A theme of transformation is present too. The power of love changes the bad guy's character completely. In 'Wicked', Fiyero transforms from a carefree playboy into a selfless hero because of his love for Elphaba.
Forgiveness is a common theme. The good - hearted person in the relationship often has to forgive the bad guy for his past wrongdoings. For example, in 'Beauty and the Beast', Belle has to overlook the Beast's initial rudeness.
Sacrifice. The 'bad guy' turned good often has to make sacrifices in the name of love. In 'Titanic', Jack, who was a bit of a scoundrel in some ways at the start, falls in love with Rose. In the end, he sacrifices his life for her, which is also a form of redemption as he goes from a carefree character to one who shows ultimate self - lessness.
Manipulation. Bad guys often manipulate others in the name of love. For example, they might lie to get closer to someone they desire.
One classic is 'Beauty and the Beast'. The Beast starts as a bad - tempered and somewhat cruel character due to his curse. But through his relationship with Belle, he gradually redeems himself. Belle's love and kindness break through his rough exterior, and he transforms into a better person.
Redemption is a very common theme. The bad guy realizes the error of their ways and tries to make up for their past misdeeds. Another theme is the power of love or friendship. For example, like in 'Despicable Me' where Gru's relationship with the girls changes him. Also, self - discovery is often involved. The bad guy discovers a better part of themselves that was hidden under their villainy.
Power - hunger is a common theme. Bad guys in Naruto often seek more power, like Orochimaru always hunting for new jutsu and ways to be immortal. Another theme is revenge. For example, Sasuke's journey towards vengeance against Itachi was a big part of his villain - like arc in some fanfictions. Also, the idea of chaos and disrupting the established ninja order is often there, as seen with characters like Pain who wanted to make the world feel the pain to create a new order.
One common theme is self - discovery. In many such stories, the guy discovers more about himself through his relationship with the girl. For example, in 'Your Lie in April', Kousei rediscovers his love for music and his own self - worth while falling in love with Kaori.
Another theme is personal growth and development. Sometimes people meet and fall in love when one of them is not ready for a relationship. Maybe they are just starting to figure out their own career path or personal identity, and the love comes at a bad time for them to fully commit.
One common theme is the allure of danger. Bad boys often give off an air of unpredictability which can be exciting. Another theme is the idea of transformation. The protagonist may hope to change the bad boy into a better person. Also, there's the theme of self - discovery. Through the relationship with the bad boy, the main character might learn more about their own boundaries and what they truly want in a relationship.
In bad love stories, a frequent theme is the loss of self - identity. Sometimes, people get so wrapped up in a relationship that they lose who they are. For instance, they might give up their hobbies or friends just to please their partner. Another common aspect is the presence of toxic behaviors such as constant criticism or manipulation. These behaviors can slowly erode the love and respect in a relationship, ultimately turning it into a bad love story.
One common theme is justice. The good guy is usually fighting for what is right and fair, like in a story where a detective (the good guy) chases a criminal (the bad guy) to make sure the law is upheld. Another theme is sacrifice. Sometimes the good guy has to give up something to defeat the bad guy, for example, a hero leaving his family to go on a dangerous journey to stop an evil force. Also, redemption can be a theme. Maybe the bad guy has a chance to change in the story, but often they don't take it and the good guy has to force the situation to a conclusion.