I've been thinking on the nature of the Calamity powers from Amphibia (which are mad inconsistent in how they operate), specifically what causes them to flare up. And not just with Anne, but also Sasha and Marcy's brief glowy-eyes moments, and what would have caused them to activate if they kept their powers instead of draining them at the temples (outside of the finale).
I specifically hypothesize that the powers tie into the specific gems, and are (typically) activated by the OPPOSITE of that that gem represents, what happens when that aspect fails them- the power boosts serve as a sort of defense mechanism.
We get to know Anne's powers throughout most throughout the series, and in most instances (save near the end of the show when she apparently has a grip on her powers), she goes blue whenever the Plantars and also sometimes her human family are in danger. (Sometimes. It's really inconsistent.) It's Sprig's not-quite-death-but-she-thought-it-was that causes her to snap from just the glowy eyes of before and into actual super mode territory.
As Anne represents the heart gem, I believe that the specific trigger for Anne's calamity powers is heartbreak- losing the ones she loves the most, or at the very least, the danger of losing the ones she loves the most.
Sasha goes pink-eyes in Barrel's Warhammer, specifically when she's ranting about the thought of Anne and Marcy moving on without her while trying to lift the hammer. Knowing that Sasha is the strength gem and applying the opposites theory towards it, it's clear that Sasha's powers are activated by internal feelings of weakness or insecurity. That fits Sasha fairly well, I think.
Marcy, the wit gem, was a fair bit trickier. First I had to find a fitting opposite for wit, one that would come up when said wit is pushed beyond its limits. When she's at her... wit's end? That phrase came to mind. Looking it up, it basically means when you're so worried, confused, frustrated, etc. that you don't know what to do... basically, the limits of your mental capacity. Then it clicked for me- the opposite of wit, in this case, is stress.
But then how do we explain her glowy-eye moment in Marcy at the Gates, after she made the Barbari-ant queen throw her and Sprig up? She didn't seem stressed there, did she? Not at first, but then I realized. This was after Marcy got eaten. After she LET HERSELF get eaten.
That wasn't just a move to save Sprig. Marcy was deliberately putting herself in a high-stress situation to get her powers to act up (though apparently not to fully activate). Likely for a short-term intelligence boost so she'd know how to get her and Sprig out of the queen's stomach once she got in and got him.
Finally, I asked myself why Anne was the only one to truly activate her powers while the others had to stick to glowy-eyes (pre-Hardest Thing, of course). Then I remembered, her two glowy-eyed moments were just for protection, nobody actually got seriously hurt yet. Same thing in most subsequent power moments, but in True Colors, when her powers actually become manifest? She thought Sprig had died.
In order for the girls to truly activate their powers, they have to be truly overwhelmed by heartbreak, weakness, or stress, not just brush with it. Anne, again, thought Sprig died, and that activated her powers. Sasha would have to be or feel completely powerless, completely helpless in a situation to get her to truly power up for the first time, as opposed to using her insecurity to push her forward.
And once again, Marcy's habit of escapism comes back to bite her. Her coping mechanism of treating everything as a game led to her not taking things seriously enough to actually get stressed out by them. Throwing yourself into the jaws of death in the hopes that the stress will activate your powers ironically isn't as stressful as being properly thrust into the jaws of death, so it's less likely to activate your powers in this case. If the gravity of the situation had actually gotten to her and she broke down or snapped in some way, her powers would have manifest for real. Ironically, her True Colors meltdown would have actually been perfect for this, but by then it was too late.
Forms a pair of large glowing wings with his many pieces of paper, granting him greater speed and agility.
Hanzo's Archery
Creates an origami bow to fire one or multiple arrows at his targets. If hit, the arrows will trigger an explosion of scorching paper flames.
The Sword Uncuttable
Makes a Kitana formed of sharp paper that can slice anything in his way.
An Forgettable Show
Folds his paper into different animals or monsters from his stories like a spider, shark, or even a fire-breathing chicken.
Crimson Samurai
Harnessing his energy, he creates a large red origami samurai similar to little paper Hanzo. He controls it's movements and attacks with his shamisen. Caution: this move takes up a large amount of Kubo's power has a short duration time as a result.
Calamity Kids VS Legendary/Mythical Pokémon: Aftermath of Battles
Dipper & Lunala: Takes notes on Lunala's physiology.
Mabel & Solgaleo: Makes a giant yarn ball from her powers with Solgaleo playing with it.
Raz & Mewtwo: Acknowledges Raz's power and determination before flying off to parts unknown.
Lili & Groudon: Restores the damaged and burned vegetation of the environment as Groudon returns to sleep.
Coraline & Zeraora: Holds the defeated Zeraora up high and roars in victory Tarzan-style. Congratulate each other on their fighting performance then relaxing after exerting their energy.
Wybie & Genesect: Mending and repairing Genesect's body with the latter accepting the offer.
Norman & Yveltal: Looks over Yveltal's cocoon questioning why would it make so much destruction and ruin before walking away.
Neil & Regigigas: Neil compliments Regigigas on his strength before he and the latter part ways, the colossal pokemon continuing it's slumber.
Calamity Kids: Original Trio Special Moves (Marcy)
Roll for Chaos
Summons a large 20 sided dice then hurls it at her opponents. If it lands a high number, a massive amount of damage will be dealt.
Green Bow
Generates a bow and arrow from one of her RPGs, shooting one or multiple shots at long range.
Max Level
By harnessing all her energy, Marcy's strength, speed, durability and other stats are doubled for a short time. Warning: Powers will clock out immediately after time is up so must be used for emergency or a last resort.
