Since it’s TF Tuesday, and I haven’t done this yet, I figured I’d write a post about tropes and plot elements in different kinds of transformation works that I do and don’t like. Transformation is a very versatile subject matter/kink/fetish, so while I often say I “like transformation”, which is generally true, it doesn’t mean I’ll automatically like something just because “it’s transformation and I like transformation”.
- I DO like clothes tearing. You could probably figure this out by cross referencing any of my other tf chosts. It’s fun, it’s very kinky, and uh yeah I really really like it. On a related note…
- I DON’T like plot elements that serve to get the main character out of their clothes before they transform. Stuff like “and then they wake up naked” or “and then they get in the shower” or “and then a spell makes their clothes vanish” make me feel like an opportunity is being missed. Of course clothing rippage doesn’t have to be the subject of every tf work ever so I can see why the artist might do something like this and then focus on some other aspect of transformation instead. It’s very much a manner of personal preference.
- I DON’T like permanent changes (UNLESS they’re like a wish-fulfillment kinda deal). Permanent changes seriously scare the shit out of me (in real life and in relation to tf). I’m completely okay with endings being left ambiguous, not every story has to end on a super positive note, and I know some people like bad endings. At least… I assume they must? Otherwise I don’t think they’d write so many of them… Anyways yeah I always prefer for there to be some hope for the transformed character(s) to change back.
- I DO like when the transformed version of the character bears traits from their usual form, or even takes efforts to hold onto some defining characteristic. I just think it’s a super adorable dynamic. Some semblance of their hairstyle remaining is one I particularly enjoy. Another one I love but don’t see very often is like, desperately clinging to some defining piece of clothing, and insistently wearing it even though it doesn’t fit.
- I DON’T like body-horror-esque stuff like pretty much anything “falling out”, such as hair. In fact I really prefer characters to keep their hair even if they aren’t becoming a mammal. Replacing hair with feathers or fur is also fine but like idk for some reason I don’t like when a character has to go bald to complete their transformation. Just another weird personal preference thing.
- I DO like when the transformed character has someone they can confide in. Someone who sticks with them through their transformation when everyone else runs away, and/or someone who they can go to who ends up recognizing them. Maybe they help the transformee change back, take steps to learn to communicate with them, get roped into everything and end up transforming as well… this trope is just really cute and cozy to me and it makes me a little sad when a character has to be alone through the stress of being a protagonist in a tf work.
- I DO like unwilling transformations, because adversity makes stories interesting. In fact I usually prefer it, to be honest. My thoughts on permanent changes still apply here very strongly, of course.
- I DON’T like mental changes UNLESS they’re done in kind of a psychological horror kinda way. The idea of your personality or mind being altered is inherently frightening to me and that can be good kinky fun if it presents itself as such. Otherwise it kinda just makes me uncomfortable, especially if it’s permanent. Identity death is just, like, bleh, it’s kinda just actual death imo? That seems kinda sad, doesn’t it? Idk.
- This one’s kind of a more specific version of my second bullet point but uuuhh it’s my list lol I can organize it as badly as I want. I DON’T like when clothing merges into the transformee, usually, like, 99% of the time.
- I DO like when the transformee gets some kind of practical benefit out of their new form. Being able to use Pokémon moves, or just reach someplace they couldn’t before, or having improved senses that end up helping them out… it’s a cool dynamic.
Anyways there’s probably more but this is already getting pretty long so I’ll be done for now. I think about transformation a lot, and so I of course have a lot of opinions about it. I guess I’m sharing this with the world so people can see the kinds of things I’ve thought about and therefore better reflect on their own takes on these things. Thanks for uh… coming to my TF Talk. Yeah, we’ll go with that, that’s funny.
