History Main / MaskOfPower

* The NeonGenesisEvangelion[=/=][[ZeroNoTsukaima FoZ]] fanfic Fanfic/PointsOfFamiliarity has the protagonist create Angel-type bone [Masks] with very strange properties.

* [[XMen Cyclops']] visor is an interesting inversion of this. The visor actually holds back his EyeBeams so that he can control them, since they're constantly switched on.

* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' there were ''nine'' such masks, each giving the user control over one of nine tribes of ninja called the Shadow Khan (pronounced Kon). [[DemonicPossession It also turns the wearer evil.]]

* In ''JackieChanAdventures'' there were ''nine'' such masks, each giving the user control over one of nine tribes of ninja called the Shadow Khan (pronounced Kon). [[DemonicPossession It also turns the wearer evil.]]

Compare RingOfPower.

* The {{Evangelion}}/[[ZeroNoTsukaima FoZ]] fanfic Fanfic/PointsOfFamiliarity has the protagonist create Angel-type bone [Masks] with very strange properties.

*** And of course, the titular mask itself, acting as a SealedEvilInACan that corrupts whoever wears it. [[spoiler: It doesn't actually need someone to wear it, though - once Skullkid is of no more use, it fights you under its own power, becoming humanoid in the process.]]

*** And of course, titular mask itself, acting as SealedEvilInACan.

* In the StarTrekExpandedUniverse, the recitation masks of the Oralian Way religion. This Cardassian faith makes use of ceremonial masks which channel the life energy of the wearer, allowing them to become closer to Oralius and the Fates, even at times serve as a vessel for Oralius. Genuine masks amplify empathic and telepathic abilities, essentially being a form of AmplifierArtifact. Some masks are just replicas, though. The Dithparu's mask is a sinister version of the recitation mask. See: StarTrekTheLostEra in particular.

[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MaskOfLight_Resized_6274.jpg]]

[[MajorasMask http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FierceDeity3_4942.png]]
[[caption-width:263:All the power of an [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch]] [[PhysicalGod Deity]] conveniently stored in a [[CoolMask stylish mask]].]]

[[folder: Manga & Anime]]

* The Vizard in ''{{Bleach}}'' can increase their power tenfold by calling out their inner Hollow and wearing its mask in battle, the trope is also inverted in that Arrancar -- the polar opposite of Vizards -- are more powerful because they took their Hollow masks off.
** Ichigo's hollow side definitely deserves a mention of its own, because when his [[SplitPersonalityTakeover hollow form takes over]] in [[spoiler: [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome his epic fight with]] [[AloofBigBrother Byakuya Kuchiki]], it started ''[[BodyHorror growing]]'' onto his ''face''.]]
* [[JoJosBizarreAdventure Jojo's Bizarre Adventure]] has the Stone Mask, which pretty much gave Dio all his powers. A slight variation in that you only need to wear it once.
* In ''{{Tajikarao}}'', the eponymous Shinto god is able to manifest physically when a spiritually suitable human puts a sacred mask on his face.
* The [[ArtifactOfDoom Cassandra Mask]] in AnnCassandra gives its user the power to create evil fates [[spoiler:at the price of [[BecomingTheMask losing their free will]] and eventually dying.]] Supposedly, it was created from the remains of the Greek prophetess Cassandra after she died [[CassandraTruth cursing the people who wouldn't believe her]].
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[[folder:WebOriginal]]
* This is inverted in the ''GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'' with the Mask Of Justice. The eyeholeless mask he wears itself is powerless, but he can only use his vision powers while his eyes are covered with an opaque object...such as his mask.
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<<|CostumeTropes|>>

Then there's the symbolism of taking upon oneself a new face, the metaphor of looking through different eyes becoming literal as well as the sense that masks [[MaskPower are just really badass]]. However the flip side of the power being in the mask and the importance of the "new face" that can have its own personality is that you can get a literal BecomingTheMask situation, with the mask taking over the character.

** In ''PowerRangersNinjaStorm, there's the mask that held the spirit of Shimazu. (Fortunately, it was on a statue. Of Shimazu.)

* ''{{Bionicle}}'' had Kanohi masks that granted powers to the wearer (who were usually Toa). In fact, they were a main theme until a ReTool, and the franchise could be the TropeNamer as "Masks of Power" was a common name for them from day one.

[[MajorasMask http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fiercedeitysmask_512.jpg]]
[[caption-width:333:All the power of an [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch]] [[PhysicalGod Deity]] conveniently stored in a stylish mask.]]

* In ''JackieChanAdventures'' there were ''nine'' such masks, each giving the user control over one of nine tribes of ninja called the Shadow Khan (Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhn!) (pronounced Kon). [[DemonicPossession It also turns the wearer evil.]]

[[caption-width:333:All the power of an [[EldritchAbomination Eltritch]] [[PhysicalGod Deity]] convieniently stored in a stylish mask.]]

* Gabranth in ''Dissidia: Final Fantasy'' goes from slow, weak and vulnerable in his normal mode to fast, powerful and deadly in his EX Mode. The graphical change for the two modes consists of Gabranth just putting his helmet on.