History Main / ThematicSeries

* The ''Anime/RobotRomanceTrilogy'' consists of three different anime, each about a group of teenagers (or singular teen in ''Anime/{{Daimos}}''' case) piloting a SuperRobot to defeat an empire of evil aliens led by an AlienPrince. While the first installment is aimed at a younger audience, the second and third are DarkerAndEdgier and don't shy away from showing how WarIsHell.

* Zig-zagged with the ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' series. The [[VideoGame/DragonQuestI first]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestII three]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIII games]] were a trilogy, and the [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIV next]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestV three]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestVI games]] were another, albeit loosely connected and [[AnachronicOrder out-of-order]], trilogy. ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'' was the first entry to be completely standalone, and while some of the subsequent titles, like ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestIX IX]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestX X]]'', followed suit, ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII VIII]]'' seems to affirm the existence of a multiverse a la ''Final Fantasy'' with the endgame reveal that [[spoiler:the Godbird Empyrea is Ramia, the legendary Everbird (and [[PowerUpMount your party's means of aerial transportation]]) from ''III'', having crossed dimensions (and no longer able to return to her home)]], whereas ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestXI XI]]'' [[spoiler:is set in the same world as the original trilogy, [[StealthSequel albeit in the distant past]]]].

** The saga that started with ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' is a mixed bag. The trilogy of ''XIII'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'', and ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'' are all directly related to each other as sequels. However, there is also ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' and its companion piece ''Final Fantasy Agito'', which are related to each other but only thematically to the ''XIII'' arc (originally called ''Agito XIII''). Then there is ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'', which was originally called ''Versus XIII'', and is a standalone piece but also thematically linked to the others. All of these together are called the "''Franchise/FabulaNovaCrystallisFinalFantasy Project''", which is the overarching thematic series tying all of them together with a lightly linked mythological undercurrent.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': [[ZigZaggedTrope Zig-zagged]]. The main series is structured within a [[AlternateTimeline branching timeline]], with Link and Zelda regularly reincarnating or having direct descendants. While some entries do share the same Link and Zelda (with most Links getting at least two games to their name), most installments are distant sequels/prequels to others and are disconnected narratively outside the franchise's broader mythology.

** A closer look at the greater cosmology of the series arguably paints ''Shin Megami Tensei'' as [[ZigZaggedTrope a zig-zag]]. A major event in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' actually causes the timeline to splinter, with one branch leading to ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'' (plus [[VideoGame/GitenMegamiTensei two]] [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiNine or]] [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiImagine three]] other {{Alternate Timeline}}s) and the other leading to ''VideoGame/DevilSummoner'' and ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIf'' (and ''Persona'' by proxy). Furthermore, [[spoiler:the ''Raidou Kuzunoha'' duology may have erased the ''SMT I'' timeline by means of CosmicRetcon]], while ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' and [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIVApocalypse its follow-up]] appear to follow a revised/altered version of [[spoiler:the Great Cataclysm]]. As such, despite the oftentimes loose narrative ties between sequels, this means a large portion of the series falls into (some permutation of) either branch, though there are more than a few notable exceptions. [[labelnote:ex.]]''VideoGame/LastBible'', ''VideoGame/DevilChildren'', ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'', ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'' (itself a thematic series), ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiLiberationDx2 Liberation Dx2]]'', and [[AmbiguousSituation possibly]] ''VideoGame/MajinTensei'' (which likewise qualifies for this trope, as none of its installments share any kind of direct continuity).[[/labelnote]] Additionally, several games hint at or outright mention [[TheMultiverse a multiverse]] and the PowersThatBe, such as ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' offering insight about the universe's constant cycle of death and rebirth (with various exchanges suggesting this process takes place in every universe) or a DLC quest in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIVApocalypse'' seeing [[spoiler:the protagonist team up with ([[AlternateSelf alternate versions of]]) the heroes from the preceding four mainline installments]].

* The Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon is arguably one on a very grand scale. While few of the films in the list are direct sequels to previous ones, they have many traits in common with each other, such as character archetypes, visual motifs, narrative structures, and themes, to the point that people have coined the phrase "Disney formula" for many of the studio's works, as well as their imitators. Many of the same animators, directors, and voice actors have also contributed to quite a few projects throughout the company's history. The lineup can be [[Recap/DisneyAnimatedCanon further divided into various eras in time]], such as the Silver Age of the 50's and 60's and the Rennaisance of the 90's. In addition to the infinite levels of merchandise that show various characters together, there have been several massive {{Crossover}} works, such as the ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse'' television series, the ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'' video game franchise, and the short film ''WesternAnimation/OnceUponAStudio''.

* Eric Rohmer, a French director most famous for being part of the ''Cahiers du Cinéma'' group that was the core of the MediaNotes/FrenchNewWave, did this often. Most of his famous films come from one of several thematic series, which shared no plot threads but were linked by a common theme. These series were:

* French screenwriters Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte, producer Dimitri Rassam are adapting classics of FrenchLiterature with modern cinematic flair starting with Creator/AlexandreDumas' well known novels. So far there's the duology ''Film/{{The Three Musketeers|2023}}'' and ''Film/{{The Count of Monte Cristo|2024}}''.

* Creator/LarsVonTrier had the ''Golden Hearts Trilogy'', which consisted of ''Film/TheIdiots'', ''Film/BreakingTheWaves'', and ''Film/DancerInTheDark''. All three movies are part of the MediaNotes/{{Dogme 95}} movement and involve BreakTheCutie plots. Three of his later works, ''Film/{{Antichrist}}'', ''Film/{{Melancholia}}'' and ''Film/{{Nymphomaniac}}'', also form the "Depression Trilogy", all starring Charlotte Gainsbourg.

* Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo's ''ComicBook/LexLuthorManOfSteel'' (re-released as simply ''Luthor'') and ''Comicbook/{{Joker}}'' are this. They don't directly link to each other, but they're both dark and deconstructive takes on the main antagonists of Franchise/{{Superman}} and Franchise/{{Batman}} respectively as presented largely from their perspectives, with the heroes present only as dark, shadowy and ominous figures.

* Eric Rohmer, a French director most famous for being part of the ''Cahiers du Cinéma'' group that was the core of the UsefulNotes/FrenchNewWave, did this often. Most of his famous films come from one of several thematic series, which shared no plot threads but were linked by a common theme. These series were:

* Creator/LarsVonTrier had the ''Golden Hearts Trilogy'', which consisted of ''Film/TheIdiots'', ''Film/BreakingTheWaves'', and ''Film/DancerInTheDark''. All three movies are part of the UsefulNotes/{{Dogme 95}} movement and involve BreakTheCutie plots. Three of his later works, ''Film/{{Antichrist}}'', ''Film/{{Melancholia}}'' and ''Film/{{Nymphomaniac}}'', also form the "Depression Trilogy", all starring Charlotte Gainsbourg.

* Creator/FromSoftware's "Soulsborne" series, consisting of ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'', the ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' trilogy, ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'', and ''VideoGame/EldenRing''. Though the series currently spans six games, four separate continuities, and two different publishers[[note]][[Creator/SIEJapanStudio SCE Japan Studio]] and Creator/{{Bandai Namco|Entertainment}} depending on the title[[/note]], all of the games do share certain recurring motifs and thematic elements, most notably the cyclical EternalRecurrence of some cataclysmic event and the chance for the PlayerCharacter to make a single choice towards the end of the game that decides the outcome of said event and if/how the cycle should continue.

** A closer look at the greater cosmology of the series arguably paints ''Shin Megami Tensei'' as [[ZigZaggedTrope a zig-zag]]. A major event in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' actually causes the timeline to splinter, with one branch leading to ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'' (plus [[VideoGame/GitenMegamiTensei two]] [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiNine or]] [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiImagine three]] other {{Alternate Timeline}}s) and the other leading to ''VideoGame/DevilSummoner'' and ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIf'' (and ''Persona'' by proxy). Furthermore, [[spoiler:the ''Raidou Kuzunoha'' duology may have erased the ''SMT I'' timeline by means of CosmicRetcon]], while ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' and [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIVApocalypse its follow-up]] appear to follow a revised/altered version of [[spoiler:the Great Cataclysm]]. As such, despite the oftentimes loose narrative ties between sequels, this means a large portion of the series falls into (some permutation of) either branch, though there are more than a few notable exceptions. [[labelnote:ex.]]''VideoGame/LastBible'', ''VideoGame/DevilChildren'', ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'', ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'' (itself a thematic series), ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiLiberationDx2 Liberation Dx2]]'', and [[AmbiguousSituation possibly]] ''VideoGame/MajinTensei'' (which likewise qualifies for this trope).[[/labelnote]] Additionally, several games hint at or outright mention [[TheMultiverse a multiverse]] and the PowersThatBe, such as ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' offering insight about the universe's constant cycle of death and rebirth (with various exchanges suggesting this process takes place in every universe) or a DLC quest in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIVApocalypse'' seeing [[spoiler:the protagonist team up with ([[AlternateSelf alternate versions of]]) the heroes from the preceding four mainline installments]].

* The Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon is arguably one on a very grand scale. While few of the films in the list are direct sequels to previous ones, they have many traits in common with each other, such as character archetypes, visual motifs, narrative structures, and themes, to the point that people have coined the phrase "Disney formula" for many of the studio's works, as well as their imitators. Many of the same animators, directors, and voice actors have also contributed to quite a few projects throughout the company's history. The lineup can be [[Recap/DisneyAnimatedCanon further divided into various eras in time]], such as the Silver Age of the 50's and 60's and the Rennaisance of the 90's. In addition to the infinite levels of merchandise that show various characters together, there have been several massive Crossover works, such as the ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse'' television series, the ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'' video game franchise, and the short film ''WesternAnimation/OnceUponAStudio''.

* The Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanonis arguably one on a very grand scale. While few of the films in the list are direct sequels to previous ones, they have many traits in common with each other, such as character archetypes, visual motifs, narrative structures, and themes, to the point that people have coined the phrase "Disney formula" for many of the studio's works, as well as their imitators. Many of the same animators, directors, and voice actors have also contributed to quite a few projects throughout the company's history. The lineup can be [[Recap/DisneyAnimatedCanon further divided into various eras in time]], such as the Silver Age of the 50's and 60's and the Rennaisance of the 90's. In addition to the infinite levels of merchandise that show various characters together, there have been several massive Crossover works, such as the ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse'' television series, the ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'' video game franchise, and the short film ''WesternAnimation/OnceUponAStudio''.

* The DisneyAnimatedCanon is arguably one on a very grand scale. While few of the films in the list are direct sequels to previous ones, they have many traits in common with each other, such as character archetypes, visual motifs, narrative structures, and themes, to the point that people have coined the phrase "Disney formula" for many of the studio's works, as well as their imitators. Many of the same animators, directors, and voice actors have also contributed to quite a few projects throughout the company's history. The lineup can be [[Recap/DisneyAnimatedCanon further divided into various eras in time]], such as the Silver Age of the 50's and 60's and the Rennaisance of the 90's. In addition to the infinite levels of merchandise that show various characters together, there have been several massive Crossover works, such as the ''WesternAnimation/HouseofMouse'' television series, the ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'' video game franchise, and the short film ''WesternAnimation/OnceUponaStudio''.

* The ''Anime/RobotRomanceTrilogy'' consists of three different anime, each about a group of teenagers (or singular teen in ''Anime/ToshoDaimos'''s case) piloting a SuperRobot to defeat an empire of evil aliens led by an AlienPrince. While the first installment is aimed at a younger audience, the second and third are DarkerAndEdgier and don't shy away from showing how WarIsHell.

* The book series of ''Literature/TheRing'' applies to this, with each entry following a different perspective on the ring deaths: ''Ring'' is reporter Asakawa investigating the tape deaths; ''Spiral'' is coroner Ando's finding the death patterns and explaining them; ''Loop'' is student Kaoru uncovering the "LOOP Project" that connects everything; ''Birthday'' explores [[ForWantOfANail secondary-yet-vital]] characters tied to the series; and ''S'' provides [[PerspectiveFlip Sadako's perspective]] on things.

* Creator/OliverStone has his [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam War]] trilogy, consisting of ''Film/{{Platoon}}'', ''Literature/BornOnTheFourthOfJuly'', and ''Film/HeavenAndEarth''.

[[caption-width-right:350:From left to right:''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfKells'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Wolfwalkers}}'', and ''WesternAnimation/SongOfTheSea''.]]

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thank you!

%% Also a reminder that Examples Are Not Recent; certain entries will need to be periodically updated.

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* Irish animation studio Creator/CartoonSaloon has the "Irish Folklore Trilogy" of animated films directed by Tomm Moore, consisting of ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfKells'', ''WesternAnimation/SongOfTheSea'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Wolfwalkers}}''. While the films' stories and characters are different and are set during different time periods, they all take place in Ireland and focus on similar themes of Irish folklore, [[GhibliHills the beauty of nature outside of civilization]], and the decline of older Irish traditions and beliefs. It's implied that they take place in the same universe as well, with Aisling from ''The Secret of Kells'' making a brief cameo in ''Song of the Sea''.

* Zig-zagged with the ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' series. The [[VideoGame/DragonQuestI first]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestII three]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIII games]] were a trilogy, and the [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIV next]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestV three]] [[VideoGame/DragonQuestVI games]] were another, albeit loosely connected and [[AnachronicOrder out-of-order]], trilogy. ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'' was the first entry to be completely standalone, and while some of the subsequent titles, like ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestIX IX]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestX X]]'', followed suit, ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII VIII]]'' seems to affirm the existence of a multiverse a la ''Final Fantasy'' with the endgame reveal that [[spoiler:the Godbird Empyrea is Lamia from ''III'', having crossed dimensions (and no longer able to return to her home)]], whereas ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestXI XI]]'' [[spoiler:is set in the same world as the original trilogy, [[StealthSequel albeit in the distant past]]]].

* ''VideoGame/TrueCrimeStreetsOfLA'' zig-zagged this. Though it was intended to continue as a thematic series, due to Nick Kang's popularity with fans and developers, he was to be revisited in the installment following ''VideoGame/TrueCrimeNewYorkCity''. But the series was cancelled, then later moved to another company and restarted as SpiritualSuccessor ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs''.

* Creator/DarrenAronofsky's ''Film/TheWrestler'' was planned to be one movie with ''Film/BlackSwan'', being a love affair story between a wrestler and a ballet dancer before it split off into two movies that get along as two perfect companion pices, being known by many as the Obsessed Artist Double feature. Quoth Aronofsky:

* Creator/DarrenAronofsky's ''Film/TheWrestler'' was planned to be one movie with ''Film/BlackSwan'', being a love affair story between a wrestler and a ballet dancer before it split off into two movies that get along as two perfect companion pices, being known by many as the Obsessed Artist Double feature. Quoth Aronofky:

** Meanwhile, ''VideoGame/FireEmblemEngage'' bears a certain similarity to mobile spin-off ''Heroes'' in that the new generation protagonist [[IntraFranchiseCrossover can team up with other heroes from series history]], only this time a) the crossover aspect of the game is canonical and plot-important and b) it's the [[OurGhostsAreDifferent spirits]] of said ''FE'' heroes doing the assisting.

* Books in Creator/MaryGrahamBonner's ''Magic'' series (which started with ''The Magic Map'' in 1925) generally have nothing to do with each other (aside from a few [[ContinuityNod Continuity Nods]] and ''Journeys'' being a direct sequel to ''Map''), but all involve seemingly ordinary kids stumbling in to fantastical places and adventures and coming out of them [[EdutainmentShow better educated about some aspect of the world]].

* Books in Creator/MaryGrahamBonner's ''Magic'' series, which started with ''The Magic Map'' generally have nothing to do with each other (aside from a few [[ContinuityNod Continuity Nods]] and ''Journeys'' being a direct sequel to ''Map''), but all involve seemingly ordinary kids stumbling in to fantastical places and adventures and coming out of them [[EdutainmentShow better educated about some aspect of the world]].