Line #29 Main/RingsOfActivation


1	[[quoteright:350:[[Film/{{Metropolis}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eemofkxjjici6iep2geztsamyir.jpg]]]]
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3	Magical or advanced scientific phenomena can manifest all manner of visuals in fiction. One of the most recurring is a ring or rings made of light, energy or some kind of glowing substance. This is used in processes such as {{Teleportation}}, futuristic vehicle propulsion, {{Transformation Sequence}}s and use of PsychicPowers. This is likely influenced by the fact that illustrations of certain processes such as transmission of signals or vibrations are drawn as waves of expanding rings.
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5	SuperTrope to EnergyRingAttack. See InstantRunes, which often incorporate rings. See also WhenThingsSpinScienceHappens, as the spinning bits are usually ring-shaped. Compare with KirbyDots. Not to be confused with RingOfPower or RingsOfDeath. Machines or devices with physical rings as part of them do not count. Compare and contrast HeavenlyConcentricCircles, concentric rings are used to signal the appearance of {{heaven}}ly planes or beings.
6	----
7	!!Examples:
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9	[[foldercontrol]]
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11	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
12	* ''Anime/BayonettaBloodyFate'': The Irenic has a [[ShockAndAwe lightning attack]] fired from a golden ring of light that manifests [[HeadBlast around its face.]]
13	* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'':
14	** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'':
15	*** Gatomon and Patamon's Armor Digivolution sequences both feature them briefly becoming an upward-travelling beam of glowing rings as they fuse with their respective armor eggs.
16	*** The [[FusionDance DNA Digivolution]] sequences feature the Digivices creating a ring of data and code from which the resulting Digimon fusion emerges.
17	** ''Anime/DigimonTamers'': The [[FusionDance Biomerge Digivolution]] sequence involves rings of light manifesting around the tamers as they merge with their Digimon. These rings are still present when the perspective switches to the kids within the Digimon.
18	** ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'': Fractal Code is the data that Digimon's bodies are comprised of and typically appears as a glowing ring of light when manifested. The Digidestined's tranformation sequence has a ring of fractal code manifest around their hands as they scan it with their [[TransformationTrinket D-Tector]].
19	** ''Anime/DigimonAdventureTri'': The evolution sequences have been updated to involve rings manifesting around the Digimon's bodies. A large single ring passes upwards of them in champion evolution, multiple, smaller rings manifest across their form in super evolution and four glowing rings are featured in ultimate evolution.
20	** ''Anime/DigimonAdventure2020'': Agumon and Gabumon's evolution sequences feature rings of light.
21	*** During their champion evolutions, Agumon and Gabumon are hit with a beam of data surrounded by rings. The beam then transforms into a sphere around them, with the sphere itself surrounded by rings matching Agumon and Gabumon's respective signature colors.
22	*** The sphere surrounded by rings appears at the end of their super evolution sequences, exploding to reveal their ultimate forms.
23	*** In their ultimate evolutions, the rings surrounding the sphere interlock and explode as they take their mega forms.
24	** ''Anime/DigimonGhostGame'': Digital phenomena are typically accompanied by rings glowing bar code stripes.
25	* ''Manga/PlatinumEnd'': Whenever God candidates summon their Arrows to their hands, rings of light manifest around their hands as the Arrows appear.
26	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'': The Aqua Ring move (see below in the video games section) has been featured in a few episodes and just like the games, it features rings of water materializing around the Pokemon.
27	** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl'': Aqua Ring is used in "Our Cup Runneth Over" and "Last Call--First Round" by Wallace's Milotic and Zoey's Lumineon, respectively.
28	** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhite'': Skyla's Swanna uses Aqua Ring in "Cilan Takes Flight". Unlike the above examples, Swanna's variant of the move uses six rings instead of three.
29	* ''Anime/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesLegendOfTheSupermutants'': The Turtles' [[SiblingFusion merging]] into Turtle Saint is completed by a beam of purple rings materializing as Turtle Saint appears.
30	* ''Franchise/YuGiOh'':
31	** ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'': When a Synchro Summon occurs, the tuner monster breaks up into a number of green rings equal to its level. The non-tuners break up into a number of energy balls equal to their combined levels and line themselves up through the rings. The energy balls then explode into a pillar of light and bring forth the Synchro Monster.
32	** ''Anime/YuGiOhVRAINS'': Unlike previous series, [[SuperWristGadget Duel Disks]] in this show don't have visible slots for the Duelists to play their cards, being more wristbands with a touchscreen interface. Whenever the Duelist needs to interact the Main Deck, Graveyard or Extra Deck, the disk produces a white ring of energy around their wrist.
33	[[/folder]]
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35	[[folder:Comic Books]]
36	* ''ComicBook/TheAuthority'': While searching for survivors in the third issue of the original series, The Doctor casts a spell to move some rubble out of the way. When this happens a ring of mystical symbols materializes around his arms.
37	* ''ComicBook/FirestormDCComics'': Whenever Firestorm uses his powers, Rutherford's model of the atom sometimes manifests around his hands.
38	* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
39	** ''ComicBook/DevilsReign'': In issue #1 of the ''Superior Four'' tie-in series Dr. Octopus is hit with a magic spell that manifests golden rings of light around his tentacles, causing him to temporarily lose control of them. [[spoiler:The end of the issue reveals that the person behind this attack was another Dr. Octopus who wielded the armor and magic of Dr. Doom. He also has golden rings manifesting around his wrists when he uses his magic.]]
40	** ''ComicBook/SheHulk2004'':
41	*** In issue #12 of volume 2, Mr. Zix's transformation into [[spoiler:his true form of Zeta 9]] causes several yellow rings of light to appear around him. When he changes She-Hulk's clothing into her cosmic judge uniform, rings of pink light appear around her.
42	*** Issue #13 has She-Hulk and Starfox venturing into Thanos' mind where they witness memories of his previous battles. One of these is when the original Captain Marvel destroyed the Cosmic Cube, which the comic depicts as generating a blast of light shaped like Rutherford's model of the atom.
43	*** Colonel John Jameson generates rings of light when he teleports to Jen's location using his Stargod powers.
44	*** Issue #15: [[MagicalNativeAmerican Talisman]] creates circles or half-circles of violet light anytime she uses her magic.
45	** ''ComicBook/XMenEmperorVulcan'': [[spoiler:Vulcan tries to kill Alex by throwing him into the vacuum of space. Alex survives by drawing power from a star, which grants him a BattleAura composed of rings of blue light.]]
46	* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'':
47	** Amy uses the [[MagicMusic Mystic Melody]] in #282 to locate the shards of the Master Emerald. This process causes a ring of golden light to form around her head like a halo.
48	** Sonic's [[SuperMode Ultra Sonic]] form surrounds him in an atom cloud.
49	** ''Sonic Universe #32'': The Zone Cops' teleportation beams are visualized as golden-orange rings.
50	* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW'': Starline's [[TrickedOutGloves glove]] can hypnotize people, a process which involves generating ring-shaped waves.
51	[[/folder]]
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53	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
54	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'':
55	** [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls1 The first film]]: When Sunset Shimmer dons Princess Twilight’s crown containing the Element of Magic, she’s engulfed by a series of glowing rings that coalesce into a PillarOfLight, marking the start of a TransformationSequence into a [[BigRedDevil demonic figure]].
56	** ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames Friendship Games]]'': When human Twilight activates her magic-collection device to unleash the power within, the initial explosion of energy is accompanied by two massive magical rings, [[spoiler:before a SphereOfPower lifts Twilight up and transforms her into a DarkMagicalGirl]]. The [[HeelFaceTurn redeemed]] Sunset then takes hold of the dropped device [[spoiler:and uses it on herself, again producing the rings, but this time resulting in an angelic transformation]].
57	[[/folder]]
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59	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
60	* ''Film/{{Metropolis}}'': When Rotwang activates his Robot Woman and has her take on the appearance of Maria, the transformation is accompanied by glowing rings that surround her, and travel up and down her body.
61	* ''Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangersTheMovie'': When the Rangers use their new powers to revive Zordon, the reactivation of the force field that houses his giant head form is accompanied by three rings that coalesce into a solid beam structure.
62	* ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022'': [[spoiler:While trying to rescue Sonic, Tails and Tom, Rachel and Maddie are confronted by a GUN agent. Maddie whips out an anti-gravity device from Tails' backpack which generates a beam of rings as it launches the agent into the air]].
63	* ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'':
64	** When Dr. Strange casts the spell that will erase the world's memory of Spider-Man's identity, the spell is represented by a bunch of spinning, intertwined rings surrounding Peter and Strange.
65	** Strange enchants one of Peter's web-shooters into a magical gauntlet that sends any of the multiverse visitors to the Sanctum in one shot. The gauntlet's manifesting around Peter's arm is accompanied by three glowing rings.
66	* ''Film/StarTrek2009'': The teleportation effect in this movie takes the form of numerous white rings of light surrounding the individual before they are transported.
67	[[/folder]]
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69	[[folder:Literature]]
70	* ''Literature/ArifuretaFromCommonplaceToWorldsStrongest'': The process of Hajime's summoning of his vehicles is preceded by a large ring made of glowing green code materializing above the area the vehicle appears.
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73	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
74	* ''Series/CaptainScarletAndTheMysterons'': The Mysterons can create copies of their murder victims by casting twin green rings of light over their corpses.
75	* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
76	* ''Series/KamenRiderDragonKnight'': Transforming into a Kamen Rider is accompanied by two large rings intertwining across the body before vanishing in a flash of light, leaving the Rider in their armor.
77	** ''Series/KamenRiderGotchard'': The UFO-X TransformationSequence includes a FlyingSaucer hitting Gotchard with a beam of rings.
78	* ''Series/SupermanAndLois'': In "Girl... You'll Be A Woman, Soon", Clark places [[spoiler:Bizarro]] in a force field surrounded by intertwining rings to keep him contained.
79	* ''Series/LoisAndClark'': When the assassin Tez is sent to Earth in "Big Girls Don't Fly" he arrives via a teleportation beam that consists of two rings.
80	* ''Franchise/SuperSentai''[=/=]''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
81	** ''Series/KyukyuSentaiGoGoV''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'':
82	*** Kinkyu Gattai Victory Robo[=/=]Lightspeed Megazord's FinishingMove involves generating a ring of fire with its sword and then slashing through it to generate a fiery SwordBeam.
83	*** In the finale of ''Lightspeed Rescue'', the villains attempt to use a ceremony involving a solar eclipse to open a portal to the demon world and bring forth all its denizens to Earth. The eclipse sends down a beam of fiery sun rings which strike a tomb that acts as the portal until the Rangers defeat Bansheera and close the tomb.
84	** ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'':
85	*** When Wes puts on the Red Chrono Morpher for the first time, a red ring of light materializes and passes down his person as it scans and accepts his DNA imprint.
86	*** [[SixthRanger Eric]]'s morphing sequence has a beam of yellow rings surround him before his Ranger suit materializes around him.
87	** ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger''[=/=]''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'': The combination sequence of the [=MagiFirebird=]/Mystic Firebird and [=MagiLion=]/Mystic Lion involves the lion jumping through three rings of fire, the third of which is generated by the firebird's wings, triggering the combination.
88	[[/folder]]
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90	[[folder:Video Games]]
91	* ''VideoGame/ArcAngle'': Enemies and bosses signal an attack with an energy ring (or multiple) that [[SuckingInLines shrinks inwards]], giving the player ample warning.
92	* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootNSaneTrilogy: Warped'': Crash and Coco are teleported into the Time Twister in beams of yellow rings.
93	* ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'':
94	** Teleportation machines generate four rings around the target.
95	** Optic Sunflower has an ability called "Change Space", which allows him to change the position of the scaffolding in the room. This ability is accompanied by a series of shining rings materializing around Optic Sunflower.
96	* ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'': Samus is surrounded by rings while using a save room.
97	* ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'': Both self-destruct and recovery are accompanied with rings of light. Self-destruct produces two red rings while recovery produces a single golden ring.
98	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
99	** Aqua Ring is a move that restores HP. It is visualized by a "veil" of three or more rings of water materializing around the Pokemon.
100	** The Hypnosis move is often visualized as a wave of rings.
101	* ''VideoGame/SonicAndTheSecretRings'': [[spoiler:When Sharha is brought back to life, her body is surrounded by a ring of shiny gold dust that materializes around her until she is fully restored.]]
102	[[/folder]]
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104	[[folder:Western Animation]]
105	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Invoked in the finale; During the battle with Ozai, [[spoiler:Aang regains the ability to use [[SuperMode the Avatar State]]. Aang then displays his mastery of his fully realized powers by bending an orb of air around himself and surrounding it with rings made of rock, fire and water.]]
106	* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersUnitedTheyStand'': Whenever Vision turns [[{{Intangibility}} intangible]] or [[NighInvulnerability extra dense]], a red ring materializes around and passes up or down his body.
107	* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'':
108	** Danny Fenton's transformation into Danny Phantom is accompanied by one or two white rings materializing around his body as he is converted into ghost form. [[ArchEnemy Vlad Masters/Plasmius]] and [[OppositeSexClone Dani Fenton/Dani Phantom]] transform in a similar way.
109	** [[UndeadChild Youngblood]] manifests a white ring of light whenever he teleports.
110	* ''WesternAnimation/GerryAndersonsNewCaptainScarlet'': Like in the original series, the creation of Mysteron duplicates is accompanied by twin glowing rings of green light.
111	* ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse2021'': Duncan's transformation sequence involves him passing through three large glowing hoops before his PoweredArmor materializes around him.
112	* ''WesternAnimation/TheJetsons'': Propulsion from jet packs or flying cars is depicted as white rings expanding from the exhaust.
113	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'': The Atom is surrounded by yellow rings resembling the one found in the Rutherford model of the atom whenever he shrinks or grows.
114	* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': The spell Aku uses to send Jack to the future has him firing a beam of white rings which transform into a pillar of light that sucks up the samurai. [[spoiler:Ashi creates a time portal using a the same spell in the series finale where she and Jack return to the past to kill Aku.]]
115	* ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'': Sonic and friends compete in a race in "If You Build It, They Will Race". To beat Eggman, Sonic uses a pedal-powered boost function. We see a visual of Sonic's car engine surrounded by white rings of energy and the car itself is encased in a blue force field surrounded by similar white rings.
116	* ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM'': In "Sonic and Sally", Robotnik captures Sally and places her in a containment tube identical to one housing an android. Pink rings pass over both Sally and the android as the latter is transformed into a [[RottenRoboticReplacement perfect replica of Sally]].
117	* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': Like Aquaman, Mermaid Man's telepathic communication is visualized as ring waves.
118	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'': Aquaman's telepathic communication with sea creatures is visualized with ring waves vibrating across the water.
119	* ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperForceGo'':
120	** Chiro's TransformationSequence involves a green energy materializing around him as he changes into his superhero uniform.
121	** In the first episode, both of Antauri's are surrounded by green rings of light before he forms his Ghost Claws. This effect is never used again afterwards.
122	* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'': Whenever Nerissa activates or undoes a {{Glamour}} on someone, a ring of green light passes across the person's form.
123	* ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'':
124	** Xavier and Jean's telepathic waves sometimes manifested in the form of a concentric circle pattern.
125	** The opening title sequence has Magneto generating magnetic waves in a similar form.
126	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / RingsOfActivation