BEST and WORST Art/Story Tropes ( Art + Commentary)

[00:00:00]Hello everyone. You know well, we all have those artists story tropes that just makes our heart flutter for the ones that make you want to throw your devices across the room. Today, I want to talk about artists storytelling tropes I'm obsessed with and ones that just makes me annoyed, I guess. Without further ado, let's get started. Our first dislike trope is enemies to lovers. Before you throw rocks at me, hear me out. This trope used to be my favorite but due to overusing of this, it has lost its meaning for me. If you're writing enemies to lovers, you should let us know who is better than rushing it. Rushing does make no sense. Imagine someone killed your family but you forgive them the very next day.

[00:00:48]That is not love. Just because they're hot, it doesn't mean you can forgive them for one single good deed. That has [music] become so common now. Most of the movies that use this trope as [music] enemies to lovers, yeah, sure, whatever.

[00:01:05]You can write its progression as going from hate to understanding, then to being non-enemies, >> [music] >> then to friends, and finally, when they no longer hold a grudge against each other, you can build a love story after that.

[00:01:19]One of my favorite movies featuring this trope is Beauty and the Beast. It is still one of my favorites to this day.

[00:01:26]When you write a story about two enemies, you shouldn't just force them to get up for no reason. You should build up the relationship. They should get to know each other as the story progresses. Otherwise, it sounds like, "I love her and he's the guy who slaughtered my entire family, [music] friends, but he's awfully sexy and he apologized to so I'll forgive him."

[00:01:49]Yeah, don't do that. I actually like this trope but only when it's done right.

[00:01:56]I'm also a spontaneous relation.

[00:01:59]Next, a romance trope I love is Princess and her knight. God, I love this trope. This is one of my comfort tropes when it comes to romance. And no, I'm not talking about save me sidekick [music] stories.

[00:02:15]For me, it's not about some big strong man who slay dragons and kill monsters just to reach out his damsel in [music] distress.

[00:02:24]What I love about this trope is ultimate save her dynamic.

[00:02:28]>> [music] >> The knight is not just your protector, they're also your companion and your guide. A guardian upon whom you can lay your head with trust [music] when you are tired. Rather than prince, I think knights work much better in a fantasy romance. [music] Normally, I don't like stories where one character has to be protected cuz they are naive, sweet, unable to do anything at all.

[00:02:51]>> [music] >> In need for a big boy stereotype man.

[00:02:55]The dynamic is really outdated.

[00:02:58]But with knight, you can create a new dynamic. That's why [music] I love Kaze and Run Hakaze and I do not royal love hatred and stuff, too.

[00:03:07]I also made my own version of [music] this trope with my OC's.

[00:03:10]And I made knight as dragon because why not again?

[00:03:14]Honestly, I don't have too much to say about this trope. I don't think it's big romance, but I'll never get tired of it.

[00:03:22]And the chosen one.

[00:03:24]>> [music] >> Firstly, I don't think this trope is that bad. I think the real issue is the writing.

[00:03:30]>> [music] >> Because what do you mean the main character is suddenly the savior out of nowhere?

[00:03:34]What makes them special? It's always something like but the prophecy said [music] so. Prophecies are nonsense. It could have been anybody.

[00:03:44]You just felt pity for them, didn't you?

[00:03:47]It's horrible protagonist as well.

[00:03:50]Unless they're some kind of stereotypical character, but whatever, they had to turn the world [music] into power and the choice it may bring.

[00:03:58]I think Percy Jackson and her father worked to some extent because they had strong overarching plots, [music] but that's just my perspective. Some people still think they're just tropes.

[00:04:09]Also, [music] I don't like how they are capable of defeating every threat without any struggle. Imagine being in the middle of the fight and being so close to defeating the hero. But out of nowhere, they call a random name out of their [music] mental, get a sudden power up, and beat you up. Damn, I would be a hater, too. Why do they >> [music] >> call that a plot hole?

[00:04:30]If you're writing this, please make make sense. Characters' [music] personality and world building are extremely important.

[00:04:38]God characters [music] who need worshippers. Have you ever watched The Ritual? The movie is about four friends who go on a hiking trip to Sweden.

[00:04:46]Tomorrow they'll decay friend.

[00:04:48]>> [music] >> But some accident happens, so they just have to take a shortcut from the forest, which [music] leads them to mother, one of the Loki's daughters.

[00:04:58]How they mentioned the mastiff in the movie, well, I don't know. If you're wondering what this has to do [music] with this trope, there are some spoilers. At the end of the movie, a character named Luke wants mother dead, but alive or she's supposed to set them free. Which angers mother so much that she kills all her believers. Oh my god, that film was incredibly creepy.

[00:05:20]But since she no longer have any followers, [music] she confronts Luke to make him submit and pray to her.

[00:05:27]When he tries to get back up, mother keeps pushing him back down just to force him to worship her.

[00:05:34]>> [music] >> Now, that was the thing that really got me because when you are god characters, we always assume they are the strongest, >> [music] >> but in reality, what is a god without believers? I love this writing because it how >> [music] >> a god-like creature still needs a worshiper to maintain their power.

[00:05:52]It also creates a really interesting moral conflict.

[00:05:55]Do gods really care?

[00:05:56]>> [music] >> Do they need just them to gain power? On the other side, do people worship [music] them out of fear? Or do they expect something in return?

[00:06:07]I think this makes for a much more compelling story than writing a character with no real weaknesses.

[00:06:14]If it's well-written, it makes [music] the story so much more fascinating. By the way, there is still a lot of my theory meow. I'm in Lokatour.

[00:06:23]May I steal them your [music] steals? Uh I hate this one.

[00:06:29]To me, the problem isn't that they are powerful or highly talented. It's how they are written.

[00:06:36]They're only that uniquely powerful and somehow beautiful character whom everyone in the universe instantly [music] falls in love with.

[00:06:44]And that's a real piece of meow. You usually see them in conflicts.

[00:06:48]You don't ever see [music] them struggle. They always have to be so perfect.

[00:06:53]It's just sad because it's also [music] some of the laziest writing ever. I'm not even going to talk about this. But if your character can master [music] ancient magic in just 1 week, yeah, we need to talk. Haunting the narrative. I know an unforgettable character is gone, but actually it really is [music] the story. Endless there did or long gone, their presence can still affect characters' decisions, their stories, and even their relationships.

[00:07:21]I also think it makes the story feel more alive and real.

[00:07:24]It reminds us that the things that happened in the past can still haunt you to this day. [music] People can change when this happens, and truly shows us in their character development. My favorite show with this trope is Steven Universe, especially with the character Rose Quartz. I'm not going to give spoilers for those who haven't watched the show.

[00:07:43]The whole character is highly complex, so I highly recommend [music] watching it if you haven't already. So, that's the point. I think the show still has flaws despite being relevant to [music] the plot. It can also be frustrating at times. Take Yennefer example. They They didn't really handle it well. If you can just use the show to fill [music] holes in your story, well, I can agree this will make for a good show.

[00:08:08]And next, we have a dark couple of characters. Oh boy, where did I hear them again? I think it became popular with Disney where every main character is dorky, overly and constantly toxic positive. It feels like the writers are just claiming at the entire time, "Look, aren't they cute?" No, they are not.

[00:08:29]They're just stupid. [music] All of them look the same and I have to say, nah.

[00:08:33]It worked for Rapunzel and Anna because they were isolated from the world for their entire lives.

[00:08:40]There's a clear line between being naive and being stupid. It's not relatable, but it's exhausting.

[00:08:46]Of course, I'm not saying characters [music] are full characters. It has to be their personality, too. Rather than being just a trope because otherwise, it feels [music] forced rather than being natural. A quirk personality shouldn't just be about having a random habit, awkward moments, and exaggerated expressions just to convince the audience that they're cute. Also, sometimes they characters flaws never actually matter. They make reckless decisions, create unnecessary problems, or completely ignore common sense.

[00:09:15][music] And since the third bounds are around them, they don't face any real consequences, too. As I said, having a dark couple of characters doesn't automatically make your story bad. But when you overuse it, yeah, it loses its charm. [music] Redemption arcs. Okay, this one is more personal. I love this one because it genuinely shows that the people can change, [music] but only if they are willing to face the consequences of what they have done.

[00:09:40]>> [music] >> And what feels so good is when their redemption actually feels satisfying.

[00:09:45]But yes, stay with me again, only if it's well written.

[00:09:50]>> [music] >> If I have to give an example, it would be Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender. [music] His redemption arc was incredibly well written and well deserved.

[00:09:59]I also like it when even after a redemption arc occurs, [music] other characters don't have to forgive them because redemption isn't about earning someone's approval, it's about becoming a better person for yourself.

[00:10:11]And I think that one is the [music] most powerful kind of stories you can write.

[00:10:16]Phew, and that is all I can talk about.

[00:10:19]There are still so many tropes I haven't mentioned, but I think this is enough for one video. As I said many times, this is all just my opinion.

[00:10:28]>> [music] >> A trope itself doesn't make a story good or bad. What matters is how it's written. And my least favorite tropes are damsel in distress and forced relationships executed well.

[00:10:37]Also, [music] English is not my first language, so please excuse any grammar or pronunciation [music] mistakes. This is my first video using my actual voice, so please bear with me for now. I'd also love to know what your favorite and least favorite tropes are. So, let me know in the comments. Thanks for watching and see you in the next video.