History Main / TransformationTrinket

* ''Anime/MagicalStarMagicalEmi'' uses a magic bracelet.

* Linkara's Power Morpher and Zeonizer in ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall''.

* ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series: for nearly all Riders, a belt. In the Heisei era, the belt generally works in conjunction with a second item, sometimes to access a SuperMode:

** The Riders of ''Series/KamenRiderRyuki'', ''Series/KamenRiderBlade'' and ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' slot cards into their equipment to access their transformations, equipment, and special attacks.
*** In Ryuki, though, the cards don't activate transformation: the card ''holder'' generates the belt, and transformation is activated when the holder is placed in it.
** The Rider Gears in ''Series/KamenRiderFaiz'' fulfill two expectations at once, by using cellphones that slot into their belts.

** The various Riders in ''Series/KamenRiderKabuto'' use "Zecters" (robot insects or, in one case, arachnid) that usually mount on the belt buckle; [=TheBee=] and Kabutech Riders from TheMovie put theirs on wristbands, and Drake and Sasword use their weapons as their trinkets instead.
** [[Series/KamenRiderDenO Den-O]], who has a train motif, uses a smart-card akin to the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suica Suica system]], with the belt acting as the card reader.
** [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Kiva]]'s Transformation Trinket is Kivat, his kinda-sorta-robot bat sidekick. Kivat's bite causes the belt (and Fangire GameFace FacialMarkings) to appear, and Wataru places Kivat into place as the buckle to initiate transformation. The [[PoweredArmor IXA system]] requires the IXA Knuckle weapon, which links up with the belt that ''totally'' wasn't there before [[AWizardDidIt simply being in place]] when its user needs to trigger a transformation - no special effects, no sound, nothing, just having appeared between shots. The show generally acts as if the Knuckle is the only part that matters, as seen in episodes where you get this sequence: (1) User is hit hard enough to demorph. (2) IXA Knuckle goes flying. (3) Knuckle is picked up and used, activated by linking it with the belt that's now inexplicably around the new user's waist despite not having been there before. (The belt ''is'' manually attached in the suit's first few appearances though... but only the first few.)
** ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'' does things a little differently, as it is not the Drivers (belts) that do the transformations, but "Gaia Memory" modules. A Driver only protects the user from the [[PsychoSerum drug-like]] effects of the Gaia Memory. The [[MonsterOfTheWeek Monsters of the Fortnight]] uses Memories without Drivers, whereas major characters possess Drivers.
*** For Double himself, he's made up of two people through SharingABody. Shotaro, who forms the body, places the Double Driver buckle on his waist (only the buckle; the ''strap'' is generated from it. Several series' belts are this way.) This causes a copy of the whole apparatus to appear on Philip's waist. Both then insert a Memory for [[ElementalPowers element]] (Philip) and fighting style (Shotaro.) The Memory used by Philip is teleported from his buckle to Shotaro's, who then invokes the transformation. Philip's body passes out as his soul is now within the Double body. When the Fang Memory is used, the suit appears on Philip and it's Shotaro's body that's left uninhabited. When the [[SuperMode Xtreme Memory]] is used, it's a proper FusionDance with both bodies and minds merged into Double. Of course, the two-in-one thing creates some problems, since if they lose synch Double becomes paralyzed, and blocking the driver slot can ruin the transformation.
*** With the belt being manual for Shotaro and just appearing on Philip, ''both'' methods of belt summoning are featured in one rider.
** ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' follows in the tradition of [[Series/KamenRiderDouble Double]], with the belt buckle (the OOO Driver) being a holder for the ''real'' Transformation Trinket, the Core Medals. Eiji then activates the medals by scanning them with a ''third'' device (OOO Scanner) that manifests on the belt whenever he puts on the buckle. As the RuleOfThree is a recurring motif, this isn't accidental.
** ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'' returns to the belt buckle (the Fourze Driver) being the ''real'' Transformation Trinket rather than the collectible items (the Astro Switches). After putting the buckle on, Gentaro flips the buckle's four front switches (not to be confused with the Astro Switches) on, initiating a 3-2-1 countdown after which he pulls a side lever to transform. The Astro Switches activate different weapons on the arms or legs, and certain special ones enable form changes. However, the [[MonsterOfTheWeek Zodiarts]] use Zodiarts Switches to transform, and the [[CoDragons Horoscopes]] have special unique Switches.

** ''Series/KamenRiderGaim'' has each Rider using a Sengoku Driver belt, which transforms them after placing a Lock Seed into the belt's empty slot. The belts initiate the transformation, but the actual power to transform comes from the Seeds. It's a ''Double'' situation where the Driver makes a harmful power source safe. [[spoiler: Which will come in handy when the AlienKudzu that spawns the fruits that the Lock Seeds are made from ''replaces all plant life, as it is expected to in ten years.'']]
** ''Series/KamenRiderDrive'' has a fancy belt, and it's called... wait for it... [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment the Drive Driver]]. However, it's actually a RobotBuddy type AI that is ''actually'' actually [[spoiler: the inventor of the tech, who saved himself by BrainUploading.]] Shinnosuke calls him "Mr. Belt." (Belt-san.) Its ever changing display is full of {{Mythology Gag}}s, taking on a face like Kivat (the last sentient belt) or a spinning wheel that resembles the turning of the turbines in the Typhoon belts. But for the first time since ''Series/KamenRiderAmazon,'' the belt ''isn't'' the full transformation device. It is a two-parter where the Shift Cars are placed in the arm-worn Shift Brace, for a transformation process that's nigh identical to that seen in ''[[Series/ResshaSentaiToQger ToQger]],'' which it airs alongside, while it requires the belt to detect and process the powers of the shift car inserted, (as seen in episode 3 where he can't transform until Tridoron delivers it JustInTime and he dons it, despite the fact that he'd already been wearing the Shift Brace and had a Shift Car.)
*** However, the Secondary and Third Riders have their own transformation trinkets, and their own drivers. This time, Mach and Chaser had a non-sentient belt called the "Mach Driver Honou" with the trinkets being known as "Signal Bikes". Fortunately, Shift Cars can be used in the Mach Driver, and the same goes the other way around.
*** For Kamen Rider Chaser, he used to have a hand held gun as his transformation device, with his power-up trinkets being dark Shift Cars, known as Viral Cores. [[spoiler: His former identity was "Mashin Chaser". ]]
** ''Series/KamenRiderGhost'' goes back to having a common type of transformation trinket for all Riders. This time, the Eyecons are {{Soul Jar}}s containing the souls of famous historical figures from around the world, such as UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi, UsefulNotes/IsaacNewton, [[UsefulNotes/{{Tutankhamun}} King Tut]], Benkei, and Creator/TheBrothersGrimm, which the heroes can channel.
** ''Series/KamenRiderAmazons'' subverts this. The Amazons are bio-organic weapons and so their transformation is a biologically innate process. What the belt does is enhance their monster body.
** In ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'' some of the trinkets will give the Riders their forms, while others will summon extra armor over said forms for them to Level Up. This time, however, the trinkets are video-game-cartridge-like devices known as "Gashats," 'gashat' being onomatopoeia for the sound of an old-school game cartridge being inserted. The Gamer Driver belt holds two slots; the first for a base form Gashat and the second for an armor Gashat. The most powerful Gashats tend to take up both slots by themselves. Also, when unused, the extra armor takes the form of a humanoid machine, known as a "Gamer".
*** The Gashacon Bugvisor (and its updated version, the Bugvisor II), in addition to being a weapon, can be turned into the Buggle Driver (II), which only has one slot, but can be used to transform into Level X forms using Gashats that aren't compatible with the Gamer Driver.
** ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'' has both the heroes and the villains using products derived from [[AppliedPhlebotinum Nebula Gas]] in conjunction with other devices to transform.
*** The titular Build uses the Build Driver in conjunction with pairs of Fullbottles, one Organic-type and one Inorganic-type. He can use any pair, but [[SetBonus specific pairs]] give him more powerful Best Match forms. His more [[MidSeasonUpgrade powerful]] [[SuperMode forms]] use special bottles that take up both slots. He also gets the Hazard Trigger, which allows him to upgrade any of his forms into more powerful Hazard forms. However, using it [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique turns him into a mindless berserker]] if he uses it for too long. One of his MidSeasonUpgrade forms allows him to use the Hazard Trigger Safely at the cost of being limited to only two specialized (but powerful) forms [[spoiler: and the Genius Bottle's purification properties outright nullify the drawbacks, allowing the Hazard Trigger to further enhance his capabilities in Genius Form.]]
*** The Secondary Rider Cross-Z also uses the Build Driver, but uses an add-on that lets him transform with only a single Fullbottle. After a period of using the new Sclash Driver (detailed below), he switches back to the Build Driver and gets a new weapon that also allows him to transform into his SuperMode. [[spoiler: Grease, near the end, gets a similar weapon and SuperMode, albeit one that's [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique harmful for him to use to transform]].]]
*** Members of Faust use the Transteam Gun with Lost Bottles to transform into Rider-esque forms. However, the power level of the transformation is fixed as opposed to the actual Kamen Riders, so the two most prominent users are forced to either upgrade into Kamen Riders or compensate with other powers. The crossover movie with ''Ex-Aid'' introduces the Nebulasteam Gun, which uses "Gear" Bottles to transform into Kaisers and is used by the movie's villains. An updated version is later used in the main series by the Hell Bros.
*** Later, the Sclash Driver is built, which uses a Sclashjelly to transform and Fullbottles to get new abilities. Cross-Z uses this belt for a time to become Cross-Z Charge, while the Third Rider Grease uses the same belt with a different Sclashjelly. Kamen Rider Rogue also uses the Sclash Driver, but uses a special "Crack" Fullbottle instead.
*** [[spoiler: Evolt uses his own unique belt and bottles, the Evol Driver and Evol Bottles, which allow him to transform into Kamen Rider Evol. It's also compatible with the Fullbottles, allowing the use of Build's weapons with its related Fullbottle. Kamen Rider Mad Rogue also uses the Evol Driver, but uses Fullbottles instead.]]
** ''Series/KamenRiderZiO'': Uses a similar system to ''Ex-Aid'', with one primary Ridewatch (the series' Transformation Trinket) used for the base form, and a second Ridewatch to access armors. However, as this is a MilestoneCelebration series, the secondary Ridewatches (and their respective armors) are all based on past Heisei era-Kamen Riders. The Decade Ridewatch is unique since Decade was also a Kamen Rider who could transform into other Riders, so his Ridewatch comes with a third slot.
*** The Tertiary Rider Woz uses a completely separate belt and set of Miraidwatches based on ''future'' Kamen Riders from an alternate timeline that was temporarily created due to time travel shenanigans. [[spoiler: The Woz that becomes Kamen Rider Woz also hails from this timeline.]]
*** The main duo later get special Ridewatches for their MidSeasonUpgrade. Zi-O's Zi-O 2 Ridewatch splits into two and occupies both slots while Geiz's Revive Ridewatch is based on an hourglass and switches forms based on which side is facing up
** ''Series/KamenRiderZeroOne'' puts a few spins on this. While it uses the same "belt and key" setup that's been standard since ''Double'', the series is distinct because by the final episode there are '''eleven''' different kinds of transformation belts in play. There are also two kinds of "key" items, but the main difference between them is whether they represent living animals (Progrise Keys) or extinct ones (Zetsumerise Keys). The Keys also require authorization in order to be usable; most Riders simply scan the Key in front of their belt, while Vulcan [[CowboyCop absolutely refuses to have his actions regulated]] and forces them open with brute strength. The villains' Forceriser belts also force Keys open, but do so mechanically.
*** As in some past seasons, the MonsterOfTheWeek also has a transformation device, but it's a two-step process just like the Riders. Firstly the villain will place the belt buckle on a [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots Humagear]]'s waist, which infects them with malware that causes them to go berserk, then they slot in a Zetsumerise Key that transforms them into a monster based off of an extinct animal.
*** [[spoiler:Kamen Rider Ark-Zero is a special case among this series's drivers in that it doesn't require a "key" for transformation. Just pressing the button on the Ark Driver initiates the transformation. However, durring Aruto's time as a FallenHero near the end of the series, he takes up the driver and uses a new Progrise Key with it to become Kamen Rider Ark-One.]]
** ''Series/KamenRiderSaber'' has the Wonder Ride books and the [=SworDriver=]. The books are themed after a mythical creature, real creature, or fairy tale and are inserted into the first, second, or third slot of the [=SworDriver=] respectively. The three riders who use it have one book that activates their primary form (''[[OurDragonsAreDifferent Brave Dragon]]'' for Saber with [[PlayingWithFire Kaenken Rekka]], ''[[KingOfBeasts Lion Senki]]'' for Blades with [[MakingASplash Suiseiken Nagare]], ''[[Literature/{{Aladdin}} Lamp do Alangina]]'' for Espada with [[ShockAndAwe Raimeiken Ikazuchi]]), and can add others to the other slots in order to get power boosts. Regardless of the number of books or type of them inserted, they always unsheathe their [[CoolSword Seikens]] to initiate the transformation.
*** There's also Kamen Rider Buster, Kamen Rider Kenzan, Kamen Rider Slash, Kamen Rider Sabela and Kamen Rider Durendal, who each use their [[CoolSword actual swords]] instead of the [=SworDriver=]. Their swords only have one slot, but they can remove their transformation books to add a single power up Wonder Ride book at a time.
*** Kamen Rider Calibur also uses his sword to transform, but it also comes with a belt component. He scans the book with his sword first, then inserts the book into the belt.
*** Kamen Rider Saikou is an odd case in that instead of wielding a sword, his base Rider form ''is'' the sword. Thus, he just has a belt component and book. He can also use ''[[ShowWithinAShow X SwordMan]]'' to gain a more corporeal SuperForm.
*** Kamen Rider Falchion uses the unique Haken [=BlaDriver=] (basically the [=SworDriver=] with only its right slot left open) and the ''[[ThePhoenix Eternal Phoenix]]'' Wonder Ride Book. Bahato only has just that book. And then comes the V-Cinext film which has ''[[OurSirensAreDifferent Amazing Siren]]'' taking the place of ''Eternal Phoenix''.
*** [[spoiler:Kamen Rider Solomon is a unique case where he needs no sword to get his transformation done. He just needs to insert his ''[[TheSomethingForce Omniforce]]'' Wonder Ride Book into the Dooms Driver Buckle's holder and press the button on top. The same goes for Kamen Rider Storious, only with ''Grimoire'' replacing ''Omniforce''.]]

** A number of modern belts shout out the names of forms and attacks, sometimes with GratuitousEnglish. Some of the best belong to Faiz (which may have the sexiest voice of any Transformation Trinket), Decade (which has a trademark stutter when announcing finishers--"Final Attack Raido Hi-hi-hi-hibiki", for example), and Wizard (which sings on a loop while primed and waiting to activate a ring).

-->--'''ExpositoryThemeTune''', ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse''

* Similarly, in season 3 of ''Series/BlackLightning'', Agent Odell gives Jefferson a watch that generates a new suit for him with eerily familiar visuals when he applies a 5-volt jolt to it.
* In ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash]]'', Eobard Thawne possesses a ring that contains his supersuit. By activating his ring, his suit is ejected from it and he uses his speed to change into it. In season 5, Barry received a ring of his own from his future daughter Nora.

** Averted with the {{deconstruction}} movie ''Film/ShinKamenRiderPrologue''; let's just say that its protagonist is closer to (a gorier version of) Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk than a Kamen Rider...

* Inverted in ''Fanfic/HildaAndTheHowlingWoods.'' Werewolves will often wear a bit of silver on their persons to ''prevent'' InvoluntaryTransformation.

* ''Literature/{{Bisclavret}}'', a medieval lay by Marie de France, is about a man who [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent turns into a wolf]] for three days every week, after first [[ShapeshiftingExcludesClothing hiding his clothes]] in an abandoned chapel. He literally cannot transform back unless he retrieves them. Oddly, the story doesn't even specify that it's a certain set of clothes, so it might just be whatever outfit that he was wearing before he changed.
** ''The Lay of Melion'' has the same basic plot, except the title character's wife transforms him with a magic ring.

** It should be pointed out that mages are fully capable of using magic without their Devices (Yuuno being a primary example), it's just a lot harder since then they have to do all the calculations for spells in their heads instead of relying on the Devices to do the math for them.

** Inverted in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Link to the Past]]''. Attempting to visit the DarkWorld without a Moon Pearl will turn Link into [[BalefulPolymorph a helpless rabbit-man.]] This happens when Link is briefly transported to the Dark World version of DeathMountain. He cannot use items or defend himself in this form, so he's unable to trek outside the mountain as of yet. Luckily, once he has the Pearl, he can travel wherever he pleases.

*** For [[Manga/KingdomHeartsII the same game's manga adaptation]], it is implied that Riku's blindfold serves as one, as when he takes it off, he's already wearing his new clothing. The game had him remove his BlackCoat manually upon [[EleventhHourRanger joining the party]].

** The series outright states that Sora's newer, [[HeroesWearBlack black clothes]] in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' are the Transformation Trinket for his Drive-Forms and the only thing that actually changes when he "drives" in most worlds. It is also implied during the visit to [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 the Pride Lands]] that these clothes also chance Sora's appearance in FisherKingdom worlds.

* The sequel for ''VideoGame/NiGHTSIntoDreams'' features persona masks that transform the Nightmaren in a Dolphin, Rocket and finally a Dragon.
* ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'':
** In addition to the usual PowerCopying, some games have Copy Essences lying around that grant an ability when touched. In ''[[VideoGame/KirbySuperStar Milky Way Wishes]],'' this is the only way to use special abilities (they're permanent and can be switched at will though).
** Later games give Kirby a [[InfinityPlusOneSword souped-up special ability]], usually in the form of a wand or sword. The item bounces around the screen in place of an Ability Star when you let go of it, implying that it's the source of the ability instead of Kirby's copying power.

* Creator/StudioPierrot:
** ''Anime/MagicalAngelCreamyMami'' has a magic wand in the early shows; and then a star-shaped ring when the wand is lost.
** ''Anime/MagicalStarMagicalEmi'' uses a magic bracelet.
** ''Anime/PersiaTheMagicFairy'' uses a magic baton.
** ''Anime/MagicalStageFancyLala'': Lala uses a magic pen which she wears as a necklace. The pen is decorated with a small clock whose hands [[OlderAlterEgo spin forward]] whenever she transforms.
* Karin Kokubu from ''Manga/SuperPig'' uses a pink compact to transform into the pig [[AnimalSuperheroes Justice Buurin]]. The compact stores a pig's snout which is called by the phrase [[ByThePowerOfGreyskull "BA BI BU BE BOorin!"]], the compact then opens and the snout comes out and attaches to her face in one of the oddest [[TransformationSequence transformation sequences]] in anime. It also apparently is a form of communication of a king of a planet of [[AlienAnimals alien pigs]]. This is definitely one of the [[WidgetSeries more interesting trinkets]].

* In ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'' it's the trinket ''itself'' that transforms, not the magic user. (Her own personal fangirl provides the costumes.) It is a key-like pendant that transforms into a wand, by the way.

* In ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'', the girls didn't originally need transformation pendants, but they were added for the anime. Unlike how they are portrayed in the former page image, the pendants were only part of chokers ''while'' transformed, not before, when they were just carried around like a normal Transformation Trinket. Just for the record. However, this does not explain how Lettuce and Zakuro were able to transform prior to receiving the pendants.
** The [[Anime/TokyoMewMewNew reboot]] does away with said trinkets.

* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'': Exorcist ninja transform into their battle suits (which often include weapons) with some accessory they wear on their person. Matsuri uses a choker which, being somewhat paranoid, he wears everywhere; it [[NonUniformUniform replaces the tie for his school uniform]] and he even [[CantBatheWithoutAWeapon keeps it on while bathing]]. Soga's is a lightning-bolt shaped badge, and Reo's a bracelet. An ayakashi makes a similar devices for Suzu's ayakashi medium outfit in the form of a necklace, which Reo refers to as an "outfitting tool".

* The H.E.R.O. dials in various incarnations of Creator/DCComics' ''ComicBook/{{Dial H for HERO}}''. The twist is the dial's user will turn into a ''different'' superhero each time, completely at random. And the dials seem to prefer [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway "unusual" powers]] to turning the wielder into yet another FlyingBrick.
* Darla Deering uses the "Thing Ring", based on the Thing cartoon mentioned in the WesternAnimation section, to [[InstantArmor summon her Miss Thing]] armor in ''ComicBook/{{FF}}''.
* Dan Garrett, the first ComicBook/BlueBeetle, had the Scarab, which would transform him if he held it and spouted his magic word. Jaime Reyes, the third Blue Beetle, has the Scarab too... [[BodyHorror except it has attached itself to his spine]].
* Jack Ryder used the Molecular Transducer to turn into ComicBook/TheCreeper.
* Rather than transforming him, Rick Jones' Nega-Bands activated a hyperspace link that allowed him to switch places with ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}, an alien hero who was stranded in the Negative Zone.
* The Fly, an Creator/ArchieComics hero, originally used a magic ring to transform into his superhuman form; when Creator/DCComics gained licensed use of the Archie superhero characters and rebooted them under the Impact Comics imprint, it was changed to a fly-in-amber amulet.
* From ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', Winged Victory's logo-shaped necklace serves this function in her civilian form.

* In ''ComicBook/AmethystPrincessOfGemworld'': Amaya can use her amethyst necklace to shift between her Gemworld outfit and her Earth clothes.
* ''ComicBook/SevenSoldiers: Bulleteer'': Sara Smart uses the magical Whistle of the Wind Kings to transform into her super powered Sally Sonic form.

* George's ring in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''. Also [[SoulJar contains part of his soul]]. And yes, he does lose it once.
* The ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' fic ''Fanfic/HopToIt'' has seven artificially created Miraculouses, including a wristwatch (belonging to Jack/Rabbit), a pair of dogtags (belonging to Diego/Perro Negro) and a pair of cuff links (originally belonging to Swan Princess, later stolen by Omega and given to the villain who called himself Trumpeter Swan).

* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13139211/1/Lady-Lucks-Favor Lady Luck's Favor]]'', [[WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom Princess Dorathea]] has her dragon amulet (as in canon), but also has a ring given to her by the court wizard that enables her to pass as a human girl for twelve hours.

* In ''Animation/RedShoesAndTheSevenDwarfs'', the titular magic red shoes allows the main female character to glamour her overweight body and give herself the physique of a thin supermodel.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'': The magical geodes the girls gain in ''Legend of Everfree''. Before that, they could transform with pony ears, ponytails and eventually rainbow colors, but they had little control over it and it didn't involve clothes (except with Daydream Shimmer, which was an AllYourPowersCombined special case). The geodes give much greater control, allowing them to transform at will, and add a MagicalGirl InstantCostumeChange. However, this also introduces the LogicalWeakness that the transformation reverses instantly if a geode is lost, since it now depends on it, as happens to Sunset Shimmer in "Cheer You On".

* Inverted in ''Film/{{Wolf}}'', the amulet is supposed to ''prevent'' Will (Creator/JackNicholson) from transforming but at the end he discards it and becomes a full wolf.

* In ''Film/IronMan2'' Tony has a suitcase which turns into and equips him with one of his Iron Man armor variations via something that is pretty much a TransformationSequence.
** He gains a much more proper one in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' and ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' due to upgrading to nanotech, in the form of the arc reactor on his chest[[note]]which is [[Film/IronMan3 no longer implanted into his chest by this time as he's since removed the shrapnel in his heart]], merely just an attachment on top of it[[/note]]. All he needs to do is tap the chest and [[TransformationSequence the armor forms around him in mere seconds]], making Tony a full on HenshinHero at this point. ''Endgame'' shows it's really just stuck on top of his chest and is easily removable without much effort or any risk of injury.
** Also in ''Endgame'', the time-space GPS developed by Tony, once he successfully finds a working model to time travel, and worn around the palm, also serves as the container for the Quantum Suit, also made nanotech like the above armors. Like the arc reactor above, activating and deactivating the suit only requires the device to be tapped. Likewise, tapping the device initiates time travel once the suit is on. Despite promotional artwork, it cannot be used simultaneously with Tony's Mark 85 armor or Scott's now-nanotech Ant-Man suit. In Rhodey's case, however, since his current War Machine armor isn't nanotech like Tony's, the suit is just integrated into his armor as a protective layer.

* ''Film/NeverCryWerewolf'': Jared uses a charm made from the skin of a dead man to transform into a werewolf whenever he wants.

* ''Series/MadanSenkiRyukendo'' is another case of the weapon itself being the transformation item.
* On ''Series/TheMysticKnightsOfTirNaNog'', the Mystic Weapons are also the transformation trinkets.
* In ''Series/SuperhumanSamuraiSyberSquad,'' the procedure was more involved than most cases: Sam had to bring up the Servo program on his computer, and then play a certain chord on his guitar. The process was automated in a wrist-worn device, so he ''can'' just push a button if he wants, but only seems to do this when he can't do the normal procedure from home.
** For the others, each says a code and does a pose. For Tanker, he tends to clap his drumsticks together, giving a jolt of electricity nobody but the viewer seems to see, when saying his phrase. This seems to be RuleOfCool or RuleOfFunny, because there is really ''no'' reason a totally-non-electronic pair of wooden drumsticks would (or could) have anything to do with the program.
* In the ''Series/StargateSG1'' episode "Foothold", the aliens use a device to appear as members of the SGC. Later in the episode, Sam Carter gets ahold of one of these devices and uses it to turn into her teammate Daniel Jackson.
* The Makai Knights of ''Series/{{Garo}}'' transform by using their weapons to draw circles in the air.
* ''Series/TomicaHeroRescueFire'' combines this with CallingYourAttacks the device in this case is a ''megaphone'' they have to yell ''"Chakusou!"'' into. Fire-4 and Fire-5 use their weapons (swords with microphpones in the hilt) to transform.
** Subverted in ''Series/TomicaHeroRescueForce'', its predecessor. While they indeed use a device to transform (specifically, the Nintendo DS-shaped Rescue Commander and an activation card), they have to enter transformation tubes similar to the aforementioned JAKQ, which gives them their suits. The exception is the movie-exclusive R0, whose suit comes from his vehicle.
* ''{{Series/Merlin|2008}}'' had two villains with these in the episode "Gwaine". They used them to take the identities of knights they killed. They were crystals of some type, activated with a bit of the victim's blood.
* ''Series/OnceUponATime'':
** Similar to the ''Wolf'' one above; [[spoiler: Red Riding Hood's signature red cape is what keeps her genetic werewolf form condition at bay every full moon]]. She often forgoes it when she needs to transform as a distraction, however.
** Regina gives [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 mermaid Ariel]] a bracelet that allows her to assume human form, but with an EquivalentExchange element that forces another person to become a mermaid. Later, after Regina's HeelFaceTurn, she alters the bracelet so that Ariel can assume both human and mermaid forms whenever she desires, without any negative impacts.
* ''Series/BIMASatriaGaruda'' has the red Power Stone for the hero, while apparently differently colored ones are used by villains.
** The sequel season, Bima X, has all of the Power Stones for the Satria Heroes, who succed in recovering them from the villains in the previous season, while the villains used synthetic power stones.
*** Bima, the main Satria Heroes, uses 4 power stones : Red, Blue, Green, and Purple; One to transform, while the rest is used for mode change.
*** The red one is used to transform into Bima X's base form, Bima X Flame Mode, which is the upgrade of his base form in the previous season.
*** The blue one is used to transform Bima into Bima X Storm Mode.
*** The green one is used to transform Bima into Earth Mode.
*** The purple one is used to transform Bima into Magnet Mode.
*** Azazel, the black Satria Heroes, uses the black Power Stone to transform into his base form.
*** [[spoiler: This season also introduce a new Satria Heroes called Satria Harimau Torga, who uses 2 power stones, which are the orange and white, to transform into his base form and his Ice mode respectively]].
*** [[spoiler: Aside from Torga, there is also an evil Satria Heroes called Dark Torga who sides with the villains. He is actually Topeng Besi, a general in the villain army in the previous season, and uses a synthetic power stone to transform]].
* In season 5 of ''Series/Supergirl2015'', Brainy makes Kara a new nanotech suit (with pants this time) that is activated by her whipping off her glasses in a specific way.
* Similarly, in season 3 of ''Series/BlackLightning'', Agent Odell gives Jefferson a watch that generates a new suit for him with eerily familiar visuals when he applies a 5-volt jolt to it.

* The 3-D ''[[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda]]'' games are known for these.
** Inverted in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Link to the Past]]''. Attempting to visit the DarkWorld without a Moon Pearl will turn Link into [[BalefulPolymorph a helpless rabbit-man.]] This happens when Link is briefly transported to the Dark World version of DeathMountain. He cannot use items or defend himself in this form, so he's unable to trek outside the mountain as of yet. Luckily, once he has the Pearl, he can travel wherever he pleases.
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'', several masks are used to transform Link into other races, and the Fierce Deity Mask transforms him into... guess what.
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', Zant curses Link into permanent Wolf form using a black crystal. After the curse is broken, Midna is able to use it to transform Link at any given time. Also, the first set of PlotCoupons essentially act like this for Midna.
* ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe'' has the V-Watches. Henshin a go-go, baby!

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Pokémon Platinum]]'' has two items for the purposes of transforming two Pokémon between their alternate forms. The Griseous Orb allows Giratina take on its Origin Forme in the real world, and the Gracidea flower allows Shaymin to take on its [[{{Flight}} Sky Forme]]. For the latter though, the transformation does not work at night and it can be canceled by Shaymin getting [[StatusEffects frozen]].
** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' introduces "Mega Evolutions", which allow a small selection of Pokémon to take on their SuperMode forms during battle. The Transformation Trinket required to make it work comes in two parts: a Mega Stone to be held by the Pokémon, with every Pokémon that is able to Mega Evolve needing a specific stone, and a Key Stone to be held by the trainer (usually in the form of an accessory such as a ring or bracelet), which is used to actually trigger the evolution.
** Other items that trigger some specific Pokémon's forme changes include: the Red and Blue Orbs (triggers Primal Reversion on Kyogre and Groudon, in the Gen III remakes at least), the DNA Splicers (allowing Kyurem to [[FusionDance merge]] with either Reshiram or Zekrom to become White Kyurem and Black Kyurem, respectively), the Reveal Glass (Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus into their Therian Formes) the Prison Bottle (Hoopa Confined into Hoopa Unbound), and Ultranecrozium Z (Dawn Wings/Dusk Mane Necrozma into Ultra Necrozma). The Zygarde Cube, aside from storing Zygarde Cells and Cores, technically functions as another one, since the player can use the Cube to switch a Zygarde (with all 100 of its pieces) between its 10% and 50% Formes.
* ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'':
** In addition to the usual PowerCopying, some games have Copy Essences lying around that grant an ability when touched. In ''[[VideoGame/KirbySuperStar Milky Way Wishes]],'' this is the only way to use special abilities (they're permanent and can be switched at will though).
** Later games give Kirby a [[InfinityPlusOneSword souped-up special ability]], usually in the form of a wand or sword. The item bounces around the screen in place of an Ability Star when you let go of it, implying that it's the source of the ability instead of Kirby's copying power.
* In ''VideoGame/MuppetMonsterAdventure'' , the main character Robin the Frog can channel the powers of the monsters that his uncle Kermit and his friends have been transformed into with the help of special amulets. The Werebear amulet turns him into a werebear with the power to climb any climbable surface, the Muck Monster one turns him into a swamp creature with the power to swim underwater, the Nose-feratu one gives him flight and turns him into a bat, the [=KerMonster=] one turns him into a frankenstein-like creature with super strength, and the Bride of [=KerMonster=] one turns him into a Bride Of Frankenstein-like character with a superpowerful karate chop that can smash down doors.
* ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'' has the Princess Heart Transform Costume, which is activated by a key-shaped trinket.
* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', once you collected the required GreenRocks. The most famous being the seven [[MineralMacGuffin Chaos Emeralds]] to become [[SuperMode Super]], on in [[ActionGirl Blaze's]] case, the seven Sol Emeralds.
** The ''VideoGame/SonicStorybookSeries'' also bring us two new forms thanks to the seven [[VideoGame/SonicAndTheSecretRings World Rings]], and four [[VideoGame/SonicAndTheBlackKnight Sacred Swords]].
** ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' (and the ''Sonic Colors'' stages of ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''[[note]]as well as ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' and ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' [[AssPull for some reason]][[/note]]) had them in the form of the Wisps, small aliens who would allow Sonic to change into different forms for a brief period of time.
* The sequel for ''VideoGame/NiGHTSIntoDreams'' features persona masks that transform the Nightmaren in a Dolphin, Rocket and finally a Dragon.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Amagon}}'', Amagon only becomes able to transform into Megagon once the Mega-key is found.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'', the main cast members possess colored crystal orbs called Dragoon Spirits that allow them to change into winged, armored warriors, complete with TransformationSequence.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Elona}}+'', Shift Cores are extremely rare items (you can only obtain one by [[MakeAWish wishing for it]]) that temporarily change your appearance on top of granting a major boost to some stats, but you need to have a full gauge to use them.
* The bosses you fight in ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'' games use transformation trinkets to access their battle forms. The trinkets differ depending on the games: The trinket in the first game looks like a sword (thus the bosses are collectivelly called the Swordsmen), in [[VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt2 the second game]] it's a book (due to its FairyTaleMotif), and in ''VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX'' it's a shirt pin shaped like a feather (thus the bosses are called Winged Warriors, or Falcons). In addition, the trinkets in the first two games are also explicitly stated as PowerLimiter, as the adepts cannot use the full extent of their powers without activating the trinkets.

* In ''VisualNovel/LongLiveTheQueen'' you will need to go through quests to obtain your mother's magic crystal in order to officially become a magical girl and get the sparkly transformation sequence. After doing it once, though, the crystal becomes part of you, so you can't lose it.

* In ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'', Zoë's transformations into a camel are tied to a necklace given to her by Torg. She ''wishes'' she could conveniently lose the necklace somewhere, but after her first transformation it changed into a seemingly unremovable tattoo. Zoë doesn't mind the tattoo itself too much, but desperately wants to get rid of it so her friends can't turn her into a camel whenever they're feeling mischievous.
* In ''Webcomic/AgentsOfTheRealm'', each Agent has an amulet made from part of the Provenance which enables transformation into FrillsOfJustice.
* Yuuki in ''Webcomic/SparklingGenerationValkyrieYuuki'' (a parody of MagicalGirl shows) transforms by use of a brooch. The brooch turns its user into a magical girl (technically, a Valkyrie) which is unfortunate for Yuuki, who was [[GenderBender originally a guy]].
** It's not so much a brooch as a magical jewel ''embedded in her chest''. Which does deal with the whole "broken, lost or stolen" thing - if any of those happened, Yuuki would be much more worried about bleeding to death than not having access to Valkyrie powers.
* Each member of the ''Webcomic/{{Panthera}}'' team has an amulet on a necklace "that contain[s] minerals that ease the transformation and help focus [their] elemental power" [[http://www.pantheracomic.com/?p=664]].
* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', the Transformation Gun derived Cat Belt which has two buttons "Feline" and "Human".

* In ''Webcomic/ToPreventWorldPeace'', every MagicalGirl has one. Focus items can be summoned at will (sorta like Sora's keyblade) and are necessary for transforming. If they ever break . . . it's not good.

* ''Webcomic/AliceAndTheNightmare'': Rougina's horns used to be this, enabling her {{shapeshifting}}, but she lost them before the start of the story, and the ability with them.
* Mages in ''Webcomic/LeifAndThorn'' use brooches, apparently all brightly-colored crystals in metallic settings.

* In ''Webcomic/KakikomiMagicalGirls'', magical stationary items from Anshin Design Lab act as trinkets for {{Magical Girl}}s. They turn into weapons as well.

* Subverted in ''Literature/SailorNothing'', where Himei's Transformation Trinket is an enchanted version of a cheap plastic pendant she bought as a MagicalGirl fangirl. She then proceeds to muse:
-->Was the Holy Grail a 7-11 Big Gulp cup that someone spiffied up? The magic of it all was very dazzling, but I should have KNOWN something was wrong from the start. This wasn't how it [[YouWatchTooMuchX happened on TV]]. It wasn't this much of a hack job.
* The Dimensional Guardians from the web fiction serial ''Literature/DimensionHeroes'' use bands called Guardian Bands to transform into their battle armor. Before the protagonists discovered their powers, they were often thought of as pieces of jewelry.

* Linkara's Power Morpher and Zeonizer in ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall''.

* The ''Franchise/FantasticFour'' guest appearance in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'' saw him being given this ability by Doctor Doom, but, of course, [[StatusQuoIsGod he doesn't get to keep it for good]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TenkoAndTheGuardiansOfTheMagic'' featured the Starfire Gems. In a somewhat uncommon usage, the gems are not tied to any one particular person and each contains unique powers. While in the series, the characters have their own gems that they use almost exclusively, there's nothing to stop them from using another if the situation arose where it would be beneficial. Likewise, the gems each contained powers that could be used outside the transformed state, so it was more common for the characters, both hero and villain, to use their preferred gem to transform and others for their own utility.

* In ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'', the girls didn't originally need transformation pendants, but they were added for the anime. Unlike how they are portrayed in the former page image, the pendants were only part of chokers ''while'' transformed, not before, when they were just carried around like a normal Transformation Trinket. Just for the record.

** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'' uses their respective mascots to transform equivalent to ''Mahou'' minus
[[MacGuffin the attachable items]]. [[SixthRanger Amane]], in the other hand, uses pendant.

** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'' uses their respective mascots to transform equivalent to ''Mahou'' minus a need of [[MacGuffin an item]] to activate. [[SixthRanger Amane]], in the other hand, uses pendant.

** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'' uses their respective mascots to transform equivalent to ''Mahou''(but without a need of [[MacGuffin item]] to activate). [[SixthRanger Amane]], in the other hand, uses pendant.

** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'' uses their respective mascots to transform equivalent to [[Anime/MahoGirlsPrecure Mahou]] (but without a need of [[MacGuffin item]] to activate). [[SixthRanger Amane]], in the other hand, uses pendant.

** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'' uses their respective mascots to transform equivalent to [[MahoGirlsPrecure Mahou]] (but without a need of [[MacGuffin item]] to activate). [[SixthRanger Amane]], in the other hand, uses pendant.

** ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5'' uses the wrist-mounted Pinky Catch, then goes back to the cell phone (but without mascots inside), this time called Cure-Mo. [[SixthRanger Kurumi]] uses eye shadow palette-like item to transform, which is also required to fusing powers for another item to become [[MidSeasonUpgrade her second weapon]].

** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'' uses their respective mascots to transform equivalent to MahouTsukai, (but without [[MacGuffin item]] inserted) . Amane, in the other hand, uses pendant.

** ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5'' uses the wrist-mounted Pinky Catch, then goes back to the cell phone (but without mascots inside), this time called Cure-Mo.

** ''Anime/HealinGoodPrettyCure'' uses batons with the mascots embedded in it. Said batons are also what they use in their moves.
** ''Anime/TropicalRougePrettyCure'' uses compacts and jewelery rings.

** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' introduces "Mega Evolutions", which allows a small selection of pokémon to take on their SuperMode forms during battle. The Transformation Trinket required to make it work comes in two parts: a Mega Stone to be held by the Pokémon, with every Pokémon that is able to Mega Evolve needing a specific stone, and a Key Stone to be held by the trainer (usually in the form of an accessory such as a ring or bracelet), which is used to actually trigger the evolution.

** While not a Manakete, the Avatar in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', along with any of their potential children, can also use a Dragonstone to transform. [[spoiler: In their case, it's needed to retain their sanity and avoid going on a rampage like when their power first awakened.]] Beaststones also make a return, being used by {{kitsune}} and [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent wolfskin]] races to transform.

* [[Franchise/DragonBallZ]] pulls a satire of this concept when Gohan tries to hide his identity. He goes to Bulma for help, and she provides him with a watch, which contains a costume (completely with goofy-looking helmet) that transforms him into the GREAT SAIYAMAAAAAAN!!! When Videl finds out about this, she gets in on the act and gets a matching outfit to become the Great Saiyawoman.

* [[Anime/DragonBallZ]] pulls a satire of this concept when Gohan tries to hide his identity. He goes to Bulma for help, and she provides him with a watch, which contains a costume (completely with goofy-looking helmet) that transforms him into the GREAT SAIYAMAAAAAAN!!! When Videl finds out about this, she gets in on the act and gets a matching outfit to become the Great Saiyawoman.