Slice of life facts for kids

Slice of life is a type of story or art that shows everyday experiences. It's like looking through a window at someone's normal day. In plays and movies, it means showing real life as it is, without making things too dramatic. In books, it often means a story where things just happen, without a big problem to solve or a clear ending.

Slice of Life in Movies and Plays

In plays and movies, "slice of life" means showing real life in a very natural way. Imagine watching a play where the talking sounds just like people you know. This idea started a long time ago, between 1890 and 1895. It came from a French phrase, tranche de vie, which means "slice of life." A French writer named Jean Jullien is often given credit for using this term.

How it Started in Theater

Jean Jullien explained his idea of "slice of life" in theater. He said, "A play is a slice of life put onstage with art." He believed that plays shouldn't just make people laugh. Instead, they should make people think. He also felt that a play's story doesn't truly end when the curtain closes. He thought the audience should be able to imagine what happens next.

In the 1950s, people often used "slice of life" to describe TV shows. These shows, like those by JP Miller and Paddy Chayefsky, showed ordinary people and their daily lives. Sometimes, this style was called "kitchen sink realism." This name came from British movies and plays that also focused on everyday life, even the messy parts.

Different Types of Movies

In 2017, a writer and expert named Eric R. Williams said that "slice of life" is one of the main types of movies. He believes that all feature films can fit into one of eleven main categories. Besides slice of life, these categories include action, crime, fantasy, and horror. Some examples of slice of life movies are The Station Agent, Boyhood, and Moonlight. These movies show parts of people's lives without a huge adventure or a big mystery to solve.

Slice of Life in Books

In books, "slice of life" means a way of telling a story that shows a small part of a character's life. These stories often don't have a clear plot, a big conflict, or a definite ending. It's like reading a diary entry that just describes a day, not a whole adventure. The story might not move forward much. It often leaves you wondering what happens next.

A "slice of life" novel tries to show a small piece of reality very accurately. It doesn't pick and choose what to show. Instead, it tries to present every small detail exactly as it is. For example, the novel A Woman's Life by Guy de Maupassant is a "slice of life" story. It tells about a woman's life, including how her love for her husband changed into a strong feeling for her son.

In the United States, "slice of life" stories became important in the late 1800s. Writers started to focus on showing social realism. They wrote stories that used everyday language to describe people's lives and feelings. This was part of a bigger movement called naturalism. Naturalism in literature tried to show reality without judging it. Some writers used this style to show social problems. They hoped to shock people and encourage them to make society better.

Slice of Life in Anime and Manga

Further information: List of slice of life anime

Slice of life anime and manga are stories that don't have magic or fantasy. They take place in normal, everyday places, like a high school in the suburbs. These stories often focus on how people get along, sometimes with a bit of romance. They are good at making you feel connected to the characters. This type of anime and manga became more popular in the mid-1980s.

Sometimes, slice of life anime and manga can still have fantasy elements. Even with fantasy, they try to show the "reality" of human feelings in different situations. One expert, Robin E. Brenner, says that "slice of life" in anime and manga is often like a melodrama. This means it has many dramatic and funny things happening in a short time. She compares it to teen TV shows like Dawson's Creek. This type of story is very popular in Japan. It often focuses on school life and friendships.

Types of Slice of Life Anime

One special type of slice of life in anime and manga is called kūki-kei or nichijō-kei. These names mean "air type" or "everyday type." In these stories, the writers purposely avoid showing deep personal relationships or strong romantic feelings. Instead, they tell light, fun stories about the daily lives and talks of cute girl characters. These stories often focus on a specific place and create a peaceful, warm feeling of daily life. This style grew from yonkoma manga, which are four-panel comic strips. Examples include Azumanga Daioh and K-On!.

Some slice of life anime, like Azumanga Daioh, use exaggerated drawings. For example, characters might have white circles for eyes when they are in trouble. They might have big, shining eyes to show strong feelings. You might also see sweat drops, animal teeth, or very simple drawings of people. These are common ways to show emotions in anime.

See also

In Spanish: Recuentos de la vida para niños

• Iyashikei
• Mimesis
• Mumblecore
• Vignette (literature)
• American Splendor
• Costumbrismo
• In medias res
• Seinfeld
• King of the Hill
• Joe Pera Talks With You