History Analysis / Darkerandedgier

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving [[WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy Ed, Edd and Eddy]] [[ClusterFBomb dropping f-bombs]], [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'' characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, [[RulesOfTheInternet Rule 43 of the internet]] says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it." Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction, as it is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

Writers tend to write DE works because of the increased probability of those works being successful. The success of a work is determined by how popular it becomes, and there appears to be a correlation between the work's success and the number of tropes it uses. For example, on the JustForFun/TropeOverdosed page, it's virtually impossible to not find a work that is popular in that list.

However, popularity does not equal quality. Just because a work is popular does not mean that it is high quality, which seems to be the usual opinion on ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' and other works people mock. However, high quality can be a factor in popularity-- people who like to read a book or watch a movie for its quality will tell others about it.

What makes a story good? Due to the fact that everyone has varying tastes, there might be no objective answer. Still, the answer to the question "What makes a story popular?" might be relatively easier to find. There seem to be factors that popular work of fiction often share. These factors involve the way the writer builds the universe, including its setting and its characters in a way that attracts the attention of the spectator, and making something "popular" earns much more attention than just making something "good." Tropes play an important role because they help build the story.

The main feature of DE is that it allows the use of tropes to explore issues like drama, violence, cynicism vs. idealism, racism, trauma, and other real-world issues. Common tropes and cliches may also be deconstructed. The outcomes and consequences tend to be more realistic than in more light-hearted works. In a series that becomes DE, the themes are allowed to get more mature as the fanbase matures.

DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and fanfiction has varying degrees of quality, both poor results and good ones. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but while this can lead to those writers gaining more experience, it also ends up leading to fanfiction of subpar quality just as often, therefore making DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting aftermath. [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic This essay discusses the depiction of rape in greater detail]]. Concerning poor implementations of DE, this quote from Creator/CSLewis applies:

In summary, it must be remembered that DE is a tool, which enables the use of a lot of other tools that may help to increase the popularity and the quality of a story. The trope TrueArtIsAngsty exists because great writers tend to use the DE tools to explore the dilemmas of human existence. Bad situations are the ones that test the character of people, fictional or not. Some people will miss the point and think that DE automatically makes the work better-- it doesn't. There is no magic formula to produce a Nobel Prize-worthy book or an Oscar-winning film. Put all effort on it and beyond, or just have the right friends in the right places.

Tropes are also cyclical; if too many works get DE, DE ends turning into a cliché, leading to lighter works becoming more popular again.

DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has varying degrees of quality, both poor results and good ones]]. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but while this can lead to those writers gaining more experience, it also ends up leading to fanfiction of subpar quality just as often, therefore making DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting aftermath. [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic This essay discusses the depiction of rape in greater detail]]. Concerning poor implementations of DE, this quote from Creator/CSLewis applies:

In summary, it must be remembered that DE is a tool, which enables the use of a lot of other tools that may help to increase the popularity and the quality of a story. The trope TrueArtIsAngsty exists because great writers tend to use the DE tools to explore the dilemmas of human existence. Bad situations are the ones that test the character of people, fictional or not. Sturgeon's Law says that people will miss the point and think that DE automatically makes the work better-- it doesn't. There is no magic formula to produce a Nobel Prize-worthy book or an Oscar-winning film. Put all effort on it and beyond, or just have the right friends in the right places.

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving [[WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy Ed, Edd and Eddy]] [[ClusterFBomb dropping f-bombs]], [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'' characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it." Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction, as it is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving [[WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy Ed, Edd and Eddy]] [[ClusterFBomb dropping f-bombs]], ''[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]]'' killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'' characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it." Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction, as it is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

Another quote that addresses this, by Creator/GeorgeGriffin, says:

DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has varying degrees of quality, both poor results and good ones]]. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but while this can lead to those writers gaining more experience, it also ends up leading to fanfiction of subpar quality just as often, therefore making DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting aftermath. [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic This essay discusses the depiction of rape in greater detail]]. Concerning poor implementations of DE, this quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

Another quote that addresses this, by George Griffin, says:

In summary, it must be remembered that DE is a tool, which enables the use of a lot of other tools that may help to increase the popularity and the quality of a story. The trope TrueArtIsAngsty exists because great writers tend to use the DE tools to explore the dilemmas of human existence. Bad situations are the ones that test the character of people, fictional or not. Sturgeon's Law says that people will miss the point and think that DE automatically makes the work better-- it doesn't. There is no magic formula to produce a Nobel-worthy book or an Oscar-winning film. Put all effort on it and beyond, or just have the right friends in the right places.

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving ''[[WesternAnimation/EdEddAndEddy Ed, Edd and Eddy]] [[ClusterFBomb dropping f-bombs]], ''[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]]'' killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'' characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it." Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction, as it is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving Ed, Edd, and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or Total Drama characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it." Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction, as it is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

However, popularity does not equal quality. Just because a work is popular does not mean that it is high quality, which seems to be the usual opinion on Literature/{{Twilight}} and other works people mock. However, high quality can be a factor in popularity-- people who like to read a book or watch a movie for its quality will tell others about it.

DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but this is also one of the reasons why fanfiction is so vilified in outside circles. It makes DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting aftermath. [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic This essay discusses the depiction of rape in greater detail]]. Concerning poor implementations of DE, this quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

Writers tend to write DE works because of the increased probability of those works being successful. The success of a work is determined by how popular it becomes, and there appears to be a correlation between the work's success and the number of tropes it uses. For example, on the TropeOverdosed page, it's virtually impossible to not find a work that is popular in that list.

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving Ed, Edd, and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or Total Drama characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it." Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction. It is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

One of the most common and interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving Ed, Edd, and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or Total Drama characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers, at least out of [[BileFascination morbid curiousity]]. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it". Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction. It is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but this is also one of the reasons why fanfiction is so vilified in outside circles. It makes DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting aftermath. (Read [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic this essay]], particularly about rape). This quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

Another quote that sums this up, by George Griffin, says "There's something that's called 'adult animation' and it usually means it appeals to adolescent, teenage boys and that's not really adult in my view."

DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but this is also one of the reasons why fanfiction is so vilified in outside circles. It makes DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting aftermath. (Read [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic this essay]], particularly the first part). This quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

Writers tend to write DE works because of the increased probability of the success of those works. The success of a work is determined by how popular it becomes, and there appears to be a correlation between the work's success and the number of tropes it uses. For example, on the TropeOverdosed page, it's virtually impossible to not find a work that is popular in that list.

The main feature of DE is that it allows the use of tropes to explore issues like drama, violence, cynicism vs. idealism, racism, trauma, and other real-world issues. Common tropes and cliches may also be deconstructed. The outcomes and consequences tend to be more realistic than in more light-hearted works. In a series that becomes DE, the themes are allowed to get more mature as the fanbase matures. DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but this is also one of the reasons why fanfiction is so vilified in outside circles. It makes DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting consequences realistically. (Read [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic this essay]], particularly the first part). This quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

In summary, it must be remembered that DE is a tool, which enables the use of a lot of other tools that may help to increase the popularity and the quality of a work. The trope TrueArtIsAngsty exists because great writers tend to use the DE tools to explore the dilemmas of human existence. Bad situations are the ones that test the character of people, fictional or not. Sturgeon's Law says that people will miss the point and think that DE automatically makes the work better-- it doesn't. There is no magic formula to produce a Nobel-worthy book or an Oscar-winning film. Put all effort on it and beyond, or just have the right friends in the right places.

Another quote that sums this up, from RatedMForMoney page, says "There's something that's called 'adult animation' and it usually means it appeals to adolescent, teenage boys and that's not really adult in my view."

The main feature of DE is that it allows the use of tropes to explore issues like drama, violence, cynicism vs. idealism, racism, trauma, and other real-world issues. Common tropes and cliches may also be deconstructed. The outcomes and consequences tend to be more realistic than in more light-hearted works. In a series that becomes DE, the themes are allowed to get more mature as the fanbase matures. DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" works with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using this delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but this is also one of the reasons why fanfiction is so vilified in outside circles. It makes DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have any idea]] of what they're doing and get too carried away with being edgy. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with in a mature manner. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified or thrown in for the sake of being edgy; it must be a very dark moment for the story and portray the resulting consequences realistically. (Read [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic this essay]], particularly the first part). For this kind of situation, this quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

One of the most common phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that can be seen. Stories involving Ed, Edd, and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion, or Total Drama characters being racist and actively trying to murder people may interest readers out of [[BileFascination]], meaning that they keep reading out of curiosity rather than enjoyment. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it". Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction. It is also prevalent in original works. However, the use of this trope is more noticeable in fanfiction because the contrast is much more evident. It is an experiment that allows putting the same characters in scenarios that they would not normally be in, at least in theory. In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, analyzed below.

Writers tend to write DE works because it increases the probability of the success of a work. The success of a work is determined by how popular it becomes, and there appears to be a correlation between the work's success and the number of tropes it uses. For example, on the TropeOverdosed page, it's virtually impossible to not find a work that is popular in that list.

The main feature of DE is that it allows the use of tropes to explore issues like drama, violence, cynicism vs. idealism, racism, trauma, and other real-world issues. The outcomes and consequences tend to be more realistic than in more light-hearted works. Common tropes and cliches may also be deconstructed. In a series, the themes are allowed to get more mature as the fanbase matures. DE is a tool that has a lot of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it properly. If it is used poorly, then the quality of the work will suffer. Writers often are too lazy to make proper use of it and end up randomly "spicing up" a work with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex. An inexperienced author using a delicate tool also tends to produce poor results, and [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it. One of the points of fanfiction is to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but this is also one of the reasons why fanfiction is so vilified by outsiders. It makes DE stories look like they were written in bad taste. The most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have idea]] what they're doing and get too carried up when going into DE mode. Mature and delicate subjects must be dealt with maturely. Putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified; it must be a very dark moment for the story. (Read [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic this essay]], particularly the first part). For this kind of situation, this quote from C. S. Lewis applies:

Also, this quote from RatedMForMoney page, "There's something that's called 'adult animation' and it usually means it appeals to adolescent, teenage boys and that's not really adult in my view." This basically says almost the same thing.

Tropes are also cyclical; if too many works get DE, DE ends turning into a cliché, making way for lighter works.

One of the most interesting phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that I saw: I mean, seeing Ed, Edd, and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion that the only reason why you keep reading it's because it's so over-the-top that [[BileFascination you just keep reading because of curiosity rather than actually liking the stuff]], Total Drama fanfics dealing with topics like racism and people actively trying to murder other people. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it". Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction; in fact, it's much more prevalent in original works, I wasn't unaware of it. However, fanfiction called my attention for this because the contrast is much more evident, as it's also an experiment that allows comparing the same characters in different scenarios (at least in theory). In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, so I decided to investigate the raison d'être of this.

(Keep in mind that this is my opinion, which I built based on objective (things I learn in college and will always haunt my life, especially the ones involving methodology) and subjective (opinion and how life experiences built it) factors. And remember to tattoo in your brain the law "CDNIC -- [[CorrelationImpliesCausation CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSALITY]]!")

And, considering everything I came to the conclusion is that writers will tend to write DE works because it increases the probability of increasing the successfulness of a work. And the successfulness of an work is determined by how popular it becomes and it does seem to have a correlation between successfulness and number of tropes used in a work (for an example, see the page TropeOverdosed, it's virtually impossible to not find a work you love in that list).

So, another thing to have in mind: popularity does not equal quality. Just because a work is popular does not mean that has high quality (this seems to be the usual opinion on Literature/{{Twilight}} and other works people mock). However, high quality can be a factor in popularity -- people who like to read a book/watch a movie for its quality will tell the others about it.

What makes a fiction story good? Due to the fact that everyone is everyone, there might be no objective answer, but still the answer to the question 'what makes a fiction story popular?' might be relatively easier to find an answer, because there seems to be factors that every popular work of fiction shares, it can be said is how the writer builds the universe, its setting, its characters in a way that attracts the attention of the spectator (and making something 'popular' earns much more than making something 'good'). And the tropes play an important role because they are what build the story.

DE enters here because the main feature of DE is that it allows using other tropes, to explore more things like drama, violence, cynicism vs. idealism, issues that are more prevalent in real word, its consequences and outcomes; if is a series, allowing the themes get more mature as their fanbase also matures. DE is a tool, a superior one, in the sense of having lots of subtropes, and the problem of using it is that the wielder has to have some ability to use it, or else it goes wrong, "writers often are too lazy to make use of what most of those words mean, and ending up randomly 'spicing up' a work with gratuitous gore, cursing, and sex." And having an inexperienced worker using a delicate tool tends to produce poor results and guess what [[SturgeonsLaw fanfiction has no shortage]] of it? Well, that's one of the points of fanfiction, to be the gateway for inexperienced writers, but I suspect that's one of the reason why fanfiction is so vilified outside, because it makes DE stories just looking like bad taste when the most likely reason is that the writers [[HanlonsRazor don't have idea]] what they're doing, and get too carried up when going into FULL-GORE mode. It needs maturity to deal with mature and delicate things, like putting rape in a story should not be something to be glorified, but it must be a very dark moment for the story (I recomend [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7643557/4/How_not_to_write_an_Evangelion_Romance_fanfic this essay]], and I agree with the first part of his argument). For this kind of situation, I like this quote from C. S. Lewis:

And this quote from RatedMForMoney page, "There's something that's called 'adult animation' and it usually means it appeals to adolescent, teenage boys and that's not really adult in my view." Which basically says almost the same thing.

In summary, it must be remembered that DE is a tool, which enable you to use a lot of other tools that may help to increase the popularity and the quality of a work. The trope True Art Is Angsty exists because great writers tend to use the DE tools to explore more dilemmas of the human existence and because the really bad situations are the ones that test the character of people, be it fictional or not, and Sturgeon's Law says that people will miss the point and think that DE automatically makes a work better. It doesn't. There is no magic formula to produce a Nobel-worthy book, Oscar-winning film, you just have to do what they do: put all your effort on it and beyond, MUCH beyond (or just have the right friends in the right places, but even so you'll have a lot of difficult).

Last comment: tropes are also cyclical, if too much works gets DE, DE ends turning into a cliché, opening the way for non-DE works and so goes on.

So, another thing to have in mind: popularity does not equal quality. Just because a work is popular does not mean that has high quality (this seems to be the usual opinion on Literature/{{Twilight}} and other {{snark bait}}s). However, high quality can be a factor in popularity -- people who like to read a book/watch a movie for its quality will tell the others about it.

One of the most interestinb phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that I saw: I mean, seeing Ed, Edd, and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion that the only reason why you keep reading it's because it's so over-the-top that [[BileFascination you just keep reading because of curiosity rather than actually liking the stuff]], Total Drama fanfics dealing with topics like racism and people actively trying to murder other people. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it". Of course, this is not something seen only in fanfiction; in fact, it's much more prevalent in original works, I wasn't unaware of it. However, fanfiction called my attention for this because the contrast is much more evident, as it's also an experiment that allows comparing the same characters in different scenarios (at least in theory). In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, so I decided to investigate the raison d'être of this.

One of the most interest phenomena in fanfiction is the great quantity of DarkerAndEdgier (henceforth DE) works that I saw, I mean seeing Ed, Edd and Eddy dropping f-bombs, Pokémon killing themselves in an over-the-top fashion that the only reason why you keep reading it's because it's so over-the-top that you just keep reading by curiosity rather than actually liking the stuff, Total Drama fanfics dealing with topics like racism and people actively trying to murder other people. In fact, Rule 43 of the internet says that "The more beautiful and pure a thing is, the more satisfying it is to corrupt it". Of course, this is not something only in fanfiction; in fact it's much more prevalent in original works, I wasn't unaware of it, it's just that fanfiction called my attention for this because of this contrast is much more evident because it's also an experiment that allows comparing the same characters in different scenarios (at least in theory). In fact, there is a reason why tropes like TrueArtIsAngsty belong to the DE family, so I decided to investigate the raison d'être of this.

(Have in mind that this is my opinion, which I built based on objective (things I learn in college and will always haunt my life, especially the ones involving methodology) and subjective (opinion and how life experiences built it) factors. And remember to tattoo in your brain the law "CDNIC - CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSALITY!")

So, another thing to have in mind: popularity does not equal quality, just because a work is popular does not mean that has high quality (this seems to be the usual opinion on Twilight and other snark baits), high quality can be a factor in popularity - people who liked to read a book/watch a movie for its quality will tell the others about it.

Last comment: tropes are also cyclical, if too much works gets DE, DE ends turning into a cliché, opening the way for non-DE works and so goes on.

"Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."