As a reader, what do you like or dislike about dark fantasy?

[Eldoria]

I think there is no other subgenre that is as closely related to the term Cargo cult as dark fantasy. People think that simply killing characters left and right, writing how everything that is female is raped, and every character is jaded asshole will somehow turn into dark fantasy.

Authors think they put a lot of thought into the process of copying succesful attempts of making dark fantasy. They read a bunch of stuff and now think they know how to make a dark fantasy. However, what happens in reality is they mindlessly copy superficcial parts of dark fantasy. There is no comprehension on why this or that works. They read it, but don't understand it.

That's how we end up with all the Tokyo Ghoul, Goblin Slayer, Ubel Blatt, Akame Ga Kill, and other shite. Then we get third gen who didn't read originals, but read the previously mentioned second gen edgy slop. That's how we end up with works like Centuria or majority of web novels. They are even worse and even more superficial.

Dark fantasy can actually be a masterpiece if the fantasy story is written to explore the dark side of humanity and find human meaning in suffering. The stories uphold human values... and teach readers to be 'human'. Examples:

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood asks: Can human sacrifice be justified for the sake of truth or progress?
2. A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) asks: Can power be attained without losing humanity?
3. And Claymore asks: What is the price of being an instrument of justice in a merciless world?
4. And let's not forget Attack on Titan, which asks: Is true freedom worth fighting for even if it means destroying the world to achieve it?

Unfortunately, most dark fantasy descends into total nihilism, losing the meaning of humanity, descending into despair... and even exploiting suffering for entertainment. One branch of dark fantasy even calls itself "grimdark," emphasizing moral decay, an amoral world, without a glimmer of light in the story.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Dark fantasy can actually be a masterpiece if the fantasy story is written to explore the dark side of humanity and find human meaning in suffering. The stories uphold human values... and teach readers to be 'human'. Examples:

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood asks: Can human sacrifice be justified for the sake of truth or progress?
2. A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) asks: Can power be attained without losing humanity?
3. And Claymore asks: What is the price of being an instrument of justice in a merciless world?
4. And let's not forget Attack on Titan, which asks: Is true freedom worth fighting for even if it means destroying the world to achieve it?

Unfortunately, most dark fantasy descends into total nihilism, losing the meaning of humanity, descending into despair... and even exploiting suffering for entertainment. One branch of dark fantasy even calls itself "grimdark," emphasizing moral decay, an amoral world, without a glimmer of light in the story.

 

[Wenlock]

well written dark fantasy is hot. That's why I like it.

well written dark fantasy is hot. That's why I like it.

Oh not in a romantic way? Idk how to explain

 

[FleecedSheep]

Dark fantasy can actually be a masterpiece if the fantasy story is written to explore the dark side of humanity and find human meaning in suffering. The stories uphold human values... and teach readers to be 'human'. Examples:

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood asks: Can human sacrifice be justified for the sake of truth or progress?
2. A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) asks: Can power be attained without losing humanity?
3. And Claymore asks: What is the price of being an instrument of justice in a merciless world?
4. And let's not forget Attack on Titan, which asks: Is true freedom worth fighting for even if it means destroying the world to achieve it?

Unfortunately, most dark fantasy descends into total nihilism, losing the meaning of humanity, descending into despair... and even exploiting suffering for entertainment. One branch of dark fantasy even calls itself "grimdark," emphasizing moral decay, an amoral world, without a glimmer of light in the story.

I've always been confused by the term Dark Fantasy, I know it's a genre or theme of sorts, but I could never really put a thumb on what it meant exactly. I've wanted to write a novel with it, but since I couldn't define what it was, it was kind of hard to put it to words. So, seeing proper examples with a breakdown of what the theme was, is really helpful, so thank you!

Now, to answer the post...

I do like well-written dark fantasy. I watched full metal alchemist, the first version, not the second one. Berserk I think counts, both the manga and the old anime, the one from the 90's. As for Game of Thrones, well, I hated the books. A friend got me them, and I hated them, but I liked the television show, until the last season. Dragon Lance books may count as well, and you don't see them mentioned much.

As for what I like and dislike about Dark Fantasy, I like the themes. That it doesn't always go well for the main character, or more specifically, it felt like the world didn't necessarily bend over backwards to accommodate the character. I like that they can posit decent questions and see them played out.
As for dislike, well, like a previous poster said, a lot of Dark Fantasy tends to over focus on the whole death and gore without any real message or purpose. Too many mistake style for substance, and sometimes, they can posit a great question and fall flat near the end.

As a reader what do I expect from a Dark Fantasy? Well, I mean, it's hard. The term itself has lost meaning because it's used so much in the wrong context that when I hear someone describe something as Dark Fantasy, I don't really know what to expect. Even having read proper Dark Fantasy novels, it can be hard to distill exactly what makes them a 'Dark Fantasy'. So, yeah, I don't really expect anything when someone describes something as Dark Fantasy.

Hopefully this answers your questions.

 

[MFontana]

Dark fantasy is a subgenre of literary, artistic, and cinematic fantasy works that incorporates disturbing and frightening themes. The term is ambiguously used to describe stories that combine horror elements with one or other of the standard formulas of fantasy. - wiki

In my opinion, dark fantasy is a fantasy story that explores the darkest side of humanity, society, and the world. The darkest sides of humanity, such as immorality, corruption, systemic evil, and even taboos in society these elements are often explored in dark fantasy.

For example, AoT questions the dark side of humanity: What does freedom mean for humanity confined (within walls) by brutal tyranny (either by titans or tyrants)? This story clearly explores the dark side of humanity, seeking freedom amidst the threat of oppression, tyranny, and even cannibalism.

1) Yes. I enjoy both reading and writing it (especially with our mutual definition here) and have built it intrinsically into the shared universe of all of my original works along with the gothic-horror vibes of the setting's backdrop.

2) I personally enjoy the grittier, oftentimes more realistic, and authentic, characters aren't necessarily all-good (when it is done well), as well as their struggles against typically impossible odds, and internal struggles paired with external conflicts.

3) As for what I expect; generally a proper anti-hero or a hero who is facing a deep inner turmoil and struggling to hold onto their humanity in the face of the story's darker sides.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

To the definition of "dark": "The protagonist will suffer for their goals. Even if the protagonist achieves everything they set out to do, there is no happy ending; they will be forever harrowed by their experiences." I can at least appreciate this sort of story, but they are never my favorite.
To the definition of "dark": "The protagonist is vindictive and quick to murder. Also murder rates are so high the population is declining rapidly. And now there's a zombie plague. And radioactive fallout." Its not fun or interesting.

 

[AliceMoonvale]

I quite like dark fantasy when done right. I've always been a fan of the nitty-gritty, dark side of humanity type of thing.
Always prefer seeing characters go through realistic situations and struggling.

I'm actually a dark fantasy writer myself, and have written a few short stories that are sitting in my 'I feel too insecure to show anyone' vault. (Maybe one day I'll release one from the dungeon). My dark fantasy stories combine elements from Dragon Age, Game of Thrones, and even Lord of the Rings. Everything has a purpose and meaning. I personally can't stand random murder, rape, etc, for the sake of being 'dark and edgy'. I've tried to make sure all I write is connected, makes sense, and links to a bigger picture.

I rarely see that with other stories I've come across; they tend to just be what I call 'despair porn'.

 

[Author_Riceball]

people tryign to humanize evil characters.

 

[CinnaSloth]

I adore the darker, grittier side of fiction, especially the stories that don't end with the happy fairytale endings. I think I've said this many times before in many other posts, but life is never just joyous happiness, and one look at the news on any given day, especially now, will open your eyes to that notion. Sometimes, I want the antagonist to win for no apparent reason at all other than I just didn't care about the protagonist.

NEVERNIGHT is the book I'm currently reading. It's a 3 book series all about a school of assassins. There are absolutely NO goody-two-shoes characters. There are no protagonists. There are no characters that aren't dirty scumbags. They are literal assassins. Some just less arseholes than the others, and so far... I am absolutely in love with it. lol I'd recommend it to anyone who loves dark fantasies. It doesn't pull its punches. Blood, guts, sex, drugs, and brutal fights are all part of the story. The main character gets mauled not even just once. It's truly jarring if you aren't into that kind of dark literature, but the world building and the way things are written are very captivating, and you, actually do, end up rooting for your favorite arseholes. It's great.

I would one day love to read a book that has no protagonist, just one antagonist versus another antagonist, and all they do is hate each other and try to one up each other by doing more and more evil things, while also trying to kill each other the entire time. It think it'd be funny.

 

[Sylver]

What's Dark Fantasy? I doubt it's just Fantasy but in the night x)

 

[Eldoria]

What's Dark Fantasy? I doubt it's just Fantasy but in the night x)

I copied this answer from my previous answer. Please see the previous comments in this thread:

Dark fantasy is a subgenre of literary, artistic, and cinematic fantasy works that incorporates disturbing and frightening themes. The term is ambiguously used to describe stories that combine horror elements with one or other of the standard formulas of fantasy. - wiki

In my opinion, dark fantasy is a fantasy story that explores the darkest side of humanity, society, and the world. The darkest sides of humanity, such as immorality, corruption, systemic evil, and even taboos in society these elements are often explored in dark fantasy.

For example, AoT questions the dark side of humanity: What does freedom mean for humanity confined (within walls) by brutal tyranny (either by titans or tyrants)? This story clearly explores the dark side of humanity, seeking freedom amidst the threat of oppression, tyranny, and even cannibalism.

 

[minacia]

I think I just like adult topics and themes. Shoujo and shounen worldviews are a little too simplistic for me now, so I prefer something that that approaches a darker subject in an interesting away.