History Main / SpinAttack

[[folder:Action Adventure]]

** Death Blossom variant. As part of a BatmanGambit when cornered by a group, Akira sets his guns to a pre-programmed firing pattern and throws them [[SpinAttack spinning through the air]] shooting everyone in the room, [[DeliberateInjuryGambit including himself]], to serve as [[WeNeedADistraction a distraction]] while he kills their leader with his sword.

* In the first ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'' game, buying the Tiara gives Shantae the ability to perform a jumping hair-spin attack in the middle of her ChargedAttack. It's the strongest attack Shantae could do in the game, but the way it sends you sailing uncontrollably through the air in a weird angle and the fact that you need to do the ChargedAttack beforehand makes it hard to use.

** Naturally, both Yurnero and Mogul retain these skills in ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}''.

* In the ''Main/StarWars'' series, various characters do these in lightsaber duels, especially the prequels:

* When overwhelmed and surrounded, members of the Hyuga clan in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' can perform the Hakkeshou Kaiten, which involves spinning around and expelling chakra from every pore in the body. Although it can deflect an arbitrary number of projectiles from any angle and fling back nearby opponents, it's exhausting to perform, so it's generally preferred to deal with problems individually if that's feasible.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Warrior characters can invest talent points in the low-level [[http://www.wowwiki.com/Whirlwind Whirlwind]] attack or its 51-point big brother, [[http://www.wowwiki.com/Bladestorm Bladestorm]]. A fair number of bad guys use similar attacks as well.
** One of the most well-remembered of these spinning bad guys is Lord Marrowgar. Everyone say it with me now: '''''BBBBOOOOONNNNNEEEEESSSSSSTTTTTTOOOOORRRRRMMMMMM!!!!!'''''
** As in ''Wrath of the Lich King'', Paladins can get one from a 51-point talent as well in the form of [[http://www.wowwiki.com/Divine_storm Divine Storm]], probably its Protection tree little brother [[http://www.wowwiki.com/Hammer_of_the_Righteous Hammer of the Righteous]] as well, though this one it is a magical hammer spins around the user, instead of the user spinning around like a maniac.

* The Dervish ring in ''[[Website/GaiaOnline zOMG!]]'' does this. Based on the icon and attack animation, it's [[RazorWind the air around the user]] that deals the damage and knockback.

* ''VideoGame/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnline'' has the "Sweep" skill found on all sword weapons. Also, the "Roundhouse", "Spin Cut", and "Reverse Spin Cut" moves on the Broadsword's {{Combo}} tree.

* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'' and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'' let Mario use this with the Raccoon and Cape {{Power Up}}s, respectively.
** In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' and [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2 sequel]], spinning is Mario's main and often only attack, with many variations depending on context (on ice, underwater, etc.) or PowerUp. [[spoiler:This ability is passed on to Rosalina as her signature ability in ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld''.]]
** The Mario Tornado and Luigi Cyclone attacks in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros''.
** Also used in ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' with the hammer, occasionally required to clear away swarms of enemies. There's the swarm of Dull Bones in Hooktail Castle, the first encounter with the Smorgs in Riverside Station, the similar swarm of Dry Bones in the Palace of Shadow, and optionally, the Boos in Creepy Steeple. There's one enemy that can only be encountered by doing this to the Boos twice.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' and some of the ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'' games, Meta Knight uses a spinning attack called Mach Tornado.
* The boss Reflux from ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc'' has an attack that consists of him whirling spectacularly around the entire arena.
* In ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfLomax'', it's the only attack the titular character can use even without his helmet (which allows him to throw it like a boomerang and use special abilities). Since nearly every enemy is susceptible to it and you are invincible to nearly every attack while you do it, you are very likely to keep using it without ever bothering to use the helmet attack instead.
* Franchise/MegaMan
** ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'' has the Top Spin. You press the shoot button in mid-air, and Mega Man spins and damages any enemy he touches. However, more often than not you either get hit in the process, or use randomly use up way more weapon energy than normal, causing most players to dismiss it as useless.
** Zero has had several moves like this in the ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' games. (Since he's in a sidescroller, he spins Samus-style, front-to-back instead of left-to-right.) In most cases he can only do a spin attack in midair, but the Ensuizan move in ''X6'' can be executed on the ground -- ''indefinitely!''
* Lilac from ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet'' has a Dragon Cyclone move that she can perform on ground (after gaining some momentum) and mid-air.
* ''VideoGame/KaoTheKangaroo'': Kao can whip his tail in all games, though in the second and third he only does that while jumping. ''Round 2'' allows for upgrading it into a legitimate spin attack that keeps Kao briefly suspended in the air.
* ''VideoGame/KyleAndLucyWonderworld'': This is Lucy's main attack, which also acts as a DoubleJump.
* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'': Along with Rolling Attack on land, the Kongs can spin underwater to attack enemies.
* ''VideoGame/GingerBeyondTheCrystal'': One of the enemy types Ginger faces in the game has an attack wherein it spins while moving in Ginger's direction.
* ''VideoGame/TheWayOfCinnamon'': [[PlayerCharacter Cinnamon's]] first available attack is a spin attack.

* ''VideoGame/BallpointUniverseInfinite'' allows you to equip swords to your ship. One of the available swords spins around the entire circumference of your ship.

* ''VideoGame/BloodlineChampions'' has the bloodline Ravener's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin self-explanatory]] "Spinning Strike" ability. The Guardian's Cyclone Charge ultimate is similar in both manners of being a Spin Attack and ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. As is the Spear Master's Whirling Blade and Whirlwind ultimate. Funnily, the real point of the first example is to be an AttackReflector against ranged attacks and improve the Ravener's movement speed.

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': A variant. Mazinger Z possess a technique called Daisharin Rocket Punch ("Giant Swing Rocket Punch"). Rather spinning its whole body,the HumongousMecha spins its arms rapidly, building up momentum before firing off both fists in standard RocketPunch fashion.
** Several [[{{Robeast}} Mechanical Beasts]] had spin attacks: Goronko S2 spun around and then rammed the enemy; Spartan K5 whirled its trident very, very rapidly to create a twister capable pick even a HumongousMecha; Balkan P5 expelled air out of ducts all over its legs and spun around to wrap itself into a tornado; Grengus C3 wrapped its enemy in chains and then it spun around, dragging its enemy with it before slamming it in the ground...
* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'''s Mikado Sanzenin, of the [[BashBrothers Golden Pair]] of [[MartialArtsAndCrafts Martial Arts Figure Skating]], can perform the Dance of Death --a technique where he spins in place, giving the illusion of many arms and legs, and anyone stupid enough to come close is trapped by innumerable kicks, punches, chops, elbows, knees... Being a master of his art, he never loses his balance and experiences no dizziness afterwards.
** When paired with Azusa Shiratori, the other half of the Golden Pair, the two of them can perform the infamous "Couple Cleaver," whereby she grabs a member of the opposing couple by the feet, expecting him or her to hold on to the partner by the hands. Then Mikado lifts ''everyone'' up into the air (with Azusa standing on his shoulders) and spins incredibly fast, so that the centrifugal force makes it increasingly harder for the opponents to hold on to each other. Whoever lets go first, it doesn't matter --the once-trusting couple has been torn apart.
** The more serious foe Ryu Kumon, who can swing his arms to create [[RazorWind arcs of vacuum]] with the technique ''Kijin Raishuudan'', uses a variation of this technique --''Kijin Dairanbu''-- to spin in place and toss dozens and dozens of deadly razor blades in every direction.
** [[BattleCouple Ranma and Akane]] also performed one during the fight against the Dojo Destroyer (anime version). They stood [[BackToBackBadasses back-to-back]], and spun swiftly, punching and kicking to break all wood planks their humongous enemy threw at them.
* ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman:'' Ninja technique Tornado Fighter, performed by the whole team. [[http://animewombat.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/gatchaman01-69.jpg They would stand on the each other's shoulders]] (or depending on the iteration, form a ring) and would spin quickly, [[RadialAssKicking spawning a tornado around them that would wipe the entire opposition]].

* ''Manga/GingaNagareboshiGin'' and ''Anime/GingaDensetsuWeed'' features the Zetsu Tenrou Battouga, which involves spinning really fast and slamming into the opponent, slashing them hard [[NowThatsUsingYourTeeth with their teeth]]. Gin learned this move from Riki, who learned it from a wolf named Fuuga. Weed didn't learn this from his own father, though; he learned it from Tesshin, the adopted "heir" of Ohu.
* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'': Levi, in a display of CharlesAtlasSuperpower, performs what is arguably [[http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/604/568/ab0.gif the most spectacular example of this trope.]] He is not, however, the only member of the [[BadassArmy Survey Corps]] to [[SpectacularSpinning invoke this trope]].
* Sechs from ''Manga/BattleAngelAlita: Last Order'' takes this to its logical extreme when he uses his double-bladed {{BFS}} to perform a three-dimensional Spin Attack by spinning like a gyroscope, turning into a whirling sphere of death.
** He also performs a sort of inverted Spin Attack by forcing his opponent into one, spinning his {{BFS}} around his torso like a hula-hoop to pin him down for his next attack.
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Guts's signature attack when using the Berserker Armor is a leaping somersault attack that turns his sword into a veritable buzz saw.

* In ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureSteelBallRun'', both of the main character's attacks are based around a technique called The Spin in conjunction with an ImprobableWeapon. Gyro uses steel balls, and Johnny fires his fingernails.
* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia'' has Ushiwakamaru perform a vertical spinning attack on Gorgon that turns her into a veritable buzzsaw.

[[folder:Film]]
* The Death Blossom attack used in the finale of ''Film/TheLastStarfighter''. The Gunstar rotates in every possible direction and fires all of its weapons simultaneously, hitting literally everything around it. It's also an attack of last resort, as it leaves the ship completely vulnerable both before and after use. It's also untested, and could blow up the ship.
* In ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'', Neo grabs a pole and just spins around with it to fight off the horde of Smiths, which can be recreated in the ''VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo'' game if you've unlocked the right moves.
* Used in the movie version of Potop (see: Literature/SienkiewiczTrilogy). [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Zi43-SdoE When you are strong enough to wield a solid wooden bench as a weapon, the trope ceases to be unrealistic]]. (the fight starts at 5:30)

* Whirlwind Attack and Grand Disarm in ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}''. After trying it you're defenseless but "in a cinematic game it's traditional for enemies to gape and gawk after this happens".
* Peony Blossom Attack in ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}''. After spending quite some time as a speed-bump Charm containing a weaker version of the devastating multiple-strike Charm Iron Whirlwind Attack, it was errata'd into a single spinning cut that could hit every opponent within several meters.

* Since Webcomic/AxeCop tends to get attacked while dancing, one of his dance moves is spinning on his axe and kicking the surrounding bad guys in the face. (Though a kick, it's not of the proper form to be a HurricaneKick.)

* Used by [[WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants Mr. Krabs]] with a sword(fish) to plow through a horde of zombie fish.

When fighting enemies who like to gang up on you, it helps to have a powerful attack that hits on all sides to make cheeky enemies (especially {{Personal Space Invader}}s) give you a little more breathing room. Enter the Spin Attack, a move that consists of [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning spinning around like a maniac]] to create an InstantDeathRadius around the user.

* Mega Man Geo Omega's elemental cyclone attack from ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning description on this page]].

* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'': Levi, in a display of CharlesAtlasSuperpower, performs what is arguably [[http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/604/568/ab0.gif the most spectacular example of this trope.]] He is not, however, the only member of the [[BadassArmy Survey Corps]] to [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning invoke this trope]].

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild' varies this a little depending on the weapon Link is holding -- standard swords use the classic [[ChargedAttack charge-and-release]] Spin Attack, while heavy weapons cause Link to spin slowly as long as you hold down the button, with a follow-up ground slam upon release. Some kinds of weapon cannot perform a Spin Attack at all, with spears instead delivering a [[SpamAttack flurry of thrusts]] and katana-like weapons having an [[IaijutsuPractitioner iai slash]].

* Named for the sword technique seen above in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda''. At its most basic, it's a quick, simple 360-degree spin that is your best friend when being surrounded by GoddamnBats, but ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'' introduces a downright ridiculous variant called the Hurricane Spin, in which Link moves around while spinning like a top for several seconds (but also leaves him dizzy for several seconds).
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' introduced the signature attack, called the "Whirling Blade" in the US manual. By holding down the sword button and moving slowly for a moment, Link charges a circular spin attack with a very forgiving hit box and timing that does twice the damage of a normal sword slash.
** Turned UpToEleven in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures''--all four Links can [[BackToBackBadasses stand back-to-back]] and perform a [[CombinationAttack combined Hurricane Spin of ridiculous size]].
** The untranslated manga renders Link's attack as "Kaitengiri." (It pretty much means spin attack.) It's also insanely powerful in the manga, able to obliterate just about anything, even up to boss-class bad guys.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap The Minish Cap]]'' returns the hurricane spin as the ultimate attack taught by the hidden martial arts masters. It's particularly effective against Dark Nuts, which is important because you have a timed battle against them near the end of the game.
** Link isn't the only one who can use spin attacks, either. In ''Twilight Princess'', Zant has it among his arsenal of [[ConfusionFu random attacks]]. In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]'', the final form of Bellum uses it, but Link can cancel it out with an opposite spin of his own.

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'', Link's GiantFlyer learns a Spin Attack late in the game. It lasts slightly longer and does more damage, but doesn't seem significantly different from its normal attack aside from that. Link can power up his own Spin Attack by charging his SwordBeam, then using a spin rather than a normal slash.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' varies this a little depending on the weapon Link is holding - standard swords use the classic [[ChargedAttack charge-and-release]] Spin Attack, while heavy weapons cause Link to spin slowly as long as you hold down the button, with a follow-up ground slam upon release. Some kinds of weapon cannot perform a Spin Attack at all, with spears instead delivering a [[SpamAttack flurry of thrusts]], and katana-like weapons having an [[IaijutsuPractitioner iai slash]].
* If you're going to talk about weird ''spin kicks'', Albus in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia''.
* In ''VideoGame/NieR'', the titular character's special Two-Handed Sword technique consists of swinging it in a full circle around him. Considering the sheer ''[[{{BFS}} size]]'' if these weapons, it takes him time to wind up for the spin and to recover from it, but it's always an instant knock-down and destroys enemy armor.

* The manual for ''VideoGame/StarControl II'' actually suggests performing this maneuver (which is even referred to as a "Death Blossom") while flying the Pkunk Fury.

* Named for the sword technique seen above in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda''. At its most basic, it's a quick, simple 360-degree spin that is your best friend when being surrounded by GoddamnBats, but ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'' introduces a downright ridiculous variant called the Hurricane Spin, in which Link moves around while spinning like a top for several seconds.

* VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo has a varient - the Focus-360 Clear-out, you spin with a staff, slam it horizontally into the ground and all the enemies fall over.

* Sechs from ''[[Manga/{{Gunnm}} Battle Angel Alita Last Order]]'' takes this to its logical extreme when he uses his double-bladed {{BFS}} to perform a three-dimensional Spin Attack by spinning like a gyroscope, turning into a whirling sphere of death.

* In ''Film/IronMan2'' [[spoiler:Tony uses a spinning FrickinLaserBeams attack to take out the last of the "Hammeroids".]]

* Mega Man Geo Omega's elemental cyclone attack from ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning description on this page]].
** ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'' has the Top Spin. You press the shoot button in mid-air, and Mega Man spins and damages any enemy he touches. However, more often than not you either get hit in the process, or use randomly use up way more weapon energy than normal, causing most players to dismiss it as useless.

* Zero has had several moves like this in the ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' and ''Zero'' games. (Since he's in a sidescroller, he spins Samus-style, front-to-back instead of left-to-right.) In most cases he can only do a spin attack in midair, but the Ensuizan move in ''X6'' can be executed on the ground -- ''indefinitely!''

* In ''VideoGame/GetOffMyLawn'', the protagonist has one called the Cyclone Spin. This ability sucks all enemies towards the protagonist. Though, it has a limit how long it can be used before recharging (which can be upgraded in the shop).

* Gyro, a villainous [[SuperSpeed speedster]] from the ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'' could spin himself like a super-sonic top. His primary method of attack was to move in on a person while keeping his fists extended.