Imprinting

Background

Imprinting is the ability to instill instincts, knowledge, behaviors, or emotional bonds into a target, influencing their thoughts and actions on a subconscious level. Unlike direct Mind Manipulation, which allows for active control, Imprinting embeds lasting effects without requiring continuous influence.

This ability may occur naturally, as seen in certain species where newborns imprint on their caregivers, or it can be induced through supernatural, psychic, or technological means. Depending on the user, Imprinting may manifest as an instinctual bond, the forced transfer of ideas, or the implantation of specific directives into a subject's mind.

Also Called

• Mental Imprinting
• Instinctual Programming
• Behavioral Imprinting

Possible Uses

• Instinctual Bonding: Imprinting onto a subject to create a strong emotional or mental connection, making them naturally drawn to the user.
• Knowledge Transfer: Imprinting information, such as combat skills, languages, or memories, directly into a subject’s mind.
• Obedience Conditioning: Instilling a deep-rooted sense of loyalty or submission, making the target follow orders instinctively.
• Fear or Aversion Imprinting: Causing a subject to develop an instinctual fear or repulsion toward certain objects, individuals, or actions.
• Personality Influence: Altering aspects of a target’s personality by embedding specific thoughts, habits, or desires.
• Species or Genetic Imprinting: Causing a target to adopt behaviors natural to a different species or genetic lineage.

Potential Types

• Instinctual Imprinting: Creates a deep, subconscious attachment or bond between the user and the target.
• Memory or Skill Imprinting: Transfers specific memories, abilities, or knowledge into a subject.
• Behavioral Imprinting: Programs a target to develop certain habits, thought patterns, or emotional responses.
• Forced Imprinting: Directly imposes new instincts or behaviors onto a subject, regardless of their will.
• Environmental Imprinting: Alters a subject’s perception of their surroundings, making them feel at home in unnatural environments.

Possible Limitations

• Irreversible Effects: Once an imprint is made, it may be difficult or impossible to undo.
• Limited to Certain Targets: Some forms of imprinting may only work on specific beings, such as newborns, weakened minds, or creatures with natural imprinting tendencies.
• Requires Prolonged Exposure: Some types of imprinting may take time or repeated interactions to fully take effect.
• Unintended Results: Imprinting may cause unpredictable behavioral changes or unintended emotional attachments.
• Countered by Strong Willpower: Targets with high resistance to mental influence may overcome or reject imprinting.

Users

• Ain (Despera): Ain is imprinted across everywhere in Kiki, where those who existed close to the place felt some sort of inspiration from her and needed to make her in art, to where Ain essentially exists in multiple places at once.
• Neku Sakuraba (The World Ends With You): Players can use memes for imprinting, using it to send words directly into other people's minds, the meme imprinted into the person will affect their actions.