History Main / TwinsAreSpecial

* In ''Series/TheHauntingOfHillHouse,'' Hugh Crain gives Luke a bowler hat and asks if he's happy. When Nell replies for him, Hugh asks how she knows, to which she replies with a shrug that "it's a twin thing." Later on, she accurately guesses that he's scared because she feels it, too. On separate occasions, they also exhibit [[{{Synchronization}} being able to experience what the other is feeling]], such as Nell's ankle going crazy when Luke broke his, and Luke having a sore neck and feeling cold all over despite the hot weather [[spoiler: due to Nell hanging herself and dying at the exact same moment.]]

* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearXX'': The town Bridget was born and raised in believes that identical male twins will bring about misfortune and the superstition runs so deep that the younger twin must be either put up for adoption or [[OneTwinMustDie put to death]].

* Alexia and Alfred Ashford from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilCodeVeronica'' are both this trope played straight and a bit of a subversion. On the one hand, they are [[BrotherSisterIncest in love with each other]], with what seems like just IncestSubtext from Alexia, as Alfred serves as her MoralityPet, becoming fullblown overt romantic and sexual obsession from Alfred. On the other hand, only Alexia was created with the explicit purpose of inheriting Veronica's intelligence and power; Alfred is merely a byproduct of the cloning process. Thus, Alexia can mutate and transform while Alfred is nothing more than a PsychopathicManchild, heavy emphasis on the psychopathic. In either case, the fact that they are genetically identical clones experimented on from birth justifies their unique bond and powers.

The idea of a mysterious, powerful, and exclusive bond between twins can also show up in the twins themselves being portrayed as or thought of being "special" entities to be revered and feared. This portrayal is actually quite common across many cultures and can be found [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twins_in_mythology in the beliefs and mythologies ]]of [[OlderThanDirt ancient civilizations around the world.]] Note that "special" does not mean "positive": for as many superstitions about twins as a sign of immense luck and fortune as there are, plenty view twins as [[PortentOfDoom harbingers of disaster and ruin]], if not outright evil themselves.

* ''Fanfic/ThePhantomTwins'': The premise the of the series is this trope. The two main characters are twins who possess the same ghost powers, and have a very close bond with each other.

If they've teamed up in a conflict, they will be a huge asset to their side, their uncanny connection allowing them to [[SuperiorTwinTeamwork work together better than any duo or team]], though their UndyingLoyalty to each other may sometimes push them to [[ThickerThanWater prioritize each other over evertyhing]]. When on opposing sides, their confrontation is often [[BecauseDestinySaysSo fated and unavoidable]], with heavy doses of TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou and OnlyICanKillHim thrown into the mix, even when it's explicitly [[ItsPersonal not personal]]. It is also common for this connection to be depicted as [[{{Twincest}} romantic and sexual]] in nature or to become such due to the sheer intensity of the feelings.

Twins are often portrayed as having a deep, almost mystical or magical connection with one another, far stronger than the bonds between non-twins. This can manifest in them [[TwinBanter speaking in unison]] and FinishingEachOthersSentences without prompting. They'll know things about each other (their location, what they're doing) they should have no way of knowing or may sense when the other is hurt or in danger in a way that goes [[TwinTelepathy far beyond mere intuition]]. In some stories, it even escalates into full-on {{Synchronization}}, with the twins sharing the same wounds. It is also common for these bonds to be depicted as [[{{Twincest}} romantic and sexual]] in nature or to become such due to the sheer intensity of the feelings.

When they're on the same side, the twins will have UndyingLoyalty to each other, [[ThickerThanWater sometimes to the detriment of whatever group or cause they are a part of]]. Their uncanny connection allows them to [[SuperiorTwinTeamwork work together better than any duo or team]]. When on opposing sides, their confrontation is often [[BecauseDestinySaysSo fated and unavoidable]], with heavy doses of TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou and OnlyICanKillHim thrown into the mix, even when it's explicitly [[ItsPersonal not personal]].

In more fantastical settings where superpowers and abilities are widespread, twins are likely to have complementary abilities (if not the same one) and may serve as living [[AmplifierArtifact Amplifier Artifacts]] for one another, [[SuperEmpowering increasing their abilities]] far beyond what someone without their bond can manage. Or they might be weak, underpowered, or totally useless until they are together, at which point their ability becomes [[WonderTwinPowers far greater than the sum of its parts]].

Regardless of how it manifests in the narrative, the point is that the twin connection in of itself is used to explain or justify why these siblings are unique.

The tendency to view twins as special is actually quite common across many cultures and can be found [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twins_in_mythology in the beliefs and mythologies ]]of [[OlderThanDirt ancient civilizations around the world.]] Note that "special" does not mean "positive": for as many superstitions about twins as a sign of immense luck and fortune as there are, plenty view twins as [[PortentOfDoom harbingers of disaster and ruin]], if not outright evil themselves.

* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': The [[TheMaker Gods]] are believed to be two sets of twins, so twins are sacred in the Gefendur religion. Temples pay handsome fees to adopt twins, who are raised to adulthood in comfort, after which the [[OneMustDie younger one]] is [[HumanSacrifice sacrificed]] and the older is inducted into the priesthood.

* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': The [[TheMaker Gods]] are believed to be two sets of twins, so twins are sacred in the Gefendur religion. Temples pay handsome fees to adopt twins, who are raised to adulthood in comfort, after which the younger one is [[HumanSacrifice sacrificed]] and the older is inducted into the priesthood.

* ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'': The aptly named Gemini Coven is one of the most powerful witch covens in the series. In this coven, twins are always first in line to become the leader and those chosen undergo a ritual called The Merge, during which the twins merge their consciousness and magical ability. The weaker of the twin's consciousness fades and they [[OneTwinMustDie die]], leaving the remaining twin doubly empowered. Though it is possible for non-twins to do The Merge, as shown through Luke and Kai's experience the lack of a true twin bond despite them being blood siblings weakens the effectiveness of the ritual and the remaining sibling will slowly die over time.

* Subverted in ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' with the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. They are classified as "enhanced individuals" because of their powers and are given the codename "The Twins" in the film teaser at the end of ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' setting this trope up, but their powers are not a product of their twinness (they're the products of individual bioengineering and genetic experimentation) nor are their abilities particularly complementary. When [[spoiler: Pietro dies]], Wanda does instantly sense it from far away, but a reciprocal psychic link between the two hadn't been established before this point, so it's likely this has more to do with Wanda's individual telepathy than anything else.
* In ''Film/{{Constantine}}'', Isabela and Angela were born with strong psychic powers, strong enough for both to be considered good vessels for Lucifer's son Mammon to inhabit. Other powerful characters in the film are either a halfling of some sort or derive their powers using exorcism tools, with the exception of WitchDoctor Papa Midnite.

* Downplayed in ''Film/TheSkeletonTwins''. The film starts with Maggie standing over her bathroom sink, holding a fistful of pills seemingly preparing to SuicideByPills. She is [[InterruptedSuicide only stopped]] when she receives a phone call from the hospital informing her that brother Milo, who she hasn't spoken to in years, was there because he tried to commit suicide, too.

* Justified in ''Film/Twins1988'' as Julius and Vincent are the products of genetic experimentation to produce the perfect child by fertilizing a single ovum with the sperm of 6 different men, Julius getting all of the desired genes and Vincent getting all of the leftovers. This technically makes Vincent Julius's twin, doppleganger, and clone all at once! They experience both TwinTelepathy and {{Synchronization}}.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': For much of the series, the relationship between Jaime and Cersei is characterized by both as being particularly deep and this trope is implied to be part of the reason behind their {{Twincest}}. Several times they've both argued that non-outsiders who try to judge them simply are not able to understand the depth of the bond between them. [[spoiler:This comes to a head in Season 8 when Jaime, who recently turned his back on Cersei to fight the White Walkers with his brother and [[RelationshipUpgrade Brienne]], decides to return to Cersei and dies by her side]].

* ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'': The aptly named Gemini Coven is one of the most powerful witch covens in the series. In this coven, twins are always first in line to become the leader and those chosen undergo a ritual called The Merge, during which the twins merge their consciousness and magical ability. The weaker of the twin's consciousness fades and they [[OneTwinMustDie die]], leaving the remaining twin doubly empowered. Though it is possible for non-twins to do The Merge, as shown through Luke and Kai's experience, the lack of a true twin bond despite them being blood siblings weakens the effectiveness of the ritual and the remaining twin will slowly die over time.

** At the start of the story, twin siblings Aki and Aya Mikage are revealed to be able to host the spirits of Mikage family progenitor Mikagi and his [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe reluctant]] [[MaritalRapeLicense wife]]/powerful celestial maiden Ceres, respectively. But they learn it's not because they are twins, but because they are near genetic duplicates for the two due to RoyalInbreeding. Possession by Mikagi is considered an auspicious sign by the Mikage family, as he is prophesized to lead the family to continued prosperity, whereas possession by Ceres is viewed as a DoomMagnet and the family typically kills the host. Because Aya and Aki are twins, this also creates an inadvertant OneTwinMustDie scenario.
** Before they realize they are hosts, Aki and Aya have a close, but very normal sibling relationship. However, Mikagi is still romantically and sexually obsessed with Ceres, does not care that his vessel is the brother of her vessel, and has no qualms of [[BrotherSisterIncest acting on]] [[{{Twincest}} his desires]]. While both Aki and Aya are disgusted by this, Aki has a hard time keeping his platonic love for Aya separate from Mikagi's feelings for Ceres the more he gets possessed. In fact, his increasing shame regarding those feelings makes Aki's consciousness retreat more and more, which makes it easier for Mikagi to gain control over his body. Aki's anguish shows just how awful it would be to feel irrationally and inexplicably attracted for one's own twin.

When they're on the same side, the twins will have UndyingLoyalty to each other, [[ThickerThanWater sometimes to the detriment of whatever group or cause they are a part of]]. Their uncanny connection allows them to work together better than any duo or team. When on opposing sides, their confrontation is often [[BecauseDestinySaysSo fated and unavoidable]], with heavy doses of TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou and OnlyICanKillHim thrown into the mix, even when it's explicitly [[ItsPersonal not personal]].

This is a SuperTrope for several TwinTropes as the premise they are built on, specifically: OneTwinMustDie, SingleMindedTwins, TwinTelepathy, TwinBanter, and WonderTwinPowers.

* The Tachibana twins from ''Manga/CaptainTsubasa'' rely on their innate understanding of one another as the basis for their combination attacks. However, this gets deconstructed as Coach Gamo points out that their dependency on each other is a CripplingOverspecialization and borderline [[WonderTwinPowers Wonder Twin Power]] that is ultimately holding them back.

* ''{{Manga/Haikyuu}}'': The Miya twins from Inarizaki High School are able to figure out and near perfect Kageyama and Hinata's [[SpecialAttack freak quick]] ''in the same match they first encounter it''. Up until this point, no other team that Karasuno has faced has been able to pull it off, let alone in the middle of a match. This trope is explicitly discussed as being the reason why they managed to do so.

* ''Literature/TheBelgariad'': SingleMindedTwins Belkira and Beltira are the only sorcerers capable of decoding the [[TomesOfProphecyAndFate Mrin and Darine Codexes]] due to their TwinTelepathy, as the codexes only make sense when read in conjunction. The regular {{Telepathy}} that all other sorcerers possess doesn't appear to be up to the task.

* Justified in ''Film/{{Twins}}'' as Julius and Vincent are the products of genetic experimentation to produce the perfect child by fertilizing a single ovum with the sperm of 6 different men, Julius getting all of the desired genes and Vincent getting all of the leftovers. This technically makes Vincent Julius's twin, doppleganger, and clone all at once! They experience both TwinTelepathy and {{Synchronization}}.

When they're on the same side, the twins will have UndyingLoyalty to each other, [[ThickerThanWater sometimes to the detriment of whatever group or cause they are a part of]]. Their uncanny connection allows them to work together better than any duo or team, [[ThinkTwins coming up with the optimal solution for any problem]]. When on opposing sides, their confrontation is often [[BecauseDestinySaysSo fated and unavoidable]], with heavy doses of TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou and OnlyICanKillHim thrown into the mix, even when it's explicitly [[ItsPersonal not personal]].

** At the start of the story, twin siblings Aki and Aya Mikage are revealed to be able to host the spirits of Mikage family progenitor Mikagi and his [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe reluctant]] [[MaritalRapeLicense wife]]/powerful celestial maiden Ceres, respectively. But they learn it's not because they are twins, but because they are near genetic duplicates for the two due to RoyalInbreeding, which is what allows them to be possessed. Possession by Mikagi is considered an auspicious sign by the Mikage family, as he is prophesized to lead the family to continued prosperity, whereas possession by Ceres is viewed as a DoomMagnet and the family typically kills the host. Because Aya and Aki are twins, this also creates an inadvertant OneTwinMustDie scenario.
** Before they realize they are hosts, Aki and Aya have a close, but very normal sibling relationship. However, Mikagi is still romantically and sexually obsessed with Ceres, does not care that his vessel is the brother of her vessel, and has no qualms of [[BrotherSisterIncest acting on]] [[{{Twincest}} his desires]]. While both Aki and Aya are disgusted by this, Aki has a hard time keeping his platonic love for Aya separate and distinct from Mikagi's feelings for Ceres the more he gets possessed and in fact, it's his increasing shame regarding those feelings that makes his consciousness retreat more and more, which makes it easier for Mikagi to gain control over his body. His anguish shows just how awful it would be to feel irrationally and inexplicably attracted for one's own twin.

** Before they realize they are hosts, Aki and Aya have a close, but very normal sibling relationship. However, Mikagi is still romantically and sexually obsessed with Ceres, does not care that his vessel is the brother of her vessel, and has no qualms of [[BrotherSisterIncest acting on]] [[{{Twincest}} his desires]]. While both Aki and Aya are disgusted by this, Aki has a hard time keeping his platonic love for Aya separate and distinct from Mikagi's feelings for Ceres the more he gets possessed. His anguish revealing just how awful it would be to feel irrationally and inexplicably attracted for one's own twin.

** Before they realize they are hosts, Aki and Aya have a close, but very normal sibling relationship. However, Mikagi is still romantically and sexually obsessed with Ceres, does not care that his vessel is the brother of her vessel, and has no qualms of [[BrotherSisterIncest acting on]] [[{{Twincest}} his desires]]. While both Aki and Aya are disgusted by this, Aki in particular has a hard time keeping his normal sibling feelings for Aya separate and distinct from Mikagi's feelings for Ceres the more he gets possessed, showing just how awful feeling preternaturally strong feelings for one's own sibling would be.

** At the start of the story, twin siblings Aki and Aya Mikage are revealed to be able to host the spirits of Mikage family progenitor Mikagi and his [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe reluctant]] [[MaritalRapeLicense wife]]/powerful celestial maiden Ceres, respectively. But they learn it's not because they are twins, but because they are near genetic duplicates for the two, due to RoyalInbreeding, which is what allows the spirits to possess and take control of their bodies. Possession by Mikagi is considered an auspicious sign by the Mikage family, as he is prophesized to lead the family to continued prosperity, whereas possession by Ceres is viewed as a DoomMagnet, the family typically killing the host. Because Aya and Aki are twins, this creates an inadvertant OneTwinMustDie scenario.

* ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'': The aptly named Gemini Coven is one of the most powerful witch covens in the series. In this coven, twins are always first in line to become the leader and those chosen undergo a ritual called The Merge, during which the twins merge their consciousness and magical ability. The weaker of the twin's consciousness fades and they [[OneTwinMustDie die]], leaving the remaining twin doubly empowered. Though it is possible for non-twins to do The Merge, as shown through Luke and Kai's experience, the lack of a true twin bond despite them being blood siblings makes the weakens the effectiveness of the ritual and the remaining twin will slowly die over time.