When most people think of science fiction, odds are good that what they’re imagining is space opera. It’s no fault of theirs—popular space operas such as Star Wars have simply painted what most sci-fi stories look like to the general public.
Many people also get confused about the difference between space opera and other sci-fi genres because of how many plot elements they share. The difference comes in how these elements are executed, and space opera excels in one particular aspect of storytelling: romance.
What Is a Space Opera?
A space opera is a story that specializes in space warfare, spacefaring civilizations, and adventure. As such, it is mainly or entirely set in outer space. The more outer space there is, the better.
Just like any kind of sci-fi, sophisticated technology such as faster-than-light travel, futuristic weapons, and spaceships are ubiquitous to the story. Unlike other sci-fi stories though, technology is secondary to the story. While some technological aspects are explained, most of it is simply accepted as is.
In its most basic form, a space opera is an action-adventure on a galactic scale. Its story unfolds on a backdrop of galactic empires and solar systems that contain their own flora, fauna, and civilizations. Many of its plots concern intergalactic intrigue, hostility between sentient species, and movements that spread through the known universe.
What Makes a Space Opera Unique?
The space opera’s biggest difference from other science fiction genres is its romantic elements. Take a look at Star Wars, which is perhaps the most famous of space operas.
It features big love stories (Han and Leia in the original trilogy, Padme and Anakin in the prequel), larger-than-life villains (Darth Vader and Palpatine), epic space battles (Battle of the Death Star), and memorable sceneries (Naboo and Bespin).
Other tropes in this genre include sword fights, robots, gothic death traps, lasers, princesses and knights, mystical organizations, mysterious mentors, and elaborate chase scenes.
Historically, space opera developed from planetary romance, a sci-fi genre that focused on adventures within one or more exotic and alien planets. It also shares many similarities with military science fiction but focuses more on adventure rather than warfare.
The term was a play on the soap opera, a melodramatic tv series, and horse opera, a cliched Western movie. It was coined by author Wilson Tucker in 1941 who used it as a pejorative for science fiction stories that were nothing more than “hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn, spaceship yarns.”
It was eventually recognized as a legitimate subgenre in the ’90s defined as a “colorful, dramatic, large-scale science fiction adventure.”
Space Opera Books and Films
Here are some of the best examples of space opera books, films, and TV series.
1. The Revenger by Alastair Reynolds
Sisters Adrana and Arafura are Bone Readers, people who can give and receive messages through telepathy. Their skills lead them to the employment of the legendary Pol Rackamore’s ship, where they go in search of lost technology.
But while searching for their next big score, they are attacked by the infamous space pirate Bosa Sennen, leaving the sisters separated by empty space.
2. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Hazel is a child of a galactic war, born to parents from opposite sides of the conflict. Perceived as traitors, her parents must flee from their own races who are unable to accept their co-existence.
As they struggle to find refuge in a war-torn universe, they must also care for their newborn, who has never known the concept of peace.
3. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
In the 28th century, the International Space Station has been relocated and expanded into an ever-growing city in space. Renamed Alpha, it is home to a million species hailing from thousands of planets.
Agents Valerian and Laureline are agents tasked with preserving peace in the galaxy. As they complete a mission to retrieve an artifact that’s the last of its kind, they find themselves in a crisis involving the future of an entire species.
4. Final Space
Gary Goodspeed is an energetic but dim-witted astronaut currently serving a five-year sentence aboard the Galaxy One. In his last few days of prison, he encounters and befriends a mysterious alien he names Mooncake.
Together, they embark on a quest to save the universe from a sinister force. On the way, they must also solve the mystery of Final Space, a dimension of unknown horrors.
5. Outlaw Star
In the backwaters of the universe, Gene Starwind runs a jack-of-all-trades business. After accepting a bodyguard job that runs foul, he finds himself the caretaker of an advanced spaceship and a bio-android called Melfina.
Pursued on all sides for the ship and Melfina’s true purpose, he and his crew search for the Galactic Leyline, a place said to contain a treasure trove of knowledge and power.
What Makes a Good Space Opera?
The best space operas are sprawling in nature. They offer stories that explore a multitude of planets, galaxies, and universes—each with their own unique life forms, cultures, and exotic locations.
The conflicts themselves are epic in scale, affecting thousands of lives on hundreds of different planets. How different races and cultures interact is always a large part of the story. In this way, themes of isolationism, discrimination, and science are examined.
But what makes space opera so enjoyable is that it deliberately frees itself from the usual shackles of hard science fiction. While it dabbles in futuristic science, it’s not necessary for them to be scientifically realistic. The protagonists’ adventures are better fleshed out and the story isn’t bogged down by tons of scientific explanations.
What’s your favorite space opera? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
