History Main / Soaperizing

* [[http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/tag/marvel+adventures:+avengers Marvel Adventures: Avengers]] turned away from saving-the-world plots to focus more on filling up lazy afternoons with activities like showing up at a country fair, chasing down spammers, dating, and pestering each other. Maybe not melodrama so much as passing the time.

It's not uncommon for such series to [[{{Filler}} "take a break"]] from the normal heroics to have an episode of pure characterization (ComicBook fans have long nicknamed these "baseball issues") or to eschew the heroics/doctoring/detecting entirely in favor of other soap opera staples like the SoapWheel and FourLinesAllWaiting. In the case of [[strike:soaperheroes]] superheroes, part of the drama will derive from separating hero and civilian identities with [[YouCannotPleaseEveryone romantic complications.]] Anime [[BeachEpisode beach episodes]], when not entirely devoted to {{Fanservice}}, can be a form of this trope.

* ''Series/StargateUniverse'' is sometimes accused of this (and, tellingly, is also accused at times of being a ''BattlestarGalactica'' ripoff).

* The third and fourth series of ''WarriorCats'' have been described this way by fans, since there's really no antagonist and no overarching conflict (until partway through the fourth series).

* ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration,'' though it's usually NegativeSpaceWedgie [[MonsterOfTheWeek Of The Week]].

A non-SoapOpera narrative with special interest in the relationships of the characters rather than their heroic exploits. This trope can apply to any work of fiction: a {{Vampire Detective Series}}, a HumongousMecha {{Anime}}, a [[HistoricalFiction historical]] {{thriller}}, or what-have-you. Movies and television which invent all-new superheroes quite often take this route (either that or they go the "realistic" route, [[NotWearingTights without costumes]]). Usually it has a [[LighterAndFluffier "softer"]] feel and much more screen time devoted to getting to know the characters and their individual strengths and foibles and on their "civilian" activities. Relationships change and develop over time, and much of the show's driving force comes not from plot but [[strike:{{Melodrama}}]] simple interactions.

** Some would say yes. ''EurekaSeven's'' first half certainly thinks so, and the middle section of ''{{RahXephon}}'' also has these traits

* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', at first anyway. The third season so far seems to be focusing almost entirely on superheroics.

** The pub specifically has a "No Powers" rule.
** Also ''{{My Hero}}''. He performs heroics, but never on camera.

* ''Series/StargateUniverse'' is sometimes accused of this (and, tellingly, is also accused at times of being a ''BattlestarGalactica'' ripoff).

* ''[[TwentyFour 24]]''. Whenever there's a couple real-time minutes to fill between Jack's latest action scene or torture technique? You can bet someone in either CTU in the White House be interrupting all their important business to talk about a coworker's feelings.

[[AC: VideoGames]]

[[AC: {{Webcomics}}]]

* ''{{Empowered}}'' and ''{{Ultra}}'' come to mind.

----

* A lot of Anime fit this description. ''CardCaptorSakura'' comes to mind, quite a few episodes of the Anime had no action at all.

<<|DramaTropes|>>

* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', at first anyway. The third season so far seems to be focusing almost entirely on superheroics. YourMileageMayVary on whether that's good or not.

** Its prequel/spin-off series, ''{{Caprica}}'', shifts even further in the direction of soap opera / family-based drama, while retaining a penchant for larger dramatic themes. The result is a very different show; as usual, [[YourMileageMayVary your mileage may vary]] on whether it's better, worse, or merely different.
* ''Series/StargateUniverse'' is sometimes accused of this (and, tellingly, is also accused at times of being a ''BattlestarGalactica'' ripoff). This was somewhat accurate early on, but in the second season it's started to move away from this, though [[YourMileageMayVary your mileage may vary]].

* ''StargateUniverse'' is sometimes accused of this (and, tellingly, is also accused at times of being a ''BattlestarGalactica'' ripoff). This was somewhat accurate early on, but in the second season it's started to move away from this, though [[YourMileageMayVary your mileage may vary]].

* Techincally, this is part game mechanic for ''ShinMegamiTensi'' ''{{Persona 3}}'' and ''{{Persona 4}}'' as the player not only goes through an ActionRPG with DatingSim elements. And it's become a CashCowFranchise and brought Atlus into the mainstream english videogame market.

* ''BattlestarGalactica'': Half of its plots revolve around interpersonal relationships, [[ExecutiveMeddling though they went overboard with it in the latter half of season two and third quarter of season three.]] They pulled a few superb conclusions to those seasons to make up for the dip in form luckily enough, and the show was at its best mixing genres and usually had the balance right.

* [[http://www.superstupor.com/index.html Super Stupor]]. In the words of the writer: 'It's about heroes and villains in their everyday lives. Really, that's it. '

* Gundam SEED; to the point where it was practically formulaic to have one episode with action followed by an episode with nothing but soap.

* ''StargateUniverse" is sometimes accused of this (and, tellingly, is also accused at times of being a ''BattlestarGalactica'' ripoff). This was somewhat accurate early on, but in the second season it's started to move away from this, though [[YourMileageMayVary your mileage may vary]].

A non-SoapOpera narrative with special interest in the relationships of the characters rather than their heroic exploits. Can be SpeculativeFiction, a VampireDetectiveSeries, {{Anime}}, or what have you. Movies and television which invent all-new superheroes quite often take this route (either that or they go the "realistic" route, [[NotWearingTights without costumes]]). Usually it has a [[LighterAndFluffier "softer"]] feel and much more screen time devoted to getting to know the characters and their individual strengths and foibles and on their "civilian" activities. Relationships change and develop over time, and much of the show's driving force comes not from plot but [[strike:{{Melodrama}}]] simple interactions.

** Some would say yes. EurekaSeven's first half certainly thinks so, and the middle section of RahXephon also has these traits

* RozenMaiden. Given that this is pretty much a {{Moe}} series, it's not surprising.

** Some would say yes. EurekaSeven's first half certainly thinks so, and thge middle section of RahXephon also has these traits

* [[http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/tag/marvel+adventures:+avengers Marvel Adventures: Avengers]] has, of late, turned away from saving-the-world plots to focus more on filling up lazy afternoons with activities like showing up at a country fair, chasing down spammers, dating, and pestering each other. Maybe not melodrama so much as passing the time.

* ''{{Comicbook/Hulk}}'', especially in TheSeventies and early Eighties.

* ProfessionalWrestling has often been called "Soap Operas for guys."

* ''Comicbook/Hulk'', especially in TheSeventies and early Eighties.