Fantasy is a very broad genre and its sub-genres are very diverse in a sense that they can be sub-divided by several elements such as by setting, by theme, or by the function of magic in the story.

Sub-genres:

Here we are going to *attempt* to give examples of common sub-genres of fantasy (the list of sub-genres are growing in leaps and bounds so we might not be able to cover all).

2 main sub-divisions by setting:

1. High-Fantasy – the type of fantasy stories that are set purely in a secondary world (imaginary) and have an epic structure in terms of plot, characters, and setting.

Ex: Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time, A Song of Ice and Fire

2. Low Fantasy – fantasy that is set in the primary world (real) setting but has elements of the fantastical.

Ex: Harry Potter, NeverWhere

It is said that there are three types of fantasy settings:

1. Secondary world – characterized by an imaginary world that may or may not have a resemblance to the real world. Mythic creatures such as dragons, fairies, elves, unicorns, or purely original creatures may be present. The world can also have its own set of culture and language. Examples of these are G.R.R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, and Brandon Sanderson's Elantris.

2. Portal Fantasy – the fantasy world can be reached by means of a portal. Example is Alice in Wonderland, the Chronicles of Narnia, and Fushigi Yuugi.

3. World within a World – where the setting is in the real world, but there is another world existing which normal people are not aware of. Examples would be Neil Gaiman's London Below in Neverwhere and J.K.Rowling's Hogwarts in Harry Potter.

Sub-genre by theme:

1. Dark Fantasy – wherein fantasy elements are deconstructed or played in the darkest way possible. Moralities of most characters are often questionable. It also has a more serious, cynical and gritty atmosphere. Example includes A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.

2. Heroic Fantasy – a world filled with swords and magic which sits somewhere between High Fantasy and Low Fantasy. It usually features the exploits of sword-wielding heroes and their thiefly/wizardly companions. A sub-genre of fantasy more geared towards adventure. Examples include Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima and Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard.

3. Urban Fantasy – also called as "Modern Fantasy." Usually a story with fantasy elements set in the modern times. The setting is mostly a big, urban city. Examples include American Gods by Neil Gaiman and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.

4. Science Fantasy – a fusion of science fiction and fantasy. In this subgenre, it is absolutely possible for elves, fairies, wizards and dragons coexist with highly-advanced technology, scientists, robots, aliens, spaceships, and time travel. Example includes Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

5. Historical Fantasy – a subgenre of fantasy where the setting will be a time and place in the past. It can use actual historic events, places and/or (sometimes) people. Events in such stories could either be dismissed as myths and superstitions or accounts that never made it into history books to keep the existence of fantastical elements a secret. It can overlap with the alternate history genre. Examples include Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith.

6. Gaslamp Fantasy – also known as gaslight fantasy. Similar to historical fantasy, except that gaslamp fantasy usually takes place in a Victorian or Edwardian setting (around the 19th or 20th century), whereas historical fantasy takes place in any historical event. Think of steampunk, but with magic instead of technology, though there are cases that the two can overlap. Examples include the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman and The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare.

7. Comic Fantasy – lighthearted, parodic and wacky kind of fantasy. Basically, humor genre meets fantasy genre. Examples include Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett and How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell.

Source for subgenres of fantasy: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Fantasy

Admin ChantalCruz30 and Admin -lastorder

PS: As you may see, not all the sub-divisions are present here. Feel free to send us a PM for anything that you think we should add. Have a great day and keep on writing!

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Sub-genre ng Fantasy:

Ang fantasy ay maaaring ma-classify base sa klase ng lugar o setting nito:

1. High Fantasy – ang setting ng kuwento ay sa isang secondary o mundong kathang-isip. Karaniwang malawak ang sakop nito at mas nababagay sa mga kuwentong mala-epiko at magarbo ang mga paksa, maraming tauhan, at kagila-gilalas ang mga lugar at nilalang.

Hal. Lord of the Rings ni Tolkien

2. Low Fantasy – ang setting ng kuwento ay nasa primary world o mundo na ating ginagalawan, ngunit mayroong mga elemento ng pantastiko o mahika dito.

Hal. Harry Potter ni JK Rowling

Tatlong Uri ng Fantasy setting:

1. Secondary World – ang isang fantasy story kung saan nagaganap ang kuwento sa isang lugar na kathang-isip lamang ng may-akda o author. Ang mundong ito ay maaaring salamin ng mundo ng mga tao, pero maaaring mayroong sariling lengguahe, kultura, nilalang, at kaugalian.

Hal. Lireo sa Encantadia, Middle-Earth ni Tolkien, at Narnia sa Chronicles of Narnia

2. Portal Fantasy – ang mga tauhan sa kuwento ay maaaring nakarating sa isang magical place nang pumasok sila sa isang portal.

Hal. Fushigi Yuugi ni Yuu Watase kung saan nakapasok sa ibang mundo ang karakter ni Miaka dahil sa isang libro o ang Wardrobe sa The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe kung saan nadiskubre ito ng mga Pevensie na isang portal papunta sa mundo ng Narnia.

3. World within a World – sa world within a world, ang isang pantastikong lugar ay kasabay na nag-e-exist sa tunay na mundo ngunit lingid ito sa kaalaman ng mga normal na tao at tanging mga "special" na nilalang lamang ang nakakakita nito.

Hal. Ang Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sa Harry Potter at ang London Below ni Neil Gaiman sa Neverwhere.