Questions tagged [tropes]

A recurring element across anime, manga or works in other media. Tropes cover clichés, genre conventions and other recurring plot points, character types, narration styles, …

A trope, in the general sense used here, is a feature that is found in many creative works (anime, manga, or any other media), for example a plot point, a character type, a setting, a narration style, etc. It is expected that at least some readers or viewers will recognize the trope. Some tropes have a well-identified source that other works have imitated, departed from or alluded to; others are so old that their origin has long been lost.

The website TV Tropes collects tropes (in all media, including anime and manga, despite the name). If you're looking for a list of works using a certain trope, TV Tropes is the place to look. You'll also find lists of tropes seen in a particular work.

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How does harem isekai become a trend?

There have been tons of popular isekai with harem, for example, Sword Art online, the Rising of the Shield Hero, Parallel World Pharmacy, etc. Needless to say, harem isekai is now a trend. What's the first harem isekai and its method of…
Michael
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Can anyone explain the distinction between sects/cults In Korean Martial Arts (Murim) Manhwa?

A common trope seen in many Korean martial arts stories is the existence of Orthodox/Unorthodox sects; or Righteous/Justice, Demonic and Evil Sects. One thing that tripped me is how 'demonic' sects are different from 'evil' sects, when same have the…
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Why do cats wear scarves in anime?

Sakamoto from Nichijou The cat from Ninja Hattori (Note: I don't remember the details but I knew an episode where the cat was heartbroken because he lost the scarf and thought that his master would abandon him) Why do cats wear scarves in…
Fumikage Tokoyami
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What is the origin of this weird looking facial feature/mask?

I have seen this in one or two animes (plural of anime?) where characters have long cylindrical protruding mouths. It is quite rare(?) as I had seen this in only a handful of anime shows (I don't know the names). The recent ones that I know are…
Fumikage Tokoyami
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The concept of owning someone comes up in anime, usually as part of a bet. Is it based in reality or is it just a tv trope?

In "Misfit Demon King Academy", Sasha Necron makes a bet with the demon king regarding one of the competitions. She says that if she wins, "Then I own you."  In "Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average", Mile agrees that if her team loses to all…
David Hobs
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Is there a name for the effect that appears from the eyes when someone in anime/manga fights?

The following image shows an effect that appears from the eyes when someone fights. Is there a name for it?
Mocha Bear
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Which was the first anime featuring power levels?

Severals animes have the idea of power levels, in those universes a technological or magical device exists to give a figure to the combat power of an individual. Three of them I know are Dragon Ball Z, One Punch Man and Nanatsu no Taizai. But which…
Pablo
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What's it called when anime and manga chooses not to show nipples but make it as erotic as possible

What's it called when anime and manga chooses not to show nipples but make it as erotic as possible? I recall in No Game No Life, they did this in their match-up against Jabril the Mugol.
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Origins of the sweat droplet

When an anime character is embarrassed, they often draw him/her with a sweat droplet. Which artist came up with this idea and how did it become so prevalent in anime/manga?
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Minimum amount of people for harem?

Silly question, but how many people do you need at minimum in a love-triangle (or love-polygon, whatever) for something to be classified as a harem manga/anime? If "only" three people are involved, and not even at the same time, would that already…
user32314
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What's with awkwardness/fear with romance?

Why is it that in almost every anime, when there is a male main character, every time a female main character comes on to him, he gets all flustered, scared, or runs away? Throughout the whole series, we see tons of huge boobs, panty shots, etc. But…
Wilder
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Why does Rin in blue exorcist have an eye bigger than the other when uncontrollable?

Why does Rin in blue exorcist have an eye bigger than the other when uncontrollable? It also happens in Naruto, when he doesn't want to use his powers to fight Amaru when Amaru is possessed for example.
angela yao
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What's with the fantasy hair?

All Out!! is a sports series about high school rugby. The teams are large, so there are many characters. I understand that the mangaka and character designers want to make each character stand out. They do a great job here. But a few stand out much…
RichF
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Why aren't most of the phones in anime smartphones?

For example: Gintama: Oregairu: I can't think of any examples I can back up right now, but for Oregairu you just need to watch any episode and you'll see Yui's flip phone. Haganai Black Rock Shooter Is it because the authors are just from an…
Jack Pan
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What sparked the trend of slightly long dark-haired loner-ish protagonists in light novels?

For example, Issei in Highschool DxD isn't really the most popular guy, without many other friends who are guys. Basara of Shinmai isn't shown with a lot of his friends either. Oregairu's protagonist is the most lonesome protagonist ever. Kirito of…
Jack Pan
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