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Discover 4 anime tropes every fan loves and 4 others that no one likes. Explore the reasons why each trope evokes such reactions.
Anime is known for its vast range of storytelling techniques, unique character arcs, and exciting moments. Throughout several series, certain elements and themes are present repeatedly, going on to become tropes.
Some of these tropes are beloved by viewers, becoming staples of their genre. Others, unfortunately, serve little purpose and are overused to the point of annoyance. Hence, here are four anime tropes everyone loves and four no one likes.
4 Anime Tropes Everyone Loves
There is a common misconception that a trope or a stereotype makes a series predictable and lessens its quality. This is not necessarily the case, as tropes done right make for some of the most memorable aspects of an anime. The following tropes serve as a testament to this:
1) Cool Mentor Figures
Whether it’s battle shonen, slice-of-life, or romance, there are mentors present in almost every anime. A great guide who helps the protagonist grow through their wisdom and experiences is one of the most highly anticipated aspects of the series.
As seen through cases such as Jiraiya in Naruto and Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen, these mentors are often likable and level-headed, attracting fans due to their personalities. They share a pivotal bond with the protagonist but often have subplots of their own.
Hence, a cool mentor figure always raises the impact of a series. They often become fan-favorite figures and play a huge role in the main character’s development.
2) Rivals Who Push Each Other
A compelling rivalry is often the most exhilarating part of an anime. The best rivalries aren’t merely over strength but are built through the inherent differences between characters and their clashing ideologies. Watching two individuals chase the same goal while constantly trying to one-up each other ensures the audience remains invested.
Examples such as Deku and Bakugo arise from feelings of inferiority, whereas those like Lelouch and Suzaku speak on a grander scale of philosophy. Nevertheless, they elevate the thrill of the series while always appealing to fans.
3) Rage Scenes
A rage scene is an increasingly common moment in most fighting anime, where we see a normal character lose their senses. This is generally followed by a drastic increase in strength and the shocked reactions of all those nearby.
These scenes may be a simple way of drawing hype from fans, but they never fail in their task. There is very little that is more satisfying than seeing a frustrated character finally unleashing their full potential.
Through gradual build-up and the eventual snapping point, these moments often steal the spotlight of storylines. Scenes such as Gon’s rage in Hunter x Hunter and Ichigo using his Vasto Lorde form in Bleach have cult followings of their own. Hence, regardless of how consistent they are with the rest of the plot, fans are never going to turn down electrifying moments of anger and darkness.
4) Tournament Arcs
Tournament arcs are legendary aspects of anime culture, especially for battle shonen series. These arcs showcase exciting fights between the cast, allowing them to display their abilities and growth. They often serve as key turning points in the story, introducing new challenges and rivalries.
Some tournaments, like Naruto’s Chunin Exams, provide crucial character exposition, while others, such as the Dark Tournament in Yu Yu Hakusho, come with extreme consequences that heighten the tension. These arcs explore deep themes of friendship, ambition, and the burden of expectations while highlighting the unique capabilities of each character. This helps them leave a lasting impression in the minds of fans.
4 Anime Tropes No One Likes
While we have seen popular anime tropes, there are several that elicit much more negative reactions. Tropes are, at the end of the day, repetitive storytelling devices. While they are done well sometimes, many are also misused. 4 anime tropes no one likes include:
1) Unnecessary Fan Service
Fan service, as the name indicates, are specific scenes simply meant for fans to enjoy. They may not necessarily have narrative coherence, but they are very satisfying to watch. Unfortunately, over time, fan service has become synonymous with inappropriate and sexualized scenes in anime.
Though initially made with the goal of adding humor to a series, they are merely used as a cheap device to draw audiences through “Ecchi”. However, viewers themselves have grown tired of seeing too many of these moments that serve no relevance to the plot.
Whether it be Food Wars or Fire Force, they feel it to be distasteful. As a result, this is one trope no one would miss if left out.
2) Fake-Out Deaths
A fake-out death, if done right, can be one of the most poignant moments of the series. Watching the return of a character we thought was dead can cause heartwarming reunions, as seen through Sabo in One Piece.
At the same time, several more stories remain too reluctant to kill off popular characters. This drags out their role in the storyline, often frustrating fans. Anime such as Dragon Ball and Black Clover have become infamous for not parting with their cast.
This removes the stakes from intense battles, simply because there is no proper danger to the characters. Hence, fans would love to see the plot be bold at times, adding depth to stories through major deaths.
3) Weak Female Cast
Action shonen anime are notorious for writing poor female characters, and this isn’t without reason. Since the Shonen demographic caters to teenage boys, creators often believe that the most appealing characters need to be the male characters.
They focus all the development on them, making these figures superheroes of sorts, swooping in to save the weak female at times of danger. Viewers believe the quality of older anime such as Naruto and Bleach is severely impacted because the main female characters are underutilized.
Strong female characters should contribute to the plot as much as their male counterparts, adding depth and diversity to the story. The crux of a high-quality anime lies in its ability to spotlight its entire cast and pay heed to all their perspectives.
4) Overexplaining Fight Details
Providing details regarding specific moves, abilities and sequences during anime fights is a very difficult task. Unfortunately, not many series are able to successfully execute this aspect. While some strategic breakdowns can be engaging, excessive exposition slows down the pacing and removes the element of surprise.
Shows like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia feature long monologues during battle. This allows little comprehension from viewers as it serves everything to them on a platter. It can remove the immersion from the series as well by halting the momentum.
While we have seen clever executions of explanations through Hunter x Hunter and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, these are rare cases. Rather, fans wish for anime to take advantage of being a visual medium instead of directly explaining everything.
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