The villains mocks the idea of relying on others, insisting that friends make you weak and only fear brings servitude. Then the main antagonist discovers to his extreme shock and dismay that the hero's friends really do stand up for him and this really does enable the hero to kick the crap out of the bad guy. Having friends makes you strong, being alone makes you weak. This is the Power of Friendship.
The Power of Friendship happens in every aspect of a story. For example, people are also reminded that they will always be friends, no matter what happens.
More often than not a hero who makes good use of this power is going to attract villains who try to prove that it never works. (The biggest reason is such villains rarely have any friends, as heroes occasionally point out.) After slugging it out with the gooddoer one or more times the evildoer, despite his/her wrongdoings, in question, may become a friendly enemy, a Worthy Opponent, or do a full on Heel–Face Turn.
A combined energy attack (even of magical or spiritual nature) is another perk of believing in the said power. Taken more literally, the Power of Friendship may be used as a required element of some powerful mystic effect, such as the Care-Bear Stare from the Care-Bears cartoon franchise. Heroes, especially ones with such magnetic personality, usually spend the first few episodes building this group of loyal followers. Sometimes it can go too far; Heroes fall prey to becoming a Martyr Without a Cause and allies could be Poisonous Friends. Contrast being alone, to people being on their own, in which case friendship itself becomes less helpful. This very notion is a key element of buddy pictures.
The Power of Friendship can be just as strong for the bad guys as for the good guys, but they seldom have enough common sense to play it straight. When they do, expect a pretty wild ride, and a clash with person referred to as an remnant (someone who is the remaining former member of his/her disbanded/dissolved team or the last of his/her forgotten/extinct species/civilization) once the main conflict's over.
Examples
Anime/Manga
- Tai Kamiya and Matt ishida making up for what they did and work together in order to reunite with the Digidestined.
- Vegeta giving a thumbs up at Goku and becoming friends with him.
- Sonic told the serpentine tyrant Lyric that his friends are his strength.
- Yugi Muto and his friends, Joey, Tristen and Tea.
- Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy, use their power of friendship to free Robin from Slade's mind control.
Quotes
| “ | (Infinite: Impossible. I cannot be defeated.) Wrong, loser! The things that can't be defeated are heart, soul, and the bonds of friendship. Three things you and your counterfeit cronies lack!) (Infinite, starting to fade away from existence: No, wait! I can still fight! [disappears and the Phantom Ruby retreats into the distance.] | „ |
| ~ Sonic to Infinite in the villain's final moments. |
| “ | I used to say I live my life a quarter mile at a time. And I think that's why we were brothers...because you did, too. No matter how far away you are, whether it's a quarter mile away, or halfway across the world, you'll always be with me. You'll always be my brother. | „ |
| ~ Dom Toretto reminding Brian O'Connor that they will always be brothers. |
| “ | You're wrong, Lyric! They're not my weakness, they're my strength! | „ |
| ~ Sonic told Lyric that his friends are his strength. |
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