The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at the Trope Launch Pad.
requiem18th
Since: Jan, 2001
Lenoxus
Since: Mar, 2010
2011-03-25 17:34:21
Would Good Colors, Evil Colors be a related trope? Only it's like "Good symbol evil symbol"?

Is there a Trope for the various bad guys in a franchise always having some sort of common signifier, regardless of their origins or relationship (or lack thereof) to each other?
I'm thinking of the fact that in the first part of the Universal Century timeline in Mobile Suit Gundam, mono-eye sensors are almost always used by the series antagonists. Granted in Zeta Gundam, both sides used them, but the Titans used mono-eyed suits almost exclusively, and used Zeon-syle patterns on their uniforms for rank insignia, despite being specifically created as an anti-Zeon force.
With the rise of Neo-Zeon in Gundam ZZ, pretty much all of the Zeon influence in the Federal forces suddenly evaporates - not a mono-eye to be seen. And the Neo-Zeon mobile suits are nearly exclusively mono-eyed, with only the Qubeleys and the Quin-Mantha being exceptions, if I remember correctly.
Although G-Savior was de-canonized, it did the same thing. CONSENT mobile suits have mono-eyes, while the Saviors and Freedom MS follow the Gundam/GM pattern.
I don't know if this pops up in any other media/franchises, which could explain why it isn't a trope, but I'd be surprised if Gundam is the only place where this appears.