Line #51 Main/BadassBack


1	[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/badassback.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Boom~]]
3
4	->''"I'm facing the wrong way but ''GOTCHA BITCH!''"''
5	-->-- '''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NYYewCSxo&t=1m34s Kajetokun]]''', ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter''
6
7	Some fighters are so badass that they don't even have to look. They can beat you with their back to you.
8
9	If both opponents attempt to fight each back to back, this may lead to dizziness on the part of the combatants. This would not make them BackToBackBadasses. It would celebrate the joys of spinning around like idiots.
10
11	Sometimes, to show how much [[MyKungFuIsStrongerThanYours stronger their kung fu]] is, one fighter turns around condescendingly to expose their weak spot. The other, incensed by this, runs up and starts throwing everything they have at them. However, their attacks are all avoided or parried easily, usually with a single hand, and without even looking.
12
13	Similarly, for a finishing move in a sword fight, the user can thrust their sword under their shoulder, stabbing the opponent in the process. Characters with [[HealingFactor super regeneration]] have even been known to [[AttackingThroughYourself stab the enemy through themselves]]. If the hero is fighting against an opponent before him simultaneously, he may nevertheless wreck a rear attacker with a DangerousBackswing.
14
15	In a SingleStrokeBattle, started and finished as his opponent charged him, the victor can sheathe his sword [[UnflinchingWalk and walk away]], paying no mind to the lifeless body of the person he defeated in seconds as it falls to the ground.
16
17	Compare OffhandBackhand (suddenly striking someone behind you without even looking), UnflinchingWalk (which can overlap with this trope), and also to InTheBack.
18
19	----
20	!Examples:
21
22	[[foldercontrol]]
23
24	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
25	* In a flashback in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' we saw that, as a kid, Killer Bee thwarted an assassination attempt against himself by simply ''turning around'' to deflect a kunai with the handle of a sheathed sword on his back, which he apparently did ''completely by accident'' '''without even realizing what was going on'''.
26	* Subverted in the first chapter of ''Anime/MazingerZ'' Creator/GoNagai manga. Sayaka sorties in Aphrodite-A to stop a mysterious HumongousMecha that is trashing the city [[spoiler:that mysterious HumongousMecha being Mazinger-Z, "piloted" by a Kouji Kabuto that [[FallingIntoTheCockpit had just gotten into the robot and had absolutely no idea of how to actually control the damned thing]].]] When she strikes it, the HumongousMecha easily withstands its attack, heaves Aphrodite-A and throws her away... and then it turns its back towards her. Sayaka is incensed, believing that robot thinks Aphrodite is not good enough to fight and is making fun of her. Her father is worried and requests her to be careful because a monster is dangerous even if he has its back turned to her. She gets ready to attack, when the HumongousMecha suddenly turns around... and Kouji manages to communicate with her and explain that he did all that because he did not know how to pilot the robot.
27	* In ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'', an encounter between the hero Vash and the villain Brilliant Dynamite Neon, ends with BDN having his back turned towards Vash while firing a surprise gun underneath his shoulder.
28	* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''
29	** In an extreme example, Ranma Saotome defeats rival Ryouga while ''asleep'', without ever consciously being aware that he was in a fight.
30	** Another example is when Ryoga is able to counter any attack thrown at him in two episodes/chapters, even when completely unguarded, ''shackled to steel prison balls'', (which admittedly wouldn't be heavy for him anyway) and with his back turned. This is, however, completely justified in that a Martial Arts Calligraphy master has given him "the mark of the battling gods", which amps his fighting abilities to ultra high levels but is also an immensely embarrassing doodle that can only be removed if someone defeats him.
31	* ''Manga/UrooboeUroboros'': In the one-shot by [=NisiOisiN=] and Obata Takesho, the titular Urooboe Uroboros is a mysterious middle school delinquent who fights with their back turned to their enemies and using a [[ConfusionFu confusing]] Snake style to avoid revenge fights, so no one has seen their face and can only remember the stylized jacket. Their identity is [[spoiler:Kakizaki Kokera, who quickly draws the logo on the back of his shirt before the fight.]]
32	* In ''Manga/DGrayMan'', General Cross Marian is so badass that he can one-shot three Akuma that try to jump him from behind ''at once'', without looking. [[http://www.onemanga.com/D.Gray-Man/142/12/ Do not mess with Cross]].
33	* Balalaika from ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' also gets in on this in the Washimine Arc. When the leader of the Washimine Clan tries to kill her by drawing a sword and attempting to kill her from behind he finds himself having been stabbed instead and with a knife at his throat. She throws in a PreMortemOneLiner, which she asks Rock to translate, just before [[NeckSnap snapping the leader's neck]] in a display of pure evil badass.
34	* In the first season of ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', Gourry pulls this off while alone and searching for Lina after she gets kidnapped by Zelgadis. Accidentally disturbing a huge BeastMan in the form of a cat-man with horns and sabre fangs, he turns his back to it upon realizing it isn't Lina and, after effortlessly dodging its blows, reaches back with one hand and breaks a fang clean out of its mouth with a single flick of the finger. Said Beastman promptly decides to beat a hasty retreat.
35	* Done by Teana during the final battle of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers''. Expecting the ambush-happy {{Cyborg}} Deed to attack from behind, Teana blindly blocks Deed's [[DualWielding Twin Swords]] with her own daggers, then guides [[BoomHeadshot an energy bullet to Deed's head]] while she's staring in shock.
36	* In the anime adaptation of ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'', Yuki defeats Asakura with her back turned to her? The fact that she keeps her stoic attitude despite being pierced through by metal spears and energy lances doesn't lower the awesomeness.
37	* In ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'', Nrvnqsr's ''back'' '''literally sends Shiki flying''' without the former even realizing it.
38	* Rosette does this in the very first chapter of ''Manga/ChronoCrusade,'' shooting a humongous demon while in the middle of conversation without bothering even to turn around and then nonchalantly chiding it for interrupting.
39	* In ''Manga/ZatchBell'', Tia and Megumi were amazed to see that Kiyo cast Zaker on Maruss and his book holder without even turning around to face them.
40	* The readers' first indication that Ruby of ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'' [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass isn't as wimpy as he looked]]? When he performed this trope against the not-so-unconscious Seviper after he had finished treating Sapphire's wounds.
41	* Apparently deciding that taking out a dragon wasn't enough for proving her badass credentials, [[spoiler:Yue Ayase]] of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' managed to do this to a demon trying to sneak up on her by stabbing it in the torso with a {{BFS}} she pulled out of thin air.
42	* Gin of ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' once released his extending sword from its sheath without looking behind him and impaled Aizen in the heart.
43	* There is a RunningGag with Kurara from ''Anime/DancougarNova'' destroying enemies behind her mech, then saying "Don't stand behind me." or some variant. Aoi eventually gets on the act as well.
44	* A technique that puts a football-spin on this is used in ''Manga/EyeShield21''. [[spoiler: It's called the "Devil Bat Backfire," and is used by Monta. By memorizing Hiruma's passes to perfectly, he can catch the ball from behind, obliterating pretty much every cornerback he'll ever face.]]
45	* ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple'': Anyone[[note]]below Master-Class[[/note]] who approaches Miu from behind normally finds themselves on their back.
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Comic Books]]
49	* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Bruce and his various protégés are rather fond of this one, to the point that it almost seems as though thugs are ''less'' likely to hit him if their attack comes from behind.
50	* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'':
51	** In one comic, Vader fights a clone or copy of [[spoiler:Darth Maul]], and in order to win [[DeliberateInjuryGambit stabs himself through the torso]] to get at [[spoiler:Maul]], who's behind him at the time. It's an attempt at symbolism through the trope, because the Dark Side Adepts who provided his opponent say he is unworthy as a Sith, as he doesn't hate purely enough - they say that his love for Padme is still there and weakens him. After he's defeated their champion, said champion asks in his last breath who or what he can hate so much to defeat him. Vader's answer? [[spoiler:"Myself."]]
52	** In an early ''ComicBook/XWingRogueSquadron'' comic, agent Winter dodges a StabTheScorpion moment and [[http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1452/swrstro207.jpg fires behind herself without looking]] to hit the creature sneaking up on her. A little later she splashes another one in the face with the equivalent of scalding coffee, but she [[http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4379/swrstro209.jpg turned around]] to do it.
53	* In ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis2004'', Deathstroke manages to skewer the Flash on his sword with a blind strike behind him, despite the fact that the Flash at that point is moving so much faster than Deathstroke that the villain must have looked like an inanimate statue to the hero.
54	* Gwen Di Marco finishes off a {{mook\|s}} of the week in just such a way in the intro sequence to ''Film/GalaxyQuest'' the series.
55	* The Soft Master from ''ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroMarvel'' does this against Destro... who has just fired ''rockets'' at him.
56	* In ''ComicBook/Ronin1983'', the main character actually stabs himself through the side in order to kill a demon who was attacking from behind. (This is necessary: to kill the demon requires the blood of an innocent.)
57	* ''ComicBook/SinCity'': Miho purposefully shows her back to a mob enforcer in order to enrage him enough to attack. The fight ends with [[spoiler:her kicking his head off his shoulders]].
58	* Blindness, a built-in radar and keen enough senses to follow an opponent's moves through scent or air displacement, makes this a standard routine for ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}''. For years the word on the street was that DD was telepathic.
59	[[/folder]]
60
61	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
62	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', Rafiki knocks a hyena flat with his stunning blind behind the back fist raise.
63	* In ''WesternAnimation/Epic2013'', Ronin blocks an attack from behind with the scabbard of his sword, without even a flinch.
64	* In ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub3DMagicalAdventure'', the Winx and Specialists were fighting off numerous clones of themselves. In the middle of the battle, Bloom and Sky share a passionate kiss, then both backfist a clone of the other without even breaking off the kiss.
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
68	* Legolas drops Wormtongue's final henchman with a casual backhand blow in Creator/PeterJackson's ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings: [[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers The Two Towers]]''.
69	* Achilles blocks several arrows without looking by throwing his shield on his back in ''Film/{{Troy}}''.
70	* ''Franchise/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'': Riddick does this ad nauseam.
71	* Archibald Cunningham in ''Film/RobRoy'' will occasionally step past his opponents, blocking their final shot over his shoulder, and then arrogantly saunter away before re-engaging. This exposes one of his {{Fatal Flaw}}s: [[SuicidalOverconfidence overconfidence]], and nearly gets him killed in his very first scene when Guthrie makes to backstab him after their duel.
72	* ''Film/TheAvengers1998'': While Mrs. Peel is swordfighting with Steed, she briefly turns her back to him but continues to block his blows over her shoulder.
73	* The almost-final scene in ''Film/TheMatrix''. Doubly badass because the rest of the film is pretty much establishing how awesome the Agents are, and triply badass because Neo (''not'' Mr. Anderson) looks utterly bored while doing it.
74	* Elizabeth does a backward under-shoulder thrust with two swords in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', impaling two of Davy Jones' men behind her.
75	* Ash in ''Film/ArmyOfDarkness'' kills his first deadite with an over-the-shoulder boomstick shot.
76	* In ''Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossThe8thDimension'', John Bigboote knocks a guy out with a solid punch while standing perfectly still, without even turning or looking in his direction.
77	-->''"Bigbou''té''! ''Té''!"''
78	* Swordsman ''Franchise/{{Zatoichi}}'' ([[Film/Zatoichi2003 2003 film]] included) routinely impales attackers coming from behind without turning or looking. But then again he does the same to all attackers since he is blind.
79	* ''Film/PulpFiction'' has this as well. Butch slashes the pawn-shop owner with a katana, walks past him, then finishes him off by thrusting it behind him.
80	* ''Film/IronMan2'': After plowing through a wall while fighting [[Comicbook/WarMachine Rhodey]] (and landing with an elegant palm-thruster-boost while Rhodey sprawls on his ass amongst Tony's gym equipment), Tony does this along with an equally condescending "Now, put that back where you found it before somebody gets hurt." Rhodey responds by chucking a [[ImprovisedWeapon barbell weight disc]] at Tony's head. Tony glares at him over his shoulder, and the fight is back on.
81	* John Preston in ''Film/{{Equilibrium}}'' does this a lot, only with guns.
82	* The climactic drug factory shootout in ''Film/RoboCop1987'' features the titular character shooting a thug standing above him by firing over his own right shoulder, and explicitly being able to shoot another thug while looking in the opposite direction. Having a targeting system helps; prior to becoming [=RoboCop=], Murphy was a terrible shot.
83	* The ''Film/{{Moonwalker}}'' version of "Smooth Criminal" has Music/MichaelJackson shooting down the bad guys from behind while grooving and flirting with the ladies.
84	* In ''Film/TheFifthElement'', Leeloo gets several of these during the opera scene. The most amusing example is at the end: she's lining up a dazed {{mook\|s}} (in front of her) for a final blow when another approaches from behind, seemingly unnoticed. She takes them both out with a one-two punch [[MickeyMousing right in time with the music]].
85	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
86	** In ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'', Darth Maul finds himself with his back to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan and flips his double-bladed lightsaber back and forth to perfectly deflect both their attacks in quick succession.
87	** In ''Film/TheForceAwakens'', Han Solo manages to shoot a First Order Stormtrooper without even looking at them. Goes to show that even old age won't stop Han from shooting first.
88	* In ''Film/WonderWoman2017'', during the beach battle, Steve Trevor shoots a German soldier without looking at him.
89	[[/folder]]
90
91	[[folder:Literature]]
92	* Creator/SandyMitchell's ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}: Literature/CiaphasCain'' novel ''The Traitor's Hand'' sees Cain catch a glimpse of a cultist trying to attack him from behind, elbow the cultist ineffectually and then use his chainsword for an under-the-armpit stab.
93	* ''Literature/BattleRoyale'', at least in the book, has Kiriyama pull one of these. When Inaba Mizuho tries to sneak up on him from behind and stab him, he points his gun behind him, shoots her, and walks off without even looking at her once.
94	** Technically, he does something similar with Sho, who thought he was stalking Kiriyama without having been noticed. Instead, Kiriyama leads him into a trap that gets his collar detonated, with Sho not realizing Kiriyama even knew he was there until the very end.
95	* Pierson's Puppeteers from Creator/LarryNiven's ''Literature/KnownSpace'' are [[BizarreAlienBiology naturally evolved]] masters of this art: their eyes are on the end of long flexible necks and can easily look behind them to aim a disemboweling kick with their powerful hind leg. Of course, "badass" is the last word most people would use to describe the [[PlanetOfHats cowardly]] Puppeteers. (Louis Wu speculates that they originally developed the instinct "turn your back on danger and kick it", but it was gradually forgotten over time, degenerating into "turn your back on danger and run from it".)
96	* ''Literature/TheDogStars'': Bangley kills a raider with a blast of submachinegun fire while looking directly at his sniper partner in the distance. He does it to make a point.
97	* In ''Literature/TheDinosaurLords'', when one of the nobles standing behind Falk declares general retreat before the battle even begins, Falk decapitates him without even looking back, then dares anyone else to defy Emperor's orders. The others, predictably, fall silent.
98	* ''Literature/FateRequiem'': Koharu tries to attack Nzambi from behind while she she is busy talking to Erice, but Nzambi swats her out of the air without turning around.
99	[[/folder]]
100
101	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
102	* There are many cases of characters turning their back on an enemy after delivering the finishing blow but not seeing the consequences. This ''almost'' never backfires. The Franchise/PowerRangers are particularly guilty of this.
103	** It's eventually lampshaded in ''Series/PowerRangersSamurai,'' where the monsters find it insulting.
104	** The one time it does backfire is in ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder.'' The Rangers turn, and don't see that the monster was staggering but recovering and ''not'' about to [[DefeatMeansExplosion fall down go boom]] as usual. The Rangers get blasted from behind, possibly a first in all of {{Toku}}dom.
105	* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'':
106	** Atherton Wing does this to a sorely outmatched Mal, who tries to attack and gets stabbed. Despite this, Wing later gets distracted and loses.
107	** River also pulls this one a couple of times in the famous Maidenhead bar fight in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
108	*** In a blink-and-you'll miss-it moment in the final battle with the Reavers, River turns her back to most of the Reaver horde. Six of them close in on her from behind, at which point she suddenly leans over backward, her sword slicing around in a single motion, and kills ''[[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome all of them]]''.
109	*** Earlier, in ''War Stories'', she takes out three enemies each with a single shot with only a single glance ''several seconds earlier'' to check their locations. She even says "Can't look" as she does this.
110	* A variant of this is done in a season 3 episode of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Fencing, Giles is ''reading'', his head turned away from his opponent. Of course, his opponent is Wesley.
111	* A flashback from ''Series/TrueBlood'' features Eric killing one of the werewolves attacking his family with a backward sword thrust. Mind you, this is ''before'' he became a vampire.
112	* The sixth series of ''Series/DoctorWho'' does this with River Song shooting one of [[spoiler:the Silents]] from behind whilst in mid-conversation. Doubly awesome because [[spoiler:''she can't remember that it's there or that there's even an enemy.'']]
113	* In an episode of ''Series/StargateSG1'' a BrainwashedAndCrazy Teal'c is fighting off a Replicator invasion. He has defeated seemingly all of them. Then one quietly crawls along the wall behind him. Teal'c doesn't even bother turning around. He turns his [[{{Boomstick}} staff weapon]] (notoriously difficult to aim) around and blasts it. It helps that the Replicators make a distinctive metal-on-metal clang when moving. The very next episode showed flashbacks of Teal'c being trained to fight blindfolded by his OldMaster Bra'tac.
114	* On ''Series/PersonOfInterest'' Root is able to do this against Hersh when escaping from the mental institution. It helps that she has ImprobableAimingSkills courtesy of a supercomputer.
115	[[/folder]]
116
117	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
118	* Used by both Wrestling/ChrisJericho and Wrestling/{{Christian}} in their entrances, though inverted in that they are technically facing the direction sneak attacks come from. It's straighter when one is defending champion and thus comes out last.
119	* If Wrestling/DiamondDallasPage, Wrestling/SteveAustin, or Wrestling/RandyOrton are showing their back to you, do not run up on them. All three use a FinishingMove that's a variation of "grab opponent's head while it's over your shoulder and drop", and are in fact ''easier'' to perform when approached/grabbed from behind.
120	* Wrestling/AJStyles, Paul Burchil and Bellito Calderon each have their on variation of the [[IKnowMaddenKombat pele kick]] and are all fairly difficult to approach from behind for this reason, as Wrestling/KazuchikaOkada can attest in the case of the former.
121	* {{Subverted\|Trope}} in at least one match where April Hunter was caught in Portuguese Princess Ariel's Dariel approaching from behind but was able to counter into her own head hunter.
122	* {{Deconstructed\|Trope}} in Gateway Championship Wrestling, where Wrestling/MsChif was likely to strike allies reflexively and once kicked then best friend and TagTeam partner [[Wrestling/HunterJohnston Delirious]] in the groin while he tried to help her up.
123	* {{Invoked\|Trope}} during Wrestling/{{TNA}}'s World Elite vs Main Event Mafia feud where Wrestling/SamoaJoe always stood with his back to World Elite. Whenever a brawl erupted between the two Joe ''always'' kicked major World Elite ass and had them licking their wounds even in the brawls World Elite won. Joe was [[OnlyInItForTheMoney only in Main Event Mafia for the money]]. The message he was trying to send was that World Elite was of no concern to him unless they forced him to do his job but they never got the hint.
124	* [[Wrestling/BlackRose La Rosa Negra]] won Ring Warriors' Battling Bombshells Title belt by turning to catch Wrestling/SuYung in a power slam as Yung charged her from behind while Negra was talking trash to Sienna Duvall after knocking Duvall out of the ring. Negra dared Duvall to come try as she climbed the turn buckle to finish Yung with a frog splash. Duvall waited for Negra to do a {{victory dance}} later and ''[[SubvertedTrope then]]'' attacked her from behind successfully.
125	* On the 7-20-2019 ''WWC Super Estrellas'', La Comandante of La Revolucion interfered with Orlando Colon's match with "El Rebelde" Noriega, trying to hit Orlando from behind while he was giving the ten corner punches to Noriega only to get hit with the cannonball twister. La Violencia then tried to attack Orlando from behind but was punched off of the apron before he could step through the ropes. The numbers game caught up to Orlando though as Noriega then successfully hit him from behind.
126	[[/folder]]
127
128	[[folder:Video Games]]
129	* Lara does this to Larson in the original ''VideoGame/TombRaiderI''.
130	* Link from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' gains the Mortal Draw late in the game. He performs it by sheathing his sword and shield, not targeting an enemy, and turning his back to them. When they attack, he spins and delivers an ''instant kill.''
131	* The blind warrior Voldo, in the later ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soul Calibur/Soul Edge]]'' games, is the only fighter in the series who can fulfill this trope. He has a full array of moves he can use with his back to an opponent, including throws, and, unlike every other member of the cast, can block attacks directed at his back (at least, as a normal part of his gameplay. Other [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard CPU-controlled]] characters who shouldn't be able to do this ''can'' in ''Soulcalibur III'').
132	** Another fighter, Yoshimitsu, is a kind of... [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot undead cyborg alien samurai]]... thing. Anywho, one of his attacks is turning his back to his opponent, and stabbing his sword through his gut (which ''does'' also hurt him). The attack has a very short range, justified in that it is hilarious every time it is pulled off.
133	* The most badass version? Yoshimitsu in the ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'' series and his same-named ancestor in the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries''. Why is it the most badass? Well, the move's English names are [[DeliberateInjuryGambit Suicide and Turning Suicide]] ...
134	** The series also has several characters who enter a different series of moves based on having their back turned. Keep in mind that with Feng Wei (Kempo), such techniques do exist.
135	* In the ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'' fighting game series, several of Ayane's most powerful attacks require her to have her back turned towards her opponent before they can be executed.
136	** In the same series, Brad Wong has a whole slew of attacks that are only effective when his back is turned, or even when he's laying down. This is more the result of his fighting style: ''DrunkenBoxing'', than badass-ness.
137	* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' 's Akuma tends to do this after winning a fight, especially if he ends it with his lethal signature attack, the Shun Goku Satsu. The back of his gi also glows with the kanji for "heaven," where some of his opponents surely get sent after being felled by his fist. He takes it even further in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'' and with his Shin incarnation in the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' series. In those games, after either winning or successfully pulling off the Shun Goku Satsu, his back becomes emblazoned with a unique kanji that means '''"GODLIKE."'''
138	** Evil Ryu also does this after a Shun Goku Satsu in ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Alpha 3]]'', ''[[VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom CvS2]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterIV SFIV]]'', though no kanji appears on his back. Meanwhile Kage in ''[=V=]'' has the kanji for "destruction" appear on his back after his Shun Goku Satsu.
139	** Ryu in ''[=Alpha 3=]'' will turn his back towards the screen if he finishes his opponent with a Shin Shoryuken or Metsu Shoryuken.
140	** Cammy also turns her back as part of one of her victory poses. In some games she does it while flashing a peace sign at the screen with her hat off, and in others she does it while giving a thumbs up and with her hat still on.
141	* In the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' series, Akuma does this, as mentioned above--whether in his regular form or in his Shin form, and either as a victory pose or after pulling off his Shun Goku Satsu. Rugal does this as well in his God/Ultimate form after pulling off his Shun Goku Satsu, though he does not have a kanji appear on his back, like Evil Ryu.
142	* ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'': Tachibana Ukyo fights like this all the time. He's pretty good at it, too.
143	* Part of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMUkjcI1s3M SSJ4 Gogeta's ultimate move]] in ''VideoGame/DragonBallZBudokai 3'':
144	* Practically all of the characters in Capcom's fighting games back away in a defensive retreat, but Dio/Shadowdio of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' will turn his back on his opponent to casually saunter away. Many of his special moves include the back-turning animation, crossing his arms over his chest before unleashing the power.
145	* Inverted in many shooting games. Due to [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard the computer being a cheating bastard]] and/or poor programming in many games it is possible for enemies to shoot at you despite facing the opposite way.
146	** Especially frustrating example: ''VideoGame/Halo2'', where the Jackal Snipers do this. It doesn't help that the beam kills no matter where it hits, and ricochets off of walls.
147	*** Played straight in that the player can do it too, but it takes serious practice to get the angle right (mis-firing can result in shooting yourself in the head, several Website/YouTube videos give a good example).
148	** While playing multiplayer, even players can appear to be doing this if there is a glitch in the game or there is lag such that you can get shot before it actually shows you the other player turning around.
149	* ZOE Commander in ''VideoGame/AceCombat2'' and [[spoiler:Mobius One]] from ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'''s bonus mission, The Gauntlet, of fly birds that can fire missiles backwards at the presumably tailgating player. They aren't the only ones, though. TruthInTelevision: Some [=AAMs=], like the Python 4/5 and AA-11/R-73, have 360-degree targeting capability.
150	* In ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'', one of the characters, K, has a backward walking animation which is just him turning around and walking the opposite way.
151	* Similar to the above example, in ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'' Act Cadenza onwards, Kishima Kouma's backward walk is just turning around and walking away. He doesn't even look directly at his opponent when he guards.
152	* The ''VideoGame/EternalFighterZero'' character Unknown, takes this trope even further by having her ''default standing animation'' face away from the players and her opponent.
153	* In ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}} V'', a few bosses, most notably the third boss in the boss rush of Stage 2, can fly behind your ship and attack you. Unless you have a tail gun or directional aiming, our only hope is to dodge until they fly back in front of you.
154	* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'' [[spoiler: Nero impales the final boss with a sword held backhand while facing away.]]
155	** Dante also has Shotgun skill, which lets him literally shoot behind himself without looking there.
156	** The above is a MythologyGag. When we first see Vergil draw Yamato in ''Devil May Cry 3'', he slices a Hell Vanguard into several pieces without even turning to face it, establishing himself as every bit the badass his brother is. [[spoiler: Makes sense, since WordOfGod confirms that Nero is Vergil's son]].
157	* ''VideoGame/BloodyRoar'': While Shenlong's backward stance doesn't give him a lot of options and is mostly for comboing into moves that you can't perform facing forward. However, his backwards punch is abnormally fast and hilarious to spam. It works great against human players who don't see it coming.
158	** Both he and Long also have a powerful beast-form attack where they smash the opponent with their back. Naturally, a few of their combos end with their backs turned.
159	* Zappa of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' spends most of his fights facing away from his opponent and bent over backwards. His backwards-walking animation is him standing up straight and walking away; he also has several attacks in the vein of this trope, most notably his back growing a face and [[{{Squick}} vomiting on his opponent]].
160	** Also, Johnny does this with his [[IaijutsuPractitioner Mist Finer moves]].
161	** Leo Whitefang's entire gameplay revolves around a "stance change" mechanic whereby certain attacks leave him with his back facing the opponent and completely change his moveset.
162	* Archer of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' has a sprite that features him facing away from the camera. When you see this, you know he's about to [[BadassBoast say something incredibly badass]] and [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome do something incredibly badass.]]
163	* Ezio can do this in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood''. One kill animation involves him killing one guard, attacking a second, moving on to a third, then finishing the second off with a throat stab.
164	* It's not turning his back on an enemy but in the introduction to ''VideoGame/VagrantStory'' we get to see Ashley Riot striding into certain danger, his back to the camera (and the person he's talking to) while delivering my favourite badass line ever. "Reinforcements? I am the reinforcements."
165	* [[VideoGame/MegaManX Zero]] teleports in facing away from his opponent in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3''.
166	* Starting with ''VideoGame/Halo2'', the Hunters in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' acquire a behind-the-back melee, which is an instant kill on Legendary difficulty.
167	* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces F'', once all of the conditions are met, Malik can perform the [[LimitBreak Blast Caliber]] Malik Beam, which has him turning his back to the enemy and FIRING A HUGE LASER AT THEM WITH HIS BACK.
168	--> '''Malik''': A man speaks with his back! [[CallingYourAttacks MALIK BEAM!]]
169	* There are a number of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' that keep their backs turned towards the enemy in battle for varying reasons:
170	** [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Mawile]]'s main method of attack is a set of [[TooManyMouths huge steel jaws]] protruding from the back of its head.
171	** [[VideoGameRemake Mega]] [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Sceptile]] can fire off [[BewareMyStingerTail the end of its tail]] like a missile.
172	** [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon Turtonator]] has a critical weak point on its chest, while its shell is incredibly tough.
173	** [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield Gigantamax Blastoise]] keeps its back turned to its opponents, the better to use its myriad cannons against them.
174	* Ogres in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' are able to deliver backward kicks in combat, which makes flanking them with a rogue something of an unrewarding experience.
175	* Rigwarl the Bristleback from ''VideoGame/Dota2'' has a back covered in quills. One of his abilities means he takes 40% less damage from attacks that hit his back and if he takes enough damage from the back, he sprays some of his quills, damaging anyone close enough. Considering he can also cast the Quill Spray independently every 3 seconds and that the damage from the quills increases each time an enemy is hit, it is not unheard of for Bristleback to take down multiple enemies with his back to them.
176	* In ''VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns'', you can shoot at a 360 angle, so its possible to shoot behind you without turning around. [[ExcuseMeWhileIMultitask You can even do it while running]].
177	* ''VideoGame/Injustice2:'' Darkseid, fond as he is of the ReverseArmFold, actually pulls one for his Super attack, looking away with a chuckle before casually sending out a particularly strong burst of [[EyeBeams Omega]] [[HomingLaser Effect]], which goes all the way over him to hit his hapless enemy anyways.
178	* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
179	** ''VideoGame/MegaManX6'': Rainy Turtloid will always have his back facing out towards the screen, showing off the two crystals in his shell. This is to highlight his powerful defenses which can only be compromised by destroying both crystals.
180	** ''VideoGame/MegaManZero4'': [[PlayingWithFire Heat Genblem]], another turtle-based boss, will also show off his back in order to block Zero's attacks. Keep up the assault, and he'll eventually face-forward to launch a CounterAttack, which also leaves him open to attack.
181	** ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'': [[KingOfBeasts Fistleo]] will occasionally show off his back to Vent/Aile while glowing with an ominous BattleAura in a manner highly reminiscent of [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma]]. It's so badass, in fact, that if you try to attack him he'll launch a devastating CounterAttack.
182	* ''[[VideoGame/GuiltyGear Guilty Gear -Strive-]]'': Leo Whitefang enters Brynhildr stance, turning his back to his opponent, after a Zweites Kaltes Gestöber or holding S after Turbulenz. In Brynhildr, Leo has more offensive options but cannot jump or block.
183	* Lyn as a Blade Lord in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'' will turn her back to the screen before delivering a critical hit unto her enemy, if she is wielding a sword other than the Sol Katti.
184	* ''VideoGame/{{Blackthorne}}'' has the titular character able to shoot his shotgun behind the back, using what amounts to the gunner equivalent to an OffhandBackhand.
185	[[/folder]]
186
187	[[folder:Webcomics]]
188	* Szark from ''Webcomic/DominicDeegan'' does a ''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/chapter/chapter-22/ lot]]''[[labelnote:note]]January 6, 2018[[/labelnote]] of things from behind.
189	* In [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=090205 this]] ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' strip, Torg stabs the zombie in front of him with one hand while tasering the zombie coming up behind him with the other.
190	* In one ''Legostar Galactica'' strip, Belinda kills a Sith by activating the back half of her double-bladed lightsaber without looking around while he tries to stab her in the back.
191	* [[MadScientist Sparks]] from ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' do this a lot, when they're absorbed by a problem and someone attacks them.
192	-->'''[[AxCrazy Bang DuPree]]:''' ''Look'' at me when I'm trying to kill you!
193	* Kitsune of ''Webcomic/{{Housepets}}'' pulls this off twice against two consecutive foes. Once as part of his Anime/FistOfTheNorthStar [[https://www.housepetscomic.com/comic/2022/03/22/nine-tail-god-fist/ parody]], and once as a triad with his [[https://www.housepetscomic.com/comic/2022/12/09/go-kaiger/ fellow godly beings.]]
194	[[/folder]]
195
196	[[folder:Web Original]]
197	* WebAnimation/RedVsBlue: Tex (who else?) pulls this off during the training session against three other Freelancers in Season 9. Rather than actually attacking her opponent though, she simply ducks and lets his punch hit the opponent in front of her.
198	* Pretty much every protagonist in ''WebAnimation/MadnessCombat''.
199	[[/folder]]
200
201	[[folder:Western Animation]]
202	* Taking a peg from its Watanabe inspiration, the SwordFight that occurred between Zuko and Jet on ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' [[EvasiveFightThreadEpisode come to a close]] with the two fighting with backs against each other. With the camera doing plenty of spins for them.
203	** King Bumi had what may be the most over-the-top example ever when he uses earthbending to pull this off against [[spoiler:''[[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome eight tanks at once]]''.]]
204	** See Also: Aang, whose specialty is evasion, doing this in many of his big fights: vs. Zuko in "Bato of the Water Tribe", vs. the bully kid in "The Headband," a hilarious OffhandBackhand against Sokka in "The Runaway" [[spoiler:which foreshadows how he beats [[BigBad Ozai]] in the finale.]] The latter two he learned from [[CuteBruiser Toph]], where it's completely [[HandicappedBadass justified]] for the same reason as [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Voldo]] above.
205	** From the first book's finale, "Admiral Choi, ''PREPARE TO MEET YOUR FATE!''" At which point Admiral ''Zhao'' casually tosses him overboard without moving from his spot.
206	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': In "[[Recap/TheNewBatmanAdventuresE23BewareTheCreeper Beware the Creeper]]", Batman is actually ''decked'' by [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} the Creeper]] while the latter tries to hit up Harley Quinn, being sent across the room without the Creeper even ''acknowledging his presence''.
207	* In ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', when Cheetor reaches Transmetal 2 level, he shows off how badass he is by casually shooting Waspinator, who was sneaking up behind him, over his shoulder without looking.
208	* Chase Young from ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'' does this several times, mostly while fighting/"training" Omi during the second season.
209	[[/folder]]
210
211	[[folder:Real Life]]
212	* Karate includes a tactic that presents your back to an opponent, goading him into attacking, then countering with a reverse kick.
213	* Genki Sudo, a retired UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts fighter, would often turn his back to opponents in the ring, as well as do the robot.
214	* The [[http://youtu.be/1qfR8Wxen0k?t=11s spinning backfist]] is one of the few exotic techniques that proved to be highly effective in MMA. So effective, in fact, that fighters will sometimes present their backs to the opponent for the sole purpose of throwing a spinning backfist.
215	* Modern air-to-air missiles are able to lock onto and attack targets behind the host aircraft.
216	* [[https://youtu.be/geaWb37ZzrQ?t=6m10s Certain variants of Bajiquan]] actually emphasize training the back for the sake of using a Tetsuzanko[[labelnote:*]]A usually considered apocryphal Bajiquan move that involves striking with one's back[[/labelnote]] when necessary.
217	* The tail gunner's position on a bomber is the military aviation equivalent of this. One of the first things German pilots were taught when attacking B-17's and B-24's was to ''NEVER'' approach the bomber directly from behind unless you wanted a windscreen full of lead.
218	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / BadassBack