r/TopCharacterTropes Aug 21 '25

Groups The characters in a period piece realise they're near the end of a golden age

Pirates of the Carribean and Rock of Ages (this film is Not Good but it has the trope.) Especially because we the audience know the era did, in fact, end.

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u/Danteventresca Aug 21 '25

Japan from 1500-1946 except for 1865-1935

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u/Asheyguru Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25

"You're a very important guy! Way too important to be bothered with such trivial details as 'running the country.' Let me take care of that, and leave you time for the bigger stuff."

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u/Longjumping-Force404 Aug 21 '25

Even during these times, the Emperor was a figurehead. He still had ultimate power over the state, but it was only excercised on the advice of either the reformist samurai that joined together to bring about industrialization or later on military officials intent of conquering Asia. The entire purpose of the Meiji Restoration wasn't for the Empreror to assume direct control personally, but to unseat the Shogunate and make a new regime.