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    Aesthetics Set Designer, Location Scout 

    Prop Department 

    Character Artist and Costume Designer 
The costumed are pretty iconic in this genre. Jungle explorers usually wear breathable clothing with lots of pockets, tools and boots, while jungle dwellers are typically scantily clad in animal skins. It’s far better to make the designs as distinct as possible. A simple Adventurer Outfit or Fur Bikini isn’t going to cut it. Instead opt for a Meaningful Appearance, with small details or outfit subversions will both make your characters stand out and signal to the audience who your characters are. Also keep in mind practicality and Rule of Cool rather than Rule of Sexy.

  • Meaningful Appearance: If you want your characters to look unique, than starting here is an absolute must. Make sure you make costumes fit the characters rather than the other way around.
  • Adaptational Modesty: It’s more than welcomed to subvert the classic Fur Bikini or Loincloth as alternatives are far less risky than the Fanservice everyone else uses. Even for Real Life cultures with looser modesty standards, going for modesty is seen as far more respectful than objectifying people based on the cultural dress. It also helps avoid Author Appeal dragging down the plot and characters. Additionally, many tribal cultures do have very strict sexual taboos and traditions involving modesty and protecting oneself from the sun and insects. This can also be a great asset to Worldbuilding.
    • Take inspiration from real life.
    • Make your costumes distinct from those of previous characters. You can include things like accessories and weapons of choice really come in handy here.
  • Adventurer Outfit: Standard for the Bold Explorer or Adventurer Archaeologist. You can also try making it more modest as most explorers in real life had to have more protection from the sun and insects. Boots of Toughness and fingerless gloves are often used here.
    • Make sure the outfit is still unique and reflects the characters’ personalities.
    • Bare Midriffs Are Feminine is common among female explorers. Although it can be a Justified Trope for heat and mobility, there is far less protection from sunlight or insects, so it’s best to avert this unless your adventurer is accustomed to the climate, including local diseases.
    • A Badass Longcoat, albeit a much more breathable version or a some kind of raincoat could be interesting.
    • Coat, Hat, Mask or Gas Mask, Longcoat would be excellent subversions here, even if a bit impractical.
    • Ponchos are also welcomed.
    • Don't be afraid to incorperate Crafted from Animals, especially for villains and {{Outlaw}]s.
  • Amulet of Concentrated Awesome: A good choice for your Shaman or Witch Doctor.
  • Armed Legs: A good choice for a {Steampunk}} or Diesel Punk story is weaponized shoes.
  • Artificial Limbs: The jungle is a very dangerous place where one can easily loose a limb to man or beast, so this trope is welcomed in character design, especially in a Steampunk or Diesel Punk story.
  • Awesome Anachronistic Apparel: Becouse this genre is often set in the past, this is more than welcomed no matter the time period.
  • Awesome Backpack: Standard for any Bold Explorer, their associates or their guides.
  • Badass Bandolier: a good choice for Hired Guns and rebel soldiers.
  • Badass Cape: The temperature in the jungle does drop at night, especially in higher elevation, so a handcrafted cloak or cape might make sense on occasion.
  • Badasses Wear Bandanas: Cloths and bandanas are practical to clean sweat, collect dew or even conceal one’s identity.
  • Badass Long Robe: Probably for a shaman, or Badass Natives in general. Long and loose clothing is often used to protect against sunlight and insects by indigenous cultures.
  • Barbarian Long Hair: is usually welcomed for a Tarzan Boy.
  • Beauty Is Never Tarnished
    • Subverting this to add dirt, stains, battle scars and the like, follow the Rule of Cool.
    • Making outfits more modest and less sensual as well, far less risky and makes sense with the elements of sunlight and insices. You don't have to use hijabis, tunics and robes, nor do you reed a Fur Bikini for heat and mobility.
  • Battle Ballgown: Likely to appear in a Steampunk setting.
  • Cool Helmet: As well as Cool Mask are welcomed for the army of the Evil Colonialist or even an Egomaniac Hunter trying to distinguish themself.
  • Cool Shades: They look cool, but protection from the sun is also important in the rainforest.
  • Crafted from Animals: Exotic pelts and teeth for clothing is common in this genre and Rule of Cool demands it be used liberally.
    • Other natural materials, like linen and burlap or even a more Bo Ho looking style is welcomed.
    • It's okay to avert using furs and leather for primary dress, as they don't keep well in the jungle and would likely be very unconformable. Per the Rule of Cool, using pelts for outerwear and ornamentation is welcomed.
    • It’s okay for you do have outfits Crafted from Animals as a trophy of the character's prowess, but Killing in Self-Defense or to protect someone else would be far less risky.
    • Additionally, outfits Crafted from Animals would be interesting for Hired Guns, an Egomaniac Hunter and various Outlaws.
  • Fedora of Asskicking: Mot only is this an iconic piece for an Adventurer Archaeologist, but it’s also a great option for the jungle in general to protect from sunlight.
    • Alternatives like a regular cowboy hat would provide the same function. You could also try something handcrafted like A Rice Concial.
  • Fingerless Gloves of Edginess are a practical and cool addition to any outfit and generally always appear at some point in jungle opera stories.
    • You can even utilize them, or at least Handwraps of Awesome, for a jungle dweller instead of just the Bold Explorer, as it makes more sense to protect the hands if a character is often climbing trees a lot. Adding claws or blades can easily invoke the Rule of Cool.
  • Fur Bikini: or Loincloth: Although averting this is more than welcomed, these tropes are okay if you keep it appropriate, if it’s used to emphasize the jungle hero’s physical prowess and fearlessness, and if it fits the Worldbuilding of a character’s culture.
    • Try using more than just a bikini. Take inspiration real cultural dress; for example, you could have a longer authentic loincloth, a bandeau top, a wrapped top, a sarong etc. Maybe add some accessories as well like wearable weapons, holsters, warpaint, Handwraps of Awesome, jewelry, the previously mentioned expect Crafted from Animals etc. The Rule of Cool demands it.
    • Pieces of naturally crafted armor like a handcrafted pauldron, shin or arm guards Sarashi armor etc. are more than welcomed.
    • Don’t forget to worldbuild your culture’s modesty standards. Just because they wear less doesn’t mean that they have no concept of modesty. Tribal cultures in Real Life have often have very strict sexual taboos so it's important to acknowledge this in your worldbuilding. For example, a bare midriff might be normal, but the face is scandalous
    • Use other materials. Fur and leather wouldn’t keep as well in the jungle, and it’s another way to make your costumes distinct.
    • Don't be afraid to modernize the concept. Shorts or torn pants due to Clothing Damage are welcomed alternatives. The character might also opt for a classic Adventurer Outfit entirely, from trading. This is also more than welcomed, but make sure they still have a jungle dwelling survivalist aspect such as handcrafted jewelry, hand wraps, war paint and of course going barefoot.
    • Please avoid Author Appeal It will drag down your plot and characters.
  • Gadget Watches: A good choice for The Professor or the Bold Explorer he is working with. Having a walky talky is a great option for keeping in contact.
  • Goggles Do Something Unusual: More than welcomed for The Professor.
  • Good Colors, Evil Colors: can be played with a lot, especially given the vibrant styles of various tribal cultures.
  • Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: A classic for the Jungle Princess. Usually the second part is left out for a flat Mighty Whitey who thinks she is a queen or goddess. This can be interesting if the trope was played but straight.
    • Of course there is no limit to hair color here. If you want a World of Technicolor Hair, that's perfectly fine. It might even be an interesting Justified Trope if it hair dying tied into an ancient tribal tradition.
  • Hidden Weapons: Would work very well for a Tarzanesque.
  • Everything's Sparkly with Jewelry: this is a must for a Jungle Princess Tarzan Boy or Badass Native. Things like earrings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets can add to a unique character design.
  • Labcoat of Science and Medicine: Might be used by an Evilutionary Biologist or even The Professor.
  • Light Sandals: (Or foot wraps) Depending on character preferences or how extremely hazardous the jungle floor actually is with scorpions, insects and thorny plants etc. It's perfectly understandable why one would subvert the classic Earthy Barefoot Character trope. In such cases however, you might opt to go with footwear that's common for indigenous cultures of the jungle in Real Life.
    • Moccasins have been used for the Tarzanesque before, but they aren’t recommended. They are more associated with temperate cultures and might look out of place on jungle dwellers.
  • Martial Arts Headband: Can work for some warrior characters.
  • Mask of Power: Either used by an Outlaw to conceal their identity or Masking the Deformity, used to protect the Gas Mask Mooks of Toxic, Inc.., or it can even be used by the Tarzanesqque.
    • The Domino Mask is a bit overrated, so it makes sense to opt for something more practical like a gas mask, a ninja cloth or bandana, which can be more effective.
    • Cool Mask is also welcomed.
  • Minidress of Power: A fur, leather or vegetation variation has been used for the Jungle Princess before and the added modesty makes it a good alternative to the Fur Bikini.
    • Most artists and writers still forget to add details and accessories to make the outfit distinct. Taking inspirations from real tribal dress is an excellent way to avoid this problem. In general, remember to use the Rule of Cool and make outfits fit the character rather than making the character fit the outfit.
    • Shorts Of Modesty are obviously a good idea here.
  • Prefers Going Barefoot: This practically a staple of this genre for jungle dwelling characters, especially for the Tarzan Boy and Jungle Princess. Justified for traveling through the trees, It typically demonstrates to the audience how knowledgeable the characters are about the hostile environment, It’s not unrealistic as since Real Life jungle dwellers manage to navigate barefoot without much problem, even in the Amazon with bullet ants and scorpions. It would be unrealistic to ignore the shift in lifestyle for someone who is used to shoes. Independent research is recommended.
    • Avoid the risky Magical Barefooter as it involves stereotypes related to animism or primitiveness. As one of the editors of this article who grew up in the country and near the ocean can tell you, rural or coastal dwelling people often go barefoot all the time, even in western societies, but it’s purely out of preference and comfort and has nothing to do with a mystical connection to the earth. Additionally, making it a quirk can really add to a character.
    • Handwraps of Awesome are still a great option here. If you spend a lot of time in the trees, you need you feet to be flexible agile and have a better grip, however a little hand protection makes sense. It also looks cool.
    • Also, you should subvert Beauty Is Never Tarnished, as habitual barefooters, especially in the jungle, will have scars and dirt from their lifestyle and more spread out toes. The probably won’t have as many calluses though, because as the skin becomes thick and supple like leather, most dead calluses usually wear away.
    • For Kipling's sake avoid Author Appeal. Just PLEASE NO!
  • Race Lift: Use it liberally, as virtually all classic characters of this genre can work with any ethnicity or even as Not Quite Human.
    • The race of your indigenous population also varies depending on where your story is set.
  • Sarong: (skirt like garment) is pretty standard for a Badass Native, but would also be a unique and practical costume for the Tarzan Boy.
  • Sarashi: In Real Life, similar tight wraps were used as armor by some African cultures, because the layers of cloth offered protection against melee attacks without being as uncomfortable as metal. This makes it a great choice for a Badass Native or Tarzanesque warrior.
    • Normal armor like paulsrons, shin guards or bracers made from leather, wood r other natural materials are welcomed as well.
  • Scavenged Punk, (aka Salvagepunk) for poor small towns and or designing costumes for of Hired Guns, rebel soldiers or the Outlaw in general.
  • Sexy Villains, Chaste Heroes: would be an interesting subversion in general due to all of the Fanservice associated with this genre.
    • Keep in mind though that modestly also means humility, so just making evil outfits more expensive, shiny or attention grabbing would also work. This is especially good to contrast with humble handcrafted clothing.
  • Shoulders of Doom: A Pauldron would be a piece of armor light enough to use without being too hot for the climate.
  • Staff of Authority for chiefs and shamans.
  • This Means Warpaint: A must for a Badass Native, and more than welcomed for a Tarzanesque.
  • Unorthodox Holstering: Having various visible sheaths and holsters are more than welcomed on any outfit. Don't limit it to the belt though. Items and weapons carried on the back or legs can also look cool.
  • Utility Belt: Standard for an Adventurer Outfit, but also welcomed for the Tarzanesque.
  • Weapon-Based Characterization is a good way to keep your characters distinct. Giving your Egomaniac Hunter use something other than a simple rifle, or giving your Badass Native and Tarzanesque something other than a simple hunting knife and bow is more than welcomed.

    Casting Director for Heroes and Protagonists 
The characters are pretty classic in this genre, such as the Bold Explorer, Great White Hunter, Tarzan Boy and Jungle Princess. Of course these characters are usually outsiders as the protagonist, exploring the jungle with the audience or feeling just as much of an outcast to the setting as the audience. Don’t let this mean that your characters are Mighty Whitey. Mowgli was an outsider to his wolf family despite being native to India. Power Fantasy can also easily take away from the thrill of adventure and danger this genre is iconic for. Another trap an author might fall into is using an Expy, either of a preexisting characters, stock character or throwing in a crossover because the base characters have been recycled so many times. The rainforests of Real Life have seen every kind of person imaginable, so it’s not hard to find inspiration in history or present day. Additionally, Deconstruction and Reconstruction of classic tropes can make for intriguing versions of previous concepts. As for the Crossover, of course it is welcomed in this genre, but only when it comes organically from the themes and tone the author is trying to explore.
See Also: Make Interesting Characters

Many of these have evil counterparts that will be explored in the “Villains” folder.

Noble Savages or simply childish people. As characters, they should have their own motivations and personalities. Distinguishing them from each other is crucial. Don’t forget to Worldbuild their culture.
  • Badass Bookworm: A must if you have The Professor and works very well with the Tarzanesque.
  • Badass Bureaucrat: A political leader who actually does good.
  • Barefoot Loon: A character who was likely stranded and isolated in the jungle for decades in which period he will Go Mad from the Isolation. He also likely has a Time-Passage Beard.
  • Barbarian Hero: A similar aesthetic in and cousin trope trope to the Tarzanesque. They likely live nearby in the snowy mountains. Worldbuilding their culture and making them distinct from thee Tarzaneque is a must. They are likely going to have different languages, modesty standards, diets, spiritual beliefs etc.
  • Bold Explorer: A classic here, but can also come from any background.
  • Bounty Hunter: They can bring you in warm or they can bring you in cold and are usually anti-heroic Hired Guns.
  • The Chief's Daughter: similar to the Jungle Princess, just less of an outsider and more of an actual Princess.
  • Cunning Linguist: A must for any Adventurer Team. Most always the Adventurer Archaeologist, Tarzanesque and The Missionary will be one of these.
  • Cowboy: More accurately the Vaquero, who drove cattle in tropical areas of Central America. Possibly a Determined Homesteader.
  • Damsel in Distress: (Or Distressed Dude) The jungle is a great place to get captured. This is kind of required in the job description of any Tarzanesque, to be a Badass in Distress or at least a Damsel out of Distress..
    If your kidnapped individual can be replaced by a bag of gold than you are doing it seriously wrong.
  • The Drifter: a character who has survived in the wilderness and is good with weapons and often drifts from town to town, and village to village, fixing local problems in exchange for lodging or for help on his quest; most likely also happens to be the Tarzanesque character.
  • Heel–Face Revolving Door: Many of these character have evil counterparts, and because many have an Onlyin Itforthe Money or Punch-Clock Villain nature, traditional villains like Hired Guns, the Egomaniac Hunter, Ruthless Modern Pirates, many Outlaws, or even the Sinister Minister can be allies when it suits them or assist as Psychofor Hire.
  • Forest Ranger: More likely an Anti-Hero, this character is fully devoted to protecting their forest home. Not to be confused with the Ranger, who is further down.
  • Great White Hunter: They goes out looking for adventure involving capturing or killing game. They can be of any background despite the name. This character is highly risky due to controversy around hunting. Not all hunters are malicious though, and some do a lot of good unrelated to hunting, but because of how risky and dull this character is today, you should consider the following subversions.
    • They might be a hired to protect a character from dangerous wildlife, or to capture a foreign animal to prevent it from spreading disease and overpopulating, for research purposes, or they might be hired to stop a dangerous monster attacking a village or town. The less risky Instant Sedation is more than welcomed here.
    • A good modern approach is making him a YouTuber, filming their adventures and discoveries in the rainforest.
    • They could also primarily work as a Bounty Hunter.
    • They could also be a straight up criminal like a Roguish Poacher, but this is very risky and depends on the author. See Venturous Smuggler below.
    (Please do your own research as these controversial aspects as they will not be explored in this article, but ideas are welcomed in the discussion tab).
  • The Good King: A good chief who cares for their people is a must.
    • Their tribe itself can still be hostile if the Witch Doctor has magical influence over them, similar to Theodin of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings.
    • You can also use this trope to subvert the Evil Colonialist, as a couple kings in the age of colonialism did go out of their way to provide humanitarian aid or ensure the indigenous population was treated well, often failing to do so because of corruption among their men and distance. Of course this doesn’t mean that colonialism should be justified, but it is an great opportunity for nuance. As always, character arc is welcomed.
  • Hobbits: Using classic pigmies would be very risky, but a fantasy race instead might work.
  • Ideal Hero: A classic in this genre, especially for characters like the Tarzanesque, the Nature Lover, The Missionary and the Ranger. Usually this is the main cast in the less intense Saturday morning stories, but in a more mature or realistic setting, they are likely going to be The The Determinator trying to navigate on the strait and narrow in such a lawless and hostile environment. Be sure to explore their moral compass and values rather than simply making them the good guys.
  • La Résistance: Perfect for apposing the Banana Republic or The Empire colonialists. In the less intense Saturday morning Green Aesop story, expect them to be Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters in more mature works.
  • Mage Species: Not quite human or alien creatures with strange abilities.
  • The Missionary: A religious character, most likely to be a Badass Preacher or Bold Explorer combined with Real Men Love Jesus, where he (or she) is a person of principals who fights for those principles with their life; very present historically, often stopping slavers and providing humanitarian aid. They are likely to be an All-Loving Hero or something of an Ideal Hero, but they don’t have to be the only character like this.
    • A good version of this to use is someone like the Circuit Riders of the Old West, who were less connected to colonial powers, operated relatively independently were usually good with weapons, traveled often and were known for adapting to different circumstances quickly.
    • Also this character can justify a Tarzanesque, if they are survived by their child who is taught the tribal traditions of martial arts and hunting, but still maintains their parents' faith and principals. As an adult, these expect some overlap. Even if not a parent, a mentoring figure or teacher of languages is also welcomed.
    • It's also worth mentioning that this character does not have to be a Christian. They might be of a more fantasy religion. They could be promoting a faith or tradition indigenous to the area. Crystal Dragon Jesus is useful here, but not required. (They definitely do not have to be white) Maybe they will be more focused on other forms of missions work like medical missions or education instead.
    • They are more than welcomed to not be white. Many missionaries in Real Life are surprisingly local Also Fantasy races are interesting as always.
    • You can also give them another profession on the side, as it is not only common in real life, but also make this character more distinct. They might be an Ecologist, Anthropologist, Adventurer Archaeologist, or even a regular Bold Explorer. There is a lot to play with here.
  • Mountain Man: A character who lives off the land alone away from society; often somewhat unstable. Maybe a victim of prejudice.
  • Native Guide: Someone indigenous to the continent or planet to guide the Bold Explorer, and by extension the audience through the new and dangerous setting. Of course, this character is often relegated to a forgettable side role unfortunately, but if he or she is handled right and the author takes care not to appropriate any real-world cultures, this character can make an excellent mentor or tutor for the protagonist.
  • Nature Hero: Also known as the Conservationist. Usually an ecologist or sometimes Tarzanesque characters themselves.
    • Remember, it is not only welcomed, but most logical for them to be often threatened by a criminal who isn’t hurting the environment. The jungle is a dangerous place to people in general, especially with the criminals that inhabit it.
    • It’s also ok for them to still have to deal with the hostile nature around them rather than making them a Friend to All Living Things.
    • A regular Nature Lover or Animal Lover is more than welcomed.
    • There is a danger of stereotypes around indigenous people and their beliefs. Instead of having your Noble Savage paint with all the colors of the wind, give them a more relatable less abstract motive, like how the resources they use being exploited by someone else will hurt their tribe.
  • Noble Savage: A classic in this genre, but you might want to avert this. Real tribes are composed of people with very complicated cultures, and reducing it to being In Harmony with Nature and painting with all the colors off the wind will really hinder your worldbuilding.
    • These are people, so they should have their own motives and personalities. This isn't to say that cultural values are unwelcomed, as these are important to worldbuilding any culture. Something like Kipling's Law of the Jungle is always interesting. These values should not start with In Harmony with Nature, because that can be seen as stereotypical and risky. Instead focus on things like loyalty to the tribe, respecting elders, respecting ancestors and traditions, storytelling, cleaning and sanitation, their diet, being resourceful, how to track, staying hydrated etc. These more grounded cultural values will make them feel more grounded and realistic. Environmental values are also more than welcomed, but they should be based around the tribe’s way of life and how the have learned to use and rely on the rainforest around them, rather than just being morally superior. Also, be sure to allow some people to be ignore taboos be hypocritical or even be malicious. Every culture has good and bad people in it.
    • Their culture might also might vary in morality like any other culture. Tribes are small countries essentially, and some are peaceful and friendly, while others are dictatorial or invade neighboring tribes. Even a peaceful tribe will probably end up called to war eventually. Exploring how tribes interact with other cultures, especially other tribes, really adds to the Worldbuilding.
    • It's actually a stereotype that all indigenous people worship nature, when in reality they use and rely on the rainforest around them for food, clothing and tools and this often effects their culture. Going with the latter approach will actually reinforce a Green Aesop, because when people exploit the rainforest around them, their people and way of life will actually suffer rather than merely being offended on the rainforest's behalf.
    • While typically applied to non-white ethnic groups, the first examples of the trope originate in Ancient Rome and were applied to the very white Germanic tribes. With this in mind, they do not necessarily have to be non-white.
  • Not Quite Human: Fantasy races and aliens for both a heroic Lost Tribe or Hostile Tribe are welcomed in this genre, and are generally less risky than classic human natives.
  • Non-Powered Costumed Hero: This is a must for the Tarzanesque, as apart from limited powers from an ancient artifact, they work best with a very vulnerable human aspect to them, but this trope is not limited to them, as even Batman met Tarzan once. Having a roguish hero protecting people in the jungle with epic skills and no superpowers, apart from or in addition to the Tarzaneesque, is more than welcomed.
  • Nubile Savage: Not recommended, but can be forgiven.
  • Political Hostage: A possible Designated Victim or target of outlaws, terrorists, a corrupt cooperate executive, an obstructive bureaucrat or even an evil colonialist.
  • The Professor: Usually an Absent-Minded Professor or a Badass Bookworm who is known for MacGyvering and being Awesome by Analysis. They are also the one whole builds most of the gear the explorer team world use. They might be a zoologist or botanist studying wildlife, an ecologist studying or protecting the ecosystem or a doctor trying to Find the Cure!. They might even be a physicist who either invented a Cool Starship or Time Machine that brought them to the Lost World, or they are still in the ordinary world conducting experiments away from civilization that would make Nicola Tesla himself proud.
    • He doesn't have to be white or even human.
  • Ranger: with a big iron on his hip and a mean Roundhouse Kick, is an excellent law man for this genre.
    • Remember, he will have the responsibility of stopping nature threatening and human threatening outlaws alike. If he doesn’t have enough funding to effectively stop poachers, he also doesn’t have enough funding to effectively stop The Syndicate or Ruthless Modern Pirates.
    • Having him recruit or deputize other characters like the Tarzanesque is far less risky. Making them close friends is more than welcomed.
  • The Republic: Either a the protagonist ruling entity before they become a Banana Republic dictatorship, or they are the good counterpart to The Empire, being a large country that will step in to help the local power because they have very good relations, the latter is most likely to be neutral. If they are more malevolent, they might turn turn the former into a Puppet State.
  • Retired Badass: Likely a soldier or Tarzanesque who has long feared that his sins would return to visit him.
  • Samurai Cowboy: A very skilled warrior combined with The Drifter. Likely the Tarzaneque character themself or the Badass Native.
  • Super-Soldier: Can be an Ideal Hero, a villain or Anti-Hero. This is a mutant with actual superpowers, likely a experiment of the Evilutionary Biologist or humane experiment of The Professor. It could have been discovered to be inhumane but the golden hearted volunteer probably insisted they keep going.
    • Animal Is the New Man is another alternative, but it can be flipped on its head if humans are viewed as animals.
    • If they are heroic, playing down their powers really adds to the sense of danger. Inversely, evil super soldiers can have more exaggerated powers, really playing into the terrifying side of them as a jungle monster.
  • Send in the Search Team; A search and rescue unit.
  • Shaman: Can be a unique mage or Mentor Archetype. He is likely to be a Barefoot Sage. Sometimess they don't use magic functioning as just aa sage or philosopher, possibly with knowledge of local medicines or science that can be shared with outsiders as part of the tribe’s trade, but that's not as fun as making them an actual wizard, uusually with Elemental Powers like Green Thumb or Animorphism. They probably carry a Magic Staff. There are several ways to improve them from their hollow predecessors.
    • They shouldn’t be more powerful because they are more In Harmony with Nature. Not only is this stereotypical and risky, but magic by it definition is something that changes nature and is above it. Additionally if you make modern medicine and science look full by comparison it might come off as contrived. Make sure to make your own magic system rather than using Hollywood Voodoo, and remember magic limits are always more interesting than abilities.
    • Weather magic is spiritual or connected to the laws of the universe depends on the author, their beliefs, and the tone of the story. Some might think that Magic Is Evil because of religioous convictions or simply want to make their magic stand out more, so such authors should consider using Scientifically Understandable Sorcery, and Thaumaturgy and Sufficiently Advanced Bamboo Technology. Doing In the Wizard.
    • "Magic" as a word might be dull due to how often it is used in fiction. In some cases it might also be risky due to personal religous convictions or some people who have had bad experiences with the occult (especially in the jungle), therefore alternative names as well like Bending, The Force, Energy or any other form of Magic by Any Other Name is more than welcome.
    • Another possibility is that this is an angelic being who lives in the jungle to guide mortals, referee to as a Shaman by mortals who don’t understand their nature, similar to how Gandalf was seen as a Wizard in Middle Earth.
    • Kung-Fu Wizard is more than welcomed.
    • Make sure they have some limits to their abilities.
    • This kind of character can overlap with The Missionary, especially if they are part of a fantasy religion as part of the Worldbuilding.
    • They might also overlap with The Professor as a Science Wizard.
  • Small Business Owner: An honest business owner to contrast the Corrupt Corporate Executive, who might be their primary enemy, but they are also likely to be harassed Outlaws intentionally trying to drive them out of business. They might end up looking for the Ancient Artifact or lost treasure to save their Family Business.
  • Tarzanesque: Of course the classic Tarzan Boy, but this includes his more popular Distaff Counterpart the Jungle Princess. Whoever they are, they are likely an outsider usually orphan, though backstories can vary, who grew up in the jungle, and understands it intimately, as well as its various cultures and languages. They are normally good at Combat Parkour traveling by Vine Swing, have tat least one Action Pet. They are generally an Earthy Barefoot Character and Badass Native who travels from town to town or village to village as the Knight Errant or even The Drifter, and they often end up a Badass in Distress hunted or captured by enemies.
    • Using the Jungle Princess is more than welcomed, but due to the horrible realities around human trafficking, objectifying someone of another culture and good character writing in general, please don’t make her Ms. Fanservice. Just PLEASE NO! The same applies to the Tarzan Boy, but he rarely suffers from the same problems as his Distaff Counterpart. Amazonian Beauty is more than welcomed, but by the Rule of Cool rather than Rule of Sexy.
    • Personality is crucial. If they can't laugh, apart from pride at the defeat of an enemy, or can't weep (when it's appropriate at least) than you are doing something seriously wrong. Things like quirks, hobbies, desires, fears and friendships or phycological factors like their Dominant Sense or personality type are all means to make this character unique. Don’t simply use the classic Tarzan or Sheena template.
    • Make their backstory unique. Seriously ask yourself questions about them and think outside of the box. Where do they come from? (Are they even human? Who were their biological parents? Do they come from a legacy of similar warriors? Are they a lost native? Are they the Last of Their Tribe/Kind after The Purge? Do they come from a legacy of Evil Colonialists? Were they foretold by a The Prophecy. Are they acctually orphaned, simply lost or are their parents evil?) How did they end up in the jungle? (Was it a magical, technological or criminal means? Did they willingly leave society or were they brought there against their will. Were they raised from infancy or are they a Robertsonade? (Are they trained or self taught? Who raised and who trained them?) How is their relationship to the local tribes and the jungle itself? (Do they experience prejudice? Did they have to gain their tribe's respect as an outsider? Do they see themselves as one of the tribe or animals that raised them? Are their biological parents potentially still alive?)
    • Give them a unique Design and Meaningful Appearance, because a simple Fur Bikini is not going to cut it. Adaptational Modesty, ornaments and acessories and unique weapons of choice. Are all more than welcomed. Making them another ethnicity or even Not Quite Human are more than welcomed. You should also try deconstructing the classic trope by giving them more skills in martial arts and stealth. In general think more Gratuitous Ninja than Ape Man or Ms. Fanservice.
    • Avoid Power Fantasy. Many characters here end up being a Marty Stu or Mary Sue, where they can easily break out of any bonds, defeat any opponent, are worshipped as a ruler or deity, and why worry about the Jungle Princess with the dangerous animals if she can Control Them?. True agency in a story includes the ability to fail and making hard moral choices.
    • Also avoid Mighty Whitey. Any ethnicity and background is welcomed for this character, and it's more than welcome for them to be a indigenous Badass Native, despite being an outsider to their families like Mowgli or to even be Not Quite Human entirely. No matter what the case, they should see themselves as one of the natives rather than superior to them. Humility is often considered a mark of a true hero.
    • No Hulk Speak. Hulk Hate Hulk Speak, Hulk Speak used too much and make people look dumb. The better and less risky approach is having the character Awesome by Analysis, able to read animals and even people like a book through body language. They should also be very quick to pick up on languages, especially if they come from a tribal culture surrounded by tribes with other languages. It also makes sense for them to learn a few more foreign languages from The Missionary. Also, an authentic unique accent local or foreign is a welcomed alternative to simple American.
    • Although the Ideal Hero is common for this character, you should seriously consider their moral compass. Having a classic ideal hero who is compassionate, has close friends, mentors young warriors, protecting those that hate them, saving their enemies and general personal convictions are welcomed, but you still have to consider things like do they follow an ancient code from the tribe or the jungle and its beliefs tied to the Worldbuilding or did The Missionary have a big impact on them? Do they hunt because they see themselves as part of the food chain or do they refuse because they see themselves like the animals that raised them? Are they a heroic character that has a price on their head or are they merely an outcast? If you make them morally ambiguous, then are they an Anti-Hero or Vigilante Man? Would they work as a Bounty Hunter or are they an actual Outlaw?
    • Don’t be afraid of their gender. If you have a Jungle Princess it’s okay for her to be compassionate, nurturing and good at multitasking, if you have a Tarzan Boy, it’s okay for him to be actively heroic. It’s also okay to subvert them as well, but be sure it ties into a more complex character. Making a Jungle Princess masculine by making her stoic and dominating is a common sin when writing her. Even a Tarzan boy wouldn’t be interesting with the same personality. Additionally, it’s okay for the Jungle Princess to be physically weaker. If she is using a crossbow, preferring a pole weapon, or utilizing a martial arts style focused on dodging attacks and using the opponent’s strength, then these can all be more interesting than super strength.
    See Write an Action Girl for more info.
    • Giving them an actual profession or trade could be very interesting. They can gather resources gather from plants, trade in crafts, independently farm or even take up bounties on criminals. How they use what they get can also help expand on their character. Do they donate to the local ecologist or the local missionary? Do they support their tribe in some way? Might they trade what little they get for books or to buy back culturally or personally significant items. Are they willing to get their hands dirty as an Outlaw?
    • Give them distinct friends, apart from Animals and the attractive Bold Explorer. Family and friends, and their relationships really will help strengthen any character. Tribes are also sometimes a very Close-Knit Community, so a strong value of loyalty makes sense.
    • Making them a Badass Bookworm is more than welcomed. It might also be interesting if they cited multiple facts they learned from reading.
    • Give them a unique name. Just because it ends with the letter “A”, that does not mean it works. The name should express some aspect of their role or personality as with any character.
    Develop Character Personality
    Write a Badass
  • Time Police: If The Professor isn't careful when travelling to the Age of Reptiles or an After the End jungle Earth, he might encounter these guys.
  • Venturous Smuggler: This is the Heroic Counterpart to the Outlaw. He is most likely to be a Roguish Poacher, Pirate or Ace Pilot and a Jerk with a Heart of Gold, but they're definitely a Lovable Rogue akin to Eugene Fitzherbert, Jack Sparrow, Captain Jack Harkness, Peter (Star Lord) Quill, Han Solo etc.
    • They tend to follow some Code of Honor despite their dishonest lifestyle. They are usefully highly charming and charismaticas well.
    • They can also be of any background, but might take offense if you called them scruffy looking.
    • Due to their charismatic and charming personalities, they should have fun chemistry with characters, especially if they have different worldviews. They might even tell the Jungle Princess, "Look, your worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight, I take orders from just one person: Me"
    • Take advantage of Even Evil Has Standards. Maybe the Roguish Poacher would shoot animals, but draws the line at people and will go out of their way to defend the natives. "Professionals have standards"
    • They might even thrown into a dishonest lifestyle after rebelling against a corrupt government like The Empire based on their principles, like Jack Sparrow telling Beckett, "People aren't cargo mate"
    • Another possibility is having them directly fight against an evil power like the Colonial Empire or Banana Republic Just Like Robin Hood.
    • You can also make him a Reformed Criminal. Redemption is always a good theme and works perfectly for this character, but if you go this route make sure to call out their evils for what they are. Excusing or not recognizing how a redeemed rogue has committed serious crimes like theft or assault to law enforcement is a common flaw for the Loveable Rogue.
    • They might even be a morally good character like The Missionary or Conservationist, smuggling food, medicine censored goods to those that need them.
    • Alternatively, they might be and stay a rogue entirely depending on the author.
  • Villain Protagonist: Due to how many evil counterparts this genre has, a story told from a villain's perspective might work very well, especially in a place as lawless and unforgiving as the jungle.
  • Wasteland Elder: Either living in the nearby savanna and grasslands or being a veteran survivor of the Hungry Jungle.
  • Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot: Tarzan has met several characters and monster from outside the genre.Parodies or recreations can work very well.
    • Of course, just because another work or character had a cameo, doesn’t mean it inherently makes sense for your work. It’s a good idea to connect it more to the genre.
      • Which is better: Classic Conan, or a Tribe of Barbarians in the mountains? Frankenstein’s monster or an Evilutionary Biologist putting together a monster made from corpses in native burial grounds and animal parts trading with poachers? Wear wolves or wear big cats.
    • Rule of Cool says merging different concepts that don’t make sense at first can really work. Does a Tarzanesque ninja cyborg sound ridiculous? Of course. Is it cool? Definitely with sufficient effort and careful writing.

    Casting Director for Villains and Foes 
This genre has threats more Predatory than a tiger. The villain is a very important aspect to any real jungle opera, even if the antagonist is simply the hostile environment itself. This genre does have a long history of stereotypical or controversial villains but many can be reworked to be intriguing. Remember a villain needs more than disagreeing with the author to be a compelling threat, and aspects like comedy, threaten9ing presence, history with the cast, potential for redemption etc. all add depth.A big pitfall can be adding something outside the genre or supernatural simply because audiences supposedly don’t enjoy realistic villains. In reality people simply don’t enjoy being preached to, so villains centered around political corruption, hurting ecosystems or human trafficking can come off as a mouthpiece for the author’s worldview rather than a nuanced thought provoking character if an author isn’t careful. Additionally, the jungle is such a hub of corruption and crime that finding inspiration for a unique villain from history or present day is far from hard. Of course a good Eldritch Abomination or crossover is welcomed in this genre, but they should be used because they fit the tone or themes of the story the author is trying to tell rather than simply trying to be original.
See Also: Write a Villain

  • Hungry Jungle: To start off, the jungle is already full of enough threats that it can make a compelling antagonist for a survival story. You should generally have classic Big Cats and Gorrillas on occasion, but focus on other nightmares like, Bullet Ants, and the Executioner Wasp (both of which deliver the most painful stings known to man), sharks, stingrays, disease carrying mosquitoes or ticks, large snakes and spiders, scorpions and tree frogs capable of paralyzing you before death.
    • Also focus on the Dangerous Terrain itself, like the lava and sharp glass and lava from volcanoes, Quicksand Sucks, natural disasters etc.
    • Also, have some dangerous plants, like poisonous plants that cause itching and chemical burns, thorny plants (like tree cacti, wait a minute vines, nettles etc.), and of course classic Man Eating plants.
    • PrehistoricMonsters can also be antagonists.
    • While not an antagonist, sea mines drifting into rivers can be a serious obstacle.
  • Evil All Along can work due to the sheer amount of evil counterparts of the main cast, but it’s not always recommended.
    "“That was his mistake”
  • Always a Bigger Fish: There is a surprising amount of ways villains can be layered. A dangerous animal is being hunted by an Egomaniac Hunter, who is employed by an Evilutionary Biologist, who is employed by an Evil Colonialist, who is under the authority of The Empire, who is being led by an Obstructive Bureaucrat working for an Evil Overlord, who is working with an Eldritch Abomination.
  • Aliens: A possible dangerous enemy in the jungle.
  • Anti-Villain: Can be common in the lawless Hungry Jungle.
  • Artifact Thief are a must have for an Archaeological Arms Race. They can be an ordinary smuggler and Egomaniac Hunter trying to steal an ancient artifact for a quick buck, or they can be employed by or one of Those Wacky Nazis. They could even be a Witch Doctor who has their sights set on an ancient Artifact of Doom or Superweapon built by the Advanced Ancient Humans, seeking to rule the jungle with it.
  • Arms Dealer: A dangerous criminal, who has even more dangerous weapons. They might be supplying your villains, even the hostile tribe realistically, with [[BFG fire arms]] or even a laser guns.
    • They need not be there to sell arms, they may be there to retrieve arms instead. A lost missile would certainly be something to attract their attention.
  • Cannibal Merchant: In locations where humans were bought and sold as slaves cannibalism was likely more of an industry and trade than a "savage" tradition of a local tribe, contrary to popular belief. In some locations it was also possible to find humans being bought and sold for meat in markets. Horrifically they were also kept alive and immobile to keep the meat fresh.
    • There were also several historical secret societies that practiced cannibalism as well. This could justify a High-Class Cannibal.
  • Cargo Cult: especially if you have Sufficiently Advanced Bamboo Technology.
  • Caught in a Snare: (Or an Inescapable Net) or other trap left by a long inactive Evil Poacher or by a current hostile tribe.
  • Corrupt Corporate Executive: This greedy ditbag cares little for the environment, much less his own employees. Of course he pollutes on purpose and uses under the table slave labor, but he might also compete for the Ancient Artifact against the protagonists.
    • Tip: Think less Captain Planet Villain, more Big Jack Horner.
  • Decoy Damsel: Possibly hired to help lure out the Tarzanesque.
  • Dangerous Deserter: Rogue or rebel soldiers using Guerilla warfare. You can even have a whole section of the jungle controlled by them. A camp of them can be an excellent alternative to the captured by cannibals trope.
  • Dirty Communists: If working with a Cold War setting. They need not be Russian, as they could be Chinese, North Korean or even from a Soviet-allied state such as Katanga or South Kasai. Common for a Banana Republic.
  • Dirty Cop: The corrupt and evil counterpart of the Ranger, who is more than happy to let the wrong Outlaws off for the right price, or to frame an innocent person for money or power.
  • Find the Cure!; disease is also another default danger of the rainforest.
  • The Fundumentalist: An negative counterpart to the Ideal Hero. Prejudice Aesop is common in this genre, so a character fully set in their worldview and unwilling to listen to other points of view is likely to come up eventually. This character is likely not actually villainous, and they usually experience a character arc instead. If they are more extreme, they likely fit a more villainous trope.
    • The Missionary is the most likely to be this, but keep in mind that this is not limited to religion. The Nature Lover, Dirty Communist and even the Shaman could be this as well.
    • Additionally worldviews and religions multiple facets, so the Shaman, the Nature Lover or The Missionary might end up confronting a negative version of their faith.
    • As mentioned before, this character is typically more flawed than actually villainous, so they are still distinct from their evil counterparts like the Sinister Minister, Eco-Terrorist and Witch Doctor. Additionally, because this charactter is more of a flawed character, they might bee driven to join forces with someone they disagree with in order to defeat the actual Big Bad.
  • Eco-Terrorist, the evil counterpart to the conservationist, who loves or even worships nature and is willing to do whatever it takes to defend it, even if that means breaking laws, destroying property or taking lives. They are usually used for Vigilante Injustice.
    • There are two variations of this character;
      • The first is the misunderstood Anti-Villain, who is more likely to only destroy property than actually kill people and are more likely to be redeemable.
      • The other version is far more extreme, but are willing to stop when they can rest and watch the sun rise on a grateful jungle. They see humans as expendable or even cancerous and they are willing to Execute Order 66 in order to "save their jungle."
    • This character can even be an evil version of the Tarzan Boy or Jungle Princess.
    • They could also be or be part of an Animal Wrongs Group.
    • They don't have to be from the jungle either. Having someone from a foreign country, who doesn't entirely understand issues like the jungle dwellers, or a mad alien on a quest to balance the universe are both welcome.
  • Egomaniac Hunter: They may or may not be insane and engage in an extreme hunting purely for fun, for greed and for pride, and they usually dabbles in a little bit of murder and kidnapping as part of their sport, because they enjoys a good challenge. This is a classic in this genre, and he works very well because of how much of a direct threat they are to the protagonist, but due to how often they have been used, consider the following subversions.
    • Instead of having this character new to Hunting the Most Dangerous Game or simply disposing of whitenesses, this character a would make an excellent Serial Killer. They would still poach of course and they can still enjoy the chase of the hunt with their targets, but having them target and hunt down specific innocent people would be a welcomed subversion.
    • A more than welcomed and realistic subversion is making them Psychos For Hire using his hunting skills for making more cash than just poaching, especially if they hunt humans anyway. They might also be cannibal merchant, who enjoys the chase more than usual.
    • Give them a hobby or aesthetic other than poaching, something they can use as a calling card for their big crimes.
    • They can be hired to hunt people, either as one of many Hired Guns, for genocide (see The Purge below) or to provide both animal and human specimens for the Evilutionary Biologist. (See Also: Human Traffickers)
    • Remember there is more to hunt in the jungle than animals. An Egomaniac Gold Miner or Egomaniac Archaeologist and the like are all welcome subversions, distinct from regular outlaws by their still having a focus on instincts. Even the ordinary egomaniac hunter can engage in other crimes if they are really interested in money without caring about the law. They might even use forced labor.
    • Does not have to be white or even human. Fantasy races are more than welcomed as always. This character has also been an evil Talking Animal, like Sheer Khan.
    • Related to but distinct from the Evil Poacher, as the latter often uses different tactics and has different customers. Poachers generally use more traps, focus less on sport, might have more sympathetic motives and generally deal in other contraband. The Egomaniac Hunter is focused on instinct and enjoying the hunt itself, they might use their prey’s friends for bait and they are almost always insane.
  • Eldritch Abomination: These were used in this genre by Lovecraft himself and can serve as an interesting Big Bad or Greater-Scope Villain that the evil Witch Doctor, Evilutionary Biologist, or Evil Overlord either worships or is working for.
    • Giving them an interesting personality is more than welcomed. Try making them an actual villain rather than a mindless monster.
    • They might not even be necessarily evil, but rather operate on Blue-and-Orange Morality. This can also overlap with Obliviously Evil and/or Affably Evil.
    • They might be a former partner/mentor of The Professor. This could explain how The Professor knows so much.
    • Keep in mind that traditionally bizarre and alien abominations are always more than welcomed, but if you're worried about breaking the overall aesthetic of a Jungle Opera, yet want to keep the same otherworldly terror, you might want to consider making it an Animalistic Abomination or Botanical Abomination, which are both explored in the plant and animal coordinator folder below.
  • The Empire: An often dictatorial and colonial power, so they are usually Nazis By Any Other Name Expect employees like the Evil Colonialist, and soldiers from the Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy.
    • They don’t have to be colonial. They can simply be a local dictatorship,
  • Evil Colonialist: He cares about nothing but resources and power and is likely a Gratuitous Nazi.
    • He might be an evil counterpart to the Adventurer Archaeologist.
    • You can contrast him/her with The Missionary, unless that character is also an evil colonialist and a Sinister Minister.
    • He doesn’t have to be white. China has been taking control in multiple parts of Africa recently, and some tribes to invade neighboring tribes for resources or to expand influence. As usual, be careful. Worldbuilding a fantasy race is much safer here.
    • Colonialism often happened out fear of a more dangerous or antagonistic country colonializing first or colonizing the colonialist. Therefore, having your Evil Colonialist fighting a more evil political power can add to the overall Worldbuilding.
    • The character need not be there to actually colonize the land, but still be there to exploit the country and natives.
  • Evilutionary Biologist: An Evil Counterpart to The Professor or even them as Doctor von Turncoat, They are sadistic and obsessed with progress and are likely to conduct experiments with human and animal specimens alike, courtesy of the local Evil Poacher and Human Traffickers. Expect them to capture the Tarzanesque, if this character discovers them, and conduct horrible experiments, with the belief they are either the missing link or next stage in human evolution. They are also potentially another Evil Colonialist employed by The Empire or part of the Banana Republic.
  • Evil Prince: A brutal leader killing and torturing for the throne, can be tribal or colonial.
  • Evil Overlord: The leader of The Empire.
  • Fake Prince: A chief who has stolen his position from a good chief.
  • Fallen Hero: Many heroes in this genre have evil counterparts, so a story about the turn evil would be more than welcomed.
  • Frazetta Man: Basically an Evil Counterpart to the Tarzanesque. The Frazetta Man is a staple of the Jungle Opera. They don’t have to be stupid or Always Chaotic Evil and can be individualized, but they are a good alternative to the Cannibal Tribe.
  • General Ripper: They do not necessarily need to be Imperial German, Nazi or what have you. They do not even need to specifically be human. The setting could be a Banana Republic with them being one of the local antagonists. Due to the fact that some real-world poachers are military, They might be one themselves.
  • Hired Guns: Mercenaries are more common than most people realize in the jungle, and they can make great direct antagonists. They are likely to be only motivated by greed without regard for human life making them perfect threats, usually hired by greater antagonists.
    • They may work as Bounty Hunters. After all, bounty hunters are often Only in It for the Money. They may hunt other villains and do the right thing for all the wrong reasons.
    • They can be hired by illegal operations to kill the conservationist.
    • They can be hired by a cultist or corrupt missionary to hunt down The Missionary.
    • They can even be allies on occasion if they are hired to take down a criminal. However, they may betray the heroes to either claim the bounty for themselves, or because cashing in on the heroes' bounty is much more profitable.
    • They may overlap with Egomaniac Hunter, being a Psycho for Hire who enjoys Hunting the Most Dangerous Game.
  • Horny Vikings: A lost colony of Norsemen is a classic, even if it does not entirely make senses. Realistically, they would have integrated into the local peoples, so they will likely have combinations of attire, weaponry and even spiritual beliefs.
    • Horned Helmets have not been found in Nordic countries, but are forgiven by the Rule of Cool, especially with local materials like Rhino horns.
  • Human Traffickers: They can be very risky, but make excellent antagonists if they catch a hero or a loved one. They also make an excellent supplier of fresh specimens for the Evilutionary Biologist.
  • Hostile Natives: Usually a Cannibal Tribe often kidnaps, tortures and even eats unsuspecting explorers. Although very risky, evil nations and culture exist, and the fact that they are human means that they have the potential for great good or great evil.. Additionally, depicting all natives as pure and harmonious with nature can be equally risky.
    • A manipulative chief can make the tribe something like a small Dystopia or The Dictator Ship. Also, do some research into real evil cultures to extrapolate totalitarian philosophies from.
    • Use Worldbuilding to give them their own detailed culture. Things like their actual ideology, religion, language, clothing, hunting strategies and diet, trade and political relations with other tribes or colonial powers can all make them feel far more grounded.
    • Make them distinct. Make sure they of individuals with their own personalities and motivations. Making them collectivist is also welcomed, but only if there is a real reason like cultish manipulation or some kind of mind control. Even then, a couple of good ones are always welcomed.
    • Picking up from the last point, make them an actual cult, where the leaders manipulate and abuse the people below them; A Religion of Evil with an interesting lore and understandable code can be interesting, especially if they tie into the fantasy gods or forces of the universe. The tribe can even be humane and helpful so the leader can try to manipulate the protagonist into joining them rather than kidnapping and torturing him for no reason. An evil variation of The Missionary can work very well here.
    • Give them political ties and trade including with the Evil Colonialist. Some tribes were involved with slave trades historically.
    • Give them guns. Several real and hostile tribes did trade for firearms.
    • They don’t have to be indigenous either. A Lost Colony driven mad or Fantasy races are always welcomed.
    • A good alternative is a band of rebel soldiers, who have created their own small society.
    • Make it a polite culture that just doesn’t take kindly to trespassers, instead of Cannibals.
    If you think that depicting a cannibal tribe is stereotypical, racist or you think it is unjust to depict anyone as evil enough to kidnap, torture and eat people, don't worry. Most every real cult in history is far far worse than anything you can remotely find in fiction. Do some research into real cults. Possible side effects include: nightmares and severe loss of faith in humanity.
  • Illegal loggers and illegal mines work well in this genre, especially if they are threatening a cast member’s village or kidnapping one of the cast for forced labor.
    • Consider some alternatives. An illegal archeology dig could be dangerous as well.
  • Imperial Germans: If you are working with a World War I setting, kind of a precursor in pulp to Those Wacky Nazis.
  • Dark Action Girl: An intiresting subvrsion for the Jungle Princess, but Tribes of amazon warriors are very common in this genre, often as villains.
  • Lost Colony: A classic in this genre, and can be anything from a leftover fragment from the colonial age, an excuse for Steampunk to even the Knights Templar after losing their way looking for the Holy Land. Not required to be evil, but usually are.
  • MegaCorp: They are a giant heartless cooperate entity that doesn't care about the environment, their workers or their customers. Their only goal is power, to own and control everything.
    • Making them a techno feudalist corporation or Corporatocracy is more than welcomed.
    • Remember they are likely Too Big To Fail. Having them Drunk with Power instead of simply greedy, is a great alternative.
  • Mighty Whitey: This character can make for an excellent antagonist. An evil version of the Tarzanesque, who believes that they are the King or Queen of the jungle. Proud and arrogant. They still defend the tribes that recognize their authority, but they torture and kill anyone who apposes them. They could also be an Eco-Terrorist.
  • Monster of the Week: The jungle is full of dangerous creatures. This is especially the case if the Evilutionary Biologist's experiments escaped, if All Myths Are True, or in a Lost World in general. These monsters might be magic ordinary, but still very dangerous, animals, might be alien, might be robotic or can even be humans with abnormal abilities.
  • Nepharious Pharaoh: In cases of Ancient Egyptian-based lost cities, villains such as this may appear. Reflecting the real-world history, the pharaoh in question may be man or woman and they may even be an example of The Usurper.
  • Not Quite Human: As mentioned before, a fantasy race is a good alternative for a Cannibal Tribe or other potentially risky tropes where the characters are not acting human either. Classics here include Lizard Folk and Our Zombies Are Different. Even Fish People are welcomed here.
    • They can also be a general race or faction adding to the overall Worldbuilding.
  • Nuke 'em: When a villain is so despite for resources or so hellbent on destroying an indigenous population that they are willing to leave the jungle an inhospitable wasteland.
  • Obstructive Bureaucrat: Politics are messy, so this guy (from any background) can play a big role in several problems. Typically the most they will get is a slap on the wrist, obviously because they are the senate.
for a Bioweapon.
  • They can also play a large role in letting the right kind of people off the hook in order to further their political agenda, and then unjustly punishing political threats to them.
  • He might willingly not provide enough funding to stop certain outlaws. He can also be bribed by wealthy human traffickers, gang leaders, warlords or criminals running big operations.
  • He might hire an Egomaniac Hunter to Execute Order 66
  • Due to the fact that some real-world poachers are corrupt officials, he might be one himself.
  • Making them a High-Class Cannibal would be a fitting subversion in this genre.
  • Our Giants Are Bigger: Having the classic small people based on the pigmies is extremely risky, but going the opposite direction would be a welcomed alternative.
  • Outlaw: There are many different variations, but whoever they are, they are breaking the law and they are willing to do whatever it takes protect their operations, including kidnapping or killing.
    • While Evil Poacher is common, the character did not become common until late into the genre. This is because the jungle is filled with different kinds of criminals like organized crime syndicates, pirates, general smugglers, rogue military groups, mercenaries, commercial poachers/thieves for hire, bandits, highwaymen, serial killers, terrorists, corrupt officials etc., with an additional reason being there was little distinction between the Evil Poacher and the Egomaniac Hunter. While most outlaws do engage in poaching due to the black market value of things like rare pelts and ivory, but they also deal in other illegal substances like stolen artifacts, weapons, counterfeit money, stolen ores or illegally mined precious metals, organs, drugs, slaves, children etc. If you have an outlaw, allow them to be a more specific kind of criminal. It’s okay to write them engaging in poaching, just make sure they aren’t only a simple poacher. Utilizing The Highwayman, Ruthless Modern Pirates, The Aggressive Drug Dealer, the Arms Dealer, Gang of Hats, Human Traffickers and other criminal tropes for an Evil Poacher is a good way to make them more distinct and realistic.
    • Although smuggling various things is common for the outlaw, consider some other alternatives. They could be hiding from the law. They might be a cyber criminal working remotely through satellites. They might rob a railroad or terrorize a small village or town. They might try to take private property by force to illegally use its resources. They might kidnap village elders to interrogate them looking for a lost artifact etc. “Allow most of them to have a more complex Evil Scheme than capture/smuggle x”
    • Remember, having them steal or kill people to protect their operations is one thing, but having them draw their skills for other crimes for hire, independent of their illegal operations, can make them more dangerous.
    • They don’t have to be white. Fantasy races can equally work, many criminals in jungle countries are local.
    • They don’t have to be criminals of the jungle. They might simply be hiding from the law for a crime they committed outside the jungle. They could even be a Retired Outlaw, in which case they are probably less likely to be a villain.
    • They could be a dangerous criminal banished from the Lost Tribe rather than an outsider.
  • Outside-Genre Foe: As mentioned before, this genre commonly has Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot. Just make sure the crossover is organically related to the tone or themes you are going for as an author.
  • The Purge: Genocide is unfortunately very common in the jungle.
    • Can be combined with the Egomaniac Hunter as some marksmen were hired for genocide historically like the slaughter of the Tasmanian Aborigines.
  • Predator Pastiche: A very formidable opponent if you want a science fiction element, especially for Planetary Romance.
  • Politically Incorrect Villain: Should be avoided. Again, if the audience should hate them because they disagree with your worldview, then they need work.
  • Psycho for Hire: Many villains in this genre are Only in It for the Money, so they can preform brutal tasks for someone else if they are offered the right price.
  • Religion of Evil: Can be very interesting as long as there is Worldbuilding around it. Make it tie into your lore and your fantasy evil gods.
    • Many of the most barbaric societies in history were highly advanced, so utilizing a Fallen Empire or a Vestigial Empire could work very well.
  • Renegade Splinter Faction: A group of terrorists, more extreme then their predecessors.
  • Ruthless Modern Pirates: commonly known to the people of the Amazon as River Rats. They likely engage in several crimes of smuggling and trafficking various contraband. They plunder and pillage and don’t give a hoot after all.
  • Sadist: This is common for several villains in this genre like the Witch Doctor, the Egomaniac Hunter, the Evil Colonialist, the Evilutionary Biologist etc. This trope is often used to emphasize the danger of the villains, as making them ruthless is one thing, but making them enjoy causing harm makes them more dangerous and their danger more exciting.
    • Be careful not to use this in Author Tract. While it is tempting to make the villain enjoy hurting children in a theme about human trafficking or having and to have an evil poacher enjoy hurting animals for a green aesop, it is going to come off as contrived rather than actually making a meaningful point. Instead focus on the hero’s resolve and values as this is a much better alternative for An Aesop.
    • Also don’t let this trope get in the way of making the villain entertaining. Humor and charisma are still more than welcomed and they can actually make this trope even more effective if handled right. Expect dark humor in particular.
  • Sinister Minister: The Missionary can also be a good villain as a Cult leader, or working for or as an Evil Colonialist. Equally present in history to the Heroic Counterpart.
  • Small Town Rivalry: A tribal community might be threatened by another village they have bad blood with.
  • Space Pirates: Could make an appearance in a Planetary Romance.
  • Spree Killer: Someone killing everything in a rampage.
    • Could also be The Empire making a part of the jungle purposefully inhospitable with a Superweapon to plunder it for raw resources or to irradiate a political threat.
    • They can go after other villains too.
  • Standard Evil Organization Squad: Having a team of villains devoted to a specific task. If you already established multiple villains, this might result from a Villain Team-Up.
  • The Syndicate: A of very organized criminals that are very common in real life. They are likely to be behind many of the other villains and criminals, and they will utilize Hired Guns to take care of threats.
    • There can also be a Gray-and-Gray Morality version of them, offering bounties on local criminal like other cartels, local poachers, or general outlaws. This doesn’t mean they are good guys though.
  • Tin Tyrant: Possibly a Sufficiently Advanced Bamboo Technology robot, a armored leader of the Vestigial Empire or a Cybernetics Eat Your Soul Evil Colonialist.
  • Vestigial Empire: A lost jungle dwelling superpower, and potentially a Ancient Advanced Acropolis. They are usually evil.
  • Those Wacky Nazis: A must for any World War II or Dieselpunk story. They could also be a Lost Colony in the Amazon Rainforest, as many Nazis fled to South America following the war.
  • Tin Tyrant: Having an Evil Colonialist or an employer of the Evil Colonialist, who is more machine than man, might be interesting.
  • Toxic, Inc.: Obviously risky and seen as lazy for a Green Aesop, but a deeper political motive, as a decoy to wipe out some indigenous villages, can be interesting.
  • Tragic Villain: This is far less risky if you have a controversial antagonist.
    • By no means does this mean their crimes have to be justified, and contrasting honest alternatives to dealing with their circumstances, or a theme of redemption is more than welcomed.
    • This trope works best for small time criminals, henchmen and nooks rather than the Big Bad themself.
  • Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Can be from an enviromental crisis of releasing disease and displacing animals or it might involve something more fantastical like accidentally activating an ancient Lost Superweapon, these are very much on the grey side of the spectrum and don't necessarily need to appear in person.
  • The Warlord: Likely a former colonial or indigenous leader who is hellbent on control and genocide, who will forcibly take over local power. They also have no regard for the rainforest and will rule it with a mind of metal to build up their armies and gain more power.
  • Witch Doctor: An evil counterpart to the Shaman, this character is often a very manipulative and likely to be the leader of the Religion of Evil who cares only about their influence over the tribe rather than their tribesmen. They are likely to engage in activities such as, fulfilling ancient prophecies, a brutal Imperfect Ritual or any form of Human Sacrifice. They are also very likely to be an Evil Chancellor to the chief.
    • As mentioned before, this genre is a subgenre of Science Fiction, and the theme of science vs superstation was played a lot more straight in this genre. The Witch Doctor usually didn't have any actual abilities in older media and was merely superstitious, being angered or confused by the technology and medicine of Mighty Whitey. While you obviously might want to avoid this portrayal, you can still make this character an excellent villain without actual magic, as simply making them an actual cult leader who manipulates and abuses their tribesmen with fear, guilt and pleasure is a welcomed subversion. The dynamics of real cults is often far more horrifying than any curse or monster in fiction.
    • Having them actually use science and build machines to give an appearance of supernatural abilities or curses is also a welcomed subversion for them to manipulate their tribe. Making them intelligent in general instead of superstitious is a must as it is not only less risky, but it also makes them far more terrifying. Also making this character good at combat is still welcomed.
    • In more recent media, they might practice actual dark magic. Depicting them as an Evil Sorcerer is also more than welcomed welcomed. Just make sure they are still manipulative and intelligent. Abilities and practices include practice The Dark Arts, Alliance with an Abomination, Necromancy, Mind Control, and Divination. Just be sure to Worldbuild a real system of evil spirits or use an Eldritch Abominations rather than relying on Hollywood Voodoo.
    • We Can Rule Together, where this character tries to convert enimies instead of killing them, is an excellent subversion.
    • They don't have to be tribal. Having them in the government forming a Banana Republic, working with Outlaws and smugglers to their own ends, secretly operating as an Evil Sorcerer for their own ends is also welcomed. They also don’t have to be indigenous. Having the colonial Evil Overlord of The Empire be a wicked sorcerer or an Evilutionary Biologist who is messing around with dangerous forces of the jungle beyond their comprehention are both more than welcomed.
  • Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: The evil counterpart to Le Residence.

     Plant and Animal Coordinator 
The jungle is by its nature filled with countless species of animals and plants. Because these plants and animals can usually be allies, antagonists or even the McGuffin, it seemed like they deserved their own folder. Weather the story leans more towards In Harmony with Nature or Nature Is Not Nice is a decision only the author can make.

  • Animals in general of course.
    • Subvert Herbivores Are Friendly. Many authors tend to depict all herbivores as peaceful and all carnivores as dangerous man eating predators and depict killing a herbivore in self defense as evil, while fighting a carnivorous animal is perfectly fine, it can be unrealistic or risky if poorly researched. Many herbivores can be more dangerous than many predators because they are very territorial and powerful. On the other hand just because an animal is carnivorous, that doesn’t mean they are automatically going to kill humans as most have a very specific diet. Many animals only attack humans in self defense as well. As always, killing an animal as a last resort is always less risky. In general, please do your own research.
    • Don’t limit them to gorillas, monkeys and big cats. The Amazon alone already has nightmares like stingrays, sharks, electric eels, alligators, scorpions. As well as the bullet ant and executioner wasp, which both deliver the most painful stings known to man. There is a lot of variety and hazards, so have fun with these.
    • Alien Animals: Are more than welcomed, especially on earth ironically. Having an animal look just like an earth equivalent is okay, but admittedly unrealistic in space, but finding something that looks normal and harmless, but turns out to be dangerous and unnatural in the Amazon or Congo could be very fun. They might have ties to the magic of the setting or a fictitious disease.
  • Action Pet: A must for any Tarzan Boy or Jungle Princess. Especially because raising, taming and training a dangerous animal to fight at your side is demanded by the Rule of Cool, and is much better than Friend To All Living, where nothing will attack you your character.
  • All Animals Are Domesticated: Avoid this. Allow your characters to actually be in danger unless they can befriend an animal over time.
  • Animal Assassin: Having a pet to kill for you.
  • Animalistic Abomination: At least somewhat resembles regular jungle fauna, but is bizarre, otherworldly, and unnatural. Perfect for the alien ecosystems of a Lost World or jungle planet.
  • Ant Assault: A common danger in this genre.
  • Attack Animal: The pet of the Badass Native or Tarzanesque.
  • Big Creepy-Crawlies: big bugs for mounts and monsters.
  • Bizarre Alien Biology: works well for any alien ecosystem.
  • Botanical Abomination: At least somewhat resembles regular jungle flora, but is bizarre, otherworldly, and unnatural. Perfect for the alien ecosystems of a Lost World or jungle planet.
  • Clock Roaches: If a time travelling Professor isn't careful, he might run into these monsters.
  • Clockwork Creature: Obviously in a Steampunk story you would want cool automata, but this is theoretically another piece of Bamboo Technology; a robot running on warden pulleys and rope.
  • Do-Anything Robot is a perfect companion for Action Survivor or Evil Colonialist in a [[Steampunk steam]] or Diesel Punk setting or even in a normal setting for the Evilutionary Biologist or The Professor.
  • Fantastic Flora: A must for any Lost World or jungle planet.
  • Genetic Abomination: Likely a product of the Evilutionary Biologist
  • Giant Squid: This and other tentacled monsters are classic.
    • Keep in mind underrated aspects of biology here. Octopuses for example have blue copper based blood.
  • Golem: Either animated by the Witch Doctor or Shaman, or an In Name Only Ancient Robot mistaken for magic.
  • Green Gators: A classic. Sometimes also a villains pets or means of execution.
  • Horse of a Different Color: Mounts of any kind weather alien, prehistoric, giant or fantastic are more than welcomed.
    • Elasmotherium, a unicorn like creature related to the rhinoceros could look cool.
  • Hypnotic Creature: Common for snakes, but can be intiresting for other animals like bugs.
    • They can simply make your character hallucinate rather than hypnotize them.
    • Making it a property of venom rather than Hypnotic Eyes or song is a more realistic variation.
  • Insectoid Aliens: Can be interesting natives or animals.
  • Kidnapping Bird of Prey: Even birds will try to kidnap you in this genre.
  • Kaiju: Monsters are already common, but you can have a really big one.
  • Killer Space Monkey: In the case of a Single-Biome Planet, and can be in any form.
  • King Kong Copy: A big gorilla is common in this genre.
  • Lighting Bug: Fireflies make great ambience.
  • Living Dinosaurs: as mentioned before. You can even use Artistic License – Biology to give them interesting abilities or make it so the Dinosaurs Are Dragons.
    • This is complicated as our knowledge of dinosaurs historically is always changing and might very depending on the author’s worldview. Doing your own research is recommended as always, but it’s also okay to have Artistic License – Biology for the Rule of Cool. Just make sure to include Worldbuilding around them, like what do they eat, how do they act, are they territorial, how do they communicate etc.
    • Domesticated Dinosaurs: are also welcomed for an Attack Animal or cool mount. Just please go with the more realistic and appropriate How To Train Your Dragon approach where you’re rider actually befriends the animal rather than the questionable (and highly illegal) Methods of Avatar.
  • ManEatingPlants are another staple of this genre. You can even make them sentient.
  • Maniac Monkeys: If you want an animal antagonist, you can't go wrong with a chimpanzee. While most people would think of the gorilla, and have done so for years, it is actually the chimpanzee that is the dangerous one.
    • In an Animal Is the New Man scenario, the chimpanzees could exhibit many of the characteristics shown by the genre's human villains.
  • Mechanical Animals: Surprisingly common in this genre. Big ones make great weapons of the villains.
  • Mosquito Miscreants: Very annoying or dangerous Mosquitoes. This is why you should dress modestly in the jungle.
  • Mix-and-Match Critters: Having hybrids can be interesting in a Lost World. It’s not entirely implausible in Real Life either, as this was essentially the discovery of the Platypus.
  • Nature-Loving Robot: Possibly a piece of Sufficiently Advanced Bamboo Technology, a creation of the professor or a personal Robot Soldier of the Eco-Terrorist.
  • Noble Wolf: A classic for stories set in Asia. Even in South America and Africa there are wolf like creatures.
  • Not So Extinct: A good option for using extinct animals. Scientist have often found living fossils of various kinds in the wild.
  • Our Werebeasts Are Different: Creatures such as werehyenas can be formidable antagonists, thus bringing the supernatural into the mix. Also, Wear Big Cat.
  • Our Cryptids Are More Mysterious: Of course some dangerous prehistoric or unknown animals can be excellent threats. Classics include dinosaurs, man eating plants, zombies. You can even try something in the snowy mountains like a yeti if you are feeling particularly adventurous.
    • Do some research into other aspects of prehistoric animals and Cryptozoology. You could have a megalodon, with sharks already in the Amazon River. Also the Elasmotherium, a cousin to the rhino, is the perfect way to incorporate unicorns. Just remember these are definitely more likely to trample or stab you than have magic, but that just makes them cooler.
  • Our Hydras Are Different: a good monster to guard temples.
  • Panthera Awesome: Could be an ally, enemy or even sometimes a mount.
  • Parasites Are Evil: There are several parasitic creatures in the jungle in Real Life, but they are somewhat underrated in this genre.
  • Planimal: This might be interesting as a monster or regular wildlife.
  • Piranha Problem: Obviously in the Amazon, but a classic.
  • Proud Peacock: A very pretty and arrogant bird.
  • Psycho Electric Eel: These actually live in the Amazon river.
  • Prehistoric Monster: A common antagonist, but prehistoric creatures and plants are also very common here.
  • Raised by Wolves: Normally the origin of the Tarzanesque, if they aren’t Raised by Natives.
  • Ridiculously Cute Critter: This is a must for the jungle.
  • Robot Soldier: A new toy after the Evil Colonialist realized his men couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Might be a very terrifying threat though if it is evil.
  • Roc Birds: Big predatory birds.
  • Scary Scorpions; even if they are small, their stings can be painful or even deadly. Common in most every jungle.
  • Scary Stinging Swarm: There are a lot of stinging insects in the jungle.
  • Snakes Are Sinister: Snakes are usually big and have a Deadly Hug. They also sometimes have Hypnotic Eyes.
    • Consider giving them hypnotic or hallucinogenic venom.
    • The Great Serpent could be an interesting monster.
    • Making them actually sinister is common but not required.
  • Spiders Are Scary: Spiders are a common danger in all jungles.
  • Sinister Stingrays: Another Amazon river monster.
  • Starfish Aliens: Perfect for an alien ecosystem.
  • Threatening Shark: Bull sharks live in the Amazon.
  • Thorny Plants, thorn trees, tree cacti, wait a minute (thorny) vines, stickers and other similar hazards are considerably criminally underrated in this genre.
    • There are also toxic plants that burn to the touch that are common in the jungle.
  • Talking Animal: This is very different from the Friend to All Living Things, as it gives the animals their own agency. The problem is that this can often come off as too silly or cartoony. If the animals are given their own worldbuilt cultures and are made into good characters with good chemistry, like in The Jungle Book, then this trope is more than welcome.
    • Try to make the animals talk with the mind of the actual animal. Disney's Up understood that a dog will be obsessed with sent, squirrls and praising their master.
    • A common variation from the Rule of Cool is when the Tarzanesque can understand the characters perfectly by tones and body language. (See Speaks Fluent Animal in the Stunt Department)
    • The prfessor making machines that allow for this is more than welcomed.
    • Maybe the trope is played straight as a property of the Lost World, similar to Narnia.
  • Vile Vulture: Likely to hover over a Locked Up and Left Behind victim dying Exposed to the Elements
  • War Elephants: A cool option at least the villains.
  • Wicked Wasps: A must for the jungle.
  • Zebras Are Just Striped Horses: This is also more than welcome, but not entirely plausible.
    • Ostriches are not only a good mount, but also the second fastest land animal.
    • Quaggas used to be extinct but are theoretically an easier mount than a zebra.
    • Giant birds are also a great option when they aren’t kidnapping you.
    • Big Creepy-Crawlies also can make an in interesting mount.

    Stunt Department 
The Jungle Opera genre is full of daring feats,, acrobatics and dangerous stunts already, but a little bit of deconstruction or martial arts choreography would be a welcomed addition. Unfortunately, many aspects of these stunts have been used for Author Appeal or can be risky. It’s important to remember as a writer or director, that what is left unsaid or proper deconstruction can really intensify the danger of some of these stunts without appearing too problematic. Weather a stunt is utilized is ultimately up to the individual author and writer.

  • Animal Aura: Great for a Shaman or even a Tarzanesque or Badass Native.
  • Animal Talk is common in this genre.
    • Having characters understand animals or even humans though body language is always more than welcomed.
  • Animal-Themed Fighting Style: Is required for the Tarzanesque. It makes a lot of sense in this setting o in general. For sure use some form of indigenous martial arts, and make it cool.
  • Anti-Regeneration: A good idea if you have Not Quite Human fantasy races with a Healing Factor. The villain might also refuse to regenerate so the hero can’t save them.
  • Archery: a common hunting and combat practice of the Badass Native or Tarzanesque.
  • Always Know a Pilot: Common for a lot of characters in this genre, especially Adventurer Archaologist if they aren’t a pilot already.
  • Alliance with an Abomination: The Witch Doctor is most likely to do this, but the Evil Overlord, Evilutionary Biologist might try it as well. Even The Professor might have made this mistake.
  • Awesome by Analysis: A must for any good Jungle Princess or Tarzan Boy. Having them use their intellect, combined with their jungle hero standard issue hightened senses like enhanced smell, touch, hearing and sight are demanded by the Rule of Cool.
  • Barefoot Running is almost considered an unwritten rule for any good Tarzan Boy or Jungle Princess.
    • It’s also an unwritten rule to use Handy Feet if you go this direction.
    • For any frequent barefooter like the Tarzanesque, the sense of touch would actually become more acute due to the nerves being used constantly. So it pairs very nicely with Awesome by Analysis.
    • Remember to use Agony of the Feet if there is a change in lifestyle, as the jungle floor certainly has hazards like thorns, rocks, roots and insects and any barefoot runner can tell you that it takes months in a safe environment building up strength and thick skin before one can go barefoot consistently; possibly a year or more to endure such a hostile environment like a jungle properly.
    • Combat Stilettos: Should be Averted for a Jungle Princess dressing up for western society, as she is definitely spent her whole life as wearing very light footwear if not a full on barefooter. Therefore she would have trouble walking, much less running and fighting in high heels.
  • Battle Cry: The classic Tarzan yell has really lost its cool factor after the original novels, where it was a victory cry of a bull ape, but a more than welcomed alternative is to play this trope straight. Give your characters, especially the Tarzanesque and Badass Native an actual battle cry.
  • Battle in the Rain: It’s called the rainforest for a reason.
  • Bilingual Bonus: A must due to the different languages and cultures.
  • Bound and Gagged; Due to the theme of hunting fitting the aesthetic, the jungle is an excellent place to get captured or kidnapped, so this trope is pretty standard to happen to any Tarzanesque, Adventure Archaeologist or even The Missionary.
    • Due to the reality of human trafficking this trope can be very risky, so it’s best to be careful how scenes are framed in visual mediums and keep general descriptions brief.
    • This is played pretty straight when a character is captured by the Outlaw.
    • For a hostile tribe, it’s common for them to bind and publicly display a protagonist to interrogate them, for public humiliation or torture or simply for Hollywood Natives who have Come to Gawk.
    • Another favorite in this genre is the Tribal Carry.
    • One interesting approach is to acknowledge real effects of being restrained. Side effects include, Constipation, Circulatory problems, Muscle Atrophy, Urinary Tract Infections, immobilized without bonds from being tied for so long and Depression.
    • Consider alternatives. An Evilutionary Biologist might use a Cryo-Prison Some Real Life cannibals broke limbs instead of bonding them.
    • Please no Author Appeal. Human Trafficking makes this trope risky enough.
  • Bottomless Bladder; (Subverted) Despite the name, this refers to the lack of bodily necessities in general that most fictional characters experience, such as no need for food, water, and sleep. Due to themes of survival in this genre, it’s basically an unwritten rule is that this should be subverted in this genre, as staying hydrated, finding food, finding a place to sleep without getting eaten and the like, are all interesting to explore in this genre.
    • The extent to which a character, especially a Tarzanesque, hunts depends on both the personal beliefs of the author and the character. A character raised by animals might refuse to kill entirely and live off of plants seeing animals as equal to them, some might make exception for Killing in Self-Defense, others might hunt only out of necessity, others, especially a Tarzanesque like the animals around them, might hunt only for food, and others will hunt for money, usually morally grey and villainous characters. If your character lives off of plants, real world survival tips like rubbing a plant against the skin and waiting for an itch or rash to test for poison, or identifying different flora might be interesting.
    • Quick survival tips include, drink long and deep like Kipling said; possible ways to get clean water are from streams, collecting rain or collecting dew, shelters should be built on elicited ground, campfire generally keeps predators like big cats away or even dangerous insects depending on fuel, This list goes on and is far too deep to cover here, so independent research is advised.
    • Even the more literal subversion, the Potty Emergency, has been Played for Laughs in this genre; usually with a character who doesn’t understand survival skills yet.
  • Breaking the Bonds: Is common, due to how common bonds are in this genre. Make sure there is a good amount of time between a character getting captured and escaping though. If the character is a Play-Along Prisoner, they need to give the impression that they really are helpless, and if the character is Badass in Distress, they should actually be helpless for a while, so having them think their way out is much more exciting than them overpowering their bonds through brute force.
  • Bring Him to Me: A villain capturing the hero to bring them to their hideout, often as a plot device.
  • Bushcraft: Any good Tarzan Boy, Jungle Princess or Action Survivor must be able to craft whatever tool they need by hand.
    • Don’t be afraid of Bamboo Technology. People have built some pretty insane things by hand in Real Life, much more so in fiction.
  • The Cavalry: When the heroes friends, animal or human arrive at the last minute.
  • Chained to a Rock: This is everywhere in this genre. As mentioned before, getting captured is inevitable in the jungle so the Badass in Distress being fed to a hostile animal, monster, volcano or some other threat is very common. The purpose depends on who what villain is doing it to a captive.
  • Chased by Angry Natives: Why they are angry is totally up to the author, but avoiding risky stereotypes is strongly advised.
  • Combat Parkour: A must for any Tarzanesque or Badass Native. Might involve Artistic License – Physics.
  • Caught in a Snare and the Inescapable Net is a common trap for unsuspecting adventurers.
  • Cold-Blooded Torture (and its many variations): Common by villains for various reasons. An Outlaw might interrogate the Tarzanesque for the location of something valuable like the Ancient Artifact, a lost treasure or a rare animal. Tribal cults might use this on outsiders to convert them, to make the Tarzanesque kneel to a manipulative Witch Doctor cult leader or to punish those who speak out against him. Agents of The Empire like Evil Colonialist and Banana Republic have also been known to utilize this trope.
    • This is very risky, but remember to tell not show here. This is especially effective as what is left unsaid or offscreen can be far more terrifying and interesting than anything shown directly.
    • For mentioning things rather than showing them, authors commonly like to mention that this process involves as little physical harm to the victim as possible, allowing the villains to keep the victim alive completely or at least to kill them far slower. Authors will also sometimes mention that this can last for days or even weeks. These techniques are used to generate sympathy for the victim, however putting a time limit on how long it will be before the victim dies is a welcomed alternative to raise the stakes.
    • Don't be afraid to get creative with this even if you leave things off scream. Creepy-Crawly Torture is fitting and terrifying for this genre. A character might eventually be And I Must Screamed. You Witch Doctor or Evil Colonilaist might interrogate someone with an Eldritch Abomonation to make them go insane. One might be tied to a fast growing tree in a way that slowly pulls them apart. Someone might be tied up under the hot sun to die slowly Exposed to the Elements. A Witch Doctor or similar character can use magic to trap their victim in a nightmare, slowing down their perception of time with the convenience of them being unconscious rather than bound. This can also be interesting since the torture continues after the rescue if the victim can't be awakened. Then there are all of the other tropes of psychological ways to torment characters. Again, there is more said when things are left unsaid, but don't let that stifle your creativity.
    • Authors also have time to allow characters to heal after an escape. You can use hugs liberally to make this very wholesome.
    • A villain can use this to lure out the Tarzanesque. Using their friends as bait as they are Interrogated for Nothing.
  • Clothing Damage is very likely either early on in the story or for an 11th-Hour Costume Change..
  • Cryo-Prison: The Evilutionary Biologist probably uses this to preserve or even torture specimens. Also a common way for preserving the Frazetta Man from millennia or even eons in the past.
  • The Dark Arts: The Witch Doctor obviously might dabble in this if they aren't merely manipulative, though no less terrifying.
  • Deadly Hug: Primarily from, but not limited to, large snakes.
  • Dodge the Bullet: Usually the Tarzanesque or Badass Native can do this because of the Rule of Cool.
  • Dual Wielding: A possible fighting style that looks cool.
  • Duel to the Death: Either between knives: and spears Tarzanesque vs. an evil Badass Native, Guns: Ranger vs. Outlaw or even Magic: Shaman vs. Witch Doctor.
  • Dragon Rider: If you have Domesticated Dinosaurs or Dinosaurs Are Dragons, this trope is more than welcomed, but please keep it a realistic and ethical relationship with an Action Pet Mount Think How To Train Your Dragon, not James Cameron's Avatar.
  • Dramatic Wind: Rule of Cool says use it liberally. Deconstructing it and adding the sound of wind in the trees to your Noisy Nature is welcomed.
  • Escapology:You will want a little bit of this for at least your Tarzan Boy or Jungle Princess. Most likely acquired through experience rather than official training.
  • 11th-Hour Costume Change: When the Tarzanesque needs mobility for the battle in the third act.
  • Elemental Powers can work well here, especially Green Thumb or Animorphism.
  • Escaped Animal Rampage: A great plot device. Stampedes are also pretty dangerous.
  • Exposed to the Elements: A general version of being exposed to the sunlight and insects is a common method of torturing and killing in this genre, but the cold aspect of this trope also applies. As mentioned before, the temperature of the jungle itself drops at night, more drastically the higher the elevation. Additionally, being from such a hot climate makes a Tarzanesque or Native character more vulnerable, as what we would consider room temperature would be very cold for them. Additionally, rain and streams would drop their temperature much more quickly.
  • Extreme Tracking Skills for the Great White or Egomaniac Hunter, but especially a must for any Badass Native or Tarzanesque.
  • Faked Kidnapping: An interesting subversion in this genre, likely used to lure out or capture the Tarzanesque.
  • Fantastic Slurs: Might be really fun to play with. Even Oh, My Gods! makes sense for the Badass Native or Tarzanesque.
  • Gladiator Games: Having a fight to the death is a common form of Bread and Circuses by a Hostile Tribe, Vestigial Empirer or even the Egomaniac Hunter engaging in human trafficking, but and it’s common for one’s opponent to be an regular innocent person. Sometimes in this genre, the two fighters will even know each other as friends from work.
  • Gladiator Revolt: This is a possibility if your characters end up in the Bread and Circuses of a Vestigial Empire.
  • Gun Twirling: a must for any good Outlaw, Hired Gun or a Ranger with a Big Iron on his hip.
  • Heroes Fight Barehanded: empty hand martial arts are more than welcomed.
  • Hidden Suplies: If a Tarzanesque knows that particular part of the jungle well enough, having them hid weapons, tools and armor to use later could be cool.
  • Hollywood Voodoo: Obviously for the Witch Doctor, but you might want to Avert this, as Worldbuilding a unique magic system with dangerous effects and monovalent entities is always more interesting and less risky.
  • Happily Married: This is a much better alternative to the classic mates, as tribal communities not only have sexual taboos, but also marriage traditions like any other culture. Exploring these adds to their Worldbuilding.
  • Harbinger of Asskicking: There are many cool ways to set up a fight scene.
  • Hostile Weather: The jungle is known for this, especially during monsoon season.
  • Hugs: For themes of loyalty friendship and family and a nice contrast to Nature Is Not Nice.
  • Kidnapped by the Call: While kidnapping is everywhere in the jungle itself, it might be used to bring the protagonist there.
  • Kidnapped for Experimentation: A favorite of the Evilutionary Biologist.
  • Language Barrier: This is important to take into account in this genre. Additionally, showing characters overcome this through observation is always interesting.
  • Le Parkour: Use it liberally as dictated by the Rule of Cool, but a more forest based version. Of course this include Vine Swing and the previously mentioned Combat Parkour. Also note that in the original Tarzan novels, the Lord of the Jungle was swinging from branch to branch rather than vine swinging. Might involve Artistic License – Physics.
  • Locked Up and Left Behind; A common means for disposing of a character leaving them Bound and Gagged to the mercy of the Hungry Jungle.
  • Lost Language: Commonly found written in the runes of the Temple of Doom or Ruins for Ruins' Sake, or even spoken by the Lost Tribe.
  • Hulk Speak: is very risky. If the natives speak a language from Real Life, it should be translated completely, use subtitles, or use an authentic accent when speaking to non-native speakers. Accents involve much more than skipping pronouns and articles.
    • This trope can be forgiven if utilized for Talking Animals.
    • A good subversion is to create your own fantasy language, like Elvish or Klingon.
    • Another possibility is an English dialect, which is now a whole independent language, left over from the colonial age. Think Hawaiian Pigeon.
  • Human Sacrifice: As well as Virgin Sacrifice, Appease the Volcano God and every other subtrope are all common in this genre.
  • Instant Sedation because people get kidnapped so often, getting knocked out is also common. This is also a more welcome approach for a hunting character.
    • They don’t have to knock people out. Temporarily paralyzing a victim would also be interesting.
    • Try deconstructing this trope. The side effects of being knocked out can be pretty intense, and interesting to explore. As always, independent research is advised.
  • Knife Fight: A must for any Tarzanesque.
  • Know The Ropes: Also a must for a Tarzanesque.
  • Kite Riding: If you are using a lot of Bamboo Technology, a personal glider could be cool.
  • Kung Fu Wizatrd: Making your Shaman or Witch Doctor good at combat is more than welcomed.
  • MacGyvering: A good choice for The Professor.
  • Martial Arts and Crafts: This is more than welcomed. Ranchers might use farming based martial arts for example.
  • Meditating Under a Waterfall: or praying in the case of The Missionary.
  • Midair Repair: An Ace Pilot will probably attempt this.
  • Mind over Matter: A good option for the Shaman, especially if the Space Plane gets stuck somewhere.
  • Mind Control: The Witch Doctor might have some ability to do this.
  • Necromancy: Another power the Witch Doctor might have.
  • Never Learned to Read: This is common among members of the Lost Tribe, and possibly the Badass Native, but not limited to them.
    • Just remember that literacy doesn't corollate to intelligence. If a character can't read, they should have other forms of intelligence like being very ingenuitive or Awesome by Analysis are excellent.
    • Averting this with by Worldbuilding a complex tribal writing system with unique characters and phonetics, is more than welcomed.
  • Old-School Dogfight: If you have more than one Cool Plane, expect this to come up.
  • Parachute in a Tree: If an adventurer exits a flight early, they will probably end up like this.
  • Pistol-Whipping: A form of Instant Sedation likely used by villains when capturing a protagonist.
  • Power Glows like Instant Runes, Volcanic Veins, Glowing Eyes and Battle Aura are more than welcomed for the Shaman.
  • Save the Villain: Demonstrates the heroes' moral compass and can make a controversial villain far less risky by demonstrating their humanity.
    • Just make sure the hero didn't kill outside of self defense or protecting others earlier in the plot, otherwise this comes off as out of character.
  • Send in the Search Team: Nature Is Not Nice, so this is a really good idea for a stunt.
  • Sky Hiest: An adventurous outlaw will proably attempt this.
  • Signature Move: A cool way to make characters more unique is to give them their own fighting styles and preferred moves.
  • Slave Liberation: If you have human traffickers or a revolution plot, this will probably work well.
  • Solve the Soup Cans: A must for any Temple of Doom or Ancient Tomb.
  • Speaks Fluent Animal: A classic among Tarzanesque characters. Rule of Cool dictates that understanding an animal through body language and tone is best. Not only does this play into your Tarzanesque Awesome by Analysis, but it's much more realistic as many pet owners gain a similar skill through experience.
    • This can be accelerated, if your character is scientifically minded, studying the mannerisms of his or her companions, like a stranded zoologist or something.
    • Talking Animal is also common, but be careful not to make it too cartoony.
  • Spectacular Spinning: This is welcomed by the Rule of Cool for fighting, traveling or in general making cool stunts. Just be careful not to overdo it.
  • Spiteful Suicide: Heroes killing a villain can be complicated, especially if they are part of a political Aesop, but sometimes the villain kills themself to win against a hero trying to Save the Villain.
  • Starfish Language: Other languages are inevitable, but playing around with how weird they can get is welcomed.
  • Super-Senses: This is a standard among the Tarzanesque. It plays into their Awesome by Analysis and is also a Justified Trope in several ways. Constant different smells will make their sense of smell more acute to detect danger, the various textures and shapes of the jungle floor would make their sense of touch more acute to avoid hazardous or unstable terrain, and their sense of hearing would become more acute to detect danger. As the old saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you loose it”, which applies to senses in Real Life.
    • Keep in mind that this is a little bit of a curse rather than a blessing. Acute hearing means that loud or sudden sounds would be more uncomfortable, acute touch could make you more sensitive to temperature changes, and we can all guess the problems that come with acute smell. Exploring these negative side effects can be very interesting.
  • Super-Strength: This is a classic ability among the Tarzanesque, but it’s best downplayed to peak human strength, since the Tarzanesque character often has to rely on their brain more than their bran, and giving these characters no actual supernatural abilities is much more exciting when danger strikes.
    • This is especially true of the Jungle Princess. Giving her less brute force is not a weakness, but an obstacle to overcome through her mind and strategy, making her more interesting.
  • Sword Fight: This can play out in different ways. In an earlier colonial setting, you might get classic fencing from pirates or the evil colonialist. In an indiginous culture, this can involve actual swords like the Khmer Dha or Nigerian Ida. Even machetes have a blade on blade marital art, and of course the Laser Blade is a go to for more advanced technology.
    • Remember to avoid Flynning in choreography. Of course you want it to look cool, but if the element of danger is lost in the process, it will probably have the opposite effect. Flourishes, Weapon Twirling and a Spin Attack are all still welcome, but when they are justified and make sense in real swordplay.
    • Parrying Bullets looks cool, so it might be forgivable, but use it sparingly.
    • Do your own research and get inspiration from Real Life. Kenjutsu is one option for inspiration.
  • Traintop Battle: A must if there are trains.
  • Tribal Carry: Commonly used by a Lost Tribe to transport prisoners, but there are variations to it.
    • Consider alternatives, like marching the character bound at spear or gun point, forcing them to ride a mount, canoe or wooden cart back to the village, carrying the captive in general without tying them to a pole, carried in a large wooden frame over land or between canoes instead of tied to a pole, having them Dragged By The Collor and even having a character’s arms outstretched and tied to a wooden yoke or beam but letting them still walk so the character can be paraded through a village in front of their enemies (like in Tarzan’s Fight For Life), all are more than welcomed alternatives.
    • They might opt for Shipped in Shackles, either by trade or metallurgy. Many African tribes for example, were actually the first humans to use iron, so this makes sense.
    • Having a group of Egomaniac Hunters use the Tribal Cary instead is also welcomed.
  • Unwilling Suspension: Because of the Rule of Cool, having the wrists or the entire body suspended is very common for a Human S Sacrifice, Chained to a Rock, for displaying a character for Public Humiliation, or even just keeping a character Bound and Gagged,
    • This is often used to lower characters into lava, acid or piranha infested waters.
    • Usually asphyxiation or other problems this trop presents don’t apply, but subverting or justifying this trope is more than welcome.
    • One possibility is actual crucifixion, as a method of execution. It can also be implemented by the evil colonialists to execute people for treason.
  • Vine Swing: This and swinging from branches in general is a common way for the Tarzanesque to get around the jungle quickly.
  • Wall Crawl: Running across a wall is part of parkour.
  • Waterfall Shower: Cleaning oneself under a waterfall.
  • We Can Rule Togeather: This is a more than welcomed subversion for the Witch Doctor. Instead of kidnapping and torturing a character like the Tarzanesque, they might offer them a place at their side subtly with a promise of power to help those they care about and Let Me Tell You a Story.
  • Weapon Twirling: A character fidgeting with their weapons in a cool looking way.
  • With My Hands Tied: Fighting with hands restrained must for a Tarzanesque Badass in Distress and can be cool for the Action Survivor.
  • Zombify the Living: Another evil scheme or ability of the Witch Doctor.

    Director's Chair 

  • African Chant: (Or something similar) is great for an epic soundtrack, but can also be sung in tribal traditions.

  • Background Music: It's important to take the score seriously and use meaningful motifs and themes in an auditory medium. This is also one of the first things you will want to focus on when trying to make your work distinct, as music is a powerful part of storytelling that can connect with the audience in a much more meaningful and emotionally rich way. While Jungle Jazz is common, you will want to pick instruments and styles that focus less on fitting the setting and more on properly conveying emotions like isolation, terror, grand scale and the like.
    • You can see the significance of music in other genres compared to this genre. If one were to mention a tight knit earthy community, you probably wouldn’t think of the lost tribe, but The Shire might give you the warm and fuzzies. If one were to mention oppression, tyranny, taking land by force, your mind might go to this march instead of The British Empire, the Spanish Empire or perhaps even the Nazis, despite all of their atrocities. No one remembers even the name of the Shaman that raised Sheena, but you probably know this mentor. You probably don’t know any of the countless witch doctors and cultists Tarzan has battled, but you if someone mentioned manipulation, dark magic, without mercy, you might think of this instead. While Professor Porter was much more enjoyable in the Disney adaptation, he’s probably not who you would think of if one were to mention quick witted adventuring scientist. This is because of how these tracks are used as themes. They connect with the audience in a very unique way through repetition and tone.

  • Detailed Beautiful Scenery: Tropical rainforests are some of the most beautiful locations on earth. Utilize romantic and descriptive imagery.

  • Bullet Time: A possible way to invoke the Rule of Cool in a fight scene. Although matrix parodies got old very quickly by the late 90s, to this day next to no one has used this in this genre.

  • I Speak Fluent Animal: Although this was already mentioned in the Stunt Department, there is also an out of universe aspect that applies. If your Tarzanesque can understand animals, than those animals should be allowed to be expressive enough so that the audience can understand them completely too without subtitles or voice over.
    • SpiritStallionOfTheCimarron did this so well, the human voiceover is often view as a flaw that takes away from the expressive animals.

  • Jungle Drums: can often be heard in the background.

  • Jungle Jazz: This can work in the background of certain places like the Local Hangout.
    • Jazz in general should be present in a Diesel Punk story.

  • Folk Music is actually a deeply complex and culturally rooted thing, It's also an often neglected, but very important factor in Worldbuilding, which is why Kipling had so many songs to flesh out his cultures in the Jungle Book. This trope is a must for any Lost Tribe or even for their descendants in a local small town. Usually these are used to for conveying history, legends or culturally significant stories. They also might be about the hope and dreams or religious beliefs of a culture.
    • Job Song: This is great for fleshing out the employees of Evil Colonialist, the lives of slaves or even the life of a Venturous Smuggler or Pirate group. People often used music historically correlating to their professions, such as the sea shanty.
    • It can also be used to flesh out a character. The Venturous Smuggler might be a Music lover like Peter Quill for example or The Missionary might have a favorite hymn.
    • Even The Musical can work well in this genre, but it's a complicated and very hit or miss, so if the director doesn't take it seriously or doesn't work in music seamlessly, it's going to be a miss. See TheLionKing1994 for an example of singing animals done well, for an example of singing jungle dwelling humans done well, see ''Moana'
    • Some areas in the Amazon and Congo close enough to civilization might have local radio. This can be an interesting to play around with.

  • Noisy Nature is a must. (Not the misplaced Jungles Sound Like Kookaburras) Using the sounds of real tropical birds, insects, growls and rustling waterfalls is very mesmerizing and fits perfectly with the scenery.

  • No Such Thing as Dehydration: (Subverted) If you are a game designer, adding thirst is a realistic and interesting limitation for the player. Also allowing water to be poisonous or hazardous can help add difficulty.

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