attempt to [[BreakThemByTalking break Raiden by talking]] works [[GoneHorriblyRight a little too well]], he demands Doktor turn ''off'' his supposedly-helpful pain inhibitors, allowing his CombatSadomasochist SuperpoweredEvilSide to let rip.]]
* In ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'', Proto Bahamut looks like ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'', there's a unit item actually named [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Limiter]] that reduces all your stats. However, if you get 20,000 kills with it has its hands equipped, it becomes an Adept, which raises all stats and mouth tied up, its tail bandaged, cuts MP consumption.
** The Lame D'Argent
and is blindfolded. They come off when it reveals its true power. In its raid boss battle, it breaks these limiters once its health is halved.Sealed J-Sword follow similar rules, becoming the Excalibur and Tsumikiri J-Sword after 10000 and 23000 kills (respectively). Both are among the best Hunter class weapons in the game and the Tsumikiri J-Sword can unleash a 360° wave attack by using some of your [[LimitBreak Photon Blast gauge]].



* ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'': Dogen Boole has [[PowerIncontinence uncontrollable psychic powers]] that cause people's heads to explode. He mentions that his parents make him wear his tinfoil skull cap so he doesn't have any more "accidents".
* The coat worn by the [[ImplacableMan T-103 Tyrant]] in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2'', according to [[AllThereInTheManual supplementary materials]], is specifically designed to prevent him from mutating. Once it's burned off [[MakeMyMonsterGrow he grows to twice his size]], sprouts [[WolverineClaws big claws]], and becomes ''[[LightningBruiser far more aggressive and faster]]''.
** This is actually seen by a group of Umbrella soldiers in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOperationRaccoonCity''
** The same concept applies to just about any clothed Tyrants in the franchise. If it wears a BadassLongcoat, odds are good that the coat is keeping it from turning into a mindless monster.
** The CGI movie ''Anime/ResidentEvilDamnation'' shows this off nicely, without the graphical limitations, the coat doesn't look just like a snazzy trenchcoat, but has bolts, latches, and seems to be segmented at places, designed to fall apart when the limiter is broken, most of the design seems to indicate that the coat isn't ''just'' a power limiter, also a restraint to keep the Tyrants from breaking loose from their Containment Pods.
* In ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa2'', if you kill Rockbouquet before Noel, he will not allow you to make peace with him and will attack at full power; it is even worse if he is the only remaining hero since he will be the penultimate boss in the final dungeon; he will be in his second form and without the limiter, meaning he will use every technique at his disposal.
* In ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney'', [[{{Superboss}} Alilat]] serves as one of these. While now Metatron can siphon a bit of his power back, it means now [[ThatOneBoss Demiurge's]] power lines just got unclogged...
* In the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, the gold rings on Shadow's wrists act as a limiter, but he's only ever removed them once in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. When Mephiles surrounds Shadow by [[DoppelgangerAttack duplicating himself several hundred times]], Shadow removes the rings from his wrists and proceeds to curbstomp the entire clone army. He immediately puts them back on afterward.
* In ''VideoGame/StarCraft'', the Terran Ghosts go through brutal training to suppress their innate abilities and allow their superiors to keep better control over them. It can be reversed, though; Infested Kerrigan raids a Terran ship to find out how to do it, unlocking the Psionic Storm attack.



* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'', Hercules starts out as a MightyGlacier, but when Kratos pulls off his armor and weapons, he becomes much faster, turning into a LightningBruiser.

to:

* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'':
** ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'''s Oro willingly wears one of his arms in a sling while fighting as to use both would run the risk of killing his opponent due to his sheer power. During one of his [[LimitBreak Super Arts]], however, he removes the arm and beats the crap out of the opponent.
** [[VideoGame/FinalFight Cody Travers]] wears his prison-issued handcuffs in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha 3'' and ''Super VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'' for much the same reason, though he does so in order to up his own challenge as well as give his opponent a fair(er) bout. He proves it's a limiter by casually removing his cuffs during his taunts in order to stretch his wrists.
* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'', Hercules starts out ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'', pretty much every SuperRobot used by the Shadow-Mirrors is able to deactivate its power limiter by reciting a code word or phrase, i.e. "Code: Kirin". This is never used as a MightyGlacier, but plot point, however, just an implied powerup during the characters' strongest attacks.
* Used ''twice on the same character'' in ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss''. A piece of AppliedPhlebotinum is used to bring Jade down 30 levels so he wouldn't be spectacularly overleveled for most of the game. Later, through a sidequest or two, you learn that Jade's eyes are where his ability to use fonic artes is most concentrated, and his glasses prevent all the fonic energy from going out of control and destroying him and whatever he happens to be standing by. ([[TheGlassesComeOff The glasses do come off]] for the final battle against the BigBad, however...)
* Conflicts in the ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' games involve [[SuperpowerLottery incredibly powerful beings]] fighting using nonlethal [[BulletHell Spellcards]] instead of their true powers to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, [[TheProblemWithFightingDeath especially
when Kratos pulls beings vital to the existence of the world]] are involved. Thus, even weak {{youkai}} stand a chance when pitted against beings like [[PersonOfMassDestruction Flandre Scarlet]], who can destroy anything by clenching her fist, and nobody has to worry about accidentally killing [[{{Miko}} Reimu Hakurei]] and thus bringing about the end of the Barrier keeping the mundane world separate from [[FantasticNaturePreserve Gensokyo]].
** [[WarmUpBoss Stage 1 boss]] [[DarkIsEvil Rumia]] wears a ribbon-like amulet that she cannot take
off or even touch. What exactly the amulet does has never been shown in canon, but a popular and likely theory goes that it's a power limiter. The fandom refers to the hypothetical unsealed entity as "EX Rumia", and she is usually portrayed as [[SuperpowerLottery excessively powerful]], [[PowerGivesYouWings winged]] and [[{{BFS}} wielding a giant sword.]]
* ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'': [[spoiler:The "golden contract" functions as this for Azul's [[PowerParasite unique magic]]; without it, he'll rob
his armor victims of ''all'' of their powers due to the magic's powerful nature, and weapons, he becomes much faster, turning thus he'll [[OneWingedAngel overblot]] very quickly.]]
* Deathwing from ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft:'' ''Cataclysm'' has massive elementium plates welded onto his body to keep his own power from tearing him apart. He's still noticeably "leaking" power despite them, and is in constant agony. When the final battle comes, you tear off the plates to defeat him [[spoiler:only for his body to transform
into a LightningBruiser.DraconicAbomination capable of single-handedly killing any of the other Aspects and ending the world in a minute flat]].
* In ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'', Shulk ponders early on that there must be a reason why the Monado can't cut people and faced Mechon. Later it turns out [[spoiler:the Monado's is "in shackles" in its current form. Once Zanza unlocks it into the Monado II, those restrictions no longer apply. And it turns out that even that form is still limiting its power when the Monado III is revealed.]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' has the surface dwellers' and Solarians' powers limited by a nanomachine device literally called a Limiter. You get to destroy this Limiter later and unlock awesome new techs for your character.
** Limiters are used in a lot of ways, not just to ensure that surfacers and Solarians can't attain their full power. [[spoiler:Fei also gets a Limiter that keeps his SuperpoweredEvilSide under control, with a system that allows him to release his Id powers in a controlled fashion. It breaks later.]]
** Later on, the heroes remove the Limiters on ''everyone''. [[spoiler:It turns out that removing the Limiters of [[NominalImportance nameless NPCs]] is [[NiceJobBreakingItHero a bad idea]].]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Visual Novels]]



* In ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney'', [[{{Superboss}} Alilat]] serves as one of these. While now Metatron can siphon a bit of his power back, it means now [[ThatOneBoss Demiurge's]] power lines just got unclogged...
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'', there's a unit item actually named [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Limiter]] that reduces all your stats. However, if you get 20,000 kills with it equipped, it becomes an Adept, which raises all stats and cuts MP consumption.
** The Lame D'Argent and Sealed J-Sword follow similar rules, becoming the Excalibur and Tsumikiri J-Sword after 10000 and 23000 kills (respectively). Both are among the best Hunter class weapons in the game and the Tsumikiri J-Sword can unleash a 360° wave attack by using some of your [[LimitBreak Photon Blast gauge]].
* Deathwing from ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft:'' ''Cataclysm'' has massive elementium plates welded onto his body to keep his own power from tearing him apart. He's still noticeably "leaking" power despite them, and is in constant agony.
** When the final battle comes, you tear off the plates to defeat him [[spoiler:only for his body to transform into a DraconicAbomination capable of single-handedly killing any of the other Aspects and ending the world in a minute flat]].
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' series, the first humans of Sanctuary (and Sanctuary itself) were Angel-Demon hybrids called the Nephalem. They possessed power beyond any angel or demon and more significantly were ImmuneToFate. The Angels feared their power and tuned the Worldstone to limit their power. Then Tyrael was forced to destroy the Worldstone after Baal corrupted it in ''Throne of Destruction''. Cue [[VideoGame/DiabloIII the sequel]], and the first of the new Nephalem become powerful enough [[spoiler:to slay the reincarnated ''GodOfEvil''.]]
* In ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'', Deus's cape is shown to be weighted, as evidenced in episode 15.5.
* Inhibitors in ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' limit the enemy's nexus into summoning weaker minions instead of the mighty super minions. However, this is mainly to HandWave why destroying such structures grants your team super minions.
** It was stated in the lore once, but possibly retconned out later, that the Nexus and summoning spell that calls the Champions onto the Fields of Justice regulate power as well, to ensure an even playing field. This is more or less a necessity when the champions range from an anthropomorphic hamster with a blowgun to minor deities.
** There is also a lore-only example in Xerath, a mage who turned himself into what seems to be a being of pure magical energy but was then sealed in a metal sarcophagus. An unspecified amount of centuries later, the sarcophagus is broken into pieces, allowing him to move about and cast some spells, but they're still attached to him and limiting his power, though he is trying to remedy the situation.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' has an interesting example. Raiden's new cyborg body has all the bells and whistles, including systems to allow him to fight on while injured/damaged. [[spoiler:It turns out these are also keeping "Jack the Ripper", his long-suppressed ChildSoldier side, in check. When an attempt to [[BreakThemByTalking break Raiden by talking]] works [[GoneHorriblyRight a little too well]], he demands Doktor turn ''off'' his supposedly-helpful pain inhibitors, allowing his CombatSadomasochist SuperpoweredEvilSide to let rip.]]
* In ''VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift'', Hazama explained that Noel's Nox Nyctores Bolverk actually functions as a limiter to sustain her emotions, thus when Bolverk broke, Noel unlocked her true form -- Mu-12. This only happens because he was riling her up at the time, however. When Rachel takes Bolverk from her in an alternate timeline, she instead loses all self-confidence and dissolves into tears.
** And ''[[VideoGame/BlazblueChronophantasma Chronophantasma]]'' gives us Azrael's Enchant Dragunov (indicated by the tattoos adorning his body) that he uses so he doesn't kill his opponent too soon. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPXKxalTTI This is his power without said seal...]]
* The coat worn by the [[ImplacableMan T-103 Tyrant]] in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2'', according to [[AllThereInTheManual supplementary materials]], is specifically designed to prevent him from mutating. Once it's burned off [[MakeMyMonsterGrow he grows to twice his size]], sprouts [[WolverineClaws big claws]], and becomes ''[[LightningBruiser far more aggressive and faster]]''.
** This is actually seen by a group of Umbrella soldiers in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOperationRaccoonCity''
** The same concept applies to just about any clothed Tyrants in the franchise. If it wears a BadassLongcoat, odds are good that the coat is keeping it from turning into a mindless monster.
** The CGI movie ''Anime/ResidentEvilDamnation'' shows this off nicely, without the graphical limitations, the coat doesn't look just like a snazzy trenchcoat, but has bolts, latches, and seems to be segmented at places, designed to fall apart when the limiter is broken, most of the design seems to indicate that the coat isn't ''just'' a power limiter, also a restraint to keep the Tyrants from breaking loose from their Containment Pods.
* It is revealed near the end of ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' that [[spoiler:the Siphon actually limits Elizabeth's powers at the request of Comstock to better manage and keep her under control. By destroying the Siphon Tower using Songbird, Elizabeth gains the full potential of her powers which allowed her to see through the multi universe of the world and its truth.]]
* Conflicts in the ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' games involve [[SuperpowerLottery incredibly powerful beings]] fighting using nonlethal [[BulletHell Spellcards]] instead of their true powers to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, [[TheProblemWithFightingDeath especially when beings vital to the existence of the world]] are involved. Thus, even weak {{youkai}} stand a chance when pitted against beings like [[PersonOfMassDestruction Flandre Scarlet]], who can destroy anything by clenching her fist, and nobody has to worry about accidentally killing [[{{Miko}} Reimu Hakurei]] and thus bringing about the end of the Barrier keeping the mundane world separate from [[FantasticNaturePreserve Gensokyo]].
** [[WarmUpBoss Stage 1 boss]] [[DarkIsEvil Rumia]] wears a ribbon-like amulet that she cannot take off or even touch. What exactly the amulet does has never been shown in canon, but a popular and likely theory goes that it's a power limiter. The fandom refers to the hypothetical unsealed entity as "EX Rumia", and she is usually portrayed as [[SuperpowerLottery excessively powerful]], [[PowerGivesYouWings winged]] and [[{{BFS}} wielding a giant sword.]]
* ''In [[VideoGame/LenEn Len'en Project]]'', the main protagonist Yabusame Houren has the ability to cross dimensions. She has to wear a "two-dimensional" cloth to keep her from just hopping to different dimensions on a whim.
* In the digital card game ''VideoGame/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft'' we have the card 2 mana cost card [[http://hearthstone.gamepedia.com/File:Ancient_Watcher(153).png Ancient Watcher]] which has a massive 4 attack and 5 health but has a limiter which prevents it from attacking. Silencing the card will disable this limiter and makes it a potent threat.
* In its obsessive dedication to accuracy, ''VideoGame/EuroTruckSimulator2'' imposes the speed limiters required by law in Europe on the game's trucks. [[IAmNotLeftHanded Later versions let you disable the limiter.]] [[PowerIncontinence This generally results in a hard lesson as to ''why'' those laws were made in the first place.]]
* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'': Throughout ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]'' and the early part of ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII II]]'', Riku wears a blindfold to suppress his [[CastingAShadow darkness]] and SuperpoweredEvilSide. When fighting Roxas and losing, however, he was forced to remove the blindfold; doing so [[ShapeshifterModeLock traps him in the form of Xehanort's Heartless]], but nonetheless gives him enough power to K.O. Roxas with ease.
* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvoltSeries''
** The [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividuals Adepts]] of the [[MegaCorp Sumeragi Group]] are kept under control through the use of Glaives that contain their extracted septimosome, the physical source of their powers, though they can still use at least a weakened version of their powers. By merging with them, they can regain access to their powers [[AmplifierArtifact and then some]] to achieve a state called "weaponization"/"Armed Phenomenon" and they can summon them remotely from the Sumeragi Headquarters when needed for combat. [[BigBad Nova]] takes the cake, however, in that he's so strong that he needs ''three'' of these Glaives to restrict his power (most need only one)... and even then he's strong enough that he can rival the power of his strongest underlings when they've ''released'' their Glaive. [[OneWingedAngel His fully-released form]] is compared to [[AGodAmI a god more than a man by both himself and others]]. By ''Azure Striker Gunvolt 3'', these types of Glaives are considered "old-fashioned" and a new type that can inhibit Septimas as a field effect without extracting the septimosome are the standard.
** Of the Sumeragi Swordsmen, [[PestController Stratos]] has a second one in the form of the S.E.E.D., a special synthetic drug Sumeragi scientists had been testing to suppress Septimas without actually extracting the septisome. Unfortunately, the drug also turned out to be [[PsychoSerum highly addictive]] and coupled with the [[PlayingWithSyringes various other experiments]] being run on him, Stratos is a [[AxCrazy barely sane individual]] inflicted with HorrorHunger. Gunvolt ends up destroying the flower producing S.E.E.D., resulting in Stratos going on a rampage and ''eating'' several unlucky Sumeragi mooks before fighting Gunvolt, and despite the fact that normally the Swordsmen need authorization to summon their Glaives, Stratos is able to summon his at will and transform.
** On the heroes' side, [[spoiler:Asimov's glasses are revealed to be his own special Power Limiter to hide his [[ShockAndAwe Azure Striker]] Septima, which he has [[PowerIncontinence trouble controlling]]]]. Only a select few amongst QUILL knew about this, and Gunvolt himself only learns about it [[spoiler:when Asimov [[TheGlassesComeOff takes them off]] for the TrueFinalBoss battle]].
** In ''Azure Striker Gunvolt 2'', [[TheDragon Tenjian]] of [[SuperSupremacist Eden]] uses a Glaive created by Eden from data [[spoiler:his sister Zonda]] stole from Sumeragi to assume his own Armed Phenomenon form, but the resulting power boost is lacking since the Glaive doesn't contain his septimosome [[WarmUpBoss and he's beaten easily]]. Indeed, the new TransformationTrinket introduced for this game called Grimories are straight-up {{Amplifier Artifact}}s due to reverse-engineering Glaive technology to ignore the Power Limiter aspect.
** ''Azure Striker Gunvolt 3''
*** This game introduces the Binding Brands, the [[SuperPrototype original spiritual tools the technology of the Glaives would be based on]]. They were intended to be used to manipulate the energy flow of dragon veins across Japan and allowing for the creation of several special protections and defenses around the country such as the [[TheWallAroundTheWorld Kamishiro Barrier]] [[spoiler:and were secretly used to help seal the Primal Dragon [[GooGooGodlike Moebius]].]] Unlike their Glaive successors, however, the Binding Brands due to their innate energy don't require sealing an Adept's power to allow them to transform with them.
*** Kirin's [[SupernaturalSealing Radiant Fetters]] allow her to seal and limit the power of other Adepts and other supernatural powers. In the beginning of the game, she seals Gunvolt's [[ScaledUp Primal Dragon powers]] in order to keep his [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt world-ending potential]] in check (which has the side-effect of [[ForcedTransformation turning him into a dog-like form]]) and can help him release some of that power to return to human form and unleash hell on his foes. To emphasize how effective it is, Sumeragi used ''1000'' Glaives to keep him sedated and under control for decades, but he ultimately broke loose of them once his power grew too strong.
* The Elona+ expansion for ''VideoGame/{{Elona}}'' has the fourth-level god gifts, which are equipment pieces that provide lots of armor, but decrease that god's favored attributes and skills by an extraordinary amount. They're meant to be used for training; attributes and skills that are very high gain levels slowly, but by lowering those attributes and skills and setting up the right situation, you can continue to train them in a time-efficient manner.
* In the ''Ringed City'' dlc content of ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', it is revealed that [[spoiler:the Darksign]] is apparently a power limiter. [[spoiler:Gwyn placed a "seal of fire" on the Pygmy Lords and their Ringed Knights to cut them off from the power of the Abyss which they could command due to their mastery of their Dark Soul fragments. This now waning seal bears an eerie resemblance to the Darksign.]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', [[GreaterScopeVillain The Imprisoned]] has an involuntary one in the Sealing Spike in his head. Normally, the spike serves as a [[SealedEvilInACan seal]] on him, keeping him imprisoned in the Sealed Grounds. But due to the weakening seal, he manages to emerge in a [[MonstrosityEqualsWeakness monstrous, albeit weakened]], state due to the spike sealing his power. [[BigBad Ghirahim]] aims to remove said seal by [[spoiler:sacrificing Zelda's soul to give The Imprisoned the strength to break it and return to his true form, Demise.]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'': Dogen Boole has [[PowerIncontinence uncontrollable psychic powers]] that cause people's heads to explode. He mentions that his parents make him wear his tinfoil skull cap so he doesn't have any more "accidents".
* In ''VideoGame/DeusExMankindDivided'' Adam Jensen is revealed to have a bevy of experimental augmentations that while very potent will severely destabilize him if he activates them on top of his existing augs. He can get around this by either disabling certain mods (including HUD elements) or obtaining a MacGuffin that will allow his surgeon (presuming that he's still alive) to eventually remove the limiter entirely.



* Agatha's brooch in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' inhibits her "[[ScienceRelatedMemeticDisorder spark]]" of [[MadScientist Mad Science]] genius [[spoiler:and later prevents her from being [[GrandTheftMe taken over by her mother]]]].
* Kili's [[PowerTattoo tattoos]] in ''Webcomic/TheDragonDoctors'' limit her shaman powers and protect her from [[ISeeDeadPeople insanity through dead people]]. Note that she's still the best shaman in the world, and her tattoos would ''[[PowerNullifier completely negate]]'' the powers of a normal shaman.
* Eclair from ''Webcomic/DragonMango'' is always seen wearing armor, which fits her concept as she is a swordfighter. But it's also made of iron, which hurts and weakens an elf (which she is) by its mere touch! She is also a graduate of swordfighting style with an insanely dangerous training method (most students either flee, die or go insane long before completing training) focused on enduring the touch of iron. When she goes up against an extremely powerful enemy, she drops the armor to unleash her ''full'' potential.



* Kin in ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'', as part of her enslavement to Dellyn, has been fitted with a magical leash that suppresses her magic abilities and prevents her from harming anyone else if the leash is being held.
* In ''Webcomic/RescuingDara'', like in ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', Chivais' Everstone prevents her from evolving, which would make her an even more powerful fighter than she already is.



* Kili's [[PowerTattoo tattoos]] in ''Webcomic/TheDragonDoctors'' limit her shaman powers and protect her from [[ISeeDeadPeople insanity through dead people]]. Note that she's still the best shaman in the world, and her tattoos would ''[[PowerNullifier completely negate]]'' the powers of a normal shaman.
* Eclair from ''Webcomic/DragonMango'' is always seen wearing armor, which fits her concept as she is a swordfighter. But it's also made of iron, which hurts and weakens an elf (which she is) by its mere touch! She is also a graduate of swordfighting style with an insanely dangerous training method (most students either flee, die or go insane long before completing training) focused on enduring the touch of iron. When she goes up against an extremely powerful enemy, she drops the armor to unleash her ''full'' potential.
* Agatha's brooch in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' inhibits her "[[ScienceRelatedMemeticDisorder spark]]" of [[MadScientist Mad Science]] genius [[spoiler:and later prevents her from being [[GrandTheftMe taken over by her mother]]]].
* Kin in ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'', as part of her enslavement to Dellyn, has been fitted with a magical leash that suppresses her magic abilities and prevents her from harming anyone else if the leash is being held.
* {{Discussed|Trope}} in ''Webcomic/GRRLPower''. Superpowers in the setting are extremely varied, and their origins are unknown (mostly, [[JackOfAllTrades Halo's]] are alien artifacts and [[EmotionEater Vehemence's]] is magical), so any "one size fits all" power limiter is impossible. [=ArcAEGIS=] is, however, very creative when it comes to {{Tailor Made Prison}}s; A superhero who creates portals is kept in a pressurized cell, so any attempt at teleporting would cause explosive decompression, and an EmotionEater who gains power from violence is kept high of his ass and provided with cutesy, non-violent entertainment. On the few cases where they let him out for "feeding", they keep Halo around so she can dump him into outer space the moment he gets uppity and let him choke until he surrenders.



* In ''Webcomic/{{Sidekicks}}'', alcohol suppresses a supublic's powers. It's the reason why Darkslug [[spoiler:(and later Nightmare)]] is always drinking wine; so they don't [[CurbStompBattle annihilate]] opponents so quickly.



* In ''Webcomic/RescuingDara'', like in ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', Chivais' Everstone prevents her from evolving, which would make her an even more powerful fighter than she already is.
* In ''Webcomic/{{Sidekicks}}'', alcohol suppresses a supublic's powers. It's the reason why Darkslug [[spoiler:(and later Nightmare)]] is always drinking wine; so they don't [[CurbStompBattle annihilate]] opponents so quickly.



* {{Discussed|Trope}} in ''Webcomic/GRRLPower''. Superpowers in the setting are extremely varied, and their origins are unknown (mostly, [[JackOfAllTrades Halo's]] are alien artifacts and [[EmotionEater Vehemence's]] is magical), so any "one size fits all" power limiter is impossible. [=ArcAEGIS=] is, however, very creative when it comes to {{Tailor Made Prison}}s; A superhero who creates portals is kept in a pressurized cell, so any attempt at teleporting would cause explosive decompression, and an EmotionEater who gains power from violence is kept high of his ass and provided with cutesy, non-violent entertainment. On the few cases where they let him out for "feeding", they keep Halo around so she can dump him into outer space the moment he gets uppity and let him choke until he surrenders.



* The Hawthorne Cottage resident Olympia, from the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse''. She's an enormously strong brick with energy powers, and she's insane. The school has her wearing a golden 'power armor suit' that she thinks increases her strength. It's a Power Limiter. Everyone's hoping she doesn't figure this out.



* The Hawthorne Cottage resident Olympia, from the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse''. She's an enormously strong brick with energy powers, and she's insane. The school has her wearing a golden 'power armor suit' that she thinks increases her strength. It's a Power Limiter. Everyone's hoping she doesn't figure this out.



* From ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', Ben gains a new alien form called NRG that comes automatically equipped with a massive metal suit of power inhibiting armor. The reason for this is that NRG's true form is a being of pure nuclear energy who's very presence is dangerous due to emitting high levels of natural radiation.



* ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot'': Hexadecimal's mask is this, though you wouldn't know it until it comes off. It prevents her nearly unlimited power from overloading her body and exploding.

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* ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot'': Hexadecimal's mask is this, though Late in ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' season two, we learn that the heroes function as these to the powers of their kwami. When circumstances conspire to force Plagg to take action on his own, a [[FingerPokeOfDoom single tap of his finger]] [[MonumentalDamage topples the Eiffel Tower]] and unleashes a spreading pattern of cracks across Paris. When you wouldn't know it until it comes off. It prevents her nearly unlimited power from overloading her body and exploding.see the devastation a light tap wreaks for ''miles,'' you'll believe that he's not kidding about having [[PhlebotinumKilledTheDinosaurs wiped out the dinosaurs]]. Truly, [[CallingYourAttacks Cataclysm]] is an {{Understatement}}.



* From ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', Ben gains a new alien form called NRG that comes automatically equipped with a massive metal suit of power inhibiting armor. The reason for this is that NRG's true form is a being of pure nuclear energy who's very presence is dangerous due to emitting high levels of natural radiation.
* Late in ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' season two, we learn that the heroes function as these to the powers of their kwami. When circumstances conspire to force Plagg to take action on his own, a [[FingerPokeOfDoom single tap of his finger]] [[MonumentalDamage topples the Eiffel Tower]] and unleashes a spreading pattern of cracks across Paris. When you see the devastation a light tap wreaks for ''miles,'' you'll believe that he's not kidding about having [[PhlebotinumKilledTheDinosaurs wiped out the dinosaurs]]. Truly, [[CallingYourAttacks Cataclysm]] is an {{Understatement}}.


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* ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot'': Hexadecimal's mask is this, though you wouldn't know it until it comes off. It prevents her nearly unlimited power from overloading her body and exploding.
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* In the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, the gold rings on Shadow's wrists act as a limiter, but he's only ever removed them once in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. When Mephiles surrounds Shadow by [[DoppelgangerAttack duplicating himself several hundred times]], Shadow removes the rings from his wrists and proceeds to curbstomp the entire clone army. He immediately puts them back on afterward.

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* In the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, the gold rings on Shadow's wrists act as a limiter, but he's only ever removed them once in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. When Mephiles surrounds Shadow by [[DoppelgangerAttack duplicating himself several hundred times]], Shadow removes the rings from his wrists and proceeds to curbstomp the entire clone army. He immediately puts them back on afterward.
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** Rider's blindfold functions similarly to Shiki's glasses in ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}''. In fact, [[LightNovel/TheGardenOfSinners Touko]] also creates a pair of glasses for Rider for everyday purposes.
** ''Anime/FatePrototype'', ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' and ''LightNovel/LordElMelloiIICaseFiles'' shows that this applies to the offensive Noble Phantasms of King Arthur, in any iteration. Both Excalibur and Rhongomyniad have thirteen seals with conditions for their release having been set by the Knights of the Round Table ([[https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Restraints_of_the_Round_Table See here for a full list]]). This corresponds to said weapons displaying exponentially greater power the more seals are released and, in Rhongomyniad's case, half are required to even be able to evoke its true name.

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** Rider's blindfold functions similarly to Shiki's glasses in ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}''. In fact, [[LightNovel/TheGardenOfSinners [[Literature/TheGardenOfSinners Touko]] also creates a pair of glasses for Rider for everyday purposes.
** ''Anime/FatePrototype'', ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' and ''LightNovel/LordElMelloiIICaseFiles'' ''Literature/LordElMelloiIICaseFiles'' shows that this applies to the offensive Noble Phantasms of King Arthur, in any iteration. Both Excalibur and Rhongomyniad have thirteen seals with conditions for their release having been set by the Knights of the Round Table ([[https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Restraints_of_the_Round_Table See here for a full list]]). This corresponds to said weapons displaying exponentially greater power the more seals are released and, in Rhongomyniad's case, half are required to even be able to evoke its true name.
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* Alucard from ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' uses the "Control Art Restriction System", which divides his vampiric powers into six levels, with Five as his weakest and Zero his strongest. Considering how ridiculously overpowered he is, enemies tend not to be [[BloodKnight worthy enough]] to have him unlock any levels all. The full Level Zero release, which happens in Volume 8, involves [[spoiler:Alucard unleashing every one of the millions of souls he has personally devoured and enslaved to do his will]]. Fortunately, he can't go full power on his own accord -- full release requires approval from Integra Hellsing. When under threat, he can release a few restrictions until the threat is destroyed.

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* Alucard from ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' uses the "Control Art Restriction System", which divides his vampiric powers into six levels, with Five Level 5 as his weakest and Zero Level 0 being his strongest. full unsuppressed power. Considering how ridiculously overpowered he is, enemies tend not to be [[BloodKnight worthy enough]] to have him unlock any levels at all. The full Level Zero 0 release, which happens in Volume 8, involves [[spoiler:Alucard unleashing every one of the millions of souls he has personally devoured and enslaved to do his will]]. Fortunately, The "good news" is that he can't go full power on his own accord -- full release requires approval from Integra Hellsing. When under threat, he can release a few restrictions until the threat is destroyed.destroyed, such as with his fight with Luke Valentine.

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Not entirely sure the Kyojin no Hoshi example fits, but I can't thinl of a better trope.


* A non-superpowered variant can be seen in ''Manga/KyojinNoHoshi'', where the protagonist is forced to wear a spring-loaded training harness that restrains his movements, forcing him to build up his musculature so he can actually move around it. Creator/RumikoTakahashi seems to have particularly liked this harness' design, as replicas of it appear in three of her works; ''Manga/MarisTheChojo'', ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' and ''Manga/UruseiYatsura''.
* [[HumanAliens Thanatosians]] in ''Manga/MarisTheChojo'' wear strength-restraining harnesses that look a lot like the one from ''Manga/KyojinNoHoshi'' to control their SuperStrength. Unfortunately for the titular character, ''she'' is [[BlessedWithSuck so much stronger]] than the average Thanatosian that even ''with'' her limiter, [[PowerIncontinence she tends to destroy whatever she touches]] unless she's paying careful attention.



** During the Hiryu Shoten Ha arc, as part of the TrainingFromHell to learn the titular super-technique, Ranma is made to wear a spring-loaded harness similar to the one from ''Manga/KyojinNoHoshi'' that reacts to the heat of BattleAura by locking up, forcing him to learn how to fight without emitting such an aura.



%% * Shadow's golden-yellow armbands are revealed to be these in ''Anime/{{SonicX}}'', with the standard caveat of exhausting his stamina at a higher rate.

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%% * Shadow's golden-yellow armbands are revealed to be these seal away a significant portion of his power for his own safety in ''Anime/{{SonicX}}'', ''Anime/{{SonicX}}''; taking them off allows him to become faster and stronger, with the standard caveat of exhausting his stamina at a higher rate.


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* ''Manga/UruseiYatsura:'' In addition to an early story where Ataru has Cherry make him a PowerNullifier to use on Lum, another story features Ten trying to train his strength. Intending to be helpful, Lum gives the already-overburdened oni infant a spring-loaded strength-training harness like the one from ''Manga/KyojinNoHoshi''. It takes Ten ''hours'' to drag himself home and he immediately throws it off in disgust once he's safely back.
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* ''Manga/RecordOfRagnarok'': Unlike in mythology where the Járngreipr gloves increase Thor's strength so he can lift his hammer, the gloves limit his strength so that he does not accidentally crush his hammer before it can awaken its full powers. The gloves are extremely heavy and make a crater when he takes them off.
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** Jinchuriki have the seals containing their Tailed Beasts tend to act as limiters, restricting the flow of chakra until their host activates it when in need. When they master their Tailed Beast, the Jinchuriki can fully unlock the seals to use their full power and can enter a transformation called Tailed Beast Mode.

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** Jinchuriki have the seals containing their Tailed Beasts tend to act as limiters, restricting the flow of chakra until their host activates it when in need. When they master their Tailed Beast, the Jinchuriki can fully unlock the seals to use their full power and can enter a transformation called Tailed Beast Mode.Mode, which allows them to fully turn into their Tailed Beast, but in Naruto and Minato’s case, they take on an avatar of the Nine Tails.
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** The Eight Inner Gates are limiters of a ninja and only the more powerful and truly skilled can remove them, such as Might Guy, a master of Taijutsu. He can unlock the other gates to gain more power, but when he unlocks Eighth Gate of Death, he surpasses the five Kage, [[spoiler: and becomes powerful enough to injure ''Ten-Tails Madara''!]]

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** The Eight Inner Gates are limiters of a ninja shinobi and only the more powerful and truly skilled can remove them, such as Might Guy, a master of Taijutsu. He can unlock the other gates to gain more power, but when he unlocks Eighth Gate of Death, he surpasses the five Kage, [[spoiler: and becomes powerful enough to injure ''Ten-Tails Madara''!]]

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