How To Design Transformations, Powers & Abilities In Your Manga/Comic Or Light Novel

Whether your series is a shounen, shoujo, fantasy, magical girl or other kind of genre, your character will likely have some kind of ability or powers to help them in their journey. However, designing interesting but realisitc powers can be a difficult task. With so many other entertaining powers, abilities and transformations out there, how do you come up with something that stands out from the crowd? In today's video, I talk about all the basics on how to design good transformations and how to create great character abilities (with or without supernatural powers included!) I hope you enjoy this video, and it helps with your manga creations. 😁
0:00 Intro
1:07 Does Your Character Need A Transformation?
2:00 How To Add Transformations To Your Story
2:12 1- Give Them A Good Reason To Transform
2:42 2- Give A Theme Behind The Transformations
3:34 3- Focus On The Main Parts Of The Transformation
4:37 4- Decide On The Origin Of The Power
5:12 5- Think More Of Results Over Actions
5:44 6- Focus On The Feeling Of The Transformation
6:01 7- Does The Transformation Suit The Theme?
6:33 How To Design Good Abilities And Powers
7:10 Part 1- Creating Abilities Without Magic Properties
7:25 1- The Powers Should Be Gained Through Training
8:09 2- Give Them One Main Ability To Focus On
9:47 3- Give Them At Least One Main Weakness
11:14 4- Give Them A Good Reason To Need Their Powers
11:35 5- Give Them Realistic Growth Over The Story
12:02 6- Consider Their Abilities In Relation To Worldbuilding
12:56 Part 2 - Creating Abilities With Magic & Powers
13:08 1- Give Their Powers & Abilities A Theme
13:57 2- Keep Things Simple
14:44 3- Give Their Powers Growth Stages
16:00 4- Decide The Origin Of The Powers
16:22 5- Decide How The Powers Fit Into The Worldbuilding
17:05 6- Limit The Amount Of Possible Powers
17:24 7- Give Them A Realistic Weakness
17:51 8- Consider Cause And Affect With These Powers
18:20 9- Ensure The Outward Appearance Ties In With Purpose
18:56 How To Blend Physical Abilities With Supernatural Powers
19:50 How To Merge Powers & Abilities Into The Story
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[@kurossly2281]

This helped me a lot! I'm creating a manga which is a combination of games and animes and manga in one. The abilities in my manga are just simply Energy. Energy is like the main source of power for characters, while using elemental powers. There are also miscellaneous powers such as Explosion Energy, Zero Energy, and Void Energy. When too much energy is gained, the user will suffer heavy exhaustion. But if they have too low energy, then they will be dazed and left wide open. In order to solve this, I made abilities named Magic and Heat. Magic is a bunch of energy stored in one bit, and Heat is the amount of energy produced. My transformation would be accessing a state of extreme magic called "Overdrive". Overdrive is when a user has a lot of magic and heat, and decides to use all that up to get buffs such as speed, strength, durability, and etc. The user can have up to 15-25 overdrive modes, and overdrive modes are rated in my book on a scale of F Rank to S+ rank. F Rank is an overdrive with not much negative effects on the body, but the buffs are weak. S+ Rank overdrives are overdrives capable of killling people in a mere instant, but requires a lot of magic, and has severe negative effects, inckuding death. That's all I thought of, and I tried to be creative. Thanks for the video, by the way!

[@midnightXcross]

That's a really creative idea!! Thank you so much for sharing 😊

[@willmerguzmanrodriguez6635]

Nice idea, I support you

[@Nicoisbestboi]

"Every living creature has two souls A Base Soul and A Resenjin Soul, the Base Soul contains information of personality, will and memory, the Resenjin Soul contains information of Ambition, form, emotion and desire." --- Liir, a character in my series talking about what Resenjin is. "The two souls can synchronise with each other, the higher the "sync rate" the stronger the vessel (the life form/character/animal) will become, with sufficient sync rates the vessel can undergo a transformation each stage has a different transformation connected to it. " --- Again Liir, going more in depth into the two souls. The transformations + required sync rate are as follows: 1. Resenjin (Sync Rate 15%), 2. Reisenjin (Sync Rate 15%, unstable base soul due to a massive flood of negativity (i.e literally seeing their friend being murdered in front of their eyes by someone who they hate), already having the resenjin transformation active), 3. Kota Resejin (25% sync rate), 4. Bakurai Resenjin (100% sync rate, an absolute resolve to do one thing)

[@DiamondTalesadventures]

I think another reason to transform you could have added is needing it out of desperation. Like, If a character is too weak, and they are pushed to the brink of death where they unlock a hidden power. Like Super saiyan for example

[@GracelessEmber]

Careful to not make it Deus Ex Machina

[@IsaacFook]

Found out that Kamen Rider transformation quite straight to the point

[@Rucka225]

When Im done with my series. You'll get to the loudest shout-out! Thank you

[@sananshahid6724]

whats the name

[@jetgood5597]

I made like a dude, all about fists, and i recently came up with a transformation which gives him the ability to straight up turn walls into hands.

[@arvianworkshop7118]

Ooo, this one I have dabbled for a long time now XD

[@midnightXcross]

I hope this video helps!! 😊

[@cadenceabner2649]

OMG, yay! Just the vid I needed! Thnx. (Also this was requested by me a while ago so thanks again).

[@midnightXcross]

Yay, that's awesome!!!! And yes, this was actually from your request. I always keep my requests in a list to make videos on, and to help give inspiration. Thank you so much for your request!! 💖

[@reecedoe9449]

I’ve got a character whose power is to copy the physique of anyone he looks up to so I gave him transformations based on Arnold Schwarzenegger, Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic, Jet Li and then Bruce Lee as his final form. This really helped to come up with the basis for the story and to make sure it kinda made sense

[@starwing2814]

Thank you so much for this!!!!! I needed this so much!!! Lately, I have been having trouble in where my character's ability comes from. I'm still trying to tie it in with war paint, but I was also trying to tie it to a magical bird creature as the source. Before I thought I could base it on the northern lights, but I realized it was pretty difficult couldn't really find a way to tie it in a meaningful way. So now I'm trying stars and I've changed the character's appearance similar to Sailor Mars. The way my character gets her power, was through damascene jewelry, they're mostly pendants or earring that are usually silver/gold. They usually have a bird at the center that would be silver/gold and swirly designs around them while the background is black. This type of jewelry is found in Spain mostly, I think I read that it, got there through trade with Middle East centuries ago. Although, I don't know if this is the way to go. So far, I'm still struggling in goal setting for the character but I'm getting there hopefully. I think I'm setting this into a fantasy setting like Greece or Persia. I have a question, has any of your story ideas have came back to you like a boomerang? That's what also has been happening to me.

[@midnightXcross]

Wow, this is a lovely idea! I can really imagine a character like this, with those star abilities. I think the northern lights idea is a great concept as well. You may be able to still tie that concept into your story, perhaps by having a group of powerful characters who glow, creating that legend in the first place. Also, yes, my story ideas do sometimes come back to me! I always make sure to write down all the ideas I get, because I never know when I might want to use them. Sometimes the smallest ideas can lead to bigger stories 😊

[@Lilas.Duveteux]

My "Magical Girl" idea do have transformation, although they find it quite unpleasant. And the birth of their powers is quite a painful, unpleasant, disgusting experience. For exemple, Arlette's wings pop out of the back, piercing the skin and releasing a huge quantity of blood and serum. She had to stay in bed a few days to recover from the blood loss and emotional shock. Bella have two patches of her hair (with pieces of her scalp, with some cranial fluid) falling off to make room for her growing ram. And it happens in the shower while she's washing her hair, so it's extra stinging. My other fantasy don't have any transformation (with the exeption of elven wing birth...Just imagine muscles replacing themselves and the skin being ripped open to make space for a new pair of dragonfly wings, with serum flowing in steady streams and some bleeding). The principle of magic is this: you borrow a non-physical energy around you and you make it do something you want, using your own body as a vessel. Each spell requires a trance and a ritual. Although anyone can learn how to make magic, only born witches and wizards can do it safely (because having huge quantities magnetic energy going in and out of your body can't be healthy).

[@midnightXcross]

Wow that's really cool and scary too. Is your story more of a 'dark magical girl' genre? 😊 It seems like you put a lot of thought into this. Very creative!!

[@Lilas.Duveteux]

@@midnightXcross Thanks. I am trying to have a narrative for a more...torture-fluff magical girl plot, but lack the imagination to make a full-on narrative. It's dark, but not in the "classical" magical girl type story.

[@JoiskiMe]

Make the transformation short??? But that's one of the main appeals 😭

[@midnightXcross]

What I meant to say was not to make it short, but always make sure that it focuses on the main aspects (basically what you want to appear, whether it be the clothes, the hair, or weapons). As long as it has the main aspects included, you're welcome to make your transformations as long or as short as you want 😊

[@DY2727]

Hey Midnight x Cross I’m working on a series that’s a parody of dark magical girl series but I didn’t really think about a reason for a transformation so thanks I will think about a reason for the transformation

[@midnightXcross]

Awesome!! I absolutely love dark magical girl series. I hope your creative process goes well!! 😁😁

[@saf1819]

Midnight another one!? Wow! Thanks so much! You're contributing so much to this community! Nice!

[@midnightXcross]

Yess!!!! I have so many video ideas that I want to create 😁😁 Thank you so much for watching!!

[@saf1819]

@@midnightXcross Nice! I"m looking forward to it then :D

[@Mel-vx3bs]

I’m a bit late but a very helpful video indeed I appreciate it.

[@quevampstamp8507]

How to make anime mode/transformation 101 Extra body parts/diffrent suit or things added to it Getting bigger or & gaining more muscle mass Colors glow or just being more brighter & saturated And last but not least Hair changing color growing longer or doing both lol see if you cant find a transformation with this stuff

[@midnightXcross]

Great ideas! Thank you so much for your comment 😁

[@quevampstamp8507]

Np

[@Nicoisbestboi]

I'm working on a manga (currently doing the planning until I can get some art supplies/ a drawing tablet), some characters have a different ability (reply with name ideas for what I should call the power system) that only gives new capabilities to the user (such as the ability to create electric shocks with their hands), however their is a technique that causes the Psychic ability to manifest itself physically, this would be used for the first time by the twist villain (who I won't say who it is unless you want me to send you a DM on twitter or something lol)

[@cureblue2055]

Lusine form my kiva manga, needs to transform because her powers are not able to be used unless she transforms. She transforms using Twilight Kivat and the Twilight belt to become Kamen Rider Twilight Kica

[@midnightXcross]

That's a really great idea!! 😊😊

[@aedanneely939]

I'm trying to start a Manga and in it my charecter gets pushed to the edge of death and the idea of a transformation at that point might just work

[@rocketmanart7964]

Transformations from an ancient text, ancestors, given to them by gods, wearing a necklace or glove that can trigger a Transformation.

[@rocketmanart7964]

In my series, my main character, Asphalt, uses flames, and they increase his speed and durability. Asphalt also has two physical transformations called White flames and Black flames.

[@toosteadyy]

I was thinking about having characters abilities and transformations based off of elemental dragons.

[@midnightXcross]

That sounds like an awesome idea! 😊

[@toosteadyy]

@@midnightXcross thanks that means a lot coming from you.

[@_.ochikaze._]

Jesus christ only 200 likes? Pardon my french but this is super fucking underrated, this honestly helps a lot ty!! I’ve seen this and the power system video and its helped a bunch

[@adamshafeeq8685]

One more rule of making transformations; have it occasionally happen in an awkward area. If they're in school, make them run to the restroom to transform.

[@Kromiball]

I remember in Madan Senki Ryukendo there was an episode where the entire city training in a dojo had to fight off low level goons, meanwhile the three heroes not wanting to be seen went to the restrooms to transform, but then it turned out all the civilians had already fought off all the goons by then and the three got scolded for 'cowardly running away' from the fight.

[@adamshafeeq8685]

@@Kromiball someone got the reference

[@Zxrobxg]

I'm trying to make a transformation my character need way to full power without killing themselves and to so of the weapon in the manga

[@TheZiiFamily]

This quite interesting a character of mine (as of now) only has a gem that turns to a sword, can telepathically control his scarf like a tentacle and i was thinking about giving a robot mech or mech suit outfit but i just got that idea today Also the storys/games/fan games ideas i want to make all unintentionally tie back to something else and becomes all one big lore all because I originally wanted two games to share lore and story universe, is this a bad thing or does it add more potential for hidden story points?

[@bunnybug7668]

Wow I really needed this! 😂

[@midnightXcross]

I'm happy to hear it. I hope this video helped!! 😁

[@itsshaz1333]

Loved the video Midnight really useful and interesting

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@mrheehaa3103]

This is the exact thing I was looking for and expanded the storyline. Thanks!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!!

[@something1940]

Just found this channel, so helpful! Really like the longer videos on your channel, they give a lot of info in one place.

[@midnightXcross]

Aw thank you so much! I'm very happy to hear that you enjoy my videos 😊💖

[@JoiskiMe]

This is really helpful ! Thanks a lot! I will be revisiting and taking notes!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! 😊😊

[@hezcobar]

Video was uber helpful, thank you!!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you!! I'm glad to hear it

[@nephtaliejalbert]

This was really helpful and gave me a lot to think about.

[@midnightXcross]

That's awesome! Thanks for watching 😁

[@nephtaliejalbert]

@@midnightXcross You're welcome!

[@Metroum]

Great video 😁

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@mitsuberriplaysgenshin]

informative video, midnight! i'm currently making a romance fantasy stories for my future anime project! one question though, can you make a video on how to write subplots? like romance is the main plot and horror is the subplot (this is only an example) cuz i'm struggling with these and im sure there are others too. also, this is only a suggestion but how about make other types of videos like storytime, anime reviews, etc? it would be fun to know the tea yknow? thank you for your time :)

[@midnightXcross]

That sounds great! I always love a good romance fantasy story 😊 I can definitely make a video on subplots. Thank you for the request! I would also love to make other types of videos like these. I don't really have much ideas for storytime videos, but anime/manga reviews would be so fun!

[@rex_films5390]

Thanks, I'll still have to think about this a bit too make my story make more sense I hope you don't mind but I have a few more questions *How can I properly use strategies in battle *How can I avoid Plagiarism *How can I keep the pacing of the story I have a few more questions but these stand out the most I understand if you don't have time, Thank you 😁

[@midnightXcross]

1- For writing strategies in battle, I recommend you watch my other video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnOkdGqDqtOkhK8 I think that should help with that process. 😊 2- Avoiding plagiarism is simply about not copying another published work. You can gather inspiration from other things, but you need to put your own unique ideas onto them. As long as you're not copying something else word for word, I think you'll be fine. 3- I recommend you check out my video here for advice on pacing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3OZpKGXebGjqsk I talk about it at 7:10 I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions 😁

[@pokemongirl5674]

I came to this video in hopes of figuring out a way to include a transformation (in this case a form or a weapon, depending on the ability) that came from what may look like a simple house key, to add to the "a key to infinite power" metaphor (I think it's a metaphor...). As such I have found my answer, thanks to watching this video. :D

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you! I am so pleased that you found the answer to your question 😊💖

[@exclusive-The_Prodigious_One]

My story has teens that can transform into different canid and feline carnivores powered by their spirit animals, normal humans don't know about these teens' powers but there are adults like them, their parents to be exact(well them and different animal transformation characters who are evil and are the antagonists), there are fights but the most of the story is the male main character's high school life with ten girls living with him in their school's hostel(the hostel is secretly for their kind who nobody knows about) it is a Harem Romance story but I have the animal transformations as their transformations, in season 2 they each gain an extra power not tied to their transformations but on their themes(except for the main character who gains an extra power in season 1 not tied to his theme). In season two they have to face a werewolf threat that is running rampant in the city(the heroes get silver blood cells pumped into them to kill off the werewolf threat) it's called The High School Life Of An Anthropomorphic and it is over on Wattpad in case anyone wants to read it.

[@WildArtistsl]

Transformation is such a difficult thing. In my Story it's considered rare and used to identify a special someone so....if it's part of the plot is that okay too? The power system in my world is still in development but this video helped me tones!

[@NinoItahe]

I guess my weakest part is the training part. As I usually describe it in few pages then skip time. Do you think training should be further detailed or describing the training process and few moments in it would be sufficient. What are your thoughts about this?

[@midnightXcross]

I think a few moments would be perfectly fine! As long as it is clear to the readers that there has been a training time. What I meant in the video was more directed towards characters who are instantly powerful, without any training shown. If you show at least a little bit of the training behind the character, then that will make them more realistic 🙂

[@tinkleshartzinpants4221]

My character is a kitsune, and is also known as a yako. So, I am mostly just going to go off of the lore and the cutesy kitsune/yako lore. Though I am also going to be going off of astronomy.

[@midnightXcross]

That sounds great!! Love this idea 😊

[@Spmatik]

But what if my character's transformation/powers can't be used without them going out of control? Cause im still trying to figure out how to work around Cadresy being able of gaining some control over his Ink powers he accidentally obtained and him so fast to the point he can pretty much run at light speed

[@creativeart3371]

Very very nice

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@notryno7433]

Hello I was wondering could you do another shouldn’t mags ideas as I’m rlly struggling with an idea thank you!

[@midnightXcross]

Shounen manga ideas? Yes, I can do that again! 😊

[@saikumarkondamadugu482]

😝

[@jusore]

One Punch Man feats this?

[@acblack5376]

Why you delete the video in dialogue in light novel? I want see huh

[@midnightXcross]

There was a few things I wanted to fix up in the video. I always want to ensure I am putting out the best possible content, so I really wanted to improve on this. The video should be up again tomorrow with the additions! 😊

[@acblack5376]

@@midnightXcross ok Thx for the answer. I will wait the news :)

[@criticaledition9199]

15:48 Tanjiro lowkey lol

[@ismaelalopez6724]

GameCrook is working but I don't know how.

[@user-fe3il6rw9e]

Hi Boys 😍💋 💝💖♥️❤️