History Main / MagicalSpeciesTransformation

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

* A variation in ''Film/ChipNDaleRescueRangers2022'', where [[spoiler:[[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones Fred Flintstone]] is transformed into [[BigfootSasquatchAndYeti Bigfoot]] from ''WesternAnimation/AGoofyMovie'' via Sweet Pete's bootlegging machine.]]

[[folder:Mythology]]

* ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'':

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'': In the climax of the film, [[Characters/AladdinJafar Jafar]] uses the magical lamp to turn himself into a genie, granting himself an insurmountable level of power. [[spoiler:This all turns out to be a plot by Alladin who uses the lamp to seal Jafar away forever; Jafar is a genie now after all.]]

* At the end of ''[[Literature/{{Spellsinger}} The Hour of the Gate]]'', Jon Tom attempts to turn Pog the bat into a falcon as thanks for his role in saving the day. Since Jon Tom's magic is... [[IneptMage unpredictable]], the effect instead turns Pog into a phoenix, which he fortunately thinks is even better.

* ''Film/TheThirteenthYear'' is about a teenage boy named Cody who finds himself slowly transforming into a merman due to his merfolk heritage. This manifests first whenever Cody touches water, causing fins and scales to appear on his body, until the very end of the film where he's become a full-blown merman.

** Trolls can become blood-drinking creatures, [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Rainbow Drinkers]]. This is what happened to [[spoiler:Kanaya.]]

** The very premise of the title is how Satoru Mikami dies on Earth and [[ReincarnatedInAnotherWorld reincarnates as a slime in another world]] and having to come to terms with his new slime and magical being's senses, as well as regaining various senses via [[TheAssimilator absorbing other beings' traits]].

** Sprites are a game construct provided by ''Sburb''. Sprites are initially generated as a glowing orb known as the Kernelsprite, which are meant to be given form by the player; this is achieved by "prototyping" an object, or putting an object into the sprite. If the Sprite is prototyped with ashes or dead bodies, the dead character gets a new life as a mystical adviser who knows many secrets of the game. Sprites can also combine several characters, creating a new unique personality. Many characters, including but not limited to [[spoiler:Equus, Nepeta and Tavros,]] have been given new life in this form.

* ''TabletopGames/DungeonsAndDragons'':

* ''TabletopGames/DungeonsAndDragons'': The Reincarnate spell involves creating a new body for a dead humanoid. Provided that the human or humanoid has been dead no longer than 10 days, the spell forms a new adult body for it and then calls the soul to enter that body. If the spell succeeds, the magic fashions a new body for the creature to inhabit, which likely causes the creature's race to change, depending on the GM's choice or roll of the dice. This may result in a formerly human character reincarnating as a magical creature, such as elf, dragonborn, or one of the many other magical player races.

** Sprites are a game construct provided by Sburb. Sprites are initially generated as a glowing orb known as the Kernelsprite, which are meant to be given form by the player; this is achieved by "prototyping" an object, or putting an object into the sprite. If the Sprite is prototyped with ashes or dead bodies, the dead character gets a new life as a mystical adviser who knows many secrets of the game. Sprites can also combine several characters, creating a new unique personality. Many characters, including but not limited to [[spoiler:Equus, Nepeta and Tavros,]] have been given new life in this form.

These transformations are often used as a plot device on human protagonists in magical worlds: the protag begins as human, making the character more relatable to the [[{{AudienceSurrogate}} audience]] and allows the author to introduce the magical world through the their eyes. As the story progresses, the protag transforms into the magical race, giving them the abilities to defeat the BigBad as well as fully initiating them into the magical world.

* In the ''WebAnimation/SpookyMonth'' fanfic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/32199259 A Sweet Outcome]]'', Kevin accidentally sends the [[LivingShadow void creature Cee]] into a feeding frenzy; after he begs for his life, Cee decides to instead convert Kevin into void like itself, putting him under hypnosis as shadows consume his very being. Said hypnosis leads to Kevin not caring once it's over, only wondering how he's going to explain his new state to his family. Cee tells him not to worry about it.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'': Fiona was cursed to turn into an ogre every night for years, and once she kisses her true love Shrek, she becomes an ogre permanently, and appreciates being this way because it lets her live without fear of hiding parts of her that others would shun.

* ''Film/JumanjiTheNextLevel'': Cyclone is a player character in the ''Jumanji'' game, who happens to be a pegasus. Milo Walker, who only has months left to live as a human, decides to stay in the game and live out the rest of his lives as Cyclone.

* ''Film/TheThirteenthYear'' is about a teenaged boy named Cody who finds himself slowly transforming into a merman due to his merfolk heritage. This manifests first whenever Cody touches water, causing fins and scales to appear on his body, until the very end of the film where he's become a full-blown merman.

* In ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'', [[spoiler:Bella]] undergoes this. The transformation is painful and lasts three days. It results in red or gold eyes, sharp teeth, stone-like skin, enhanced strength, constant thirst for blood, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking increased physical attractiveness]], and occasionally specific super powers.

** People exposed to exceptionally concentrated amounts of aether will be transformed into hideous beasts as their bodies are mutated by the shift in the aetheric balance. This can be inflicted by primals upon their thralls as a punishment or a blessing. This is most prominent in the Hard version of Sastasha, in which Leviathan punishes Captain Madison by turning him and all of his captives and men into FishPeople. [[spoiler:Voidsent and he sin eaters of the First are also the result of this process, having been twisted into their current forms by exposure to the Flood of Darkness and the Flood of Light respectively.]]

* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': Gears, a species of artificial magic beings treated as bio-weapons, and are created by fusing organic life with magic, including humans. These "humanoid-type" gears inhabit part of the playable cast such as [[Characters/GuiltyGearSolBadguy Sol]] (the titular "Guilty Gear"), Testament, and later [[spoiler:[[Characters/GuiltyGearKyKiske Ky]] -- a partial gear]].

** Ivern was once a cruel and vicious warlord from the Freljord who journeyed to Ionia to seek the God-Willow, a tree that can magically spring life wherever it touches. After cutting down the tree, his dying body became the host of the God-Willow's remnants, and with it he experienced a massive epiphany as he saw first hand the beauty of life, death and rebirth. He now wanders Runeterra as a whimsical treant, a complete one-eighty from his original self.

* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' begins with the protagonist, an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent, being implanted with a Magatama to transform him into a demon known as the Demi-Fiend. He gains the ability to use magic and converse with demons to sway them to his side. [[spoiler:Eventually, he can grow so powerful than he can overthrow the TopGod of the setting to become the new ruler of the universe.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'': In one episode, Mirage tricks Jasmine into applying a lotion which will supposedly make her more beautiful, only for it to slowly transform her into a [[SnakePeople naga]]. A race to FindTheCure follows, which culminates in [[spoiler:Aladdin choosing to use the lotion himself when it appears she can't be cured. This act of love helps restore the source of the antidote, allowing them to reverse their transformations]].

If the character is awake for the transformation, it's often a [[{{PainfulTransformation}} physically painful proccess]]. However, frequently the character falls unconscious out of [[{{FaintInShock}} shock]] as the transformation begins. The changes can also reflect the character's personality, be it their virtues or flaws, resulting in a KarmicTransformation. This may result from a PhysicalAttributeSwap if it involves two characters "trading" species.

[[folder:Fanfiction]]
* ''Fanfic/LightingCandles'': The ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'' / ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians'' crossover has Tadashi Hamada become a fire kitsune and Guardian candidate after his canonical death, in a similar manner as Jack's transformation to a winter spirit at the beginning of ''Rise of the Guardians''. The difference is, Tadashi remembers being human and was a scientist in life, so adjusting to being a magical creature is a lot for him. His humanoid form gains fangs and gold eyes, and he wields fire powers, flight, the ability to transform into a full kitsune form, and the ability to go into others' dreams.

--> '''Mouse Finbar/Fridge:''' ''(translating for Milo)'' He's 75 years old and he just learned to fly.

%%* In ''Literature/TheGrishaTrilogy'', [[spoiler:Nikolai]] experiences a BalefulPolymorph version of this. However, his transformation does become useful [[spoiler:when he aids Alina in the end.]]

%%* ''Literature/TheVampireChronicles'': In ''Interview With the Vampire'', Louis undergoes a vampiric example of this. *Needs more context*

* ''VideoGame/TheSims'': Starting with ''VideoGame/TheSims2'', characters can, under certain circumstances, transform into [[FantasyKitchenSink werewolfs, vampires, zombie, ghosts, or plant-like beings]]. Downplayed, as most of these states are reversible.

%%* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'': In one episode before being restored, Jasmine turns into a Naga. *Needs more context*
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Centaurworld}}'': Downplayed. The longer Horse, an ordinary horse, stays in Centaurworld, the more she becomes like the magical centaurs who live there. While she still looks like a horse, she takes on a more squishy, fluffy appearance and gains the ability to use magic, eventually graduating to a Shaman.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': Season 2 reveals that [[spoiler:[[Characters/TheOwlHouseEmperorBelos Emperor Belos]] used to be Philip Wittebane, a human who was transported to the Demon Realm just like the protagonist [[Characters/TheOwlHouseLuzNoceda Luz]]. Over the years, he slowly grafted magic runes onto his body that turned him into a magical abomination that lives off the essence of a species of familiars. While he can maintain a human form briefly, his true appearance is a lanky and emaciated monster that barely resembles his original look.]]
[[/folder]]

* ''VideoGame/TheSims'': Starting with ''VideoGame/TheSims2'', characters can, under certain circumstances, transform into [[FantasyKitchenSink werewolfs, vampires, zombie, ghosts, or plant-like beings]]. Downplayed because most of these states are reversible.

A type of transformation where a character permanently and physically changes from their current species-typically a human, into a magical/mythical species. This is not merely the character learning to use magic, but also their physical characteristics changing, like growing fangs, wings, etc. It also includes when a character is a species hybrid, but something causes the previously unexpressed characteristics to appear.

If the character is awake for the transformation, it's often a [[{{PainfulTransformation}} physically painful proccess]]. However, frequently the character falls unconscious out of [[{{FaintInShock}} shock]] as the transformation begins. The changes can also reflect the character's personality-be it their virtues or flaws, resulting in a KarmicTransformation. This may result from a PhysicalAttributeSwap if it involves two characters "trading" species.

* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'': Demons in this universe are humans who have been permanently turned into flesh-eating monsters that pray on other humans at night. The series is kickstarted by one of the Kamado siblings, Nezuko, being bitten by and transformed into a demon, with her brother [[Characters/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaibaTanjiroKamado Tanjiro]] now seeking a way to turn her back into a human. Other demons meanwhile are forever locked into their cursed forms, with only death being a definite release from their suffering.

[[folder:Film - Animated]]

[[folder:Film - Live Action]]

* ''Literature/TheMagicians'': Niffins are creatures of pure wild magical energy, the result of human magicians failing to maintain a clear mind while controlling a spell and becoming consumed by the magic. It is considered a kind of death for the magician, as they lose their human soul during the transformation. [[spoiler: This was the fate of Charlie Quinn prior to the series, and briefly became the fate of his sister Alice, though she was later restored by being reunited with her soul.]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'': The city of Yharnam is afflicted by the "Scourge of the Beast", an ailment that slowly transforms the residents into lycanthropic monsters the more they're exposed to the Old Blood. The change is seemingly irreversible and [[IdentityAmnesia erases the victim's identity]], replacing it with [[AxCrazy beastial hunger and violence]]. Other inhuman species exist too like the Palebloods-the game's take on vampires, and the [[spoiler:aquatic monstrosities of the Fishing Hamlet who are all an homage to the ''Shadow Over Innsmouth''.]]

* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': Gears, a species of artificial magic beings treated as bio-weapons, and are created by fusing organic life with magic, including humans. These "humanoid-type" gears inhabit part of the playable cast such as [[Characters/GuiltyGearSolBadguy Sol]] (the titular "Guilty Gear"), Testament, and later [[spoiler:[[Characters/GuiltyGearKyKiske Ky]]-a partial gear]].

** The Ursine are a species of humans turned into-often grotesque-bear hyrbids due to the influence of Volibear. Like him, they all have some degree of [[ShockAndAwe electrokinesis]] and are extremely savage warriors, their new forms being treated like some kind of eldritch awakening.

%%* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'', in one episode before being restored, Jasmine turns into a Naga. *Needs more context*

* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': Season 2 reveals that [[spoiler:[[Characters/TheOwlHouseEmperorBelos Emperor Belos]] used to be Philip Wittebane, a human who was transported to the Demon Realm just like the protagonist [[Characters/TheOwlHouseLuzNoceda Luz]]. Over the years, he slowly grafted magic runes onto his body that slowly turned him into a magical abomination that lives off the essence of a species of familiars. While he can maintain a human form briefly, his true appearance is a lanky and emaciated monster that barely resembles his original look.]]

If the character is awake for the transformation, it's often a [[{{PainfulTransformation}} physically painful proccess]]. However, frequently the character falls unconscious out of [[{{FaintInShock}} shock]] as the transformation begins. The changes can also reflect the character's personality-be it their virtues or flaws, resulting in a KarmicTransformation.

!!!Indices: {{Shapeshifting}}

* ''Film/TheThirteenthYear'' is about a teenaged boy named Cody who finds himself slowly transforming into a merman. This manifests first whenever Cody touches water, causing fins and scales to appear on his body, until the very end of the film where he's become a full-blown merman.

* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': In "That Still Small Voice", Jimmy Cricket is revealed to have once been a human who accidentally let a young boy's parents get turned into puppets in an attempt to get rid of his own AbusiveParents. He begs the Blue Fairy for the ability to help and guide the boy, and she turns him into a talking cricket. The boy is revealed to be Geppetto.