Common Themes in Anime: Opposition

Hmm, this covers a LARGE expanse of anime. The extensive range of anime this can cover seems intimidating to me to really address, for fear of leaving anything out.

I mean, for almost ANY good story, one needs conflict; and there are only a few ways in which conflict can be manifested. One of the more common types is "opposition," as that can make story-writing easy when the author can basically pigeonhole the characters into simple hierarchies that is very convenient for humans to do(good vs. bad).

I think I'm starting to ramble right now, but before I go off on a complete tangent, I just want to say that I think the reason why this thread is inactive is because the topic is too generic.
I could make reference to the Buddhist-in-a-Catholic-School conflict that is in "Maria-Sama ga Miteru ~ Haru," which covers only one or two episodes; or I can draw in the apocolyptic visions from Texhnolyze, wherein the bad guys win, and the protagonist is left all alone in a dead world. Or I can make reference to the fact that there seems to be a complete lack of conflict or opposition in the ARIA series.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Mucknuggle

I wasn't talking about conflict packrat. . .

Sorry. I just see "opposition" as a still generic sub-genre of "conflict." See my second paragraph.

Also, I really wish I could contribute more topically to this thread. I really do. Its a good subject. I just have no idea where to start. =\

EDIT: Oh! I've got a great idea where to start. There is a one episode OVA about Hijikata Toshizou(will be uploaded, and was subbed and torrented by The Jolly Roger), which I do believe very strongly is the guy who the movie "The Last Samurai" is based upon.

So, for those that have seen it(the ova), what are your thoughts on the motives for Hijikata's opposition to the Imperial uprising?

There's nowhere I can't reach.