History Main / SlidingScaleOfRealisticVersusFantastic

%% * WidgetSeries (e.g. ''Manga/ExcelSaga'', ''Anime/PaniPoniDash'', ''Anime/PuniPuniPoemi'' and ''Manga/BoboboboBobobo'')

%% * ''WebOriginal/OrionsArm'' borders unusual and fantastic. Everything in it is possible though, albeit just, within known physics.

{{Horror}}, LowFantasy, MagicRealism, "Hard" ScienceFiction ("Softer" science fiction with only a few unrealistic elements may also qualify) are commonly on this point. Musicals that aren't fantastical generally belong here as well -- some, like ''Film/{{Hairspray}}'' and ''Film/LaLaLand'', are perfectly realistic except for the fact that people burst into song at random.\\

* Most of Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s franchises, and certainly their most successful ones, reside on the border of Fantastic and Surreal. The {{Funny Animal}}s of ''Franchise/DonkeyKong'' and ''VideoGame/StarFox'', the [[StandardFantasySetting fantasy kingdoms]] of ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' and ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the far-futures and alien worlds of ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'', and ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'', and the odd characters of ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' make up the list of notables.

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' straddles the line between Fantastic and Surreal, where [[SuperSpeed fast-as-light]] [[FunnyAnimal hedgehogs]], [[LivingBattery animal-powered]] robots, HumongousMecha, [[GreenRocks magical gemstones]] capable of bending {{time|Master}} and {{space|Master}}, a deity cracking the Earth into pieces, {{alternate dimension}}s, TimeTravel, [[LegoGenetics artificially-created]] organisms, PsychicPowers, aliens, and [[OurFairiesAreDifferent fairy-like creatures]] whose physical states can be influenced by animals, fruits, and robot batteries are just a day in life, but still are bounded in some logic ([[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 mostly]]).

* ''Theatre/MedievalTimesDinnerAndTournament'', after DoingInTheWizard from [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness earlier shows]], falls squarely into this category. While the setting is based on [[TheHighMiddleAges 11th-century]] UsefulNotes/{{Spain}}, the story uses ArtisticLicenseHistory to make the show as [[RuleOfFun fun]] and [[{{Disneyfication}} family-friendly]] as possible. Even the StockMedievalMeal includes foods that, at the time, was only found in the Americas.

* ''Theatre/MedievalTimesDinnerAndTournament'', after DoingInTheWizard from [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness earlier shows]],falls squarely into this category. While the setting is based on [[TheHighMiddleAges 11th-century]] UsefulNotes/{{Spain}}, the story uses ArtisticLicenseHistory to make the show as [[RuleOfFun fun]] and [[{{Disneyfication}} family-friendly]] as possible. Even the StockMedievalMeal includes foods that, at the time, was only found in the Americas.

* ''Theatre/MedievalTimesDinnerAndTournament'', after DoingInTheWizard from [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness earlier shows]],falls squarely into this category. While the setting is based on [[TheHighMiddleAges 11th-century]] UsefulNotes/Spain, the story uses ArtisticLicenseHistory to make the show as [[RuleOfFun fun]] and [[{{Disneyfication}} family-friendly]] as possible. Even the StockMedievalMeal includes foods that, at the time, was only found in the Americas.

* ''Theatre/MedievalTimesDinnerAndTournament'', after DoingInTheWizard from [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness earlier shows]],falls squarely into this category. While the setting is based on [[TheHighMiddleAges 11th-century]] UsefulNotes/Spain, the story uses ArtisticLicenseHistory to make the show as [[RuleOfFun fun]] and [[{{Disneyfication}} family-friendly]] as possible. Even the StockMedievalDiet includes foods that, at the time, was only found in the Americas.

* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'': Haruhi's powers are borderline surreal, but it's at least based on Haruhi's mood so it's not completely rule-less; Nagato, Asahina's and Koizumi's are Fantastic; and Kyon is Mundane.

%%Context for more mundane, unrealistic, and surreal works are more than welcome.

There is nothing that cannot be explained by contemporary science and nothing ever happens that could not conceivably occur in RealLife as we know it. A DreamSequence is the only way in which the otherwise hyper-realism in the work can be [[SubvertedTrope subverted]]. Darker works on this end offen emphasize the irrevocable and often [[TrueArtIsAngsty brutal nature of mortality]], as well as the depiction of social injustices, such as exploitation of the poor on behalf of the rich. Films in this category may often be [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible pretentious creations]], often trying to be TrueArt. About the most 'fantastic' thing that happens here is a ContrivedCoincidence or two designed to bring as much bad luck (or good luck) to the characters as possible. ScienceFiction and {{Fantasy}} are by definition ruled out from belonging to this category.\\

There is nothing that cannot be explained by contemporary science and nothing ever happens that could not conceivably occur in RealLife as we know it. A DreamSequence is the only way in which the otherwise hyper-realism in the work can be [[SubvertedTrope subverted]]. The irrevocable and often [[TrueArtIsAngsty brutal nature of mortality is often emphasized]], if not the center-point of the story. The depiction of social injustices, such as exploitation of the poor on behalf of the rich, is another common thematic element. Films in this category may often be [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible pretentious creations]], often trying to be TrueArt. About the most 'fantastic' thing that happens here is a ContrivedCoincidence or two designed to bring as much bad luck (or good luck) to the characters as possible. ScienceFiction and {{Fantasy}} are by definition ruled out from belonging to this category.\\

* ''Animation/HappyHeroes'' takes place in outer space, usually on the futuristic Planet Xing which is inhabited by HumanAliens, {{Ridiculously Human Robot}}s, anthropomorphic cows, and [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs nonanthropomorphic dinosaurs]]. It's primarily science fiction with lots of comedy, but in one season those two elements are [[WizardsFromOuterSpace brought along to a medieval fantasy world]], complete with a wizard as an ArcVillain.

* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' is in-between Unusual and Fantastic (and sometimes arguably ventures into the Surreal as well): The existence of the supernatural doesn't seem to be common knowledge, except most characters seem only mildly surprised when weird things happen, and don't react as if they were exceptional, paradigm-shattering events. And there are definitely creatures that shouldn't exist in real-life.

* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''. There's just way too many fantastic elements for it to be merely unusual, but there are some rules (e.g. the cursed springs), so it's not completely surreal.

* ''Film/Tenet'' fits here (though, depending on the extent the main concept breaks your WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief, it could be seen as Fantastic or even Surreal).

RealisticFiction is invariably here and above; the genre is defined by events being plausible within real life's most basic facets.

* Unusual: People can outright come BackFromTheDead, somehow, but it's a very rare process that practically no one knows well.

{{Kitchen Sink Drama}}s typically fall into this category as do WarMovies, [[WarIsHell particulary when depicting real-life wars from the perspective of those who either fought in it or the civilian population affected by it]].

The trappings of realism are there. The technology and the settings depicted do have their counterparts in, or are based on, RealLife as we know it, but the [[HollywoodStyle presentation is over-the-top]]. On very, very, rare occasions there may happen what would reasonably seem to be supernatural events, but we are never given a full explanation of [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane what actually did transpire]]. Depending on the genre, expect either lots of crazy stunts and polished dialogue, and the notion of realism will almost certainly take a back seat to the RuleOfCool, RuleOfFunny, or the RuleOfSexy. American {{Soap Opera}}s also fit, because reality makes a ''lot'' of exceptions for the RuleOfDrama.

The world has (almost) no rules or internal logic whatsoever. Anything can (and frequently does) happen, often with little or no explanation. Expect things to [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum run on nonsensoleum]]. A GagSeries will usually fall into this.
%% Almost every music video in existence falls under this.

* Unrealistic: If anyone comes back, they either [[NotQuiteDead improbably survived events that should have killed them]] or show up as [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane ambiguously hallucinatory]] apparitions.

* Surreal: Non-undercover aliens can spend your work shift across from you, and you can turn into one and back, for no real reason.

Just as the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism determines the 'mood' of a series, this scale determines how much a particular series is unlike reality in relation to the natural laws, general conditions, and probabilities of RealLife. Stories also vary greatly in their realism concerning human behavior, but that trope has yet to be created.

* Mundane: Death is final. No one ever comes back from the dead.
* Unrealistic: If anyone comes back, it's from NotQuiteDead or from improbably surviving events that should have killed them (but, of course, they NeverFoundTheBody).
* Unusual: People can outright come BackFromTheDead, somehow, but it's a very rare occurrence.
* Fantastic: It's difficult to come BackFromTheDead and it has certain requirements.

* Mundane: Since neither sentient nor non-sentient extraterrestrial life has been proven to exist in real-life as we know it, the issue is moot and completely irrelevant in this work.
* Unrealistic: Works in this category mimics real-life as we know it, and any indication on the existence of extra-terrestrial life is deliberatively left vague.
* Unusual: Sentient extra-terrestrial life can decidedly exist, but if so it is not common knowledge.
* Fantastic: The existence of sentient extra-terrestrial life, and the far-ranging implications it brings with it, could be a center pillar of the work.
* Surreal: Non-undercover aliens are commonplace and there's probably one in your workplace.

Please list examples in an alphabetical order.

* ''ComicBook/{{Maus}}'' is down-to-Earth and brutally honest about UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust. The depiction of characters as FunnyAnimals would've been Unusual if it weren't for the FurryLens.

{{Kitchen Sink Drama}}s typically fall into this category as do WarMovies, [[WarIsHell particulary when depicting real-life wars from the perspective of those who either fought in it or the civilian population affected by it]].\\
\\

The trappings of realism are there. The technology and the settings depicted do have their counterparts in, or are based on, RealLife as we know it, but the [[HollywoodStyle presentation is over-the-top]]. On very, very, rare occasions there may happen what would reasonably seem to be supernatural events, but we are never given a full explanation of [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane what actually did transpire]]. Depending on the genre, expect either lots of crazy stunts and polished dialogue, and the notion of realism will almost certainly take a back seat to the RuleOfCool, RuleOfFunny, or the RuleOfSexy. American {{Soap Opera}}s also fit, because reality makes a ''lot'' of exceptions for the RuleOfDrama.\\
\\

Similarly, many [[FantasticComedy Fantastic Comedies]] feature only one fantastic element, with the rest of the setting being fairly realistic.

* ''WebComic/{{Lackadaisy}}'', whose depiction of TheRoaringTwenties is [[ShownTheirWork spot-on]] and the only major inaccuracy is a World of Funny Cats

* 'WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'' generally portrays a realistic world and character dramas, except for the fact that most of the population are sapient humanoid animals living alongside humans. This leads to several story elements that would otherwise seem fantastical, such as an underwater city for Sea-dwelling people, a chicken farm that grooms several of their own species for consumption, and a colony of giant ants living under California.

%% ** ''Series/PowerRangersRPM'', unlike the original ''Go Onger'' below, falls between fantastic and unusual while bordering more on the unusual side.

%% * ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', while containing futuristic technology, is apart from that fact, fairly realistic.

* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': The Winchester brothers face various monsters of the week including ghosts, vampires, and werewolves as well as more cosmic entities such as demons, angels, and even God himself. Yet, they still must deal with everyday realities such as finding money, food, and places to sleep. DeathIsCheap for them and their closest allies thanks to their destinies, but for most people in their universe it is final.

* ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' fits here because of some slightly futuristic technology and being explicitly not set in our world. But save for a very few elements, ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' would have been unrealistic instead.

Even with [[RealityIsUnrealistic elements widely considered abnormal]], NonFiction works cannot be here or below.\\
\\

The world has (almost) no rules or internal logic whatsoever. Anything can (and frequently does) happen, often with little or no explanation. Expect things to [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum run on nonsensoleum]]. A GagSeries will usually fall into this.\\
\\

There is nothing that cannot be explained by contemporary science and nothing ever happens that could not conceivably occur in RealLife as we know it. A DreamSequence is the only way in which the otherwise hyper-realism in the work can be [[SubvertedTrope subverted]]. The irrevocable and often [[TrueArtIsAngsty brutal nature of mortality is often emphasized]], if not the center-point of the story. The depiction of social injustices, such as exploitation of the poor on behalf of the rich, is another common thematic element. Films in this category may often be [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible pretentious creations]], often trying to be TrueArt. About the most 'fantastic' thing that happens here is a ContrivedCoincidence or two designed to bring as much bad luck (or good luck) to the characters as possible. ScienceFiction and {{Fantasy}} are by definition ruled out from belonging to this category.

!!Examples:

* {{Kitchen Sink Drama}}s typically fall into this category as does WarMovies, [[WarIsHell particulary when depicting real-life wars from the perspective of those who either fought in it or the civilian population affected by it]].
** NonFiction works by definition. (though some could be [[RealityIsUnrealistic considered as Unrealistic or even Unusual)]]
%% ** Many {{Soap Opera}}s and {{Sitcom}}s.
%% ** Movies by Creator/KenLoach and many other European directors.
%% ** ''Film/EightAndAHalf''
%% ** ''Series/BandOfBrothers''
%% ** ''Film/{{Dogtooth}}''
%% ** ''Literature/TheGrapesOfWrath'' (and other works by Creator/JohnSteinbeck)
%% ** ''Film/TheGreenElephant''
** ''ComicBook/{{Maus}}'' is down-to-Earth and brutally honest about UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust. The depiction of characters as FunnyAnimals would've been Unusual if it weren't for the FurryLens.
%% ** ''Film/MyDinnerWithAndre''
%% ** ''Literature/OutOfTheDust''
%% ** ''Film/{{Platoon}}''
%% ** ''Literature/BornOnTheFourthOfJuly''
%% ** ''Film/SavingPrivateRyan''
%% ** ''Film/RagingBull''
%% ** ''Film/ThisIsEngland''
%% ** ''Film/{{Titanic 1997}}''
%% ** ''Film/VaseDeNoces''
%% ** ''Voces Inocentes'', a Spanish-language film about a boy named Chava in UsefulNotes/ElSalvador during their civil war.
%% ** ''Series/TheWire''
%% ** ''Series/FreaksAndGeeks''
%% ** ''Series/SixFeetUnder''
%% ** ''Series/TheSopranos''
%% ** ''Series/{{Girls}}''
%% ** ''Series/MySoCalledLife''
%% ** ''Series/TheThickOfIt'' (and by extension, ''Film/InTheLoop'')
** ''Film/ThisIsSpinalTap'', to the extent that several famous metal musicians (including Ozzy Osbourne) mistook the film for a real life documentary, as almost everything that happened within it had actually happened to them at some point.

The trappings of realism are there. The technology and the settings depicted do have their counterparts in, or are based on, RealLife as we know it, but the [[HollywoodStyle presentation is over-the-top]]. On very, very, rare occasions there may happen what would reasonably seem to be supernatural events, but we are never given a full explanation of [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane what actually did transpire]]. Depending on the genre, expect either lots of crazy stunts and polished dialogue, and the notion of realism will almost certainly take a back seat to the RuleOfCool, RuleOfFunny, or the RuleOfSexy. American {{Soap Opera}}s also fit, because reality makes a ''lot'' of exceptions for the RuleOfDrama.

!!Examples:

%% ** ''Series/TwentyFour''
%% ** ''Series/ThirtyRock''
%% ** ''Film/ApocalypseNow''
%% ** ''Series/{{Baywatch}}''
%% ** ''Manga/BlackLagoon''
%% ** ''Film/TheBourneSeries''
** In ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'', Calvin has an anthropomorphic tiger friend who is seen by others as an inanimate stuffed tiger, and often imagines himself on fantastic adventures in {{Fantasy Sequence}}s. Outside of his imagination realm, life is pretty realistic. However, there are some MaybeMagicMaybeMundane situations that would land the strip in Unusual if they weren't ambiguous, such as the Calvin clones interacting with his parents and ambiguity of Hobbes' realness.
%% ** ''Series/CriminalMinds''
%% ** ''Series/{{CSI}}'' [[Series/CSIMiami and all]] [[Series/CsiNy its spinoffs]].
%% ** ''Series/{{Dallas}}'' and ''Series/KnotsLanding''
%% ** ''Series/DesperateHousewives'' is a cross between Unrealistic (most of the actual plots) and Unusual (narrated by a deceased character).
%% ** ''Series/EverybodyLovesRaymond''
%% ** ''Film/ForrestGump'''s premise of a man influencing American history is too unrealistic for the Mundane, but not that Unusual as it seems.
%% ** ''Series/{{Friends}}''
%% ** ''Series/{{JAG}}'', ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' and ''Series/NCISLosAngeles''
%% ** ''Film/TheDeerHunter''
%% ** ''Manga/InitialD''
%% ** The [[Film/JamesBond ''cinematic'' James Bond]], with few exceptions, belong here.
%% ** ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'': [[Series/LawAndOrder in its]] [[Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit various]] [[Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent incarnations]] [[Series/LawAndOrderTrialByJury is]] [[Series/LawAndOrderLA borderline]] mundane.
%% ** ''Franchise/LoveLive''
%% ** ''Series/TheMentalist''
%% ** {{Law Procedural}}s, such as: ''Series/LALaw'', ''Series/ThePractice'' and ''Series/{{Shark}}''
%% ** ''The Film/LethalWeapon'' series firmly belongs in this category.
%% ** [[MedicalDrama Medical Dramas]] often belong in this category but they often differ in terms of realism: e.g. while ''Series/{{ER}}'' is borderline mundane, ''Series/{{House}}'' is at the higher end of unrealistic.
%% ** ''Literature/TheMillenniumTrilogy''
%% ** ''Series/MurderSheWrote'', and a lot of similar shows
%% ** ''Series/{{Oz}}''
%% ** {{Police Procedural}}s, such as: ''Series/HillStreetBlues'', ''Series/NYPDBlue'' and ''Series/TheCloser''
%% ** ''Manga/ThePrinceOfTennis'' (at least at the beginning ; it becomes more and more fantastic after)
%% ** ''Series/PrisonBreak''
%% ** ProfessionalWrestling
%% ** ''[[VideoGame/SaintsRow1 Saints Row]]'' and ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2''
%% ** ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' and ''Series/CurbYourEnthusiasm'', where the plots are generally realistic, just [[ContrivedCoincidence contrived.]]
** ''Series/TheWestWing'', although it has mundane plots and settings, and thus is borderline realistic, the main characters are portrayed as over-the-top know-it-alls and the processes in which the federal government works is extremely simplified for dramatic purposes.
%% ** ''Yamakasi'', a French film about LeParkour, borders between unrealistic and mundane.
%% ** ''Series/{{Undeclared}}'' borders on this and "Realistic."

The world is mostly semi-realistic, but it does contain more than just a few minor fantastic hiccups. It may be TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture or contain some AppliedPhlebotinum which doesn't quite fit into conventional science. Supernatural events may occasionally happen, though they may fall under MaybeMagicMaybeMundane. Some 'hard' science fiction shows that are based on extrapolations of existing technology may fit on the upper end of this.

!!Examples:

* {{Horror}}, LowFantasy, MagicRealism, "Hard" ScienceFiction ("Softer" science fiction with only a few unrealistic elements may also qualify.).
* Musicals that aren't fantastical generally belong here. Some, like ''Film/{{Hairspray}}'' and ''Film/LaLaLand'', are perfectly realistic except for the fact that people burst into song at random.
* Works set in a WorldOfFunnyAnimals or LionsAndTigersAndHumansOhMy world usually are Unusual if the only fantastic element is that everyone (or a good portion of the population) is an anthropomorphic animal and everything else is relatively Mundane or Unrealistic.
** ''WebComic/{{Lackadaisy}}'', whose depiction of TheRoaringTwenties is [[ShownTheirWork spot-on]] and the only major inaccuracy is a World of Funny Cats
* Many [[FantasticComedy Fantastic Comedies]] feature only one fantastic element, with the rest of the setting being fairly realistic.
** ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' (because of spirit mediums, channeling and the like)
%% ** ''VideoGame/AceCombat''
%% ** ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete'' (the show anyway, the original shorts were definitely surreal.)
** ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' usually sticks closer to unrealistic, and is notable for averting several action tropes (such as SteelEarDrums and BottomlessMagazines) but includes just enough sci-fi elements (such as robot imposters, clones, mind-control chips, and futuristic space stations) to sit here comfortably.
%% ** ''Anime/ArmoredTrooperVotoms''
%% ** ''Series/{{Atlanta}}''

** ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'' generally portrays a realistic world and character dramas, except for the fact that most of the population are sapient humanoid animals living alongside humans. This leads to several story elements that would otherwise seem fantastical, such as an underwater city for Sea-dwelling people, a chicken farm that grooms several of their own species for consumption, and a colony of giant ants living under California.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'' tends to be perfectly realistic about early teen life except almost everyone is AmazingTechnicolorPopulation, which is purely a stylistic choice that isn't seen as fantastic in-universe, and Porkchop (and sometimes Stinky) is a bipedal animal. There are still a few fantastic elements, such as the Lucky Duck Lake monster in ''WesternAnimation/Dougs1stMovie''.
** ''Literature/GeronimoStilton'' takes place in a [[WorldOfFunnyAnimals World of Funny Mice]], and the plots are fairly Unrealistic, abeilt with a few fantastic elements. The SpinOff series, especially ''Spacemice'', ''Kingdom of Fantasy'', and several ''Thea Stilton'' spinoffs, do outright extend to Fantastic.
** ''Anime/GraveOfTheFireflies'', narrated by a dead character. Take out the narrator, and the film would have been in the Mundane territory instead.
%% ** ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}''
%% ** ''Franchise/IndianaJones'', semi-realistic with the addition of some supernatural elements.
** ''[[Franchise/JurassicPark Jurassic Park and its sequels]]'': Would obviously be ''Unrealistic'' if it weren't for its core premise of scientists extracting dinosaur DNA from amber and thus the ability to clone dinosaurs, which is clearly super-science in real-life.
** ''Literature/KarlssonOnTheRoof'' is another Creator/AstridLindgren character who should fall into to this category as well. Much like Pippi, he lives in a mundane world where his ability to fly thanks to a propeller on his back is about the only unusual thing occurring.
** ''Manga/KotouraSan'' is very realistic except that PsychicPowers actually exist, but they are so rare that they are not recognized as scientific fact within the setting. While the culture itself is mundane, the narrative does follow the life and hardships of a {{Telepath|y}}ic main character thus putting the story at this level.
%% ** ''VideoGame/MetalGear''
** ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture plus forty meter tall EldritchAbomination clones disguised as HumongousMecha fit this category rather snugly. %% ''The End of Evangelion'' and ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion 2.0'' however take it to the next level '''at minimum'''.
%% ** ''WebOriginal/OrionsArm'' borders unusual and fantastic. Everything in it is possible though, albeit just, within known physics.
%% ** ''Film/PacificRim''
** ''Literature/PippiLongstocking'', only the title character (save her father to a lesser extent) does possess any fantastic abilities while the rest of the characters and the world in which they inhabit seem to be rather mundane.
** ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' takes place in the real setting of UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfPiracy, but incorporates a number of decidedly ''un''real elements. Over the course of the series, ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' drifted into the next category down as the supernatural elements became more prominent and turned the movies into a FantasyKitchenSink.
** ''Series/PushingDaisies'' may fit here since aside from the protagonist's power to bring people BackFromTheDead, the world is generally realistic.

** ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'', aside from the DLC [[VideoGame/ReddeadRedemptionUndeadNightmare Undead Nightmare]], which moves straight into fantastic, is realistic enough storyline-wise (Unless you think there's no possible way [[ItsPersonal so]] [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge much]] [[CrapsackWorld crap can]] happen in one guy's life.) Dead-Eye may be explained away as John Marston just being a damn good shot, but what can't be explained are such things that are optional encounters, like carrying a rabbit's paw to increase the amount of loot gotten off of killed enemies, a possible blessed object reducing the chance of enemies shooting at you, and of course[[spoiler: [[AngelUnaware The Strange Man,]]]] who only responds to questions with answers that provide more questions.
%% ** ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', while containing futuristic technology, is apart from that fact, fairly realistic.
** While the broad story arc of ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' mostly skews towards unrealistic, it features a number of sci-fi elements and set-pieces like a ''Film/{{Tron}}''-esq computer world, laser weapons, hover bikes, and zombies.
** ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'', for the first ten years of the series, anyway, where the only fantastic elements were Scooby and his relatives (the ''only'' animals that could talk). From 1980 onwards, any movie or series became fair game for Unusual (''What's New?'', ''Be Cool!''), Fantastic (''Mystery Incorporated'', ''Zombie Island'', etc.) or entirely Surreal (''The 13 Ghosts'', ''Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo'''s ThreeShorts).
** ''Film/TheSeventhSeal'', is set in an otherwise realistic medeival CrapsackWorld of BlackAndGrayMorality haunted by the plague, and in which [[AnthropomorphicPersonification Death is personified]].
** ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': The Winchester brothers face various monsters of the week including ghosts, vampires, and werewolves as well as more cosmic entities such as demons, angels, and even God himself. Yet, they still must deal with everyday realities such as finding money, food, and places to sleep. DeathIsCheap for them and their closest allies thanks to their destinies, but for most people in their universe it is final.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has a lot of bizarre gags that seemingly break the show's reality, but these rarely affect the episode plots, which tend to stay based in reality. ''WesternAnimation/TreehouseOfHorror'' segments, however, can reach fantastic or surreal territory.
** ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOnDeck'': Was Mundane to start with, but then you get plotlines like sentient robots who created themselves trying to take over the ship, having to travel into the future to prevent the ship from an alien invasion, and having to fend off an ancient curse put on you by a dead queen's crown.
** ''Literature/WarriorCats'' focuses on {{Partially Civilized|Animal}} feral cats who are capable of running a MouseWorld-type society. While there are several fantastic elements such as [[CatsHaveNineLives leaders having nine lives]], they are kept to the cats themselves, not affecting most of the other species.
** ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'': Almost anything fantastic, futuristic or supernatural, can be (directly or not) brought down to Dr. Manhattan's powers - though they're huge. The rest is slightly unrealistic AlternateHistory.
** ''Manga/YamadaKunAndTheSevenWitches'': The witch powers are an important part of the story, but they're a [[{{Masquerade}} hidden]] part of the daily life on an otherwise mundane high school, and the story generally relies on SliceOfLife humor and conflicts even though a lot of the characters use magic. Furthermore, magic only seems to exist on this specific high school - the rest of the world is completely normal. The college preparation arc as well as the epilogue are on the "unrealistic" end of the scale instead of "unusual" as they don't involve witch powers, but still has some over-the-top humor and a couple of cases of cartoon physics ([[CharlesAtlasSuperpower such as Yamada lifting a gigantic boulder effortlessly]])
** ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' fits here because of some slightly futuristic technology and being explicitly not set in our world. But save for a very few elements, ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' would have been unrealistic instead.

The rules of the [[RealLife real world, as we know it]], no longer takes precedence, or may in some cases no longer be applicable at all. Divine intervention, magic or superscience are the prevailing paradigms by which a world in this category functions. Creatures exist that shouldn't exist in RealLife, and the setting might not take place on Earth at all. What ultimately sets ''Fantastic'' apart from ''Surreal'' is that these paradigms do have a certain [[MagicAIsMagicA internal consistency]].

!!Examples:

* Most SpeculativeFiction, including most ComicBooks, [[FairyTale Fairy Tales]], HeroicFantasy and "soft" ScienceFiction.
%% ** ''Manga/AttackOnTitan''
%% ** ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and its spinoff ''Series/{{Angel}}'' are on the far end of Fantastic, approaching Surreal territory.
%% ** ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura''
%% ** ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick''
%% ** ''Franchise/GhostInTheShell''
** The ''Franchise/{{Cars}}'' franchise takes place in a world where everyone (and animal) are {{Sentient Vehicle}}s, which would be too much to be rated Unusual. The settings and plots are merely Unrealistic (with the exception of the ''Cars Toon'', "Unidentified Flying Mater").
%% ** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot''
%% ** ''Manga/DeathNote''
%% ** ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' borders between fantastic and surreal.
%% ** ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' is bizarre enough to be surreal, but its internal rules and logic keep it in the Fantastic realm.
** Most of the ''Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon''. ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'' is a (if not the) prime example of internal consistency in a fantastic story where the background and the basic rules concerning the magic spell which transformed the prince to a beast (and his servants to house objects), and how it can be undone are disclosed in the opening narration.
** ''Series/DoctorWho'' is probably between Unusual and Fantastic on the definition, because while some stuff is semi-realistic in a few episodes, the effects of half the alien technology and generally setting may as well be magic as explained by TechnoBabble.
%% ** ''Manga/FrankenFran''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' is possibly between fantastic and surreal.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls''
** ''Animation/HappyHeroes'' takes place in outer space, usually on the futuristic Planet Xing which is inhabited by HumanAliens, {{Ridiculously Human Robot}}s, anthropomorphic cows, and [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs nonanthropomorphic dinosaurs]]. It's primarily science fiction with lots of comedy, but in one season those two elements are [[WizardsFromOuterSpace brought along to a medieval fantasy world]], complete with a wizard as an ArcVillain.
** The ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series, being entirely about wizardy. The tale of the three brothers, with Death itself acting as a character, takes it a little further into surreal, and is implied to be mythical even in the context of the series.
** ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'': Haruhi's powers are borderline surreal, but it's at least based on Haruhi's mood so it's not completely rule-less; Nagato, Asahina's and Koizumi's are Fantastic; and Kyon is Mundane.
%% ** ''Comicbook/{{Hellboy}}''. Both the comics and movies.
%% ** ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures''.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest''.
** ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' and other works by Creator/JRRTolkien, which are set in a vaguely defined mythical past include (relatively uncommon) magic and fantastic creatures.
** The Franchise/MarvelUniverse and Franchise/TheDCU. In fact, most superhero comics (and other superhero fiction, such as TV and films) where the hero and villain are explicitly powered.
%% ** ''VideoGame/MegaManZero''
%% ** ''Franchise/MortalKombat''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''. Except for Pinkie Pie. She lies in Surreal.
** Most of Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s franchises, and certainly their most successful ones, reside on the border of Fantastic and Surreal. The {{Funny Animal}}s of ''Franchise/DonkeyKong'' and ''VideoGame/StarFox'', the [[StandardFantasySetting fantasy kingdoms]] of ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' and ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the far-futures and alien worlds of ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'', and ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'', and the odd characters of ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' make up the list of notables.
** ''WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol'' started out as Unusual, with Unrealistic premises which happen to involve talking dogs, then progressed to this territory when it became DenserAndWackier, such as aliens and a golden meteor which grants superpowers.
%% ** ''Literature/PeterPan''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' has a lot of elements of surrealism, but ultimately falls around here.
%% ** ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''
** ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''. There's just way too many fantastic elements for it to be merely unusual, but there are some rules (e.g. the cursed springs), so it's not completely surreal.
** ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' focuses on the titular duo traveling to bizarre alternate universes and planets using unrealistic, ambiguous science, but the show's internal logic generally remains consistent.
** ''{{Webcomic/Roommates}}'' It's weird enough to be Surreal but has a defined rule-set (meaning it runs on [[TheoryOfNarrativeCausality story]], {{trope}} and [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve belief]]) to bind it all together.
%% ** ''VideoGame/SaintsRowIV''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' is borderline surreal, but even the most bizarre episodes tend to have ''some'' sort of internal logic.
%% ** ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' starts out at the low end of the scale, but progressively becomes more and more fantastic over the course of the books.
%% ** ''Series/SesameStreet''.
** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' straddles the line between Fantastic and Surreal, where [[SuperSpeed fast-as-light]] [[FunnyAnimal hedgehogs]], [[LivingBattery animal-powered]] robots, HumongousMecha, [[GreenRocks magical gemstones]] capable of bending {{time|Master}} and {{space|Master}}, a deity cracking the Earth into pieces, {{alternate dimension}}s, TimeTravel, [[LegoGenetics artificially-created]] organisms, PsychicPowers, aliens, and [[OurFairiesAreDifferent fairy-like creatures]] whose physical states can be influenced by animals, fruits, and robot batteries are just a day in life, but still are bounded in some logic ([[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 mostly]]).
%% ** ''Series/StargateSG1'', and its spin-offs ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' and ''Series/StargateUniverse''. Although some episodes in the early seasons of SG-1 could be classified as ''Unusual''.
%% ** ''Franchise/StarTrek'' in its various incarnations, although it varies by series ([[DependingOnTheWriter and episode]]).
%% ** ''Franchise/StarWars''
** ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' is set in a mostly normal world, with the exception of the Gems. However, because the show focuses on a race of creatures that don't exist in real life, it qualifies as fantastic, though definitely leans closely towards unusual.
** ''Series/TheGoodPlace'' is in this category, unusually for a show set in the afterlife. There are rigid rules in place, and how the show expands and subverts them is central to the plot and humor.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' is somewhere between unrealistic and surreal. Somewhere.
%% ** ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}''.
** ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'': Of course, the Toon World is mostly surreal, but there are rules regarding the interactions of the "real" and toon worlds.
%% ** Most episodes of ''Series/TheXFiles'' land here, but some are simply Unusual and lots of others look Unusual, which is why AgentScully doesn't look completely foolish in the early seasons.

The world has (almost) no rules or internal logic whatsoever. Anything can (and frequently does) happen, often with little or no explanation. Expect things to [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum run on nonsensoleum]]. A GagSeries will usually fall into this.

!!Examples:

%% * Almost every music video in existence falls under this.
%% * A few comedic SpeculativeFiction settings
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime''
%% ** ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'' and ''[[Literature/AliceInWonderland Through the Looking Glass]]''--justified since it's AllJustADream. Creator/TimBurton's film was even criticized for being closer to "simply" Fantastic.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball''
%% ** ''Anime/AngelBeats'': It's set on Purgatory where many things are left vague, even after the finale.
** ''WebAnimation/{{asdfmovie}}'', where [[SurrealHumor very random moments]], such as AnthropomorphicFood, a kid who can summon killer trains, talking turtle bombs[[note]]created from "drunk science"[[/note]], a magical flying pony, a cow pretending to be a man, and floating disembodied buttocks, simply happen without explanation
%% ** ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'': Asura comes back from Naraka (Budhhist Hell) after being killed at least THREE times!
%% ** ''Webcomic/AxeCop''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/BettyBoop''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/CelebrityDeathmatch''
%% ** ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}''
%% ** ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}''
%% ** ''Manga/DragonBall'', although ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' skews closer towards fantastic due to a combination of DoingInTheWizard and downplaying most of the weirder elements.
%% ** ''Series/Danger5''
%% ** The works of Creator/DrSeuss
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/EarthwormJim''
%% ** ''Film/ElTopo''
%% ** ''Series/EngineSentaiGoOnger'' is way over the top into this territory.
%% ** ''Film/{{Eraserhead}}'', and most of Creator/DavidLynch's movies.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', though Da Rules keep the series from being too Surreal
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy''
** ''WesternAnimation/FelixTheCat'' is pure cartoon surrealism, sometimes going into outright fantasy, and is very stream of conscious and bizarre in story and tone, especially in the [[WesternAnimation/FelixTheCatOttoMessmer Silent shorts]] and ''[[WesternAnimation/TheTwistedTalesOfFelixTheCat Twisted Tales]]'' series.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}''
%% ** ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'' on the more extreme end of surreal.
** ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends'', where anything can and will rip those cartoon animals into piles of blood, flesh, and organs, [[EverythingTryingToKillYou no matter how implausible it seems to be]]. ([[https://happytreefriends.fandom.com/wiki/Happy_Tree_Friends_and_Real_Life The wiki keeps track of these instances.]]) And [[TheyKilledKennyAgain they come back to life the next episode]].
%% ** ''Franchise/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut'': The inside worlds. The outside world is pretty mundane.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes''
%% ** ''Franchise/TheMatrix''
%% ** ''Webcomic/{{minus}}'' is about the day-to-day life of an omnipotent being. Of course it falls here.
%% ** ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus''
%% ** ''Series/MrYoung''
%% ** ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000''
%% ** ''Franchise/OnePiece'', though it has a stronger sense of {{Continuity}} than most examples in this category. The first 100 chapters probably came closer to "Fantastic" than "Surreal", but then the main characters entered the sea stretch called Grand Line where only few things are impossible (this is even [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] at a point).
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/{{Pingu}}''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}''
%% ** ''Anime/{{Popee The Performer}}''
%% ** ''Webcomic/ProblemSleuth''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/RockosModernLife''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/SausageParty''
%% ** ''Literature/TheSnowQueen''
%% ** Animation by Creator/TexAvery
%% ** All movies by Creator/SeltzerAndFriedberg
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark''
%% ** ''VideoGame/SpaceHarrier''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', where RuleOfFunny is ''the'' norm. Don't question how there's an underwater campfire.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/{{Spliced}}''
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/{{Superjail}}''
%% ** ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' literally has the universe run on this in the form of spiral energy.
%% ** ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'', originally ''Fantastic'', eventually steps into this category.
%% ** ''WesternAnimation/UncleGrandpa''
%% ** ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''
%% ** WidgetSeries (e.g. ''Manga/ExcelSaga'', ''Anime/PaniPoniDash'', ''Anime/PuniPuniPoemi'' and ''Manga/BoboboboBobobo'')
%% ** ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess''
%% ** ''VideoGame/YumeNikki''

** Most of Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s franchises, and certainly their most successful ones, reside on the border of Fantastic and Surreal. The {{Funny Animal}}s of ''Franchise/DonkeyKong'' and ''VideoGame/StarFox'', the [[StandardFantasySetting fantasy kingdoms]] of ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' and ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the far-futures and alien worlds of ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'', and ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'', and the odd characters of ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' make up the list of notables.

** ''Animation/HappyHeroes'' takes place in outer space, usually on the futuristic Planet Xing which is inhabited by HumanAliens, {{Ridiculously Human Robot}}s, [[EverythingsBetterWithCows anthropomorphic cows]], and [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs nonanthropomorphic dinosaurs]]. It's primarily science fiction with lots of comedy, but in one season those two elements are [[WizardsFromOuterSpace brought along to a medieval fantasy world]], complete with a wizard as an ArcVillain.

** The ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series. The tale of the three brothers, with Death itself acting as a character, takes it a little further into surreal, and is implied to be mythical even in the context of the series.

** ''Literature/WarriorCats'' focuses on {{Partially Civilized|Animals}} feral cats who are capable of running a MouseWorld-type society. While there are several fantastic elements such as [[CatsHaveNineLives leaders having nine lives]], they are kept to the cats themselves, not affecting most of the other species.

** In ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'', Calvin has an anthropomorphic tiger friend who is seen by others as an inanimate stuffed tiger, and often imagines himself on fantastic adventures in {{Fantasy Sequences}}. Outside of his imagination realm, life is pretty realistic. However, there are some MaybeMagicMaybeMundane situations that would land the strip in Unusual if they weren't ambiguous, such as the Calvin clones interacting with his parents and ambiguity of Hobbes' realness.