History Main / TheGlovesComeOff

** Ishida, going against a warning from his grandfather, removes a special glove. This has exactly the effect he was told: [[spoiler:he becomes powerful enough to one shot a captain's [[SuperMode Bankai]] but loses his quincy powers (until the next arc, anyway)]].

* In ''DragonAge'', the Mage Warden has lived for most of their life in the Circle Tower, keeping their magic limited under the restrictions of the Templars. After becoming a Grey Warden however, they are finally permitted to cut loose and demonstrate how truly powerful they actually are, as the Wardens allow ''any'' advantage to be used against the Darkspawn horde.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'', when you meet Mordokai (one of the {{Player Character}}s from the first game) he sends you off on a quest to recover Bloodwing (his pet Hawk-like creature, which served as his action skill in the previous game) while he covers you with a rifle which deals slag damage (increasing the damage you deal to enemies but not doing much to them). [[spoiler: Jack reveals that he's [[FaceMonsterTurn slagged her]], then proceeds to blow her head off with an ExplosiveLeash when you subdue her]]. This angers him so much that he switches to an explosive rifle and completely annihilates a group of enemies you meet on the way out of the area.

* In ''{{Bleach}}'' the process by which captain-level shinigami have their {{Power Limiter}}s removed is the subject of a brief arc. Several more straightforward examples of this trope:

* Kira and Athrun take the gloves off during the WhamEpisode of ''GundamSeed''. Until then, they'd been holding back due to being each other's ForgottenChildhoodFriend and Kira's ReluctantWarrior tendencies. But when they manage to [[spoiler:each kill a friend of the other in self-defense]], they throw themselves into genuine battle to the death for the first time.
* Vash the Stampede reaches this point near the end of ''{{Trigun}}'', when he [[spoiler:kills Legato Bluesummers]] in order to save Millie and Meyrl. Oddly for this trope, the act itself is rather understated, rather than being an epic fight scene.
* In ''{{The 08th MS Team}}'', this happens twice. First, when [[MemeticBadass Norris Packard]] fights the eponymous 08th Team in order to buy time for a hospital ship to escape, [[HeroicSacrifice knowing he'll be left behind]]. Second, when Shiro makes an exception to his [[TechnicalPacifist Technical Pacifism]] for [[spoiler:Ginias in the Apsalus]]. With permission from [[spoiler:Ginias' sister]], no less.
* In ''DragonBallZ'', Vegeta reaches this point during the Buu saga, [[spoiler:allowing himself to be controlled by Babidi]] for the power boost that that entails.

[[folder: Film ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

* In ''OrderOfTheStick'', [[spoiler:Vaarsuvius]] reaches this point when unleashing a SuperpoweredEvilSide by making a literal DealWithTheDevil(s). As expected for this trope, the results are not exactly what anyone hoped for, and leads to some solid CharacterDevelopment for all involved parties.

* In UltimateTeacher Ganpachi litearlly takes his gloves (and shoes and socks) off when he's ready to start fighting while using his non-human abilities.

** [[EvilSorceror Xykon]] gives us a villainous example as a result of the above. While he survives the attack with relative ease, in the process he [[spoiler:loses his [[SoulJar phylactery]]]], which prompts him to stop screwing around and get back to work. Sort of an odd example in that the cost '''causes'' the boost in effectiveness, rather than being a result of it.

* In ''OrderOfTheStick'', [[spoiler:Vaarsuvius]] reaches this point when [[spoiler:unleashing a SuperpoweredEvilSide by making a literal DealWithTheDevil]]. As expected for this trope, the results are not exactly what anyone hoped for, and leads to some solid CharacterDevelopment for all involved parties.
** [[EvilSorceror Xykon]] gives us a villainous example during the battle over Azure City. He spends the majority of a strip [[CirclingMonologue trying to talk Roy down.]] When Roy finally decides to stop listening and starts actually ''hurting'' Xykon, the villain gives us a ''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome fantastic]]'' example of why he's NotSoHarmless.
*** Later, when [[spoiler: Dark V]] attacks Xykon's fortress, Xykon initially plays along, but then he decides that [[spoiler: Vaarsuvius]] is a "challenge to [his] rep" and decides to stop playing around (including actually taking advice from his minions) and proceeds to [[CurbStompBattle curbstomp]] him.

During a fight, a person can have a lot on their mind. They're trying to defeat their opponent, while avoiding injury themselves. They may be trying to protect {{Innocent Bystander}}s, or avoid unnecessary collateral damage. Perhaps they're laboring under [[TheFettered self-imposed restrictions]] or they're just [[IAmNotLeftHanded holding back for fun]]. For whatever reason, they're not giving things their all.

Until the gloves come off.

When a character is pushed hard enough, they can reach the point where defeating the enemy in front of them is their one and only goal. Everything else, even their own survival, becomes secondary. The reason for this varies. Perhaps their enemy has sent them into an UnstoppableRage. Maybe they've realized that the won't be able to defeat their opponent unless they focus on winning to the exclusion of all else, or they've reached the GodzillaThreshold and now they have nothing to lose by going all out. Whatever the cause, the character will cast off anything holding them back, heedless of what it may cost them later.

This is when the character uses their CoverBlowingSuperpower, removes their PowerLimiter, or unleashes their SuperpoweredEvilSide. They may [[TheUnfettered cast off beliefs that were holding them back]], or [[TryingToCatchMeFightingDirty resort to underhanded tactics]] they would have shunned before. You can expect to see the DeadlyUpgrade and DangerousForbiddenTechnique make appearances. However they accomplish it, part of the gloves coming off involves the character suddenly becoming ''much'' more effective in combat.

However, there will be consequences, regardless of who actually wins the fight. They may make a HeroicSacrifice to [[TakingYouWithMe take their enemy with them]], undergo a HeroicBSOD when they realize MyGodWhatHaveIDone, or suffer from a HeroicRROD from overstressing their bodies. They may have acted [[IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim Just Like Their Enemy]], or they may become HeWhoFightsMonsters and be left wondering WasItReallyWorthIt. On the other hand, the trauma may be just what they need to [[EarnYourHappyEnding Earn Their Happy Ending]], so it's not always a bad thing.

May be proceeded by a WorldOfCardboardSpeech. If their enemy can't match their new-found power, it will often result in a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown. If the enemy ''can'' match their strength and determination, the fight will probably continue to the point of CombatBreakdown. When the gloves come off, it's usually during a WhamEpisode. Not to be confused with ''literally'' taking one's gloves off -- see TheCoatsAreOff or BattleStrip for removing clothing before a fight.

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!!Examples:

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

* Vash the Stampede reaches this point near the end of ''{{Trigun}}'', when he [[spoiler:kills Legato Bluesummers]] in order to save Millie and Meyrl. Oddly for this trope, the act itself is rather understated, rather than being an epic fight scene.
* In ''{{The 08th MS Team}}'', this happens twice. First, when [[MemeticBadass Norris Packard]] fights the eponymous 08th Team in order to buy time for a hospital ship to escape, [[HeroicSacrifice knowing he'll be left behind]]. Second, when Shiro makes an exception to his [[TechnicalPacifist Technical Pacifism]] for [[spoiler:Ginias in the Apsalus]]. With permission from [[spoiler:Ginias' sister]], no less.

** Ichigo does this twice.

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]

[[AC:WebComics]]

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** [[EvilSorceror Xykon]] gives us a villainous example during the battle over Azure City. He spends the majority of a strip [[CircleOfExtinction trying to talk Roy down.]] When Roy finally decides to stop listening and starts actually ''hurting'' Xykon, the villain gives us a ''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome fantastic]]'' example of why he's NotSoHarmless.

This is when the character uses their AwkwardAbility, removes their PowerLimiter, or unleashes their SuperpoweredEvilSide. They may [[TheUnfettered cast off beliefs that were holding them back]], or [[TryingToCatchMeFightingDirty resort to underhanded tactics]] they would have shunned before. You can expect to see the DeadlyUpgrade and DangerousForbiddenTechnique make appearances. However they accomplish it, part of the gloves coming off involves the character suddenly becoming ''much'' more effective in combat.

* In ''TheDresdenFiles'', there are a rare few moments where Harry Dresden just completely cuts loose on his opponents, usually using a spell called ''pyrofuego'' [[hottip:+: Literally "fire-fire," which is pretty indicative of what happens: ''lots'' of fire.]]. The first time happens in ''Grave Peril'', where he [[spoiler: calls up a firestorm that burns down dozens of vampires and several innocents]] when he realizes he and his friends are trapped and about to die. The second happens in ''Small Favor'', when [[spoiler: Tessa shoots Michael multiple times with a Kalashnikov]], and in response Harry [[spoiler: hits her with a solid beam of blue-white-hot fire that is so concentrated the heat throws her backward]]. Then there's the book ''Changes''. And by the book, we mean ''all of it''. The entire book is one long example of this trope in action, with the ending involving [[spoiler: the genocide of the entire Red Court]] by Harry. But hey, [[spoiler: they shouldn't have fucked with [[PapaWolf his daughter.]]]]

* In ''TheDresdenFiles'', there are a rare few moments where Harry Dresden just completely cuts loose on his opponents, usually using a spell called ''pyrofuego'' [[hottip:+: Literally "fire-fire," which is pretty indicative of what happens: ''lots'' of fire.]]. The first time happens in ''Grave Peril'', where he [[spoiler: calls up a firestorm that burns down dozens of vampires and several innocents]] when he realizes he and his friends are trapped and about to die. The second happens in ''Small Favor'', when [[spoiler: Tessa shoots Michael multiple times with a Kalashnikov]], and in response Harry [[spoiler: hits her with a solid beam of blue-white-hot fire that is so concentrated the heat throws her backward]]. Then there's the book ''Changes''. And by the book, we mean ''all of it''. The entire book is one long example of this trope in action, with the ending involving [[spoiler: the genocide of the entire Red Court]] by Harry. But hey, [[spoiler: they shouldn't have fucked with his daughter.]]

* In ''OrderOfTheStick'', [[spoiler:Vaarsuvius]] reaches this point when [[spoiler:unleashing a SuperpoweredEvilSide by making a literal DealWithTheDevil]]. As expected for this trope, the results are not exactly what anyone hoped for, and leads to some solid CharacterDevelopment for all involved parties.

* In ''TheDresdenFiles'', there are a rare few moments where Harry Dresden just completely cuts loose on his opponents, usually using a spell called ''pyrofuego'' [[hottip:+: Literally "fire-fire," which is pretty indicative of what happens: ''lots'' of fire.]]. The first time happens in ''Grave peril'', where he [[spoiler: calls up a firestorm that burns down dozens of vampires and several innocents]] when he realizes he and his friends are trapped and about to die. The second happens in ''Small Favor'', when [[spoiler: Tessa shoots Michael multiple times with a Kalashnikov]], and in response Harry [[spoiler: hits her with a solid beam of blue-white-hot fire]]. Then there's the book ''Changes''. And by the book, we mean ''all of it''. the entire book is one long example of this trope in action, with the ending involving [[spoiler: the genocide of the entire Red Court]] by Harry.

* In ''OrderOfTheStick'', [[spoiler:Vaarsuvius]] reaches this point when [[spoiler:unleashing a SuperpoweredEvilSide by making a literal DealWithTheDevil]]. As expected for this trope, the results are not exactly what anyone hoped for, and leads to some solid CharacterDevelopment for all involved parties.

* A good way to set Luke Skywalker into this mode is to threaten Leia. Vader made that mistake in ''Return of the Jedi'' and so did C'Baoth in ''The Last Command'' in the EU.

*** In his fight with Aizen, Ichigo convinces his [[LivingWeapon zanpacto]] to let him use a DangerousForbiddenTechnique that will [[spoiler:permanently remove his powers]].

* This was very common in ''DragonBallZ'', where the main characters regularly wore weighted clothes that they would shed after a battle started getting hard, or hold back their power ups until plot required it. One specific example was when Vegeta reaches this point during the Buu saga, [[spoiler:allowing himself to be controlled by Babidi]] for the power boost that that entails.

* In ''DragonBallZ'', Vegeta reaches this point during the Buu saga, [[spoiler:allowing himself to be controlled by Babidi]] for the power boost that that entails.

During a fight, a person can have a lot on their mind. They're trying to defeat their opponent, while avoiding injury themselves. They may be trying to protect {{Innocent Bystander}}s, or avoid unnecessary CollateralDamage. Perhaps they're laboring under [[TheFettered self-imposed restrictions]] or they're just [[IAmNotLeftHanded holding back for fun]]. For whatever reason, they're not giving things their all.

However, there will be consequences, regardless of who actually wins the fight. They may make a HeroicSacrifice to [[TakingYouWithMe take their enemy with them]], undergo a HeroicBSOD when they realize MyGodWhatHaveIDone, or suffer from a HeroicRROD from overstressing their bodies. They may have acted [[IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim Just Like Their Enemy]], or they may become HeWhoFightsMonsters and be left wondering WasItReallyWorthIt. On the other hand, the tramua may be just what they need to [[EarnYourHappyEnding Earn Their Happy Ending]], so it's not always a bad thing.

May be proceeded by a WorldOfCardboardSpeech. If their enemy can't match their newfound power, it will often result in a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown. If the enemy ''can'' match their strength and determination, the fight will probably continue to the point of CombatBreakdown. When the gloves come off, it's usually during a WhamEpisode. Not to be confused with ''literally'' taking one's gloves off -- see TheCoatsAreOff or BattleStrip for removing clothing before a fight.

* In ''OrderOfTheStick'', [[spoiler:Vaarsuvius]] reaches this point when [[spoiler:unleasing a SuperpoweredEvilSide by making a literal DealWithTheDevil]]. As expected for this trope, the results are not exactly what anyone hoped for, and leads to some solid CharacterDevelopment for all involved parties.

* In ''{{Bleach}}'' the process by which Captain level shinigami have their {{Power Limiter}}s removed is the subject of a brief arc. A clearer examples include;
** Ishida goes against a warning his grandfather made and [[spoiler: removes a speacial glove which increases his powers. This has eaxtly the effect he was told; he becomes powerful enough to one shot a captain's [[SuperMode Bankai]] but loses his quincy powers (until the next arc, anyway).]]

*** First after the Huendo Meundo arc [[spoiler: when he unwillngly TurnsRed after being "killed" and turns into an extremly powerful hollow until he's snapped out of it]]
*** In his fight with [[spoiler: Aizen, Ichigo convinces his [[LivingWeapon zanpacto]] to let him use a DangerousForbiddenTechnique that will perminently remove his powers]].

[[redirect:IAmNotLeftHanded]]