Noblebright

Noble/Bright is an adjective derived from the tagline for the mirror universe of Warhammer 40k, Brighthammer 40k, which states that "In the Noble Brightness of the far future, there is only HIGH ADVENTURE!." This is as opposed to the original tagline of Warhammer 40k, which states, "In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war." It is generally used to describe a setting which has strong 1920's-1940's pulp fiction themes, crossed with a an "age of myth" bronze age culture. It can also be used to describe artwork that has a noble/bright feel, even if the setting itself would not normally be considered noble or bright.

Common noble/bright themes include:

• The setting is loosely divided into city/states, united by race, religion, or philosophy, rather than singular strong nations.
• There is a wide variety in the type of characters, nations, flora and fauna, and major characters in the setting.
• There is an overall "pulp fiction" feel.
• The universe is old, in the process of rediscovering a forgotten golden age.
• Low level conflicts such as raiding are considered common, but war is not.
• Everyone is in a perpetual cold war with everyone else, but almost never an active war.
• Technology is wildly inconsistent.
• Villains are over the top, campy, and almost played seriously.
• Leaders are usually "tyrants" or "philosopher-kings".
• Heroes do most of the heavy lifting in society, and there are heroes, great and minor, at every level of society.
• There is a strong emphasis on individual strength.
• Good guys can be jerks, but are still good guys.
• Infighting in all factions is common.
• Over the top heroism usually carries the day.
• Obvious, thinly disguised Secret Agents everywhere.
• The setting is entering a technological renaissance.
• Everything is bright or vividly colored.
• ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWA!

Compared to Warhammer 40k, Brighthammer 40k is generally brighter and a nicer place to live, but is by no means peaceful, always in a low level state of conflict, internal and external, never quite turning into war. The skull motif is replaced by wings, and colors are often brighter. While the grimdark tag usually describes a setting in a slow, painful decline, the noble/bright tag usually describes a setting emerging from a dark age and returning to a forgotten golden age.

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Stuff considered Noble/Bright:

Brighthammer 40k Exalted Gurren Lagann Batman the Brave and the Bold