History Main / DistinguishingMark

* Music/{{Seal}}'s cheek marks, the aftereffects of a condition known as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/Discoid_lupus_erythematosus discoid lupus erythematosus]], are so identified with him that he's the page image for that condition on [[Wiki/{{Wikipedia}} The Other Wiki]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieInThePrincessAndThePauper'', Anneliese has a crown-shaped birthmark on her shoulder that is used to distinguish her from Erika and prove that she is the real princess.

* In ''VisualNovel/{{Juuzaengi}}'', when Kakouton [[spoiler:loses his eye and gets a fever from his injury, his only memory of his savior (Kan'u) is the mole on her arm.]]

* Subverted in ''Manga/MermaidMelodyPichiPichiPitch'', when Tarou notices a mermaid with RapunzelHair and is sure it must be Sara. It's not. ''All'' mermaids have long hair, and they otherwise looked nothing alike.

* In ''Anime/LuckyStar'', Konata looks identical to her mother, except for a birthmark under her eye (and her [[IdiotHair ahoge]]).

* Creator/EdwardRutherfurd uses this trope a ''lot'' to distinguish between the families in his GenerationalSaga novels, variously giving them characteristics such as long toes, waddling gaits, or oversized noses. Played with a bit in ''London'', in which the Ducket/Dogget line has ''three'' such traits: natural SkunkStripe hair (both sexes), partially-webbed fingers (several of the males), or obesity that's probably linked to hypothyroidism (a few of the females).

* In ''The Inspector General'' the only thing which distinguishes identical twins Izzick and Gizzick is a strawberry mark on Izzick's right leg which he tries to exhibit as proof of identity several times, only to be stopped by the mayor. When he finally gets to show it off without interruption, it turns out to be on his ''brother's'' leg.

* In ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'', Mikuru's mole on her left breast is the usual thing Kyon looks for when he wants to see if it's the "real" Mikuru. In the novels, Kyon once asked her to show it (to which she replied with a punch) and another time realized it was ''not'' her because of it.

->'''Thug#1:''' He... He's got seven scars on his chest!
->'''Thug#2:''' I heard he uses some strange kung-fu called Hokuto Shinken!
->'''Thug#3:''' He's the guy who destroyed the Kiba family and Jackal's gang!

** The titular character has fuzzy, white dog ears on top of his head (not floppy ears like most dogs, more upright like the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shiba_Inu_cream.jpg Shibi Inu]] breed.) This marks his [[HumanMomNonhumanDad heritage]] as an ''inu-hanyou'' - half human, half dog-demon. He also his golden eyes with cat-like pupils, like his father.

** While it's never pointed out, in ''VideoGame/BioShock1'', Jack has a tattoo of a ball and chain on his wrists, [[spoiler:symbolizing the fact that he is a slave to Atlas/Fontaine.]]
** Subjects Delta and Sigma ''VideoGame/BioShock2'' have a Δ and Σ mark on their left hands, respectively. This were probably used to distinguish each model of the Alpha series.

* In ''Fanfic/BlindCourage'', Zelda has a [[BeautyMark mole]] under one eye, which she inherited from her mother Iriana. This mark is mentioned when a guard tells Ganondorf that he knows Zelda is dead because he saw her coffin (which actually used [[FakingTheDead magic-made corpse]]). Zelda's daughter Baby also inherited her beauty mark.

* Jacuzzi Splot from ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' is often immediately identified by the blue, oddly-shaped sword tattoo on his face - unfortunate for him, considering that he's got a large bounty on his head and more than a few enemies with an axe to grind.

* Kotetsu T. Kaburagi/[[{{Superhero}} Wild Tiger]] from ''Anime/TigerAndBunny'' has a rather distinctive-looking [[BadassBeard goatee]]. In fact, it's ''so'' distinctive that it's implied that many people don't bother to remember what the rest of him looks like.

->-'''Thug#1:''' He... He's got seven scars on his chest!
->-'''Thug#2:''' I heard he uses some strange kung-fu called Hokuto Shinken!
->-'''Thug#3:''' He's the guy who destroyed the Kiba family and Jackal's gang!
-->-- ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* ''Literature/HarryPotter''

* ''Webcomic/BlondeSunrise: Lycan packs tend to share similar traits while in human form, mainly hair and eye color:

[[folder:Fanfiction]]

* In ''Fanfic/BlindCourage'', Zelda has a [[BeautyMark mole]] under one eye, which she inherited from her mother Iriana. This mark is mentioned when a guard tells Ganondorf that he knows Zelda is dead because he saw her coffin (which actually used [[FakingTheDead magic-made corpse]]). Zelda's daughter Baby also inherited her beauty mark.

* Princess Sally from ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' has a "royal birthmark". [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar Espio knows where it is.]]

* ''Anime/MaiHime'': The easiest way to identify a [=HiME=] is a fireball-shaped PowerTattoo on their body. It's in a different spot for each girl - Mai's is on her right breast, Natsuki's is on her lower back, etc. [[spoiler:Akira also has one, but she hides it to maintain her [[SweetPollyOliver disguise]], and thus the other [=HiME=] don't know that she's one of them until much later.]]

* ''{{VideoGame/Evergrace}}'': in this game, people who bear the Crest--a series of markings that appear on one's hand--are often subject to misfortune. The fact that there's a magician, with an entire empire in his control, ''searching'' for Crest bearers as test subjects probably doesn't help matters.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* Suzanne Incirrina of ''WebComic/SurprisingOcteal'' has a big obvious birthmark on her nose. This is ''NOT'' a part of the transformation that occurred to her in the comic.