History Analysis / TooBleakStoppedCaring

* Works with an InvincibleVillain as the BigBad can fall under this when the trope is played totally straight, as if the villain can never be defeated and ultimately wins, fans will blame the failure of the story fully on the villain. This also can be magnified if the Invincible Villain is a CompleteMonster or Villain Sue who constantly [[KickTheDog does extremely and unbearably horrible things]], [[TheBadGuyWins gets everything they want]], and then [[KarmaHoudini faces no comeuppance for their heinous actions]]. Also, there's even ''more'' bleakness if the Invincible Villain's actions end up creating [[CrapsackWorld an extremely nihilistic world and/or setting]] where there is no hope or justice and there is nothing but death, suffering, and misery. (Examples: Wrestling/TheAuthority stable and angle, ''Anime/ReCreators'', ''Manga/BakiTheGrappler'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts'', ''Manga/ShamanKing'', ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', ''Manga/GunsmithCats BURST'', ''Film/ParanormalActivity'')

* Works with an InvincibleVillain as the BigBad can fall under this when the trope is played totally straight, as if the villain can never be defeated and ultimately wins, fans will blame the failure of the story fully on the villain. This also can be magnified if the Invincible Villain is a CompleteMonster or Villain Sue who constantly [[KickTheDog does extremely and unbearably horrible things]], [[TheBadGuyWins gets everything they want]], and then [[KarmaHoudini faces no comeuppance for their heinous actions]]. Also, there's even ''more'' bleakness if the Invincible Villain's actions end up creating [[CrapsackWorld an extremely nihilistic world and/or setting]] where there is no hope or justice and there is nothing but death, suffering, and misery. (Examples: Wrestling/TheAuthority stable and angle, ''Anime/ReCreators'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts'', ''Manga/ShamanKing'', ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', ''Manga/GunsmithCats BURST'', ''Film/ParanormalActivity'')

* Abusing the HumansAreBastards[=/=]HumansAreTheRealMonsters trope can easily result in this. Aside from the tendency of being [[{{Anvilicious}} overbearing]], the end result is just another kind of EvilVersusEvil, and at that without any differentiation between them (since, well, all of those sides act as humans). Even variants with a few sympathetic characters can fall into the trap of making [[BeingGoodSucks their failure]] on
[[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth account of being good]] a ForegoneConclusion. (Examples: ''Anime/ElfenLied'', the "Second Renaissance" segment in ''Anime/TheAnimatrix'', ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUsPartII'')

* Abusing the HumansAreBastards[=/=]HumansAreTheRealMonsters trope can easily result in this. Aside from the tendency of being [[{{Anvilicious}} overbearing]], the end result is just another kind of EvilVersusEvil, and at that without any differentiation between them (since, well, all of those sides act as humans). Even variants with a few sympathetic characters can fall into the trap of making [[BeingGoodSucks their failure on ]][[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth account of being good]] a ForegoneConclusion. (Examples: ''Anime/ElfenLied'', the "Second Renaissance" segment in ''Anime/TheAnimatrix'', ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUsPartII'')

* Works with an InvincibleVillain as the BigBad can fall under this, as if the villain can never be defeated and ultimately wins, fans will blame the failure of the story fully on the villain. This also can be magnified if the Invincible Villain is a CompleteMonster or Villain Sue who constantly [[KickTheDog does extremely and unbearably horrible things]], [[TheBadGuyWins gets everything they want]], and then [[KarmaHoudini faces no comeuppance for their heinous actions]]. Also, there's even ''more'' bleakness if the Invincible Villain's actions end up creating [[CrapsackWorld an extremely nihilistic world and/or setting]] where there is no hope or justice and there is nothing but death, suffering, and misery. (Examples: Wrestling/TheAuthority stable and angle, ''Anime/ReCreators'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts'', ''Manga/ShamanKing'', ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', ''Manga/GunsmithCats BURST'', ''Film/ParanormalActivity'')

* Throwing in controversial scenes or topics such as rape (either for [[BlackComedyRape comedic]] or [[RapeAsDrama dramatic]] purposes), ColdBloodedTorture, discrimination (even on the [[FantasticRacism fictional races]]), [[FinalSolution genocide]], or any form of FateWorseThanDeath can also invoke this trope; particularly if the said scenes or topics were gratuitous, executed poorly, or cause a lot of Unfortunate Implications. (Examples: ''Film/MenBehindTheSun'', ''Film/CannibalHolocaust'', ''WebVideo/ThePainter'')

* Throwing in controversial scenes or topics such as rape (either for [[BlackComedyRape comedic]] or [[RapeAsDrama dramatic]] purposes), ColdBloodedTorture, discrimination (even on the [[FantasticRacism fictional races]]), [[FinalSolution genocide]], or any form of FateWorseThanDeath can also invoke this trope; particularly if the said scenes or topics were gratuitous, executed poorly, or cause a lot of Unfortunate Implications. (Examples: ''Film/MenBehindTheSun'', ''Film/CannibalHolocaust'')

* Although it's rare, works (and video games [[CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption that force you]] [[ButThouMust to do]] [[{{railroading}} immoral things]]) with irredeemably evil {{Villain Protagonist}}s can also fall into this, especially when there's no positive CharacterDevelopment and the Villain Protagonist is much more overpowered than the HeroAntagonist. (Examples: ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}'', ''VideoGame/EvilQuest'')

* In general, issues with bleakness were a common criticism with the NinetiesAntiHero craze back in UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks. Many of these "[[DesignatedHero heroes]]" (particularly the ones from independent publishers) were so evil that it was hard, if not impossible, to care whether they would come out of their adventures alive. (Examples: ''ComicBook/TheBoys'', ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'')

* A WorldOfJerkass and/or CrapsackWorld played to their straightest is a ''very'' easy way to get this response. If the story is filled with unlikeable, unsympathetic characters (even the supposed "[[DesignatedHero heroes]]") in a hopeless or cruel setting without [[BreatherEpisode some leeway]] or [[StatusQuoIsGod improvement over time]], expect the EightDeadlyWords to pop up among audience reactions. CastFullOfCrazy also counts, especially in DarkerAndEdgier works, or if said setting isn't PlayedForLaughs. (Examples: ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'', ''Series/TheHandmaidsTale'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Bloodstorm}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}'')

* In addition to bad guys never losing, sometimes the Too Bleak trope can be invoked by good guys who ''never win''. Basically, no matter what the hero (or the most sympathetic character) does, they [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption never accomplish anything and things never get better for them]]. This is especially true if the hero character is a FailureHero, StrawLoser, ButtMonkey, ChewToy, or CosmicPlaything who is ''constantly'' abused in particularly cruel ways by the WorldOfJerkass / CrapsackWorld they live in. This can also happen if TheWoobie is constantly tormented with no break or relief whatsoever. Also happens if the hero is [[IdiotHero constantly making boneheaded decisions]] that guarantee their failures. At the least, it can get tiresome for the audience to see a hero character never win and demoralizing at worst when the said character suffers dearly for their failures (especially if [[ForegoneConclusion the audience can see it coming every time]]). Furthermore, audiences won't get emotionally invested in heroic characters who never win regardless of how good, likeable, or sympathetic they are; because if they don't win then there is no point in doing so. (Examples: ''WesternAnimation/TomGoesToTheMayor'', ''VideoGame/HavenCallOfTheKing'', ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'', ''WesternAnimation/HappyNewYearCharlieBrown'')

* Although it's rare, works (and video games [[CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption that force you]] [[ButThouMust to do]] [[{{railroading}} immoral things]]) with irredeemably evil {{Villain Protagonist}}s can also fall into this, especially when there's no positive CharacterDevelopment and the Villain Protagonist is much more overpowered than the HeroAntagonist. (Example: ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}'', ''VideoGame/EvilQuest'')

* Works that explore FantasticRacism while (intentionally or [[UnfortunateImplications unintentionally]]) giving people valid reasons to discriminate against certain groups often fall into this. If viewers have to choose between [[GenocideDilemma supporting genocide and supporting threats to society]], the only [[TakeAThirdOption other option]] is to support neither and switch off the TV. (Examples: ''Series/TrueBlood'', ''Literature/BloodAndChocolate'', ''Literature/{{Skinned}}'')

* Abusing the HumansAreBastards[=/=]HumansAreTheRealMonsters trope can easily result in this. Aside from the tendency of being [[{{Anvilicious}} overbearing]], the end result is just another kind of EvilVersusEvil, and at that without any differentiation between them (since, well, all of those sides act as humans). Even variants with a few sympathetic characters can fall into the trap of making [[BeingGoodSucks their failure on ]][[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth account of being good]] a ForegoneConclusion. (Examples: ''Anime/ElfenLied'', the "Second Renaissance" segment in ''Anime/TheAnimatrix'')

* Although it's rare, works (and video games [[CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption that force you]] [[ButThouMust to do]] [[{{railroading}} immoral things]]) with irredeemably evil {{Villain Protagonist}}s can also fall into this, especially when there's no positive CharacterDevelopment and the Villain Protagonist is much more overpowered than the HeroAntagonist. (Example: ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}'')

* In general, issues with bleakness were a common criticism with the NinetiesAntiHero craze back in UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks. Many of these "[[DesignatedHero heroes]]" (particularly the ones from independent publishers) were so evil that it was hard, if not impossible, to care whether they would come out of their adventures alive. (Examples: ''ComicBook/TheBoys'', ''ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}'')

* Works with an InvincibleVillain as the BigBad can fall under this, as if the villain can never be defeated and ultimately wins, fans will blame the failure of the story fully on the villain. This also can be magnified if the Invincible Villain is a CompleteMonster or Villain Sue who [[KickTheDog does extremely terrible things]] to either the characters or innocent bystanders and then [[KarmaHoudini gets away with it all]]. Also, there's even ''more'' bleakness if the Invincible Villain's actions end up creating [[CrapsackWorld an extremely nihilistic world and/or setting]] where there is no hope or justice and there is nothing but death, suffering, and misery. (Examples: Wrestling/TheAuthority stable and story angle, ''Anime/ReCreators'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts'', ''Manga/ShamanKing'', ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', ''Manga/GunsmithCats BURST'', ''Film/ParanormalActivity'')

* Works with an InvincibleVillain as the BigBad can fall under this, as if the villain can never be defeated and ultimately wins, fans will blame the failure of the story fully on the villain. This also can be magnified if the Invincible Villain is a CompleteMonster or Villain Sue who [[KickTheDog does extremely terrible things]] to either the characters or innocent bystanders and then [[KarmaHoudini gets away with it all]]. Also, there's even ''more'' bleakness if the Invincible Villain's actions end up creating [[CrapsackWorld an extremely nihilistic world and/or setting]] where there is no hope or justice and there is nothing but death, suffering, and misery. (Examples: Wrestling/TheAuthority angle, ''Anime/ReCreators'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts'', ''Manga/ShamanKing'', ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', ''Manga/GunsmithCats BURST'', ''Film/ParanormalActivity'')

* ValuesDissonance [[CondemnedByHistory can cause this]], even if it's [[DeliberateValuesDissonance deliberate]]. It's difficult to sympathise with protagonists who commit what we now view as atrocities, especially for readers and viewers who have experienced prejudice and hate crimes. This is why PoliticallyCorrectHistory is so common - writers of historical fiction often have to choose between breaking WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief or risking this trope. (Example: ''Film/TheBirthOfANation1915'', ''Film/ThreeHundred'')

* ValuesDissonance [[CondemnedByHistory can cause this]], even if it's [[DeliberateValuesDissonance deliberate]]. It's difficult to sympathise with protagonists who commit what we now view as atrocities, especially for readers and viewers who have experienced prejudice and hate crimes. This is why PoliticallyCorrectHistory is so common - writers of historical fiction often have to choose between breaking WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief or risking this trope.

* BlackComedy, GallowsHumor, ComedicSociopathy, KafkaKomedy, or CringeComedy that is needlessly cruel, harsh, and mean-spirited to the point where the audience finds it SickAndWrong instead of funny. Or if the work is extremely tactless and makes a mockery of serious issues instead of taking those issues seriously (such as rape, suicide, and/or domestic abuse). ''Especially'' if the so-called "comedy" involves [[KickTheDog innocent victims being genuinely tormented, humiliated, or killed]] for the sake of a so-called "joke". A SadistShow is particularly vulnerable to this due to its very nature. Can sometimes overlap with ShockFatigue as well if it just gets more and more disgusting for no reason and the audience becomes apathetic to it. Also overlaps with WorldOfJerkass if ''all'' the characters in the black comedy are totally unlikeable, obnoxious, and irredeemable. (Examples: ''WesternAnimation/AllenGregory'', ''WesternAnimation/MrPickles'', ''WesternAnimation/RenAndStimpyAdultPartyCartoon'', ''WesternAnimation/FamilyDog'')

* ValuesDissonance [[CondemnedByHistory can cause this]], even if it's [[DeliberateValuesDissonance deliberate]]. It's difficult to sympathise with protagonists who commit what we now view as atrocities, especially for readers who have experienced prejudice and hate crimes. This is why PoliticallyCorrectHistory is so common - writers of historical fiction often have to choose between breaking WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief or risking this trope.

* In addition to bad guys never losing, sometimes the Too Bleak trope can be invoked by good guys who ''never win''. Basically, no matter what the hero (or the most sympathetic character) does, they [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption never accomplish anything and things never get better for them]]. This is especially true if the hero character is a FailureHero, StrawLoser, ButtMonkey, ChewToy, or CosmicPlaything who is ''constantly'' abused in particularly cruel ways by the WorldOfJerkass / CrapsackWorld they live in. This can also happen if TheWoobie is constantly tormented with no break or relief whatsoever. Also happens if the hero is [[IdiotHero constantly making boneheaded decisions]] that guarantee their failures. At the least, it can get tiresome for the audience to see a hero character never win and demoralizing at worst when the said character suffers dearly for their failures (especially if [[ForegoneConclusion the audience can see it coming every time]]). Furthermore, audiences won't get emotionally invested in heroic characters who never win regardless of how good, likeable, or sympathetic they are; because if they don't win then there is no point in doing so. (Examples: ''WesternAnimation/TomGoesToTheMayor'', ''VideoGame/HavenCallOfTheKing'', ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'')

* In addition to bad guys never losing, sometimes the Too Bleak trope can be invoked by good guys who ''never win''. Basically, no matter what the hero (or the most sympathetic character) does, they [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption never accomplish anything and things never get better for them]]. This is especially true if the hero character is a FailureHero, StrawLoser, ButtMonkey, ChewToy, or CosmicPlaything who is ''constantly'' abused in particularly cruel ways by the WorldOfJerkass / CrapsackWorld they live in. This can also happen if TheWoobie is constantly tormented with no break or relief whatsoever. At the least, it can get tiresome for the audience to see a hero character never win and demoralizing at worst when the said character suffers dearly for their failures (especially if [[ForegoneConclusion the audience can see it coming every time]]). Furthermore, audiences won't get emotionally invested in heroic characters who never win regardless of how good, likeable, or sympathetic they are; because if they don't win then there is no point in doing so. (Examples: ''WesternAnimation/TomGoesToTheMayor'', ''VideoGame/HavenCallOfTheKing'', ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'')

* Works that use JokerImmunity and CardboardPrison heavily can often fall into this. This is especially the case if every time the villains come back from the dead/break out of jail they kill people. It can make it seem like the hero isn't really making a difference and that [[KarmaHoudini the villains will never truly be brought to justice]]. (Example: ''Franchise/{{Halloween}}'') Bonus points if the story uses ThouShaltNotKill as an excuse to have the hero pass up a chance to remove the threat permanently, with no justification beyond moral absolutism.

* Works that use JokerImmunity and CardboardPrison heavily can often fall into this. This is especially the case if every time the villains come back from the dead/break out of jail they kill people. It can make it seem like the hero isn't really making a difference and that [[KarmaHoudini the villains will never truly be brought to justice]]. (Example: ''Franchise/{{Halloween}}'') Bonus points if the story uses ThouSHaltNotKill as an excuse to have the hero pass up a chance to remove the threat permanently, with no justification beyond moral absolutism.

* Works that use JokerImmunity and CardboardPrison heavily can often fall into this. This is especially the case if every time the villains come back from the dead/break out of jail they kill people. It can make it seem like the hero isn't really making a difference and that [[KarmaHoudini the villains will never truly be brought to justice]]. (Example: ''Franchise/{{Halloween}}'')

* A WorldOfJerkass and/or CrapsackWorld played to their straightest is a ''very'' easy way to get this response. If the story is filled with unlikeable, unsympathetic characters (even the supposed "[[DesignatedHero heroes]]") in a hopeless or cruel setting without [[BreatherEpisode some leeway]] or [[StatusQuoIsGod improvement over time]], expect the EightDeadlyWords to pop up among audience reactions. CastFullOfCrazy also counts, especially in DarkerAndEdgier works, or if said setting isn't PlayedForLaughs. (Examples: ''Series/TheHandmaidsTale'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Bloodstorm}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}'')