How do you write a switch?

[Agentt]

A switch here refers to characters switching between contrasting personalities.
It is mostly used for subs or masochists when they take control to be the dominating person,

But here, I was asking about how would you write a shounen mc switching from a nice reserved nature, to a sadistic seasoned fighter.

I don't think I have seen this much in written form, however its very common in mangas and animes, due to visual cues like

Or

Or, you can include some explosions, a flashback, show some scars, have the mc remove his shirt to show his abs, etc etc.

 

[GodlyKamui]

This is surprisingly easy to do if you're doing it with another character witnessing what's happening to the MC.

I usually describe those sudden shifts with: "The atmosphere around him changed." You can play around with this sentence depending on how much the other character knows the MC. For example, if it is someone who has known the MC for years and knows how MC usually acts you could say: "The atmosphere around (insert name) changed, his/her/their usual gentle and kind demeanor was nowhere to be seen." or "as if it had never existed before, his/her/their usually compassionate personality was replaced by something far crueler and darker."

That's how I like to do it at least.

I mostly write in 1st person view so, I don't know how you could do it appropriately in 3rd person. I can think of Hunter x Hunter

Spoiler: HxH

The scene I'm talking about is when Gon fights against Neferpitou with his new transformation

 

[Cipiteca396]

In first person, it's sort of obvious. The character knows that they're 'switching', so you just describe the process of the switch. Their anger boils over; they get overwhelmed in fear or pain; they hear their heartbeat hammering and drowning out their thoughts.

This kind of switch definitely feels more dramatic from an outside perspective, since it's a surprise. It can still be surprising in first person, but it takes a lot more build up, and the second time it happens will feel flatter.

due to visual cues like

Or

Was there supposed to be a picture here?

 

[Agentt]

In first person, it's sort of obvious. The character knows that they're 'switching', so you just describe the process of the switch. Their anger boils over; they get overwhelmed in fear or pain; they hear their heartbeat hammering and drowning out their thoughts.

This kind of switch definitely, feels more dramatic from an outside perspective, since it's a surprise. It can still be surprising in first person, but it takes a lot more build up, and the second time it happens will feel flatter.

Was there supposed to be a picture here?

Yes, there is a picture of luffy with his eyes hidden there, idk why your browser can't load that http://www.theotaku.com/submissions/temporary/wallpapers/captions/561897-20090323013242.jpg

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Carefully

 

[Agentt]

Carefully

**)
I feel deja vu