A gender bender is a situation where a character instantly switches genders, through the use of magic or some other ability, though mostly beyond the person's control. It is usually used in comedy, although there are some dramatic stories that may use this particular trope.
Mainstream Smurfs Media[]
| Mainstream Smurfs Media |
In mainstream Smurfs media, Hogatha in the cartoon show adaptation of "The Fake Smurf" switches genders when she becomes a fake Smurf. Brainy in the episode "Monster Smurfs" briefly becomes Smurfette through the use of Papa Smurf's magic powder, but whether he truly became a Smurfette in more than appearance is uncertain. In "Turncoat Smurf", Smurfette and Grouchy switch genders when a test formula by Papa Smurf causes them to switch bodies.
Empath: The Luckiest Smurf[]
| Empath Stories |
In the EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf story series, Ghinelle the genie torments Hefty for his sexist attitude against Smurfette by partially turning him into a Smurfette. Hefty felt violated and begged for Smurfette to have Ghinelle change him back into a male Smurf. The villain character Dr. Frank N. Beans dabbles in gender-bending with his experiments. Also Tapper and Duncan McSmurf were both changed into Smurfettes by Jokey making a wish with Gargamel's magic egg, although with their transformations, their voices remained the same.
Hero: The Guardian Smurf stories[]
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| Hero Stories |
In the HERO: The Guardian Smurf adaptation of the cartoon show episode "The Magic Egg", Hero accidentally becomes a Smurfette when he strikes the magic egg, saying that he's a Smurfette if any of his fellow Smurfs are truly him. Also, the Smurfettes could be considered gender bends of their male counterparts as they were created through the Mirror Of Opposition and they share similar traits.