Wham! Episode/Anime and Manga: Difference between revisions

** Krillin's first death. After a tournament, the gang go out to eat, but Goku realises he's forgotten something, so Krillin decides to go back and retrieve it. Goku has an uneasy feeling throughout dinner and finally snaps and runs back to the tournament grounds...to find Krillin dead. This set the tone for the King Piccolo arc, and is considered to be the turning point of the show when it became [[Darker and Edgier|more serious]].

** The first time Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan, a direct result of Freeza killing Goku's best friend, Krillin (yes, ''again'') and mocking 'that Earthling' after the fact. Before that, Piccolo's seemingly sensles sacrifice, thankfuly Freeza didn't mock Piccolo. Not just because the whole scene was epic but also because the normally cheerful Goku's disposition drastically changed. Besides the fact that he was revealed to be the legendary Super Saiyan, his looks changed and he became more powerful. No one was quite sure of what was going on with him; not his son Gohan nor Freeza nor the audience.

** While this wouldn't register with most English speaking fans due to [[Sequel First]] making it a [[Late Arrival Spoiler]], the '''entire Saiyan arc''' would qualify for this. Goku ''[[Chaste Hero|has a son]]'', as well as an ''[[Long-Lost Relative|evil brother]]''. Goku and Piccolo ''[[Super-Hero Origin|are aliens]]''. Goku is '''''[[The Hero Dies|dead]]'''''. [[Anyone Can Die|Yamcha dies, Chaozu dies, Tenshinhan dies]]... [[Alas, Poor Villain|Piccolo dies]], with him Kami dies, and thus '''[[Oh Crap|the Dragon Balls vanish]]'''... And [[Big Bad|Vegeta]] ''escapes''. (In a strangely ironic twist, Krillin [[Throw the Dog a Bone|survives]].)

* ''[[Durarara]]'' has Episode 11. The leader and the founder of the Dollars is revealed.

*** I'd argue that it's actually Episode 10. Even though the fact that {{spoiler|Mikado}} is the leader of the Dollars isn't explicitly stated until Episode 11, the end of Episode 10 ''strongly'' implies it. The [[Wham! Episode|Wham]] comes from the realization that {{spoiler|this supposedly nice, innocent kid is actually a badass with a better handle on the situation than anyone else}} and that the seemingly inane details that fill the rest of the episode are not only important, but do a masterful job of setting up the end reveal. This was the episode that made the show go from "quite good" to "absolutely incredible."

* One episode of ''[[Excel Saga (anime)|Excel Saga]]'' does this and follows through with [[Nothing Is the Same Anymore]]. It'd be a good example of the latter trope too, but that gets twisted round in the last episode, titled ''Going Too Far'' for [[Getting Crap Past the Radar|a very good reason]].

** For those interested, Excel is the epitome of a [[Genki Girl]], and often is a [[Spanner in the Works]] for her idol, boss, and '''major''' crush Il Palazzo, who wants to conquer the city. [[After the End|After an alien invasion ends up destroying the town]], Excel gets lost and Il Palazzo begins his conquest of the city, ordering his men to kill her. She defeats all of the men, reaches his tower, and bangs on the door until her hands are bloody, asking just to see him again. He shows up and shoots her, then [[Tear Jerker|leaves her to die in the sand]].

** The ending of the Edoras arc too. The heroes are back home, having sorted everything out and patting each other back when, "Oh hey, what's the [[Alternate Universe]] counterpart of the dead childhood friend doing here?"

** However, the biggest is chapter 209:{{spoiler|[[Red Baron|Black Mage Zeref]] [[Oh Crap|is back]]}}.

**** The latter is repeated again but in reverse when after Hades suffers his own [[Curb Stomp Battle|nasty defeat]], when low and behold the previously angsty and self-loathing {{spoiler|Zeref}} shows up and, all the while {{spoiler|freezing Hikaru and Rustyrose with only his presence}}, reveals that he has {{spoiler|been "awakened" all this time, that he values human life as opposed to everyone believing him to be the [[Big Bad]] of the series, and that he sees Grimoire Heart and Master Hades as nothing more than trash}}. He then promptly {{spoiler|finishes off Hades for good with one attack, before turning around a feeling something far worse coming over the horizon...}}

***** {{spoiler|And that something turns out to be the black dragon that kicked [[Badass|Gildartz's]] ass. The dragon then proceeds to utterly devastate the Fairy Tail mages before destroying the island}}. Leading to a [[Time Skip]]... Holy ''shit''.

* ''[[Kanon]]'' episode 21: Akiko gets hit by a car.

* Chapter 12 of ''[[Karakuridouji Ultimo]]''. After introducing a whole bunch of new doji, in the previous chapter, new Evil Doji are introduced, who proceed to murder the Good Doji in brutal and disturbing ways, kill all the good doji members in almost as brutal ways. Then the world blows up killing anyone who had any ounce of life left. [[The Hero|Yamato and Ultimo]] manage to use [[Reset Button|Time Manipulation]] to save everyone at the last second, but, the fandom still probably suffers from that chapter.

* Episode 6 of ''[[Kemono no Souja Erin]]''.

* Episode 15 of ''[[Kiddy Grade]]'' ends with the destruction of GOTT headquarters, with the following episode introducing Eclair as acting chief of the "new and improved" GOTT... or so one would think.

** ''[[Mobile Fighter G Gundam|G Gundam]]'' has episode 14, which reveals that Domon's teacher, mentor and father figure Master Asia is working for the Devil Gundam and brainwashed 4 other pilots. It also introduces the rest of the Shuffle Alliance 4 pilots who are supposed to work together with Domon to protect the Earth. Episode 42 reveals that Doctor Mikamura, Rain's father, betrayed his best friend Domon's father by revealing to the Neo-Japanese government the Ultimate Gundam. It also reveals that the supposed [[Big Bad]] is good, and is a brainwashed victim of the actual [[Big Bad]]. Also, episode 40 is where we find out that Domon's mysterious [[Big Brother Mentor]] is a clone of said implied [[Big Bad]]. There's also the fact that Master Asia is, unlike the Devil Gundam's other minions, [[Not Brainwashed]]. He joined its mission to [[Kill All Humans|rid the Earth of humanity]] of his own free will.

** There are two in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED|Gundam SEED]]'': the first is when [[The Hero]] is [[No One Could Survive That|apparently killed]] by his [[Forgotten Childhood Friend]] and [[The Rival|Rival]], triggering a chain of [[Heel Face Turn|Heel Face Turns]] that lasts for the rest of the series. The second is when the [[Cool Ship]]'s crew [[Conspiracy Redemption|is betrayed by their own superiors and deserts]], instead opting to [[Take a Third Option]] and turn the war into a [[Melee a Trois]].

** ''[[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam|Zeta Gundam]]'' is more of a string of wham episodes than anything else. Most notable are episode 3 where Camille's impulsiveness causes the death of his mother Hilda while trying to save her. Then of course, we have the death of his star crossed girlfriend Four in episode 36 (again, at least partially caused by his recklessness) and episode 50 with one of the bleakest endings in all of anime.

** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ|Gundam ZZ]]'' has several, including the episodes dealing with the [[Colony Drop]] on Dublin are especially jarring when longtime Gundam survivor Hayato dies a classic, Tomino-esque pointless death. This means that Karaba's down the drain and the Argama and company are literally the last line of defense against Neo Zeon. The aftermath, including Puru's death, are no less shocking and this "unserious" installment in the franchise doesn't give us a [[Breather Episode]] until we get back in space.

* [[Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok]], Episode 21. {{spoiler|Heimdall's death scene.}} Long story short: He trapped the main character and friends in an alternate dimension, eventually dragging the MC into a creepy platform strikingly reminiscent of the Great Bridge of Hylia. He then goes [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|completely unhinged]], exhausting very literally ''every ounce'' of his considerable power (which he had just gotten back from a certain thief) on the character he believed to be that thief -- the main character. Said character then deflects one of {{spoiler|Heimdall's}} attacks and uses it to kill his only friend in the entire series, a {{spoiler|falcon}}, leaving an unholy mess of feathers to rain down upon {{spoiler|Heimdall}}. He goes totally off the deep end and winds up shattering at least 90% of the platform they had been previously standing on without even moving a muscle -- it just cracks under their feet. He then falls to his death with a truly cringe-inducing scream... and the normally stoic main character, after being returned to the real world, sheds a single tear. Keep in mind that this is coming from the same series which, a few episodes previous, was doing an [[Iron Chef]] parody.

* The first few episodes of [[Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water]] were pretty lighthearted. The two main characters were mostly running around, some Team Rocket-like jewel thieves were chasing them, and the titular Nadia was trying to find a way to get to Africa. Then they end up on Gargoyle's island and boy, things get REALLY dark out of nowhere. Most of the people on the island have been killed by Gargoyle's men. The main characters find a little girl whose parents and even dog were just killed, and it's a life or death situation when they all have to hide from them. It's truly scary.

** ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica|Madoka Magica]]'''s [[Spin-Off]], ''[[Kazumi Magica]]'', also has Wham Episodes. To date:

*** Chapter 4: {{spoiler|Kyubey makes [[The Cameo|a small but significant cameo.]] The [[Mysterious Watcher]] from the previous chapter is revealed as Juubey, a fairy that can ''purify [[The Corruption]] from Soul Gems''. The strange witches fought in the first two chapters were actually pseudo-witches created by Yuuri - the antagonistic magical girl from previous chapters - using imitation Grief Seeds. She then promptly takes the role of [[Knight of Cerebus]], bloodily incapacitates the other magical girls, and shoves one of her imitation Grief Seeds in Kazumi's forehead.}}

*** Chapter 8: Fairly minor but {{spoiler|the new antagonists pull out Evil Nuts, suggesting they either avert [[No Ontological Inertia]] or they were created by someone else. Then Nico suddenly becomes a witch. Or does she?}}

*** Chapters 10-12: Oh boy, these 3 chapters were so full of Whamness that this troper has to put it this way.

** The first [[Wham! Episode]] in the series is probably the one where {{spoiler|Nephrite dies}}. Before that, it was mostly about the wacky adventures of three clumsy superheroes and their talking cat; this episode marks the first time someone other than a [[Monster of the Week]] actually dies (as opposed to being [[Human Popsicle|frozen in a crystal]]), leaving another character heartbroken, and things generally take a darker turn from here.

* ''[[School Rumble]]'' had Eri then Yakumo introduced as potential love interests for Harima. The manga showed Karasuma admitting he really is in love with Tenma {{spoiler|and he has a terminal disease}}.

** To sum up the episode, Chiaki thinks that Hatori is cheating on him with his ex-girlfriend in high school and that he deliberately skipped out on their date to see a movie (which was staying in theaters for one last day) in order to see her. Pissed off and jealous, he goes to Yanase's house to vent. The typical drama of this series. {{spoiler|Then things take a turn for the worse when Hatori calls Yanase and Yanase says he's not handing Chiaki over. Yanase tries to confess to Chiaki a second time hoping he would take him seriously this time (and at this point, Yanase is desperate for Chiaki to return his feelings). By forcing himself on Chiaki, Chiaki retaliates by actually punching in the face (and mind you that Chiaki is the type of person that wouldn't hurt a fly) and the rejection finally causes him to [[Break the Cutie|break down]] [[Cry Cute|crying]] in front of his best friend. Naturally, what makes the situation worse is Hatori forcing his way inside the house and [[Kick Them While They Are Down|proceeding to beat up]] Yanase after he [[Heroic BSOD|literally shut down and wasn't going to fight back.]] Chiaki stops Hatori in time and Chiaki literally treats Yuu the same as always as leaving,}} which leaves a bad aftertaste considering the fact that the episode ends with Hatori explaining why he was with his ex girlfriend in the first place and Chiaki forgetting what happened. A what the hell moment with Chiaki acting like nothing happened? Sure. A [[Karma Houdini]] for Hatori in this episode? Definitely. [[The Chew Toy|Yanase is just that unlucky.]]

* [[Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-hen]] had Wham Ending. {{spoiler|In the last episode Kouji finally defeats and kills Doctor Hell. The same moment sky goes red, [[Crowning Music of Awesome]] suddenly stops and wierd thigs starts coming from the sky. It's then revealed that Doctor Hell had installed a program in Baron Ashura that prevented him from comitting suicide as long as Hell is alive. Now, after tricking Kouji into killing Hell for him, Ashura takes his own life, braking ancient seal and unleashing [[Bigger Bad|Mycean Empire]], lead by Great General Of Darkness, on the world}}.

* ''[[Soukou no Strain]]'' is another series where the first wham comes at the end of the first episode: Characters are introduced, and even hints of a romance is set up... Then the brother of our main character shows up and [[Kill'Em All|kills everyone]].

* ''[[Soul Eater]]'': The episode where the {{spoiler|Kishin is revived}} You ''know'' that this is a wham episode too, because after this arc ends and the new arc begins, you start to see less and less comedic fillers and more exhausting and '''''BRUTAL''''' battles in the series.

*** 86 and 87 are ''dual'' wham episodes. In 86, {{spoiler|Justin Law apparently murders Tezca Tlipoca for real this time, making Tezca probably the protagonist with the most screen time to actually die.}}

**** {{spoiler|And in chapter 88 it ends with Shinigami's [[Wham! Line]] ordering Spartoi to kill Chrona}}

** Urasawa had already done it once before, at the end of volume 5 when we learn that Kenji completely failed and the [[Big Bad]] controls Japan. He does it again at the end of volume 15 when we learn they now controls the whole world and the calendar now dates from his resurrection. Yeah, that's right: the [[Big Bad]] ''replaces Jesus!''

** That part has [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|another piece of wham]] immediately afterwards: namely that the [[Big Good]] is, after 15 years (in story) and 10 volumes, most definitely ''[[He's Back|not]]'' dead.

* The anime of ''[[Welcome to The NHK]]'' has this for episode 13. Sato shows one of the first major signs of overcoming his [[Hikikomori]] disorder when his senpai Hitomi (who he's very attracted to) seems to invite him on a vacation with her, but finds out that she has inadvertently taken him with her to a group suicide party AND has a boyfriend who proposes to her to convince her not to kill herself. This leads to him actually attempting suicide himself, since he was using her as motivation to change. In the chaos that follows, Misaki desperately attempts to save him, which leads to her showing the first real sign of her ''own'' issues. By the end of the episode the Misaki and Sato are so emotionally battered that they burst out in [[Inelegant Blubbering|combined wails]] that carry on to the end title card.

* ''[[Witch Hunter Robin]]'': Episode 12.