Sliding Scale of Realistic Versus Fantastic: Difference between revisions

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Just as the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]] determines the 'mood' of a series, this scale determines how much a particular series is unlike reality in relation to the natural laws, general conditions, and probabilities of [[Real Life]]. Stories also vary greatly in their realism concerning human behavior, but that trope has yet to be created.
Just as the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]] determines the 'mood' of a series, this scale determines how much a particular series is unlike reality in relation to the natural laws, general conditions, and probabilities of [[Real Life]]. Stories also vary greatly in their realism concerning human behavior, but that trope has yet to be created.


There are cases where the writers believe in something which most of the audience consider unrealistic; these should be judged according to the audience' standards, for no one knows exactly what a writer believes. There are cases of [[Did Not Do the Research]]. If it's obviously deliberate laziness, the work deserves a place at the fantastic end, even if it's unintended.
There are cases where the writers believe in something which most of the audience consider unrealistic; these should be judged according to the audience' standards, for [[Death of the Author|no one knows exactly what a writer believes]]. There are cases of [[Did Not Do the Research]]. If it's obviously deliberate laziness, the work deserves a place at the fantastic end, even if it's unintended.


There are also stories in which the precise cause of things is never delineated: both a naturalistic (positivist) and a supernatural explanation is possible.
There are also stories in which the precise cause of things is never delineated: both a naturalistic (positivist) and a supernatural explanation is possible.
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Some series can rank one or two steps up or down this basic scale.
Some series can rank one or two steps up or down this basic scale.


{{examples}}
Please list examples in alphabetical order.
== Mundane ==
There is nothing that cannot be explained by contemporary science and nothing ever happens that could not conceivably occur in [[Real Life]] as we know it. About the most 'fantastic' thing that happens here is a [[Contrived Coincidence]] or two designed to bring as much bad luck (or good luck) to the characters as possible. [[Nonfiction]] works, by definition, must fit ([[Your Mileage May Vary|though some]] could be [[Reality Is Unrealistic|considered as Unrealistic or even Unusual]]). [[Kitchen Sink Drama]]s typically fall into this category.


=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
----
* ''[[From Up on Poppy Hill]]'' is a [[Slice of Life]] story taking place in a rapidly industrialising Tokyo. As a result, it features no supernatural elements.


=== [[Film]] ===
* ''Mundane'': There is nothing that cannot be explained by contemporary science and nothing ever happens that could not conceivably occur in [[Real Life]] as we know it. About the most 'fantastic' thing that happens here is a [[Contrived Coincidence]] or two designed to bring as much bad luck (or good luck) to the characters as possible.
* [[War Movies]], when depicting real-life wars from the perspective of those who either fought in it or the civilian population affected by it.
** Examples: Most Irish [[Soap Opera]]s and [[Sitcom]]s.
** ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''
*** [[Nonfiction]] works by definition. ([[Your Mileage May Vary|though some]] could be [[Reality Is Unrealistic|considered as Unrealistic or even Unusual)]]
** ''[[Platoon]]''
*** [[Kitchen Sink Drama]]s typically fall into this category.
** ''Voces Inocentes'', a Spanish-language film about a boy named Chava in El Salvador during their civil war.
*** [[War Movies]], when depicting real-life wars from the perspective of those who either fought in it or the civilian population affected by it.
** ''[[The Hunger Games]]'', while containing some improbable technology, is completely realistic.
**** ''[[Platoon]]''

**** ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''
=== [[Live-Action TV]] ===
**** ''Voces Inocentes'', a Spanish-language film about a boy named Chava in El Salvador during their civil war.
* Most Irish [[Soap Opera]]s and [[Sitcom]]s.
**** ''[[The Hunger Games]]'', while containing some improbable technology, is completely realistic.

* ''Unrealistic'': The trappings of realism are there. The technology and the settings depicted do have their counterparts in, or are based on, [[Real Life]] as we know it, but the presentation is over-the-top. On very, very, rare occasions there may happen what would reasonably seem to be supernatural events, but we are never given a full explanation of what actually did transpire. Depending on the genre, expect either lots of crazy stunts and polished dialogue, and the notion of realism will almost certainly take a back seat to the [[Rule of Cool]], [[Rule of Funny]], or the [[Rule of Sexy]]. American [[Soap Opera]]s also fit, because reality makes a ''lot'' of exceptions for the [[Rule of Drama]].
== Unrealistic ==
** Examples: Most mainstream Hollywood movies/television series, and the overwhelming majority of action movies and comedies.
The trappings of realism are there. The technology and the settings depicted do have their counterparts in, or are based on, [[Real Life]] as we know it, but the presentation is over-the-top. On very, very, rare occasions there may happen what would reasonably seem to be supernatural events, but we are never given a full explanation of what actually did transpire. Depending on the genre, expect either lots of crazy stunts and polished dialogue, and the notion of realism will almost certainly take a back seat to the [[Rule of Cool]], [[Rule of Funny]], or the [[Rule of Sexy]]. American [[Soap Opera]]s also fit, because reality makes a ''lot'' of exceptions for the [[Rule of Drama]].
*** ''[[24]]''

*** ''[[Ace Attorney]]''
=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
*** ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''
* ''[[Whisper of the Heart]]'', due to it focusing on a girl trying to find her place in life by writing books, and dealing with love and the people around her. Almost every single aspect of the story is realistic, with the exception of the statue of the Baron. The Baron changes its position between shots, and the film never explains why this is. Otherwise, it would fit into the Mundane category. The [[Dream Sequence]]s [[The Hero|Shizuku]] has while writing her book, on the other hand, belong straight in Surreal, featuring flying planets and distorting perspectives.
*** ''[[Baywatch]]''

*** ''[[Crime Scene Investigation]]''
=== UNSORTED ===
*** ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' is a cross between Unrealistic (most of the actual plots) and Unusual (narrated by a deceased character).
* Most mainstream Hollywood movies/television series, and the overwhelming majority of action movies and comedies.
*** ''[[Forrest Gump]]''
*** ''[[Friends]]''
* ''[[24]]''
*** ''[[JAG]]''
* ''[[Ace Attorney]]''
*** ''[[The Millennium Trilogy]]''
* ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''
*** ''[[Prince of Tennis]]''
* ''[[Baywatch]]''
*** ''[[Prison Break]]''
* ''[[Crime Scene Investigation]]''
* ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' is a cross between Unrealistic (most of the actual plots) and Unusual (narrated by a deceased character).
*** [[Professional Wrestling]]
* ''[[Forrest Gump]]''
*** ''[[Seinfeld]]'' and ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', where the plots are generally realistic, just [[Contrived Coincidence|contrived.]]
* ''[[Friends]]''
*** ''[[The West Wing]]'', although it has mundane plots and settings, and thus is borderline realistic, the main characters are portrayed as over-the-top know-it-alls and the processes in which the federal government works is extremely simplified for dramatic purposes.
* ''[[JAG]]''
*** ''Yamakasi'', a French film about [[Le Parkour]], borders between unrealistic and mundane.
* ''[[The Millennium Trilogy]]''
* ''Unusual'': The world is mostly semi-realistic, but it does contain more than just a few minor fantastic hiccups. It may be [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]] or contain some [[Applied Phlebotinum]] which doesn't quite fit into conventional science. Supernatural events may occasionally happen, though they may fall under [[Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane]]. Some 'hard' science fiction shows that are based on extrapolations of existing technology may fit on the upper end of this.
* ''[[Prince of Tennis]]''
** Examples: [[Horror]], [[Magic Realism]], [[Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness|"Hard"]] [[Science Fiction]].
*** ''[[Armored Trooper VOTOMS]]''
* ''[[Prison Break]]''
* [[Professional Wrestling]]
*** ''[[Doctor Who]]'' is probably between Unusual and Fantastic on the definition, because while some stuff is semi-realistic in a few episodes, the effects of half the alien technology and generally setting may as well be magic as explained by [[Techno Babble]].
* ''[[Seinfeld]]'' and ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', where the plots are generally realistic, just [[Contrived Coincidence|contrived.]]
*** ''[[Grave of the Fireflies]]'', narrated by a dead character. Take out the narrator, and the film would have been in the Mundane territory instead.
* ''[[The West Wing]]'', although it has mundane plots and settings, and thus is borderline realistic, the main characters are portrayed as over-the-top know-it-alls and the processes in which the federal government works is extremely simplified for dramatic purposes.
*** ''[[Gundam]]''
* ''Yamakasi'', a French film about [[Le Parkour]], borders between unrealistic and mundane.
*** ''[[Indiana Jones]]'', semi-realistic with the addition of some supernatural elements.

*** ''[[Metal Gear]]''
== Unusual ==
*** ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''. [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]] plus forty meter tall [[Eldritch Abomination]] clones disguised as [[Humongous Mecha]] fit this category rather snugly. ''End of Evangelion'' and ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]] 2.0'' however take it to the next level '''at minimum'''.
The world is mostly semi-realistic, but it does contain more than just a few minor fantastic hiccups. It may be [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]] or contain some [[Applied Phlebotinum]] which doesn't quite fit into conventional science. Supernatural events may occasionally happen, though they may fall under [[Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane]]. Some 'hard' science fiction shows that are based on extrapolations of existing technology may fit on the upper end of this.
*** ''[[Orion's Arm]]'' borders unusual and fantastic. Everything in it is possible though, albeit just, within known physics.

*** ''[[Pippi Longstocking]]'', only the title character (save her father to a lesser extent) does possess any fantastic abilities while the rest of the characters and the world in which they inhabit seem to be rather mundane.
Generally speaking, [[Horror]], [[Magic Realism]], [[Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness|"Hard"]] [[Science Fiction]] belongs here.
*** ''[[Pushing Daisies]]'' may fit here since aside from the protagonist's power to bring people [[Back from the Dead]], the world is generally realistic.

*** ''[[Power Rangers RPM]]'', unlike the original ''Go Onger'' below, falls between fantastic and unusual while bordering more on the unusual side.
=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
*** ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]'', aside from the DLC [[Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare|Undead Nightmare]], which moves straight into fantastic, is realistic enough storyline-wise (Unless you think there's no possible way [[It's Personal|so]] [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|much]] [[Crapsack World|crap can]] happen in one guy's life.) Dead-Eye may be explained away as John Marston just being a damn good shot, but what can't be explained are such things that are optional encounters, like carrying a rabbit's paw to increase the amount of loot gotten off of killed enemies, a possible blessed object reducing the chance of enemies shooting at you, and of course {{spoiler|[[Angel Unaware|The Strange Man,]]}} who only responds to questions with answers that provide more questions.
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''. [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]] plus forty meter tall [[Eldritch Abomination]] clones disguised as [[Humongous Mecha]] fit this category rather snugly. ''End of Evangelion'' and ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]] 2.0'' however take it to the next level '''at minimum'''.
*** ''[[The Suite Life On Deck]]'': Was Mundane to start with, but then you get plotlines like sentient robots who created themselves trying to take over the ship, having to travel into the future to prevent the ship from an alien invasion, and having to fend off an ancient curse put on you by a dead queen's crown.
* ''[[Grave of the Fireflies]]'', narrated by a dead character. Take out the narrator, and the film would have been in the Mundane territory instead.
* ''Fantastic'': The rules of the real world no longer apply. Divine intervention, magic or superscience are the prevailing paradigms by which the world functions. These paradigms do have a certain [[Magic A Is Magic A|internal consistency]], though. Creatures exist that shouldn't exist in [[Real Life]], and the setting might not take place on Earth at all.
* ''[[Gundam]]'' {{context}}
** Examples: Most [[Speculative Fiction]], including [[Heroic Fantasy]] and "soft" [[Science Fiction]].
* ''[[Armored Trooper VOTOMS]]'' {{context}}
*** ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and its spinoff ''[[Angel]]'' are on the far end of Fantastic, approaching Surreal territory.

*** ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]''
=== [[Film]] ===
*** ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]''
* ''[[Indiana Jones]]'', semi-realistic with the addition of some supernatural elements.
*** ''[[Death Note]]''

*** ''[[Digimon]]'' borders between fantastic and surreal.
=== [[Literature]] ===
*** ''[[Discworld]]'' is bizarre enough to be surreal, but its internal rules and logic keep it in the Fantastic realm.
* ''[[Pippi Longstocking]]'', only the title character (save her father to a lesser extent) does possess any fantastic abilities while the rest of the characters and the world in which they inhabit seem to be rather mundane.
*** Most of the ''[[Disney Animated Canon]]''. ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'' is a (if not the) prime example of internal consistency in a fantastic story where the background and the basic rules concerning the magic spell which transformed the prince to a beast (and his servants to house objects), and how it can be undone are disclosed in the opening narration.

*** ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' is borderline fantastic and surreal. There is no explanation why the apes and crocodiles can walk and talk or why they wear clothes.
=== [[Live-Action TV]] ===
*** ''[[Franken Fran]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who]]'' is probably between Unusual and Fantastic on the definition, because while some stuff is semi-realistic in a few episodes, the effects of half the alien technology and generally setting may as well be magic as explained by [[Techno Babble]].
*** ''[[Gargoyles]]'' is possibly between fantastic and surreal.
* ''[[Power Rangers RPM]]'', unlike the original ''Go Onger'' below, falls between fantastic and unusual while bordering more on the unusual side.
*** The ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series.
* ''[[Pushing Daisies]]'' may fit here since aside from the protagonist's power to bring people [[Back from the Dead]], the world is generally realistic.
*** ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]'': Haruhi's powers are borderline surreal, but it's at least based on Haruhi's mood so it's not completely rule-less; Nagato, Asahina's and Koizumi's are Fantastic; and Kyon is Mundane.
* ''[[The Suite Life On Deck]]'': Was Mundane to start with, but then you get plotlines like sentient robots who created themselves trying to take over the ship, having to travel into the future to prevent the ship from an alien invasion, and having to fend off an ancient curse put on you by a dead queen's crown.
*** ''[[The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]]''

*** ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]''.
*** ''[[Johnny Test]]''.
=== [[Video Games]] ===
* ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]'', aside from the DLC [[Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare|Undead Nightmare]], which moves straight into fantastic, is realistic enough storyline-wise (Unless you think there's no possible way [[It's Personal|so]] [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|much]] [[Crapsack World|crap can]] happen in one guy's life.) Dead-Eye may be explained away as John Marston just being a damn good shot, but what can't be explained are such things that are optional encounters, like carrying a rabbit's paw to increase the amount of loot gotten off of killed enemies, a possible blessed object reducing the chance of enemies shooting at you, and of course {{spoiler|[[Angel Unaware|The Strange Man,]]}} who only responds to questions with answers that provide more questions.
*** ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' has game rules and [[Standard Fantasy Setting|a pretty typical fantasy background.]]
* ''[[Metal Gear]]'' {{context}}
*** ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' and other works by [[J. R. R. Tolkien|JRR Tolkien]], which are set in a vaguely defined mythical past include (relatively uncommon) magic and fantastic creatures.

*** [[Marvel]] and [[The DCU]]. In fact, most superhero comics (and other superhero fiction, such as TV and films) where the hero and villain are explicitly powered.
*** ''[[Mega Man Zero]]''
=== [[Web Original]] ===
* ''[[Orion's Arm]]'' borders unusual and fantastic. Everything in it is possible though, albeit just, within known physics.
*** ''[[Mortal Kombat]]''

*** ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' has a lot of elements of surrealism, but ultimately falls around here.
== Fantastic ==
*** ''[[Pokémon]]'', which blends realistic elements with magic ([[Applied Phlebotinum|and technology that might as well be]]).
The rules of the real world no longer apply. Divine intervention, magic or superscience are the prevailing paradigms by which the world functions. These paradigms do have a certain [[Magic A Is Magic A|internal consistency]], though. Creatures exist that shouldn't exist in [[Real Life]], and the setting might not take place on Earth at all. Generally speaking, most [[Speculative Fiction]], including [[Heroic Fantasy]] and "soft" [[Science Fiction]] fits this. "Soft" Science Fiction refers to sci-fi with vaguely defined rules, taking more liberties with science and technology. If you can travel from planet to planet without worrying about the implications of travelling faster than light, it probably fits. If you can fly to another planet using a jetpack without a space suit while baby giraffes are watching from above the heavens, it probably belongs in Surreal.
*** ''[[Sesame Street]]''.

*** The ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series lies squarely here. Arguably not [[Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 video game)||Sonic the Hedgehog 2006]].
=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
*** ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', and its spin-offs ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'' and ''[[Stargate Universe]]''. Although some episodes in the early seasons of SG-1 could be classified as ''Unusual''.
* ''[[Death Note]]''
*** ''[[Star Trek]]'' in its various incarnations, although it varies by series ([[Depending on the Writer|and episode]]).
* ''[[Digimon]]'' borders between fantastic and surreal.
*** ''[[Star Wars]]''
* ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]''
*** ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[Wario Land]]'' have internal rules, else they wouldn't be playable, but these rules make no logical sense and the background is pretty surreal so they're borderline.
* ''[[Franken Fran]]''
*** ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine]]'' is somewhere between unrealistic and surreal. Somewhere.

*** ''[[Transformers]]''.
=== [[Film]] ===
*** ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit?]]''.
* Most of the ''[[Disney Animated Canon]]''. ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'' is a (if not the) prime example of internal consistency in a fantastic story where the background and the basic rules concerning the magic spell which transformed the prince to a beast (and his servants to house objects), and how it can be undone are disclosed in the opening narration.
* ''Surreal'': The world has (almost) no rules or internal logic whatsoever. Anything can (and frequently does) happen, often with little or no explanation. Expect things to run on [[It Runs on Nonsensoleum|nonsensoleum]]. Anything set on afterlife falls to this category.
* The ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series.
** Examples:
* ''[[Star Wars]]''
*** A few comedic [[Speculative Fiction]] settings
* [[Marvel]] and [[The DCU]]. In fact, most superhero comics (and other superhero fiction, such as TV and films) where the hero and villain are explicitly powered.
*** ''[[Adventure Time]]''

*** ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'' and ''[[Alice in Wonderland|Through the Looking Glass]]''—justified since it's [[All Just a Dream]].
=== [[Literature]] ===
*** ''[[Angel Beats!]]'': It's set on Purgatory where many things are left vague, even after the finale.
* ''[[Discworld]]'' is bizarre enough to be surreal, but its internal rules and logic keep it in the Fantastic realm.
*** ''[[Asura's Wrath]]'': Asura comes back from Naraka (Budhhist Hell) after being killed at least THREEE times!
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' and other works by [[J. R. R. Tolkien|JRR Tolkien]], which are set in a vaguely defined mythical past include (relatively uncommon) magic and fantastic creatures.
*** ''[[Axe Cop]]''
*** ''[[Betty Boop]]''
* ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit?]]''.
* ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]'': Haruhi's powers are borderline surreal, but it's at least based on Haruhi's mood so it's not completely rule-less; Nagato, Asahina's and Koizumi's are Fantastic; and Kyon is Mundane.
*** ''[[Dragon Ball]]''

*** ''[[Earthworm Jim (animation)|Earthworm Jim]]''
=== [[Live-Action TV]] ===
*** ''[[Engine Sentai Go-onger]]'' is way over the top into this territory.
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and its spinoff ''[[Angel]]'' are on the far end of Fantastic, approaching Surreal territory.
*** ''[[Eraserhead]]''
* ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', and its spin-offs ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'' and ''[[Stargate Universe]]''. Although some episodes in the early seasons of SG-1 could be classified as ''Unusual''.
*** ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]''
* ''[[Star Trek]]'' in its various incarnations, although it varies by series ([[Depending on the Writer|and episode]]).
*** ''[[Family Guy]]''
* ''[[Sesame Street]]''.
*** ''[[FLCL]]'' on the more extreme end of surreal.

*** ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]''
=== [[Video Games]] ===
*** ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]''
* ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' has game rules and [[Standard Fantasy Setting|a pretty typical fantasy background.]]
*** ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]''
* ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[Wario Land]]'' have internal rules, else they wouldn't be playable, but these rules make no logical sense and the background is pretty surreal so they're borderline.
*** ''[[Looney Tunes]]''
* ''[[Pokémon]]'', which blends realistic elements with magic ([[Applied Phlebotinum|and technology that might as well be]]).
*** ''[[The Matrix]]''
*** ''[[Pingu]]''
* ''[[Mortal Kombat]]''
*** ''[[Popeye]]''
* ''[[Mega Man Zero]]''
*** ''[[Problem Sleuth]]''
* ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]''
* The ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series lies squarely here. Arguably not [[Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2006]].
*** ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]''
* ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' is borderline fantastic and surreal. There is no explanation why the apes and crocodiles can walk and talk or why they wear clothes.
*** ''[[Regular Show]]''

*** "[[The Snow Queen]]"
=== [[Web Comics]] ===
*** Animation by [[Tex Avery]]
* ''[[The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]]''
*** All movies by [[Seltzer and Friedberg]]

*** ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''
=== [[Western Animation]] ===
*** ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''
* ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine]]'' is somewhere between unrealistic and surreal. Somewhere.
*** ''[[Superjail]]''
* ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' has a lot of elements of surrealism, but ultimately falls around here.
*** ''[[Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle]]'', originally ''Fantastic'', eventually steps into this category.
* ''[[Gargoyles]]'' is possibly between fantastic and surreal.
*** [[Widget Series]] (e.g. ''[[Excel Saga (manga)|Excel Saga]]'', ''[[Pani Poni Dash!]]'', ''[[Puni Puni Poemy]]'' and ''[[Bobobo-Bo Bo-bobo]]'')
*** ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]''
* ''[[Transformers]]''
*** ''[[Yume Nikki]]''
* ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]''
* ''[[Johnny Test]]''

== Surreal ==
The world has (almost) no rules or internal logic whatsoever. Anything can (and frequently does) happen, often with little or no explanation. Expect things to [[It Runs on Nonsensoleum|run on nonsensoleum]]. Anything set on afterlife falls to this category.

=== Anime and Manga ===
* ''[[Angel Beats!]]'': It's set on Purgatory where many things are left vague, even after the finale.
* ''[[Dragon Ball]]''
* ''[[FLCL]]'' on the more extreme end of surreal.
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]'' {{context}}<!-- This series appears to me to has consistent and logical rules, and does not at all appear to me to be surreal. Please explain its presence here. -robkelk -->
* ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]''
* ''[[Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle]]'', originally ''Fantastic'', eventually steps into this category.
* [[Widget Series]] (e.g. ''[[Excel Saga (manga)|Excel Saga]]'', ''[[Pani Poni Dash!]]'', ''[[Puni Puni Poemy]]'' and ''[[Bobobo-Bo Bo-bobo]]'')
* ''[[Spirited Away]]'', involving, in the first twenty minutes:
** A theme park which turns out to be a gateway to the spirit world.
** A river that floods to [[Closed Circle|block off the entrance]].
** Humans being turned into pigs.
** A girl who has to find a job otherwise ''she'' will be turned into a pig.
** Spirits riding on boats, then walking off that boat.
** A bathhouse for the spirits.
** An old lady who can transform herself into a crow-like creature.
** Magic. Vaguely defined magic with almost no stated rules, just like the rest of this film.

=== Film ===
* All movies by [[Seltzer and Friedberg]]
* ''[[Eraserhead]]''
* ''[[The Matrix]]''

=== Literature ===
* ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'' and ''[[Alice in Wonderland|Through the Looking Glass]]''—justified since it's [[All Just a Dream]].
* ''[[The Snow Queen]]''

=== Live-Action TV ===
* ''[[Engine Sentai Go-onger]]'' is way over the top into this territory.
* ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]''

=== Radio ===
* ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]''

=== Video Games ===
* ''[[Asura's Wrath]]'': Asura comes back from Naraka (Budhhist Hell) after being killed at least THREE times!
* ''[[Yume Nikki]]''

=== Web Comics ===
* ''[[Axe Cop]]''
* ''[[Problem Sleuth]]''

=== Western Animation ===
* Animation by [[Tex Avery]]
* ''[[Adventure Time]]''
* ''[[Betty Boop]]''
* ''[[Earthworm Jim (animation)|Earthworm Jim]]''
* ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]''
* ''[[Family Guy]]''
* ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]''
* ''[[Looney Tunes]]''
* ''[[Pingu]]''
* ''[[Regular Show]]''
* ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''
* ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''* ''[[Superjail]]''

=== UNSORTED ===
* A few comedic [[Speculative Fiction]] settings{{context}}<!-- Which ones? -->
* ''[[Popeye]]''{{context}}<!-- Which version? -->


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sorting Algorithm of Tropes]]
[[Category:Sorting Algorithm of Tropes]]
[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]]
[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]]
[[Category:Sliding Scale of Realistic Versus Fantastic]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Examples Need Sorting]]

Latest revision as of 09:25, 20 December 2022

Just as the Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism determines the 'mood' of a series, this scale determines how much a particular series is unlike reality in relation to the natural laws, general conditions, and probabilities of Real Life. Stories also vary greatly in their realism concerning human behavior, but that trope has yet to be created.

There are cases where the writers believe in something which most of the audience consider unrealistic; these should be judged according to the audience' standards, for no one knows exactly what a writer believes. There are cases of Did Not Do the Research. If it's obviously deliberate laziness, the work deserves a place at the fantastic end, even if it's unintended.

There are also stories in which the precise cause of things is never delineated: both a naturalistic (positivist) and a supernatural explanation is possible.

Not to be confused with Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness - a time-travel story with rigorous rules can be fairly Hard but decidedly Fantastic, for example. Sliding Scale of Like Reality Unless Noted charts the degree to which a work of fiction set in what is ostensibly a "modern", Earthly environment departs from Real Life.

A story's way of dealing with Back from the Dead can be a good indicator:

  • Mundane: Death is final. No one comes back from the dead.
  • Unrealistic: If anyone comes back, it's from Not Quite Dead or from improbably surviving events that should have killed them (but, of course, they Never Found the Body).
  • Unusual: People can outright come Back from the Dead, but it's a rare occurrence.
  • Fantastic: It's difficult and has certain requirements.
  • Surreal: The afterlife has a revolving door.

Some series can rank one or two steps up or down this basic scale.

Examples of Sliding Scale of Realistic Versus Fantastic include:

Mundane

There is nothing that cannot be explained by contemporary science and nothing ever happens that could not conceivably occur in Real Life as we know it. About the most 'fantastic' thing that happens here is a Contrived Coincidence or two designed to bring as much bad luck (or good luck) to the characters as possible. Nonfiction works, by definition, must fit (though some could be considered as Unrealistic or even Unusual). Kitchen Sink Dramas typically fall into this category.

Anime and Manga

Film

  • War Movies, when depicting real-life wars from the perspective of those who either fought in it or the civilian population affected by it.
    • Saving Private Ryan
    • Platoon
    • Voces Inocentes, a Spanish-language film about a boy named Chava in El Salvador during their civil war.
    • The Hunger Games, while containing some improbable technology, is completely realistic.

Live-Action TV

Unrealistic

The trappings of realism are there. The technology and the settings depicted do have their counterparts in, or are based on, Real Life as we know it, but the presentation is over-the-top. On very, very, rare occasions there may happen what would reasonably seem to be supernatural events, but we are never given a full explanation of what actually did transpire. Depending on the genre, expect either lots of crazy stunts and polished dialogue, and the notion of realism will almost certainly take a back seat to the Rule of Cool, Rule of Funny, or the Rule of Sexy. American Soap Operas also fit, because reality makes a lot of exceptions for the Rule of Drama.

Anime and Manga

  • Whisper of the Heart, due to it focusing on a girl trying to find her place in life by writing books, and dealing with love and the people around her. Almost every single aspect of the story is realistic, with the exception of the statue of the Baron. The Baron changes its position between shots, and the film never explains why this is. Otherwise, it would fit into the Mundane category. The Dream Sequences Shizuku has while writing her book, on the other hand, belong straight in Surreal, featuring flying planets and distorting perspectives.

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Unusual

The world is mostly semi-realistic, but it does contain more than just a few minor fantastic hiccups. It may be Twenty Minutes Into the Future or contain some Applied Phlebotinum which doesn't quite fit into conventional science. Supernatural events may occasionally happen, though they may fall under Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane. Some 'hard' science fiction shows that are based on extrapolations of existing technology may fit on the upper end of this.

Generally speaking, Horror, Magic Realism, "Hard" Science Fiction belongs here.

Anime and Manga

Film

  • Indiana Jones, semi-realistic with the addition of some supernatural elements.

Literature

  • Pippi Longstocking, only the title character (save her father to a lesser extent) does possess any fantastic abilities while the rest of the characters and the world in which they inhabit seem to be rather mundane.

Live-Action TV

  • Doctor Who is probably between Unusual and Fantastic on the definition, because while some stuff is semi-realistic in a few episodes, the effects of half the alien technology and generally setting may as well be magic as explained by Techno Babble.
  • Power Rangers RPM, unlike the original Go Onger below, falls between fantastic and unusual while bordering more on the unusual side.
  • Pushing Daisies may fit here since aside from the protagonist's power to bring people Back from the Dead, the world is generally realistic.
  • The Suite Life On Deck: Was Mundane to start with, but then you get plotlines like sentient robots who created themselves trying to take over the ship, having to travel into the future to prevent the ship from an alien invasion, and having to fend off an ancient curse put on you by a dead queen's crown.

Video Games

  • Red Dead Redemption, aside from the DLC Undead Nightmare, which moves straight into fantastic, is realistic enough storyline-wise (Unless you think there's no possible way so much crap can happen in one guy's life.) Dead-Eye may be explained away as John Marston just being a damn good shot, but what can't be explained are such things that are optional encounters, like carrying a rabbit's paw to increase the amount of loot gotten off of killed enemies, a possible blessed object reducing the chance of enemies shooting at you, and of course The Strange Man, who only responds to questions with answers that provide more questions.
  • Metal Gear [context?]

Web Original

  • Orion's Arm borders unusual and fantastic. Everything in it is possible though, albeit just, within known physics.

Fantastic

The rules of the real world no longer apply. Divine intervention, magic or superscience are the prevailing paradigms by which the world functions. These paradigms do have a certain internal consistency, though. Creatures exist that shouldn't exist in Real Life, and the setting might not take place on Earth at all. Generally speaking, most Speculative Fiction, including Heroic Fantasy and "soft" Science Fiction fits this. "Soft" Science Fiction refers to sci-fi with vaguely defined rules, taking more liberties with science and technology. If you can travel from planet to planet without worrying about the implications of travelling faster than light, it probably fits. If you can fly to another planet using a jetpack without a space suit while baby giraffes are watching from above the heavens, it probably belongs in Surreal.

Anime and Manga

Film

  • Most of the Disney Animated Canon. Beauty and the Beast is a (if not the) prime example of internal consistency in a fantastic story where the background and the basic rules concerning the magic spell which transformed the prince to a beast (and his servants to house objects), and how it can be undone are disclosed in the opening narration.
  • The Harry Potter series.
  • Star Wars
  • Marvel and The DCU. In fact, most superhero comics (and other superhero fiction, such as TV and films) where the hero and villain are explicitly powered.

Literature

  • Discworld is bizarre enough to be surreal, but its internal rules and logic keep it in the Fantastic realm.
  • The Lord of the Rings and other works by JRR Tolkien, which are set in a vaguely defined mythical past include (relatively uncommon) magic and fantastic creatures.
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit?.
  • Haruhi Suzumiya: Haruhi's powers are borderline surreal, but it's at least based on Haruhi's mood so it's not completely rule-less; Nagato, Asahina's and Koizumi's are Fantastic; and Kyon is Mundane.

Live-Action TV

Video Games

Web Comics

Western Animation

Surreal

The world has (almost) no rules or internal logic whatsoever. Anything can (and frequently does) happen, often with little or no explanation. Expect things to run on nonsensoleum. Anything set on afterlife falls to this category.

Anime and Manga

Film

Literature

Live-Action TV

Radio

Video Games

Web Comics

Western Animation

UNSORTED

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