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, …

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An manga about a man in a slice-of-life isekai manga about eating otherworld foods [migrated]

It's a black and white manga, with not many chapters, maybe 50-ish at max, where a black-haired dude (main charcter) and his maid (female mc) goes around eating foods like dragon steak to a magic ...
3 votes
1 answer
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Why is power ups associated with red eyes in anime?

For eg, consider Ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul, Naruto Sharingan, Shinji vs Zureal in Eva 2.0, Code Geass when Lelouch activates his power etc etc. Why in all these shows is it taken that getting red eyes ...
-4 votes
3 answers
167 views

Why are monsters and the like in anime usually adorable girls?

In many anime nowadays, the dragons, monsters, devil, semi-human or orcs are usually adorable girls maybe with thicc figures. Say, in Dropkick on My Devil, the devil from the hell is like an innocent ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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Why does this kind of places often appear in anime?

In many anime, there are places where you can get an overview of (part of) the town, just like in the pictures below. From Koi to Uso From The Quintessential Quintuplets From Shuffle! Where I live ...
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Why are there so many incestuously suggestive anime?

There are many anime that have incestuous theme. For example, OniAi, Eromanga Sensei, Kiss X Sis, Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai, Yosuga no Sora, Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto ...
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7 votes
2 answers
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Why are fangs of girls so common in anime?

In many anime, the girls there have fangs. Kiriha from Tsugumomo Rika from Kanojo mo Kanojo Senko and Shiro from The Helpful Fox Senko-san Why are fangs of girls so common in anime?
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Why do anime characters nowadays tend to have very forward jaws?

For a healthy normal average human, it's common that their jaws are almost in the same vertical line as their foreheads. The jaws in this picture are more similar to jaws in real life: (from Seraph of ...
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5 votes
1 answer
852 views

What's the first time bending anime?

In some anime, the time expands of the stories do not match with the change of the characters' ages and the like. For example, in Detective Conan, there has been one thousand and more episodes, and it'...
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1 vote
1 answer
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Why do characters in anime rarely change their hairstyles?

In real life, people wouldn't change their hairstyles every month, but they will change one day. However, most of the characters in anime never change their hairstyles, even if the time span of the ...
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3 votes
1 answer
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Which Anime/Manga introduced Physical Pilot Damage/ Synchro Rates in a Mecha?

Which series introduced Damage Transfers (i.e. Mecha Takes Damage and this Damage is transfered to the pilot) aswell as Synchro Rates between pilot and mecha? Are there series before EVA?
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Why are there red strings around the MCs' body parts in some anime?

In some romance anime, there are red strings around the MCs' body parts, say hands. Why? Koi to Uso The Quintessential Quintuplets
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Are threads as weapons real?

There are multiple manga/anime that depict threads as weapons. For example in Basilisk : Are these weapons based on real world counterparts?
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2 answers
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Why are daughters usually in charge of household chores after their moms have passed away or left the families in anime?

In many anime, after the moms have passed away or left the families, it's often the daughters who are in charge of the household chores, like cooking and cleaning. Their dads just look like good-for-...
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6 votes
3 answers
505 views

Why do characters in anime and manga tend to have long bangs or fringes that (can) cover their eyes?

In real life, if your bangs are so long as to cover your eyes, then you would find it difficult to see clearly whatever is in front of you. However, in anime and manga, the characters often have long ...
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6 votes
1 answer
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Why do characters in anime/manga eat their lunches in restrooms?

I have seen many times in anime and manga that a character eats his/(mainly)her lunch in a toilet. Examples include Nagisa from Kanojo mo Kanojo who used to eat her lunch in the restroom. (Revealed in ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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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 ...
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3 votes
2 answers
257 views

Which anime was the first to feature energy blasts?

A lot of animes feature characters capable of firing energy blasts (Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Punch Man, Fairy Tail, etc.) But which was the first one? Which anime was the first to feature energy ...
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9 votes
2 answers
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Why does school bullying keep showing up in manga?

School bullying has always been an element in manga, but why? Is it because school bullying is common in Japan, or some other reason? If it indeed has something to do with the common bullying in real ...
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Which manga was the first to feature the Fa-Jin technique?

I was seeing both My Hero Academia and One Punch Man mangas have a character who uses a technique called Fa-Jin. Was one of these mangas the first to use this technique ever? Which manga was the first ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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What are these rhombus/triangles around the neck?

I saw these rhombus/triangles around the neck in a few stories but do not know what it is: I'm Not the Evil God's Lackey character - Original Witch Silver I'm the Grim Reaper (webtoon) character - ...
5 votes
1 answer
220 views

Where this "box of swords" design comes from?

In a manga called Soul Eater, one of the characters - a fighter known as Mifune - is carrying a box of swords with himself. A striking visual piece. In a manga called "Attack on Titan" a ...
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1 answer
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Which anime does the idea of the afterimage comes from?

In Dragon Ball, Goku has an "after image" technique, where he moves so fast that he leaves a false image of himself in the air, where actually there is nothing. I've seen this idea also in ...
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3 votes
0 answers
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Why are manga authors so reluctant to draw their own faces in their works?

Although not every manga has the author(s) drawing depictions of themselves, many do and I have yet to come across an example where it was anything other than the ‘chibi’ or superdeformed style of ...
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1 answer
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Which was the first anime to feature Dragonoids?

I was watching Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken and a character in there is said to be a Dragonoid. I remembered Dragon Quest also features a character which has a Dragonoid form. Then I looked for more ...
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3 votes
2 answers
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Why is "body/soul exchange" so prevalent in anime?

Body/soul exchange is a very common theme and is a base for many anime series/movies. Some examples: Your name Kokoro Connect Rascal doesn't dream of Bunny Girl Senpai The reason for body exchange ...
4 votes
1 answer
203 views

Why is "Hope and Despair" (希望と絶望) such a common theme? [closed]

It seems to be popular in a lot of Japanese writing, actually. The exact words 希望 and 絶望 are very common. Just look at Danganronpa. Anyone know the origins of such a theme, specifically of the ...
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1 answer
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Why do most anime tend to have "emotional" flashbacks before a big moment?

We've all seen it. When the main character is put in a bind, he/she always has some "emotional" flashback, some of which are flashbacks of things we never saw happen in the series. The ...
18 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do Japanese Student councils have actual power (punishing students, revoking clubs, etc)?

Several anime have an Absurdly Powerful Student Council (warning, TV Tropes link, don't get sucked in). In the most extreme versions, the student council is trying to take over the world. Even in ...
3 votes
2 answers
323 views

When did the trend of powerful slimes come about in Anime?

Slimes are commonly known as the weakest creatures, but more and more I'm seeing powerful slimes show up in anime. When did powerful slimes become a thing? Or have they always been a thing and I just ...
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Is there a name to describe the shonen trope of "secret power systems"?

In some shonen anime, there is this trope of a hidden power system that is sometimes foreshadowed throughout the series, and eventually learned by the protagonist(s). Typically, it's a power used by ...
2 votes
1 answer
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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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
448 views

Where does the "No highlights on the eyes" trope come from?

When a character is unconcious or possessed by some supernatural entity, it often loses their highlights in their eyes. Here is an example from the Sailor Moon R movie. Where does this trope ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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Why do anime villains always wait for the whole duration of whatever character is giving the speech before attacking?

I mean, yeah I would like to listen to Naruto's speeches and his 5000 flashbacks with that swing in front of the Academy, but does the villain want to listen also? They wait for the characters to stop ...
6 votes
1 answer
729 views

Why are most isekai happening in a medieval world?

Why are most isekai happening in a medieval world? I have been reading some of these and I actually can't recall of any in which the story is happening in an other era than in a medieval period. Why ...
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5 votes
1 answer
350 views

What is the name of the garment worn by robbers in anime?

I have seen robbers wearing scarves that is tied to the nose and is carrying a huge bag on his back. This style is very common and is used to represent robbers as if it is a trope. If so, what is the ...
2 votes
1 answer
328 views

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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
3k views

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 ...
2 votes
2 answers
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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 ...
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5 votes
1 answer
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What does "crossing one's palm with fingers and gulping" signify?

I have seen in some anime where the character become nervous, sweats profusely and makes this action. For ex - Tadokoro Megumin from Food Wars: I have also seen Minoru Mineta from BNHA doing that. ...
7 votes
2 answers
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Why is Kaguya depicted with a flower growing out of her head when in her moron/fool form?

In season 2 episode 2 of Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai ("Kaguya-sama: Love is War"), in the second skit titled Kaguya-sama wa Okuritai ("Kaguya Wants to Give a Gift"), Shinomiya ...
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2 votes
1 answer
316 views

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?
3 votes
3 answers
567 views

Why heroes are physically stronger than average humans

In the world of My Hero Academia, the human society acquired Quirks. So basically instead of having regular humans, we have humans with abilities. With the exception of Power-Up quirks (like one for ...
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6 votes
1 answer
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What is the technical name for the short exaggerated anime scenes?

You know, those scenes that typically cut to out of context OTT animations to exaggerate reactions? e.g. when a character is angry the whole screen might be taken over by swirling colours, angry eyes ...
3 votes
1 answer
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What is the origin of the soul-to-sword trope?

In various franchises, like Noragami, SAO Alicisation, Guilty Crown, souls can become weapons. What is the origin of this trope? Does weapon personification have roots in Japanese folklore?
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1 vote
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Gathering energy from other people to create an energy attack, which was the first anime to feature it?

In Black Clover in one of the last episodes (I dont recall if it was #118 or #117) Litch the elf leader gathers energy from the other elfs to create an energy attack, similar to Goku's genki dama, to ...
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4 votes
1 answer
672 views

Is puking blood when punched in the gut a common trope in anime?

I have often seen characters throwing and puking blood when they are punched in the gut especially in Shounen animes like BNHA and Naruto Shippuden(well there are other animes I have seen this trope ...
4 votes
2 answers
936 views

Why do cross-dressing characters like Hideri Kanzaki usually have high voices?

I see that in many Animes, there are cross-dressing (or maybe trans) characters, like Hideri Kanzaki of Blend-S, and they usually have awfully high-pitched voices. These characters in anime and manga ...
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3 votes
1 answer
192 views

Which was the first anime to feature instant transmission?

Several anime characters have the ability to use instant transmission or teleportation by their own means. Some of them are, Goku in Dragon Ball Z, Merlin in Nanatsu no Taizai, Ryo Shimazaki in Mob ...
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2 votes
0 answers
252 views

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,...
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3 votes
1 answer
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Are things like huge drops of sweat or flashes of light in anime and manga diegetic in any possible way?

So I'm used to the fact that symbolic things like huge drops of sweat, huge aneurystic veins, etc. are more or less abstract exaggerations of intense emotions rather than literal drops of sweat or ...

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