History Main / BrainwashResidue

When somebody is {{Brainwashed}} and [[IGotBetter gets better]], but somehow part of the programming sticks and it shows by the character acquiring new personality traits, tics and/or quirks. For example, Alice is a CharmPerson who casts a spell on Bob to make him fall in love with her. Bob somehow breaks the spell, but whenever he looks at Alice now, he blushes and can't quite explain why. Maybe he's falling in love for real, but who knows for sure.

* In ''TheKingOfFighters'', [[spoiler:Ash sacrifices his existence to prevent the entire Ash Saga from happening.]] None of the other characters remember him, except for Elizabeth, due to having his TragicKeepsake.

* In ''GunnerkriggCourt'' [[spoiler: Jack]] claims to [[spoiler: be in love with Zimmy, and attributes it to a remnant of his possession by an ghostly spider obsessed with Zimmy that tried to take control of his mind.]] This doesn't seem to worry him.

This can be used as a PlotDevice to show that the character [[OrIsIt hasn't quite fully-recovered from his brainwashing]]. Maybe he has, but the idea of being somebody NotHimself makes him change... probably for the better. Can become a FamilyUnfriendlyAesop when brainwashing is the only way for a character to change.

Compare and contrast with MoreThanMindControl, where the character more or less knows that he is/was being manipulated, but goes along anyway. See [[CartesianKarma CartesianKarma]] for when the residue may or may not have resided, but the consequences of their brain-washed actions are still quite valid.

Compare and contrast with MoreThanMindControl, where the character more or less knows that he is/was being manipulated, but goes along anyway.

* Crichton from ''{{Farscape}}'' has Scorpius residue for ages after getting his chip removed (overlaps with ImaginaryEnemy).

* ShapeShifting-flavor: Whether [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting involuntary]] or [[VoluntaryShapeshifting self-induced]]: Bob gets transformed into a frog. After being brought back to normal, he retains his newly-acquired taste for bugs. Usually [[PlayedForLaughs used as a gag]].

** Its also noted that at least one of the people she made think had been turned into a frog still enjoy swimming in a pond long after the spell wore off. He was grateful for getting a new hobby.

* In ''{{Ben 10}}: Alien Force'', Albedo is an villain who copied Ben's appearance and Omnitrix. He also gained some of Ben's characteristics, like eating junk food. After having his Omnitrix broken, stuck with Ben's color-swapped form, and taken to prison, he shouts, "BRING ME CHILI FRIES!!!"

* In ''{{Heroes}}'', [[spoiler:Sylar is mind-wiped by Matt and replaced his memories with Nathan's. Unfortunately, all of Sylar's powers remain intact, including his intuitive aptitude, and gives this away by tuning a clock that was half a second late.]]

* In line with TheZerothLawOfTropeExamples. Demetrius, after he has been made to fall in love with Helena in ''AMidsummerNightsDream'' by Puck's magic, nevertheless still shows signs of lingering affection for Hermia when he refuses to hurl her off violently when she clings to him: ''"What should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so."'' (''MND, III.ii.269-270'')

* All of the girls Keima "conquers" in TheWorldGodOnlyKnows show signs of this. They just can't explain why they blush whenever the geeky {{otaku}} walks by.

* [[TVTropesWikiDrinkingGame Obligatory]] ''{{Buffy|TheVampireSlayer}}'' example: In the season two HalloweenEpisode, Xander was [[BecomingTheCostume turned into the soldier that he was dressed as]] for Halloween, complete with military training. Afterwards, Xander still retains some of that knowledge, which comes in handy in later episodes (such as when he sneaks into a military base to steal a rocket launcher).

** Misako ([[spoiler:Ryouga]]) had her previous identity completely lost and is for all intents and purposes a new person.

* Xander in ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' gets possessed by his Halloween costume (like everyone else), but afterwards he remembers a bunch of military training for no logical reason (other than scrappy upgrade).

* ShapeShifting-flavor: Either [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting involuntary]] or self-induced. Bob gets transformed into a frog. After being brought back to normal, he retains his newly-acquired taste for bugs. Usually used as a gag.

* In ''FanFic/TheReturn'' [[spoiler: Nabiki and Akane]] still have a significant amount of mental contamination after being enslaved and {{Mind Rape}}d by [[CompleteMonster Alexia]] and it takes a lot of work to salvage ''any'' of their original selves. Ryoga also fits, being significantly more brainwash residue than original person.

* In ''FanFic/TheReturn'' [[spoiler: Nabiki and Akane]] still have a significant amount of mental contamination after being enslaved and {{Mind Rape}}d by [[CompleteMonster Alexia]] and it takes a lot of work to salvage ''any'' of their original selves.

** Its also noted that at least one of the people she made think she turned them into frogs still enjoy swimming in a pond long after the spell wore off. He was grateful for getting a new hobby.

When somebody is {{Brainwashed}} and [[IGotBetter gets better]], but somehow part of the programming sticks and it shows by the character acquiring new personality traits, ticks and/or quirks. For example, Alice is a CharmPerson who casts a spell on Bob to make him fall in love with her. Bob somehow breaks the spell, but whenever he looks at Alice now, he blushes and can't quite explain why. Maybe he's falling in love for real, but who knows for sure.

When somebody is {{Brainwashed}} and [[IGotBetter gets better]], but somehow part of the programming sticks and it shows by the character acquiring new personally traits, ticks and/or quirks. For example, Alice is a CharmPerson who casts a spell on Bob to make him fall in love with her. Bob somehow breaks the spell, but whenever he looks at Alice now, he blushes and can't quite explain why. Maybe he's falling in love for real, but who knows for sure.

* In ''FanFic/TheReturn'' [[spoiler: Nabiki and Akane]] still have a significant amount of mental contamination after being enslaved and {{MindRape}}d by [[CompleteMonster Alexia]] and it takes a lot of work to salvage ''any'' of their original selves.