What is Fantasy: Definition and 47 Discussions

Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction set in a fictional universe, often inspired by real world myth and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama. From the twentieth century it has expanded further into various media, including film, television, graphic novels, manga, animated movies and video games.
Fantasy is distinguished from the genres of science fiction and horror by the respective absence of scientific or macabre themes, though these genres overlap. In popular culture, the fantasy genre predominantly features settings of a medieval nature. In its broadest sense, however, fantasy consists of works by many writers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians from ancient myths and legends to many recent and popular works.

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  1. billtodd

    I wonder will there be a 6th season for Sliders in this 21st century?

    What do you think?
  2. Aldarion

    What diverse interests shape a scientist's curiosity?

    While I am currently primarily interested in fantasy (and science fiction), my interests overall run a gamut of media, history, paleontology, astronomy and astrophysics. My introduction to the last one was Kratka Povijest Svemira, a Croatian translation of excellent book by Gerhard Staguhn, Die...
  3. gmax137

    Are Stephen Coonts' Saucer Series Books Worth Reading?

    I recently picked up Stephen Coonts, "Saucer" at a public library book sale. Have just finished it, a very fast read 340 pages. In another thread I learned: I had no idea that this is a three-book series. I suppose now I will have to find the other two books. It is a good example of...
  4. U

    My fantasy story idea with photon particles

    I'm a fantasy writer and I am twisting and almost bending science in my story. I see no harm in it, and if you agree, I would like to ask for help. I'm writing a fantasy novel where the protagonist must battle an army of strange creatures. I say strange because these creatures are made of...
  5. LadiSilverfox

    Questions about a habitable second moon

    Good afternoon, I am working on writing a story that is set on a habitable second Moon. I suppose I could easily say it's a mild planet that splits into three main seasons and make up some story about how the first Moon appears every so often for a month of phases and then vanishes. As a...
  6. DennisN

    VOTE PF Favorite Movies Poll 2 - SF, Fantasy, Comedy & Western

    Hi, and welcome to the Physics Forums favorite movies poll 2! (the first poll is here) Rules and notes: Please vote here for your 5 favorite movies in the categories Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy & Western. Please note that this is a multiple votes poll, and that your votes should reflect...
  7. wolram

    B Is Dark matter fact or fantasy

    Not sure who this is he may be a mondian but it is an alternative view. arXiv:1903.11217 [pdf, other] Is dark matter fact or fantasy? -- clues from the data Philip D. Mannheim Comments: Essay written for the Gravity Research Foundation 2019 Awards for Essays on Gravitation Subjects...
  8. AidenFlamel

    Writing: Input Wanted Scientific use of Chi/Qi/not so espiritual energy

    Hi, I wanted you guys to tell me whether you like this idea I had and if you have any ideas on the implication of it, and whether it would work as I describe it or not. So, in this world I created, there is a basic understanding of physics by the scholars, but most people don't even understand...
  9. scottdave

    Ursula K. LeGuin has passed away

    Ursula K. LeGuin, SciFi/Fantasy author, has passed away Jan. 22. I read only one of her novels: The Left Hand of Darkness, which I enjoyed. Here is her obituary. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/obituaries/ursula-k-le-guin-acclaimed-for-her-fantasy-fiction-is-dead-at-88.html Here is an...
  10. Oliva

    Could this [fantasy] planet be scientifically possible?

    Hi fellas. First of all, sorry for the bad english, as it's not my main language :) Short story to explain my needs. A few years ago, a night tale to my daughter was about a little girl who lived in a peculiar planet. It was pretty hot on one side and then hottest on the pole, there was a not...
  11. O

    How powerful would a dream quantum computer be?

    Just for fun let's imagine a dream PQC (Personal Quantum Computer) from the future: Specifications: - 4MQ Processer (4MQ = 4 Mega Qubits) - 1TB Time Crystal Memory - 2PB Atomic Storage Hard Drive (Peta Byte=1000TB) - 3D Quantum Dot Screen with built in Holographic Display - All in one Quantum...
  12. Sugarteeth

    The visuals of a kinetic bombardment

    I'm writing a story in a fantasy universe, but for a certain aspect, I need realism. The densest summation of the questions I have are this: What would a single rod of kinetic bombardment look like being shot into the dense sand of a desert, visually? What angle of shot would be easiest to pull...
  13. Noisy Rhysling

    Best Mash-up, "hard" SciFi and Fantasy?

    Suggestions, please. The subject may be broad, so don't be afraid to put something out for us to consider. (I'm asking because I haven't really been in the genre in the past few decades.)
  14. S

    Writing: Input Wanted Building a Sci-Fi Fantasy Solar System & Planet

    I'm hoping that some of you brilliant scientists can help me understand the realities of a world that I'm building for a story in a distant solar system... I’m building a sci-fi world for a story that takes place on a distant planet that is multiple times the size of earth, but hosts similar...
  15. BiGyElLoWhAt

    Searching for the Perfect Norwegian Fantasy/SciFi Book

    I am looking for a good book to brute force my way through in Norwegian. I'm not looking for anything like Peace and War, or whatever, just a nice fantasy/SciFi book to read. One that I was looking at was Vindens Navn, it seemed pretty neat, but the best I could find (amazon) was an audio book...
  16. T

    Is science fiction really more fantastical than science fantasy?

    Science fantasy vs science fiction. Do we have it wrong? At out science Meet Up group we were talking about Interstellar travel. As usual, the properties of matter, energy brought up. Regardless of how described in scientific jargon, FTL is all silly gobbledygook in science fiction books and...
  17. O

    What influence did Newtons religion have on his science ?

    Do you think Newton's piety was important to developing or fueling his philosophical and psychological impulses to be a great scientist and mathematician ? Did his religious and alchemical goals orient his scientific researches; his outstanding mechanical, mathematical, and optical theories...
  18. C

    Designing a Fantasy World - physics advice needed

    Hey Guys, Very new to this forum - signed up as it seemed it might be possible to get some answers and advice as I'm designing a world (actually two worlds - two exomoons) and want to try and pay at least some attention to the constraints and realities of physics, as much as possible! My...
  19. U

    World-building for fantasy story

    I'm doing some world-building at the moment for a fantasy setting and would like some help, please. When it comes to physics etc, I'm like the kid who looks at the cool pictures of kung fu masters doing awesome kung fu stuff; less experienced than the student wielding a brand new white belt...
  20. S

    A shattered world fantasy setting with as much hard science as I can--

    --squeeze into it. Right, I've got all these shards of a shattered terrestrial planet that are encased in magic that allows them to hold atmosphere and have artificial gravity. The magic doesn't change it's gravity outside the limits of the spell, though, so the shards will interact with...
  21. strangerep

    And who is your Swords+Sorcery or Fantasy character?

    Greg started 2 threads about which sci-fi and fantasy universe you'd like to live in. Yet (curiously) I only see one thread about favorite sci-fi characters. So... Who is your favorite character from a Swords+Sorcery or Fantasy mythos? My "ancient mythos" choice is: The Grey Mouser. (Can you...
  22. Ryan_m_b

    Fantasy with industrial and social revolution

    Despite the 20+ answers in this thread I think most of us would agree that life for 99% of fantasy world inhabitants would be awful. Strip away the royal courts, the fellowships, the magic schools etc and most of the time you're left with a feudalistic world full of peasants that have to work 10...
  23. D

    Giant/Giantess Fantasy Physics, Questions

    Giant fans! I have some ideas and questions about the physics surrounding mega-giant/giantess fantasy stories, comics, etc., and would like to share some ideas and ask some questions. The main question is this: What would it feel like to be 3,000 feet tall on Earth -- with the same...
  24. Greg Bernhardt

    What fantasy universe would you live in?

    We have a SciFi what world would you like in, now what fantasy world would you pick to live in? examples are, Middle Earth, Narnia, Harry Potter, Shangri-La, Neverland, Gulliver’s World, Oz, Wonderland...
  25. NATURE.M

    Fantasy for violin and orchestra

    "Fantasy for violin and orchestra" Does anyone know any similar pieces as Joshua Bell " Fantasy for violin and orchestra", as I found it to be beautiful.
  26. Ryan_m_b

    Science Fiction and Fantasy Forum Rules

    This forum is ONLY for the discussion of existing science fiction and fantasy stories in movies, books, tv, comics. It is NOT for discussing personal ideas, those would go in the Science fiction WRITING forum if they adhere to the rules for that forum. This forum is not for new ideas or...
  27. H

    Is in-stream, low-flow, micro-hydro production of great power a fantasy?

    I put my question in this forum because, apparently, the answer is yes? Things I don’t understand: There must be a law of physics which prevents a principle from being scaled up or down with simple equivalent offsets. It probably has something to do with the introduction of variables or...
  28. J

    Projecting Win Probabilities in Fantasy Sports

    So, I made it to the finals for my fantasy football league. The winner receives $100 and the runner-up $10 (maybe disregard this runner-up reward for simplification). I wanted to know how to calculate an offer to both teams, based upon the probability of winning, such that any risk-neutral...
  29. F

    Can Humans Survive Sun's Explosion by Escaping to Another Planet?

    Homework Statement You and a group of female and male friends stand outdoors at dusk watching the Sun set and noticing the planet Venus in the same direction as the Sun. An alien ship lands beside you at the same instant that you see the Sun explode. The aliens admit that earlier they shot a...
  30. N

    Epic Fantasy Book/Series Recommendations?

    What is you guys' favorite fantasy book/series? I love when a book has: 1.) a very creative and interesting world 2.) very creative and interesting power or magic systems 3.) dynamic characters that have flaws and real personalities rather than cliche cut-outs 4.) a "chosen one" who still has...
  31. G

    Interested in Joining a PF Fantasy Football League?

    Would it pique anyone's interest? We would only need 10-12 teams. See if you can out smart your fellow PFers for bragging rights. I'll set one up if there is interest.
  32. K

    A fantastic invention or fantasy?

    An Italian inventor, Andrea Rossi, claims that a 1000 MW nuclear reactor, being constructed in Greece, will become operational in October 2011. I hope he is right; how can one not be happy to have electricity which is ten times less expensive than from coal, and without any pollution? But I am...
  33. L

    Favorite sci fi or fantasy movies

    What are yours? Dune TRON (The new one, haven't seen the origional one.) Labyrinth Chronicles of Narnia Star Wars and various cartoons such as The Point The Last Unicorn The Hobbit anyone have any others that are similar to those above?
  34. S

    Stock market optimization fantasy

    Would the optimal trading strategy for this stockmarket optimization fantasy be trivial or nearly impossible to compute? -or something in between? You have an initial amount of money A_o and your goal is to maximize the amount of money you will have at the end of a year by trading stocks...
  35. B

    Looking for a Fantasy Election game

    Hi, I've played Fantasy Football and Fantasy Hockey. Now, I'm looking for a interactive, virtual simulation election games. Any suggestion?
  36. N

    Let's Keep it PG-13! What's Your Fantasy?

    ! haha this thread is a bit difficult under the rules - let's try to keep it pg-13!
  37. M

    Can belief in God be separate from religious beliefs?

    This may move along the edge of what's allowed in this forum... but I want to express a certain amount of grief over watching bright people like Richard Dawkins spend so relatively much time on confronting superstitious nonsense. It quite simply hurts in my heart to watch it, on youtube or...
  38. TheStatutoryApe

    Uncovering a Fantasy Novel: Can You Help Identify This Mysterious Tale?

    Looking For A Fantasy Novel... A while back someone told me about a fantasy novel that he was reading and I can't remember the name of it for the life of me. These are the things about the story that I remember him referring to. It seemed that it was about a ragtag group of people on some...
  39. siddharth

    Fantasy book by Christopher Paolini

    This is a fantasy book by by Christopher Paolini which I just finished reading. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375826688/?tag=pfamazon01-20 It is similar in quite a lot of ways to the Lord of the Rings and in my opinion a very nice book to read. The second book of the trilogy is Eldest...
  40. siddharth

    The Bartimaeus Trilogy Finale: Ptolemy's Gate - A Fantasy Must-Read!

    I finally got my hands on Ptolemy's Gate (Final book of the Bartimaeus Trilogy). It was absolutley fantastic. This has got to be one the best fantasy books around. If you ask me, it's right up there with LOTR. How many of you have read the book?
  41. S

    News Exploring the Complexities of Slavery and Race in the Lives of Founding Fathers

    If these candidates were up for presidency, which one would you want?
  42. Gokul43201

    News Fantasy : US Presidential Election

    If there were an election tomorrow, and you had to choose between Bush and Kerry (running on the same platforms they did last year, or any of the other players), who would you vote for (if you could vote) ? Also tell us who did/wanted to vote for in 2004. I'm wondering if there are any...
  43. L

    What are the fantasy pictures?

    Say you dream of a red car. Then, allegedly, what happens is that your brain cells uses information from everyday life to produce a picture of a red car. My problem is the final product. A computer can produce a picture of a red car on the screen, which we then can see. But a brain doesn't...
  44. I

    Unleashing a Super Power Fantasy: Zapping with My Fingers

    If you could be a comic book super hero, what would your super power be? How did you get these amazing powers? This is my comic book super hero fantasy. During a freak storm, I'd get struck by lightning in one index finger and discharge it through the other, whilst carrying radioactive...
  45. P

    Is time travel into the past just a fantasy or is there evidence to support it?

    The fantasy of "Time Travel". The discussion of time travel into the past is science fiction at its best. To think there is any way to stop the flow of the universe into the future, then make it flow in reverse just for human amusement, is fantasible. How can one travel back in time to a...
  46. B

    Discover Fantastic Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books

    What are some of your favourite Sci-Fi books? (Throw in Fantasy, if you wish, but try and keep it to Sci-Fi. ;) )
  47. D

    Exploring the Middle Ages: Fantasy Fiction and Beyond

    We all know the Middle Ages did exist, from the 5th century to the 11th century. What i do want to know is how come other fantasy characters like elves, dwarves and dragons appeared alongside that period in so much fiction. It seems to me that the universe unlocked by that so called writer who...
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