TSV

Story Types / Narrative Techniques - TSV

Story types are classifications and organizations of the techniques, patterns, and structures that compose narratives. From classical folktale research to modern media works, common patterns and techniques exist in the stories humanity has woven. This classification is utilized as a foundation for understanding narrative structures in creative writing, analyzing works, and creating new stories. It represents an important knowledge system for understanding narratives from diverse perspectives, ranging from uniquely Japanese types to universally shared storytelling techniques.

narratology creative writing fiction storytelling narrative structure literary theory

code	slug	name	description
01	narrative-typology	Narrative Typology	An academic classification system that categorizes similar narratives.
02	villainess-reincarnation	Villainess Reincarnation	A narrative type where the protagonist reincarnates as the villainess of an otome game or novel.
03	retroactive-continuity	Retroactive Continuity	Settings or background information added to an existing narrative after its initial creation.
04	analog-horror	Analog Horror	A horror genre that mimics VHS tapes and old television broadcasts.
05	rain-dragon-slain	Rain-Bringing Dragon Slain	A folktale motif where a beneficent being is killed despite providing blessings.
06	otherworld-journey	Otherworld Journey	A narrative type where the protagonist visits another world and returns.
07	isekai	Isekai	A narrative genre where the protagonist is transported or reincarnated into another world.
08	dark-development	Dark Development	A narrative pattern where the story progresses in a dark and depressing direction.
09	everyday-magic	Everyday Magic	A narrative form where magic or supernatural elements blend into the everyday world.
10	falling-object-romance	Falling Object Romance	A narrative type where the story begins with a heroine falling from the sky.
11	convention	Convention / Trope	Standard developments or settings repeatedly used in specific genres.
12	origin-story	Origin Story	A narrative form that depicts the origins of characters or worlds.
13	poetic-justice	Poetic Justice	A moral narrative structure where good is rewarded and evil is punished.
14	noble-exile	Noble Exile Narrative	A narrative pattern where a person of noble birth goes on a wandering journey.
15	atmospheric-slice-of-life	Atmospheric Slice of Life	A work format that emphasizes everyday atmosphere without a clear storyline.
16	quest	Quest	A narrative structure where the protagonist embarks on a journey of exploration to achieve a goal.
17	red-herring	Red Herring	A misdirection technique that intentionally leads readers or viewers in the wrong direction.
18	eye-dialect	Eye Dialect	A literary technique that expresses speaker characteristics through non-standard spelling.
19	apocalyptic-fiction	Apocalyptic Fiction	A narrative genre depicting the end of the world or collapse of civilization.
20	cinderella-story	Cinderella Story	A narrative pattern of rising from unfavorable circumstances to success.
21	slice-of-life	Slice of Life	A narrative form that depicts a slice of everyday life.
22	holy-sword	Holy Sword	A narrative motif centered on a special sword with divine power.
23	sekaikai	Sekai-kei	A narrative form where personal romantic relationships directly connect to the fate of the world.
24	chekhovs-gun	Chekhov's Gun	A creative principle that every element in a story should have necessity.
25	late-with-toast	Late Girl with Toast	A standard scene in Japanese creative works of a girl running late with toast in her mouth.
26	dragon-slayer	Dragon Slayer	A universal mythological motif of a hero slaying a dragon.
27	plot-twist	Plot Twist	A technique where unexpected developments are revealed near the end of the story.
28	narou-kei	Narou-kei	A distinctive web novel genre originating from the Shousetsuka ni Narou platform.
29	false-protagonist	False Protagonist	A technique where a character thought to be the protagonist at the beginning turns out not to be.
30	harem-genre	Harem Genre	A narrative form where multiple opposite-sex characters show affection toward a single protagonist.
31	setting	Setting	The framework of time, place, and social environment where the story unfolds.
32	youngest-child-success	Youngest Child Success Tale	A folktale pattern where the youngest child outwits older siblings to achieve success.
33	happy-ending	Happy Ending	An ending where the story concludes happily for the protagonist.
34	plot-device	Plot Device	Techniques or mechanisms used to advance the story.
35	plot-hole	Plot Hole	A defect where contradictions or insufficient explanations occur in the story's plot.
36	stepchild-abuse-tale	Stepchild Abuse Tale	A folktale type depicting children abused by stepmothers or stepfathers.
37	morphology-of-folktale	Morphology of the Folktale	Propp's structural analysis theory of folktales.
38	merry-bad-end	Merry Bad End	An ending format that appears happy on the surface but is actually tragic.
39	dream-ending	Dream Ending	An ending technique revealing that the story's events were actually a dream.
40	riddle-story	Riddle Story	A narrative form where the ending is not explicitly stated and left to reader interpretation.
41	time-loop	Time Loop	A narrative structure where the same time period or events repeat.
42	road-movie	Road Movie	A narrative form where characters grow through travel or journey.