Feeling down? Check out the Hopepunk and Noblebright sub-genres
Hopepunk and Noblebright are terms I just learned about, and after reading a lot of grimdark stuff, I will be checking them out more than I inadvertently already have. I’m weirdly a sucker for anything with the suffix – punk. They are essentially a reaction to grimdark and posit the weird idea that sometimes things can work out ok and people can be nice.
I have just finished a re-read of Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy and followed that up with his one-off book Best Served Cold. Both of which I loved. Before that, I had read the first of the Gaunt’s Ghosts books, set in the never-cheerful world of Warhammer 40k.
Frankly, I needed cheering up. Usually, that means reading something by Terry Pratchett or watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. Instead, I somehow stumbled upon something called Hopepunk – and something else called Noblebright. It turns out, I’ve already read some.
What are Hopepunk and Noblebright?
Hopepunk is a term coined by author Alexandra Rowland on Tumblr in 2017. She wrote: “The opposite of grimdark is hopepunk. Pass it on.”
It’s essentially speculative fiction’s counter-punch to cynicism. It champions resilience, kindness, and the belief that good things are worth fighting for even in the face of adversity. Hopepunk isn’t naive; it acknowledges darkness and struggle but insists that fighting for positive change is a radical act. Think of it as weaponised optimism.
One of the best examples of Hopepunk is Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series, particularly The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. It’s a story about a mismatched crew travelling through space, facing both personal and galactic challenges. What makes it Hopepunk? The focus is on community, understanding, and empathy. These characters may argue and clash but always return to mutual care and support. It’s about people working together to make things better—not perfect, just better. It is also well worth a read, I really enjoyed it.
Noblebright, on the other hand, serves as a lighter counterpart to the grim and gritty world of grimdark. It doesn’t ignore that the world can be tough, but it highlights the idea that good ultimately prevails. Where grimdark asks, “What if everyone is terrible and the world is doomed?” Noblebright replies, “What if goodness and integrity can change things for the better?”
A standout example of Noblebright is Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor. It follows Maia, an unprepared and ostracized young man who suddenly becomes emperor after a tragedy wipes out the royal family. Despite overwhelming odds, court intrigue, and his own insecurities, Maia leads with kindness and a determination to improve his realm. It’s a deeply hopeful narrative that emphasizes integrity and the power of doing good.
Things don’t always have to be morally grey
Both subgenres feel like a breath of fresh air in the general grimness of the world and a lot of modern culture. After years of gritty antiheroes and morally bankrupt worlds, there’s something refreshing about characters who try to be better—who fight for justice, kindness, or just a glimmer of hope in the dark. Don’t get me wrong; I love a good grimdark romp as much as the next person. But sometimes, you need to believe that things can get better, and that’s where Hopepunk and Noblebright shine.
For fans of sci-fi, Mary Robinette Kowal’s The Calculating Stars brings a Hopepunk vibe to alternate history. After a meteorite wipes out much of the eastern U.S., humanity must band together to colonise space. Elma York, the protagonist, battles societal norms and personal anxiety to lead this charge. The story is filled with challenges, but it’s driven by collaboration and a shared dream of survival and progress.
Meanwhile, in the realm of shorter fiction, Becky Chambers strikes again with her Monk & Robot series. Set in a post-collapse world, it’s a quiet meditation on purpose and kindness between a robot and a tea monk. It doesn’t try to solve all the world’s problems, but it celebrates small acts of connection and understanding—a hallmark of Hopepunk.
If you’re more of a gamer, Hopepunk and Noblebright sensibilities can also be found in titles like Stardew Valley. Yes, it’s a farming simulator, but it’s also about building community, restoring hope, and creating something beautiful out of what was broken. Compare that to, say, Dark Souls, where the primary narrative tone is, “Try not to die too miserably.”
So, what do these subgenres mean for someone like me, coming off a grimdark bender? It means there’s more to speculative fiction than doom and gloom. Don’t get me wrong—I’ll always have a place in my heart for Abercrombie’s morally ambiguous antiheroes. But sometimes, it’s nice to read about people who believe the world can be better and then actually do something about it.
If you’re curious, start with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet or The Goblin Emperor. You might find yourself rooting for hope and kindness in ways you didn’t expect. Who knows? It might even cheer you up.