Have an idea for a new trope, but don't know for sure if it's a good idea? Did Trope Finder give you similar concepts, but not exactly what you wanted? Are you just looking for a focus to a broader idea?
You've come to the right place!
On this thread, you can share your ideas with the masses before making that TLP draft, so if there's any lingering uncertainty about the validity of your idea or you just want some help pinning down a good idea, ask away and help others out, too!
A related sandbox I need to pitch is the Trope Idea Salvage Yard. If you've an idea but can't personally work on it, you can add it to the yard and let someone else create the draft. Or you can browse it yourself if you need more draft ideas, whether or not you feel they should be mentioned here first.
Got ideas for non-trope pages you need help with? Never fear, the New Page Workshop Thread
is here!
With that out of the way: Let's discuss some ideas.
Edited by MacronNotes on Feb 27th 2022 at 1:49:11 PM
Good idea, but maybe a title like New Gimmick Per Installment or Generation Defining Gimmick would work, since "Gimmick Franchise" might sound too broad and imply franchises built around the same kinds of gimmicks as opposed to changing them up regularly.
Edited by mightymewtron on Mar 17th 2024 at 2:48:36 PM
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.The Lambs Of God: Sheep are heavily associated with organized religion, which originates from them being mentioned many times in the Bible as sacrifices (ex. lambs' blood on the doorposts to avoid the Angel of Death, the ram that was sacrificed in place of Isaac, Jesus' epithet as the Lamb of God, etc.)
- The Prince of Egypt: A lost sheep leads Moses to a burning bush that speaks to him in the voice of God, commanding him to return to Egypt and free the enslaved Hebrews.
- The Conjuring Universe: The Disciples of the Ram are a Satanic cult that was founded by Janice/Annabelle while she was possessed by the Annabelle doll.
- Cult of the Lamb: The Lamb becomes a devotee of an eldritch god called The One Who Waits and starts a cult in his name, gathering followers and defeating the Bishops of the Old Faith.
Edited by Snowsky on Mar 17th 2024 at 4:53:14 AM
Feels mostly covered by a combination of Offerings to the Gods, Sweet Sheep, Hollywood Satanism, and Baphomet.
Edited by IronAnimation on Mar 17th 2024 at 4:56:22 AM
e: the search failed me
Edited by Amonimus on Mar 17th 2024 at 3:20:35 PM
TroperWall / WikiMagic CleanupSo, I noticed the new Smoking Is Edgy trope, and I do have an idea, which unfortunately I lack enough examples I can name from the top of my head, but I've noticed a new common trope: Vaping Is Lame
My main example is from the new The Gentlemen show, where Freddie, the Upper-Class Twit older brother is always shown housing a vape. But I swear I've seen vapes used as a shorthand that someone is a bit douchy in media. Bit of an unformed trope, but if anyone can name more examples there might be something there.
South Park had an episode mocking vapes as "pussy sticks."
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.I want to create "Information Controller". Basically about any person and organisation which controls information in the setting. I have 2 definitive examples which fit (Ministry of Truth from Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Patriots from Metal Gear) and 1 not very good imo (World Government from One Piece). Is it good enough to make?
Information Broker? Or those who steal knowledge or truth so nobody else would have it? Or some form of Secret Police / Suppression Bureau?
Edited by Amonimus on Mar 18th 2024 at 6:56:09 PM
TroperWall / WikiMagic CleanupDefinitely not broker, since they share it. Not Propaganda Machine either, since it's more about misinformation than control. Stealing the truth is maybe related here, but was not my intention.
Is it just me or are there surprising number of Latina Nurses in fiction? Maybe this is because it's an intersection of caring, feminine, working class, noble, and tough.
Carla from Scrubs
Penelope from One Day at a Time
Carmen from Cobra Kai
Rio Morales from Spider-man
Claire Temple in the MCU
Camilla from The Owl House (actually a Vet)
Edited by OtterOverthinker on Mar 18th 2024 at 9:21:06 AM
Spicy Latina are common and Hospital Hottie are common, I wouldn't be surprised. There could be some historical context regarding Latin American immigrants, but I know nothing about that.
Edited by Amonimus on Mar 18th 2024 at 7:30:41 PM
TroperWall / WikiMagic CleanupSeveral of those works feature other Latina characters with other interests and careers so I'm not sure if it's a distinct pattern.
Edited by mightymewtron on Mar 18th 2024 at 1:22:19 PM
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.Ethnic Menial Labor likely covers any meaningful examples well enough.
I think it's only significant if the nurses are by and large Latina but the patients are not. Several examples you listed have many other nurse characters or many other Latina characters so it's not selling me that it's a significant pattern.
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.Is there a trope in fiction when a character imitates the famous blurry Bigfoot photo? Because I think that could be a thing if it isn’t.
You’re Gonna Carry That Weight.![]()
Trope Finder is for the first part of the question.
Do you know works that do it? Feels too rare, but it would be a Sister Trope to Not the Nessie. Cryptid Episode can probably cover it. I can entertain an idea of a supertrope of Cryptid Shout Out for smaller cases.
Edited by Amonimus on Mar 19th 2024 at 6:04:49 PM
TroperWall / WikiMagic CleanupPragmatism Dilemma: The hero is at Sadistic Choice for saving the day permanently right away by sacrificng their morals. No Taking a Third Option, and Karmic Jackpot is not guaranteed. For example:
- Well-Intentioned Extremist makes a justification for The Needs of the Many or Powered by a Forsaken Child. Will the hero agree?
- The villain threatens someone. A good hero always picks Heroic Sacrifice, but this one needs a minute to think if the villain would even let the hostage or them go.
- Someone else is about to perform a Heroic Sacrifice and the hero interrupts them even if they don't have a better plan.
- The hero can reseal the Leaking Can of Evil, or they can look for a more permanent solution while leaving the evil unopposed.
- Villains Want Mercy may be a potential I Surrender, Suckers!.
- Some Hostage for MacGuffin, Friend-or-Idol Decision, Cold Equation and To Be Lawful or Good cases.
Edited by Amonimus on Mar 19th 2024 at 12:58:39 PM
TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup

- Gimmick Franchise: Every sequel introduces a new mechanic/worldbuild/concept which is emphasized, without explaining where it was in the previous entries. Ex Danganronpa, Ace Attorney, and most Merchandise-Driven works.
TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup