History GenreDeconstruction / AnimeAndManga

** Kyubey [[spoiler:shows exactly what kind of "mentor" would knowingly send girls off to their death, without giving the full details, and more importantly ''why'' he would that - it's revealed that he's really more of a magical girl villain that sets up magical girls to turn into the very monsters they fight so he can harvest their energy. Even that is played with since he's gathering that energy to [[WellIntentionedExtremist stave off the heat death of the universe]]]].
** At the end, [[DeconReconSwitch however]], [[spoiler:Madoka becomes a MagicalGirl, and uses a CosmicRetcon to make it so that {{Magical Girl}}s will not become witches. Although {{Magical Girl}}s will have to fight demons [=/=]wraiths instead of witches, it is implied that the situation is better than before but still realistic given the new premise]].
** ''However'' however, ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion'' re-deconstructs certain aspects of the original series, namely [[spoiler:Homura's devotion to Madoka]].

%% Madoka is not a deconstruction. See discussion
%% -Discussion appears to be RetGone. This troper fails to see why can Madoka appear in every other deconstruction-related page but not here. Besides, it seems to have a long entry here anyway.

%% Note: If you wish to add examples, please explain in detail. For instance, sketch the basic premise of the genre that is being deconstructed and how the example deconstructs the genre.
%%
%% Also remember: Darker and Edgier is not inherently Deconstruction, nor is the inverse true.
%%
%%

* ''{{Berserk}}'' is essentially a deconstruction of the whole {{Shonen}} genre, starting with the fact that ''Berserk'' ain't even a shonen, but a {{Seinen}}. Another example would include protagonist Guts himself, who is the complete opposite of the usual shonen titular hero: he's a gruff, [[HeroicBuild built]], [[YoungerThanTheyLook twenty-something year old]], who is on the more serious level of anti-heroes, who, by all means, is one of the few manga characters who is [[ImpossiblyCoolWeapon actually physically capable of wielding]] [[{{BFS}} a huge weapon.]] Fighting is also heavily deconstructed and played for laughs at times, since Guts doesn't take the time to analyze his enemies' attack: if Guts sees a window of opportunity, [[CombatPragmatist he'll just take it.]] Hell - [[TheBerserker he might not even wait for that.]] Also, ExplainingYourPowerToTheEnemy and CallingYourAttacks has proven to be '''VERY FOOLISH''' for the mooks who do this. Oh, and [[KilledMidSentence talking is most definitely NOT a free action during battle.]]

* Originally, ''SuperDimensionFortressMacross'' was meant to be a DeconstructiveParody of shows like ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. While it veered off that course eventually and played a fair number of tropes completely straight (never mind [[MacrossMissileMassacre inventing]] a few along the way), pretty much every major entry into the franchise has featured at least one major, often scathing, deconstruction of the science fiction, adventure and anime genres.

* ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' deconstructs the {{Shojo}} genre to the point of MindScrew. In particular, it deconstructs the fairy tale archetypes of [[PrincelyYoungMan the Prince]], [[PrincessClassic the Princess]], and the WickedWitch. [[http://etrangere.livejournal.com/318410.html?nc=17 This essay]] goes into more detail on the subject.

* ''BokuraNoHentai'' deconstructs the OtokonokoGenre. At first glance it seems to be a standard tale about three crossdressing tweens but it gets DarkerAndEdgier after the first chapter. The series goes on to show how GrowingUpSucks and subverts many tropes, such as cruelly averting ItsOkayIfItsYou by having Shuu's reason for crossdressing being that he's in love with a straight boy. Said boy is homophobic and will only sleep with Shuu if he's dressed as a girl. He's abusive towards Shuu and he helps awaken sex-related issues in Shuu.

** Negi's father is basically one long Deconstruction of the BoringInvincibleHero / IdiotHero archetype. He's an ''extremely'' powerful fighter, yes, but his tendency to never use his brain results in his plan ultimately ''failing.'' Basically, because Nagi just charged in to punch bad guys before figuring out what was actually going on, he wasn't able to actually fix the real problem. Ultimately, Negi, who's ''not'' an IdiotHero and actually takes the time to analyze the situation and work out a workable solution, is the one who ''really'' fixes things as opposed to just delaying them a bit.

** Premise: polite strangers help the bewildered, inexperienced character out at critical moments in their adventure. Decon: if it serves their interests, especially regarding material gain. When it doesn't, the main character eventually has to actively choose to not let the subsequent behavior of most peasants turn her to TheDarkSide.

* Manga/MariaHolic is this to the YuriGenre, alternating between cruelly subverting and playfully mocking tropes associated with it through the wacky hijinks of the GenreBlind schoolgirl Kanako Miyamae and her "ideal girl" Mariya Shidou... who's actually a VillainousCrossdresser.

** Sayaka [[spoiler:decides to use a SelflessWish to heal her crush, Kyousuke, much like any typical superhero but as the other characters demonstrate, their is no such thing as a SelflessWish, as they all have a selfish intention. In Sayaka's case, it was so that she could get together with Kyousuke, and when he doesn't return her affections, she breaks down.]]

%% -Discussion appears to be RetGone. This troper fails to see why can Madoka appear in every other deconstruction-related page but not here. Besides, it seems to have a long entry here anyway so I say we clear this comment above.

%% -Discussion appears to be RetGone. This troper fails to see why can Madoka appear in every other deconstruction-related page but not here.

%% Note: If you wish to add examples, please explain in detail. For instance, sketch the basic premise of the genre that is being deconstructed and how the example deconstructs the genre.
%%

** Many harem shows tend to take the route of the UnwantedHarem, with the male lead being [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent an average guy]] [[UnluckyEverydude who despite his bad luck]], ends up gaining the affection of multiple girls due to being a NiceGuy, yet either remains [[ObliviousToLove oblivious to their advances]] or is [[CelibateHero unable to reciprocate]], usually because [[FirstGirlWins he is already in love with one specific girl]] and doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of the other girls. Makoto seems like the average protagonist of this kind of series at first, but as mentioned above [[{{Jerkass}} he is NOT one]]. The plot shows how in reality not every male teen is as noble as the average harem series protagonist. Some hormone driven young men in such position would actually take advantage of the situation, sometimes even acting cruelly and misleadingly towards the girls in order to satisfy their own pleasure.

** The story also shows what could happen if someone really ''did'' treat a group of young women that all had feelings for him like your [[HaremSeeker typical h-game player treats the female characters of a game]], if some of those women happened to be [[{{Yandere}} extremely unstable]]. ''Most'' real people wouldn't react [[AxCrazy like that]]. Some would. It also makes it clear that someone pursuing solely his or her own pleasure with everyone in sight while paying no attention to the effects that's having on others is an immature, maladjusted jerkass, and that such behavior can have terrible consequences.

** The story also shows what could happen if someone really ''did'' treat a group of young women that all had feelings for him like your [[HaremSeeker typical h-game player treats the female characters of a game]], if some of those women happened to be [[{{Yandere}} extremely unstable]]. ''Most'' real people wouldn't react [[AxCrazy like that]]. Some would.

** The whole series is a PerspectiveFlip on TheMessiah and TheAntichrist, and shows us just exactly how the dynamic between the two would work, as well as showing that both are not what they initially appear to be.

* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is, for the majority of the series, a pretty thorough deconstruction of the MagicalGirl genre. The premise starts simple. Young NaiveEverygirl Madoka and her WideEyedIdealist friend Sayaka, are approached by MentorMascot Kyubey, and the relative CoolBigSis Mami, where they are given the opportunity to become {{Magical Girl}}s. In exchange, they are granted one wish, that can be anything they want, but they will have to fight demonic entities called witches for the rest of their lives. In addition, a DarkMagicalGirl, Homura, is opposed to this, and is constantly trying to prevent the two from making a contract. Sounds reasonable enough.\\
\\
And then the show demonstrates exactly what happens to those young girls who are forced into fighting {{Eldritch Abomination}}s with no chance at a normal life. Mami [[spoiler:is ultimately an extremely lonely StepfordSmiler who is broken on the inside due to losing her parents, and being forced to fight with no real friends. When Madoka does become her friend, her subsequent joy leads to her death, and also reminds us that these encounters are far more dangerous when removed from the sweet and innocent flavor that permeates most MagicalGirl shows]]. In addition, Sayaka [[spoiler:decides to use a SelflessWish to heal her crush, Kyousuke, much like any typical superhero. But as the other characters demonstrate, their is no such thing as a SelflessWish, as they all have a selfish intention. In Sayaka's case, it was so that she could get together with Kyousuke, and when he doesn't return her affections, she breaks down.]] Finally, Kyubey [[spoiler:shows exactly what kind of "mentor" would knowingly send girls off to their death, without giving the full details, and more importantly ''why'' he would that - it's revealed that he's really more of a magical girl villain that sets up magical girls to turn into the very monsters they fight so he can harvest their energy. Even that is played with since he's actually gathering that energy to [[WellIntentionedExtremist stave off the heat death of the universe]]]]. At the end, [[DeconReconSwitch however]], [[spoiler:Madoka becomes a MagicalGirl, and uses a CosmicRetcon to make it so that {{Magical Girl}}s will not become witches. Although {{Magical Girl}}s will have to fight demons [=/=]wraiths instead of witches, it is at least implied that the situation is better than before -- but only slightly better]].

* Several chapters of ''Manga/FrankenFran'' deconstruct the {{Toku}} genre, what with some of the Sentinels using their fame to become rich with merchandising, blackmailing influential people to get more funds, one becoming addicted to fighting to the point that he can't have an erection otherwise (leading him to set up people to get killed just so he can avenge their death), the families of the faceless minions killed by the Sentinels teaming up to avenge ''their'' deaths, and the evil organisation's EvilPlan being to [[spoiler:cure all illnesses, stop famine, and create hospitals for everybody.]]

* ''RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' deconstructs the {{Shojo}} genre to the point of MindScrew. In particular, it deconstructs the fairy tale archetypes of [[PrincelyYoungMan the Prince]], [[PrincessClassic the Princess]], and the WickedWitch. [[http://etrangere.livejournal.com/318410.html?nc=17 This essay]] goes into more detail on the subject.

* The anime version of ''VisualNovel/SchoolDays'' is a {{Deconstruction}} of the harem anime, as well as h-game adaptations and other SliceOfLife romance series. The lead, after finally dating the sweet girl he's been lusting after for ages, finds that dating her feels more like work and less fun, so he pursues and has sex with one of the ''other'' girls who wanted him. Shortly after, he decides to sleep around, with no regard for the consequences and no desire to devote to a serious relationship. When the girl he first began cheating with [[spoiler:discovers she's almost sure to be pregnant and confronts him, he wants nothing more to do with her, and after everyone finds out not only did he knock her up, but refuses to take responsibility, the other girls refuse to have anything to do with ''him.'']]\\

And then the show demonstrates exactly what happens to those young girls who are forced into fighting EldritchAbominations with no chance at a normal life. Mami [[spoiler:is ultimately an extremely lonely StepfordSmiler who is broken on the inside due to losing her parents, and being forced to fight with no real friends. When Madoka does become her friend, her subsequent joy leads to her death, and also reminds us that these encounters are far more dangerous when removed from the sweet and innocent flavor that permeates most MagicalGirl shows]]. In addition, Sayaka [[spoiler:decides to use a SelflessWish to heal her crush, Kyousuke, much like any typical superhero. But as the other characters demonstrate, their is no such thing as a SelflessWish, as they all have a selfish intention. In Sayaka's case, it was so that she could get together with Kyousuke, and when he doesn't return her affections, she breaks down.]] Finally, Kyubey [[spoiler:shows exactly what kind of "mentor" would knowingly send girls off to their death, without giving the full details, and more importantly ''why'' he would that - it's revealed that he's really more of a magical girl villain that sets up magical girls to turn into the very monsters they fight so he can harvest their energy. Even that is played with since he's actually gathering that energy to [[WellIntentionedExtremist stave off the heat death of the universe]]]]. At the end, [[DeconReconSwitch however]], [[spoiler:Madoka becomes a MagicalGirl, and uses a CosmicRetcon to make it so that {{Magical Girl}}s will not become witches. Although {{Magical Girl}}s will have to fight demons [=/=]wraiths instead of witches, it is at least implied that the situation is better than before -- but only slightly better]].

* ''RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' deconstructs the {{Shojo}} genre to the point of MindScrew. The original hero became a Machiavellian and the newer heroes are just petty school children. Really. See also EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory. In particular, it deconstructs the fairy tale archetypes of [[PrincelyYoungMan the Prince]], [[PrincessClassic the Princess]], and the WickedWitch. [[http://etrangere.livejournal.com/318410.html?nc=17 This essay]] goes into more detail on the subject.

* The original ''{{Gundam}}'' series (parent of the RealRobotGenre) could count as a deconstruction of the SuperRobotGenre too. To even begin to be able to pilot the Gundam, Amuro already had a strong background with electronics, and the Gundam's manual. His early fighting is clumsy and ends up blowing a hole in his home space colony that kills unknown numbers of civilians and leads to his father suffering brain damage that drives him to insanity. His early battles shook him greatly, and Char kicked his ass easily in their early fights, despite being in the less advanced Zaku 2. Amuro is also a whiny brat of a kid and is forced (through good use of the BrightSlap and a stay in the brig) to accept his responsibilities. Of course, in later Real Robot shows, the flavor of the SuperRobotGenre would kick in...