History HenshinHero / AnimeAndManga

* ''Anime/[[Naruto]]'', Killer Bee's dream sequence involves the 9 Jinchuriki, who can transform themselves into warriors.

* Being a literal manga (later anime) sequel to ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', ''Manga/FuutoPI'' naturally falls into this trope. Shotaro and Philip transform into the titular Kamen Rider Double just as they did in the original tokusatsu series.

* Being a literal manga (later anime) sequel to ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', ''Manga/FuutoPI'' naturally falls into this trope. Shotaro and Philip transform into the titular Kamen Rider Double just as they did in the original tokusatsu series.

* [[BigGood All Might]] in ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' has to consciously activate his powers of SuperStrength, SuperSpeed and SuperToughness. When they're turned on, he has a standard HeroicBuild. When they're turned off, he looks like a scrawny guy who nobody would expect to be a superhero.

* ''Anime/KingArthur'': Yes, [[Myth/ArthurianLegend King Arthur]] is one. In most episodes, he usually hides his identity, but when the time calls, he transforms into a literal knight and kicks ass.

* The ''Anime/ViewtifulJoe'' anime expanded the henshin capabilities to include a sidekick, Captain Blue Jr. As his weapon was a Yo-yo, his phrase was "Henshin a-''[[JustForPun yo-yo!]]''"

* The modern reimagining, of ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman'', ''Anime/GatchamanCrowds'', also falls under this but employs a twist on the previous show's formula. The members of Gatchaman instead use journal-like devices that manifest their soul, called [=NOTEs=], to activate superpowered forms resembling PoweredArmor, complete with the prerequisite [[AnimalMotif bird motif]].

* The title character of ''Manga/ChainsawMan'' has the ability to transform into a [[HalfHumanHybrid half-devil hybrid]] with chainsaws growing out of his head and arms by pulling a starter cord in his chest. As that description might suggest, it's something of a [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction of the genre]], as the aforementioned transformation is [[PainfulTransformation quite painful]] and [[BodyHorror rather grotesque]], and he can't transform all the way unless he has enough [[ThePowerOfBlood blood]] to [[HealingFactor heal]] from the damage he does to ''himself'' just by transforming.

%% This page has been alphabetized. Take care to put your example in its proper place!

* ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' is one of the best-known MagicalGirl-based examples of the trope. Young schoolgirl Usagi Tsukino discovers she's the reincarnation of the titular ancient lunar warrior from the Moon Kingdom and uses her newfound powers to protect Earth from the forces of evil. It also had a live-action adaptation called ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon'' from the folks behind ''Franchise/KamenRider'' and ''Franchise/SuperSentai''.
%%** ''Manga/CodenameSailorV''.
* ''Anime/PrettySammy''. She uses a different henshin call in each program where she makes an appearance to transfrom.

* ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'', which was a short manga series called ''Tokyo Black Catgirl'' and successfully brought the MagicalGirl team into the 2000s.
* ''Anime/MermaidMelodyPichiPichiPitch'' is yet another MagicalGirl example, this time ''with mermaids''.
* ''Manga/ShugoChara'', again twisting it with minor magics being available otherwise - with a second, minor transformation that changes only the character's personality and physical capabilities, but leaves her or him looking the same.
* ''Anime/CorrectorYui'', whose main character was an [[AscendedFanboy Ascended Fangirl]] of the MagicalGirl genre.
* ''Anime/MyOtome'', in which the Otomes receive access to their Robes, which protect them and give them access to a powerful weapon, by receiving certification from their master (or in the Five Columns' case, from the Founder system).
* ''Manga/WeddingPeach'', whose MagicalGirl heroines gain their powers from ThePowerOfLove to battle monsters.
* ''Anime/PowerpuffGirlsZ'' gave this treatment to ''Franchise/ThePowerpuffGirls'' with Hyper Blossom, Rolling Bubbles, and Powered Buttercup.

* ''Manga/KamichamaKarin'', though a couple characters are able to use some of their abilities without transforming.

* ''Anime/CuteyHoney'', whose primary power is transforming into different persona, though she has one form for fighting seriously.
* ''Anime/KillLaKill'' technically IS a Magical Girl series, and every major character has a set of clothes that grant them powers through a TransformationSequence.
* ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman,'' if not the TropeCodifier, is an important early example, with the team members each having a wristband communicator that is also the TransformationTrinket for their PoweredArmor.
* The modern reimagining, ''Anime/GatchamanCrowds'', also falls under this but employs a twist on the previous show's formula. The members of Gatchaman instead use journal-like devices that manifest their soul, called [=NOTEs=], to activate superpowered forms resembling PoweredArmor, complete with the prerequisite [[AnimalMotif bird motif]].
* ''Hurricane Polimar'' uses his helmet for transformation as opposed to wrist-worn gadgets or smaller devices. Said hero can also transform into a submarine, tank, etc. but he also runs around yelling and beating the crap out of people with his fighting style - [[PunnyName Hariken]], or Illusion Destruction Fist.
* ''Uchuu no Kishi Tekkaman'' and ''Uchuu no Kishi Anime/TekkamanBlade'' the former needs his mobile transport robot named Pegas to transform.

%%* ''Anime/TheSoulTaker'', of course.
* The Karas of ''Anime/{{Karas}}'' require the "Will of the City" to unlock their powers.
* ''Manga/SaintSeiya'', which launched the armored warriors subgenre of shonen FightingSeries, as the main characters are granted constellation-themed sculptures that can become suits of armour for battle. Due to its first anime's running around the same timeframe as ''Anime/SailorMoon'', it's usually considered an honorary [[MagicalGirlWarrior magical boy warrior]] series.
** ''Manga/LegendOfHeavenlySphereShurato'' and ''Mystical Armor Legend: Samurai Troopers'' (aka ''Anime/RoninWarriors''), being more directly inspired by ''Saint Seiya'', also do this with their respective armors.
* ''Manga/{{Guyver}}'' is an interesting example, bordering on {{Deconstruction}}: while Sho gets off fairly light, other characters have transformations that [[PainfulTransformation cross straight into]] BodyHorror; [[AntiHero Aptom]] and [[{{Mooks}} the Zoanoids]], for example.
%%* ''Anime/StarDriver'' plays this completely straight with Takuto/Galactic Pretty Boy Tauburn.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': While a capable fighter regardless, Ichigo can only draw on his powers by expelling his soul from his physical body using Rukia's glove, Urahara's cane, Kon's mod soul pill, or his Substitute Soul Reaper Badge. The latter becomes the conduit for his Fullbring, which once complete manifests as a short sword and white-and-black armor that gives him access to some of his Soul Reaper powers as well as some new ones.
* In ''Anime/TenchiMuyoRyoOhki'', Tenchi Maski gets two costume changes with a Juraian Battle Uniform when Tsunami unlocks his Juraian powers, and then the Light Hawk Wings trigger a special uniform that looks like a cross between the Battle Uniform and Jurai's holy robes.
* Pretenders, Headmaster Juniors, and Godmasters in ''Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce'' are like this. The Pretenders are actually an inversion of the typical Henshin Hero, being robots that mass-shift and wear artificial Human skins to blend in to normal society.
* The title character of ''Manga/ChainsawMan'' has the ability to transform into a [[HalfHumanHybrid half-devil hybrid]] with chainsaws growing out of his head and arms by pulling a starter cord in his chest. As that description might suggest, it's something of a [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction of the genre]], as the aforementioned transformation is [[PainfulTransformation quite painful]] and [[BodyHorror rather grotesque]], and he can't transform all the way unless he has enough [[ThePowerOfBlood blood]] to [[HealingFactor heal]] from the damage he does to ''himself'' just by transforming.
* ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'' has the kids transform into Digimon, instead of having Digimon partners like the other series. Supposedly they're bonding with the spirits of legendary Digimon warriors, but until the last three or so episodes (in which the original warriors speak to the kids), "spirit" was just a fancier name for TransformationTrinket.
* The ''Anime/ViewtifulJoe'' anime expanded the henshin capabilities to include a sidekick, Captain Blue Jr. As his weapon was a Yo-yo, his phrase was "Henshin a-''[[JustForPun yo-yo!]]''"
* ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior2002'', in which the operators can merge with their Navis in a process called Cross Fusion. Exclusive to the anime, this did not appear in ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', the video game it was based on, although ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' does feature a similar form of henshin.
* In ''Manga/{{Ratman}}'', the titular hero is one of these, turning from a short middle-schooler to a tall, lean and deadly super. It's unclear if the other heroes fall into this; at least a few have what seems to be PoweredArmor instead.
%%* ''Anime/FancyLala'' isn't a hero per se, but is basically a henshin IdolSinger.
%%* Manga/{{Zetman}}
* ''Literature/NyarukoCrawlingWithLove'''s title character does this voluntarily, possessing a Kamen Rider-esque combat form with a completely unnecessary TransformationSequence[[note]]she's a {{Voluntary Shapeshift|ing}}er who can change forms instantly[[/note]] entirely because she's a {{Toku}} fangirl and thinks [[RuleOfCool it looks awesome]]. It does help that her "Full Force Form" is one of the few forms she has that doesn't run the risk of [[DrivenToMadness shattering her love interest's sanity]]. A short story (later adapted as an OVA) has her briefly becoming a MagicalGirl, with all the associated trappings.
* Great Saiyaman 1 (Gohan) and 2 (Videl) in ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', whose TransformationTrinket consists of a wristwatch.
** Although Gohan doesn't ''need'' to transform to use his powers. It's just to hide his identity.

%%* Maccha Green from ''Anime/RollingGirls'', who seems to be inspired by the ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' franchise.
* ''Manga/WorldTrigger'' has entire armies of soldiers that can only fight by using items called "Triggers" to transform into "Trion Bodies" made of energy ("Trion" being the energy source that basically powers everything). Trion Bodies are superpowered and only vulnerable to attacks using Trion and also protect the real body from any damage as long as they are active. Though while the bodies look different (often featuring uniforms of their squad), they don't obscure the users identity, because the users mostly work for an official organization anyway (most prominently "Border", which defends Earth from invaders). The anime also features a fitting TransformationSequence.
%%* ''Anime/SonicSoldierBorgman'', nuff said
* ''WebAnimation/KaijuGirls'' features cute anime girls who possess the powers of the various monsters from ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'' ([[Franchise/UltraSeries and its many spinoffs, sequels, and remakes]]). The girls are only slightly stronger than ordinary humans and most of their powers (such as SuperStrength) are only active after transformation.
* [[BigGood All Might]] in ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' has to consciously activate his powers of SuperStrength, SuperSpeed and SuperToughness. When they're turned on, he has a standard HeroicBuild. When they're turned off, he looks like a scrawny guy who nobody would expect to be a superhero.
* ''Anime/TheGirlInTwilight'' has the girls transform tokusatsu-style when entering the alternate universe.
* The superheroes in ''Manga/{{Shy}}'' use special [[TransformationTrinket wristbands]] that use their "heart energy" to transform their wielder into their hero self. This can include some visual differences like [[PowerDyesYourHair a change in haircolor]], thereby averting [[PaperThinDisguise Paper-Thin Disguise]] for those heroes who have secret identities. Most heroes can use their powers even in their untransformed state to some degree as long as they wear their wristbands.
* ''Anime/BraveBeats'' features two characters, Hibiki and Kokone, who transform into music-powered superheroes named Flash Beat and Wink Beat with the help of two partners.

* In ''Franchise/OnePiece'', [[spoiler:Sanji has begrudgingly become this, with the use of a canister that contains a Raid Suit. He received it from the Vinsmokes AKA [[MurderInc Germa 66]], who are his estranged family. He didn't want to wear it at first, believing he should rely on his own strength and not technology, ''especially'' the same tech used by Germa 66. He later realizes that his pride could get in the way of helping others and decides to wear the suit, which enhances his already absurd strength, speed, and durability. It also grants him {{Invisibility}}. Sanji's official [[RedBaron codename]] is "Stealth Black" while donning the suit, but [[DontCallMePaul doesn't want to be called that]]. He feels that it'll associate him with Germa 66. Instead, he gave himself the codename "Soba Mask", which [[GiverOfLameNames just doesn't sound as cool]].]]
* All over the place in ''Manga/MissKuroitsuFromTheMonsterDevelopmentDepartment,'' being an AffectionateParody of the {{Toku}} genre. The titular character even gets in on the fun at the end, though her TransformationTrinket still has a few [[ShapeshifterModeLock bugs in it.]]

* The title character of ''Manga/ChainsawMan'' has the ability to transform into a [[HalfHumanHybrid half-devil hybrid]] with chainsaws growing out of his head and arms. As that description might suggest, it's something of a [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction of the genre]], as the aforementioned transformation is [[PainfulTransformation quite painful]] and [[BodyHorror rather grotesque]], and he can't transform all the way unless he has enough [[ThePowerOfBlood blood]] to deal from the damage he does to ''himself'' just by transforming.

* ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'', in which the operators can merge with their Navis in a process called Cross Fusion. Exclusive to the anime, this did not appear in ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', the video game it was based on, although ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' does feature a similar form of henshin.

* All over the place in ''Manga/MissKuroitsuFromTheMonsterDevelopmentDepartment,'' being an AffectionateParody of the {{Toku}} genre. The titular character even gets in on the fun at the end, though her TransformationTrinket still has a few [[ShapeshifterModeLock bugs in it.]]

* ''LightNovel/NyarukoCrawlingWithLove'''s title character does this voluntarily, possessing a Kamen Rider-esque combat form with a completely unnecessary TransformationSequence[[note]]she's a VoluntaryShapeshifter who can change forms instantly[[/note]] entirely because she's a {{Toku}} fangirl and thinks [[RuleOfCool it looks awesome]]. It does help that her "Full Force Form" is one of the few forms she has that doesn't run the risk of [[DrivenToMadness shattering her love interest's sanity]]. A short story (later adapted as an OVA) has her briefly becoming a MagicalGirl, with all the associated trappings.

* All over the place in ''Manga/MissKuroitsuFromTheMonsterDevelopmentDepartment,'' being an AffectionateParody of the {{Toku}} genre. The titular character even gets in on the fun at the end, though her TransformationTrinket still has a few [[ShapeshifterModeLock bugs in it.]]
* All Might is is basically a variant of this in ''{{Manga/MyHeroAcademia}}''. Although the embers of All For One were always in him after passing it on to Midorya, at least until ye used them up battling All For One, he could only transform into his muscular hero form and use his powers for about three hours a day. His secret form was a skinny, bony guy no one even recognized as All Might until the All For One battle revealed it to everyone.

* All over the place in ''Manga/MissKuroitsuFromTheMonsterDevelopmentDepartment,'' being an AffectionateParody of the {{Toku}} genre. The titular character even gets in on the fun at the end, though her TransformationTrinket still has a few [[ShapeshifterModeLock bugs in it.]]

%%* ''Anime/MagicalStageFancyLala'' isn't a hero per se, but is basically a henshin IdolSinger.