History Main / MaskOfPower

* This a recurring theme in ''{{VideoGame/Utawarerumono}}'' and the [[Videogame/UtawarerumonoItsuwariNoKamen sequel duology]]. First with Hakuowlo, whom has a mask glued to his face which happens to [[spoiler:contain a god, one who is responsible for the decline of humanity and the rise of their animal-eared creations]]. Next with the 4 "akuruka", which grant their users immense power (and the power to transform into a giant monster) but eventually consume their user [[spoiler: (they are based on Hakuowlo's mask and are significantly weaker than it)]]. Eventually, [[spoiler: Haku, the protagonist, gets his hands on one of the masks and finds out that the masks grant normal humans even more of their power but are fused to their user's face in return (they were meant to be used by normal humans and not demihumans).]]

* Italian ''Film/{{Superman}}'' ripoff and [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 MST3K]] classic ''Film/ThePumaman'' features an "ancient Aztec" mask with alien mind control powers which the villain uses in an attempt to TakeOverTheWorld. He succeeds in hypnotizing some world leaders and our titular "hero" before being single-handedly thwarted by his sidekick.

* ''Series/MashinSentaiKiramager'': The monsters of the week get their powers from masks created by Carantula. The BigBad Yodon wears a unique mask with two more masks attached to the sides that can swing over his face to transform him into his alternate personalities. His alternate selves are weaker than his real form but have different powers than he does and are able to survive in environments that he cannot. The central mask does not give him any other special powers but the mask itself is indestructible and since he is only weak to attacks against his head he can't be defeated as long as he is wearing it.

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

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': The Mask of Proteus is a TransformationTrinket allowing the wearer to appear to be anyone living or dead. It is one of the mystical items in the possession of the Amazons, and while generally Diana doesn't use it ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|1987}}: ComicBook/TheContest'' had her use of it be the reason her mother didn't realize she in the tournament to choose a champion until she'd won and removed it.

The Mask of Power is an object when worn on the face grants the wearer any number of powers depending on the mask itself.

* In the ''lucha'' film ''El Hacha Diabolica'', Wrestling/ElSanto's mask turns out to be a mystical artifact and key to defeating the villain.

* The Literature/{{Discworld}} novel ''Literature/{{Maskerade}}'' plays with this trope very well, with a running theme of alter egos and masks revealing someone's true self. First, we see a mysterious Ghost who, while wearing his mask, is intelligent, worldly, supremely confident, and capable of incredible feats of swordplay and agility. With his mask off, he's [[spoiler:Walter Plinge]], a total nobody and ExtremeDoormat with an AmbiguousDisorder who works at the Opera because he loves it. When the Witches find the identity of the Ghost, Granny Weatherwax uses her famed 'Headology' to give him an 'invisible' mask to reveal his true self-confident self. It's imaginary... [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane probably]]. Like many things Granny does, it's intentionally ambiguous. Also like many things Granny does, it works.

* Marvel Comics #1000 is a MilestoneCelebration of Marvel's eighty years in publication that's an anthology of various characters throughout its history. Through it is a running story of Jimmy Woo, Night Thrasher and the Blue Marvel investigating an ancient conspiracy centering around an artifact known as the Eternity Mask. Appearing to be a black cloth mask, that occasionally shines like a star field, it was created by sorcerers in Medieval England to give lowborn peasants equal power to Arthur's Knights. The mask, made from Eternity itself, subsequently has the ability to make any who wears it the equal of whoever they stand against, so long as it isn't used for oppression. For someone already powerful this isn't noticeable but for any underdog it gives them at least a fair chance to win in any fight.

* The Shakalaka from ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' wear masks both to conceal their faces and also as weapons of war. The King Shakalaka, for instance, can lob fire from the BBQ Spit he wears on his head. Also, both Cha-Cha (''Tri'') and Kayamba (''Tri Ultimate'', change personality and behavior based on the masks they wear. The Ancient Mask enshrined in Moga Village serves as an important item in the hunt for the Ceadeus, as it produces oxygen from the water it takes in. Unfortunately for the Wyverian Craftsman and Junior, all the stuff that makes this possible makes it too small for a human to wear.

* ''VideoGame/Wasteland3'': The Monster Army was at one time a conquering horde that terrorized Colorado ([[RetiredMonster now, they're mostly just merchants]]). They wore masks, but given that these were goofy Halloween costumes from the [=80s=], one can be forgiven for being skeptical that they gave the Monsters power. But then they explain ''why'' they think that: by wearing a mask they create a new persona for themselves, one that [[TheUnfettered completely unbound by morality, compassion, or customs]], allowing them to commit atrocities they would shrink from in horror with their normal faces out.

* ''Anime/FlintTheTimeDetective'': BigBad The Dark Lord always conceals his face behind a mask. The reason why is because it's the source of his powers (and what gives him is adult apperance since he's actually a child). Flint finally manages to knock it off his head during their duel in the series finale, depowering the villain.

* The titular mask from ''Film/TheMask''. It's noted in the film that this style of mask is meant to represent Loki, Norse {{Trickster god}}, and Stanley hypothesises that the spirit of Loki was banished into the mask and when Stanley uses it he becomes a harmless good hearted gangster called The Mask who is easy looking and who eventually uses his powers for good and becomes a superhero at the end of the film while the {{Big Bad}} uses the Mask of Loki for evil. The sequel ''Film/SonOfTheMask'' shows that it was actually ''created'' by Loki.

* Italian ''Film/{{Superman}}'' ripoff and [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 MST3K]] classic ''Film/ThePumaman'' features an "ancient Aztec" mask with alien mind control powers which the villain uses in an attempt to TakeOverTheWorld. He succeeds in hypnotizing some world leaders and our titular "hero" before being singlehandedly thwarted by his sidekick.

* This a reccuring theme in ''{{VideoGame/Utawarerumono}}'' and the [[Videogame/UtawarerumonoItsuwariNoKamen sequel duology]]. First with Hakuowlo, whom has a mask glued to his face which happens to [[spoiler:contain a god, one who is responsible for the decline of humanity and the rise of their animal-eared creations]]. Next with the 4 "akuruka", which grant their users immense power (and the power to transform into a giant monster) but eventually consume their user [[spoiler: (they are based on Hakuowlo's mask and are significantly weaker than it)]]. Eventually, [[spoiler: Haku, the protagonist, gets his hands on one of the masks and finds out that the masks grant normal humans even more of their power but are fused to their user's face in return (they were meant to be used by normal humans and not demihumans).]]

*** In side-games like ''Videogame/CrashBash'' or ''Videogame/CrashTeamRacing'', both masks acts as temporary barriers for the cast depending on their alignment.

[[folder:Film]]

* Rino from ''Manga/MyGirlfriendWithoutWasabi'' has the ability to imbue the masks she makes with magical powers due to her being the reuncarnation on an ancient demon. Given the fact that demonic powers are fueled by negative emotions, all of her masks lose their power once she enters a happy relationship with Nozomu [[spoiler:including the three that she enchanted to take on human form and act as her surrogate family.]]

* Italian ''Film/{{Superman}}'' ripoff and [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 MST3K]] classic ''Film/PumaMan'' features an "ancient Aztec" mask with alien mind control powers which the villain uses in an attempt to TakeOverTheWorld. He succeeds in hypnotizing some world leaders and our titular "hero" before being singlehandedly thwarted by his sidekick.

** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex'' introduces the Elementals, who grant Crunch elemental-themed powers in every boss fights against him.

** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootWarped'' then introduces his EvilTwin; Uka Uka, who not only is the boss of Dr. Neo Cortex and his minions, but also powerful enough to face off against his brother.
*** In side-games like ''Videogame/CrashBash'' or ''Videogame/CrashBashTeamRacing '', both masks acts as temporary barriers for the cast depending on their alignment.
*** ''VideoGame/CrashNitroKart'' would introduce the Velo Mask, which protects any characters who work under "Overlord" of the galaxy, Velo.
*** ''Nitro Fueled'' introduces Apo Apo, who protects any apocalypse-themed characters.

** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot4ItsAboutTime'' features the four Quantum Masks, which are needed to fix the multiverse rifts created by Cortex and N. Tropy, as well as acting as power-ups throughout the game.

* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' has Aku Aku, a sentient mask that gives Crash temporary invulnerability and makes him faster and stronger for some seconds when Crash puts it on. In games like ''Videogame/CrashBash'' or the racing series, [[EvilTwin Uka Uka]] acts in the same way towards Neo Cortex and his team. There's also the Elementals from ''[[VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex The Wrath of Cortex]]'', who grant Crunch elemental-themed powers in the boss fights against him. Lastly, in ''VideoGame/CrashNitroKart'', the "Overlord" of the galaxy, Velo, also acts as a mask for two teams of four racers each, while Aku Aku and Uka Uka serve as the masks for their respective factions. ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot4ItsAboutTime'' features the four Quantum Masks, which are needed to fix the multiverse rifts created by Cortex and N. Tropy, as well as acting as powerups throughout the game.

* In ''RandyCunningham9thGradeNinja'', the Norisville Ninja is given a ninja mask that is imbue with magical powers. The mask was made from a demon bird called The [[Tengu]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/RandyCunningham:9thGradeNinja'', the Norisville Ninja is given a ninja mask that is imbue with magical powers. The mask was made from a demon bird called The Tengu.

* In RandyCunningham:9thGradeNinja, the Norisville Ninja is given a ninja mask that is imbue with magical powers. The mask was made from a demon bird called The Tengu.