Exploring Fictional Universes Ruined by Poor Writing Decisions

It is an unfortunate reality in storytelling, whether in books, movies, or animation, that sometimes even the most promising fictional universes can be derailed by poor writing decisions. This article dives into specific examples where the creative vision of these worlds took a nosedive due to suboptimal storytelling choices.

RWBY: A Promising Start Gone Wrong

One of the earliest and most vivid examples of a fictional universe that suffered from bad writing is the animated series RWBY. Hobbit, it began with a glorious promise of interconnected characters, intricate world-building, and exciting animated action. The concept was novel, and the execution in the first seasons was compelling. However, just like a city with poorly planned expansion, RWBY’s lore and plot took a turn for the worse as the show progressed.

The Unfolding Ruin of RWBY

From a promising beginning, RWBY began to lose its footing. The creative team behind the show, instead of building on the rich lore they had established, focused on off-brand marketing materials. The writing began to devolve, with important story arcs being overshadowed by merchandise placements and promotional events. The realization that the show’s continuity was being sacrificed for commercial gain became evident during later seasons. The series’ promising concept, which began with a coherent narrative and compelling characters, eventually felt more like a conveyor belt of incoherent content.

Naruto and Bleach: A Tale of Two Fates

The difference between the storytelling evolutions of Naruto and Bleach provides a rich contrast in the hands of skilled and maligned authors alike. Both series started with promising premises but ended up in different places due to distinct creative decisions.

Naruto: Vision Lost to Spectacle

Kishimoto’s Naruto was once a refreshing take on the genre, with its nuanced characters and engaging narrative. However, as the story progressed, Kishimoto began to prioritize spectacle over substance. Inspired by the success of Dragon Ball Z, Kishimoto aimed to outdo the epic battles and flashy transformations of his predecessors. Instead of refining the world he had created and delving into character development, he pushed the show into a series of disjointed and increasingly ridiculous plot elements. The original vision, which emphasized the personal growth of the protagonist, was gradually overshadowed by over-the-top action scenes and less coherent story arcs.

Bleach: World-Building Ignored for Popularity

In sharp contrast to Kishimoto’s decision, Bleach struggled with the opposite problem. Tite Kubo, the mastermind behind the series, held onto the status quo, failing to evolve the world and characters as the story demanded. As the series progressed, Kubo’s creative choices became less about the story and more about maintaining the popularity of certain characters. This led to an overabundance of character-driven storylines and dispersed narrative focus. The resulting story was a mix of disjointed events and poorly executed plot points, with the world-building and narrative coherence falling by the wayside.

Lessons from the Ruins

The evolution of RWBY, Naruto, and Bleach offers valuable insights for writers and creators aiming to craft a compelling universe. The key lies in the balance between spectacle and substance, the audience's needs, and the creative vision. Staying true to the initial concept, ensuring character development, and maintaining narrative coherence are crucial in building and sustaining a fictional universe. As these examples illustrate, poor writing decisions can quickly diminish the impact and longevity of a story.

Conclusion

In the whimsical and ever-evolving world of storytelling, the fate of fictional universes is as unpredictable as the winds themselves. While some continue to thrive, others falter due to poor writing choices. Reflecting on the lessons from RWBY, Naruto, and Bleach can help aspiring creators navigate the complex terrain of narrative construction, ensuring their storytelling efforts remain both captivating and enduring.