Weird trend in fantasy?

zvein 2021-02-19 06:38:00 UTC #1

Hey so while i’ve been lurking on tapas and webtoon nowadays to learn about comic making, i’ve noticed this weird trend especially on featured webtoon. I mean mainly i’ve been skimming fantasy but the genre overlaps a lot with romance and a lot of them have this very similar premise based on their description/summaries—-is it only me or there have been lots of “queen/consort/heroine must marry/engage with this lead guy.” I mean if i’m not wrong there are atleast three or more with this exact premises. Is it a trope in fantasy romance or what? No shade or anything i’m just really curious.

crowstories 2021-02-19 06:40:33 UTC #2

Yeah, it's a whole trend. Makes it easy to jump right into an enemies to lovers plot, I suppose. Bonus points if she's reincarnated into that situation.

zvein 2021-02-19 06:44:05 UTC #3

I see. Is this a new trope/trend or something? It’s just weird to see them next to each other published at the same time.

crowstories 2021-02-19 06:48:59 UTC #4

No, I think it's been around for a while? Tapas might have just picked up a few new ones that they're promoting.

nostalgicroxas 2021-02-19 06:53:15 UTC #5

It is not new considering Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha were both mangas that capitalized on this trope lol Just to name two of very many popular manga/anime.

zvein 2021-02-19 06:55:52 UTC #6

So it’s just like isekai it’s always there but becoming more popular lately?

I don’t know about ranma 1/2 but inuyasha kagome doesn’t have to marry inuyasha or something, right? It’s just the ending.

sunriseiroart 2021-02-19 07:03:52 UTC #7

Yeah, the fantasy romance is pretty easy to write since there's plenty of opportunities to further the romance since you can just throw in a magical event that deepens the hero and love interest's ties just by being there, and not having to explain it in depth because "It's magic lol". And the romance furthers the fantasy aspect too because it automatically gives the protagonist something to fight for/against without much need to set up the lore.

Not saying it's bad, just that it's prone to clichés that come with both genres.

zvein 2021-02-19 07:08:24 UTC #8

Yeah pretty much what you say is true and i like romance and fantasy too it’s just this very specific engagement/marriage thing that i’m puzzled about or maybe i’m just out of the loop entirely

nostalgicroxas 2021-02-19 09:39:45 UTC #9

Ranma and the girl are literally set up to marry by their dads to save the dojo or something and the two kids hate each other and bicker for the entire story. It's a VERY slow burn romance that maybe results in happiness.

DasIstWunderblyat 2021-02-19 11:34:01 UTC #10

It is like when vampire romance or dystopian fantasy is in the rise, all are trends come and go over and over again.

In this time though, the trend also being reinforced by the hosting sites by keep pushing the same content and milking it before the trend ends.

DiegoPalacios 2021-02-19 16:48:49 UTC #11

There is a strong monetary incentive for any hosting site to reinforce strong trends.

No matter how big or small, the site has their expenses in web domain and staff among other issues and can't always afford ignoring these oportunities.

CosmicLeon 2021-02-19 20:52:56 UTC #12

I have been noticing that type os story is being advertised lately as well. And as far as trope goes. . .. uh. . . Yeeeees, noooo. . . . it is a type of story that has been around for a while, but it is not exclusive to fantasy, but I would say it is a romance trope.

therosesword 2021-02-19 21:05:28 UTC #13

how far back do you want to go?

Not a new trend at all, nope, nope, nope

(a lot of these pictured are newer but trust me, it's not a new trend.)

mrtoontastic 2021-02-20 22:26:29 UTC #14

Its a trend. Admittedly, its an annoying trend, but what else is new on these two sites? It's not like we're seeing the same thing on Royal Road or something (except Wattpad lol).

starless 2021-02-21 01:45:26 UTC #15

I agree. I thought that this reincarnation and marriage by contract trend is like a vampire romance too. There's a repetitive gimmick but still works and appeals to readers.