Space Opera

Tropes and genres
Related tropes/genres	Science Fiction, Spaceship, Time Travel, Military SF
See also	Space AU
Related articles on Fanlore.

Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space-based adventure, character relationships, melodrama, and/or space warfare rather than scientific accuracy. While attempts have been made to blend hard SF and space opera, these two subgenres are typically treated as opposing approaches to science fiction. The "opera" in space opera refers not to opera music but to analogous genres like horse opera and soap opera.

Space opera canons, like Star Trek, have been inspiring fans to write fic, draw art, create zines, and engage in other fan activities for a long, long time.

Space Opera AU

Space opera AU is a trope in which characters and other elements from a canon are transplanted into a space opera setting.

Examples of Space Opera Fandoms

Anime & Manga Fandoms

• Cowboy Bebop
• Gundam
• Knights of Sidonia
• Legend of the Galactic Heroes
• Space Battleship Yamato
• Toward the Terra

Live Action TV/Film Fandoms

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Barbarella
• The Expanse
• Firefly and Serenity
• Flash Gordon
• Star Trek
• Star Wars

Literary Fandoms

• Many of C.J. Cherryh's works
• Dune
• Ender's Game
• The Expanse
• Honorverse
• Imperial Radch
• Machineries of Empire
• Vorkosigan Saga