History Main / TransformationTrinket

* Karin Kokubu from ''AiToYuukiNoPigGirlTondeBuurin'' (better known as Super Pig for some) uses a pink compact with 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 most 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 [[WeirdJapaneseThing more interesting trinkets]].

** [[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 with the belt that's now around the new user's waist. (The belt is manually attached in the suit's first few appearances though... but only the first few.)

** ''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 level to transform.
** Subverted in ''KamenRiderTheFirst'' and ''[[KamenRiderTheNext The Next]]'', [[TheRemake remakes]] of [[Series/KamenRider the original series]] and ''{{Kamen Rider V3}}'' respectively. The "Hoppers" have their traditional Cyclone belts, but no actual transformation is involved - instead, they simply change into their costumes by removing the civilian clothing worn over them and donning their helmets. Sometimes it's even hard to tell when transformation ''takes place,'' as we cut from an un-suited Rider spinning the Cyclone's wheel to the suited Rider donning the helmet, with no 'ceremony' whatsoever. The ''entire suit'' is like the IXA belt: just in place as needed, no attention called to it, when did that get there?

** A bit of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: We actually don't see change devices until [[DenjiSentaiDenziman the fourth series]]. In ''HimitsuSentaiGoranger,'' the unmorphed Ranger jumps and yells "Go!" and a RepeatCut has them fly through the air again, but now suited (meaning we also don't get the first TransformationSequence in season one, either.) In ''JAKQDengekitai,'' the heroes must enter "strengthening capsules", little booths that suit them up. There's a set on the base and a set on their plane. In ''BattleFeverJ'' the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes. (This was most likely [[TheArtifact an artifact]] of the show's [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original intentions]] of being a Japanese adaptation of CaptainAmerica.)

** A bit of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: We actually don't see change devices until [[DenziSentaiDenziman the fourth series]]. In ''HimitsuSentaiGoranger,'' the unmorphed Ranger jumps and yells "Go!" and a RepeatCut has them fly through the air again, but now suited (meaning we also don't get the first TransformationSequence in season one, either.) In ''JAKQDengekitai,'' the heroes must enter "strengthening capsules", little booths that suit them up. There's a set on the base and a set on their plane. In ''BattleFeverJ'' the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes. (This was most likely [[TheArtifact an artifact]] of the show's [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original intentions]] of being a Japanese adaptation of CaptainAmerica.)

** A bit of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: We actually don't see change devices until the fourth series. In ''HimitsuSentaiGoranger,'' the unmorphed Ranger jumps and yells "Go!" and a RepeatCut has them fly through the air again, but now suited (meaning we also don't get the first TransformationSequence in season one, either.) In ''JAKQDengekitai,'' the heroes must enter "strengthening capsules", little booths that suit them up. There's a set on the base and a set on their plane. In ''BattleFeverJ'' the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes. (This was most likely [[TheArtifact an artifact]] of the show's [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original intentions]] of being a Japanese adaptation of CaptainAmerica.)

** Before them, MightyMorphinPowerRangers' Power Coins did way more than morph the Rangers (which, under special circumstances, they could do without the morphers.)
*** In ''PowerRangersRPM,'' it's Engine Cells. A variety of them are placed in a variety of things, including the morphers (cell phones for [[PowerTrio the primary colors]], wrist-worn for [[ThreePlusTwo Green and Black]], weapons for [[SixthRanger Gold and Silver]]. However, they're much less of a plot point unto themselves than Ranger Keys or Turbo Keys, let alone Power Coins or [[KamenRiderOOO Core Medals]].

** A bit of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: We actually don't see change devices until the fourth series. In ''HimitsuSentaiGoranger,'' the unmorphed Ranger jumps and yells "Go!" and a RepeatCut has them fly through the air again, but now suited (meaning we also don't get the first TransformationSequence in season one, either.) In ''JAKQDengekitai,'' the heroes must enter "strengthening capsules,'' little booths that suit them up. There's a set on the base and a set on their plane. In ''BattleFeverJ'' the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes. (This was most likely [[TheArtifact an artifact]] of the show's [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original intentions]] of being a Japanese adaptation of CaptainAmerica.)

* The titular mask from the 1994 comedy ''TheMask'' (and its comic counterpart).

* ''KaitouSaintTail'' used what appeared to be a pendant on a chain, but [[ChristianityIsCatholic it's an incense holder]].
* ''Anime/CorrectorYui'' had another wrist-mounted device; they're getting popular in recent years, aren't they?

* ''PrettyCure'': The first few continuities use cell phone-like items (which weren't actually operatable as cellphones) in which their {{Weasel Mascot}}s lived. ''YesPrettyCure5'' uses the wrist-mounted Pinky Catch, then goes back to the cell phone (but without mascots inside). On the other hand, ''FreshPrettyCure'' had a handheld kind of cellphone that resembled an eletronic notebook, while ''HeartcatchPrettyCure'' has perfume bottles.

* ''{{Digimon}}'' has the various incarnations of the Digivice. Instead of transforming the user, however, Digivices transform the user's BondCreature partner (except in ''Tamers'' in the case of Bio-Merging, and in ''Frontier'' where there are no partners). Other TransformationTrinkets across the various canons, generally used in conjunction with the Digivice, include the [[DigimonAdventure crests]], [[DigimonAdventure02 Digimentals]], [[DigimonTamers TCG cards]] and [[DigimonFrontier legendary spirits]].

* ''TekkamanBlade'' used small crystal "sculptures." After Blade's crystal is shattered, it's installed into a HumongousMecha.

A Transformation Trinket is an object which is the source of your shapeshifting powers, or at least a focus for them. It is vitally necessary to have your transformation trinket on your person in order to [[PowerMakeover change into]] your SuperpoweredAlterEgo. They're common among {{Henshin Hero}}es, and are almost always activated ByThePowerOfGreyskull.

** The only series to subvert this trope is ''BattleFeverJ''; the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes. This was most likely [[TheArtifact an artifact]] of the show's [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original intentions]] of being a Japanese adaptation of CaptainAmerica.

* ''CorrectorYui'' had another wrist-mounted device; they're getting popular in recent years, aren't they?

* Linkara's Power Morpher and Zeonizer.

* [[{{He-ManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse}} He-man]] had the Sword Of Power.
** [[{{Ptitleysua9qy1}} She-Ra]] had the Sword of Protection, which was basically the Sword of Power with a few extra tricks and a jewel.

Reliance on a your Transformation Trinket can be an AchillesHeel: [[PhlebotinumBreakdown they are subject to theft, loss, and breakage]]. Clever villains may also discover how to jam them and [[BroughtDownToNormal block your transformation ability]]. If your powers are mystical in nature, your trinket might not work unless you have self-confidence or faith in the righteousness of your cause. Beware that chances are you ''will'' be in a dangerous situation where the trinket is just out of reach and you'll be frantically reaching for it saying "IfICanOnlyMove..." The exception is if the object is a ClingyMacGuffin.

[[MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/TransformationTrinket.jpg]]

* On ''TheMysticKnightsOfTirNaNog'', the Mystic Weapons are also the transformation trinkets.

If you are a [[HenshinHero Japanese-style transforming superhero]], then there is an extremely high probability that you have a Transformation Trinket: an object which is either the source of your powers, or at least a focus for them. It is vitally necessary to have your transformation trinket on your person in order to [[PowerMakeover change into]] your SuperpoweredAlterEgo. They are almost always activated ByThePowerOfGreyskull.

While a magical girl usually has a piece of [[PowerCrystal jewelry]] or magic implement (staff, wand, etc.) as her transformation trinket, it can be anything. Belts and belt buckles are common, as are wristbands. Cellphones are also becoming popular, but moreso with {{Toku}} characters. Weapons also sometimes double as Transformation Trinkets. Sometimes swipe-cards, keys or entry-codes are used in conjunction with the item.

** The only series to subvert this trope is ''BattleFeverJ''; the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes. This was most likely an artifact of the show's original intentions of being a Japanese adaptation of CaptainAmerica.

** ''KamenRiderOOO'' looks to be following in the tradition of [[KamenRiderDouble Double]], with the belt buckle (the OOO Driver) being a holder for the ''real'' TransformationTrinket, the Core Medals. He 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.

** The only series to subvert this trope is BattleFeverJ; the heroes would literally have to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman put on their uniforms]] as though they were just another change of clothes.

** There are seven forms this time in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' (it even brought the Fire Flower to 3-D, if only temporarily). There's also an opposite called the Ice Flower that grants Ice Powers. The ''SuperStar'' was replaced by a Rainbow Star wih an added speed boost, and this game has two flying abilities: a Red Star (exclusive to TheHub, sorry) turns Mario into Flying Mario, and a Bee Mushroom that gives him the hovering Bee Suit. There's even a Boo Mushroom that turns him into, (yep, you guessed it) Boo Mario who can float in the air and pass through certain walls. And finally there's the Spring Mushroom which turns Mario into Spring Mario and grants him super-jumps.