So lately I've been thinking about what makes a good anime, and I realized that a lot of the anime I like follow rules similar to the basic colour theory, but with genres. So I've decided to apply the colour theory to genre and, for the purpose of this article, create something similar to the colour wheel - the "genre wheel":
Now, obviously there are exceptions to this theory. Some of you might have different opinions and ideas, and that's totally fine. I just thought this was a cool discovery and wanted to discuss it on here.
Failed Genre Scheme
Before I show you guys any of the good “anime schemes”, I want to show you guys an anime I thought wasn’t so good, and what genres they used, and where they went wrong.
As you might be able see, Macross Frontier might have almost had a triadic genre scheme, which would have made it much better, had they only used psychological, slice-of-life, and action as its genres. However, it tried to squeeze romance in there, which threw off its genre scheme.
Other failed genre schemes: Amnesia (Romance and Mystery), Karneval (Drama, Romance, Action)
Monochromatic Genre Scheme
The monochromatic genre scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single genre.
Detective Conan, as you can see from the wheel, almost consists purely of mystery. It works well because you always know what you’re going to get from an episode. It never gets sidetracked and nothing has the chance to eclipse the mystery genre.
Other monochromatic genre schemes: Death Note (Psychological), Daily Lives of High School Boys (Comedy)
Analogous Genre Scheme
The analogous genre scheme uses genre that are adjacent to each other on the genre wheel.
Though utilizing different genres, Fate/Zero keeps the emotions similar to give a sense of consistency. The different genres blend together well and create a well-done anime that has some variety but still doesn’t have the chance to get off track.
Other analogous genre schemes: Hetalia (Happiness, Comedy), Danganronpa (Horror, Mystery, Anger)
Complimentary Genre Scheme
The complementary genre scheme is made of two genre that are opposite each other on the genre wheel.
Through using the juxtaposition of happiness and horror, Deadman Wonderland creates a unique atmosphere. Blending the two just right, it gives the show a feeling that is difficult to master.
Other complimentary genre schemes: Owari no Seraph (Action, Drama), Welcome to the NHK (Comedy, Psychological), Persona 4 (Slice-of-Life, Mystery)
Split Complimentary Genre Scheme
The split complementary scheme is a variation of the standard complementary scheme. It uses a color and the two colors adjacent to its complementary.
The use of the split complimentary scheme in Ping Pong allows for greater variety, while still carrying that unique juxtaposition that the complimentary genre scheme has.
Other split complimentary genre schemes: Kuroshitsuji (Comedy, Horror, Sadness)
Triadic Genre Scheme
The triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel.
Steins;Gate uses a triadic genre scheme in order to create a variety of emotions while still creating balance and harmony.
Other triadic genre schemes: Naruto Shippuden (Sadness, Happiness, Anger)
So there it is. I just thought this was cool and thought I'd share it with you all. ^^
If you want, you can comment an anime and if I've seen it, I'll figure out its genre scheme.
