Signature move

A signature move is a move or ability that is almost analogous to the person or character that uses it. This may infer that the move is usually a staple of the user's repertoire, and on most occasions was invented by the performer.

Usage

The term "signature move" applies to a range of physical activities like dancing, gymnastics, boxing and professional wrestling. A prominent example of the phenomenon of signature moves is Michael Jackson and moonwalk; The two topics have become inextricably linked with each other.

In video games

The term is also used in reference to fighting games, although it can also be applied to recurring characters in platformers or adventure games. Certain moves such as the Kamehameha are quite powerful. Sometimes these moves are used as a last resort or finishing move, while other characters have a weak signature move that they retain from game to game in addition to new abilities.

Since the original Street Fighter, Ryu and Ken have three special techniques that serve as their signature moves: the Hadouken (the Fireball or "Surge Fist"), Shoryuken (the Rising Dragon Punch), and the Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku (Hurricane Whirlwind Kick). As the Street Fighter series progressed, more powerful versions and variations of these techniques were introduced as Ryu's and Ken's respective fighting styles began to diverge from each other, while new characters such as Akuma, Dan, and Sakura were introduced who used their personal versions of these techniques.

Examples in other fields

Actor and martial arts expert Chuck Norris has the roundhouse kick as a signature move. In professional wrestling, a signature move is often used to finish the opponent or increase tension in the performance: for example, WWE wrestler Triple H uses The Pedigree.

Occasionally, sportsmen refine a technique, or create an entirely new one, which becomes a signature move. In track and field athletics, Dick Fosbury was the first to jump backwards and head-first in the high jump—the Fosbury Flop—, which has become the standard for the sport. Former basketball player Michael Jordan is known for a one-handed dunk in which he opens his mouth.

Similarly, Cricketer Kevin Pietersen invented the switch hit technique, which has been accepted as a legal technique by cricketing governing bodies. Another shot now often seen in international cricket, the Dilscoop was invented by Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka. The Dilscoop is a somewhat dangerous scoop of the oncoming ball over the batsman's own head, in the manner of an upward shoveling motion. The Dilscoop was preceded by the somewhat similar Marillier shot, invented by Doug Marillier of Zimbabwe.

Musician Michael Jackson was known for doing the moonwalk. Guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who is known for the windmill strum.

Examples in other media

In Dragonball, Goku's signature move is Kamehameha. Naruto has two signature moves; Shadow Clone, and the Rasengan.

In the Harry Potter series, the Expelliarmus Charm becomes Harry's signature move as referred to by Lupin. He uses it so often the Death Eaters are able to recognize him by it as he used it to hold off Voldemort in his duel with him in the graveyard.

In the Kamen Rider franchise, the Rider Kick has become synonymous with the titular Riders.

See also

• Trademark look
• Combo (video games)
• Desperation Attack
• Finishing move
• Limit Break
• Super (fighting games)