Tropes

Didn't know where else to stick this. Lots of stuff covered. In the recent anime discussions, I accidentally found this site: TV Tropes It is a wiki-styled compendium of all things 'trope'. (crap now I gotta look that up). Anyway, it's kinda like cliches, but as they say, cliches are "dull and uninteresting." Apparently tropes are not. I guess you could think of it as things to notice that are done often, but can be used to bring entertainment to a refreshing level. If you scroll down, on the left is a LONG list of main categories...and since most entertainment crosses genres these days, the categories can link back and forth and you can be running in circles till hell freezes over.

Some examples just from an anime point of view: this site is where I learned how the "father of anime" got his ideas from American cartoons like Disney and Betty Boop. This is where I went when I wanted to know why so many anime have the sakura (cherry blossom) petals as constantly recurring filler material. Today I found out about 'scenery porn,' which is when an artist (movie maker, animator, painter...) puts extra effort into making breathtaking backdrops to enhance viewing pleasure.

VERY informative site, and it covers TV, video games, books, comics, anime...ETC. And as they say: "This wiki is a catalog of the tricks of the trade for writing fiction."

Wow... Since returning, I'm going through stuff that I read but let sink in.. I like this site! Very informative!!

Just bumping this one back up... Been thinking again about the table-top RPG thing and founf some good stuff on Tropes.

Shadow, I think you should share that RPG thing you found with us. I only say that because I forgot what it was named.....