I would like to make the most concentrated, generic anime type roleplay and utterly deconstruct it. We could take from any genre and character type and work together to make it so it become the opposite or even a twisted version of its original function. I admit to having not much of a plot so far, but was hoping for a few clever minds to help me brainstorm this thing. Any takers are welcome!

Well, this sounds interesting. What did you plan on doing with the deconstructions? What kind of genre were you hoping for?

I hope to make a new spin on thing, make generic into something new, fun and original. I want the most popular and overused parts of anime for this, so we may be able to refresh them some.

Hm... How about Shonen? Okay, I know that's a demographic, but there's usually a clear genre in there. Like, an naive hero who struggles to be strong, his rival who is too cool for school, a big villain who wants to (you guessed it) take over the world (OF COURSE!), that one girly character that does nothing if she isn't fulfilling the role of the love interest, side characters that are usually pushed to the sidelines because they're not the hero, the mentor who is usually doomed to die because he's both badass and old, the inevitable tournament arc that usually serves to introduce strong and powerful opponents for the heroes to fight, etc.

Essentially this.

Well, yeah, there goes most of the Shonen tropes.

Ah, but there's also plenty of Shonen tropes that aren't mentioned in that article.

Defeat is friendship - If an antagonist is defeated by the protagonist, it is highly likely that the defeated character will join forces with the protagonist in a later arc.

First girl wins - In a love triangle, the first girl introduced is the one that will win out in the end.

"Stages" and "Modes" - new levels of power are reached not simply by getting stronger, but by taking on new forms. This goes hand-in-hand with transformation sequences and hidden techniques, which are often transformations of some kind.

Flashback Armor - a villain will not be defeated unless his past has been elaborated on or explained, at least in part.

Flashback De-armor - Once a character's past has been fully explained or resolved, he will fall to relative unimportance.

Philosophy Motif - Characters will be deeply ingrained in a philosophy that fits with the theme of their combat strategy.

And, if a girl is sitting/standing on a elevated platform of some kind, at night, singing, then she is in some way inhuman.

ruronihs said
Ah, but there's also plenty of Shonen tropes that aren't mentioned in that article.Defeat is friendship - If an antagonist is defeated by the protagonist, it is highly likely that the defeated character will join forces with the protagonist in a later arc.First girl wins - In a love triangle, the first girl introduced is the one that will win out in the end. "Stages" and "Modes" - new levels of power are reached not simply by getting stronger, but by taking on new forms. This goes hand-in-hand with transformation sequences and hidden techniques, which are often transformations of some kind. Flashback Armor - a villain will not be defeated unless his past has been elaborated on or explained, at least in part. Flashback De-armor - Once a character's past has been fully explained or resolved, he will fall to relative unimportance. Philosophy Motif - Characters will be deeply ingrained in a philosophy that fits with the theme of their combat strategy. And, if a girl is sitting/standing on a elevated platform of some kind, at night, singing, then she is in some way inhuman.

Oh yeah! I already know the perfect way to deconstruct Defeat Means Friendship (especially if the defeat is pretty brutal): The antagonist only joins out of fear of being killed by the protagonist if he ever steps out of line and it's pretty clear that 'friendship' for him is just another word for "Bully and Victim".

As for Flashback Armor, there's a trope for that called "Death By Flashback" which perfectly fits with your summary.

Though I'm interested in which anime had that last trope of the girl being inhuman from her singing on a high-elevated platform.

Though I'm interested in which anime had that last trope of the girl being inhuman from her singing on a high-elevated platform.

So, it happens quite a lot.

ruronihs said
So, it happens quite a lot.

Ah, that's interesting.

I would like to include the 'All girls love the Brooding Icicle' into the mix, as well. That is one annoying trope.

Slumberful said
I would like to include the 'All girls love the Brooding Icicle' into the mix, as well. That is one annoying trope.

Easy one. Brooding Icicle takes advantage of their swooning. Like, human shield levels of advantage.