History Main / SticksToTheBack

** Furthermore, cosplayers have replicated the effect in RealLife, just [[http://www.cosplay.com/photo/1460031/ see here]].

* In ''FinalFantasyXI'', whichever melee weapon (or [[DualWielding weapons]]) your character currently has equipped seems to simply hover a few inches from the character's hip (if one-handed) or back (if two-handed) when not in use. (Ranged weapons, by contrast, go into your HyperspaceArsenal.) Made even more glaring by the fact that you hear unsheathing or unbuckling sounds ''anyway''.
** Interestingly, despite being two-handed weapons, Great Katanas are hip-mounted instead of back-mounted. [[RuleOfCool It just looks more appropriate like that.]]
** Don't get the wrong idea, there IS a practical reason for this. It's to accommodate the various weapon textures so that none of them clip through your character's body, which most would agree looks worse.
* In ''FinalFantasyXII'', all the greatswords stick right to your back, with a slight clang, suggesting they're stuck there with magnets.

** Subverted by Hitsugaya: His sword, held across his back in a sheath, is too long for him to unsheathe normally, so he draws it by simply pulling it off his back and letting the sheath tear apart. Though it's more like he's too short rather than the sword is too long. ([[BerserkButton Don't ever mention that to him, though.]])

* Zabuza and Kisame in ''{{Naruto}}'' exhibits this with their [[{{BFS}} rather sizable swords]], as Zabuza carries no visible strap on him. While Kisame ''does'' have a sword strap, you never really see how it holds a "sword" which is basically a huge collection of spikes/hooked scales. Suigestu averts this, as you can see the strap from his front, and it's shown [[http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-351/page002.html quite clearly]] how it wraps around (which also explains the functional purpose of the huge semicircular notch in the Decapitating Carving Knife).

* Ukyō Kuonji of ''[=~Ranma ½~=]'' carries a huge spatula on her back most of the time, as part of her [[MartialArtsAndCrafts Okonomiyaki Martial Art]]. A tiny strap linking it to her bandolier can eventually be spotted, but most of the time it just seems to stick to her back.

* ''{{Okami}}'''s Amaterasu does this when she wields a glaive or reflector. The rosaries kind of float around her neck. Same goes for [[{{Okamiden}} Chibi]], who gets another divine instrument: a pair of crystals that float by his sides.

* ''{{Okami}}'''s Amaterasu does this when she wields a glaive or reflector.
** Technically, she never really "wields" them; they just fly off her back and attack.

Compare to MagnetHands. Can be considered a form of ImpossiblyCoolClothes.

** Post-ArtUpgrade, Roy actually has straps for the sword, as seen [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0689.html here]].

* Melee weapons in ''Jurassic Park: Trespasser''. Due to a glitch, it caused damage. So, naturally, the developers removed all mass from melee weapons... making them useless.

* As does ''{{World of Warcraft}}'', with two-handed weapons and shields, at least. The rest just stick to the hip.

* In ''[=~9~=]'', Eight uses a magnet to keep his {{BFS}} attached to his back. [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeroin Which he also uses to get high off of.]]

* In ''[=~9~=]'', Eight uses a magnet to keep his {{BFS}} attached to his back. [[FantasticDrug Which he uses to get high off of.]]

* In ''[[{{Main/ptitle1d5irnza}} 9]]'', Eight uses a magnet to keep his {{BFS}} attached to his back.

* Ukyō Kuonji of ''[=~Ranma ½~=]'' carries a [[strike:huge spatula]] baker peel on her back most of the time, as part of her [[MartialArtsAndCrafts Okonomiyaki Martial Art]]. A tiny strap linking it to her bandolier can eventually be spotted, but most of the time it just seems to stick to her back.

* Unlike in the games, this averted in ''FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'', where Cloud is seen with a very complex set of scabbards for carrying around his six swords.

* Ukyō Kuonji of ''[=~Ranma ½~=]'' carries a [[strike:huge spatula]] baker peel on her back most of the time, as part of her [[MartialArtsAndCrafts Okonomiyaki Martial Art]]. A tiny strap linking it to her spatulas bandolier can eventually be spotted, but most of the time it just seems to stick to her back.

[[FinalFantasyXI http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sticks-to-the-back.jpg]]
[[caption-width:210:Sometimes not so much "sticks" as "floats".]]

-> "Putting Velcro on your sword is an old adventurer's trick."
-> "Clever!"

One could even say that like how [[HalfDressedCartoonAnimal cartoon characters]] can pick stuff up without fingers, sometimes a sword just SticksToTheBack.

This phenomenon also allows characters to draw [[{{BFS}} swords that outstrip their entire arm]] - after all, there's no actual scabbard to get in the way. Note that though the words "sword" and "back" are used a lot thorough this article, this trope covers any and all situations where a character's equipment is held in place without a viable sheathing mechanism, be it by the hip or on the back, a {{BFG}} or a shield, by a diminutive sash or someone's bare skin, etcetera.

!!Examples:

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

* Ichigo from ''{{Bleach}}'' can keep his {{BFS}} in place surprisingly well with a tiny sash. Justified by his BFS not being an actual physical object but a sentient familiar spirit, and [[http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/279/05/ close inspection]] shows that the cloth that wraps around his sword to form a makeshift sheath does so while also wrapping itself around the sash he wears.
** Subverted by Hitsugaya- His sword, held across his back in a sheath, is too long for him to unsheathe normally- so he draws it by simply pulling it off his back and letting the sheath tear apart.
*** Though it's more like he's too short rather than the sword is too long.
****[[BerserkButton Don't ever mention that to him though]]
* ''{{Berserk}}'''s Guts avoids this by having a {{BFS}} with a visible scabbard. Later on he gets an even ''bigger'' {{BFS}} that almost seems to just hang on his back...were it not for a single link near the hilt, [[HandWave implying that it hangs off a hook]], though we never see said hook.
** The hook is attached to a chain that hangs off his back, which is used to holster the sword. It's rarely visible, however, because of the cape he usually wears. Interestingly, in the Golden Age, he uses a strap that resembles a devil's tail.
* ''MahouSenseiNegima'' has Negi doing this with his staff. Of course, [[AWizardDidIt he's a mage]].

* Coon in ''{{Free Collars Kingdom}}'' carries his ''[[ImprobableWeaponUser anchor]]'' around like this.
* Zabuza and Kisame in ''{{Naruto}}'' exhibits this with their [[{{BFS}} rather sizable swords]], as Zabuza carries no visible strap on him and while Kisame ''does'' have a sword strap you never really see how it holds a "sword" which is basically a huge collection of spikes/hooked scales. Suigestu averts this, as you can see the strap from his front, and it's shown [[http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-351/page002.html quite clearly]] how it wraps around (which also explains the functional purpose of the huge semicircular notch in the Decapitating Carving Knife).

* ''{{Yu-Gi-Oh}}'' has Marik and his Millennium Rod. (Though {{Yu-Gi-Oh The Abridged Series}} points out the possibility that it could just be clenched between his buttocks)

[[AC: Comic Books]]

[[AC:VideoGames]]

**The player models generally have visible clips and straps to hold the guns; at least they tried.

* Metal Gear Solid has The Ninja "sheathe" his sword as though expecting it to stick to his back, though it simply vanishes. Stealth camoflage?

* Nearly averted in ''MountAndBlade'' by a variety of visible sheaths, belt straps, quivers and bow cases to hold equipped items. Most two-handed weapons and shorter polearms simply stick to the back, though.
* And also done in {{Planet Side}} Were there is an animation but they dont even look backwards to see if its on right
** My Justification works as the Exo-suits have a built in Ancient-tech Device that keeps the Weapons from falling off
* This trope has turned up in some of the cinematics of ''HellgateLondon'', namely the game's intro and the initial announcement trailer. In both videos, a character draws a large two-handed sword from their back, despite clearly not having any sheath for it. Though it could be an unexplained version in the game's intro; because if you look closely, you can see a pair of metal... clamps is the only thing I can describe them as, on his back right where the sword's blade goes and it wouldn't be inconceivable that there are magnets in there as well (you could also say that it's held by [[AWizardDidIt magic]] considering the story).

** Many one-handed swords and daggers do actually have sheaths. Sheaths that [[StickToTheBack stick to the hip]].

* This trope even sometimes occurs with HumongousMecha; in ''Mobile Suit Gundam Crossfire'', your suit's weapons are stuck to the back while you have your melee weapon out. Said melee weapons usually avert this trope, though, as mobile suit designs usually include dedicated holding spots for their melee weapons.

** That may not be a joke. It's reportedly AllThereInTheManual. (that is, the thousand or so encyclopaedias Square have released for VII and its Compilation)
** Averted, though, in ''AdventChildren'' where Cloud is seen with a very complex set of scabbards for carrying around his six swords.
** The trope is present in full force in the prequel ''CrisisCore''.
*** Actually, ''CrisisCore'' takes it to absurd new heights. [[ShirtlessScene Shirtless Zack]] weilds an [[ParasolOfPain UMBRELLA]] that does as much damage as the Buster Sword, and when the "DMW" FinishingMove associated with Angeal is activated, the umbrella is magically attached to his half naked body while he does uppercuts and roundhouse kicks.

** Considering that a lot of his weapons can literally merge with him for his Devil Trigger, this isn't that implausible. ... For, y'know, the DMC universe.
* Link's shield and sword both [[SticksToTheBack Stick To The Back]] in some games of ''TheLegendOfZelda'' series. Though scabbards and such are usually shown in art, graphical limitations often caused them not to appear in actual gameplay. He has an actual scabbard in "Ocarina of Time" (Except for the Biggorron Sword), but the scabbard itself appears to stick to his back. Majora's Mask eventually gave him a proper belt with which to hold his scabbard.

** Causes certain problems for Toon-Link cosplayers, since he's the most straight example of this trope in the whole franchise: His graphical style just wouldn't look good with a scabbard, so he never has one, not even in the art-work[[hottip:*:He has one in exactly one cutscene of the game, when Tetra notices he has the Master Sword. [[FridgeLogic Which he found in]] [[SwordInTheStone stone]]]]. Shield and sword are... just there.
* The ''PrinceOfPersia'' series [[PlayingWithATrope plays]] with this, with ''Sands of Time'' being an [[AvertedTrope aversion]] and both ''Warrior Within'' and ''Two Thrones'' playing it straight. ''Two Thrones'' features the "by the hip" variation.

* As does ''WorldOfWarcraft'' - with two-handed weapons and shields, at least. The rest just stick to the hip.
** Ditto ''[[{{Warhammer}} Warhammer Online]]''

** Interestingly, despite being two-handed weapons, Great Katanas are hip-mounted instead of back-mounted. [[RuleOfCool It just looks more appropriate like that.]]
** In FinalFantasyXII, all the greatswords stick right to your back, with a slight clang, suggesting they're stuck there with magnets.

*** It's thanks to the gravitation pull of her breasts.

*** A ''Halo'' novel describes the armor having thigh compartments for holding grenades, a clamp system for sticking rifles to his back, and double-sided tape for gluing ammo to himself.

* In ''ThreadsOfFate'', Rue's weapon the Arc Edge -- a large circular axe -- is stuck to his back when not in use. Somewhat less noticeable but still just as odd is Mint's weapons, a pair of hoops called the Dual Halos, levitate at the small of her back.
* If [[SplinterCell Sam Fisher]]'s toting the [[AKA47 "SC-20K" (the F2000)]] in a mission but doesn't have it equipped and thus in his hands, this applies.
**Depending on which game is being played he may actually have a fully-modeled holster for both rifle and pistol.

* Averted in ''DotHack,'' where in The World R:1, weapons only appear outside towns, and they never appear inside towns ''for some unexplained unknown reason''. Kinda jarring when [=BlackRose=] is carrying [[{{BFS}}a sword that is as tall as she is]]. In R:2, they decided to sod the issue entirely by having everyone the ability to [[HyperspaceArsenal pull said weapons from a flash of light]] from their backs. Justified that The World is an online game, and it's the kind of game where small things like that is [[RuleOfCool simply glossed over for cool points]].

* The stronger swords in ''MapleStory'' actually have scabbards that appear on a character's back when he or she is climbing a ladder. This trope is still played straight in that there is no sheathing animation and the swords just kind of 'teleport' themselves to their storage position. Weaker swords just [[HyperspaceArsenal disappear]] under the same circumstances.
* Rayne of ''BloodRayne'' ''usually'' keeps her weapons in her HyperspaceArsenal, but a cheat in the first game sticks her weapons (somewhat arbitrarily) all over her body. Since there's no upward limit on how many guns she can have at a given moment, it looks ''ridiculous''. The exception are her dedicated melee weapons, which are attached to her arms with visible straps.

* ''{{Okami}}'''s Amaterasu does this when she wields a glaive or reflector.

* Melee weapons in ''Jurassic Park: Trespasser''. Due to a glitch, it caused damage. So, naturally, the developers removed all mass from melee weapons...making them useless.

[[AC:WebComics]]
* Alexander Carter's sword from ''TheDreamlandChronicles'' - no sheath, it really does just stick to the back of his armor. [[JustifyingEdit Justified]]. "Cool! A magnet!"
* ''Rangerhorde: The Bloody Crusade'', itself based on World of Warcraft, lampshades this when a clearly shirtless character is asked 'what is keeping that sword on your back'. His reply? '...Attitude.'
* The titular character's ninja-to in ''TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja''.

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* In ''{{Thundercats}}'', while the Sword of Omens was actually sheathed in the clawshield, the clawshield just stuck to Lion-o's leg, often with a glowing effect. Similarly, Cheetara's bo-staff stuck to her armband and Wilykit's capsules just stuck to her belt (her brother's were at least in a pouch)
* In ''Xcalibur'', the 2nd episode has Herrik provide [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses Princess]] Djana with a magical scabbard for the titular sword. All she has to do is place it on her back, and the scabbard will form around it, essentially sticking it to her back.
* ''{{Phantom 2040}}'' had the titular hero weilding twin pistols that magnetically attached to his thighs.
* In ''[[{{Main/ptitle1d5irnza}} 9]]'', Eight uses a magnet to keep his {{BFS}} attached to his back.
* {{Haloid}}: Some kind of system involving [[LightningCanDoAnything visible electrical currents]] allows Master Chief to clip a shotgun to his back. So awesome is this scene that it's in SloMo.

[[AC:RealLife]]
* Over at [[CrazyPrepared Zombie Squad]], it was once suggested that powerful magnets would [[http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17310 hold a homemade ninja sword]] on the back of a trench coat. Needless to say, this idea didn't go over very well.

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