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{{trope}}
{{trope}}{{page should be category}}
An epic is a long story centered on a heroic character that describes a series of exceptional events, similar to and suggestive of epic poetry. There are numerous epics in fiction and storytelling. Epics are majestic depictions and capture impressive struggles, such as stories of war, adventures, and other efforts of great scope and size over long periods of time.
An epic is a long story centered on a heroic character that describes a series of exceptional events, similar to and suggestive of epic poetry. There are numerous epics in fiction and storytelling. Epics are majestic depictions and capture impressive struggles, such as stories of war, adventures, and other efforts of great scope and size over long periods of time.


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* [[Epic Poem]] (also known as classic epic)
* [[Epic Poem]] (also known as classic epic)
* Epic Narrative (also known as modern epic)
* Epic Narrative (also known as modern epic)
* [[Epic Movie]] (more broadly defined, includes film adaptations of the [[The Epic|literary epic]] as defined here)
* [[Epic Movie]] (more broadly defined, includes film adaptations of the '''literary epic''' as defined here)


Some basic guidelines:
Some basic guidelines:
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'''Please''' do not add an example without ensuring that it first meets the criteria.
'''Please''' do not add an example without ensuring that it first meets the criteria.


{{examples|Examples:}}
{{examples}}

== Anime and Manga ==
== Anime and Manga ==
* ''[[Akira (Manga)|Akira]]'', both the manga and [[Epic Movie|the film]].
* ''[[Akira]]'', both the manga and [[Epic Movie|the film]].
* ''[[Basara (Manga)|Basara]]''
* ''[[Basara]]''
* ''[[Berserk (Manga)|Berserk]]''
* ''[[Berserk]]''
* ''[[Bleach (Manga)|Bleach]]''
* ''[[Bleach]]''
* ''[[Claymore (Manga)|Claymore]]''
* ''[[Claymore]]''
* ''[[Code Geass (Anime)|Code Geass]]''
* ''[[Code Geass]]''
* ''[[Death Note (Manga)|Death Note]]'', while not as big in scope as other examples here, definitely fits.
* ''[[Death Note]]'', while not as big in scope as other examples here, definitely fits.
* ''[[D Gray Man (Manga)|D Gray Man]]''
* ''[[D.Gray-man|D Gray Man]]''
* Most ''[[Digimon (Franchise)|Digimon]]'' series fit:
* Most ''[[Digimon]]'' series fit:
** ''[[Digimon Adventure (Anime)|Digimon Adventure]]''
** ''[[Digimon Adventure]]''
** ''[[Digimon Tamers (Anime)|Digimon Tamers]]''
** ''[[Digimon Tamers]]''
** ''[[Digimon Savers (Anime)|Digimon Savers]]''
** ''[[Digimon Savers]]''
** ''[[Digimon Xros Wars (Anime)|Digimon Xros Wars]]''
** ''[[Digimon Xros Wars]]''
** ''[[Digimon Xros Wars the Young Hunters Leaping Through Time (Anime)|Digimon Xros Wars the Young Hunters Leaping Through Time]]''
** ''[[Digimon Xros Wars: The Young Hunters Leaping Through Time]]''
** ''[[Digimon V-Tamer 01 (Manga)|Digimon V-Tamer 01]]''
** ''[[Digimon V-Tamer 01]]''
* ''[[Dragon Ball (Manga)|Dragon Ball]]''
* ''[[Dragon Ball]]''
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]''
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]''
* ''[[Inuyasha (Manga)|Inuyasha]]''
* ''[[Inuyasha]]''
* ''[[Legend of Galactic Heroes (Anime)|Legend of Galactic Heroes]]''
* ''[[Legend of Galactic Heroes]]''
* ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima (Manga)|Mahou Sensei Negima]]''
* ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]''
* Most full-length [[Gundam]] series fall under this.
* Most full-length [[Gundam]] series fall under this.
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam (Anime)|Mobile Suit Gundam]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (Anime)|Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (Anime)|Mobile Suit Gundam Wing]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing]]''
** ''[[After War Gundam X (Anime)|After War Gundam X]]''
** ''[[After War Gundam X]]''
** ''[[Turn a Gundam (Anime)|Turn a Gundam]]''
** ''[[Turn A Gundam|Turn a Gundam]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (Anime)|Mobile Suit Gundam SEED]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (Anime)|Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Age (Anime)|Mobile Suit Gundam Age]]''
** ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam AGE]]''
* The ''Mazinger trilogy'', with all their sequels and spin-offs throughout forty years, definitely fits:
* The ''Mazinger trilogy'', with all their sequels and spin-offs throughout forty years, definitely fits:
** ''[[Mazinger Z (Anime)|Mazinger Z]]''
** ''[[Mazinger Z]]''
** ''[[Great Mazinger (Anime)|Great Mazinger]]''
** ''[[Great Mazinger]]''
** ''[[UFO Robo Grendizer (Anime)|UFO Robo Grendizer]]''
** ''[[UFO Robo Grendizer]]''
** ''[[Mazinkaiser (Anime)|Mazinkaiser]]''
** ''[[Mazinkaiser]]''
** ''[[Shin Mazinger (Anime)|Shin Mazinger]]''
** ''[[Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-hen]]''
** ''[[Shin Mazinger Zero]]''
** ''[[Shin Mazinger Zero]]''
* ''[[Monster (Manga)|Monster]]''
* ''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''
* ''[[Naruto (Manga)|Naruto]]''
* ''[[Naruto]]''
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion (Anime)|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''
* ''[[One Piece (Manga)|One Piece]]''
* ''[[One Piece]]''
* ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (Anime)|Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''
* ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''
* ''[[Twentieth Century Boys (Manga)|Twentieth Century Boys]]''
* ''[[20th Century Boys]]''
* ''[[Tower of God (Webcomic)|Tower of God]]''
* ''[[Tower of God]]''
* ''[[Vinland Saga]]''
* ''[[Vinland Saga]]''
* ''[[Kemono no Souja Erin]]''
* ''[[Kemono no Souja Erin]]''
* ''[[Utawarerumono (Video Game)|Utawarerumono]]'': National epic of Tuskuru, under Emperor Hakuoro.
* ''[[Utawarerumono]]'': National epic of Tuskuru, under Emperor Hakuoro.


== Comic Books ==
== Comic Books ==
* ''[[Bone (Comic Book)|Bone]]''
* ''[[Bone]]''
* ''[[Cerebus]]''
* ''[[Cerebus]]''
* ''[[The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck (Comic Book)|The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck]]''
* ''[[The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck]]''
* ''[[One Hundred Bullets (Comic Book)|One Hundred Bullets]]'', an epic in the style of [[Film Noir]].
* ''[[100 Bullets|One Hundred Bullets]]'', an epic in the style of [[Film Noir]].
* ''[[Preacher]]''
* ''[[Preacher (Comic Book)]]''
* ''[[The Sandman (Comic Book)|The Sandman]]''
* ''[[The Sandman]]''
** Also its popular spinoff series ''[[Lucifer (Comic Book)|Lucifer]]''.
** Also its popular spinoff series ''[[Lucifer (comics)|Lucifer]]''.


== Fan Fiction ==
== Fan Works ==
* ''[[Undocumented Features (Fanfic)|Undocumented Features]]'' as a whole is a familial epic; the ''Symphony of the Sword'' story cycle within it is a heroic epic on its own.
* ''[[Undocumented Features]]'' as a whole is a familial epic; the ''Symphony of the Sword'' story cycle within it is a heroic epic on its own.


== Film ==
== Film ==
* ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''
* ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''
* ''[[Avatar (Film)|Avatar]]''
* ''[[Avatar (film)|Avatar]]''
* ''[[Blood Diamond]]''
* ''[[Blood Diamond]]''
* ''[[Gangs of New York]]''
* ''[[Gangs of New York]]''
* ''[[Gladiator (Film)|Gladiator]]''
* ''[[Gladiator (film)|Gladiator]]''
* ''[[The Godfather (Film)|The Godfather]]''
* ''[[The Godfather]]''
* ''[[Lawrence of Arabia]]''
* ''[[Lawrence of Arabia]]''
* ''[[The Lion King (Disney)|The Lion King]]''
* ''[[The Lion King]]''
* ''[[Master and Commander]]: Fits all but one of the criteria as it is focused on a single ship action. However it has a majestic plot, and larger then life characters and fits the other four criteria to a T.
* ''[[The Matrix (Film)|The Matrix]]''
* ''[[Star Wars (Franchise)|Star Wars]]''
* ''[[The Matrix]]''
* ''[[Star Wars]]''
* ''[[The Ten Commandments]]''
* ''[[The Ten Commandments]]''


== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* ''[[The Aeneid (Literature)|The Aeneid]]''
* ''[[The Aeneid]]''
* ''[[Belisarius Series]]'' is a [[Double Subversion]] with larger-then-life characters and events, modified by cynical asides. That is it is a time-travel dimenensional war centered in the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian, with the characters talking like real soldiers rather then in Homeric [[Purple Prose]] and the effect can be a little odd. It certainly qualifies as an epic however.
* ''[[Beowulf (Literature)|Beowulf]]''
* ''[[Beowulf]]''
* ''[[Book of the New Sun]]''
* ''[[Book of the New Sun]]''
* ''[[Book of the Long Sun]]''
* ''[[Book of the Long Sun]]''
* ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''
* ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''
* ''[[The Dark Tower]]''
* ''[[The Dark Tower]]''
* ''[[The Divine Comedy (Literature)|The Divine Comedy]]'' of [[In Case You Forgot Who Wrote It|Dante Alighieri]].
* ''[[The Divine Comedy]]'' of [[In Case You Forgot Who Wrote It|Dante Alighieri]].
* ''[[Lord Byrons Don Juan|Don Juan]]'' by [[Lord Byron (Creator)|Lord Byron]] is an [[Affectionate Parody]] of [[The Epic]].
* ''[[Lord Byron's Don Juan|Don Juan]]'' by [[Lord Byron]] is an [[Affectionate Parody]] of The Epic.
* ''[[The Dresden Files (Literature)|The Dresden Files]]''
* ''[[The Dresden Files]]''
* ''[[Dragonriders of Pern]]''
* ''[[Dune]]'' (particularly the first book, though most of them count anyways, and can be considered a hereditary epic as well)
* ''[[Dune]]'' (particularly the first book, though most of them count anyways, and can be considered a hereditary epic as well)
* ''[[The Epic of Gilgamesh (Literature)|The Epic of Gilgamesh]]''
* ''[[The Epic of Gilgamesh]]''
* ''[[Foundation]]''
* ''[[Foundation]]''
* ''[[Gone With the Wind]]''
* ''[[Gone with the Wind]]''
* ''[[Guin Saga]]''
* ''[[Guin Saga]]''
* ''[[Harry Potter (Literature)|Harry Potter]]'', the 7th book especially.
* ''[[Harry Potter (novel)|Harry Potter]]'', the 7th book especially.
* ''[[His Dark Materials]]''
* ''[[His Dark Materials]]''
* ''[[Honor Harrington]]: Perhaps not. But it does include a journey to the underworld-well to a planet named [[Fridge Brilliance|Charon]].
* ''[[Hyperion]]''
* ''[[Hyperion]]''
* ''[[The Iliad (Literature)|The Iliad]]''
* ''[[The Iliad]]''
* ''[[The Kalevala]]'', the Finnish national epic.
* ''[[The Kalevala]]'', the Finnish national epic.
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings (Literature)|The Lord of the Rings]]''
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''
* The ''[[Mahabharata (Literature)|Mahabharata]]'', the Indian national epic (although it does focus for the most part on Arjuna and his ancestors).
* The ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the Indian national epic (although it does focus for the most part on Arjuna and his ancestors).
* ''[[Malazan Book of the Fallen]]''
* ''[[Malazan Book of the Fallen]]''
* ''[[The Name of the Wind (Literature)|The Name of the Wind]]''
* ''[[The Name of the Wind]]''
* ''[[Nibelungenlied (Literature)|Nibelungenlied]]''
* ''[[Nibelungenlied]]''
* ''[[North and South US]]''
* ''[[North and South US]]''
* ''[[The Odyssey (Literature)|The Odyssey]]''
* ''[[Odyssey|The Odyssey]]''
* ''[[Paradise Lost (Literature)|Paradise Lost]]''
* ''[[Paradise Lost]]''
* ''[[The Pillars of the Earth]]''
* ''[[The Pillars of the Earth]]''
* ''[[Ramayana (Literature)|Ramayana]]''
* ''[[Ramayana]]''
* ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Literature)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''
* ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''
* ''[[The Saga of Hrolf Kraki (Literature)|The Saga of Hrolf Kraki]]''
* ''[[The Saga of Hrolf Kraki]]''
* ''[[The Silmarillion (Literature)|The Silmarillion]]''
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]''
* ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire (Literature)|A Song of Ice and Fire]]''
* ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''
* ''[[The Stand]]''
* ''[[The Stand]]''
* ''[[Volsunga Saga (Literature)|Volsunga Saga]]''
* ''[[The Saga of the Volsungs|Volsunga Saga]]''
* ''[[Technic History]]'': Fictional history of the expansion of humanity and other races into the stars, framing device for several stories some of which are mini-epics in their own right.
* ''[[Warrior Cats (Literature)|Warrior Cats]]''
* ''[[Warrior Cats]]''
* ''[[Watership Down]]''; also has [[Mythopoeia|its own epic mythology in-universe]].
* ''[[Watership Down]]''; also has [[Mythopoeia|its own epic mythology in-universe]].
* ''[[Wheel of Time]]''
* ''[[Wheel of Time]]''
* ''[[The Winds of War and War And Remembrance|The Winds of War/War and Remembrance]]'' (they are a two-volume set) by Herman Wouk. Someone or other said it was the [[World War II]] version of [[War and Peace]].
* ''[[The Winds of War and War and Remembrance|The Winds of War/War and Remembrance]]'' (they are a two-volume set) by Herman Wouk. Someone or other said it was the [[World War II]] version of [[War and Peace]].
**Also a TV miniseries which really went over the top for it's time, including borrowing and blowing up surplus naval vessels, checking out the real Auschwitz as a stage prop for horrific and realistic Holocaust scenes, and hiring big-end actors like Robert Mitchum and Jane Seymour.
* ''[[The Worm Ouroboros (Literature)|The Worm Ouroboros]]''
* ''[[The Worm Ouroboros]]''


== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
* ''[[Babylon 5 (TV)|Babylon 5]]''
* ''[[Babylon 5]]''
* ''Jumong'': Korean TV series about the legendary founder of Korea.
* ''Jumong'': Korean TV series about the legendary founder of Korea.
* ''[[Rome (TV)|Rome]]''
* ''[[Rome]]''
* ''[[Star Trek (Franchise)|Star Trek]]'' in general
* ''[[Star Trek]]'' in general
* ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who]]''


== Music ==
== Music ==
* ''[[Food for The Gods (Music)|Food for The Gods]]''
* ''[[Food for the Gods]]''
* ''[[Sound Horizon (Music)|Moira]]'', which was deliberately written to resemble classical Greek epics.
* ''[[Sound Horizon|Moira]]'', which was deliberately written to resemble classical Greek epics.
* ''[[Coheed and Cambria (Music)|Coheed and Cambria]]'''s entire discography.
* ''[[Coheed and Cambria]]'''s entire discography.


== Roleplay ==
== Roleplay ==
* Possible with most RPGs.
* Possible with most RPGs.
* ''[[Marked RP (Roleplay)|Marked RP]]''
* ''[[Marked RP]]''
* ''Exalted''. Because it's [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin]]
* ''Exalted''. Because it's [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]]
* ''[[Disney World of War (Roleplay)|Disney World of War]]''
* ''[[Disney World of War]]''


== Tabletop Games ==
== Tabletop Games ==
* ''[[GURPS (Tabletop Game)|GURPS]]'' has a number of potential epics for [[The Gamemaster]] to work with in its various [[Sourcebooks]] some of which are quite well done. Several are suggested in the sample campaigns. In ''Vikings'' one can replay any saga or make up one's own. There is even a mythic campaign theme in which Loki escape's and threatens to bring about Ragnorak before its time. In [[Traveller]] ''Sword Worlds'' there is ''100 Parsecs'' which is about the journey of a group of Sword Worlders to set up a new civilization in which the Sword Worlder way of life may be preserved far in the reaches of the universe. One can also do the original founding of the Sword Worlds which is an intensely powerful theme. ''Intersteller Wars'' is in a way a "national epic" of the Terran Confederation. In fact some [[GURPS]] ideas are so good that it is a tragedy that they were never taken in hand by a writer worthy of them. Hopefully one is waiting.
* ''[[GURPS]]'' has a number of potential epics for [[The Gamemaster]] to work with in its various [[Sourcebooks]] some of which are quite well done. Several are suggested in the sample campaigns. In ''Vikings'' one can replay any saga or make up one's own. There is even a mythic campaign theme in which Loki escape's and threatens to bring about Ragnorak before its time. In [[Traveller]] ''Sword Worlds'' there is ''100 Parsecs'' which is about the journey of a group of Sword Worlders to set up a new civilization in which the Sword Worlder way of life may be preserved far in the reaches of the universe. One can also do the original founding of the Sword Worlds which is an intensely powerful theme. ''Intersteller Wars'' is in a way a "national epic" of the Terran Confederation. In fact some [[GURPS]] ideas are so good that it is a tragedy that they were never taken in hand by a writer worthy of them. Hopefully one is waiting.


== Theater ==
== Theater ==
* ''[[The Oresteia (Theatre)|The Oresteia]]''
* ''[[The Oresteia]]''
* ''[[The Ring of the Nibelung (Theatre)|The Ring of the Nibelung]]'' by [[Richard Wagner (Creator)|Richard Wagner]]. 14 and a half hours of music.
* ''[[The Ring of the Nibelung]]'' by [[Richard Wagner]]. 14 and a half hours of music.


== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==
* Pretty much every one with a plot. Particularly Role Playing Games.
* Pretty much every one with a plot. Particularly Role Playing Games.
* ''[[Assassin's Creed (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed]]'' series
* ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' series
* ''[[Asura's Wrath]]'': Easily one of the most [[Department of Redundancy Department|Epic]] versions of this ever.
* ''[[Asura's Wrath]]'': Easily one of the most [[Department of Redundancy Department|Epic]] versions of this ever.
* ''[[Baldurs Gate]]''
* ''[[Baldur's Gate]]''
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim]]''
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]''
* ''[[Exit Fate (Video Game)|Exit Fate]]''
* ''[[Exit Fate]]''
* ''[[Fallout (Video Game)|Fallout]]'' series
* ''[[Fallout]]'' series
* ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' games after the [[Excuse Plot]] era.
* ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' games after the [[Excuse Plot]] era.
* Most ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' titles:
* Most ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' titles:
** ''[[Fire Emblem Akaneia (Video Game)|Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'' tell one epic in two parts
** ''[[Fire Emblem Akaneia|Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'' tell one epic in two parts
** ''[[Fire Emblem Jugdral (Video Game)|Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War]]''
** ''[[Fire Emblem Jugdral|Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War]]''
** ''[[Fire Emblem Tellius (Video Game)|Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance]]'' and ''Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn'' also tell one epic in two parts
** ''[[Fire Emblem Tellius|Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance]]'' and ''Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn'' also tell one epic in two parts
* ''[[Forevers End (Video Game)|Forevers End]]''
* ''[[Forever's End|Forevers End]]''
* The ''[[Half Life]]'' series is evolving into this, especially with the integration of the events of the ''Portal'' games (and possibly every other Valve title) [[Canon Welding|into the canon]].
* The ''[[Half Life]]'' series is evolving into this, especially with the integration of the events of the ''Portal'' games (and possibly every other Valve title) [[Canon Welding|into the canon]].
* ''[[Homeworld (Video Game)|Homeworld]]''. It has the appearance of Lensman-inspired [[Science Fiction]] [[Space Opera]], but has the feels of Mythical [[High Fantasy]] Epic in terms of narration.
* ''[[Homeworld]]''. It has the appearance of Lensman-inspired [[Science Fiction]] [[Space Opera]], but has the feels of Mythical [[High Fantasy]] Epic in terms of narration.
* ''[[Last Scenario (Video Game)|Last Scenario]]''
* ''[[Last Scenario]]''
* ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
* ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
* ''[[Mass Effect]]'' games.
* ''[[Mass Effect]]'' games.
* ''[[Oracle of Tao]]''. It qualifies as a [[Generational Saga]], tracing back from Ambrosia's mother (mainly in flashbacks), to her quest, to her daughter's quest with her.
* ''[[Oracle of Tao]]''. It qualifies as a [[Generational Saga]], tracing back from Ambrosia's mother (mainly in flashbacks), to her quest, to her daughter's quest with her.
* ''[[Prince of Persia (Video Game)|Prince of Persia]]'' ''The Sands of Time'' trilogy
* ''[[Prince of Persia]]'' ''The Sands of Time'' trilogy
* The '''entire''' [[Rance (Franchise)|Rance]] series (except for one non-canon game which was an [[Alternate Ending]]) is essentially one long heroic epic about Rance.
* The '''entire''' [[Rance]] series (except for one non-canon game which was an [[Alternate Ending]]) is essentially one long heroic epic about Rance.
* ''[[Shining Force (Video Game)|Shining Force]]'' games.
* ''[[Shining Force]]'' games.
* ''[[The Tale of Alltynex]]'' is a rare [[Shmup]] version of this.
* ''[[The Tale of Alltynex]]'' is a rare [[Shmup]] version of this.
* ''[[Xenogears (Video Game)|Xenogears]]'' and ''[[Xenosaga (Video Game)|Xenosaga]]''
* ''[[Xenogears]]'' and ''[[Xenosaga]]''


== Web Animation ==
== Web Animation ==
* ''[[Broken Saints (Web Animation)|Broken Saints]]'', one of the first flash series to take itself seriously.
* ''[[Broken Saints]]'', one of the first flash series to take itself seriously.


== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* ''[[Homestuck (Webcomic)|Homestuck]]'' of [[MS Paint Adventures]]. So much so that it encompasses planets, astral bodies, time, space and everything else..all in one game.
* ''[[Homestuck]]'' of [[MS Paint Adventures]]. So much so that it encompasses planets, astral bodies, time, space and everything else..all in one game.
* ''[[Closed Gate (Webcomic)|Closed Gate]]''
* ''[[Closed Gate]]''
* ''[[The Order of the Stick (Webcomic)|The Order of the Stick]]''
* ''[[The Order of the Stick]]''
* ''[[The Adventures of Dr. McNinja (Webcomic)|The Adventures of Dr. McNinja]]''
* ''[[The Adventures of Dr. McNinja]]''
* ''[[Sam and Fuzzy (Webcomic)|Sam and Fuzzy]]''
* ''[[Sam and Fuzzy]]''


== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''
* ''[[Codename Kids Next Door (Animation)|Codename Kids Next Door]]'' has all the attributes and fits the structure... from children's points of view.
* ''[[Codename: Kids Next Door]]'' has all the attributes and fits the structure... from children's points of view.
* ''[[Re Boot (Animation)|Re Boot]]'' uses this structure mostly in its third and fourth seasons when it started using [[Story Arc|Story Arcs]].
* ''[[ReBoot]]'' uses this structure mostly in its third and fourth seasons when it started using [[Story Arc]]s.
* ''[[Samurai Jack (Animation)|Samurai Jack]]''
* ''[[Samurai Jack]]''
* ''[[Exo Squad (Animation)|Exo Squad]]''
* ''[[Exo Squad]]''


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Genres]]
[[Category:Genres]]
[[Category:Plots]]
[[Category:Plots]]
[[Category:index]]
[[Category:Index]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Epic, The}}
⚫
[[Category:The Epic]]
[[Category:Trope]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
⚫
[[Category:Epic Tropes]]

Latest revision as of 17:04, 4 May 2020

An epic is a long story centered on a heroic character that describes a series of exceptional events, similar to and suggestive of epic poetry. There are numerous epics in fiction and storytelling. Epics are majestic depictions and capture impressive struggles, such as stories of war, adventures, and other efforts of great scope and size over long periods of time.

Form is mostly limited to literature and theater, and includes.

  • Epic Poem (also known as classic epic)
  • Epic Narrative (also known as modern epic)
  • Epic Movie (more broadly defined, includes film adaptations of the literary epic as defined here)

Some basic guidelines:

  • A longer-than-average story that...
  • ... Is wide in scope (not just one battle or skirmish, but a war or a country-wide catastrophe) and...
  • ... Follows one hero, group of heroes or bloodline, who...
  • ... Strive to achieve a particular goal or complete a quest, in the course of which they...
  • ... Commit extraordinary deeds and...
  • ... Have multiple (three or more) separate adventures in the course of their quest or journey.

The classic epics had their own guidelines:

  • 12 chapters/stories/volumes
  • Starting In Medias Res, usually later having The Hero explain via Flash Back How We Got Here
  • "Invocation of the Muse" (formally asking one of the Muses to help the author live up to the task of doing the story justice, or achieve whatever goal they have in mind for it)
  • A trip to the Underworld

Can be divided into a few different subgenres. The divisions also come in two flavors, Form and Subject (may be subtropes/genres). Both forms can be divided by subject:

  • Heroic (one person, may include companions, but focused on the person)
  • Familial (follows a particular lineage)
  • and National (follows the history of an entire nation, not common)

Not to be confused with the modern bastardization of the term just to mean "awesome."

This is a distinguishing characteristic of Space Opera and High Fantasy.

Please do not add an example without ensuring that it first meets the criteria.

Examples of The Epic include:

Anime and Manga

Comic Books

Fan Works

  • Undocumented Features as a whole is a familial epic; the Symphony of the Sword story cycle within it is a heroic epic on its own.

Film

Literature

Live Action TV

Music

Roleplay

Tabletop Games

  • GURPS has a number of potential epics for The Gamemaster to work with in its various Sourcebooks some of which are quite well done. Several are suggested in the sample campaigns. In Vikings one can replay any saga or make up one's own. There is even a mythic campaign theme in which Loki escape's and threatens to bring about Ragnorak before its time. In Traveller Sword Worlds there is 100 Parsecs which is about the journey of a group of Sword Worlders to set up a new civilization in which the Sword Worlder way of life may be preserved far in the reaches of the universe. One can also do the original founding of the Sword Worlds which is an intensely powerful theme. Intersteller Wars is in a way a "national epic" of the Terran Confederation. In fact some GURPS ideas are so good that it is a tragedy that they were never taken in hand by a writer worthy of them. Hopefully one is waiting.

Theater

Video Games

Web Animation

  • Broken Saints, one of the first flash series to take itself seriously.

Webcomics

Western Animation

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