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The Shining City is usually the [[Capital City|capital]] to [[The Federation]], has the headquarters [[Heroes Unlimited]], or is home the heroes' favorite [[Reasonable Authority Figure]]. Because of its size it likely won't have the [[Eccentric Townsfolk|cooky and cozy feel of a small town]], or the [[Arcadia|the gentle pace of the countryside]], but the inhabitants will at least be polite if not friendly, full of energy, and usually pursuing activities "of high culture and art". If that [[Cultural Posturing|sounds a bit snobby]], then you've guessed right, the inhabitants (and often times the rulers) of the Shining City are culturally arrogant and perhaps [[Hidden Elf Village|unhealthily insular.]]
The Shining City is usually the [[Capital City|capital]] to [[The Federation]], has the headquarters [[Heroes Unlimited]], or is home the heroes' favorite [[Reasonable Authority Figure]]. Because of its size it likely won't have the [[Eccentric Townsfolk|cooky and cozy feel of a small town]], or the [[Arcadia|the gentle pace of the countryside]], but the inhabitants will at least be polite if not friendly, full of energy, and usually pursuing activities "of high culture and art". If that [[Cultural Posturing|sounds a bit snobby]], then you've guessed right, the inhabitants (and often times the rulers) of the Shining City are culturally arrogant and perhaps [[Hidden Elf Village|unhealthily insular.]]


Thematically, it will serve as an urban [[Light Is Good|beacon of hope]] for what [[Rousseau Was Right|mankind can build]] when it [[The Power of Friendship|works together.]] And for these reasons it tends to make viewers feel at home there and [[Video Game Caring Potential|players feel protective.]] However, [[Hobbes Was Right|for those]] [[Humans Are Bastards|who have a more cynical view of humanity]], it can degenerate into a [[Soiled City On a Hill]].
Thematically, it will serve as an urban [[Light Is Good|beacon of hope]] for what [[Rousseau Was Right|mankind can build]] when it [[The Power of Friendship|works together.]] And for these reasons it tends to make viewers feel at home there and [[Video Game Caring Potential|players feel protective.]] However, [[Hobbes Was Right|for those]] [[Humans Are Bastards|who have a more cynical view of humanity]], it can degenerate into a [[Soiled City on a Hill]].


Not surprisingly, the bad guys want to destroy or conquer it. Reasons can be simple ambition or [[Slobs Versus Snobs]] brand jealousy, this one is common when the bad guys operate out of the Shining City's antithesis, the [[City Noir]]. Depending on the story, it may survive intact, get random but repairable property damage, or [[Doomed Hometown|be doomed]] to [[Watching Troy Burn|burn like Troy.]] For extra fun, the bad guys' forces will be represented as an evil dark cloud on the horizon, threatening to both literally and figuratively darken the Shining City. Boiled down to basics, it's the urban equivalent of having a villain say "[[I Have You Now, My Pretty]]!" to a city.
Not surprisingly, the bad guys want to destroy or conquer it. Reasons can be simple ambition or [[Slobs Versus Snobs]] brand jealousy, this one is common when the bad guys operate out of the Shining City's antithesis, the [[City Noir]]. Depending on the story, it may survive intact, get random but repairable property damage, or [[Doomed Hometown|be doomed]] to [[Watching Troy Burn|burn like Troy.]] For extra fun, the bad guys' forces will be represented as an evil dark cloud on the horizon, threatening to both literally and figuratively darken the Shining City. Boiled down to basics, it's the urban equivalent of having a villain say "[[I Have You Now, My Pretty]]!" to a city.
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== Comics ==
== Comics ==
* Asgard in Marvel's ''[[The Mighty Thor]]'' if often referred to as the Shining City or Golden Realm. This is usually accompanied by a number of grandiose claims like being the jewel of the nine worlds. Artistic portrayals usually have it be a city that is or looks like it is made of gold or a glowing, highly advanced city.
* Asgard in Marvel's ''[[The Mighty Thor]]'' if often referred to as the Shining City or Golden Realm. This is usually accompanied by a number of grandiose claims like being the jewel of the nine worlds. Artistic portrayals usually have it be a city that is or looks like it is made of gold or a glowing, highly advanced city.
* Metropolis in ''[[Superman]]'' is frequently portrayed like this, especially in contrast to the [[Wretched Hive]] [[City Noir]] that [[Batman]] lives in. Ironically, while Superman has a lot to do with the average Metropolitan's attitude, what makes it ''look'' like a [[Shining City]] is [[Lex Luthor|Lex]][[Villain With Good Publicity|corp]]'s advanced technology.
* Metropolis in ''[[Superman]]'' is frequently portrayed like this, especially in contrast to the [[Wretched Hive]] [[City Noir]] that [[Batman]] lives in. Ironically, while Superman has a lot to do with the average Metropolitan's attitude, what makes it ''look'' like a [[Shining City]] is [[Lex Luthor|Lex]][[Villain with Good Publicity|corp]]'s advanced technology.




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* Argos in ''[[Clash of the Titans]]'' is an interesting example, in that while it ''should'' be the Shining City, the god's plagues and Calibos have dragged the citizenry down into despair.
* Argos in ''[[Clash of the Titans]]'' is an interesting example, in that while it ''should'' be the Shining City, the god's plagues and Calibos have dragged the citizenry down into despair.
* [[Al Pacino]]'s eulogy-speech in ''[[City Hall]]'' is as much about [[New York City]] as it is about the dead victim, and speaks of the shining city New York once was and might be again.
* [[Al Pacino]]'s eulogy-speech in ''[[City Hall]]'' is as much about [[New York City]] as it is about the dead victim, and speaks of the shining city New York once was and might be again.
* Asgard in ''[[Thor (Film)|Thor]]''.
* Asgard in ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]''.
* Syracuse in ''[[Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas|Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas]]''; filled with gleaming white, gold domed buildings and spires, built upon and amoung impossibly high [[Ghibli Hills]], which are all connected by elegant walkways. There is even an elevated canal for ships, linking the seas with the Royal Palace. Its a shame that we only see it for a few minutes of the movie though.
* Syracuse in ''[[Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas]]''; filled with gleaming white, gold domed buildings and spires, built upon and amoung impossibly high [[Ghibli Hills]], which are all connected by elegant walkways. There is even an elevated canal for ships, linking the seas with the Royal Palace. Its a shame that we only see it for a few minutes of the movie though.
* ''[[Star Wars (Franchise)|Star Wars]]'': Theed City and Coruscant certainly qualify, as does the capital of Alderaan.
* ''[[Star Wars]]'': Theed City and Coruscant certainly qualify, as does the capital of Alderaan.




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** This is slightly subverted by the fact Minas Tirith was actually a fortress of what was the original Trope city: Osgiliath, which fell into ruin because Gondor couldn't populate it anymore.
** This is slightly subverted by the fact Minas Tirith was actually a fortress of what was the original Trope city: Osgiliath, which fell into ruin because Gondor couldn't populate it anymore.
** ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' has the [[Hidden Elf Village|Hidden City]] of Gondolin, the last free nation of the Noldor in Middle Earth and the fairest city ever constructed by the Elves in exile. Naturally, Morgoth gets it in the end.
** ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' has the [[Hidden Elf Village|Hidden City]] of Gondolin, the last free nation of the Noldor in Middle Earth and the fairest city ever constructed by the Elves in exile. Naturally, Morgoth gets it in the end.
* Though not a city, the Ivory Tower in ''[[The Neverending Story (Literature)|The Neverending Story]]'' qualifies on counts of being the Childlike Empress' home... and ''really'' shiny!
* Though not a city, the Ivory Tower in ''[[The Neverending Story (novel)|The Neverending Story]]'' qualifies on counts of being the Childlike Empress' home... and ''really'' shiny!
* The Emerald City in [[Land of Oz (Literature)|the Oz series]].
* The Emerald City in [[Land of Oz|the Oz series]].
* [[David Eddings]] loves this trope. In ''[[The Belgariad]]'', there's the city of Kell; the prequels to ''[[The Belgariad]]'' describe beautiful Vo Wacune, which doubled as a [[Doomed Hometown]] for Polgara; and ''[[The Elenium]]'' has "Fire-domed Matherion", the capital of a continent-wide empire.
* [[David Eddings]] loves this trope. In ''[[The Belgariad]]'', there's the city of Kell; the prequels to ''[[The Belgariad]]'' describe beautiful Vo Wacune, which doubled as a [[Doomed Hometown]] for Polgara; and ''[[The Elenium]]'' has "Fire-domed Matherion", the capital of a continent-wide empire.
* [[The Eternal City|Rome]] is frequently described this way in the ''Emperor'' books.
* [[The Eternal City|Rome]] is frequently described this way in the ''Emperor'' books.
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** Most Ogierbuilt cities count as well, though the most prominent ones are the aforementioned Tar Valon and Caemlyn.
** Most Ogierbuilt cities count as well, though the most prominent ones are the aforementioned Tar Valon and Caemlyn.
* [[Edmond Hamilton]] rather goes in for these. The capital of the Mid-Galactic Empire is especially memorable being built of glass upon shining silica cliffs above a silver sea. With a hot white sun like Canopus overhead the citizenry must have to wear shades.
* [[Edmond Hamilton]] rather goes in for these. The capital of the Mid-Galactic Empire is especially memorable being built of glass upon shining silica cliffs above a silver sea. With a hot white sun like Canopus overhead the citizenry must have to wear shades.
* Capitol in ''[[The Hunger Games (Literature)|The Hunger Games]]'' certainly looks the part, even though its actually a [[Wretched Hive]] filled with decadent hedonists who take from the poor Districts without giving anything back and expect annual entertainment in the form of the titular games (i.e. gladiatorial battles to the death). The [[The Hunger Games (Film)|film]] makes it look even more spectacular, a sharp contrast to the poverty-stricken District 12.
* Capitol in ''[[The Hunger Games (novel)|The Hunger Games]]'' certainly looks the part, even though its actually a [[Wretched Hive]] filled with decadent hedonists who take from the poor Districts without giving anything back and expect annual entertainment in the form of the titular games (i.e. gladiatorial battles to the death). The [[The Hunger Games (film)|film]] makes it look even more spectacular, a sharp contrast to the poverty-stricken District 12.




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* This fits the level of love that the cast of ''[[Memphis Beat]]'' seems to have for their titular hometown, although protagonist Dwight Hendricks seems to be almost religious in his reverence.
* This fits the level of love that the cast of ''[[Memphis Beat]]'' seems to have for their titular hometown, although protagonist Dwight Hendricks seems to be almost religious in his reverence.
* Most Earth cities in ''[[Star Trek]]'' are like this. The one we see most often, [[San Francisco]] (Star Fleet HQ), certainly qualifies.
* Most Earth cities in ''[[Star Trek]]'' are like this. The one we see most often, [[San Francisco]] (Star Fleet HQ), certainly qualifies.
* The Capital of Gallifrey in ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]''.
* The Capital of Gallifrey in ''[[Doctor Who]]''.




== Religion ==
== Religion ==
* The astronomically huge New Jerusalem, described in the [[Bible (Literature)|Biblical]] [[Book of Revelation (Literature)|Book of Revelation]], is a visionary Shining City frequently identified with Heaven itself. It has walls and streets of gold, foundations of gemstones, and twelve gates, each one carved of a single monstrous pearl. (Yes, THOSE "pearly gates." The oysters are left to your imagination.) Trees of Life, like the one forbidden to Adam and Eve when they were expelled from Eden, here line the streets, and a river of Water of Life springs from the foot of Christ's throne. The whole thing is cubical in shape and roughly as large, on a side, as the distance from old Jerusalem to Rome. It specifically contains no temple because it doesn't need one, considering Who lives there.
* The astronomically huge New Jerusalem, described in the [[The Bible|Biblical]] [[Book of Revelation]], is a visionary Shining City frequently identified with Heaven itself. It has walls and streets of gold, foundations of gemstones, and twelve gates, each one carved of a single monstrous pearl. (Yes, THOSE "pearly gates." The oysters are left to your imagination.) Trees of Life, like the one forbidden to Adam and Eve when they were expelled from Eden, here line the streets, and a river of Water of Life springs from the foot of Christ's throne. The whole thing is cubical in shape and roughly as large, on a side, as the distance from old Jerusalem to Rome. It specifically contains no temple because it doesn't need one, considering Who lives there.




== Tabletop Games ==
== Tabletop Games ==
* ''[[Exalted (Tabletop Game)|Exalted]]'': Yu-Shan, the seat of power of Unconquered Sun and the Five Maidens. The center of [[Celestial Bureaucracy]] runs by the myriad gods of Creation. The headquarter of the Sidereal Exalted. It's basically the Capitol of Creation itself, with the usual intrigues. Its [[Shadowland]] is Malfeas the Demon City (a city that's also an individual), which was used to rule it as its God-king.
* ''[[Exalted]]'': Yu-Shan, the seat of power of Unconquered Sun and the Five Maidens. The center of [[Celestial Bureaucracy]] runs by the myriad gods of Creation. The headquarter of the Sidereal Exalted. It's basically the Capitol of Creation itself, with the usual intrigues. Its [[Shadowland]] is Malfeas the Demon City (a city that's also an individual), which was used to rule it as its God-king.
** Yu-Shan does also have areas of urban sprawl (typically the enormous slums populated by destitute gods whose domains have been lost or rendered largely irrelevent, or who have otherwise fallen from grace).
** Yu-Shan does also have areas of urban sprawl (typically the enormous slums populated by destitute gods whose domains have been lost or rendered largely irrelevent, or who have otherwise fallen from grace).
** The city of Mera, capital of the Old Realm, also qualifies. The Imperial City is its closest counterpart during the Second Age.
** The city of Mera, capital of the Old Realm, also qualifies. The Imperial City is its closest counterpart during the Second Age.
* The 4th Edition of ''[[Dungeons and Dragons (Tabletop Game)|Dungeons and Dragons]]'' provides Hestavar, a city on the Astral Sea where Pelor, Ioun, and Erathis (god of Sun, Knowledge, and Civilization, respectively) resides. It's also the afterlife for the followers of those gods. And it does have its share of intrigue.
* The 4th Edition of ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' provides Hestavar, a city on the Astral Sea where Pelor, Ioun, and Erathis (god of Sun, Knowledge, and Civilization, respectively) resides. It's also the afterlife for the followers of those gods. And it does have its share of intrigue.
* The city-plane of Axis in ''[[Pathfinder (Tabletop Game)|Pathfinder]]'' is a megalopolis bigger than most material planets. It is the archetype on which all civilization is modeled and the physical embodiment of the [[Lawful Neutral]] alignment. Like Hestavar, it is the home of several gods, including Abadar, the god of civilization, and the deceased Aroden, god of humans. Its builders and main inhabitants, the axiomites, are living mathematical concepts who pushed back the primal chaos of the Maelstrom and practically invented culture. It does have a seedy underside, though--the sewer-realm of Norgorber, the god of thieves and secrets.
* The city-plane of Axis in ''[[Pathfinder]]'' is a megalopolis bigger than most material planets. It is the archetype on which all civilization is modeled and the physical embodiment of the [[Lawful Neutral]] alignment. Like Hestavar, it is the home of several gods, including Abadar, the god of civilization, and the deceased Aroden, god of humans. Its builders and main inhabitants, the axiomites, are living mathematical concepts who pushed back the primal chaos of the Maelstrom and practically invented culture. It does have a seedy underside, though--the sewer-realm of Norgorber, the god of thieves and secrets.




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* The city of Trodel Stadt in ''Endless Frontier'', city sitting along in a world full of blast craters and crashed battleships.
* The city of Trodel Stadt in ''Endless Frontier'', city sitting along in a world full of blast craters and crashed battleships.
* The Citadel Station in ''[[Mass Effect]]'', capital of the [[The Federation|Citadel Council]], definitely qualifies, even though it's got [[Unwitting Pawn|a little]] [[Vicious Cycle|secret]]...
* The Citadel Station in ''[[Mass Effect]]'', capital of the [[The Federation|Citadel Council]], definitely qualifies, even though it's got [[Unwitting Pawn|a little]] [[Vicious Cycle|secret]]...
** Nos Astra on Illium and Milgrom on Bekenstein in ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' are these for the [[Green-Skinned Space Babe|asari]] and humans respectively, but in typical [[Bio Ware|BioWare]] fashion they have dark undersides as well.
** Nos Astra on Illium and Milgrom on Bekenstein in ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' are these for the [[Green-Skinned Space Babe|asari]] and humans respectively, but in typical [[BioWare]] fashion they have dark undersides as well.
** Based on the Prothean ruins, one can assume that their cities were like this as well. Of course, as revealed in the third game, they weren't nearly as glorious and enlightened as Liara had always assumed, forging an interstellar [[The Empire|Empire]] out of subject races and forcing them to adopt their doctrine.
** Based on the Prothean ruins, one can assume that their cities were like this as well. Of course, as revealed in the third game, they weren't nearly as glorious and enlightened as Liara had always assumed, forging an interstellar [[The Empire|Empire]] out of subject races and forcing them to adopt their doctrine.
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls]] IV: Oblivion'' - The Imperial City fits this perfectly.
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls]] IV: Oblivion'' - The Imperial City fits this perfectly.
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** Modern: ''[[Sim City]]'', ''[[Cities XL]]''.
** Modern: ''[[Sim City]]'', ''[[Cities XL]]''.
** Some ''[[Civilization]]'' games allow a "Cultural" victory condition, where your entire civilization is so full of shining cities that everyone else can't help but feel awed.
** Some ''[[Civilization]]'' games allow a "Cultural" victory condition, where your entire civilization is so full of shining cities that everyone else can't help but feel awed.
* What little we see of Upper Heng Sha in ''[[Deus Ex Human Revolution (Video Game)|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]'' fits this. It is impeccably built in a [[Crystal Spires and Togas|futuristic style]] and is a major hub of China's augmentation industry. It is also the ''only'' location ''all three [[Deus Ex (Video Game)|Deus Ex]]'' games that we see [[Always Night|in broad daylight]]. Shiny? Oh yes!
* What little we see of Upper Heng Sha in ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]'' fits this. It is impeccably built in a [[Crystal Spires and Togas|futuristic style]] and is a major hub of China's augmentation industry. It is also the ''only'' location ''all three [[Deus Ex]]'' games that we see [[Always Night|in broad daylight]]. Shiny? Oh yes!
** Interestingly, we never hear of Heng Sha in the other 2 games (which take place later in the timeline), which may indicate that the city has gone through some dark times.
** Interestingly, we never hear of Heng Sha in the other 2 games (which take place later in the timeline), which may indicate that the city has gone through some dark times.
* Baticul in ''[[Tales of the Abyss]]''. It's known as the City of Light.
* Baticul in ''[[Tales of the Abyss]]''. It's known as the City of Light.
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== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* In ''[[Drow Tales]]'', the [[Meaningful Name|name]] "[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?id=1203 Chel'el'Sussoloth]" literally translates to "city of light within darkness".
* In ''[[Drowtales]]'', the [[Meaningful Name|name]] "[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?id=1203 Chel'el'Sussoloth]" literally translates to "city of light within darkness".
* Kethenecia in ''[[Looking for Group]]'', which was depopulated but has since become repopulated by [[The Alliance]].
* Kethenecia in ''[[Looking for Group]]'', which was depopulated but has since become repopulated by [[The Alliance]].
* [[The Dreamland Chronicles]]: the elves live in a stunning city
* [[The Dreamland Chronicles]]: the elves live in a stunning city
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== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* Canterlot in ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' is directly based on Minas Tirith.
* Canterlot in ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' is directly based on Minas Tirith.




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