Characters who are pretending to be ruthless, villainous or just cold and aloof for the sake of appearances or responsibility (perhaps leaning into people already thinking they're like that because they have an unapproachable look and are high ranking or successful), but actually their heart isn't in it and underneath it all they're a just a hugely nerdy goofball and they probably have a crush on the dorky character they keep antagonising hgnnnnn yessssss gimme gimme!
f/f romances between an awkward, serious upstanding knight and a snarky witch. This is practically its own GENRE on Tapas because if there are two things lesbians love, it's lady knights and witches.
Principled character is given permission to break the rules and/or do something selfish because everyone knows, including them, that it will help them in some way, or keep them safe, but they do the right thing anyway because of principle.
SENTAI TEAM POSES and CATCHPHRASES.
Best friends who bicker about some really banal argument while fighting a bunch of monsters or minions.
-I absolutely adore the "idiot with a golden heart" trope for some reason a lot. I love when the characters seem to be shallow or idiot on the outside and they are regarded as that, but they are in fact the group's heart and soul. They are the one who will fight fiercely for their friend if there is injustice or would sacrifice their own reputation for them. This can be done really badly though if the character is reduced into a butt-monkey and doesn't get the sweet character development.
-"Soft giants" has to be one of my absolutely favorite too! The big ones (no need to even be a buff) who look a little scary or either unapproachable but are in the end the softest and the most emotionally vulnerable ones. My heart dies when they do some cute gesture and get embarrassed when they are caught doing it!
-When the character tries to be no-approachable and are either cocky, cold or smug but, in the end, are the most awkward and biggest dork in the group. This is my absolute favorite if their cool and cocky attitude is often played for laughs AND if they get character development.
Basically the trope of "someone is opposite of what they seem to be" gets me always. These are my favorite variations of it. However, if I have to be unnecessarily specific, then a trope of:
-A main character who happens to be an idiot with a golden heart and they aren't naive. They would also have a crisis in life but, through other characters, they realize that they've brightened others' lives. My unadultered wish full-fillment
I'm a sucker for the classic "unusual trio unexpectedly goes on a long journey together" fantasy-type stories. Lots of potential for hilarious banter and unusual circumstances as well as incredible character development.
Also, this may be an unpopular opinion but I actually really enjoy love triangles despite how overdone and cliche they are. There's just something about seeing both the beauty and the ugliness in drastically different personalities that really does it for me.
This is a BAAAD cliche and one I usually rail against and yet I can't help but use it A LOT in my stories.
Stockholm romances. I just...I don't like READING them but that's because authors that use it are writing actual romance stories where the (typically) virginal heroine is held captive by the rugged asshole (but secretly has a heart of gold despite his assholish ways the fucking prick). Through their hilarious rapey hijinks the heroine falls in TWU WUV with the rugged debonair dickwad and they live HAPPILY EVER AFTER-
Sorry, cliches we love. I need to talk about cliches I love.
Anywho, normally I hate that cliche in vanilla style romances. However, I use it because I don't like the ROMANCE aspect. I like the CORRUPTION aspect.
I like the true darkness of it. I like the transformation and co-dependency that occurs between the two characters. I like how so many issues and darkness can just crawl out of such a toxic type of interaction. Thus why I can't help but use it and be inspired by it. When it's approached with a twisted, erotic acknowledgement of it's fucked-upness, I really, REALLY love reading it.
And writing it. It helps that I also subvert expectations with it in my story.
I also am a sucker for "I will go through HELL for you" idea of love. Nothing gets me more than a hero willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING for the one they love. I am just an absolute sucker. Especially if that love is earned and I buy into the relationship. None of that 'love at first sight, two stupid teenagers getting horny and mistaken it for love" crap. No! I mean "I have been with my husband for years and I adore him and his stupid little smile and if someone takes him away from me I will go through ANYTHING to get the man I love back!"
I also love Yanderes. Go figure.
This is giving me major Twilight vibes. There the heroine falls for toxic, controlling, and exploiting vampire (who is over hundred years old). I'm not a fan of either, I see it far too often on Wattpad, it happens also in LGTB+ books sometimes.
I like corruption romances, espesically between two cultures or religions that are drastically different from one another.
Alright, got a new one:
When the powerful god-like entity not only falls in love with a human, but would harvest souls, devour entire worlds, and break the fabric of time in their honor. Honestly, you can swap out "human" with "being" if you're doing non-human characters. But either way, I'll eat that shit up.
Bonus BONUS points if it's cosmic horror romance >w>
Alternatively, I love it when all powerful god-like entities have to scramble because they fell in love with a sweet but dumb human who gets into danger 24/7.
Yeah Twilight, 50 Shades, all of those stories use it and try to paint it off as the PERFECT ROMANCE when it's not. It's not the ideal romance. It's not even about love at all. It's all about lust trying to be painted off as love without any true acknowledgment of what it means to be in an actual relationship with someone. I hate it.
But corruption romance? Hot. Corruption Romance may eventually lead to a Redemption arc as the villain realizes that they do feel something to someone and thus is willing to do good just so that person is happy? Also hot! Hero who is corrupted finds happiness in being with the villain? HOT (but dark, but hot!).
Also to go along with my "I will do anything for the person I love", the following scene actually made me stop hating Shinji and want him to win:
Granted the 3rd film RUINED that but you know what? At least I have this scene.
I'm actually writing a story that is a Mr Robot (tv series) and Fifty Shades of Grey open world crossover fanfiction. Unlike what FSOG did, I will make Christian learn to character development what's love. I'm attempting to show it's possible to transform a toxic person to a more healthy way of loving and taking care of others.
Agreed! Especially when executed well. Take for example a character that is the Death King falls for a mortal and is willing to go to the end of the Earth for that person, even when their nature tells them not to. However, it's hard to find good stories with that concept in my experience.
I can't see the video in country, unfortunately, copyright reasons.