Misused: Not So Different

That has the same problem as "Realization" - "Epiphany" suggests both parties agree with the "we are not so different" remark.

Not So Different Speech sounds good.

Come to think of it, words like "realization" or "epiphany" won't fit the cases when a villain claims they are similar just to manipulate the hero, and the hero doesn't buy it.

Edited by Tenebrika on Mar 21st 2021 at 1:59:27 AM

I am fine with Not So Different Speech.

There are more questions to be answered (possibly in a crowner):

1. Do similar yet not antagonizing pairs of character count (11 % of wick check)
2. Do third-party realizations/speeches about the likeness of two characters qualify (10%)
3. Does the likeness of whole groups count (18%)
4. Should we have an additional YMMV page for when this realization is all subtext and never spelled out in the work (30-50%)

I would say they have to be at odds in some capacity, if not necessarily enemies.

Third-party comparisons seem fine to me, as long as we make it clear that the third party has to be someone in the work, not the audience.

Comparisons between groups also seem fine to me, as long as they meet whatever other criteria we go with.

And a YMMV item for the audience thinking two entities aren't so different after all might be worthwhile, or it might be a complaining magnet.

Edited by wingedcatgirl on Mar 21st 2021 at 10:18:11 AM

Trouble Cube continues to be a general-purpose forum for those who desire such a thing.

We don't need a YMMV version of Foil, that trope has enough work going for it. Not So Different is a more narrow form of that specific trope where someone points out how the characters/groups are foils.

Link to TRS threads in project mode here.

A YMMV variant sounds like it would be similar to the since-cut Counterpart Comparison (except it would be more like "Counterpart Contrast"), so I'm also against it.

You can't always get what you want.

What should we do about Not So Similar?

Nothing, unless someone does a wick check for it as well.

You can't always get what you want.

I'm against Not So Different Speech because I don't think this needs to be limited to speeches, and can include offhand comments. I liked the previous suggestion of Remarking On Their Resemblance but that doesn't clarify that this is about people who are usually very different people.

I don't even think it needs to be restricted to lampshading the similarity, as long as there's a clear intention to make the characters appear alike for a change, but I get if that's hard to enforce without centering it around the lampshading.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

We already have that trope; Foil.

Link to TRS threads in project mode here.

Lampshading The Resemblance?

I prefer Remarking On Their Resemblance.

You can't always get what you want.

I'm just afraid that making the title too broad will boil this down to "someone realizes Bob and Alice are similar".

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness

"Resemblance" is way too broad; sounds like it could include "you look just like your dad."

Yeah, Remarking On Their Resemblance has the problem of losing the part where the characters need to be different to begin with.

"Not So Different" Remark, maybe? Though whether we call it "remark" or "speech" or something else, we can say in the description that the trope is flexible enough to include everything from short comments to Character Filibusters, as long as they talk about a surprising similarity between characters at odds.

Another attempt at alliteration: Stating Their Surprising Similarity.

Edited by Tenebrika on Mar 25th 2021 at 4:57:44 PM

And internal comments. It doesn't have to be out loud, it just has to be a direct comparison.

Link to TRS threads in project mode here.

That one isn't too bad.

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness

'"Not So Different" Realisation'?

Ukrainian Red Cross

@eroock My take on it:

1. Do similar yet not antagonizing pairs of character count (11 % of wick check) Yes

2. Do third-party realizations/speeches about the likeness of two characters qualify (10%) Yes

3. Does the likeness of whole groups count (18%) Yes

4. Should we have an additional YMMV page for when this realization is all subtext and never spelled out in the work (30-50%) Hell No

Edited by Asherinka on Mar 28th 2021 at 11:03:23 AM

I agree.

You can't always get what you want.

So we all agree that making a YMMV trope is a bad idea, and that this trope requires in-universe acknowledgement of some kind, but that the characters need not necessarily be enemies to fit. Is that right?

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness

I'd agree to that, with the caveat that even if not enemies, they have to be at odds in some way that makes it difficult for them to see the similarities. Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth remarking on.

I agree.

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness

You can't always get what you want.

back lol