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{{trope}}
{{quote|"[[Batman|That man]] won't quit as long as he can still draw a breath. None of [[Justice League (animation)|my teammates]] will. Me? I've got a different problem. I feel like I live in a '''[[Trope Namer|world]] [[Beam Me Up, Scotty|made]] [[Trope Namer|of cardboard]]''', always taking constant care not to break something, to break ''someone''. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could ''die''. But you can take it, can't you, [[Darkseid|big man]]? [[Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner|What we have here]] [[I Am Not Left-Handed|is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose]] and show you just how powerful I ''really'' am."
|'''[[Superman]]'''|''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''.}}
A fundamental part of telling a story is conflict: you want the hero to have their problems and, hopefully, overcome them in a satisfactory manner. In many cases that conflict is entirely external; the [[Big Bad]] is plotting to [[Take Over the World]] and [[The Hero]] is out to stop them. But there is also that conflict which is emotional; it exists in their mind and usually forms a mental block that they cannot break through.
▲{{quote|"[[Batman|That man]] won't quit as long as he can still draw a breath. None of [[Justice League|my teammates]] will. Me? I've got a different problem. I feel like I live in a '''[[Trope Namer|world]] [[Beam Me Up, Scotty|made]] [[Trope Namer|of cardboard]]''', always taking constant care not to break something, to break ''someone''. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could ''die''. But you can take it, can't you, [[Darkseid|big man]]? [[Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner|What we have here]] [[I Am Not Left-Handed|is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose]] and show you just how powerful I ''really'' am."|'''[[Superman]]''', ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''.}}
A '''"World of Cardboard"
▲A fundamental part of telling a story is conflict: you want the hero to have their problems and, hopefully, overcome them in a satisfactory manner. In many cases that conflict is entirely external; the [[Big Bad]] is plotting to [[Take Over the World]] and [[The Hero]] is out to stop them. But there is also that conflict which is emotional; it exists in their mind and usually forms a mental block that they cannot break through.
In effect, this is a [[Eureka Moment]] that leads to a [[Heroic Resolve]]. The speech itself can vary depending on the revelation, but the crux of this trope revolves around the epiphany. Universal to all of these speeches is that realization and being subsequently empowered because of it.
▲A "World of Cardboard" speech is where the hero acknowledges that this mental block has been limiting them. And because of a recent personal revelation about themselves and/or their situation, they have found a way to excel past their previous limits. This trope is heavily dependent on the context of the story and the life of the character. Despite the room [[Tropes Are Flexible|for variation]], each speech has to follow the same pattern to be a world of cardboard speech: the hero is having trouble from an emotional/psychological viewpoint, the hero has a powerful revelation, and then they give the speech.
▲In effect, this is a [[Eureka Moment]] that leads to a [[Heroic Resolve]]. The speech itself can vary depending on the revelation, but the crux of this trope revolves around the epiphany. Universal to all of these speeches is that realization and being subsequently empowered because of it.
Because of how dependent it is on the individual character and story, the speech can overlap with any number of tropes, due to the context, and can come in many different variations:
* The hero says [[I Am What I Am]], realizing that he or she doesn't have to be ashamed.
* [[The Summation|A mild contemplation]] at the end of the story, possibly even after the [[Big Bad]] has been defeated, and the hero explains the revelation long after the fact.
* [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]] against the villain. In this case, the hero has a renewing of confidence ''because'' he realizes how pathetic the villain is. This may overlap with a [[Kirk Summation]].
* A [[Shut UP, Hannibal]], which is short and to the point. The epiphany is still there, but they don't feel the need to illustrate their thoughts with a powerpoint presentation.
* The hero [[Does Not Know His Own Strength]] (or, perhaps, is all too aware of it), but realizes that ''now'', in this place and circumstance, [[Godzilla Threshold|shouldn't hold back]]. This is the context of the [[Trope Namer]] speech.
* In a [[Coming of Age]] story, the hero accepts [[The Call]], rejecting immaturity, irresponsibility, and in effect, childhood.
* A loner and/or [[Death Seeker]], finding something [[Worth Living For]].
Named for a popular scene from ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' featuring Superman. Fans have long complained about how widely his [[Power Levels|power level]] [[Strong
As for how to interpret the name along with the trope, for most of the examples the world isn't nearly as fragile as Superman sees it, but they still view their own personal world as being far more brittle than it really is. And so the "world of cardboard" revelation is that ''it isn't'' as easy to break as they thought it was. Incidentally, because this is supposed to be a big deal for the individual in question, what usually follows is a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]].
[[Break Them
You can expect a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] if the villain attempts [[Breaking Them By Talking]] and the hero responds with a World Of Cardboard Speech. The villain may respond with "[[This Is Gonna Suck]]."
Compare [[Right Makes Might]], [[Rousing Speech]], [[Heroic Second Wind]], [[He's Back]], [[Fridge Brilliance]], [[Let's Get Dangerous]], [[Patrick Stewart Speech]].
[[I Thought It Meant|Not to be confused with]] a ''literal'' [[
{{examples}}
▲== Anime & Manga ==
* In ''[[Tsukihime]]'', Shiki's [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] comes when he manages to [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?|scare Roa shitless]] with one of these: [[Justified Trope|justified]] in that to him, the world '''really is''' as flimsy as cardboard:
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** For context, {{spoiler|Roa has previously believed Shiki and he [[Evil Eye|share the power to see death]]. He even goes as far as to thank Shiki for teaching him how to use it. Turns out, what Roa sees are actually the lifelines of living things. Shiki, on the other hand, can see the point of end for all things, including inanimate objects and even the universe itself. The speech is him really drilling in the difference.}}
*** Actually, Shiki's concept of death is limited to the one used on Gaia. {{spoiler|He's been officially declared as unable to bring down ORT or any of the other Ultimate Ones because their concept of death is not the same as Gaia's.}}
* In the finale of ''[[G Gundam]]'', the hero, Domon, does one of these combined with a love confession in one of the most [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming|heartwarming]] moments in the series, and often considered the most genuine love story in the Gundam franchise.
* Chrono of ''[[Chrono Crusade]]'' gets a speech like this near the end of the manga. After {{spoiler|Rosette's death}}, Aion takes the chance to mock Chrono, telling him that he doesn't belong among humans and calling him "my bird that can't fly". He then gives Chrono one last chance to come back to his side, {{spoiler|offering to give him another contractor to replace Rosette}}. This is Chrono's response:
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* In another work of Daisuke Moriyama, ''[[World Embryo]]'', [[The Hero|Riku]], after realized he's being manipulated by {{spoiler|[[Fake Cutie|Adult!Nenee]]}} finally giving this as proof of his defiance. Being [[Seinen]], it was much more [[Cluster F-Bomb|unrestrained]] than above example, although the vibes are the same.
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* Sakura of ''[[Penguin Musume Heart]]'' gives one to Marie, talking about her strength from the [[Power of Friendship]]. The weird thing was, that at this point, Sakura was gigantic and Marie wasn't. There was no real point to start a battle of wills that ultimately evened the scales after Marie gave her own World of Cardboard Speech where she said she didn't ''need'' her friends.
** And ironically, it was Marie saying she didn't need her friends that provoked them to give her their love and even the scales.
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** In the Three Kings arc, during his fight with Yomi, Yusuke wondered if he was ever going to completely learn the lesson he had from the previous arcs. His final revelation was that he needed to see something through to the end for himself, as well as be concerned for his own future.
* ''[[Naruto]]'' initially has difficulty fighting Gaara because he is afraid of how strong he is and he doubts whether someone who, despite being alone for much of his life, found people who could acknowledge him, can defeat someone who was always alone. When Sasuke tells Naruto to take Sakura to safety, saying that he does not want to lose everyone precious to him again, Naruto realizes that the only true strength comes from protecting others, and gains the resolve needed to fight Gaara.
{{quote|
'''Gaara:''' But why... why would you do this for anyone but yourself?
'''Naruto:''' Because they saved me from myself. They rescued me from my loneliness; they were the first to accept me for who I am. They're my friends. }}
** When Tayuya insults Shikamaru's decision to let his friends stay behind and fight the rest of the Sound Four, saying that he's essentially sacrificing them, Shikamaru notes that while he should have abandoned the mission when things got dangerous, he didn't.
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* ''[[Black Lagoon]]'': Rock, when trying to explain his motivations to Revy:
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* Heero Yuy in ''[[Gundam Wing]]: Endless Waltz'', gives one as he battles the [[Face Heel Turn]]ed Wu Fei. It's kind of long (since [[Warrior Therapist|their entire battle is both physical and ideological]] and lasts about 1/3 of the whole film), but it concludes like this:
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* Oddly enough, one of the most touching World of Cardboard Speeches came from an antagonist in ''[[One Piece]]''. Hannyabal, [[The Starscream]] of the [[Rescue Arc|Impel Down Arc]], explained that he couldn't let Impel Down fall because it would cause fear and chaos that would harm the weak ordinary citizens of the World Government.
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* In Episode 23 of ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
* ''[[Bleach]]''. Ichigo tells Uryu about losing his mother, and after seeing his father and sisters suffer as a result, not wanting anyone else to feel the same. He states that he can't save everyone, but wants to protect as many people as he can, which makes Uryu reflect on his grandfather's teachings and accept his offer to fight the hollows together.
** Ichigo again at the end of the [[Meaningful Name|Deicide Arc]] having attained full control of his power after properly communing with his zanpakutou. Able to literally wipe out mountains with a casual sword swing, [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|he calmly tells Aizen that has surpassed him in strength]] [[Shut UP, Hannibal|and is tired of Aizen's speeches.]] Made all the more awesome given at this point, Aizen and Ichigo are the two most powerful characters in the series, even surpassing Yamamoto.
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' ended this way. In both the final episode of the series and in the movie. Of course, due to all of the [[Mind Screw]] it took to get to that epiphany, neither were very well liked.
** Shinji spends much of ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion|Rebuild 2.0]]'' trying to find a reason to fight. The world is too big and his father too distant, but when he finally finds a reason to fight and gives up his fears of failure and death, he surpasses all limits.
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* In [[Fullmetal Alchemist (
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** And in the final scene (doubling as [[Book Ends]], as nearly every episode began with first four sentences of this speech):
{{quote|
* In part 3 of ''[[
{{quote|
'''Jotaro''': ...No one ever said Jotaro Kujo was a nice guy. I beat the crap out of people more than I have to. Some are still in the hospital. There's plenty of teachers who got on my bad side and never came back to class. And hey, I make it a policy not to pay the check if I didn't like the meal. But even a guy like me can spot evil when he sees it! Evil means to use the weak for your own gain and then stomp on them when it's over! And that's what you've done! To a woman and a doctor, even! And your [[Psychic Powers|Stand]] gets to hide from the victim... the law... the consequences! But NOT... while I'm here! }}
* Spike Spiegel of ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'' gives one of these to Jet before he leaves for his final confrontation with Vicious. After spending the entire series running from his past, he's finally going to face it.
{{quote|
--
'''Faye:''' ''"Is that it? You're just going to throw your life away?"''
'''Spike:''' ''"I'm not going there to die. I'm going there to see if I was ever really alive."'' }}
* Detective Ikari does this in the last episode of ''[[Paranoia Agent]]''. As one of the characters who has gotten some of the worst of it: {{spoiler|he lost his job, his wife died, and he was too old to learn any new skills}}. His World of Cardboard Speech comes when he {{spoiler|destroys the 2-D fantasy world with a baseball bat claiming that the real world has no place for an old man like him, but that he would rather face that harsh reality than live in a fantasy world}}. It is truly epic to watch.
* In the first few ''[[
* In the finale of ''[[Digimon Adventure]]'', {{spoiler|the Digidestined and their Digimon have been digitized by [[True Final Boss|Apocalymon]], their Digimon were reverted to their base forms, and their [[Upgrade Artifact|crests]] are destroyed. They realize that their crests were powered by their own spirits and thus didn't need the physical items, and they return to face Apocalymon with a World of Cardboard Speech and proceed to battle him.}}
** During the hunt for their [[Upgrade Artifact|crests]], which allow their digimon to evolve into more powerful forms, they found that each crest represented something special and unique about them and it would only work when they were exibiting those attributes. Tai's crest was Courage, but he tried to force Agumon to evolve by putting himself in harm's way, which caused a warped evolution into SkullGreymon, a violent [[The Berserker|berserker]]. A very traumatizing mistake, but Tai learned that courage wasn't rushing into a battle, but standing up against evil, allowing Agumon to evolve into his proper form, MetalGreymon. Each digidestined had to go through something similar (although not with warped evolutions) through the remainder of the season.
** The original gives Agumon one about the strength of his bond with his friends in the 50th episode, at the climax of his fight with Mugendramon. The dub, [[Lull Destruction|being the dub]], turns it into him reminding Machinedramon of [[For Massive Damage|exactly what it is his claws do]] to Digimon of his type.
* Occurs in ''[[Soul Taker (
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* In ''[[Beyblade]]'' Kai gives a awesome one before defeating Brooklyn.
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* Simon gets an ''awesome'' speech in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]'' when he breaks out of his [[Heroic BSOD]] and comes to accept his own strengths and weaknesses instead of measuring himself against Kamina. Then he [[No-Holds-Barred Beatdown|drills General Guame a new one]].
{{quote|
* Tsukasa from ''[[.hack
* At the end of ''[[Tiger and Bunny]]'', Kotetsu gives one when {{spoiler|he returns from his [[Ten
{{quote|
* The Final Trials in ''[[Heartcatch Pretty Cure]]'' were pretty much this: the four Cures are set against their Mirage selves, embodying their own hang-ups (Tsubomi's insecurity, Erika's jealousy towards her sister, Itsuki's denial of being herself and Yuri's regrets and failures). As each Cure fights, they come to realize that that's what makes them who they are and they'll use it to become stronger. It takes Tsubomi the longest since she isn't sure if she can confront that part of herself, but she does. It helps unlock their [[Super Mode]] in the end, so that's a plus.
* In ''[[Dragonball Z]]'', during the final battle with Kid Buu, Vegeta has a long internal monologue in which he comes to terms with Goku being better than him. After spending most of the series resenting Goku for this and trying to surpass him by any means, Vegeta finally lets go of his grudge.
== [[Comic Books]] ==
== Comics ==▼
* Dream from ''[[The Sandman]]'' delivers one towards the end of ''The Kindly Ones''.
{{quote|
** Also an inversion, as it's a realization of his tragic flaw. It won't end in Asskickery (even though, or perhaps especially because [[Anthropomorphic Personification|it]] [[Physical God|could]]), and he knows it.
** A more straightforward example would be in "Season of Mists", when he battles Azazel for the lives of Nada and Choronzon. Azazel reneges on his bargain to release them if he loses, only for Dream to explain that while they are in his realm, reality conforms to his wishes. He was honour bound to treat Azazel (and his prisoners) as a guest when he entered the Dreaming, but after Azazel renounced Dream's hospitality, he had no such protection. As soon as Azazel reveals his intentions, he finds himself in a bottle in Dream's hands without his powers or prisoners.
* ''[[The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck]]'' shows Scrooge getting his [[Number One Dime]]. When he realises that he's been paid with an American coin (useless in Scotland,) he makes this speech:
{{quote|
* In [[Marvel Universe|Marvel's]] ''[[Incredible Hercules]]'', Ares spends a good few pages beating the tar out of Hercules, pointing out how he's a mess and doesn't deserve people's respect. Herc agrees. Yeah, he is a mess, but that's why people like him more than Ares (that and Ares is a total dick), because he is more like a person than a god. When Ares calls them all idiots, Herc finally decides to punch his big bro into a bunch of incoming missiles.
* Another one for the [[Trope Namer]], doubling as a [[Shut UP, Hannibal]] to Manchester Black (a [[Nineties Anti-Hero]] pastiche), who's trashed his values and told him he's "living in a bloody dream world":
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{{quote|
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* Little over halfway through ''[[Transmetropolitan]]'', Spider learns that {{spoiler|he's suffering from some sort of brain disease which will leave him unable to even write in less than a year}}. Upon hearing this, he simply jumps back to work, and when asked why, he responds:
{{quote|
* [[The Flash]] had one of these during the classic "Return of Barry Allen" storyline. Up until then, the current Flash, Wally West, had been unable to run past the speed of sound. He assumed it was just a natural limitation of his powers, even though he had run faster in the past, and other super-speedsters easily ran much faster than him. But when faced with an impostor who had impersonated his late mentor Barry Allen and ruined his good name, Flash broke the sound barrier in order to take the villain down. As it turned out, his speed limit had been subconscious; he was so scared of surpassing Barry (and thus replacing him) that he had throttled his own speed. After realizing this, Wally never had problems with speed limitations again.
* [[Supergirl]] does this after managing to resist a [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]] and an attempt to [[Ret-Gone|erase her from existence]] from The Dark Angel.
{{quote|
* Hal Jordan gives one at the end of ''[[Blackest Night]]''. When faced with a [[Hannibal Lecture]] by the [[Big Bad]] Nekron, who tells him that he only came [[Back
* Syndablokk from ''[[
* Not a speech, but when the Sentry finally showed up to face [[The Hulk]] in ''[[World War Hulk]]'', we get this exchange;
{{quote|
'''Sentry:''' Yes. God help me, I do. Because you're the only one I can hit... [[Megaton Punch|LIKE THIS]]!!! }}
* An older example. Spider-Man, who was trying to take a break, gets annoyed when Ox of the Enforcers picked up the car he was in and tried to shake him out of it. Spider-Man explained how he usually pulls his punches to not kill people, but just realized Ox could probably take it [[Punched Across the Room|before he punched him out.]]
▲== Fan Fiction ==
{{quote|
▲* In ''[[Kyon: Big Damn Hero (Fanfic)|Kyon Big Damn Hero]]'':
▲{{quote| '''{{spoiler|Mikuru (big)}}:''' So... in a roundabout way, you and I, together, even though I still stumble a little bit, are forging towards a brighter future. One that isn't predetermined to you, that doesn't damage the future I come from. If you understand what I said earlier... you have the power to change me. Not my past self, so directly... but your influence ends up helping me become the person I am. I could tell you everything, try to make it predetermined... I could say things were better or worse then they truly will be, and try to trick you into changing things for me. Once, I did - sort of - tell you about the goals of the people I work for. Instead, though, this time I'll do what Yuki-chan did. I'll tell you nothing, even if you would believe me. But I'm not trying to keep you in the dark because I want to manipulate you... I'm telling you as little as possible because I believe in you. I have absolute confidence that if I don't limit you, you will achieve something wonderful. And maybe, just in small, selfish bits... I might lead you towards something that I think we both would like...}}
* From [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5433094/26/The_Doorstop chapter 26] of ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5433094/1/The_Doorstop The Doorstop]'', {{spoiler|[[Lyrical Nanoha|Nanoha]]}} gives a truly epic one to a Chaos Assassin.
{{quote|
* Faren Brosca sort of gives one in ''[[
{{quote|
* This concept is somewhat referenced in the ''[[Naruto]]''/''[[Justice League]]'' Crossover ''[[
* From ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6611580/45/Shadowchasers_Torment Shadowchasers: Torment Chapter 45]'':
{{quote|
"I've been way too inwardly focused, ever since I woke up in that morgue. At first, all I cared about was getting my memories back… With every clue to my past I chomped at the bit rushing from one lead to another… Everyone I met, friends, foes, they seemed so small...so unimportant. The Dread Emperor, Willy, Kesto, even poor Ravel. I started treating everyone I fought as beneath me, thinking it would all be worth it once I regained my memories, and discovered my true self."
"It seems that whoever I was before I met Ravel the first time… He was an arrogant son of a bitch… Maybe that's how I got into this whole mess…
"But now…" His right hand clenched into a fist.
"Now I know that getting my memories back, that finding my true self… it all doesn't mean shit if I only end up looking back with shame at what I was willing to become to get there! I'm not the only one with a stake in this fight… The people who took me in and treated me like family are risking their lives for something bigger then who's right or wrong, or who's more powerful. We're fighting to protect all of creation… Every human, every Shadow... Every resident of Heaven, Hell, and every realm in-between… If Tharizdun returns nobody will be spared, so I can't keep on acting like some petty little child and act like I'm above it all!" He drew the top card off his deck.
"So I'll use the strength all of my opponents have given me, good or evil, strong or weak, and the lessons taught to me by everyone who's helped me when I needed them the most, and I'll take down you, Tiberius, and everyone else involved in this mad plan!" }}
* In ''[[
{{quote|
'''Sakura''': My injury healed as instantly as his, and I chuckled. "You know, I've been telling myself that for years. But as long as my Heaven Seal is active I can't fool myself. I see too much, and I can't miss the implications. I'm not just a medic-nin, Hidan. I'm the last native kami of this demon-haunted world, and my domains are insight and mystery. Not to mention that I just took about [[Took a Level
* ''[[
{{quote|
'''Ghost Flyer''': [[This Cannot Be!|I-IMPOSSIBLE!]] NOPONY CAN RESIST THE PENANCE STARE!
'''Captain Equestria''': Call me nopony then. Because I never give up. No matter what. Even if I know I'll just screw up again, I keep trying. Because every once in a while, I get a day like today. A day when I ''win.'' }}
** Then, when the Red Skull is giving Iron Pony a [[Hannibal Lecture]] about destiny and greatness:
{{quote|
** And finally, after Big Macintosh has regained Thor's power, and [[Big Bad|Loki]] is [[Villainous Breakdown|refusing to accept]] that Thor isn't his [[Worthy Opponent]] brother, but rather a "mere" earth pony tapping into his powers and memories:
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* ''[[
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* In ''[[
== [[Film]] ==▼
* ''[[The Hustler (
▲== Film ==
* At the end of ''[[
▲* ''[[The Hustler (Film)|The Hustler]]'' makes it clear from the beginning that although Fast Eddie is a talented pool player, his attitude is holding him back. It's no surprise that he eventually gets his World of Cardboard Speech. Now, how he gets it, on the other hand...
▲* At the end of ''[[Serenity (Film)|Serenity]]'', River admits to Simon as he lies dying from a gunshot to the stomach that she understands that she's always relied on him and the rest of the crew to [[The Caretaker|take care of her]] through her helpless madness. Then, she adds that now, it is [[Let's Get Dangerous|her turn]] to [[You Shall Not Pass|take care of them.]] [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Cue awesome.]]
* Jules' coffee-shop speech near the end of ''[[Pulp Fiction]]'':
* Uncle Charlie's unspeakably evil [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX6s3LTds3s "this world is a hell"] speech in ''[[Shadow of a Doubt]]'':
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** {{spoiler|This speech is actually pretty tragic, because of Uncle Charlie's optimistic youth; it is also a turning point for [[One Steve Limit|Little Charlie]], as she goes from optimism to seeing the world as a foul, hypocritical place.}}
* In ''[[The Karate Kid]]'' Daniel took an injury to his leg and leaving him out of the final match. Everyone said that Daniel did great and shouldn't think that removing himself because of such an injury is a sign of weakness. Daniel makes a plea to Miyagi that even though he almost made it to the tournament finals if he didn't face Johnny in the final match he would never have balance with the Cobra guys or in his relationship with Ally. This was an effective lesson to Miyagi that his student finally understood his training.
* In ''[[The Matrix
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* ''[[The Lion in Winter]]''. About halfway through the film Prince Philip has a [[No,
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** Henry has the upper hand, right? Wrong. Philip launches into his World of Cardboard Speech and plays the people hiding in the room against him.
* ''[[
* Jack Skellington sings one of these near the end of ''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'', in the song "Poor Jack." He is having a [[Heroic BSOD]] about his failure to bring about Christmas, starts reprising Jack's Lament, starting with the line "I, Jack, the Pumpkin King"... then remembers that, yes, he is the Pumpkin King, and will work hard on making next Halloween even better.
** It also has Jack realizing while what happened didn't go as planned, he gave it his all and there were still good parts too it. Basically, while he screwed up he wouldn't regret what he did because it was still worth the problems.
* Mark "Rent" Renton gets one at the end of the adaptation of ''[[Trainspotting]]''. It's the closing monologue to the film that closely mirrors his opening monologue.
*
** ''The Two Towers'':
{{quote|
'''Frodo''': What are we holding on to, Sam?
'''Sam''': [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming|That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.]] }}
** And at the climax of ''The Return of the King'', given by Sam:
{{quote|
'''Frodo:''' No, Sam. I can't recall the taste of food, nor the sound of water, nor the touch of grass. I'm naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil between me and the wheel of fire! I can see him... with my waking eyes!
'''Sam:''' Then let us be rid of it, once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but [[The Determinator|I can carry you!]] }}
* [[Vin Diesel|Taylor Reese]] has one in ''Knockaround Guys'':
{{quote|
* Villainous example in ''[[Last Action Hero]]''.
{{quote|
* The final battle in ''[[
* ''[[
** It is an interesting version of the relationship between the physical/emotional conflict, but the World of Cardboard Speech comes in this dialog:
{{quote|
'''Mal''': I'm the only thing you do believe in anymore.
'''Cobb''': I wish...I wish more than anything, but I can't imagine you with all your complexity, all your perfection, all your imperfection. Look at you, you're just a shade. You're just a shade of my real wife. You're the best I could do, but...I'm sorry, you're just not good enough. }}
* At the climax of ''[[The Prestige]]'', Angier delivers one of these, {{spoiler|also a [[Final Speech]]}}.
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* ''[[Watchmen (
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* ''[[A Nightmare
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* ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'': A [[
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** Vader gets his own after saving his son by killing the Emperor, finally returning to the good man Anakin.
{{quote|
'''Anakin:''' ''"[[Redemption Equals Death|You already have, Luke...]] You were [[The Chosen One|right about me.]]"'' }}
* Batman gets one at the end of ''[[
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* At the end of ''[[Terminator|Terminator 2: Judgement Day]]'' Sarah Conner gave an epilogue that showed where both her and John Conner had changed over the course of the movie. The entire time they were thinking that Judgement Day was inevitable and that all machines were the enemy, when they were surprised by the compassion shown by [[Terminator Twosome|the terminator sent to protect them]]. It ends up overlapping with a [[Patrick Stewart Speech]].
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*
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* Hal Jordan in the ''[[Green Lantern (
== [[Literature]] ==▼
* Sondra Marshak's published ''[[Star Trek]]'' novel ''The Prometheus Design'' is ''all'' about Spock doing this. Pick up a copy
▲== Literature ==
▲* Sondra Marshak's published ''[[Star Trek]]'' novel ''The Prometheus Design'' is ''all'' about Spock doing this. Pick up a copy of—well, any of her published Star Trek novels, or [http://www.simegen.com/fandom/startrek/kraith/ go read anything in the ''Kraith'' series starting with Volume Four]. Her obsessions border on [[Author Appeal]].
* In ''[[Harrison Bergeron]]'', Harrison goes down to the TV station, and before he takes off his handicaps, says "even as I stand here -- crippled, hobbled, sickened -- I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become!" And then it's all [[Crapsack World|heavily subverted]] when he promptly becomes {{spoiler|a corpse, thanks to a dictatorial surgeon general armed with a shotgun}}.
* ''[[Discworld]]'':
** In ''[[
** Even closer example: the all-powerful Coin, from ''[[
*** The same applies (though not nearly to the same extent) to wizards in general. The average wizard has so much protection from magical attack that trying to kill them magically would be like trying to kill a fish by holding it under water. Unfortunately for the rest of the non-magical world, in the days when wizards didn't spend their days confined within Universities generally being lazy, they ''would'' use magic to battle one another, and it nearly tore the Discworld apart. Especially under Ridcully's administration, people outside the University are frequently reminded that the "rule" that forbids wizards from using magic on non-wizards in anything but self-defense is just a self-imposed guideline.
* Bill Fitzhugh's ''Pest Control'' has this when Bob and Klaus are cornered by an armed assassin. Klaus says they need a weapon. Then a lightbulb goes off in Bob's head, and Klaus actually watches his shoulders square with [[Heroic Resolve]] as he declares that {{spoiler|the entire city of New York is a weapon, and then proves it by killing their pursuer by running through a few restauraunts.}} Any further detail would spoil the book, so I'll just say it makes Jason Bourne look like a putz.
* While not a Villain per se, Tyburn in ''[[Rivers of London]]'' was an interfering bitch who was determined to crush the protagonist for her own political ends. When she gives him a [[Reason You Suck Speech]] about how useless he is and how easy it was to stop him, Peter Grant's comeback is awesome. Made doubly so because he totally owns her in front of her entire family of river spirits causing matriarch Mama Thames to applaud him for doing so.
* In the ''[[Vampire: The Requiem]]'' supplement "Danse Macabre," a ''wonderful'' story of the Chicago vampires running in bits between the chapters climaxes with an antiheroic version of this. Prince Maxwell Clarke confesses to {{spoiler|the diablerie of Norris Spiegel}} in a scene that's half World of Cardboard Speech and half [[Reason You Suck Speech]] adding up to a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] as he shares a recent revelation: He's truly sick of pushing himself to his limits keeping the city safe for a bunch of ingrates who use that safety to plot against him and abuse and mock him for his efforts to keep the peace. The speech goes on a while and is interrupted a couple of times, but this excerpt sums it up nicely:
{{quote|
== [[Live
* In the series finale of ''[[Extras]]'', after taking a role on ''[[Big Brother]]'', Andy finally realizes the absurdity of the measures he's taken to be famous and that none of it is making him any more happy, culminating in one of the most heartfelt and effective on-camera indictments of celebrity culture.
{{quote|
* ''[[The Suite Life of Zack and Cody]]'' episode "Summer of our Discontent" had Zack go to summer school. He can cope with the work, but this brings resentment from the other students who go on to give him a wedgie every time he impresses the teacher, until he learns to keep his mouth shut. He finally gets tired of pretending to be less intelligent than he is and gives a speech that doubles as both this trope and a [["The Reason You Suck"
{{quote|
* It wasn't followed by a "Crowning Moment", but ''[[Angel]]'' had one of these in the appropriately titled episode ''Epiphany''. In the previous handful of episodes he had managed to alienate his [[True Companions|entire team]] because he was under the impression that there would be some sort of [[Grand Finale]] where the forces of evil are defeated forever. After having a morally devastating realization on the universality of evil, he resolved that all he could do was simply [[We Help the Helpless|help the innocent]]. This epiphany wavered as his life kept taking turns for the worse, but he regained it right before the end; he even referenced it in his [[Rousing Speech]] three seasons later, just before the series' [[Grand Finale]].
** It's all the more awesome as, in the previous episode, "Reprise", Holland Manners delivers Angel his version of the speech about evil's implacability, which causes Angel's brief [[Heroic BSOD]].
** Season Five's ''[[Milestone Celebration|You're Welcome]]'' was a world of cardboard episode. Angel had been losing his hero spirit dealing with Wolfram and Hart machinations. Cordelia woke from her coma to restore that resolve and to warn him of a plot against him by Lindsay. In the climactic mano-a-mano, Angel beat the snot out of him saying, "All those tattoos, all those new tricks you've learned... just don't matter. Doesn't matter what you try. Doesn't matter where I am or how badass you think you've become. 'Cause you know what? I'm Angel. I beat the bad guys."
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' also had one when she asked for help from the Watchers Council about learning exactly what Glory was (The [[Big Bad]] of the season). The council subjected her to a long series of tests to prove her worth, but she eventually refused, explaining her own epiphany. Glory actually respected Buffy because she was the Slayer, that she had power. The Watchers Council didn't have the power to stop Glory, so their tests on Buffy were pointless and only an exercise to make them believe they had some control. This speech left the Watchers council dumbfounded. Of course Buffy was also dumbfounded when the Watchers relented and revealed that Glory was a hell demon god.
** Used again in the [[Grand Finale]]. The speech was instigated by the [[Big Bad|First Evil]] mocking her for being the lone Slayer. Buffy then had an epiphany regarding the Slayer legend given from the beginning of the series, and she decided to ignore that limitation.
{{quote|
** And used again in the Season Seven episode, ''Bring On The Night''. Buffy, after spending an episode fleeing, with her friends, from a supposedly unkillable, prehistoric "uber-vampire," finally meets him face-to-face, in front of her friends, and gives a speech:
{{quote|
* Admiral Adama, from
** There were two in the season 3 finale. One by Lee Adama (which is too long to put here, but is in the quotes page), and a short one by:
{{quote|
* A particularly dark use, and inversion, of this trope in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. The "in"famous episode "In the Pale Moonlight" had Sisko [[Whole-Episode Flashback|relate his story]] in a computer log about his efforts to convince the Romulans to participate in the Dominion War. Finding that simple logic wouldn't work, he sought the help of Garak and [[Recruiting the Criminal|other criminals]] to falsify evidence. He struggled with the serious moral and ethical compromises he had to go through to achieve this. By the end he stood up and instead of being morally untouchable he stated with growing conviction that the benefits ''outweighed'' the moral standing of one officer, even himself... and then erased the log.
{{quote|
* ''[[
* ''[[
{{quote|
** Which is then capped off by:
{{quote|
* ''[[Kamen Rider Decade]]'' features a slight twist on this. During the final confrontation in each world, the [[Big Bad]] will deliver a [[Hannibal Lecture]] to Tsukasa and that world's primary Kamen Rider. Tsukasa will counter with a World of Cardboard Speech, not for himself, but for his current partner, explaining their motivation and how that makes them a real hero - which is typically the main point of the other Rider's original TV series, as Decade is an anniversary show. This is also typically the point where Tsukasa gains access to his partner's powers as per Decade's conceit of [[Power Copying]].
** In ''Movie Wars'', Decade unknowingly delivers a World of Cardboard Speech ''simultaneously'' with ''[[Kamen Rider Double]]'', seconds before they cross over. What's notable about this is that the subject of their speeches are almost the same, even culminating in the two of them alternately declaring their respective [[Catch Phrase|catchphrases]].
Line 255 ⟶ 247:
* In ''[[The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]'' episode "The Last Voyage of the Jimmy Carter," John Connor gives a truly ''awesome'' speech to Jesse about exactly ''why'' he is mankind's leader. In one scene, John goes from being a whiny, lovestruck emo kid to being ''the'' John Connor who will lead mankind.
* In the ''[[Power Rangers Dino Thunder]]'' episode "Fighting Spirit," Tommy had spent the last dozen episodes either [[It Makes Sense in Context|trapped in amber, trapped in his morphed form or trapped in an invisible form]] (the reason being that [[Fake Shemp|Jason David Frank]] had [[Real Life Writes the Plot|other commitments to attend to]]). But they made his return to normalcy in a suitably epic and [[Continuity Nod]] filled method. Tommy tried to use his Ranger Powers to return to normal but he was stuck in a dream-coma. Here, in his mind, he had to fight his past Ranger forms who continually overpower him. Progressing to his time as the Green Ranger, he is beaten down but refuses to give up, which was what his past ranger incarnations [[Secret Test of Character|wanted to teach him.]] This in turn lead to him awakening from the coma and unlocking his current Ranger form's [[Super Mode]].
{{quote|
'''Tommy:''' Test? What are you talking about?
'''[[Power Rangers
'''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers|White Ranger]]:''' And you've proven the will to live is stronger than any Ranger power. }}
** [[Atop the Fourth Wall
* In ''[[Rescue Me]]'', Needles delivers one to his crew in season 5. He's been the consummate nice guy and something of a doormat up to this point, but he realizes after breaking up a fight that his crew will never respect him unless he's a hardass.
* In the 2005 ''Hercules'' [[Miniseries]], Hercules becomes a bit demoralized when he finds out that {{spoiler|his father is the villain Antaeus, not Zeus}}, but he immediately bounces back with:
{{quote|
* Jack McCoy tends to give these at least once a season in ''[[Law and Order]]'', generally when the defense lawyer is going for Jury Nullification. Sometimes it works. Other times, not so much.
* Clark Kent gives one in the Season 10 premiere of ''[[Smallville]]'' when he finds himself in the afterlife after being stabbed by a kryptonite dagger.
{{quote|
'''Jor-El''': [[Nice Job Breaking It, Hero|Evil never ends. By sacrificing yourself, you have left the humans vulnerable to future threats.]]
'''Clark''': [[My Death Is Just the Beginning|I left a]] [[Justice League (animation)|team of heroes]] [[We Help the Helpless|behind to protect them]].
'''Jor-El''': You were meant to be [[Superman|Earth's greatest protector.]] Now, they are about to face the [[Bigger Bad|greatest evil]] without you.
'''Clark''': [[Death Is Cheap|Then send me back!]] [[Because Destiny Says So|I know my fate! To step into the light! To be a symbol of hope for them.]]
'''Jor-El''': [[Continuity Nod|I told you to rule with strength.]] [[Refusal of the Call|But you chose a righteous path.]] [[Take That|What makes you think you deserve a second chance?]]
'''Clark''': [[Shut UP, Hannibal|I can do it.]] [[Heroic Willpower|I CAN BE THEIR HERO!]] }}
** Interestingly, considering the Trope Namer, Season 10's [[Big Bad]] is Darkseid. [[Mythology Gag|Hmmm]]...maybe, during their final battle, [[Foreshadowing|this trope will come into play again]]?
*** During the [[Final Battle]], {{spoiler|Darkseid quickly overpowers Clark, at which point Jor-El gives Clark a vision that helps him realize that every battle he's fought over the course of the series, every life he's saved, have all been tests along his journey to fulfilling his [[Superman|destiny]]. This grants Clark the clarity to fully embrace his powers (namely flight, which he hadn't been able to use at all during the show's run); Clark then proceeds to [[Curb Stomp Battle|curbstomp]] Darkseid.}}
== [[Music]] ==
* The last verse in [[Eminem]]'s "Lose Yourself":
{{quote|
''Tear this motherfucking roof off like two dogs caged''
''I was playing in the beginning, the mood all changed''
''I been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage'' }}
** "Not Afraid":
{{quote|
''So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage''
''I'm standing up, Imma face my demons''
''I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground''
''I've had enough, now I'm so fed up''
''Time to put my life back together right now'' }}
* The title song from [[Kamelot]]'s concept album ''The Black Halo''. Ariel finally defies Mephisto and declares that he no longer fears damnation. This leads him to finally come to the realization that he is the master of his own destiny, and that love is the truth he had been searching for all along.
* [[Within Temptation]]- Stand My Ground and Why Not Me?
==
* [[Shawn Michaels]] to [[Chris Jericho]], ''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] Monday Night Raw'' 1-Sep-2008:
{{quote|
* On the 1-Aug-2008 episode of ''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] Friday Night Smackdown'', [[Edge]] managed to give a World of Cardboard Speech in two words... [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPLlRO8noRs&fmt=18 "I understand!"] All the more impressive considering he pulled off the entire World Of Cardboard motif as a [[Heel]].
* [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock's]] last promo at [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDO9l506-B8 Wrestlemania XIX].
* From [[TNA]]'s 12/2/10 episode.
{{quote|
* On [[TNA]]'s April 14, 2011 edition, Mickie James confronts her archenemy Madison Rayne, who the previous week hit her with a motorcycle. She gives her own speech, telling Madison that while she has been making her life a living hell, the previous week she went too far and tried to take the [[Dirty Coward|coward's way out]] of their match. She then states that ''nothing'', including her dislocated shoulder, will stop her from beating Madison to within an inch of her life at ''Lockdown''. And she meant every word, ''[[No-Holds-Barred Beatdown|completely destroying]]'' Madison at ''Lockdown'' in [[Curb Stomp Battle|36 seconds]]. Deserves special mention for Mickie's completely [[Badass]] delivery of the speech.
== [[Theatre]] ==
* "Rose's Turn" from ''Gypsy'' is the definitive musical theater example. It isn't addressed to any visible character, but with lyrics like these, an on-stage audience isn't necessary:
{{quote|
Don't I get a dream for myself?
Startin' now it's gonna be my turn!
Gangway, world, get off-a my runway!
Startin' now, I bat a thousand!
This time, boys, I'm taking the bows -- and
Ev'rything's coming up Rose!
Ev'rything's coming up roses!
Ev'rything's coming up roses, this time for me!'' }}
* Elphaba's ''Defying Gravity'' from ''[[Wicked (
* ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (
* In ''[[
{{quote|
Then you're left on your own.
And when you want things done,
You have to do them yourself alone!
And if I'm not ready
And lightheaded,
I can't stand here dumb.
So, ready or not, here - I hope - I come!" }}
== Toys ==
* From ''[[Bionicle]]'', after Takanuva develops a [[Super-Powered Evil Side]]:
{{quote|
== [[Video Games]] ==
* ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' has several <s>per game</s> per ''cutscene.''
* One of the possible endings for ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'' has the Nameless One making a World of Cardboard Speech... and ''{{spoiler|beating the [[Big Bad]] just with that.}}''
{{quote|
* ''[[Prince of Persia]]: The Two Thrones'' had [[No Name Given|the Prince]] discovering {{spoiler|his slain father}} in a deep cavern. Being taunted by his evil side, he had a revelation that gave him the mental fortitude to reject his [[Super-Powered Evil Side]].
{{quote|
'''Prince''': '''''NO!''''' You are right. I ''have'' been like a child. Naive and arrogant; always rushing to undo my mistakes. Never facing the consequences of my actions. No more. I accept what I have done, and ''all'' that it implies. (''transforms back, without water'')
'''Dark Prince''': What is this?! You have no water! How did you--?
'''Prince''': You hold no power over me now! Be gone! Retreat to whatever dark hole spawned you, and do not trouble me again. }}
* Delivered collectively by the heroes at the end of ''[[
* ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' is full of these, often combined with a [[Heroic Second Wind]] moment. In fact, pretty much all of the cutscenes in the ten Destiny Odyssey storylines before the battle with the villain, consists of the hero giving one of these: [[Final Fantasy VII
{{quote|
'''Firion''': "There is no meaning in strength only used to hurt others! I have dreams... dreams worth dying for!"
'''Emperor''': "What will an insect like you do?"
'''Firion''': "Believe in the future! And persist in the present! That's what I'll do!" }}
** And here's [[Final Fantasy III
{{quote|
* Near the end of the last case in ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]: Justice For All'', {{spoiler|after discovering that his client is guilty,}} Phoenix begins to question what it means to be a lawyer. Edgeworth reveals what he learned in his time overseas. It's not about "winning", it's about revealing the truth.
{{quote|
* Before the [[Final Boss]] battle of ''[[
{{quote|
'''Weil:''' Are you even capable of it? The Reploid hero, protecting justice and humanity! I am one of those humans you have sworn to protect! Do you have it in you to defeat me?!
(cue [[One-Winged Angel]])
'''Zero:''' I never cared about justice and I don't recall ever calling myself a hero...I have always only fought for the people I believe in. I won't hesitate...If an enemy appears in front of me, I will destroy it! }}
** The best part about it is, Zero has finally learned what he was really fighting for, a question that has [[Heroic BSOD|plagued him]] since {{spoiler|Iris' death}} in the ''[[Mega Man X
** He has another one in a flashback from the [[All There in the Manual|Drama Tracks]], delivered to Omega. This one more or less speaks for his earlier incarnation and says more or less the same stuff.
{{quote|
** At the end of ''X8'', Zero delivers one ''again'':
{{quote|
* In ''[[Fate/stay
* In one of the bonus maps of ''[[Disgaea 2
* Alicia of ''[[Valkyria Chronicles]]'' has one when she's standing against an enemy battleship fortress {{spoiler|as an activated Valkyria}}, stating that she knows how to give her life {{spoiler|as a Valkyria}} meaning. {{spoiler|Her impending [[Heroic Sacrifice]] is stopped by a 1-2-3 punch from Welkin consisting of a confession of love, a marriage proposal, and a [[Cooldown Hug|Cooldown Kiss]].}}
* In ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'', Marche, after being captured, accidentally gets teleported into the fourth crystal room. While the totema cannot defend the crystal, Babus stands in Marche's way and Cid reminds him that he's alone, asking him if he believes he can do it. Marche notes that he hasn't always been confident in himself, but while he enjoys the world, it isn't real and he must destroy the crystal to go back home.
* In ''[[Modern Warfare]] 2'', {{spoiler|Captain Price}} gets two ''epic'' such speeches, back to back, in the final two levels.
{{quote|
''' {{spoiler|Price:}}''' "This is for the record... [[Written
* Short and to the point:
{{quote|
* "You speak of knowledge Judicator? You speak of experience? I have journeyed through the darkness between the most distant stars. I have beheld the births of negative-suns and borne witness to the entropy of entire realities. Unto my experience, Aldaris, all that you have built here on Aiur is but a fleeting dream, a dream to which you will only wake up to an even greater nightmare." - [[
* ''[[Tsukihime]]:
{{quote|
* In the freeware RPG ''[[
* Near the end of ''[[God of War (
{{quote|
* In the final battle of ''[[Wild
* ''[[The Force Unleashed]] 2''.
{{quote|
** That's just in the trailer. There's one in the actual game too at the very end:
{{quote|
* In the ''[[
{{quote|
* Towards the end of the first ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' game, Sora is all about these.
* The PSP remake of [[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]] has Richter give one after beating the [[True Final Boss]].
{{quote|
'''Dracula:''' Humanity will call me back.
'''Richter:''' You're right. We never learn. But one day, we'll have to. And if you return, someone like me will be waiting for you. }}
* In [[Katawa Shoujo]], near the end of Shizune's route, Hisao takes Misha on a tour of a campus, showing her places where they spent time during their days together, and how he started out as depressed and unwilling to do anything, but became more engaged over time. He ultimately concludes by telling her that he had to face the painful truth that he essentially pushed away all his friends during his time in the hospital and he {{spoiler|does not want her to do the same to Shizune}}.
* In ''[[Asura's Wrath]]'':
{{quote|
* Justice Choujin Neptuneman has the Neptuneman Message desperation technique in ''[[Kinnikuman: Muscle Fight]]''. He talks about the sacrifices his fellow Choujin have made and talks about the hope they plan to give to future Choujin. Invigorated by delivering this speech, Neptuneman's health and super meters fill up.
== Web Animation ==
* ''[[Broken Saints]]'': [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming|Raimi's speech to Shandala in Chapter 21 about how much she has meant to him.]]
▲== [[Web Comics]] ==
== Web Comics ==▼
* Gilgamesh Wulfenbach of ''[[Girl Genius]]'' gets a couple:
** [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060306 This one's to Wooster], who thinks he can use Gil's one true love as a bargaining chip.
{{quote|
** [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080229 And] [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080303 this] [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080305 one] [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080307 here?] Well, it speaks for itself, really.
*** The [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20071203 one leading up to those] may be Gil's ''defining'' [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]].
* Torg from ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'' gets one of these [http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=041122 at the end] of the "That Which Redeems" arc (doubling as his [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]]).
{{quote|
* [[Order of the Stick|Roy Greenhilt's]] response to Xykon after the lich asks him to stand down and come back later, immediately after Xykon suggests that he's still trying to impress Daddy. Roy manages to prove just how far he's come, and that he's no longer the same college kid who swore to kill Xykon just because his dad thought he couldn't.
{{quote|
** In the prequel ''Start of Darkness'', Xykon {{spoiler|gives Dorukon a brutal one as he's killing him, about how much he resents being looked down upon by wizards, something that has happened frequently during the book}}:
{{quote|
* Liquid Snake in ''[[The Last Days of Foxhound]]'' makes a combination of the World of Cardboard Speech and [[Calling the Old Man Out]] when he echews his earlier [[Idiot Hero]] tendencies for a more practical outlook, {{spoiler|and pulls a gun on Big Boss during their final fistfight.}}
{{quote|
** {{spoiler|[[Subverted Trope|Subverted]] in that Liquid is ''wrong''; Big Boss manipulated his emotions not to cripple him out of jealousy, but to ''strengthen'' him by giving him a relentless drive to overcome his perceived inferiority to Solid Snake, thus allowing him to continue on Big Boss' goals.}}
* In ''[[Anti Bunny]]'', main(ish) charecter Nailbat gives one of these, pointing out that he is a blackbelt, bulets dodge HIM, he can't be killed untill the day he dies in about six months, knows that whatever he does he won't have to face the consiquences of because he'll irevocably die, and has the power to defy fate. He doesn't chose his lifestyle and code of honor because of labels or societies demands, he does it because it's the right thing to do. I mean, when you cannot die untill the clock hits zero and you know if you do somthing with horrible consiquences it won't matter for you in the long run, it takes a very strong sense of right and wrong to not abuse that.
* Smoke from ''[[WTF Comics]]'' unloads one of these onto Nikisha after she attacks Anna with a poisoned throwing star in order to get to him. Oh, and while giving this Smoke is also ''beating her to an inch of her life'' her
{{quote|
* From ''[[Misfile]]'', Rumisiel delivers [http://www.misfile.com/index.php?page=986 this] speech:
{{quote|
* In ''[http://bobandgeorge.com/comics/gamer/14 Captain Gamer]'', while he's fighting a mind-controlled [[King of Fighters|Mai Shiranui]], who tells him that [[As Long
* In ''[[Captain SNES]]'', [[Chrono Trigger
{{quote|
* In the last episode of Season 5 of [[Arby 'n' the Chief]] Arbitur gives one to Trent Donnovich in response to a [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]] Trent had delivered earlier in the season.
{{quote|
* A big one comes from ''Erika's Old Big Sister'', the sequel to ''[[Erikas New Perfume]]'', in which Marie gets the [[Fountain of Youth]] effects on her undone and proceeds to become the ultimate [[Big Brother Bully|Big Sister Bully]] while trying (and failing) to rebuild her teenage social status. The speech comes in the climax, when Marie tries to {{spoiler|undo Sarah's [[Plot-Relevant Age-Up]], causing Erika to [[Beware the Nice Ones|snap]] and lay into Marie that [["The Reason You Suck" Speech|all her problems stem from her own jealousy and self-loathing, that her bratty nature better suits the lifestyle of a three-year-old than a 16-year-old]], and that [[Not Afraid of You Anymore|she is now strong enough to handle whatever Marie can dish out]]. Marie is hit ''hard'' by this and, realizing that Erika is right, requests to return to toddlerhood.}}
* [[Red vs. Blue]] has a few, almost invariably with Church. There's a joke one at the end of season 5, which is more a send-up of the first episode than anything else.
** There's the one in the last episode of season 6, which pull triple-duty as a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] and a [[Tear Jerker]]. YMMV, depending on whether you believe he come to accept the revelation for which the season is named.
{{quote|
{{spoiler|'''Church''': When it goes off, I'll be fine. It only effects AI, remember? And I am a ''mother fucking '''ghost'''.''}} }}
** {{spoiler|Reborn}} Tex has one of these in Avalanche when she's telling {{spoiler|Epsilon}} Church that she's going to find out why she's there. Then she shoots him in the foot. Because Tex.
Line 431 ⟶ 419:
** Church has a truly memorable and brilliant one of these at the end of season 8, where he accepts the realities of a situation {{spoiler|that he's an AI and that he's going to try and find Tex inside the dying Epsilon Capture Unit}}. It turns a truly crushing [[Downer Ending]] into a [[Bittersweet Ending]], because he's hopeful that he'll find Tex and that they will be able to be together, after all. He even makes very touching comments on the nature of love and relationships, and somehow made it not inimical to the absolute silliness of the world. Swiftly and thoroughly deconstructed in the next season, mainly for laughs. Finally resolved with a ''second'' World of Cardboard Speech to round out, of all things, the "Memory is the Key" arc, that left anyone with a ''soul'' absolutely speech''less''.
== [[Western Animation]] ==▼
* The [[Trope Namer]], which you can watch [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl_5UwS57X8 here], is Superman's speech in ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' while fighting with [[Darkseid]] during the [[Grand Finale]]. The specific moment that inspired him was Batman selflessly and fearlessly jumping onto the tyrants' back and even managing to dodge his Omega Blast, something ''no one'' has ever been able to do, as well as Darkseid declaring "[[Nothing Can Stop Us Now|Can't you see that it's hopeless?"]] Superman, of course, decided to prove Batman right and Darkseid wrong.
▲== Western Animation ==
▲* The [[Trope Namer]], which you can watch [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl_5UwS57X8 here], is Superman's speech in ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' while fighting with [[Darkseid]] during the [[Grand Finale]]. The specific moment that inspired him was Batman selflessly and fearlessly jumping onto the tyrants' back and even managing to dodge his Omega Blast, something ''no one'' has ever been able to do, as well as Darkseid declaring "[[Nothing Can Stop Us Now|Can't you see that it's hopeless?"]] Superman, of course, decided to prove Batman right and Darkseid wrong.
** Of course, it's something of a subversion since while Darkseid was outclassed on a physical level, he had access to extremely advanced technology ( {{spoiler|the combination of Apokolips technology and his merging with Brainiac}}) that allowed him to subdue Superman. The entire sequence can be seen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwU0QkcrNVQ&feature=related here.]
* In ''[[Batman Beyond]]: [[The Movie|Return of the Joker]]'', Terry was always being chided by the Joker for not being "the real Batman". At the climax, Terry found himself slightly outmatched but came to realize that the original Batman was unable to fully beat the Joker at his mind games. To counter this, Terry turned the tables through an [[Hannibal Lecture|epic verbal beatdown]] that actually got [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|the Joker to stop smiling.]] He got the Joker to finally lose his cool by doing exactly what Joker had wanted Batman to do ever since they started fighting: laugh. Terry makes the Joker ''flip out'' by ''laughing'' at him. Granted, the [[Ax Crazy|immediate result]] was not what Terry had in mind, but it was to show that Terry had a quality that allowed him to combat the Joker better than the original Batman ever could. It can be viewed [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LikMS5gDDI&NR=1 here].
* At the climax of the ''[[
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** However, one of the episodes of the same series has a rather hilarious subversion of the trope; Mermaid seems to be making such a speech, but it soon spirals into nonsense:
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** In the fan favorite episode "Band Geeks" Squidward needed to put together a marching band in a week to play for a halftime show. He enlisted the help of Bikini Bottom but despite his best efforts no one really gave it a good try and the last day a petty fight broke out among the band members. Squidward chews them out for crushing his dream and leaves depressed. Spongebob then told the crowd about how he was ashamed that they didn't step up to help Squidward when he needed them, and Spongebob rallies the band to actually give Squidward something to be proud of.
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''. [[Calling the Old Man Out|Zuko confronts his Dad]] during the Day of Black Sun. He unfolds his life and what he went through to please his father, deconstructing his own [[Love Martyr|life]] and [["Well Done, Son" Guy|motivations]], topping it off with a rejection of his nation's goals and summation of how they are viewed by others before finally {{spoiler|telling Ozai that he's [[Heel Face Turn|leaving to join the Avatar]]}}. See the [[World of Cardboard Speech/Quotes|quotes page]] for the entire exchange.
* ''[[
** He gives a similar speech after a revelation that he was just letting the games control him. While he couldn't control where the games took him, he decided to refuse to [[The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard|play by their rules,]] and they eventually made it to their destination.
* In ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'', Po had his epiphany regarding the dragon scroll well before he faced the [[Big Bad]] Tai Lung. Tai Lung even said that Po seemed to be much stronger than he should be. But it wasn't until Tai Lung learned the secret of the Dragon scroll that Po mastered that he began to outclass him, inverting the [[Hannibal Lecture]]. As for an actual speech, Po did have a very condensed but effective one that encapsulated the fact that his weakness had become his strength:
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'''Po''': I'm not a big fat panda. I'm '''the''' big fat panda. }}
* ''[[Danny Phantom]]'' villain Spectra [[Powered
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* Twilight Sparkle from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
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'''Twilight Sparkle''': I'll tell you what we've learned, Discord! We've learned that friendship isn't always easy, but there's ''no doubt'' it's worth fighting for! }}
* Tiana's speech to Facilier in ''[[Princess and The Frog]]'' when he tries to lure her by material want rather than the love she always had.
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