Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / BlueIsCalm

Go To

1%% Image chosen via crowner in the Image Suggestions thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/crowner.php/ImagePickin/ImageSuggestions149
2%% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1452266899092104700
3%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.
4%%
5[[quoteright:350:[[Film/Moonlight2016 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/moonlight_blue.png]]]]
6
7In color theory, [[blue:blue]] is primarily associated with calmness, peace, and serenity. It reminds us of the open sky and waters, which in turn bring to mind steadiness and restfulness.
8
9A story can utilize this association in many ways. A character or group associated with peace may wear blue to represent their ideals or the group's MellowFellow is [[ColorMotif strongly associated with the color]]. A quiet scene can be [[MoodLighting lit with the color blue]] or a place intended to be relaxing can prominently feature the color. Another common way is to pair this trope with WaterIsBlue, since water has similar associations with calmness and serenity -- someone [[ElementalMotifs associated with water]] thus has [[PersonalityPowers a calm personality]].
10
11Compare HeavenlyBlue, which pairs the divine with the color blue, and TrueBlueFemininity, where women (who were historically [[WomenAreWiser expected to be cool-headed and down-to-earth]] compared to men) wear blue. Also compare BlueMeansCold, which has a similar connotation since the cold itself is associated with calm, silence, and loneliness, and BlueMeansSmartOne, where blue is associated with intellect, wisdom, and insight. Tropes like IcyBlueEyes may fall into both. See also BlueTropes. When blue represents melancholy/sadness in addition to calmness, see ColorCodedEmotions.
12
13Contrast RedIsViolent and VibrantOrange. This trope is a big reason RedOniBlueOni is named so; a calm/stoic blue character might be paired with an energetic warm-colored character: for example, the HotBlooded [[TheHero hero]] and the cool-headed [[TheLancer lancer]].
14----
15!!Examples:
16[[foldercontrol]]
17
18[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
19* Ao Manaka in ''Manga/AsteroidInLove'' is designed upon a blue ColorMotif--her name means "blue" to begin with--and true to this trope, she is [[TheQuietOne quiet]], demure, [[OnlySaneMan level-headed]], and intelligent, in contrast with her BestFriend [[VibrantOrange Mira]].
20* When a strip in the art {{edutainment}} manga ''Manga/GAGeijutsukaArtDesignClass'' {{discusse|dTrope}}s the colour blue, Namiko complained she has been tired lately, probably due to the stress of being the OnlySaneMan of the cast. MsExposition Miyabi suggests the colour blue is effective in cases like that. In the next frame, we see Namiko sitting under a blue sky, and certainly, she is able to calm down and relax with the colour. Sadly the [[MomentKiller moment is killed]] by [[GenkiGirl Tomokane and Nodamiki]] squeeing at the blue sea.
21* Magia Azul in ''Gushing Over Magical Girls'' zigzags this trope. She is the most stoic and composed member of Tres Magia although her [[TooKinkyToTorture innermost desires]] don't reflect this at all.
22* Oskar von Reuenthal is associated with the color blue in the OVA version of ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes''. He is less likely to jump into a scrap than his best friend, Wolfgang Mittermeyer (who is associated with Red). Reuenthal is, however, more likely to kill you once you get him mad.
23* Diana Cavendish from ''Franchise/LittleWitchAcademia'' is TheStoic who is very aloof, calm and rational compared to the rest of her peers. Fittingly, she is also frequently associated with the color blue, as she has IcyBlueEyes and much of her attire is colored blue, including the ribbon on her school uniform.
24* In ''Anime/PrettyCure'', blue Cures are traditionally the most mature, demure, and intelligent members of their teams, and are usually seated next to a GenkiGirl PinkHeroine to serve as the BlueOni to her RedOni.
25** ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5'': Karen Minazuki/Cure Aqua, who is the designated blue Cure, is the oldest and most mature teammate, the StudentCouncilPresident, and is called the Pretty Cure of Intelligence.
26** ''Anime/SmilePrecure'': Like Karen above, Reika Aoki/Cure Beauty, the team's blue Cure, is the smartest, the student (vice-)council president, and generally the most graceful and level-headed of the team.
27** ''Anime/DokiDokiPrecure'': Rikka Hishikawa/Cure Diamond, the blue Cure, is the team's voice of reason, and the more relaxed secretary to the energetic Mana's president.
28** ''Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure'': Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid, the blue Cure, is the most mature and graceful member of the team.
29** ''Anime/HugttoPrettyCure'': Saaya Yakushiji/Cure Ange is the mature and gentle blue partner to the pink GenkiGirl Hana/Cure Yell, usually keeping her in line. [[spoiler:In the future, she delivers Hana's daughter Hagumi in a calm manner, while Hana is [[ScreamingBirth screaming in pain]].]]
30** ''Anime/HealinGoodPrettyCure'': Like Saaya above, Chiyu Sawaizumi/Cure Fontaine is a gentle blue partner, but is more equal to her pink partner Nodoka/Cure Grace.
31** ''Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure'': Kokone Fuwa/Cure Spicy, the blue Cure, is much more stoic than the pink Yui/Cure Precious and the yellow Ran/Cure Yum-Yum.
32** Inversions: ''Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure'' and ''Anime/HirogaruSkyPrettyCure'' star a GenkiGirl blue Cure along a gentle pink Cure, while ''Anime/FreshPrettyCure'', ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'', ''Anime/StarTwinklePrettyCure'', ''Anime/TropicalRougePrettyCure'', and ''Anime/WonderfulPrettyCure'' star more haughty/snarky blue Cures.
33* In ''Anime/SailorMoon'', Ami's signature color is blue, befitting her calm, quiet, and intelligent personality.
34* Hiyori in ''Manga/SlowLoop'' {{exploit|edtrope}}s this trope. She is fond of the ocean for its cathartic properties, being fond of visiting the breakwater and gazing upon the horizon whenever she becomes nervous or stressed.
35* The YuriGenre manga ''Manga/WhoDecidedThatBluesHadToBeCool!?'' stars a closeted {{Otaku}} schoolgirl Azusa who becomes Pure Azurite -- a MagicalGirl of the "blue" archetype, i.e. an aloof and [[TheStoic stoic]] close-range fighter. While Azusa is exceptionally good at projecting just that image when [[HenshinHero transformed]], her muggle personality is, on the contrary, vain, fussy, and obsessive, with the gap between the two causing her considerable anguish (though it's mostly PlayedForLaughs) -- especially since she was really hoping to be cast as the [[TheHeart personable]] [[PinkMeansFeminine "pink" archetype]].
36[[/folder]]
37
38[[folder:Animation]]
39* ''Animation/{{BoBoiBoy}}'': The titular hero's [[MakingASplash water elemental]] wears bright blue, and is the most laid-back and relaxed elemental. In both the original and Galaxy series, [=BoBoiBoy=] Water is summoned by the hero achieving inner peace. However, in the original series, he was calm to a fault, and his laziness constantly got in the way. His Galaxy version seems to have outgrown this, and is now one of the most mature elementals while still retaining his relaxed attitude.
40[[/folder]]
41
42[[folder:Arts]]
43* ''Art/OniEmbodiments'': "Um" is blue all over and holds a contemplative, [[TheStoic restrained]] pose; resting its hands on its club, closing its eyes, and leaning its head down.
44[[/folder]]
45
46[[folder:Board Games]]
47* ''TabletopGame/ResArcana'''s "Calm" element is [[ColorCodedElements color-coded blue]].
48[[/folder]]
49
50[[folder:Comic Books]]
51* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'':
52** Batman sometimes has a blue batsuit (especially the cape and cowl) in some iterations. He tends to be more... stable, when he's depicted in that one (albeit not always).
53** ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'s traditional costume uses a prominent blue trim, symbolizing his more level-headed attitude in comparison to Batman.
54[[/folder]]
55
56[[folder:Fan Works]]
57* Fanfic/TheKedaboryVerse:
58** Various ''Encanto'' fanfics: Stefanie, the oldest of the Northern Sisters and a levelheaded TeamMom, wears a bluish-green dress. While her sisters wear more vibrant shades of green to match with their adoptive father Bruno, Stefanie's is a more blue shade to mirror her connection to the similarly wise Julieta.
59** ''Fanfic/EverydayCrazinessInPontypandy'': Svetlana, the coolheaded, graceful dancer, mainly wears blue across her several outfits. By contrast, her snarky, tomboyish girlfriend Gabby mainly wears pink or orange.
60** ''Fanfic/JuniorOfficers'': After her CharacterDevelopment to become calmer and more mature, Deborah switches from a purple sleeveless dress to a blue long-sleeved dress.
61** ''Fanfic/SeraphinasTeaQuest'': Seraphina, an elegant and wise fairy, is mainly associated with the colour blue, even though the specifics of her appearance is rarely commented on.
62[[/folder]]
63
64[[folder:Film - Animation]]
65* Zigzagged ''WesternAnimation/BarbieInTheTwelveDancingPrincesses'', the calmest of the princesses, bookworm Courtney, wears a royal-blue dress, but her more rambunctious sisters, Hadley and Janessa, wear blue as well.
66* Zigzagged in ''WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}}''. Julieta, the wise, caring, gentle chef, wears blue, but so do the klutzy Agustin, the tough-but-sweet Luisa, and the bubbly Mirabel.
67* In ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'', when Princess Aurora returns to the kingdom on her sixteenth birthday, she is wearing a blue dress. During this time, while she is sad, she takes the change with a stiff upper lip, and remains relatively cool for the remainder of the movie, as this is when she falls into her deep sleep.
68[[/folder]]
69
70[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
71* ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'': When the bioluminescent LivingMoodRing Mothra hatches as a larva, blue light signifies that she's calm and placid when the ORCA soothes her, in contrast to the [[RedIsViolent red glow]] which signifies she's aggravated. Alan Jonah meanwhile is a cold-blooded MisanthropeSupreme who has IcyBlueEyes from [[Creator/CharlesDance his actor]]. {{Inverted}} big time with the marine Godzilla: his atomic powers produce a blue light when he's using them to ferociously kick his enemies' asses, and at one point even when he's just feeling agitated.
72* ''Film/Moonlight2016'': The beach scene where Juan gives Chiron a SymbolicBaptism that fundamentally changes Chiron is lit with blue, giving the scene calm and weighted importance.
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder:Literature]]
76* ''Literature/{{Divergent}}'': The Erudite faction is associated with the colour blue and each member must wear at least one article of blue clothing per day, as it is a "calming color that helps stimulate the brain".
77* ''Literature/RainbowMagic'': [[Literature/RainbowMagicSkyTheBlueFairy Sky the Blue Fairy]], as her name suggests, protects the colour blue from disappearing from the rainbow. She has a gentle, meek personality.
78* ''Literature/TheWishList'': When Meg first wakes up in the afterlife, she initially thinks she might be in a hospital because of all the blue, since hospitals use it for a calming effect.
79--> Her initial impression was blue. A lot of blue. Still, don't panic. You get blue in hospitals. A soothing colour.
80[[/folder]]
81
82[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
83* In a ''Series/HappyDays'' episode, Fonzie was having difficulty controlling his temper. He gotten a promotion at work that took him out of the mechanic's role he had been in, where he worked out a lot of his frustrations with hammering, turning wrenches, etc. The new job meant he couldn't do that, so he began fighting more because his temper was so short. Richie figured out what was going on, and had him take up the hobby of building birdhouses, where the hammering and pounding could relieve his stress. Fonzie became more relaxed, giving his leather jacket to Joanie and wearing a blue t-shirt instead of his usual white one.
84--> '''Richie''': Hey, a blue t-shirt?
85--> '''Fonzie''': Yeah! A nice, ''calm'' blue.
86* In one ''Series/HiFive'' song, the singer links [[ColorfulSong colours]] to [[SongOfManyEmotions emotions]]. She links blue with serenity.
87* [[TheSpock Mr. Spock]] of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' wears a blue shirt (the color of the science department) and is the most emotionally-restrained member of the crew (save for those times when something compromises his EmotionSuppression).
88* ''Series/UltramanCosmos'': The titular Ultra's primary form has him decked in silver and light blue. Aside from showing his [[BlueIsHeroic heroism]], Cosmos' blue color also reflects his pacifist nature, as he prefers calm and peaceful solutions in solving conflicts with kaiju.
89* In ''Series/TheXFiles'' episode "[[Recap/TheXFilesS03E17Pusher Pusher]]", Pusher was arrested and put in a police car. He says that the uniform is a nice shade of blue, a type of sky blue, eventually calling it cerulean blue - then saying that it's a gentle breeze. This was used to hypnotize the driver of the police car and prevent him from seeing an incoming truck of the same color.
90[[/folder]]
91
92[[folder:Music]]
93* "Blue Skies" by Music/IrvingBerlin (CoveredUp by Music/BingCrosby, Music/WillieNelson and others) extols blue skies and bluebirds as signs that things are looking up.
94* In Music/DavidBowie's song "Sound and Vision" (from ''Music/{{Low|David Bowie album}}'') "blue, blue, electric blue" is the color of the room Bowie goes to escape his anxiety and work out his writer's block.
95[[/folder]]
96
97[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
98* ''TabletopGame/ChroniclesOfDarkness'': Calmness appears as a pale blue light to people with emotional AuraVision powers.
99* The color Blue in ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' pretty much embodies this to a T. It emphasises knowledge, the mind, the calming influence of water and air, strategy and perfection and is opposed to red (representing emotions) and green (representing instincts and tradition). That said, not every Blue character is a a pitch-perfect emotionless person; Tezzeret, for example, has a HairTriggerTemper, but is still Blue thanks to the core motivations of seeking perfection and knowledge.
100[[/folder]]
101
102[[folder:Toys]]
103* ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}'': The Ga-Matoran, being associated with the element of water, were colored various shades of blue and were always portrayed as the calmer, more level-headed inhabitants of the Matoran Universe, in direct contrast to the red-colored Ta-Matoran, who were were associated with fire and often portrayed as brash and quick-to-anger.
104* ''Toys/{{Lalaloopsy}}'': Mittens Fluff 'n' Stuff, a coolheaded girl, and later a GranolaGirl into meditation in the ''Lalaloopsy Girls'' line, has blue hair and wears a blue skirt.
105* ''Toys/MonsterHigh'': Ghoulia Yelps, the most levelheaded and wise of the main girls, has blue hair and blue eyes.
106[[/folder]]
107
108[[folder:Video Games]]
109* ''VideoGame/AnimalRestaurant'': In "Hamster's Diary 3", the hamster wishes to knit a scarf for Tate, and considers making it in blue, as "it's a gentle and quiet color, and it seems like it would fit Tate very well."
110* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': Ann is an ActionGirl who primarily wears [[BlueIsHeroic blue]], is entirely composed wholly calm when facing a variety of threats.
111* ''VideoGame/BugFables'': Leif is an [[AnIcePerson ice magic-wielding]] moth with a very calm, composed and [[TheStoic stoic]] personality, almost always speaking in monotone and very rarely displaying any strong emotion. Fittingly, the primary color of his body and wings is blue, reflecting his [[BlueMeansCold ice powers]] and cool personality.
112* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'': Bethany, the protagonist's younger sister, is the blue oni of the RedOniBlueOni pairing with her twin brother Carver. She has a bright blue background in her icon, and depending on her ultimate fate in the game, may be seen in later acts wearing a blue mage robe. She has easily the calmest and gentlest personality of any character in the game, and is one of the only members of Hawke's group who is universally liked by all the others.
113* ''VideoGame/EnchantedArms'': Toya wears blue, uses [[WaterIsBlue water]] magic, and is calm, composed, and intellectual. For bonus points, [[RedOniBlueOni he contrasts against Atsuma]], a passionate, red-clad fire-user.
114* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'':
115** The Alchemist and Gladiator questlines reveal that the Warrior's aether is naturally a serene blue hue, reflecting their [[TheStoic calm and composed demeanor]] even in the most [[NervesOfSteel tense and hostile situations]] any adventurer can hope to be in. Some of their dialogue options allow you to subvert this, with HotBlooded or goofy responses that can alarm or befuddle those around them.
116** Under her mask, [[spoiler:Athena's]] eyes are the same blue-green as Themis and Venat. When speaking to the Warrior of Light, Athena keeps a measured, almost motherly tone even as she discusses how she [[spoiler:kidnapped Claudien as a "tool" for her ascension to godhood]]. But as the raid series goes on, the extent of her insanity and megalomania make it clear that she's a subversion, as she's unhinged enough to try to [[spoiler:render Etheirys a barren wasteland out of spite]] when her plans are foiled.
117* ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet'': The Royal Magister of Shang Tu is a ReasonableAuthorityFigure with stoic, composed and rational personality, never allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment. Fittingly, his attire is clad primarily in blue colors. This also serves as a contrast to other leaders of Avalice's kingdoms, as Mayor Zao, who wears red, is driven by {{greed}} and [[TheNapoleon has temper as short as his height]], and Prince Dail, who wears green, is a vengeance-driven KnightTemplar (though that's because he was {{brainwashed|And Crazy}} by [[BigBad Lord Brevon]]; otherwise, he's also fairly rational).
118* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': Blue is the color of the Paragon dialog choices, which involve diplomacy, cooperation, and appeals to nonviolence. This contrasts with Renegade choices, which are [[RedIsViolent red]].
119* In ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', the titular [=MegaMan.EXE=] is far calmer and more responsible than his operator, Lan Hikari, who is BrilliantButLazy. Whereas Lan daydreams about food and [[ToBeAMaster rushes off to be the best NetBattler he can be]], Mega Man regularly reminds him to do his homework, often [[ServileSnarker quipping at his expense]].
120* ''VideoGame/Onmyoji2016'': Abe no Seimei's default attire is mostly light blue, reflecting his calm and stoic personality.
121* ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'': Team Mystic's ColorMotif is blue, and they're associated with calm, analysis, and rationality. Their leader Blanche, who wears blue, is much more aloof and stoic than the peppier Candela (of the red-associated Team Valor) and Spark (of the yellow-associated Team Instinct).
122* Sig from ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'' has blue hair and is often seen wearing prominently blue clothing. He's far more calm and stoic compared to his fellow classmates Amitie and Raffina.
123* ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'': There are a couple of examples of SiblingYinYang and RedOniBlueOni where one of the brothers is TheStoic with blue as his main color:
124** Since the fourth game, Sogetsu Kazama, the AloofBigBrother of the HotBlooded Kazuki Kazama, has had blue as his main color (with blue hair and light blue outfit) and managing [[MakingASplash water powers]], contrasting his [[PlayingWithFire literal "hot" brother]].
125** ''[[DistantFinale Warriors Rage]]'' shows the HeroProtagonist Seishiro Kuki as a calm and aloof character, with the blue as his main color antagonizing with his evil adoptive young brother Tohma Kuki, who dresses in [[RedIsViolent red and orange]].
126[[/folder]]
127
128[[folder:Web Comics]]
129* ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'': Undine Wells is strongly associated with the color blue, as seen throughout her costume, hair, and [[PaintingTheMedium speech bubbles]]. She is also the most reasonable and least assertive member of Team Alchemical, and often ends up in the role of a [[TheHeart mediator]] between her friends. Fittingly enough, her power as a MagicalGirl is to [[MakingASplash control water]].
130* DoubleSubverted in ''Webcomic/VillainToKill''. Cassian is even ''more'' irritable following his death due to his grudge against Lampas for killing him and tarnishing his name on false charges. His confusion and rage results him in activating Gangu's villainous powers, which are colored blue and black instead of bright red like his old "Ignition". The Moros informs Cassian that he runs the risk of becoming a bloodthirsty lunatic if he doesn't get a handle on his emotions from now on, forcing Cassian to do a better job of keeping his cool.
131[[/folder]]
132
133[[folder:Western Animation]]
134* ''WesternAnimation/AskTheStoryBots'': Bang is a very relaxed and laid-back [=StoryBot=] that happens to be blue.
135* Zigzagged in ''WesternAnimation/FiremanSam''; the fire station's uniform is primary blue, which is fitting for the cool-headed Sam, Penny, and Ellie, but not so much for the KindheartedSimpleton Elvis or the neurotic Arnold.
136* ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternTheAnimatedSeries'': The Blue Lantern Corps is powered by hope, and the Blue Lantern rings are drawn to those who feel and/or can inspire great hope while maintaining utmost composure.
137* Both the original ''WesternAnimation/{{Muppet Babies|1984}}'' and its [[WesternAnimation/MuppetBabies2018 2018 reboot]] zigzag this; on one hand, MellowFellow Baby Kermit wears a white-and-blue sailor suit (changed to a generic shirt and shorts in the 2018 series), and TeamMom Summer wears a blue sweater. On the other hand, the rambunctious Baby Gonzo has blue fur, and TheKlutz Baby Chef wears a blue shirt.
138* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'':
139** Jet and his parents all wear blue. While they are usually peppy and cheerful, they are rarely angry and stay calm when others get frustrated. The one exception to this was when Zerk provoked Jet in "Whole Lotta Shakin'".
140** Dr. Skelley's entire outfit is varying shades of blue, and she is the calmest and most level-headed of the DSA scientists (Bergs is a coffee addict, Rafferty is a worrier, and Mr. Peterson is....[[SmallNameBigEgo Mr. Peterson]]).
141* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
142** Sapphire, a blue-colored Gem, provides Garnet with her calmer side, [[RedOniBlueOni as opposed to]] [[RedIsViolent Sapphire's hot-headed fusion (and romantic) partner Ruby]]. When she gets into an argument with Ruby, Ruby has frequent angry outbursts, but Sapphire [[BlueMeansCold literally]] freezes up and isolates herself, avoiding conflict until she apologizes to Ruby.
143** Blue Diamond is the most mellow of the Diamond Authority, especially compared to Yellow's authoritarian temper, Pink's immaturity, and [[spoiler:White's tendency towards mind control]]. She has a very deep and soothing voice, and while she is the only one of the Diamonds to openly mourn Pink, her crying is very subdued (though she does project her feelings to other gems around her). [[spoiler:After Era 3, her calm nature is even more present, as she uses her powers to share happiness and soothe other Gems.]]
144* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': Leonardo wears a blue mask in most adaptations and is usually the calm and focused leader of the team.
145* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'': Appropriately, Edward the Blue Engine is a calm-minded and kind-hearted CoolOldGuy. He especially contrasts well with [[RedIsViolent James the Red Engine]].
146[[/folder]]

Top