writingquestionsanswered:

Urban Fantasy vs Magical Realism

No. It’s way, way more complicated than that…

Urban Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy where fantastical elements secretly exist in the real world, but particularly in an urban setting, aka a city. In urban fantasy, magic is not an accepted part of the ordinary world. Instead, most of the world is blissfully unaware of the existence of magic and magical creatures. The MC’s beloved doctor may actually be a 100-year-old vampire, but the MC doesn’t know it. The MC’s best friend may have latent magical powers because he’s descended from powerful witches, but neither the MC or the best friend know it–yet. When they find out, it’s going to blow their minds, because magic isn’t a known or accepted part of their world. Examples of Urban Fantasy: The Originals TV Show, The Mortal Instruments book series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Magical Realism is often considered a subgenre of fantasy, but it shouldn’t be. Most magical realism is really more literary. In magical realism, magic is an accepted part of the ordinary world. Magic and magical elements are nothing special. Everyone knows about magical things, just as everyone knows about knock-knock jokes and rap music. Encountering magic or magical things wouldn’t blow anyone’s mind. If your protagonist’s best friend suddenly sprouts enormous green wings and flies away, your protagonist won’t be shocked, though they might wonder where on Earth they’re going and why they forgot to take their purse. Magical realism often feels absurd. Imagine looking out your window and seeing the catbus run down your street, and thinking nothing of it. Magical realism is often hyperbolic, like a man that grows to a thousand feet tall because he’s obsessed with being famous. Examples of magical realism: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater,  Amélie, Pan’s Labyrinth, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Midnight in Paris, Big Fish, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

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