Coming-of-age story facts for kids
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A coming-of-age story is a type of story found in literature, theatre, film, and video games. It focuses on a main character's journey from childhood into adulthood. These stories often show how characters change and learn about themselves and the world. They usually feature teenagers and often use a lot of dialogue or inner thoughts.
The main events in these stories are often about the emotional changes the characters go through.
Contents
What is a Coming-of-Age Story?
A coming-of-age story explores how a young person grows up. It shows their journey as they learn important life lessons. This journey helps them become more mature. These stories often happen in the past. They focus on the character's feelings and thoughts.
Stories in Books and Novels
The Bildungsroman: Growing Up in Books
In books, a Bildungsroman is a special kind of coming-of-age story. The word Bildungsroman comes from German. It means "education novel" or "forming novel." These books focus on a character's mental and moral growth. The character changes a lot from childhood to adulthood.
This type of story started in Germany. It grew from old folk tales about young people exploring the world. The Bildungsroman later became very popular around the world. Many authors were inspired by these stories.
There are different types of Bildungsroman. For example, a Künstlerroman is about an artist's personal growth.
Japanese Stories: Manga and Light Novels
In Japan, coming-of-age is a very common theme in light novels and manga. These stories show how young characters grow up. A famous example is the manga Naruto. It shows the main character, Naruto Uzumaki, as he gains confidence. He grows stronger and works hard to achieve his dream.
Other Japanese stories like Beastars, Major, Mushoku Tensei, My Hero Academia, and Vinland Saga also have coming-of-age elements. They tell complex stories about characters maturing.
Coming-of-Age in Movies
Teen Films: Movies About Growing Up
In movies, "teen films" are a type of coming-of-age story. They show how young people change and grow into adults. Sometimes, these stories are told as a flashback. This means the movie looks back at past events.
Personal growth and change are very important in these films. They often use dialogue and emotional reactions to tell the story. In the past, most coming-of-age films were about boys. But now, many films focus on girls growing up. Some examples include Inside Out (2015), The Edge of Seventeen (2016), Lady Bird (2017), Sweet 20 (2017), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023), and Inside Out 2 (2024).
Sometimes, there are "delayed-coming-of-age" films. These stories show young adults still figuring things out. They might be exploring different jobs or living situations. This can happen even into their late twenties or early thirties.
See also
