Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / BadassLongRobe

Go To

1[[quoteright:240:[[Webcomic/VanVonHunter https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cloak-ominous.jpg]]]]
2[[caption-width-right:240:This cloak gives [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons the wearer]] an instant '''[[RandomNumberGod +5 modifier]]''' for [[PrimalFear Intimidation]].]]
3
4Like the BadassLongcoat in modern settings, a character who wears a long robe in a fantasy setting will invariably be Badass. Like the BadassCape, this can be used to dramatic effect by [[DramaticWind billowing in the wind]], but it also has the advantage of being potentially {{All Encompassing|Mantle}} to add an air of mystery. Plus, it looks [[InTheHood good with a hood]]. Expect many monks to be this.
5
6DramaticWind aside, in a FightScene, a battle can be made so much easier if your movements are being concealed (foot-work, on-coming punches, etc.). Also, there's a sadistic joy to be taken from unnerving an enemy who [[BringMyRedJacket can't see the damage he does]] nor the point he's aiming at. Suffice it to say, a person in a robe is an enigma both in battle and outside of it.
7
8As per RuleOfCool, this can be used to produce many impressive visual effects: anytime this character jumps (usually from a great height), they'll appear to [[WingedHumanoid have wings]]; when the character spins, they'll take on the look of a violently twisting spiral; when they dash or rush forward, they look like a human bullet.
9
10If martial arts are involved, odds are good that the robe will have DragonsUpTheYinYang.
11
12Compare with RobeAndWizardHat which is often more oriented to [[HermeticMagic magic-users]] and BlackCloak which is generally worn by evil characters.
13
14----
15!!Examples:
16
17[[foldercontrol]]
18
19[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
20* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'':
21** The Akatsuki of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. And just to show how powerful the Badass [=Longrobe=] really is, Akatsuki members [[spoiler:tend to die not long after]] ditching their robes. (Of course, most of their on-screen battles are against the main characters and hence fatal, so it's possible they often [[spoiler:lose their robes]] whatever the outcome.)
22** [=ANBU=] Black Ops sometimes wear long hooded capes. There is also an armless cloak for ordinary shinobi, which has the advantage of concealing your hand-signs.
23** Naruto's full Rikudou/Kyuubi form has a cloak made of ''[[BattleAura chakra]]'' which resembles that of the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Sage of the Six Paths]]. It is so potently badass that Kakashi thinks he just saw [[spoiler:his long-dead sensei, [[MemeticBadass Minato]].]]
24* The many characters in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' tend to fall between this and RobeAndWizardHat - since the series' slight GenreShift towards {{Wuxia}} and martial arts, most of the wizardly characters qualify for both. In particular, [[strike:Albireo Imma]] Ku:nel Sanders during the TournamentArc, the protagonist Negi and his father Nagi. [[spoiler:Later, we meet the FinalBoss whose outfit runs the gamut between this and BlackCloak]]. Interestingly, the RedShirt wizards tend more towards AllEncompassingMantle. In a non-wizard example, Tatsumiya donned one once as a part of her ColdSniper persona.
25* The Miroku brothers of ''Manga/GetBackers''.
26* ''Manga/JujutsuKaisen'''s [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Ryomen]] [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype Sukuna]] wears a stark white kimino that has this appearance based on the one he wore in his original body whenever he appears within Yuji's Innate Domain. WordOfGod mentions that he altered the sleeves to be very loose fitting so they wouldn't [[HumanFurnitureIsAPainInTheTail obstruct his two extra arms]].
27* Subverted in ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''. Mousse routinely wears long Chinese robes as his signature outfit, and his first appearance makes him out as strong and capable. Then something goofy happens (in the manga, the concrete roller he sliced in half falls on his head and knocks him out, in the anime, he starts wolfing down the bowl of ramen he just did an acrobatic routine with without spilling) and his Badass Cred is gone in an instant, firmly establishing him as something of the ButtMonkey. Shinnosuke seems to be a badass martial artist in a janitor's uniform who is a master of fighting with a [[ImprobableWeaponUser pushbroom]]... but he has such a horrible memory he just keeps making an idiot of himself by, say, stumbling headfirst into his own boobytraps.
28* In ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'', Blue wears one while training Yellow.
29* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', Zoro is now sporting one after the time skip. Somehow it does make him look even more badass.
30** The new Admiral Fujitora wears a purple sleeveless robe under his marine uniform.
31* ''Manga/DeadmanWonderland'' has ultra Buddhist priest [[DepravedHomosexual Genkaku]] whose robe has flame designs on it.
32* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', the Quincies from the Vandenreich wear all a white long robe.
33* The title character in ''Manga/TheLegendOfMotherSarah'', wears a long beige hooded cloak that she wears like a Muslim niqab.
34[[/folder]]
35
36[[folder:Comic Books]]
37* [[http://www.comicvine.com/the-prince-of-orphans/29-46789/ Prince Of Orphans]] of Marvel's ''ComicBook/ImmortalIronFist''. The second arc was about a tournament between the Seven Cities of Heaven and their Immortal Weapons. Since it happens only once every seventy-seven years, and the weapons themselves aren't immortal (just the title and post, it seems), certain things are expected. However, one of the combatants defies them: he was at the last tournament, and if anything he's even more dangerous, and the heavy favorite. He mostly keeps to himself and wears an all-concealing, plain, heavy brown robe. May actually be a minor subversion, as while he's certainly still wearing the robe when he fights, [[spoiler:he turns into omnipresent green mist that seems to beat the shit out of his opponent from all sides]].
38* ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'': V, of course.
39[[/folder]]
40
41[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
42* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Sun Yee wears one of these which fits her reputation as a badass in life.
43[[/folder]]
44
45[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
46* The Jedi Knights of ''Franchise/StarWars'', naturally. Maybe most obvious in ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'', although Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Darth Maul all [[TheCoatsAreOff drop]] their long outer robes before the big fight.
47** The Emperor's personal guards look incredibly badass, even more so considering they go unused in the movies.
48* ''Franchise/TheMatrix'': Neo wears a cassock in ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'' and ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions''.
49* Badass Longrobes make many, ''many'' appearances in {{Wuxia}} movies Like ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'' and ''Film/Hero2002''.
50* In ''Film/FightClub'', Brad Pitt is commonly seen wearing a bathrobe and sunglasses and generally being a badass extremist leader figure.
51* ''Film/IpMan'', though he does take it off from time to time.
52* ''Film/KungFuZohra'': The eponymous character learns kung fu and sews herself a red Chinese style long robe (it can be seen on the poster) that she starts wearing the day she [[FootDraggingDivorcee brings the divorce papers]] to her {{domestic abuse}}r of a husband. She ends up kicking his ass in major fashion after a fight that follows his refusal to sign them.
53[[/folder]]
54
55[[folder:Literature]]
56* Doctor Impossible of ''Literature/SoonIWillBeInvincible''.
57* While the series tends towards RobeAndWizardHat, Dumbledore of ''Literature/HarryPotter'' most definitely counts (impressive for a character [[ThouShaltNotKill who doesn't kill]]).
58* Banshees in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' appear like this; they're actually folded wings. Also subverted when Mr. Horsefry wears a cloak while sneaking over to the BigBad, it's noted by the Big Bad's servant how conspicuous it makes him look.
59** Lord Vetinari himself wears plain black robes and can convey more Badass-edness with a sharp glance than most characters could with adamantium claws and a pulse rifle.
60** Then there are the Wizards of Unseen University. Cross them, and the only chance you have is to sneak away while they argue over what the most appropriate thing to do to you is. If you're unlucky, the Librarian will [[DeathFromAbove decide to drop lightly on top of you and try to unscrew your head]].
61* Gandalf of ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' is one of the better-known examples.
62* ''Literature/NightWatchSeries'': {{Justified|Trope}}. Magical items must be recharged after each use, and the Inquisitors' robes prevent anyone from seeing just how heavily armed they are.
63* The WarriorMonk brethren of Mount Angel in Creator/SMStirling's ''Literature/{{Emberverse}}'', especially Abbot-Bishop Dmwoski and Father Ignatius.
64* The wizards of the White Council in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' tend to dress in these in formal settings, from the Wardens to the Merlin. Harry's, however, is a ratty old bathrobe.
65** Also, [[spoiler: the Black Council seems to like dark robes, leading Harry's immortal line, [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu "Touché, O dark master of evil bathrobes"]]]].
66* The Man in Black, Walter O'Dim in ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'' series.
67* Literature/{{Mistborn}} wear a cloak made of multilayered strips of fabric called a Mistcloak. It's partially camoflage, but mostly it exists to look stylish and inform everyone in sight that the wearer is not to be messed with.
68* ''[[Literature/TheSwordOfShannaraTrilogy The Elfstones of Shannara]]'': the Reaper is the most intimidating and strong demon serving the Dagda Mor. He normally appears as an over seven feet tall massive humanoid clad in a long black robe with a hood, unseen face and massive claws on his hands.
69* An ornated robe is the clothing of choice of the taoist Immortals in ''Literature/FengshenYanyi'': each of them is skilled in martial arts and magic, with some of them being able to freeze whole armies in ice, summon {{hellfire}} and making it look easy and cover a huge area in darkness and lightning at a moment's notice. Two of the characters, Guanchengzi and Chijingzi, wear the Purple-Ribboned Immortal Robe, which allows them to survive the magic of other immortals.
70[[/folder]]
71
72[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
73* Despite having a [[SpaceClothes snappy Uniform]] ''and'' a [[SuperHero Spandex]] suit, the [[Franchise/PowerRangers Red Ranger]] in ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'' still managed to sport a Badass [=Longrobe=], making him one of the best dressed of any of the Power Rangers. He even managed to wear it in the anniversary special.
74* [[MagnificentBastard Lucien LaCroix]] of ''Series/ForeverKnight'', in flashback scenes, along with HighCollarOfDoom. And he's sometimes a BadassLongcoat in modern day. So is Nick Knight, for that matter, but Lucien is so much more badass.
75[[/folder]]
76
77[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
78* In Wrestling/{{Progress Wrestling}} Pastor William Eaver wears priest robes during his entrance.
79* This is also a trademark of Wrestling/{{WWE}} and former [[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling TNA]] star, the "Glorious" Wrestling/BobbyRoode.
80[[/folder]]
81
82[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
83* Cantus the Minstrel on ''Series/FraggleRock'' wears a metallic, tie-dyed medieval robe, but the effect is more or less the same, as his badassery lies in his wisdom and quiet strength. He's also got the [[TricksterMentor enigma]] thing down, many times over.
84[[/folder]]
85
86[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
87* The [[TheAtoner Dark]] [[WarriorMonk Angels]] from ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' wear Badass Longrobes ''over'' their PowerArmour.
88** Also, common battlefield attire for Eldar Warlocks and Farseers.
89* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'': Some Deathlords and their deathknights, [[ObviouslyEvil for maximum creepiness]]. (Counts as "grave apparels" for the Abyssals, which helps them recover [[{{Mana}} Essence]] in Creation.)
90[[/folder]]
91
92[[folder:Theatre]]
93* While Badass is probably not the right word for it, Prior Walter from ''Theatre/AngelsInAmerica'' does don a long black robe after the visit from the Angel, revealing him as "the Prophet".
94-->'''Belize''': "You look like Morticia Addams."
95-->'''Prior''': "Like the wrath of God."
96-->'''Belize''': "Yes."
97-->'''Prior''': "That is the intended effect."
98[[/folder]]
99
100[[folder:Video Games]]
101* Lightning in the very beginning of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' sports a long robe, though this is technically subverted in that she is disguised as a victim of the Purge, and everyone around her who isn't a guard is also wearing one.
102* Altaïr ibn-La'Ahad, [[RedBaron Son of No-One]] of ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedI'' is one of the greatest examples of the bird-like visual motif that this trope invokes (which is why they call him "The Eagle"). [[ProfessionalKiller Badass profession]], [[BadassInANiceSuit badass clothing]], badass guy, [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast badass name]]. The trope fits like a hidden-blade gauntlet.
103** Same with Ezio Auditore Da Firenze, star of [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII the second game]].
104*** Ezio swaps his father's robe out for a longer, heavier, more extravagant Master Assassin robe in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'', only to replace that with a shorter, darker, more wolf-like robe in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations''.
105* The members of Organization XIII, as well as Mickey Mouse, in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' were technically wearing robes, making them this rather than {{Badass Longcoat}}s.
106* The Shaper class in the ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' series wear long hooded robes that are open at the front. So do the serviles, but they aren't badass as often.
107* In the first ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' game, Jedi robes are only the rather forgettable sort of tunic-ish things, without the gigantic over-robes. In [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords the second game]], all Jedi robes come with over-robes.
108* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' began with three trailers with seriously-animated combat, and all of them have all of the attributes of this trope.
109* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
110** Many of the more expensive robes in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' are decidedly elaborate.
111** Members of the [[MurderInc Dark Brotherhood]] in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' are given a moderately badass set of armor. The high-ranking members get robes with extra bonuses to the badass enchantments.
112** Mannimarco, the "King of Worms" and master [[OurLichesAreDifferent Lich]][=/=]{{Necromancer}}, makes several appearances throughout the series and is always outfitted in a badass black robe. It is at its most badass in his appearance in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsOnline''.
113* ''VideoGame/WarhammerOnline'' has the [[ChurchMilitant Warrior Priests]] and their Destruction equivalent, the Disciples of Khaine. Being that rare kind of healer that does its thing from melee, they certainly qualify for the badass denotation.
114* An evil example include Dalles from the ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}'' Series.
115* ''VideoGame/EtrianOdysseyI'': The Hexer class has all its members wear robes to signal their power and talent to inflict debuffs, body binding and status ailments to enemies and bosses.
116* ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'' has Naoya, whose attire wouldn't be very noteworthy if it weren't for the robe (or haori) that he wears. It even has a MatrixRainingCode.
117* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': [[http://www.wowwiki.com/Judgement_Armor The Judgement Armor]] for Paladins. It's still considered one of the best-looking armors in the game, you can see a lot of it thanks to transmogrification and ease of getting it. Death Knights also start with one, and many plate armor wearers transmog their armor to a purple recolor of the Judgement set.
118* Lucia in ''VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue''.
119* Ghetsis from ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}''.
120** Delphox accomplishes this with its long fur.
121* Lezard Valeth from ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile''. [[BigBad A bad, bad wizard]].
122* ''VideoGame/ShadowEra'' has two of its heroes, Nishaven (as seen on the homepage) and Eladwen Frostmire, sporting these.
123* Death in ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' wears one of these. In ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaAriaOfSorrow'' and ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDawnOfSorrow'', "Death's Robe" is even an equip-able item and one of the best armors in the game.
124* ''VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo'' when Neo switches from his BadassLongcoat to the cassock in the middle levels.
125[[/folder]]
126
127[[folder:Visual Novels]]
128* ''VisualNovel/YoJinBo'' has Ittosai, whose robe is [[FurAndLoathing fur-trimmed]] and [[FanService only stays on one shoulder]].
129* Thanos in ''[[VisualNovel/FantasiaOtomeGameSeries Fantasia - Requiem of the Abyss]]'' and a few concept art pieces of ''Fantasia - Momento of Grand Finale''.
130[[/folder]]
131
132[[folder:Webcomics]]
133* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'''s Vaarsuvius.
134** And Xykon.
135** And the IFCC.
136* In ''Webcomic/{{Jack|DavidHopkins}}'', the titular character is the GrimReaper, so he has a robe that doubles as CombatTentacles and, at one point, grows spikes.
137* [[http://www.oneway.juathuur.com/?id=324 Beisaru]] of ''Webcomic/{{Juathuur}}''.
138* [[http://wayfarersmoon.com/index.php?page=0 Iri]] of ''Webcomic/WayfarersMoon'' also covers part of her face.
139* In ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', Karkat's [[FamousAncestor ancestor]] [[CrystalDragonJesus the Signless]] wore a very ragged robe that fits this trope, slung over one shoulder to show off his [[AscendedMeme Righteous Leggings]].
140* Jue Viole Grace in ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'' wearing his Slayer robes.
141* Anuchar, a mage military commander in ''Webcomic/{{Aecast}}''.
142[[/folder]]
143
144[[folder:Web Original]]
145* The wise and Badass Shinto priest Kamimura from ''WebAnimation/BrokenSaints'' is hardly ever seen without his trademark purple robe.
146[[/folder]]
147
148[[folder:Western Animation]]
149* Zuko in parts of the third season of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. Definitely added more fuel to the Zuko/Anakin comparisons.
150** The GrandFinale introduced three new Badass [=Longrobe=] outfits in the Order of the White Lotus uniforms, [[BigBad Ozai's]] flamethrower-casual robes (before he [[ShirtlessScene burns them off]] to fight Aang), and Aang's monkly robes (not that Aang's previous, lower-key short robe didn't get plenty of rippling in the breeze).
151* Tenzin from ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' has one, which his father Aang also wore in flashbacks.
152* Clock Work in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' counts.
153* [[GreaterScopeVillain The Lich]] of ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' has more of a terrifying longrobe, but he probably still counts.
154* Queen Aleena from ''WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground'' wears several robes, including a red robe in the theme song and a blue robe in "Head Games".
155[[/folder]]
156
157[[folder:Real Life]]
158* A basic staple of Christian clergy, especially the Roman Catholic order, to the point that practically every Medieval example of BadassPreacher has them wearing it, and even non-clergy often have their own personal BadassLongRobe when traveling the world as a devout Christian.
159[[/folder]]
160

Top