perfect time loops
ex. character goes through a series of events and then is forced to use time travel to go back and change something. then, you realize that something which had to happen earlier in the story was a direct result of that character's own time traveling interference (but they weren't aware of it at the time).
realistic portrayal of unrealistic conventions
ex. as a reader you think you are being exposed to a material that is going to meet certain conventions, and then those conventions are completely decimated: the protagonist of the story dies (without it being the end of the story), someone ultimately fails despite trying their hardest (not a minor setback and then they succeed by trying harder -- actual failure), if you're born/chosen/destined to be a certain role that doesn't mean you're automatically good at it, kids try and save the day and they ****ing fail because they are kids and don't know how to do ****, etc.
remorseless protagonist
the protagonist of a series or story cares more about exacting justice than s/he does about being a good person, doing the "right" thing, following the rules, or even the sanctity of human life. bonus points if they story still portrays them as being an overall good person.
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I believe there's meaning. No, I believe there's nothing.
http://i.imgur.com/RYunc.png