Our Werewolves Are Different: Difference between revisions

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* See [[Werewolf Works]] for an index of works that prominently feature werewolves.

* See [[Werebeast Tropes]] for other tropes related to werewolves and other Werebeasts.

* Other wolfish tropes include [[Big Badass Wolf]], [[~~Everythings~~ Worse With Wolves]] and [[Wolves Always Howl At the Moon]].

* Other wolfish tropes include [[Big Badass Wolf]], [[Everything's Worse With Wolves]] and [[Wolves Always Howl At the Moon]].

* [[Youkai]] are Japanese supernatural creatures that are sometimes depicted as having features similar to werebeasts.

* See [[Sliding Scale of Anthropomorphism]] for information on other tropes related to the combination of human and animal features and [[Shapeshifting]] for other tropes related to changing form.

== Anime and Manga ==

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* ''[[The Astounding Wolf Man]]'', written by Robert Kirkman, focuses on a man who, after being infected with lycanthropy on a family vacation, uses it as a means by which he can become a superhero. His werewolf powers give him super strength and healing, but only work at night. Also on the night of the full moon he enters a feral state and can no longer control his actions.

* [[X-Men (Comic Book)|Wolfsbane]] of the 1980's Marvel Comics to present is a mutant shapechanger who originally could become a red-furred wolf, or a 'werewolfgirl' intermediate form. These forms continued to change as she grew, influenced by emotional crises, mind control, drugs, mutant energy influxes, whatever the writers could dream up. Twice (at least) depowered and restored, she has served on more teams (and in more different comic books) than most any character.

** Don't forget her [[Love At First Sight]], the [[Star Crossed Lovers|Asgardian]] wolf prince, who is a regular wolf with the power to turn into a wolf-man.

** Don't forget her [[Love At First Sight]], the [[Star-Crossed Lovers|Asgardian]] wolf prince, who is a regular wolf with the power to turn into a wolf-man.

** There was also a minor character, Wolfcub, who was stuck in a "wolfman" form. A couple of plots have tried to explain that all mutants with regenerative powers, claws, and heightened senses were a subspecies of mutant (Homo superior lupus) that was the origin of werewolves.

* In ''[[Runaways]]'' the heroes have to go up against a group of "cowboy werewoofs". One character is surprised at this because "there isn't even a full moon tonight". This prompts another character to point out that the "moon is always full".

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* ''[[Bad Moon]]'' features a werewolf that changes every night, without the need for a full moon, and that doesn't need any special method to kill (or harm).

* In the [[Wes Craven]] film ''[[Cursed 2005 (Film)|Cursed]]'', Werewolves have a powerful sexual allure to members of the opposite sex. The curse itself seems to confer an uncanny ability to pull off [[Wrestler in All of Us|complex pro-wrestling moves]] in high school wrestling matches, and killing the cursed werewolf that infected you won't cut it for the cure... you have to kill the natural born werewolf that infected ''it''.

* ''[[Trick R Treat|Trick 'r Treat]]'' features [[One Gender Race|all-female werewolves]] who change their form by tearing apart their human skin in a rather gruesome way. They also seem to congregate in [[All Hallows Eve|Holloween nights]] to party and devour men.

* ''[[Trick R Treat|Trick 'r Treat]]'' features [[One-Gender Race|all-female werewolves]] who change their form by tearing apart their human skin in a rather gruesome way. They also seem to congregate in [[All Hallows Eve|Holloween nights]] to party and devour men.

* ''[[Red Riding Hood (Film)|Red Riding Hood]]'': One can only be turned into a werewolf if they are bitten by one during the Blood Moon. And only those that are in their bloodline can understand what they say. Everyone else hears only growls.

* ''[[Nosferatu (Film)|Nosferatu]]'' has a scene of a werewolf (actually, a [[Misplaced Wildlife|hyena]]) roaming the inn that the protagonist stops at en route to Orlock's castle in the Carpathians.

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** Werewolves can be killed without silver, they can just survive more damage than a normal human and heal faster, but being gutted or at ground zero of an IED kills a werewolf perfectly well.

** The first werewolf pack that we see in the books is led by a bullying, abusive alpha male, but from the second book on we can see that werewolf pack dynamics vary widely. At least two seem to be a normal group of people who just happen to spend full moon nights in the woods together.

** The [[Theme Naming]] trope is subverted or just averted; the protagonist herself has a punny [[Non Indicative Name]] purely by chance, and few if any of the many other werecreatures encountered in the series have any connection between their name and what they do.

** The [[Theme Naming]] trope is subverted or just averted; the protagonist herself has a punny [[Non-Indicative Name]] purely by chance, and few if any of the many other werecreatures encountered in the series have any connection between their name and what they do.

** Lycanthropy is infectious. Some characters have feared getting it from being exposed to a werewolf's blood or saliva while that werewolf is in human form, but it hasn't happened in the books themselves. In their human forms, werewolves have the same silver vulnerability, [[Healing Factor]] and increased strength that they do as wolves. Female werewolves can't carry a pregnancy to term; shapeshifting causes the fetus to miscarry.

* ''[[Warhammer]]'' had the Children of Ulric, but they were apparently wiped out in the same story where they were introduced ("Trollslayer").

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* In ''WerewolveSS'' by Jerry & Sharon Ahern, you start off with the standard Man-Wolf of Wolf-Man bipedal death machines that change under the full moon. Given time and [[Stupid Jetpack Hitler|Nazi science]] (thus the SS in the title), the remnants of project Werewolf determine that, by using specific types of music, werewolves and their shape-shifting abilities can be controlled. This results in the neo-Nazis running about infecting people with lycanthropy and then using loudspeakers to play Wagner operas that turn them into a [[Ghostapo|goose-stepping werewolf army]].

* The Wyr in Nick O'Donohoe's ''Crossroads'' trilogy (''The Magic and the Healing'', ''Under the Healing Sign'', and ''The Healing of Crossroads'') are a separate species; they [[Voluntary Transformation|shapeshift at will]] (although it's [[Painful Transformation|painful]], physically taxing, and [[Body Horror|disturbing]] to [[Appendage Assimilation|watch]]) and have something of a [[Healing Factor]]. While they're generally attractive in human form, they're secretive, brutally pragmatic, rather feral, and ''arrogant as hell''. {{spoiler|Despite this, they're basically on the side of good after the first book.}}

* Arguably [[Indigo]], although her shapeshifting ability seems to be tied to her friendship with a [[Big Badass Wolf]] [[Talking Animal|Telepathic]] [[Non Human Sidekick|Wolf]].

* Arguably [[Indigo]], although her shapeshifting ability seems to be tied to her friendship with a [[Big Badass Wolf]] [[Talking Animal|Telepathic]] [[Non-Human Sidekick|Wolf]].

* In Toby Barlow's epic poem/novel ''Sharp Teeth'' various gangs of werewolves live in [[Aliens in Cardiff|the area of Los Angeles]]; them becoming aware of each other is the main plot of the book. They change voluntarily into what can be mistaken for stray dogs, some hiding in pounds and even getting adopted.

* In [[JRR Tolkien (Creator)|J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' werewolves are evil spirits transformed into the shape of giant, monstrous wolves. Sauron, who used to be infamous for his shapeshifting powers, was at one point known as the Lord of Werewolves and turned into one in order to fight the mystic wolfhound Huan.

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* Wolfie the werewolf from ''[[Beetleborgs]]'' is treated more like a house pet than a monster at Hillhurst, although in one episode he accidentally bit Jara and turned her into a werewolf.

* An episode of ''[[Dinosaurs]]'' had Robbie tell a scary story to his baby bro where he ''gets bitten by a rabid [[Furry Confusion|caveman]]'' and becomes a ''were-man''. (Of course, ''were'' means ''man'' [[Did Not Do the Research|anyway]], but you shouldn't go to this show for one hundred percent accuracy).

** That may have also been a case of [[Viewers ~~Are~~ Morons]].

** That may have also been a case of [[Viewers are Morons]].

* The [[Petting Zoo People|half-wolves]] of ''[[The Tenth Kingdom]]''. Although only one example is extant in the series, Wolf, judging by him the half-wolves are hereditary [[Wolf Man|Wolf Men]] with heightened senses who live in packs (we never see any so don't know about the existence of alphas, though they're highly likely) and do not seem to be vulnerable to silver. They change only on the three nights of the full moon, and while changed have no control over their actions and no memory of what they have done. They also seem to be afflicted by the 'take on lupine mannerisms and characteristics' aspect of this trope, since Wolf is constantly scratching at his temple, whines and whimpers and growls, nuzzles Virginia, and scrapes the ground with his feet to cover his tracks--although this may merely be a product of actor Scott Cohen's enthusiastic character immersion.

** What makes the half-wolves interesting is the twists: they ''always'' possess tails, even in human form, [[Freud Was Right|which change size with the time of the month]] and apparently act as [[Fantastic Arousal|erogenous zones]], and explicit reference is made to the female cycle by how Wolf starts gaining PMS-like symptoms as the full moon approaches and, when fighting the change, ends up with... [[Does This Remind You of Anything|cramps]].

** What makes the half-wolves interesting is the twists: they ''always'' possess tails, even in human form, [[Freud Was Right|which change size with the time of the month]] and apparently act as [[Fantastic Arousal|erogenous zones]], and explicit reference is made to the female cycle by how Wolf starts gaining PMS-like symptoms as the full moon approaches and, when fighting the change, ends up with... [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|cramps]].

** Still more interestingly, it is never truly explained what the term 'half-wolf' actually means. Are they the literal product of [[Hot Skitty On Wailord Action|a coupling between a full wolf and a human]], and this is what grants them their ability to change forms? Or is it merely a euphemism for werewolf, which could be considered a half-wolf because they can also appear as humans? Or is it even possible, taking into account the [[Fantastic Racism|prejudice]] against them in the Kingdoms, that the term is meant to be parallel to mulattos, quadroons, and octaroons in the real world--so if a half-wolf had a child with a human, their offspring would be a quarter-wolf, and so on?

*** Wolf's sole [[Transformation Sequence]] during the miniseries is inconclusive, since all we see is him becoming a typical Lon Chaney [[Wolf Man]]. According to [[Word of God|Simon Moore]], however, Wolf was intended to become a Dire Wolf, but they didn't have the budget for such special effects. What this says about the nature of half-wolves isn't clear.

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* ''[[Warhammer 40000]]'' brings us the Wulfen, werewolves [[In Space]]. The curse is present in all Space Wolves due to it being imbued into their genes during their trials. Those who fail to overcome the curse during the trials turn into wulfen. However, since it is still in the genes of the Space Wolves, they gradually turn more and more bestial over the years. Some look like real wolves wearing power armor after a while. The Thirteenth Great Company is a prime example of this, since they have spent ten thousand years inside the Eye of Terror, coming out later with the curse with a high hold of their bodies. The best thing is, they are still sane ''and'' loyal to the Emperor. Indeed, the wulfen curse reacts strongly to chaos, acting as some kind of automatic mental shield against the taint of chaos. In short, the wulfen curse is only a bad thing if you can't overcome it, meaning the Space Wolves have a high natural resistance against the taint of chaos due to it.

* ''[[Werewolf: The Apocalypse (Tabletop Game)|Werewolf: The Apocalypse]]'', the [[Player Character|Player Characters]] play werewolves, which are a separate species. "Garou" may breed with both normal humans and wolves, though breeding between Garou produces deformed, sterile outcasts. They can quickly change into various stages of wolf and human at will, with the middle form being the classic half-human half-wolf. They worship Gaia and have access to the [[Another Dimension|spirit world]], but are also soldiers in the war against vast forces of nature embodying smothering order and mindless destruction. Their [[Unstoppable Rage]] gives them power in combat, but can also be an [[Achilles Heel]]. As with all ''[[Old World of Darkness (Tabletop Game)|Old World of Darkness]]'' races, they have made a terrific mess of things, so it falls to [[Player Character|Player Characters]] to set things right. Maybe. (OK no, actually the world is probably doomed anyway, hence the title.)

* ''[[Werewolf: The Forsaken (Tabletop Game)|Werewolf: The Forsaken]]'', has the Uratha, which are somewhat similar to the Garou, but simplified. Unlike the Garou, the Uratha all start as human and can ''only'' breed with humans (or [[Half Human Hybrid|wolf-blooded]]); trying to mate with other Uratha leads to the [[Fetus Terrible|"ghost children"]]. Interestingly, the antagonist tribes, the Pure, are almost ideologically identical to the Garou. The rules reference commmon aspects of werewolf lore. Biting people doesn't spread lycanthropy, but werewolves ''do'' bite people on the verge of a first change to get their scene. Wolfsbane does not cure lycanthropy, but it can be imbued with the ability to force Uratha to return to human form.

* ''[[Werewolf: The Forsaken (Tabletop Game)|Werewolf: The Forsaken]]'', has the Uratha, which are somewhat similar to the Garou, but simplified. Unlike the Garou, the Uratha all start as human and can ''only'' breed with humans (or [[Half-Human Hybrid|wolf-blooded]]); trying to mate with other Uratha leads to the [[Fetus Terrible|"ghost children"]]. Interestingly, the antagonist tribes, the Pure, are almost ideologically identical to the Garou. The rules reference commmon aspects of werewolf lore. Biting people doesn't spread lycanthropy, but werewolves ''do'' bite people on the verge of a first change to get their scene. Wolfsbane does not cure lycanthropy, but it can be imbued with the ability to force Uratha to return to human form.

* In ''[[Ars Magica]]'', lycanthrophy is the result of a curse which can be magical or faery in nature, and is tied to the moon cycle. If taken as a blessing, transformations can be controlled. Were-bears and were-lynxes are also possible in the setting.

* ''[[Rifts]]'' and other games in Palladium's ''Megaverse'' have them as a separate species, ranging from Wolves to Bears, and some of the big cats (and even further, Werepanthers are different than Werejaguars).

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** Both wargs and werewolves are featured in the series proper. Werewolves, however, have a few pyrokinetic skills

* The most recent ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' games have the laguz, which can shapeshift for limited amounts of time. A "Halfshift" ability can be applied to let them take on a less powerful transformation at will, certain items can make them instantly shift, and the kings and queens of each tribe can stay in their animal forms indefinitely. And yes, there are wolves.

* [[Spell My Name With an S|Tinek/T'Nique/whatever]] Arcana from ''[[Star Ocean]]'' is part of a race called lycanthropes, and transforms into a werewolf before every battle. He isn't explored very much, but he does say in Private Actions that he has to train constantly so he doesn't lose his senses and go berserk while transformed.

* [[Spell My Name With an "S"|Tinek/T'Nique/whatever]] Arcana from ''[[Star Ocean]]'' is part of a race called lycanthropes, and transforms into a werewolf before every battle. He isn't explored very much, but he does say in Private Actions that he has to train constantly so he doesn't lose his senses and go berserk while transformed.

* The second ''[[Golden Sun (Video Game)|Golden Sun]]'' game has Garoh, a village of friendly werewolves who are also psychic. Though they don't want you to know their secret. A cutscene suggests that the lycanthropy and [[Psychic Powers]] both come from exposure to [[Green Rocks|Psynergy Stones]].

** No references to Garoh in ''[[Golden Sun Dark Dawn (Video Game)|Golden Sun Dark Dawn]]'', but a nation of beastmen does exist in Morgal, with Belinsk as its capitol. Sveta, a player character, is from that nation {{spoiler|and is a member of its royal clan.}}

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** Though Worgen lore as a whole stretches back to the war of ancients, roughly several thousand or more years ago, they were druids who worshipped the wolf ancient, Goldrinn. Their wolf form filled them with rage and was difficult to control, so they attempted to stabilize it by drawing upon the power of Elune, the moon goddess, through a magical scythe. This had the opposite effect, twisting and [[Shapeshifter Mode Lock|Shapeshifter Mode Locking]] them into an insane manwolf form. The other druids, fearing their power and insanity, sealed them away in the Emerald Dream (another dimension). Many years later, Gilnean sorcerer Arugal accidentally summons some of the worgen as an attempt to drive back [[Zombie Apocolypse|the undead Scourge]]. Around the same time, a night elven sentinel finds a magical scythe (the same one that cursed the worgen in the first place) that allows her to summon the worgen herself. Unfortunately, they too go out of control.

* In ''[[Mega Man Star Force]]'', [[Meaningful Name|Damian Wolfe]]'s takes upon the appearance of an anthro wolf as his EM form, Wolf Woods. It's hard for him to control himself in this form.

* Warwolves in ''[[City of Heroes]]'' are a mysterious variant of [[Super Soldier]] used by the [[Stupid Jetpack Hitler|Fifth Column]] and Council. After a certain level, random Council [[Mooks]] have a chance of [[One Winged Angel|transforming into them when defeated]].

* Warwolves in ''[[City of Heroes]]'' are a mysterious variant of [[Super Soldier]] used by the [[Stupid Jetpack Hitler|Fifth Column]] and Council. After a certain level, random Council [[Mooks]] have a chance of [[One-Winged Angel|transforming into them when defeated]].

* ''[[Sabre Man (Video Game)|Sabre Man]]'', the intrepid explorer from the classic, eponymous 8-bit computer game series, is cursed with lycanthropy in 'Knight Lore' by the dire wolf Sabrewulf and forced to find a cure within 40 days before the curse becomes permanent. Sabreman transformed into a "werewulf" every night, the most notorious game effect being our poor hero marked as an enemy by Melkhior's magic cauldron, the only artifact that can prepare the cure for his affliction.

* ''[[Dragon Age|Dragon Age: Origins]]'' features werewolves that were created by {{spoiler|the Keeper of a Dalish (Elf) clan who cursed the humans who destroyed his family. They can only become human again if the Keeper agrees to end the curse, an act that will also kill him}}. These werewolves have learned to speak, but are regrettably cursed with frequent pig-like snorting when doing so. These aren't the only werebeasts in the setting. Most werecreatures are actually humans or animals possessed by demons from [[Spirit World|the Fade]] and subsequently mutated.

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* ''[[Altered Beast]]'' features the player becoming a werewolf in two levels.

* Valkenhayn R. Hellsing, Rachel's [[Memetic Badass|Badass]] [[Battle Butler]] in ''[[Blaz Blue]]'' is a werewolf. Contrary to most examples, he's very cultured and cool-headed. Not only is he capable of changing into a wolf completely (or even partially) at will, it's actually a part of his gameplay. In wolf form he's much faster and has some powerful moves, but he can't block.

* ''[[Darkstalkers (Video Game)|Darkstalkers]]'' has Jon Talbain (Gallon in the Japanese version). He seems to be in control of himself as a werewolf, although he fears that he will lose himself in bloodlust and become a beast completely, and is desperately searching for a cure for his condition. {{spoiler|He does find a cure in the endings of the first two games, although the third game's ending suggests that he's jumping headlong in the ''other'' direction}}. Also note: [[What Do You Mean ~~Its~~ Not Awesome|English Kung-Fu Werewolf]]. Hell yes.

* ''[[Darkstalkers (Video Game)|Darkstalkers]]'' has Jon Talbain (Gallon in the Japanese version). He seems to be in control of himself as a werewolf, although he fears that he will lose himself in bloodlust and become a beast completely, and is desperately searching for a cure for his condition. {{spoiler|He does find a cure in the endings of the first two games, although the third game's ending suggests that he's jumping headlong in the ''other'' direction}}. Also note: [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?|English Kung-Fu Werewolf]]. Hell yes.

* Werewolves exist in ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]'' games.

** In Daggerfall, you have Werewolves and Wereboars. It's infectious, they change every month at the full moon and have to kill an innocent a month.