History Main / TrueArtIsAngsty

Contrast AngstAversion[[note]]where people avoid a work ''because'' it's angsty (though it's not uncommon for the two to overlap)[[/note]], AngstDissonance[[note]]where the angst is overused to the point of becoming annoying or [[{{Narm}} hilarious]] rather than emotionally captivating[[/note]], TooBleakStoppedCaring[[note]]where the angst is so relentless that audiences can no longer anticipate a happy (or at least bittersweet) ending in a story, and subsequently stop caring about said story or its characters[[/note]], and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers[[note]]in which the notion that angst adds realism is mocked by showing how harmful a bleak mindset can be[[/note]].

* In his ''Literature/{{Confessions}}'', young Augustine, like many his age, used to love plays and theatre because seeing characters be so miserable on stage would cause him to feel misery and compassion for them. When he's older and escaped many of his own self-inflicted miseries, Augustine finds his enjoyment of tragic shows pathetic because they let one excuse themselves for their staying in their own miseries.

In these types of stories, [[BlackAndGrayMorality nobody is really]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality the good guy]]. [[DesignatedHero Not even the hero.]] If there are otherwise any nice characters present, you can expect them to get [[KillTheCutie killed off]] sooner or later, or alternatively, suffer a FateWorseThanDeath. If there are [[AudienceSurrogate characters with sympathetic viewpoints]], don't expect their suffering to be the prelude to an [[EarnYourHappyEnding ultimate triumph]] (especially when they work so hard to achieve it). No, they have to [[DownerEnding ultimately fail in the end]]. Not only that, they've got to be ''traumatized for life'', lose everything they hold dear, [[DespairEventHorizon give in to despair]], [[TheHeroDies or even be killed off]], along with their friends and loved ones. Heck, if there are villains around [[HateSink (especially hatable ones)]], why not [[TheBadGuyWins let them win the day]] and have them [[KarmaHoudini get away with their crimes scot-free]]? Maybe even have them prosper over all the good guys while we're at it? Yeah! That ought to drive home [[{{Anvilicious}} the message]] that [[CrapsackWorld LIFE IS SUFFERING]]! [[LifeIsntFair (...and unfair.)]]

* The inciting incident of ''Cold Souls'' has Creator/PaulGiamatti remove his soul to better play the titular role of an Theatre/UncleVanya stage production as the intense material drives him to tears during the middle of rehearsal. Taking out his soul fixes that problem, but it ultimately robs him of the ability to ''act''.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[DarkAndTroubledPast "The butterfly had an abortion as a teenager."]]\\
"Exquisite."]]

Contrast AngstAversion[[note]]where people avoid a work ''because'' it's angsty (though they can overlap)[[/note]], AngstDissonance[[note]]where the angst is overused to the point of becoming annoying or [[{{Narm}} hilarious]] rather than emotionally captivating[[/note]], TooBleakStoppedCaring[[note]]where the angst is so relentless that audiences can no longer anticipate a happy (or at least bittersweet) ending in a story, and subsequently stop caring about said story or its characters[[/note]], and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers[[note]]in which the notion that angst adds realism is mocked by showing how harmful a bleak mindset can be[[/note]].

The experts have spoken! The greatest stories ever written are only ones full of [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids cynicism,]] suffering, injustice, [[{{Tragedy}} tragedy]], and hopelessness. Yes, only the grimmest of tales can effectively [[ContemplateOurNavels explore]] the horrid realities of life itself; like the [[WeAreAsMayflies fragility of]] [[HumansAreFlawed human existence]], the crushing agony of [[LoveHurts love]] and regret, [[TragicDream hopes and dreams never coming to fruition,]] the [[TooHappyToLive utter futility of happiness,]] and other life-defining themes, such as [[ParentalNeglect why mommy never really loved you.]] Therefore, any other story with an unambiguously HappyEnding is just a piece of cheap boring commercial tripe, or even [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical propaganda]]. As for [[ComedyGhetto comedy shows]], they're all just bourgeois garbage.

In these types of stories, [[BlackAndGrayMorality nobody is really]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality the good guy.]] [[DesignatedHero Not even the hero.]] If there are otherwise any nice characters present, you can expect them to get [[KillTheCutie killed off]] sooner or later, or alternatively, suffer a FateWorseThanDeath. If there are [[AudienceSurrogate characters with sympathetic viewpoints,]] don't expect their suffering to be the prelude to an [[EarnYourHappyEnding ultimate triumph]] (especially when they work so hard to achieve it). No, they have to [[DownerEnding ultimately fail in the end.]] Not only that, they've got to be ''traumatized for life,'' lose everything they hold dear, [[DespairEventHorizon give in to despair]] [[TheHeroDies or even be killed off,]] along with their friends and loved ones. Heck, if there are villains around [[HateSink (especially hatable ones)]], why not [[TheBadGuyWins let them win the day]] and have them [[KarmaHoudini get away with their crimes scot-free?]] Maybe even have them prosper over all the good guys while we're at it? Yeah! That ought to drive home [[{{Anvilicious}} the message]] that [[CrapsackWorld LIFE IS SUFFERING!]] [[LifeIsntFair (...and unfair.)]]

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away the more sensitive and idealistic members of the audience,]] and can [[TropesAreTools make a story worse]] when its darkness is too intense to stomach, [[TooBleakStoppedCaring too unadulterated]] to bear, and/or isn't [[{{Narm}} handled with the proper grace]]. Expect accusations of {{Wangst}}, [[OscarBait pandering to the critics]], or [[OvershadowedByControversy intentionally exploiting hot-button topics]] to pop up in discussions about media and creators who adhere to this trope, whether deserved or not.

Contrast AngstAversion, [[note]]where people avoid a work ''because'' it's angsty (though they can overlap).[[/note]] AngstDissonance, [[note]]where the angst is overused to the point of becoming annoying or [[{{Narm}} hilarious]] rather than emotionally captivating.[[/note]] TooBleakStoppedCaring, [[note]]where the angst is so relentless that audiences can no longer anticipate a happy (or at least bittersweet) ending in a story, and subsequently stop caring about said story or its characters.[[/note]] and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers. [[note]]in which the notion that angst adds realism is mocked by showing how harmful a bleak mindset can be.[[/note]]

In these types of stories, [[BlackAndGrayMorality nobody is really]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality the good guy.]] [[DesignatedHero Not even the hero.]] If there are otherwise any nice characters present, you can expect them to get [[KillTheCutie killed off]] sooner or later, or alternatively, suffer a FateWorseThanDeath. If there are [[AudienceSurrogate characters with sympathetic viewpoints,]] don't expect their suffering to be the prelude to an [[EarnYourHappyEnding ultimate triumph]] (especially when they work so hard to achieve it). No, they have to [[DownerEnding ultimately fail in the end.]] Not only that, they've got to be ''traumatized for life,'' lose everything they hold dear, [[DespairEventHorizon give in to despair]] [[TheHeroDies or even be killed off,]] along with their friends and loved ones. Heck, if there are villains around [[HateSink (especially hatable ones)]], why not [[TheBadGuyWins let them win the day]] and have them [[KarmaHoudini get away with their crimes scot-free?]] Maybe even have them prosper over all the good guys while we're at it? Yeah! That ought to drive home [[{{Anvilicious}} the message]] that [[LifeIsntFair life is unfair]] [[CrapsackWorld and cruel.]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

'''June:''' I remember distinctly. First, you got drunk and were sick. Then you got better, and told me the first few chapters. Then I got sick.

Contrast AngstAversion, where people avoid a work ''because'' it's angsty (though they can overlap), TooBleakStoppedCaring, where a work is ''so'' angsty that audiences can no longer anticipate a happy (or bittersweet) ending and subsequently stop caring about the story or characters, and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers, in which the notion that angst adds realism is mocked by showing how harmful a bleak mindset can be.

* [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-3817 SCP-3817]] from the ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' is an immortal clone of deceased German composer Felix Mendelssohn whose body has numerous self-inflicted injuries. He has no intention to end his existence, but instead embraces his suffering because he believes it enhances his artistic merit, owing the decision to the other great artists whose difficult lives inspired their work. [[spoiler: [[ShaggyDogStory Turns out his work hasn’t changed at all.]]]]

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away the more sensitive and idealistic members of the audience,]] and can [[TropesAreTools make a story worse]] when its darkness is too intense,[[TooBleakStoppedCaring too unadulterated]] to bear, and/or isn't [[{{Narm}} handled with the proper grace]]. Expect accusations of {{Wangst}}, [[OscarBait pandering to the critics]], or [[OvershadowedByControversy intentionally exploiting hot-button topics]] to pop up in discussions about media and creators who adhere to this trope, whether deserved or not.

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away the more sensitive and idealistic members of the audience,]] and can [[TropesAreTools make a story worse]] when its darkness is too intense or [[TooBleakStoppedCaring unadulterated]] to bear, and/or isn't [[{{Narm}} handled with the proper grace]]. Expect accusations of {{Wangst}}, OscarBait, or intentionally exploiting sensitive topics to pop up in discussions about media and creators who adhere to this trope, whether deserved or not.

The experts have spoken! The greatest stories of all time are ones full of [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids cynicism,]] suffering, injustice, [[{{Tragedy}} tragedy]], and hopelessness. Yes, only the grimmest of tales can effectively [[ContemplateOurNavels explore]] the horrid realities of life itself; like the [[WeAreAsMayflies fragility of]] [[HumansAreFlawed human existence]], the crushing agony of [[LoveHurts love]] and regret, [[TragicDream hopes and dreams never coming to fruition,]] the [[TooHappyToLive utter futility of happiness,]] and other life-defining themes, such as [[ParentalNeglect why mommy never really loved you.]] Therefore, any other story with an unambiguously HappyEnding is just a piece of cheap boring commercial tripe, or even [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical propaganda]]. As for [[ComedyGhetto comedy shows]], they're all just bourgeois garbage.

In these types of stories, [[BlackAndGrayMorality nobody is really]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality the good guy.]] [[DesignatedHero Not even the hero.]] If there are otherwise any nice characters present, you can expect them to get [[KillTheCutie killed off]] sooner or later, or alternatively, suffer a FateWorseThanDeath. If there are [[AudienceSurrogate characters with sympathetic viewpoints,]] don't expect their suffering to be the prelude to an [[EarnYourHappyEnding ultimate triumph]] (especially when they work so hard to achieve it). No, they have to [[DownerEnding ultimately fail in the end.]] In fact, they've got to be ''traumatized for life,'' lose everything they held dear, [[DespairEventHorizon give in to despair]] [[TheHeroDies or even be killed off,]] along with their friends and loved ones. Heck, if there are villains around [[HateSink (especially hatable ones)]], why not [[TheBadGuyWins let them win the day]] and have them [[KarmaHoudini get away with their crimes scot-free?]] Maybe even have them prosper over all the good guys while we're at it? That ought to drive home [[{{Anvilicious}} the message]] that [[LifeIsntFair life is unfair]] [[CrapsackWorld and cruel.]]

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away the more sensitive and idealistic members of the audience,]] and can [[TropesAreTools make a story worse]] when its darkness is too intense or [[TooBleakStoppedCaring unadulterated]] to bear, and/or isn't [[{{Narm}} handled with the proper grace]]. Expect accussatios of {{Wangst}}, OscarBait, or intentionally exploiting sensitive topics to pop up in discussions about media and creators who adhere to this trope, whether deserved or not.

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away the more sensitive and idealistic members of the audience,]] and [[TropesAreTools downright harm the story]] when the story's darkness is too intense or [[TooBleakStoppedCaring unadulterated]] to bear and/or isn't [[{{Narm}} handled with the proper grace]]. Expect accussatios of {{Wangst}}, OscarBait, or intentionally exploiting sensitive topics to pop up in discussions about media and creators who adhere to this trope, whether deserved or not.

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away more sensitive and idealistic audience members,]] and [[TropesAreTools downright harm the story]] when the story's darkness is too intense or [[TooBleakStoppedCaring unadulterated]] to bear and/or isn't [[Narm handled with the proper grace]]. Expect accussatios of {{Wangst}}, OscarBait, or intentionally exploiting sensitive topics to pop up in discussions about media and creators who adhere to this trope, whether deserved or not.

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away some audiences on the idealistic side,]] especially when the story's darkness is too intense or [[TooBleakStoppedCaring unadulterated]] to bear and/or isn't handled properly.

Contrast AngstAversion, where people avoid a work ''because'' it's angsty (though they can overlap), TooBleakStoppedCaring, where a work is ''so'' angsty that audiences can no longer anticipate a happy (or bittersweet) ending and subsequently stop caring about the story or characters, and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers, in which the notion that angst adds realism is dunked by showing how harmful a bleak mindset can be.

Related to ComedyGhetto, OscarBait, MaturityIsSeriousBusiness, DeathByNewberyMedal, SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids, CreatorBreakdown and CreatorRecovery.

In these types of stories, [[BlackAndGrayMorality nobody is really]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality the good guy.]] [[DesignatedHero Not even the hero.]] If there are otherwise any nice characters present, you can expect them to get [[KillTheCutie killed off]] sooner or later, or alternatively, suffer a FateWorseThanDeath. If there are [[AudienceSurrogate characters with sympathetic viewpoints,]] don't expect their suffering to be the prelude to an [[EarnYourHappyEnding ultimate triumph]] (especially when they work so hard to achieve it). No, they have to [[DownerEnding ultimately fail in the end.]] In fact, they've got to be ''traumatized for life,'' lose everything they held dear, [[DespairEventHorizon give in to despair]] [[TheHeroDies or even be killed off,]] along with [[KillEmAll their friends and loved ones.]] Heck, if there are villains around [[HateSink (especially hatable ones)]], why not [[TheBadGuyWins let them win the day]] and have them [[KarmaHoudini get away with their crimes scot-free?]] Maybe even have them prosper over all the good guys while we're at it? That ought to drive home [[{{Anvilicious}} the message]] that [[LifeIsntFair life is unfair]] [[CrapsackWorld and cruel.]]

* {{Lampshaded}} in the penultimate episode of ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'', where the guys discuss giving the show a DarkerAndEdgier KillEmAll finale for the sake of winning acclaim and awards. They specifically cite the similar bleak ending to the final series of ''Series/{{Blackadder}}''. To that end, they seek out and kill the cheeriest cast member they can find for the sake of "Narrative Purposes".

But I'd rather make “Not Afraid 2”[[note]]"Not Afraid" from 2010's ''Recovery'' was an uplifting and inspirational song about overcoming addiction that has helped a lot of struggling people, but that a significant portion of his fans found to be {{Glurge}}[[/note]] than make another motherfucking “We Made You” [[note]]a satirical BlackSheepHit MisogynySong from 2009's ''Relapse'' about Slim Shady lusting after female celebrities, which was criticised for being [[WereStillRelevantDammit outdated]].[[/note]]

Contrast AngstAversion (though they can overlap) and SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers. TooBleakStoppedCaring is an audience reaction voicing emphatic disagreement with the creator's notion of this trope.

* Satirized in the song ''Miserablism'' by Music/PetShopBoys. Wiki/TheOtherWiki article suggests that it was aimed at Music/{{Morrissey}}, formerly of Music/TheSmiths.

[[SincerityMode But in all seriousness,]] True Art is Angsty is an AudienceReaction when a particular work is being praised for its dark and/or cynical tone. It's also a mindset that is adopted by both cynical writers and audiences who believe that adding plenty of {{Angst}} in a work can make for compelling storytelling. However, it also has a tendency to [[AngstAversion drive away some audiences on the idealistic side,]] especially [[TooBleakStoppedCaring when the story's dark tone is too much to bear and/or isn't handled properly.]]

In these types of stories, [[BlackAndGrayMorality nobody is really]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality the good guy.]] [[DesignatedHero Not even the hero.]] If there are otherwise any nice characters present, you can expect them to get [[KillTheCutie killed off]] sooner or later, or alternatively, they will suffer a FateWorseThanDeath. If there are [[AudienceSurrogate characters with sympathetic viewpoints,]] don't expect their suffering to be the prelude to an [[EarnYourHappyEnding ultimate triumph]] (especially when they work so hard to achieve it). No, they have to [[DownerEnding ultimately fail in the end.]] In fact, they've got to be ''traumatized for life,'' lose everything they held dear, [[DespairEventHorizon give in to despair]] [[TheHeroDies or even be killed off,]] along with [[KillEmAll their friends and loved ones.]] Heck, if there are villains around [[HateSink (especially hatable ones)]], why not [[TheBadGuyWins let them win the day]] and have them [[KarmaHoudini get away with their crimes scot-free?]] Maybe even have them prosper over all the good guys while we're at it? That ought to drive home [[{{Anvilicious}} the message]] that [[LifeIsntFair life is unfair]] [[CrapsackWorld and cruel.]]