Anime is a world of rich storytelling and vivid imagination in which characters and narratives often defy conventional norms found in other entertainment media or even in real life. These unique elements are what actually make anime interesting, endearing, and captivating to millions of young and adult viewers worldwide. But, some of those tropes can be quite bewildering outside the colorful world of anime content.
So, in the name of all adults who still raise their hands when Goku’s making a spirit bomb, we’ll cover some of the best-known tropes that are ubiquitous in most, if not all, anime but have no place elsewhere.
Naming Your Attacks
Anime battle and fighting scenes are always over-the-top; some of the best examples are Ichigo vs. Aizen (or even better, Ulquiorra Schiffer) from Bleach, Goku vs Frieza from Dragon Ball Z, Eren vs. Reiner or War-Hammer Titan in Attack on Titan, or Naruto vs. Sasuke from Naruto. Most of these scenes, with the exception of Attack on Titan, are often characterized by characters dramatically announcing the names of their attack before or as they strike.
Though this particular trope has its practical uses, like dramatic effects and character branding, it is exclusive to anime. Admittedly, yelling “Double Latte Espresso Punch” before you strike during a boxing or a karate match will most definitely land you a win. Not because your strike landed perfectly, but because your opponent passed out laughing at you.
Going to School with Enough Delinquents to Fill San Quentin
While even real-life schools, unfortunately, have bullies and gangs, anime takes this to a whole new level, as it often portrays schools as places of learning, high-level delinquency, and gang conflicts. Schools like those in Great Teacher Onizuka, Yu Yu Hakusho, or Tenjho Tenge are filled with dangerous characters who are more focused on their reputation and brawling than on their homework.
In reality, such schools would be a significant concern for the whole society. These concerns might range from attendees to their parents, their educators, and even law enforcement. But it does provide a rather thrilling backdrop that often drives character development and plot progression.
Excessive Nose Bleeding at the Sight of a Love Interest
This is perhaps the most baffling and hilarious anime trope. For those who aren’t familiar, the sudden and copious nosebleed usually happens when an anime character sees someone they find excessively attractive. In other words, it signifies intense romantic and sexual arousal. However, the different ways in which this trope is implemented are even more hilarious since they range from a single, thin streak of blood to an all-out blood shower in the most comedic way possible.
One of the more hilarious uses of this trope is during Yamcha’s fight against the Invisible Man in the original Dragon Ball series. The scene might not have aged well, but it still allowed for the nosebleed trope to be used in a rather clever way that would ensure victory for Goku and his team. However, profuse nosebleeds upon seeing one’s interest warrant a quick medical intervention in real life.
Power-Ups That Only Happen After an Excessive Beating
In anime, just like in fighting movies of the ’80 and ‘90s (think of anything between Bloodsport and Timecop), the brink of defeat often heralds unprecedented power-ups, like the aforementioned battle between Goku and Frieza in Dragon Ball Z. Somehow, the anime character taps into incredibly vast, never-before-accessible reserves of power only after being beaten into a pulp, either in a physical or magical confrontation.
This particular trope, though without any basis in reality, has its practical applications, as it often serves as a dramatic turning point. In the case of Goku, it introduces the idea of a Legendary Super Saiyan — and keeps the viewers interested for longer. Things work very differently in real life, and if it were real, combat sports would lose all their meaning. Fighters wouldn’t want to risk defeat by beating their opponents.
Transformation Sequences
Admittedly, transformation sequences do exist in other media, but what makes anime different is that the transforming character usually transforms into a significantly more powerful version of themselves, which is often depicted by lengthy sequences. Anime like Tokyo Mew Mew, Sailor Moon, and many others use this for dramatic effects. While transformations are present in other media, anime often adds plenty of special effects, background music, and, in some cases, fan service to the mix.
Final Thoughts
This is by no means a complete list, and there’s other stuff that only appears in anime and no place else, including inexplicably large eyes, talking animals, intense emotional reactions, time-freezing monologues, portrayal of particular supernatural abilities, and Mecha robots. These elements are often so absurd that they wouldn’t work in traditional cinema or simply don’t exist in real life, but they’re still a part of what makes anime so loved by fans the world over.