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2013/04/27 | 1,298 | 3,983 | <issue_start>username_0: What was the first anime series to use digital production? How many years passed between the first use and the complete conversion to digital?
According to [this interview to <NAME> by ANN](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/video/300/) [04:42] Toei first used digital animation in 1998 for the fourth *GeGeGe no Kikaro* series, and "2000 was the year that most of our productions were produced digitally". Is this time frame valid for other studios or Toei was a precursor?<issue_comment>username_1: According to [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime#Production):
>
> In the 1990s, the Japanese began incorporating computers into the animation process. Some works such as Ghost in the Shell and Princess Mononoke mixed cel animation with computer-generated images. Towards the late 1990s, companies had began shifting towards drawing cels digitally instead of with paint. Fuji Films to boldly announce the halt of cel production for the animation industry prompting a mass scramble to import foreign cels and transfer more of the production line to digital.
>
>
>
[Princess Mononoke](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Mononoke) was released in 1997, though animation production began in 1995. [Ghost in the Shell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell_%28film%29) was released in 1995. Based on that, digital production as a part of the general production began in or before 1995.
According to [this](https://plus.google.com/u/0/115837430604346486194/posts/DHSUPpK3E8n), which may or may not be correct (I don't know how reliable the source is), Tobira o Akete was an early anime short to feature digital production, as was Bit Cupid (an anime series rather than a short), both of which were from 1995.
Also,
>
> Production I.G., known for their world-famous Ghost in the Shell film and other prestige features (Patlabor 2, <NAME>) produced the first two digital anime series that most anime fans can recognize by name: <NAME> (with Xebec) and FLCL (with Gainax)
>
>
>
[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy%3a_The_Spirits_Within), released in 2001, was the first photorealistic computer animated feature film. [Blood: The Last Vampire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood%3a_The_Last_Vampire#Production), which was from 2000, was fully digital, and, according to [this](http://books.google.com/books?id=81Y1TVYQSrEC&pg=PA345&lpg=PA345&dq=first%20fully%20digital%20anime&source=bl&ots=MkUQ3MMbtc&sig=t3TbAxb9NsD0OXsOZUN_Q-TiOLI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eI18UcveCcSQ0QHGxIHADQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=first%20fully%20digital%20anime&f=false), the first fully digital feature.
The first fully digital anime series was Bit the Cupid, which was created in 1995 by Satelight Inc. A description is on [this page](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%93%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%94%E3%83%83%E3%83%89), but it is in Japanese. From what I can tell from the translation, Bit the Cupid was the first continuous CG animation in the world. It was made to look like it was modeled in 3D. Also, after being colored, the contour lines were taken off.
All in all, it's kind of difficult to determine exactly when things began, but from what I can find, digital production began in 1995 and the first fully digital feature was released 2000.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The Professional: Golgo 13 (1983), a popular manga in the 70s, had a CG helicopter sequence. I'm mostly unsure of the team who animated it, but I'm mostly surprised that it manifested quickly after the release of Tron (1982).
Production IG had it's first instances of CG in the 90s, but it appears that they were shown in the form of wireframes. I've heard of some talk that these wireframes were painted over in some cases.
I would probably mention that industry completely transitioned to digital within the early 21st century.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/04/28 | 510 | 1,855 | <issue_start>username_0: In Shinryaku! Ika Musume (Squid Girl), the protagonist is a strange creature called Ika Musume who looks almost like a young girl, but has a number of strange squid-related abilities, such as spitting ink and using her hair as tentacles. She is also intent on invading humanity.
Are there any similar squid-like humanoids in the series, or is she the only one of her kind?
<issue_comment>username_1: As far as I know, she's the only squid-like humanoid shown in the series. Though there is a miniatured version of her that appeared on people's dream, mostly Sanae's ([source](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squid_Girl)). In the last episode of Squid Girl, she met a girl named [<NAME>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squid_Girl#Kozue_Tanabe) which is implied that she also comes from the sea, as she has a hat similar to Squid Girl's and makes statements that indicate she isn't human. The first syllables of her name spell out 'tako' (たこ?), meaning octopus.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: I don't think she's alone, Kozue implied that at the end of season one.
And besides, There would have to be more so that ika could have been born.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: It was implied during the playing house episode that she has parents that are like her as she said that she was mimicking her father when she said "I want shrimp!"
Also in the manga when she was talking to the school children with the teacher who is jelous of her about sea creatures, she pretty much said that her species lives deep in the ocean where there isn't any light from the sun and they communicate by flashing their bioluminescence.
I also like to think that their species isn't big on specific names, so I think it's funny to call her dad "Ika oto-san"
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/04/28 | 552 | 1,624 | <issue_start>username_0: Kodomo no Jikan has a 3-episode OVA released from 2007 to 2011. The episodes are side-stories which are not directly related to the plot, but I think they are still based on the manga chapters. As such, they should fall somewhere in the story.
Relative to the anime, where do these 3 episodes fall?<issue_comment>username_1: Kodomo no Jikan has 7 OVA episodes.
* **Kodomo no Jikan: Rin no Gakkyuu Nisshi** is a summery episode of the
TV series. This OVA episode was released in 2008.
* **Kodomo no Jikan: Yasumi Jikan - Anata ga Watashi ni Kureta Mono** is
a side story of the TV series. This episode was released 2007 during
the original TV series.
* **Kodomo no Jikan: Ni Gakki** are 3 episodes and are kind of a sequel,
because they play after the TV series. This OVA series were released
in 2009.
* **Kodomo no Jikan: Kuro-chan to Shiro-chan** is kind of a side story of
'Kodomo no Jikan: Ni Gakki'. This OVA episode was released in 2009.
* **Kodomo no Jikan: Kodomo no Natsu Jikan** is one episode and is kind
of a sequel of 'Kodomo no Jikan: Ni Gakki'. This OVA episode was
released in 2011.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kodomo_no_Jikan_episodes) lists the 3 OVA episodes in question as follows:
* **Yasumi Jikan '~Anata ga Watashi ni Kureta Mono~'** is between the 4th and 5th episodes of the 1st season.
* **Kuro-chan to Shiro-chan** occurs between the 1st and 2nd episodes of the 2nd season (which is a 3-episode OVA season)
* **Kodomo no Natsu Jikan** takes place after the end of the second season.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2013/04/28 | 729 | 2,370 | <issue_start>username_0: I know that original animes weren't based on light novels or mangas (see: [this](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3408/what-is-the-first-ever-produced-anime-and-manga)). However, I think there are some early shows that are based on mangas (Astro Boy for example, I think). What was the first anime based on a manga? Also, what was the first anime based on a light novel?<issue_comment>username_1: While not the most scientific method, one could generate a list of anime entries over at [Anime News Network](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/), sort it by order and see what is the earliest entry in their database that fits the criterion we're looking for. [Here would be an example of such a list.](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime-list.php?showdate=1&limit_to=&showT=1&showO=1&licensed=&sort=date)
Obviously the service's database is most likely incomplete, but regardless, it is still an authoritative source for anime information, and given the size, and time range of the database, it can be trusted as a good estimation.
* **First anime based off of manga**:
+ [Astro Boy, 1963](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=422)
* **First anime based off light novels**:
+ [Legend of the Galactic Heroes (OAV) 1988](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1786)
+ [Slayers (1995)](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=657)
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Nya, "Norakuro", maybe? I'm not sure if that was the first anime based on a manga, but, anyway, the first anime of Norakuro predates Astroboy anime and predates too the Second World War
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_3: Technically, Tetsuwan Atom (1963) is the first anime to exist and was also based on a Manga, but if you do not get too technical on what anime means and just refer to animation from Japan you get Shou-chan no Bouken (1924) as the first such "anime" that was based on a "manga".
The first anime based on a Light Novel is Kikansha Yaemon: D51 no Daibouken (1974) and the first "anime" based on a normal novel is Saiyuuki: Son Gokuu Monogatari (1926).
Though, what we commonly refer to as anime nowadays - the whole subculture stuff - only originated around 1978-1982, so none of the titles above fit if you go by that understanding of anime.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/04/28 | 1,010 | 3,136 | <issue_start>username_0: In <NAME>, Ana is embarrassed by her surname "Coppola". It's implied that it has some meaning (or perhaps sounds like something) in Japanese, but I couldn't figure out what. What does Ana's name sound like, and why is it embarrassing to her?
<issue_comment>username_1: According to the [Japanese Wikipedia article for the series](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8B%BA%E3%81%BE%E3%81%97%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8D#.E4.B8.BB.E8.A6.81.E3.82.AD.E3.83.A3.E3.83.A9.E3.82.AF.E3.82.BF.E3.83.BC):
>
> Because she has almost completely forgotten how to speak English, she has a complex about her last name "Coppola". When she changed schools, she hid her last name "Coppola" along with the fact that she
> couldn't speak English and could speak Japanese. However, she was
> quickly exposed by Itou and her friends.
>
>
>
So it seems like she's embarrassed because she has a foreign last name but can't speak English.
Also, on an English blog, someone asked the same question, and [a Japanese viewer provided their insight via comments](http://www.darkmirage.com/2005/11/21/ichigo-mashimaro-coppola/#comments) (comment #15, don't think there's a way to permalink it):
>
> Kappore was a joke show in the Japanese feudal age. Coppola has a
> similar pronunciation to Kappore (especially in japanese’sound). now
> almost Japanese don’t know the meaning of Kappore, but we feel funny
> when we listen the word like kappore.
>
>
>
There don't seem to be many English resources on kappore, but you can also search on Youtube for some modern examples.
On the same blog's comments, another Japanese viewer comments (comment #17):
>
> The reason why koppora sounds weird to the Japanese has something to
> do with the accents of the 19th century peasants in northeastern
> Japan. They used to pronounce “kon-na koto” as “koddara godo”,
> “chotto” as “chokkura”, “bikkuri” as “beggura” and so on, which is not
> considered very elegant among the white-collar class. And, the family
> name Coppola doesn’t sound like British but reminds us of Italian
> immigrants, which further highlights the awkwardness of Ana’s phony
> “British Style.” That’s probably why Miu always mentions “koppora”
> whenever Ana gets a bout of British chauvinism (as in drama CD’s) or
> her facade is wearing off.
>
>
>
So there are three different theories for you. Seems like even the Japanese aren't 100% why it sounds so funny.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: There's a really no deeper meaning behind the name, beside that it sounds silly when you say it.
She is given the "nickname" 穴骨洞(あなこっほら, Anakohora, using the kanji for "hole" and "bone cave") by Miu, partially because it suits her proper Japanese personality (reflected by her polite and feminine use of Japanese). There's no deeper meaning behind this aside from the irony and that it just sounds funny when you say it in Japanese and associate it with kanji.
It's just like if there was someone named <NAME>, <NAME>, or <NAME> in English.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/04/28 | 467 | 1,974 | <issue_start>username_0: The parents of the Takanashi siblings die in a plane crash. Sora and Miu are told about this immediately, but as far as I remember in the anime, Hina was never told this. When she asks when her parents are coming back in one of the earlier episodes, the other characters don't explain this to her directly, and she doesn't understand the meaning of the funeral that they go to.
Is it ever properly explained to her why her parents aren't coming back (perhaps in one of the later light novels)?<issue_comment>username_1: At episode 12, since her performance at the Daycare approached, Hina began asking again when her parents will be coming, prompting the others to reveal the truth.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I don't think it ever openly tells us that the parents are actually dead, it states on the TV that some are missing while showing Yuri's name, it's possible the funeral was held without bodies and Yuri is still alive.
From what we see no Christmas period passes and most of the show is between summer break and towards the end of autumn, we also see none of the girls birthdays promoting the idea that the show happens withing a two to three month period.
It is entirely possible that Yuri could still be alive as there is no solid evidence stating that they died, the news also stated that the plane crashed and was missing, again, if missing there is no guarantee that bodies were found.
For all we know, she could still be alive.
Also, Hina states that 'since mommy is in heaven, I'm bringing my drawing to show her' this implies that somewhere between episode
12 and 13 she came to terms and learned about it, also, another thing left out of the show is that Hina sees her parents either at her parents day or the musical show, in spirit anyway, though this isn't solid proof they are dead and could be just the imagination of a three year old it may have forced her to accept the fact her parents are gone.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/04/28 | 459 | 1,560 | <issue_start>username_0: <NAME> is described as being an anthropomorphic wolf in the Wikipedia article, but everyone in the Soul Society is either someone who died or the descendant of someone who died. There are (as far as I know) no anthropomorphic wolves in the living world, so where did he come from? Was he born that way, created, or is there some other explanation?
<issue_comment>username_1: Bleach episode 539 has some answers.
Komamura is talking to his great grandfather:

>
> Who is a huge canine himself. From this it is clear that a canine appearance is a family trait. The conversation also reveals that they do have a special status, though it is not clear what exactly their role in Soul Society is. It is, however, clear that Komamura was born this way.
>
>
>
---
Bleach 556 has some further information - in a flashback to his previous encounter with his great grandfather, who says:
>
> 
>
>
>
---
>
> So, he is not a wolf, but a werewolf. The clan originated in soul society, were banished, but did come back.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: My guess that Komamura is some form of mutated soul but idk all I know is some soul reapers have a unique appearance and not all soul reapers look like humans but to be honest idk maybe it’s the soul equivalent of werewolf conditions
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/04/28 | 357 | 1,189 | <issue_start>username_0: The Soul King is shown in the Thousand Year Blood War arc, though only briefly. Not much is explained about him, so things like what he can do and what his job is are a bit vague. Is he a Shinigami? If not, what is he?<issue_comment>username_1: Like Madara mentioned, it's really impossible to say at this point. From what I remember from that brief moment in the manga, the silhouette of the Soul King kind of looked like Aizen's pre-butterfly state.
Aizen also called "it" a "thing," so it might not be a Shinigami.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: In **Chapter 611**, the Soul King was revealed to be
>
> Yhwach's father [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6ZKvj.jpg)
>
>
>
However, *it was not stated anywhere in the manga whether or not he was a Shinigami or a Quincy*. In **Chapter 615**, the purpose of the Soul King was explained. To quote from the wiki,
>
> The Soul King's sole purpose is to regulate the flow of souls in and out of Soul Society. Without his existence, all known dimensions connected to Soul Society will begin crumbling into non-existence.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/04/29 | 1,526 | 4,805 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm just curious, does Naruto Shippuuden retain its original seiyuu from Naruto (voice actors)? Or there are certain changes with the voice actors? If there are changes, what are they and what were the reasons for changing?<issue_comment>username_1: Naruto has a lot of different voice actors, but mainly for other languages. In Japanese, Naruto has only had 2 voice actors:
1. [<NAME>](http://myanimelist.net/people/15/Junko_Takeuchi)
2. [Kogure, Ema](http://myanimelist.net/people/727/Ema_Kogure)
<NAME> has only voiced Naruto in *Naruto* (before the time skip). [I believe she even only did 1 technique which would be Naruto's "Sexy Technique"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ema_Kogure). <NAME> is Naruto's main voice actor; she has voiced Naruto in all movies and specials, also through out *Naruto* and *Naruto: Shippuden*.
And to scare you all a bit too, Naruto's voice actor also voices [Akamaru](http://myanimelist.net/character/4799/Akamaru), [Guruko](http://myanimelist.net/character/23569/Guruko), [Hina](http://myanimelist.net/character/34115/Hina), and [Menma](http://myanimelist.net/character/74930/Menma).
>
> During the casting for the Japanese version of the animated adaptations, the staff sought a male voice actor for Naruto. <NAME>, a female actress, was instead chosen following a large number of auditions that involved male actors. Before recording the first episode, Takeuchi noticed several lines from the script that ended with exclamations points which helped her define Naruto's voice. She noted difficulties in transitioning from the naruto which is young to the eledest of three in the animated adaptation of Part II, as she had to record the first episode after the time skip only one week after voicing the character from before the time skip. This concerned the character's growth as Naruto started acting more mature in contrast to his attitude of a child. It was difficult for Takeuchi to voice Naruto in his Nine-Tailed Demon Fox form and during the fight against Sasuke, due to the suffering Naruto was going through. Nine years after first voicing the character, while still finding it tough to voice Naruto, Takeuchi's opinion regarding him changed to "a very reliable young man". She admires his ability to prioritize and calmly make important decisions, and believes these traits will inspire viewers worldwide. [Source](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki)
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: The answer is: sort of.
There are a number of characters who have multiple voice actors, but those don't (as far as I can tell) change as the show goes on.
[Kakashi](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Kakashi_Hatake) is a character who has a second seiyuu in Shippuden, but it is one who voices him as a child. Normally, and through both Naruto and Shippuden, he is voiced by [Kazuhiko Inoue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazuhiko_Inoue), but as a child, he is voiced by [Mutsumi Tamura](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutsumi_Tamura).
Orochimaru has had four seiyuu: one for his [normal body](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kujira), one for his body as a [Grass ninja](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuriko_Yamaguchi_%28voice_actor%29), one for him in the [female body](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachiko_Kojima), and one for him as a [child](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayumi_Yamaguchi).
Deidara's voice actor in the English dub is different between his episode 135 [cameo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinton_Flynn) and his [role in Shippuden](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Craig_Smith).
Sasori has three seiyuu: one for as an [adult](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takahiro_Sakurai), one for as a [child](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiko_Yajima), and one for as a [puppet body](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yutaka_Aoyama).
Tobi has three seiyuu: one for when he is [Tobi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wataru_Takagi), one for when he is
>
> Obito
>
>
>
([see](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naoya_Uchida))
and one for when he is a child.
Shikamaru has a different seiyuu for episode 141. Normally, he's voiced by [Showtaro Morikubo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showtaro_Morikubo), but in that episode, he was voiced by [Nobutoshi Canna](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobutoshi_Canna). I can't find why that switch happened, except that Nobutoshi Canna was the stand-in.
Konohamaru has a similar situation: he is usually voiced by [Ikue Otani](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikue_%C5%8Ctani) but [Akiko Koike](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiko_Koike) acted as a stand-in.
As far as I can tell, there is nobody who specifically changes seiyuu between Naruto and Shippuden, but these are characters who have multiple seiyuu for various reasons.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2013/04/30 | 2,020 | 7,248 | <issue_start>username_0: In the first episode of the 4th season (Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties), Nagi is shown living in the apartment building with all of her friends.

(You can't really tell this is the apartments from the screenshot, but note the rather plain looking Japanese-style room compared to her Western-style room in her mansion which definitely had a fancy bed rather than a futon)
When did she move out of her mansion and into the apartments in the anime? I don't remember this happening.
And is there a reason she moved?
Update: In the following episodes, she is shown back in her mansion sometimes as well. This would imply that the current anime season is not fully following the manga which is why I have not accepted the answers giving manga-based answers.
<issue_comment>username_1: There's a section in the Hayate wiki entry on Nagi that explains [why they had to move out of the mansion](http://hayatenogotoku.wikia.com/wiki/Nagi_Sanzenin#Moving_out_of_the_Sanzenin_Mansion) right after the Golden Week Arc, which occurs between chapters 211 and 266. The second season followed the manga up to chapter 148 and the 3rd season didn't follow the manga.
>
> After coming back from golden week trip, Nagi was forced to leave her mansion due to her forfeiting her inheritance after she destroyed the King's Jewel. She orders Hayate to find a new house with 20 million yen. Later Nagi, Hayate, and Maria stayed at the Violet Mansion and started new life. Nagi prepared a plan to get money first with rent from the Violet Mansion (with butler service), she got a first tenant (Chiharu) because her house was burned by her parents.
>
>
>
None of this seems to ave been explained in the anime since the last episode from the "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" season, they were still in the mansion. The synopsis for the first episode of "Cuties" seem to imply that it's a flashback, so perhaps the previous season was *after* this season and they had moved back into the mansion, or the effect of the Golden Week Arc at least gets explained later in the season.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: All of the events leading to Nagi moving out to the Violet Mansion (the apartment building) happens during the Golden Week arc, which is not (yet?) animated.
In chapter 220, on the trip during the Golden Week, Aika delivers a mail from Mikado to Hayate:
>
> Mikado sets a new condition of inheritance, which is to defeat Hayate and either retrieve or destroy the King's Jewel that he is currently carrying. This King's Jewel was given to Hayate by Mikado in chapter 14, during his first visit to the main mansion.
>
>
>
In chapter 244 to 248
>
> Hayate and Athena meets again. Athena is possessed by King Midas, and King Midas wants the King's Jewel that Hayate carries to re-enter the Garden Palace and obtain god's power. To save Athena, they must break the "agreement" between Athena and King Midas which allows King Midas to possess her, and the only (safe) way to do it is to destroy Hayate's King's Jewel.
>
>
>
On the last day on the trip to Mykonos during Golden Week. In chapter 252:
>
> Hayate was troubled over whether to destroy the King's Jewel he has to save Athena, or to keep it to protect Nagi's inheritance. Nagi, seeing Hayate troubled face, decided to break the King's Jewel herself, henceforth loses her rights to the inheritance. She decides to abandon the money that has protected her so far and entrust herself to Hayate to protect her.
>
>
>
In chapter 268 to 270 (after Golden Week arc)
>
> They are now back from the trip to Mykonos. Having lost the rights to the Sanzen'in family's inheritance, Nagi has to move out of the mansion in a week. After a series of events, Klaus shows Hayate the apartment building called Violet Mansion, which was given to him by Nagi's mother due to a misunderstanding. Klaus decides it is time to return it to Nagi. Nagi later moves into the apartment building starting from chapter 277.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Nagi did not completely leave her mansion. Rather, she seems to own both her mansion and the apartments. She goes between both the apartments and the mansion throughout the season (at least this is true for as far as I've seen, up to episode 6).
In episode 2, Hayate mentions that Nagi was staying at the apartments because it's easier for her to get work done in the apartments.


Based on the information in [List of manga chapters animated in Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3888/list-of-manga-chapters-animated-in-hayate-no-gotoku-cuties/3889#3889), it seems like this season is adapting various manga chapters but not chronologically. It's possible that they altered the housing situation from what was in the manga so that this anime season appears to have more continuity - it would be odd if Nagi said she had no mansion in the beginning of an episode (adapted from a later chapter) and then was shown in her mansion during the next part (adapted from an earlier chapter).
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_4: It's worth noting that the Heaven is a Place on Earth, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, and Cuties are all future timelines that may or may not become canonical to the manga depending on how the mangaka, Hata Kenjiro chooses to continue the current manga timeline which hasn't caught up to the movie or both new seasons of the anime yet.
All stories used in the episodes of Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties except for episodes 11-12 were taken from various manga chapters around 200-400-ish of the manga, so you definitely cannot dismiss manga-based answers. Some of the events in these chapters were understandably modified a bit for the anime in order to make it seem like the stories in Cuties take place after Can't Take My Eyes of You.
To answer your question directly, Nagi was never shown moving out of her mansion in the anime because the yet/never-to-be-animated End of the World Arc featuring Athena Tennousu who is currently Alice both in the Manga and in Cuties (the presence of Alice as well as the Violet mansion are clear indications that you cannot dismiss manga-based answers), concludes with Nagi losing her right to the Sanzen'in inheritance of her own volition by destroying the King's Jewel that Hayate was supposed to protect because it was the key to her inheritance. Thus, with the stone destroyed, her grandfather <NAME> evicts her from the mansion and she is forced to live on her own without her fortune. Fortunately, her head butler Klaus gives her the "apartment," the Violet Mansion, which was originally given to him as a gift by <NAME>, Nagi's mother. Nagi then proceeds to rent out the different rooms in the Violet Mansion/Yukari-chan house in order to start earning money and that's how their friends eventually come to live in this house (for various ulterior motives).
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/04/30 | 1,918 | 6,149 | <issue_start>username_0: I was wondering where mecha genre in Japan originated. It doesn't seem the same as something like the idea of a doll having a soul, which is from Japanese folk beliefs, but it could be.
Is there some historical basis for giant fighting robots (or similar things) in Japan? If not, where did they originate from, and what was the first series that showed them?<issue_comment>username_1: There is no deep origin of the super robot trope in Japanese folklore, at least as it pertains to anime and manga. While some Japanese legends and history (such as the *samurai*) may have influence the design and characteristics of the mechas, there is little direct inspirational influence.
The first anime adaptation of the [*Tetsujin 28-go*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsujin_28-go) manga, in 1963, is widely credited as the origin of the mecha genre with an early design of a "[super robot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Robot)". This series, in conjunction with the manga [*Giant Robo*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Robo), were the first to feature these designs. [Mitsuteru Yokoyama](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuteru_Yokoyama)\*, as the creator of both these manga, is considered the father of the genre.
Yokoyama was largely influenced by the wartime of his days; the [bombing of Kobe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Kobe_in_World_War_II) is one such case. He was also influenced by the monster concept from *Frankenstein*. [*Astro Boy*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_Boy), a 1952 manga series, has also had great influence over the design of the robots seen in the mecha genre[[1]](http://theyokocritic.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/the-evolution-of-mecha-design/).
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ooyjm.jpg) [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/s4wTF.jpg)
(Left: *Tetsujin 28-go* manga cover; Right: *Giant Robo* manga cover)
A bit more history: Notable mecha series that followed Yokoyama's creations were [*Mazinger*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazinger) (one of the first to feature piloting) and [the *Gundam* series](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Suit_Gundam). In the 90s, [*Neon Genesis Evangelion*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion) moved forward from the clunky, overly mechanized (and often blocky) mechas from the prior series, and introduced sleeker, faster designs[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neon_Genesis_Evangelion&oldid=549838327#Legacy). Later series, such as [*Gurren Lagann*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurren_Lagann) and [*RahXephon*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RahXephon) mimicked this design, while few shows like [*GaoGaiGar*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_of_Braves_GaoGaiGar) did not.
\* - Yokoyama also made significant other contributions to Japanese comic culture; these can be found in the linked WIkipedia article.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: While this is conjecture, I'd say that mecha in manga and anime rose as a result of the [tokusatsu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokusatsu) (special effects) wave of the 50s beginning with 1954's [Gojira](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla) (Godzilla), a character created due to nuclear radiation. This huge *kaiju* was partly based on King Kong (1933):
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> The special-effects artist <NAME> and the director <NAME> became the driving forces behind 1954's Godzilla. Tsuburaya, inspired by the American film King Kong, formulated many of the techniques that would become staples of the genre, such as so-called suitmation—the use of a human actor in a costume to play a giant monster—combined with the use of miniatures and scaled-down city sets. Godzilla forever changed the landscape of Japanese science fiction, fantasy, and cinema by creating a uniquely Japanese vision in a genre typically dominated by American cinema.
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These huge rampaging monsters were initially countered by puny humans, then by powerful pint-sized humans, powerful pint-sized robots/androids and then by huge robotic superheroes controlled from the outside and then from the inside. Tezuka's 1952 manga, [Astro Boy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_Boy), featured one such pint-sized robot superhero who was himself based on the character of *Michi* in his 1949 manga, [Metropolis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_%28manga%29) (in turn based on the 1927 [Fritz Lang masterpiece](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_%28film%29)). Michi is an artificially "synthesised" boy who, later in the story, goes around toppling skyscrapers.
As noted [by Eric](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/3630/247), 1956's [Gigantor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsujin_28-go) featured a [Super Robot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Robot) controlled by a kid on the outside while the 1972 manga, Mazinger Z, was apparently the first to feature the controller on the inside:
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> The idea of a robot controlled by a young hero was first used in 1956 with Iron Man 28 or Tetsujin 28-go (dubbed and released in the US as Gigantor), by manga artist <NAME>, which featured a giant robot piloted by remote-control by a young boy named <NAME>, who used it to fight against evil. However, the first anime to use the phrase Super Robot and the one that set the standards for the genre was Mazinger Z, created by <NAME> and making its debut in manga publications and TV in 1972. The main difference between Mazinger Z and previous robots was that the hero, <NAME>, would pilot the robot from the inside in the same manner as one would drive a car. This anime show was hugely popular and spanned numerous sequels and imitations during the 1970s, and revival shows later during the 80s and 90s.
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[TV Tropes notes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Anime/Gigantor) that Gigantor might be the "Ur example" of "The Kid with the Remote Control" and [Mazinger Z](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Anime/MazingerZ) "THE granddaddy of the Super Robot Genre".
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/05/01 | 976 | 3,492 | <issue_start>username_0: I don't think they ever explain in the anime how Hermes (the motorcycle) and Riku (the dog) can talk. There are plenty of talking robots, but they're clearly mechanical entities, while Hermes acts more like a person. Also, electronic speech does not explain Riku.
Is it ever explained how Hermes and Riku have the power of speech, in the light novels or any other medium?<issue_comment>username_1: No, it is not explained.
The novels leave many of these up to the reader's interpretation. It is the same as [Hideaki Anno leaving the meaning of the ending of Evangelion open (see Q#6)](http://www.modusproductions.com/eva-r/tiff/stats.htm) to the viewer's own thoughts, or in Code Geass, [where a shot of the cart rider smiling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNhyzoq4mxo) (displaying some features of Lelouch) was cut out in order to make the ending more open.
Kino's Journey is in a fantasy world where science has taken some leaps and bounds in some directions (and became twisted), with some moments that poke your disbelief to see if its suspended or not (like the "Are you a Knife Merchant" moment with the slavers in [episode not remembered]).
It may be somewhat magical ([and TVTropes indeed lists it as "magical realism"](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/LightNovel/KinosJourney)) but not in the usual sense (no mages or spellcasting), with their larger-than-life characters (like when Shizu uses his sword to block bullets).
Some [speculate that they do not talk at all](http://acerailgun.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/kinos-journey-review-breakdown-and-study/), and that it all happens in Kino's mind (and she could indeed be crazy enough under the nogging). That is a possible interpretion. The series is one of self-discovery after all. Or the suggestion in the Land of Books (that Kino is in a VR simulation) is actually true.
I think there are similarities in the universe of Kino and the Petit Prince. Kino's is grittier, but the mixing of subtle fantasy and realism is there.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: In episode 11 Kino shows her backstory. (I'll try my best not to spoil but still try to answer your question.)
Basically, Kino was living in a corrupt country. A traveler came along and she made friends with him. In Kino's society, once a child turned the age of 12, they were given surgery on the brain to take out the "child" in them. You could say they were brainwashed. The traveler explained to Kino how he thought this was wrong.
Kino didn't have a name at the time, so she was reffered to as "daughter", or "girl". The traveler's name was Kino. Female Kino told her brainwashed "parents" that she didn't want to go through with the surgery. He parents yelled at her and her father decided to kill her.
There was no rules against killing Female Kino, since she was believed to be her parents' property. He father dragged her out to the Male Kino, also known as the traveler, and scolded him for putting the thought in Female Kino's mind. As the father was about to murder Female Kino, Male Kino jumped in front of the knife and sacrificed himself.
Then, the motorbike started talking. Keep in mind the bike didn't talk until the traveler died. The bike had the same voice as the traveler. The bike then saved Female Kino from the corrupt society. He named Female Kino from "girl" to "Kino". The motorbike then told Kino to call him Hermes. So, basically, the bike is possessed by Male Kino.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/03 | 1,591 | 5,792 | <issue_start>username_0: There are a number of very clear parallels between Tokyo Mew Mew and Sailor Moon, beyond the fact that they're both magical girl animes. At 7:35 of [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4D-c2LrlV8), the scene is incredibly similar to [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynzTghJmTjw) at 00:53:10. There are other very striking similarities, like the personalities of the characters. Have the creators of either series commented on the similarities?<issue_comment>username_1: This does not actually answer the question, but here’s why I think they’re not ”that alike”:
Many mahou shoujo (magical girl) series have similar elements, especially those of same decade or genre, like both of those series are shoujo series (targeting for teenage girls or so), so finding element or two similar or same in both series is nothing strange. It’s kind of finding same kind of jokes in two different comedy series.
As plot wise, I think their plot is pretty different in nuances and narration, even if the theme is much alike. They are, after all, two series of same genre, for same audience.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Unfortunately the second link you provided has been removed from YouTube so I could not look at it, but based on watching the Tokyo Mew Mew link you provided I can guess which scene from Sailor Moon you’re thinking of. The scenes are indeed similar.
However, the creators of the series would not need to comment on the similarity because Sailor Moon pioneered the genre of team fighting *mahou shoujo* (magical girl) series. The **key point** here is **the combination of *sentai* (team fighting) with *mahou shoujo***. To merely say Sailor Moon and Tokyo Mew Mew are from the same genre and for the same target audience doesn't **nearly** explain their large similarities, because neither look much **at all** like any of the *mahou shoujo* series that preceded Sailor Moon.
Before Sailor Moon, the long history of *mahou shoujo* series were usually EITHER one girl who could transform into a magical version of herself OR one magical girl from another world who is temporarily living in our world and uses an Earthling disguise except for when she needs to transform into her true self to use her powers. In both cases, most of the occasions for which she transformed were for day-to-day events, NOT for trying to save the world. (Magical girls living solely in magical worlds, such as *Kero Kero Chime* or *Akazukin ChaCha*, do not technically fall within the genre of *mahou shoujo* because everyone in their world is magical; a *mahou shoujo* is a girl with magic powers in a generally non-magical world.) At the same time, there was a long history of live-action *sentai* (team fighting) series like Power Rangers. Sailor Moon was the first series ever to combine *mahou shoujo* with *sentai*: a team of magical girls trying to save the world.
The Sailor Moon manga ran in the shoujo manga magazine Nakayoshi, published by Kodansha. During its years-long run, Nakayoshi built off of that success by introducing more magical girl series, some of which were the more traditional style (Kaitou St. Tail), some which in the newly-minted team fighting style (Magic Knight Rayearth, which was also a parody of RPG video games), and one was even a parody of the genre itself which masqueraded as a typical *mahou shoujo* for months before introducing a plot twist (Card Captor Sakura). Most of these also met with great success. Once Sailor Moon’s run ended, Nakayoshi continued trying its luck with *mahou shoujo*, and met with varying success (such as Akihabara Dennougumi Pata-Pi, Cyber Idol Mink, etc.); obviously, Nakayoshi never regained thei height of popularity that Sailor Moon and Card Captor Sakura had given it.
One of the series Nakayoshi came out with in this period was Tokyo Mew Mew. It received enough popularity to get animated, and the reasons for its particular similarities to Sailor Moon are explained by the fact that it came so soon on the heels of Sailor Moon; there were very few *mahou-shoujo*-mixed-with-*sentai* series yet made for it to draw from: Sailor Moon was the main “inspiration” for it, you could say. In other words, Tokyo Mew Mew is a direct result of Sailor Moon; without the innovation of Sailor Moon, Tokyo Mew Mew would never have come into existence. Being published in the same manga magazine, the publishers couldn’t have cared less if it was just a copy of Sailor Moon churned out to turn a profit. If it did anything unique, great; if it didn’t, they wouldn’t have cared. Being from the same publisher, it didn't need to worry about copyright infringement by "stealing" any ideas. Manga magazines are growing more and more [unprofitable to publish](http://matt-thorn.com/shoujo_manga/colloque/index.php) in print (evidenced by the fact that the *furoku* [freebies] they give away with each issue have sharply dropped in quality since the era of Sailor Moon’s run), so any hit series they can get is important. Tokyo Mew Mew did well enough, and did not need to do much original work, it just needed to utilize what made Sailor Moon and the hits of its day work. In summary, it would not occur to the creators of Tokyo Mew Mew to comment on the similarities, because that is basically *atari mae* (当り前, a given, obvious). Creators of ensuing *mahou shoujo* series from other publishers, such as Ai Tenshi Densetsu Wedding Peach or Cutey Honey F (or even the newer Pretty Cure franchise), could make comments of comparison, but it would not behoove them to do so since their series are rather obviously Sailor Moon-inspired (if not knock-offs) and Sailor Moon was dreamt up by and owned by their competition, so they wouldn't want to draw attention to that fact.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/03 | 738 | 2,416 | <issue_start>username_0: In anime and manga, there are versions of characters' drawings that are called "chibi" or "[super deformed](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_deformed)".

What is the history behind this, and when did drawing chibi versions of characters start?<issue_comment>username_1: The use of chibis was supposedly started due to *Sailor Moon*.
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> The term Chibi was popularized by the anime Sailor Moon in the character Chibiusa/Chibi-Moon, who is the daughter of Sailor Moon/Usagi ("Chibi-Usa" as in "Chibi Usagi"). An even tinier character in the same anime was named <NAME> (approximately 3 years old). (Modified 23 September 2009; sources: [(1)](http://en.anime-wiki.org/wiki/Chibi) [(2)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chibi_%28term%29))
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They also use chibi characters to show smaller children as the actual meaning of the word is "short person" or "small child."
Another reason for chibi drawings could also be for truer expression of the subject's characteristics.
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> They sometimes express the true nature of the character. The person may lie, but a chibi may say the truth within the individual's mind. A chibi could also express a nature, like massive anger hiding under a cool, calm exterior. For example; the character Hiei, from the popular anime/manga YuYu Hakusho, is often quite calm, hiding his true bloodlust and love of fighting which show themselves only through his chibi form, as seen in the 7th book of the manga. This is also used in the popular anime Naruto with Sakura's true form. It is an easy way to show sides of a characters personality that might come across as awkward or overly serious without this use of comedy.
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Chibi is not always used for these reasons though; think of [*Katekyo Hitman Reborn*](https://www.google.com/search?q=katekyo%20hitman%20reborn&tbm=isch&biw=1366&bih=643).
There, the chibis are used as a curse. This still gives a lot of comedic value and helps with the storyline. However, it's not really used to express the characters' nature or for small children.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: "Chibi" started after an anime from 1990 (before *Sailor Moon*) which is called *Chibi Maruko-chan*, and has a similar art style. So actually, the "chibi art style" is borrowed from *Chibi Maruko-chan*.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/03 | 1,110 | 3,938 | <issue_start>username_0: Across all *Gundam* universes, there is always at least one character based on [Char Aznable](http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Char_Aznable) from the original Gundam series. (I say "at least one" because sometimes there is a softer character that is less obviously based on Char.)
* In *Gundam Wing*, the obvious Char knockoff would be Zechs Marquise; the tell-tale characteristic is the mask. He was the sister of Releena and the child of the Peacecraft family. This an obvious nod to the fact that Char was really <NAME>, son of <NAME>. His sister was <NAME>, who took the alias Sayla and was an active member aboard White Base.
* Quatra is the less obvious Char clone, who shares Char's blonde hair and is named after the number 4. (Char in multiple Indian languages means four and his alias in Zeta Gundam was Lt. Quatro.)
* In the most recent *Gundam Unicorn*, Full Frontal is obviously the main Char character (many in the show itself believing him to be the famed Red Comet) while Ensign Ridhe is the softer Char character (indicated by his blonde hair, his family's ancestry, and rivalry with the main character).
The Char character usually has some kind of "cool" nickname; Char's is Red Comet, and Zechs has the name Lightning Count. Additionally, their mobile suit is usually colored red or white. Would this make Athuran Zala also a Char character, with his signature Red mobile suits?
Basically, what I'm wondering is: **Is there a defined set of characteristics like the above mentions and their occurrences across all *Gundam* series (whether they be Universal Century or not)?**<issue_comment>username_1: It seems that there is always a masked antagonist in the Gundam series, but they vary in how much they resemble the original Char.
In Gundam Seed, it is [Rau Le Creuset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rau_Le_Creuset#Rau_Le_Creuset) . Masked, and related by blood to a member of the protagonists camp. IIRC he is also a noble who stands to inherit, but unlike Char Aznable,
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> his family is not usurped.
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In G-Gundam, it would be [<NAME>](http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Schwarz_Bruder). It is a bit tricky to bring him in the equation, though, because G-Gundam is much simpler than the other Gundam series.
Going by these examples and the ones mentioned in the question, the constant features seem to be
* The character wears a mask to hide his true identity.
* The character fights for the (apparent) enemy.
* The character is male.
* The character is related by blood or cloning to the protagonist or a close ally.
The features that vary among the Char Aznable knockoffs are
* The character has a strong sense of honour and fair-play (IIRC <NAME> is the exception here).
* The character is a noble.
* The character bears a secret grudge (<NAME> would be the exception).
* The character has a nickname (again <NAME> is the exception).
With respect to Quatre in Gundam Wing, I don't think he is a Char-based character. Quatre makes no secret of his identity and doesn't wear a mask. His name is not a clue IMO; almost all characters in the show were named after numbers in French. The role of Char is aptly fulfilled by Zechs Marquise.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I can't remember the character's name, but he was in Gundam 00. First season, he was one of the nations' Aces (blue...so he flew for Union?). He was one of a very small number of antagonists that could hold his own against the meisters, but got seriously messed up along the way. He returns in the second season wearing a mask (black and red though) and a new MS. This new MS was a melee focused unit.
He was a bit odd, in that he came into his archetype later in the show, originally being little more than a dedicated, if only slightly stronger mook.
Also, could Yzak from SEED (he piloted <NAME>) be considered here?
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/03 | 706 | 2,361 | <issue_start>username_0: In Naruto, a number of ninjas have become jonin, such as Neji and Kakashi. Does every ninja who becomes a chunin by definition become a jonin if they live long enough, or do some remain a chunin forever?<issue_comment>username_1: Some become Chunin, some become Jonin. No one knows how they become Jonin, but in the Anime both appointments and exams are mentioned as a way to become Jonin. Only power- and skillful ninja will become Jonin.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: No not everyone will become a Jonin. As you may have noticed, some ninja like Naruto don't even become Chuunin. Naruto is a rare example however.
In order to become a jonin, a ninja must be extremely skilled. Jōnin are generally able to use at least two types of elemental chakra, some genjutsu, and above average taijutsu skills.
They are usually also appointed to A and/or S ranked missions alone while those under the Jonin rank usually go with a team, or not at all.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: If you think about this from a real world military viewpoint, it is like asking if every recruit becomes a commanding officer. The answer is **no**. Also as related, keep in mind that not all [academy students become Chūnin](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3536/what-happened-to-the-rest-of-the-academy-class), so that might apply here too.
And as per the [wiki](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/J%C5%8Dnin)
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> It is as of yet unknown what one has to undergo to become one. It is
> mentioned that jōnin are appointed, however there was mention of a
> Jōnin Exam in the anime's Kurama Clan Arc. When a ninja becomes a
> jōnin, they may be assigned a three-man genin team to supervise.
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And then there is also this guy.. [<NAME>](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Kosuke_Maruboshi) who *even though by choice*, has been a genin for over 50 years. This could also apply to your question.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: I know it's like a ranking. You have to undergo an exam or a test to be one ranking higher...
I don't know if this sequence is correct: genin, chuunin, jonin...
In the 1st episode of naruto shippuuden, it is known that naruto is the only one that's still a genin, others were chuunin and jonin.
There are other ninjas that maybe are still on the same level or ranking.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/05/03 | 1,276 | 4,121 | <issue_start>username_0: Some characters oddly remind me of certain stories I remember reading as a child. While the similarities can be considered purely coincidental, *three* times in one group raises some suspicion. So I ask, Is there any credible source that can state if any One Piece characters are derived or based on western ones?
Here are some of the more closely related ones, the *Straw Hat Pirates*.

**Chopper - Rudolph**
**Similarities:** *Reindeer, odd colored noses, shunned by their pack etc*
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**Usopp - Pinocchio**
**Similarities:** *Liars, Long noses*
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**Franky - Popeye**
**Similarities:** *Large forearms, relies on food for energy*<issue_comment>username_1: Usopp's name is derived from the Japanese word "Uso" which means lie or falsehood ([1](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Usopp)). The elongated nose is an allusion to Pinocchio.
Franky was actually created with seiyu Kazuki Yao in mind after Eiichiro Oda (the mangaka) heard the voice actor's performance as Jango and Bon Clay, however it is likely that Franky is based on Pop-eye. In addition to the enlarged forearms, both characters are 34 and both rely on food for energy and powers (Popeye uses spinach and Franky uses cola) ([2](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Franky/Misc.)).
There are numerous clues that Chopper is an allusion to Rudolph (taken from [this Wikia article](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Tony_Tony_Chopper/Misc.)):
* Chopper is a reindeer with an odd colored nose
* His official birthday is Christmas eve
* "Chopper the Blue-nosed Reindeer" was produced and sung by the cast
* Dr. Kureha is described coming down the mountain with Chopper's silhouette pulling a sleigh and then enters some homes via chimney
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Brook is <NAME> aka Slash (guns n roses). He is a musician and one of the best known guitarist in the world these days. Brook's personality doesn't make sense at all as he is a pervert, which may have good manners at times but acts silly. He also looks gay, which reminds me more of <NAME> that would be the best fit in regards to his personality in the manga, but MJ doesn't have an Afro hairstyle as a trademark, whereas Slash does. However, if you look closely at the poster of the 'guns n roses' album 'Appetite for Destruction' you will see Brook with the skull face wearing the shades and hat like Slash does.


I will speculate Franky more as <NAME> for he is a cyborg related to 'The Terminator' and he always wears underwear posing like a body builder. Arnold was a body builder and had won many titles; if you search on Google for some pictures of this guy you will see him posing with underwear. There are surely more clues with regard to that matter like his real name '<NAME>' and the star tattoo that he has on his elbows.


Darn, I almost see <NAME> in him.
Zorro, the name says it all. Aka Sero, <NAME>, he always wears his bandana when he fights seriously which makes him look like a pirate, but it also covers his eyes making him look like Sero when he is not wearing his hat. When it comes to sword play, he uses one-sword style which is unmatched because of his dexterity. It is like fighting someone using 3 swords and the 'Z' of his trademark makes it 3 slashes. They say Sero is a fox with three tails related to Zorro Santoryu.


For Usopp and Chopper you are correct, I am curious to know about the rest. Remember One Piece is supposed to be funny, this is why the personality differs from the real protagonist, but when they are serious in a fight it turns them into the real thing.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/05 | 746 | 2,923 | <issue_start>username_0: In *Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood*, how come Alphonse can sometimes perform alchemy, and at other times it seems he can't? Also, early on the show, wasn't it said that he lost his ability when he lost his body? And if he can do alchemy, why isn't he a state alchemist too?<issue_comment>username_1: For Alphonse who is not a State Alchemist, since he did not actually apply to be an State Alchemist. It's a kind of job where you have to get certified, by apply and pass some tests.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Alphonse can always do alchemy, throughout the whole show. The only times he cannot perform alchemy are the same times that Edward cannot;
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> When Homunculus uses his ability to seal off alchemy temporarily.
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>
>
Now, in the beginning of the show, he does not perform alchemy often because he needs to draw transmutation circles to be able to. Drawing transmutation circles takes time, and is not often practical in fights or other scenarios that need quickness, especially if he does not know the proper circle (they can perform more basic transmutation simply, and both Al and Ed are geniuses, but they are still shown studying often). He is however, shown transmuting items throughout the show, both before and after
>
> gaining the ability to transmute without a circle, like Ed does.
>
>
>
In fact, Alphonse has a particular ability (at least in the Anime) that no other alchemist is shown to have. He can transmute without physically touching the transmutation circle.

Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_3: The first part of the question has been answered so I will concentrate on the State Alchemist portion. Alphonse wanted to be a State Alchemist along with his brother but Ed talked him out of it. The main reason was that being a State Alchemist is equivalent to joining the army. It means you have a commanding officer, you follow orders, and you go fight when and where you are told. As Ed told Al, "only one of us has to carry that burden".
Plus there is the issue of a health screening, and seeing as how Al is just a hollow suit of armor, their secret would be immediately blown.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: I have two theories
* He either is a state alchemist and it is never spelled out or
* He didn't want to follow orders and become a "dog", and since Ed joined he really didn't have to so he just didn't.
I have not seen the entire series yet, so please tell me if there are problems with my ideas.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: I do believe that Alphonses special transmutation(which only happens the once in Liore) has to do with him seeing the Truth jist not knowing about it, it also more likely that the creator had not finalized the transmutation process before she started the series and quickly quickly fixes it.
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/05/06 | 466 | 1,681 | <issue_start>username_0: I read this manga a very long time ago....
And the story goes like this: There's a demon, or vampire or something (can't remember it well) who overpowers all.
He's the strongest, and up until the current state nobody can kill him, because he is somewhat an immortal, because of his healing powers...
He's also cruel. Then this girl came; an acolyte girl that was ordered cast a spell (or prayer) to him, and then to kill herself. She was ordered by the "highest rank priest" (somewhat similar from the position of the paladin in *Ao no Exorcist*). The spell was actually to connect her life to the demon, so whatever happen to the girl or to the demon will also happen to the other... I can't remember it so well, but I think the girl is scared to kill herself. She also wants to know why the priest ordered her to do such a thing (why did the priests want her to die?).
Well, it ends up that they tag along with each other from then.
That was all that I can remember. And that was just the 1st chapter... I remember that during the time I'm reading it online it was turned to be already licensed so I think the manga was dropped, but I still want to know the title of this one.
Does anyone know what this manga is? Thanks in advance. :)
and, NO. It's not zenki. It doesn't have an anime.<issue_comment>username_1: I just realized it or rather found it out when it updated yesterday. The title of the work is **[Kai Pilgrim](http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=70220)**.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: I think the manga you are looking for is Chrono Crusade (or Chrno Crusade). <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrono_Crusade>
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/08 | 447 | 1,572 | <issue_start>username_0: Why is King Deviluke in his chibi form when Lala, Zastin, Nana and Momo (his offsprings) are on their normal forms? I thought it was because he was on Deviluke planet, but even when he came to earth, he was still on his chibi form. Was it ever explain in the anime?
<issue_comment>username_1: According to this [Wiki](http://to-loveru.wikia.com/wiki/Gid_Lucione_Deviluke):
>
> Lala states his current appearance is due to him using too much power
> during the "Galaxy Unification Wars", which desized his body.
>
>
>
If I recall correctly, It **was** mentioned on the anime by Lala.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: This is mentioned in chapter 127 of the manga1, where Lala reminisced about the time she got lost when she was small, and her father (<NAME>) found her. At that time, <NAME> carried her back to the castle, since he was still at his normal size. Only later in the Galaxy Unification War that he used up too much of his power and ended up shrinking to the size of a small child.
1 This is during the journey to planet Mistletoe to find a cure for Celine. Lala was under effect of pollen and was drained of all her physical power. The reminiscence happens when she was carried by Rito on the back.
---
This trait of the Deviluke is again shown in chapter 44 of To LOVE-Ru Darkness where Lala herself turns into small child's body after exhausting all her power to protect Rito from Golden Darkness's rampage.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/05/08 | 822 | 2,659 | <issue_start>username_0: Lala's inventions in To-Love-Ru are always defective, mostly the cause of problems in every episodes. But why are Lala's inventions defective when Peke once explained (Motto To-Love-Ru Episode 6 "Night Tutor" to be exact) about how universally genius Lala is?<issue_comment>username_1: According to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_To_Love-Ru_characters#Planet_Deviluke):
>
> Although Lala appears to be somewhat air-headed, she is well known on Deviluke for her genius-level intellect and enjoys making all manners of inventions, often prompting some disastrous effect or another.
>
>
>
As far as I recall, the defects in Lala's inventions tend to be side-effects rather than anything else. For instance, personal teleportation device being an undressing personal teleportation device instead. So it seems coherent to me with her being depicted as both an airhead and a genius.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: Looking at the list of Lala's invention on [Wikipedia page of To-LOVE-ru - Japanese version](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_LOVE%E3%82%8B_-%E3%81%A8%E3%82%89%E3%81%B6%E3%82%8B-#.E6.BC.AB.E7.94.BB.E3.81.A7.E7.99.BB.E5.A0.B4.E3.81.97.E3.81.9F.E7.99.BA.E6.98.8E.E5.93.81)), or a less complete list on [To-LOVE-ru Wikia](http://to-loveru.wikia.com/wiki/Lala_Satalin_Deviluke#Inventions), most of Lala's invention has caused some sort of trouble as seen in the source material.
* There are a number of inventions which are created and used right away without testing.
For example, unnamed drug in chapter 54 of original series, given to Rito when he disguises as his father during Mikan's house visit.
* There are a number of inventions which explodes, or activates too easily, or not idiot-proof.
* There are a number of inventions which has unwanted side-effects.
For example, Pyon-Pyon Warp-kun usually only warps living things, leaving the person naked after warped.
However, there are a number of inventions which are mostly stable, such as Peke, D-Dial and the expansion to Rito's house.
My theory is that all of Lala's inventions are **work-in-progress or proof-of-concept**, and the more an invention is used (which is equivalent to testing), the more stable it is. She is a genius in the sense that she can quickly create a working proof-of-concept. However, since she is not making a product, she doesn't feel a need to make her inventions practical, safe-to-use and idiot-proof.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: The inventions are a plot device. If they weren't defective or otherwise used in the wrong way, there wouldn't be that much to tell.
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/05/08 | 904 | 3,411 | <issue_start>username_0: Did they ever release a Pokemon game dealing with the Orange Island League?
I was thinking and I remembered that each Pokemon anime series followed the same route as the games as far as getting the badges, but I wanted to know if they ever released a Pokemon game that dealt with Ash's adventures in the Orange Islands.
If they did what is the name of the game? If they didn't, why not?<issue_comment>username_1: There is no game located in the Orange Islands. Perhaps the closest game would be Fire Red/Leaf Green where the player could explore Sevii Islands. There are arguments that this was inspired by the Orange Islands, but I haven't found any proof.
There have been player modded games fitting in with the Orange Islands - [Example](http://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=225147), but no official release. [Reference](http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Orange_Islands)
[According to this answer on another site](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100525190130AANMhtE), the Orange Island plot was half-hearted and this probably meant that there was no real push for a related game on that end.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I think it's more plausible that there was no game made because there was no real idea how many pokemon there was at the time(150 kanto, 250 jhoto). also there was only four gym leaders each with diffrent obstacles to go through the challenges would be to hard to mimic on the gameboy though it would be easy and fun on the ds. The other factor that puzzles me is the orange league champion Drake uses a dragonite, drake is the same name they used in the kanto games and the jhoto games he is the charater you face after the elite four and he records you and your pokemon just as they did for ash after he defeated the orange league champion. In red blue yellow is known as chapion in jhoto he is also known as the dragon master. HE wears a pokeball around his neck just video game drake meaning that they must be the same person. So in a way they even though they don't have orange island gym leaders they still have the chapion drake which makes the game partly related to orange island. Though everything is just speculations And no one will no for sure but what we know is that the longer they continue to air Pokemon the more fans will become confused.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_3: There is one game on Orange Islands. The name of the game is Pokemon Naranj.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_4: By the end of the first season, Pokemon: Gold and Silver (Johto games) was still unreleased so the anime had to create a filler arc involving the GS ball and the Orange League to stall time. The Pokemon anime is based on the games and therefore could not go straight ahead and do the Johto saga if the game it's based on isn't released yet.
The Orange Islands is probably loosely based on the Sevii Islands from FireRed and LeafGreen but still debatable.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: There are no official games made by Nintendo about the Orange Islands. Some romhacks have been made/are under construction about them though.:
Pokemon Orange Islands (Complete)
<https://forum.silphco.io/threads/pokemon-orange-islands.69/>
Pokemon Orange
<https://forum.silphco.io/threads/pokemon-orange-hoty-2017.67/>
Pokemon Naranja:
<https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=54546>
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/09 | 1,903 | 7,241 | <issue_start>username_0: The transmutation circles in *Fullmetal Alchemist* always looked familiar to me, but I could never place my finger on why. What, if anything, are they based on?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/dmAaD.jpg)<issue_comment>username_1: Circles are a relatively major thing in alchemy. Ouroboros symbols were sigils in alchemy dating back to Cleopatra, and they depict a serpent or dragon eating its own tail.

The symbols in the circle are mostly alchemic symbols. The one on the the bottom left on the outside looks like the symbol for iron ore or the symbol for male. Going clockwise from that is what looks like either copper ore or female, a symbol I can't identify, one of the symbols for regulus, another symbol I can't identify, and sal-ammoniac. ([Source](http://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U1F700.pdf))
Some Renaissance alchemic images have circles with words in them.

Squaring the circle was another major part of Renaissance alchemic ideas. It was believed that this symbol plus a man and a woman in the circle was all that was needed to create a [philosopher's stone](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher%27s_stone). A full explanation can be seen [here](http://alchemicalpsychology.com/new/5.htm).

The Seal of Solomon is another similar image.
According to [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_solomon):
>
> In alchemy, the combination of the fire and water symbols (up and down triangles) is known as the Seal of Solomon. The symbol is representative of the combination of opposites and transmutation. By combining the alchemical symbols for fire (upwards triangle) and water (downwards triangle), the alchemical symbols for earth and air are also created. The downwards facing triangle is divided along the center by the base line of the opposite triangle. This is the alchemical symbol for earth. Conversely, the upwards triangle divided by the base line of the downwards triangle is the alchemical symbol for air. The Seal of Solomon is all that is unified in perfect balance; the Spirit Wheel.
>
>
>

It's seems to be pretty much a compilation of different alchemic elements.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_2: This site has a note about ["Squaring the circle"](http://alchemicalpsychology.com/new/5.htm), describing a utilization of circles:

Attributed to [<NAME>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Maier), a German alchemist from the 17th century. That gives you the generalized "simple" transmutation circle:

The symbols used in some of the more complex circles are old alchemic symbols or variations of them. I don't know of a complete list of them but some of them can be seen in [Annibal Barlet's works](http://www.alchemywebsite.com/symbols_barlet.html) or other symbols from the [17th century](http://www.alchemywebsite.com/val_symb.html). The inscriptions themselves seem to mostly come from [George Ripley's 12 Gates](http://www.levity.com/alchemy/ripgates.html).
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_3: Yes, those are the symbols for the four base elements. But there are also two more very important parts to the circle. The center point which represents origin, time and growth, as well as an outer circle that represents the womb, the ether and protection. There are many more aspects and details to Solomon's circle than that. In fact, for such a simple symbol it is quite complex.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: I always thought it looked like the Seal of the Seven Archangels which is a protection symbol. [Seal Image](https://i.stack.imgur.com/x7KPF.jpg)
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: Based on information I read at another source, some of the circles utilize the elemental symbols. Take colonel mustangs, for example. Two triangles intersect, one representing air and one representing earth, two things necessary for a successful fire. Within these triangles is the triangle representing fire. The bigger triangles push past the boundaries of the circle that’s attempting to contain it, symbolizing fires expansive nature. To accompany this are images of a fire and a salamander. There’s a reason for the salamander but I didn’t understand that as well as the other things I mentioned.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_6: The seals in fma are based on the King Solomon seals of Kabbalah as we see the Sephirotic tree of life in the show. The Soloman seals are said to have magical properties such bringing wealth or repelling demons (there are like 50 different seals). These seals can only be activated by people who know how to use them (at least in the show). My theory is the people of Amestres mix alchemist symbols with magic (prayer) to produce energy using holy power.
Assuming the fma world acts mostly as ours we know something cannot be made from nothing i.e the conservation of mass. The way to go against this worldly law is by using a stone. The philosophers stone grants godlike ability but at a cost of a soul, bringing up the whole idea of how much is a soul really worth?
Father and the seven deadly sins are powered by souls like batteries but humans have only 1 such battery. This is where the series gets paranormal. It is through the literal power of God that alchemist can manipulate objects but the objects can never change their chemical properties or add mass to them "for creating something from nothing is God's work" and impossible. The 2nd laws of thermodynamics basically states that energy needs to be consumed for anything to happen, it could never be an endless stream of energy, it needs a source. There is an irreversibility towards natural processes. No human could go against God and cheat death.
We can further deduce this by looking at the people who opened the portal of truth. Once opened you are granted the ability to do alchemy with no seal and by simply clapping your hands together which kind of looks like praying (Ed even mentions it in the last episode). They cant ignore the conservation of mass but they can manipulate it without having to use any seals. Even this needs energy to do. They claim in the show it is the tectonic energy that is harvested through the earth which produces the energy needed. But they also claim one is all and all is one. This is a prerequisite to alchemy training. In theory if you are one with all, you are one with God because God is everything (we see this is most religions especially Hinduism) you are using the power of the world to force energy into mass.
The whole Dragon or Snake eating itself is a great analogy for the search for immorality, the holy grail, the power of God, the fountain of youth, etc. The whole FMA series is based off the idea that nothing last forever and death can be a beautiful thing. it is something we have to fight and accept at the same time.
* The Gamer Psyche
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/05/09 | 2,516 | 8,847 | <issue_start>username_0: In [Koe no Katachi (OOIMA Yoshitoki)](http://myanimelist.net/manga/48621/Koe_no_Katachi) (one-shot version), at the end of the story,
>
> the boy, <NAME>, finally met up again with the deaf girl he bullied in the past, Nishimiya, Shouko.
>
>
>
My question is about the exchange in sign language between them in the last 3 pages of the story. What do the signs mean?
>
> Why did the boy blush and reply "That's so embarrassing! How can you even say that?!" in page second to last? And in the last page, when the girl grabbed his hand, why did he say "That's not what I meant!"?
>
>
>
The relevant 4 pages. (negative page number, since I am counting from last)
**Page -5**
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wNkhB.jpg)
**Page -3**
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ka5Xj.jpg)
**Page -2**
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/F6Ejp.jpg)
**Page -1**
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/SXyvW.jpg)<issue_comment>username_1: It says "you-me-friend" in JSL. The pronouns appear to be the same as ASL, (finger pointing at the relevant person stands in for you/me/he/she/it) and clasped hands by context appears to mean friend. In ASL, it would be hooked index fingers & clasped hands means "to congratulate".
I didn't see any other panels with likely sign in them. On an unrelated side note, JSL is distinctive for it's usage of air-writing, where some signs like place names are the Kanji written in the air with your finger.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: He actually blushed after she had shown him a piece of paper with something written on it, if I remember correctly. So we can only imagine what actually was written here ("I like you", maybe?)
Grabbing one's hand should mean "don't leave me" (it is so in english and russian deaf language).
The I/me/friend part is already answered, and it's correct.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: He was repeating what she had hand signed to him when they were in elementary school, "Can we be friends?". Now that he understands what she said at the time his reply to it now was how she could have asked that of him (which he views as embarrassing). Both times she clasped his hand as an agreement or asking for an agreement from him (in elementary).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: He's blushing while saying "you, me, friend" or maybe just "can we be friends?" while reminiscing what Shouko said back then. It's after he said all that that he realizes that it was a pretty embarrassing thing to say (culturally, Japanese rarely say something as straightforward as that). The next panel when he says: "Why did you even say that?" is the proof. His rebut "that's not what I meant" is essentially to hide his embarrassment.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_5: There's one possibly-relevant translation issue (Japanese -> English, nothing to do with JSL) in the pages @nhahtdh posted that might be confusing people's interpretations of the scene. On Page "-5", Ishida's last line is more like "Not being able to hear your voice made *my* life difficult." - he's talking about himself, not sympathizing with Nishimiya. On what would be page "-4", he goes onto say that things would've gone better if each of them could hear what the other had to say.
Contra @username_2's answer, there's no reason to suspect that Ishida blushing had anything to do with Nishimiya showing him something on a piece of paper - she'd only just gotten her notebook back from Ishida after 5 years, and we don't see her writing on it.
>
> Why did the boy blush and reply "That's so embarrassing! How can you even say that?!" in page second to last?
>
>
>
Here, Ishida is referring to the scene around pages 26-27 where Nishimiya signs to him "you-me-friend" / "can you and I be friends?". This is a very touchy-feely and generally non-boyish thing to say, which is why Ishida expresses that it would be "so embarrassing" to say something like that (especially given his treatment of her prior).
>
> And in the last page, when the girl grabbed his hand, why did he say "That's not what I meant!"?
>
>
>
As we saw on page "-3", clasping hands indicates "friend" (or, per the text given there, maybe something like "become friends"). By taking Ishida's hand, Nishimiya reaffirmed that she still would, in fact, like to be friends with him. I imagine that Ishida's startled reaction there indicates that he viewed their meeting not as a chance to make up with her and start over, but more of a chance to say "hey, I'm kind-of-but-not-really sorry about what happened back then" - he wasn't expecting Nishimiya to be so congenial to him, I guess.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_6: After being scolded by his teacher for partly ripping off Nishimiya's ear, Ishida was angry with Nishimiya, because she supposedly would have snitched to her parents for bullying. So when they met again at page 24, they didn't really want to talk to her, but instead of being angry for being bullied, Nishimiya apologized. And despite being bullied all the time by Ishida, she still wanted to become friends and get to know each other. So that's when she took Ishida's hand and asked to be friends on page 26-27
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/PERO7.png)
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/vhGuI.png)
Unable to understand her true intentions, Ishida got upset and threw away her booklet and started bullying her even more severely the following days, until he ended up being bullied himself. After being bullied himself, he couldn't forget about Nishimiya and grew more curious by the day, so he learned sign language. After five years he finally understood what she had been trying to say. She just wanted to be friends after all.
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ka5Xj.jpg)
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/F6Ejp.jpg)
As Senshin mentioned in his answer, grabbing someone's hand and asking to be friends like that isn't a boyish thing to do, especially in elementary school. And on top of that it was rather embarrassing to ask your bully to become friends. That's why he started blushing, remembering the scene from five years earlier.
Ishida was just repeating what Nishimiya had said, but as she still wanted to be friends with him, she took the opportunity to reply to his question by grabbing his hand, telling him she still wanted to be friends. This made him blush even more, because holding hands to confirm friendship is embarrassing and even though he doesn't mind being friends, he didn't pose the question. He just repeated what she had said five years ago. It wasn't supposed to come over as an actual question for friendship.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_7: I read through all the answers, and while a lot of them are good, I think they're kind of failing to get to the main point here, which is to interpret and explain this scene.
Shoya does the signs for asking to be friends, but he's only doing it in the context of asking about when Shoko did the same signs as kids. We see this because immediately after doing the signs, Shoya asks how Shoko could say that back then, and that it's embarrassing. Thus, when Shoko answers with an affirmative "Yes, I will be friends with you." Shoya replies with "That's not what I meant." Shoko has misinterpreted Shoya's signs as him asking her to be friends, and Shoya gets embarrassed as a result.
Another way to interpret it might be that Shoya asks Shoko to be friends, but immediately gets embarrassed and reneges on it, and makes excuses that he's just asking about back then. And when Shoko agrees, he's still embarrassed, so he continues with his reinterpretation.
This second interpretation is actually exactly how things go in the main story's version of this event in Chapter 6.
>
> Nishimiya... Could you... and me.. be friends?
>
>
> (Oh crap!! I went too far!! I was planning to apologize and disappear! Why'd I bring "friends" into this?!)
>
>
> I mean, that's what you were saying back then, right?! I can't believe you said something so embarrassing with a straight face!!
>
>
>
After Shoya says all this, Shoko grabs his hand as in the other version. Shoya does not say the "That's not what I meant!" line, but instead just looks surprised in silence.
The theme of *A Silent Voice*, as stated by the author, is miscommunication, so it makes sense that even after Shoya learns sign language, there would still be hiccups like this.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/10 | 444 | 1,602 | <issue_start>username_0: This is all I can remember:
It's an anime series with some SF or future theme. The government has the ability to close off a very large city-block with walls that can move and destroy buildings. Behind these walls, they have defenses which can kill anyone who tries to leave the quarantined area. As far as I know, there was some form of virus, but the surviving children were not contaminated.
As far as I know, it's about a high-schooler who has to survive in this quarantine and has to form a society to survive. At first, the leader wanted to be more democratic, but then his girlfriend gets killed which turns him into become a hard-line dictator. In the end (I think, not sure), they build enough resources to make an attempt to escape.
I'd like to know the title of this series. For some reason, the new Valvrave anime reminds me of this series.
I hope I've given you enough information to find the title.<issue_comment>username_1: I think you are looking for [Guilty Crown](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilty_Crown)

Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: [Betterman](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=350)?
From Anime News Network:
>
> A deadly virus known as "Algernon" has attacked humanity with vicious meaning. At the forefront of the battle is the mystifying Akamatsu Industries – disguised as a heavy machine factory in Tokyo, this undercover organization uses neural enhanced weapons known as NeuroNoids to battle Algernon.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/05/11 | 1,598 | 5,966 | <issue_start>username_0: Jigglypuff's song is seen to be extremely effective in putting people and Pokemon to sleep, but how does it not fall asleep from its own singing?
Shouldn't it at least fall asleep after it's done?
<issue_comment>username_1: At first: As kuwaly mentioned, normally no one falls asleep while singing a lullaby. That's most likely the reason, but there are other possible points:
* Like in the game, Pokémon using Sing aren't affected by the attack. This was most likely done to make this move usable, and was copied in the anime so the viewers aren't confused.
* Some of the Pokédex-entries suggest, that you need to look in the eyes of Jigglypuff to be affected. As a Jigglypuff can't look itself in the eyes, it can't fall asleep. You can read the entries [on Bulbapedia](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Jigglypuff_%28Pok%C3%A9mon%29#Pok.C3.A9dex_entries_2).
I also think I remember other Jigglypuffs falling asleep, too, but I'm not sure. That would mean, that Jigglypuffs aren't immune to the singing, but just aren't affected by their own attack.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: What I think is that Jigglypuff can't hear itself when it sings. To whoever said you needed to look into its eyes, the Neon City episode in the anime had people falling asleep when they weren't looking into Jigglypuff's eyes. Maybe all Jigglypuff have different songs and ears, so the user of the song can't hear itself sing.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: Perhaps when Jigglypuff sings, the direction and application of it's voice are ONLY directed towards everywhere but itself. I don't think it can't hear itself sing, because in every 1st gen episode it was in, it got mad that everyone fell asleep during its song. If it didn't think it could sing, or couldn't hear it, why would it be so mad? Also, in every 1st gen episode it appears in, it has a microphone that doubles as a marker. You can hear the reverberation of its voice in the Neon City episode, where it used loudspeakers, as well as in every other instance of it singing **without** loudspeakers. (except that one episode where it was quietly singing to itself as it walked down a road, and even then, **if it couldn't hear itself sing, why would it continue singing?**) In conclusion, if every time it deliberately sung for an audience, (and not for itself) it put a (hypothetical) sleep frequency in the music that was directed and amplified outward from itself, it would never hear that frequency, thus not falling asleep, but is able to hear its own song.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_4: Actually the reason jigglypuff is not sleeping hint hint hint hint is that it sing to everyone around herself and when she is singing is because that she knows not to sleep when she is singing so she can know what to say next.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: This can be answered well with typical concepts of biology. While no species (to the best of my knowledge) is known that can send other individuals to sleep by singing, practically every species produces some kind of natural products that are fatal or unpleasant to others.
Consider, for example, [tetrodotoxin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrodotoxin) known as the poisonous ingredient of pufferfish or *fugu.* Tetrodotoxin acts by inhibiting nervous sodium channels and thereby inhibits nerve signal transfer. This should affect all higher vertebrates that rely on nervous signaling. It is not produced by the fish itself but by numerous bacterial symbiontic species. They are not the only species to use this toxin as a defence mechanism; among others, so does the [rough-skinned newt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rough-skinned_newt).
Naturally, it is interesting that all species harbouring these bacteria seem immune to tetrodotoxin. However, even more interesting is the fact that the [common garter snake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_garter_snake), a natural predator of the rough-skinned newt, has also developped some immunity. This could be traced back to a modification of said sodium channels that render them immune against tetrodotoxin.
A similar mechanism could and should be acting with respect to jigglypuff’s song. Potentially, one could assume that singing was either a method of self-defence (a sleeping predator cannot attack jigglypuff) or an attack method (a sleeping victim cannot run away). In any case, if jigglypuff were able to sing itself to sleep, that would be evolutionarily very unfavourable since it would present an easy target. Therefore, evolution probably selected those jigglypuffs who were able to withstand their own singing (and possibly also those, who enjoyed other jigglypuffs’ singing). This gave them an advantage in survival.
The exact mechanism by which jigglypuffs’ singing does not sing themselves to sleep would have to be researched by pokémon researchers in the pokéworld. However, I present the hypothesis that their nervous system reacts to the stimuli in a different way than other animals, humans and pokémon, possibly due to a different, yet to be discovered signalling molecule mutation.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_6: Status Condition Moves, like:
Hypnosis and Sing
For example, are primarily used to put Other Pokemon to sleep. They have no effect on the Pokemon performing the move(s). Therefore, whenever Jigglypuff is singing, Humans or Pokemon fall asleep. Her singing is primarily a "Status Condition" Move and that's it. If it was meant to be listened to, Humans and Pokemon would be wearing earplugs, so they don't fall asleep. It's even funnier when she stops singing, realizes that everyone's asleep, gets mad and draws on their faces with her microphone/marker.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_7: Actually, Jigglypuff does fall asleep from her own lullaby in [this clip](https://youtu.be/gQmT56hvDQs?t=115).
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/12 | 1,397 | 4,433 | <issue_start>username_0: *Black Rock Shooter*'s [opening theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPBUC1ZF6dE) is sung by Miku Hatsune.
Are there any other anime soundtracks that incorporate a vocaloid singer (or a similar synthesized voice program) such as Miku?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/vkC6D.jpg)<issue_comment>username_1: It's probably going to be pretty rare for anime soundtracks to be featured with a Vocaloid singer, since the talent tie-ins and money for making anime want to promote their in-house talent so they want to use their own (live) singers. You can see a lot of famous vocaloid producers get hired for their music but instead of the vocaloid voice track, they use in-house talent for the voice:
* *ryo(supercell)* gets hired by Sony Music to make [Bakemonogatari's ED, "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari"](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSaZQyUi3ME), but sung by Y<NAME>
* *kz(livetunes)* gets hired by Sony Music to produce the song ["Irony" for Oreimo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SaP1Xk0A44), but sung by ClariS
* *Toku-P* had one of his existing Vocaloid songs ["Color" used for the Freezing OP](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Is9Y4N184), but sung by MARiA
* *40mP* also had one of his Vocaloid songs ["Evidence" used for one of the Fairy Tail OPs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs0zed2Fhzw), but sung by DaisyxDaisy
[source](http://mylifemyword.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/vocaloid-producers-who-produced-songs-for-anime/)
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: username_1's answer is good, so I don't think I have anything to add in that direction. As he says, using Vocaloid singers for songs of full-length anime (rather than animated music videos) is rather uncommon. It sometimes happens that a Vocaloid singer will be used in early stages of production, but by the time they are ready to release the song it's usually done by a live singer, which is generally more profitable.
I only know of two instances of Vocaloids being used other than in the Black Rock Shooter shows (which you mentioned). Both of these were atypical.
[The ending of episode 13 of Akikan!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijeATxC406Y) (the final episode) used Miku (as Mikkuchu Juuchu). However, each episode of Akikan! had the same song (Koisora Recycling) sung in a different arrangement by Nomiko, sometimes with guest artists, so Miku wasn't really the focus.
Meguriau Sekai, a 15-minute low-budget independent anime, has an insert song by Miku called Wish: Kutsuhimo o Musunde. I was not able to find this song anywhere, though if you can find the anime it plays from 12:00 until the end. This was very likely done to keep costs low. The anime only has one voice actor, and licensing a professional musician would probably have been beyond their budget.
I searched for any other anime with Vocaloid songs, but I was not able to find any for the top 10 or so most popular Vocaloids. If there are any others, they are low-budget independent productions like Meguriau Sekai, since a high budget show using Vocaloid songs would probably be notable enough that it would be documented in many places.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: Episode 6 of Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui was sung by Miku, but it's kinda sad that it was only for an episode. And it seems like it wasn't even an original song, I think, but just a cover. Not sure, though.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: Black Rock Shooter, in fact isnt the only OP sung by Hatsune Miku. Heat Haze Days, from Mekaku City Actors is also sung by Miku.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: [Paprika](http://myanimelist.net/anime/1943/Paprika), a 2006 anime movie, has a theme song called "The Girl in Byakkoya" by Susumu Hirasawa which was sung by Vocaloid [LOLA](http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/LOLA_(VOCALOID1)).
It's considered as the first anime movie to use Vocaloid in its OST.
>
> The last track, "The Girl in Byakkoya", features three spoken lines in Vietnamese. The soundtrack is significant for being the first made for a film to use a Vocaloid (using the Lola voicebank) for some vocals.
>
>
> From [Wikipedia article of Paprika](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paprika_(2006_film))
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>
You can listen to the song and download it freely on [Susumu's official website](http://noroom.chaosunion.com/modules/opus/index.php/photo/46/?ml_lang=en).
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/12 | 1,293 | 5,246 | <issue_start>username_0: Why is it so hard in many animes to draw people running?
I mean even if the whole anime drawing is good, somehow when someone is running it feels so awkward. Their body movements don't look realistic. Sometimes people seem to be leaping or scrolling. Sometimes their steps seem to be longer than a normal human could walk.
There are exception of course, but they are so rare.<issue_comment>username_1: The walk cycle is considered to be one of the most basic aspects of animation.
American animators and animation enthusiasts often times scorn the Japanese styles and methods of animation as lazy, while Japanese anime enthusiasts deride the American style as clunky or too comical.
Why is that you ask? The answer lies in how these countries distribute their budget and time.
While American animation often times may seem lacking in it's attention to detail, it makes up for it the quality of their animation. American animation often times meticulous and original in how they animate motion, though sometimes content is reused cyclically, the animation is painstakingly frame by frame.
In contrast, Japanese anime uses a lot of shortcuts (to save budget and meet deadlines). Typically long scenes feature only the mouth of a character (and maybe other minor features like a waving hair or glittering eyes) moving during delivery of key information/dialog, or the short burst of motion of some character in some an action pose against an animated, cyclic, and stylized background (I'm looking at you transformation scenes). Often times these uses of dramatic still-shots are done against patterned (or static illustrated) backgrounds, sometimes a few moving emotive icons (sweat drops, question marks, small chibi animated heads) will accompany a some sort of monologue. Admittedly both styles of animation reuse shots and sequences, but it's more noticeable in Japanese anime for various reason (e.g., not enough budget and/or manpower). This is why Japanese anime is typically labeled as "lazy" by American animators and enthusiasts.
A typical walk cycle in animation consists of 8 keyframes typically:

The smoothness of an animation is typically determined by the framerate and amount of key frames in the animation.
In American animation, the animation is captured by shooting two frames of film per drawing at a rate of 24 frames per second (fps) to achieve the smooth motion of American animation.
Japanese anime, while it also runs at an average 24 fps, typically captures their animation at a rate of three or four frames per drawing in order to save money and manpower. Though it varies depending on the studio and tools used (e.g 3DCG) with main objects in the foreground (typically characters) are animated at 8 to 12 fps, while background objects can be animated at as low as 6 to 8 fps.
Lets compare the difference between one walk cycle that is 8 frame to one that is 16 frames, both at 60 fps:
 <-- 8 frames  <-- 16 frames
Notice the 16 frame one is smoother, but slower while the 8 frame is faster, but choppier. This is because it takes the 16 frame animation twice as long, covering more frames, to go through one cycle than the 8 frame one.
The varying of frame rates can also be be used to depict the expansion and compression of time (think bullet time from *The Matrix*). However generally choppy animation is the result of not enough keyframes in your animation. More frames mean more and manpower and/or time, which ultimately means more money is required. Japanese anime production [don't typically have as big of a budget](http://wildgrounds.com/ask/15/anime-series-whats-the-average-budget) compared to American productions (but there are exceptions), so they must make do with what they have and cut corners where they can (like Shaft did with the certain *Bakemonogatari* TV episodes).
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: In the creation of Japanese animation, the director creates the storyboards (think of them as scenes) to assign to key animators. I'm mostly unsure where the blame lies, but I theorized that it's mostly on budget and time constraints. The key animators are good are making people run in a 2D plane (x, y dimensions). However, some might find it difficult to do it in a complex perspective assigned by the director. Additionally, the director hands a specific amount of frames that they have to accomplish it in so it won't break the overall timing/flow of next scene. In some instances, the key animator is successful, but the inbetweener makes it appear "off".
It mostly depends on the key animator. <NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME> and <NAME> were known as "realist" animators. <NAME> pioneered the "Kanada" style. It's hard to describe what it exactly is, but it was prevalent in 80's mecha anime and in most Gainax anime. It's described as "spastic", or choppy looking. Despite Eastern animation favoring composition over animation, the fight/action choreography is hailed constantly.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/13 | 786 | 2,800 | <issue_start>username_0: I know that Blood-C was produced in-part by Studio Production I.G, the creators of Blood+, and it has a lot of similarities to Blood+, such as the appearance and name of the characters and the name of the manga/anime/film. Are they set in the same world or in some sort of parallel universe, or is Blood-C something like a reboot of Blood+?

Blood C

Blood+<issue_comment>username_1: As given on [Wikia](http://bloodc.wikia.com/wiki/Saya_Kisaragi) :
>
> <NAME> has long hair that are similar to that of original Saya Otonashi, respectively of Blood+ in 1863 early version of Saya and 1972 Vietnam War in scenes only.
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> Despite major dissimilarities other than that they are different personalities, between the two Saya's of Blood+ and Blood-C, such as their backstory and traits for the character; they share the similar plot differently. For Example <NAME> sings when walking around town and the Other Saya Otonashi plays the cello but badly judging from the reactions of other characters.
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>
> Somehow <NAME> remains in mystery where she come from despite of her origins, unlike Blood+ Saya Otonashi comes from a chiropteran mummy
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> Saya never calls a sword in the series except in the opening when she mind controls her cover of the sword even as Tadayoshi Kirasagi gives the sword , before battles like Blood+ Saya from Haji and The Last Vampire from David.
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>
It seems to be of a parallel or a totally different world because of the various differences shown in spite of the similarities introduced to make it of a series.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The answer is not clear cut at all. While there are enormous facts pointing to two different worlds, there are several facts pointing to one single world.
Facts supporting a unified world are the fact that during the last episode of the series:
>
> After drinking the elders blood, she has a flash vision as her memories return. One of these memories during this time, and other times through out the series, is her fighting and killing a Chiropteran several times. Most of the flash visions are blurry, showing the shape of what appears to be a Chiropteran. In one of the last flash visions Saya has, it clearly shows her being attacked by a Chiropteran.
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However, this could just be a coincidence if it was a joined but separate world, meaning that the two Saya's are different people. It is clearly stated that Saya is not the girls real name in Blood-C, that it was just a name given to her by her captor.
All in all, it is what ever you believe it is because the facts point to either side of the spectrum. you decide.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/05/13 | 1,302 | 4,312 | <issue_start>username_0: There are a number of hand seals in *Naruto* that are used to perform jutsus. I know that the seals themselves have different [zodiac signs](http://25.media.tumblr.com/6b31434c0f3f8d552c0503888ed0ecd7/tumblr_mk7vx9Mb3L1rb51s7o1_500.jpg). Is there any lore or historical basis for these seals, or was it invented by the creators of *Naruto*?
<issue_comment>username_1: **The hand seals in Naruto are based in [Mudra](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudr%C4%81)**, which are symbolic/ritual gestures associated to Hinduism and Buddhism. Mudra are used in everyday life, from religious practices to dances, going through martial arts as well. The most well-known Mudra is probably [Añjali Mudrā](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%B1jali_Mudr%C4%81), which often accompanies the greeting [Namaste](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste).
In the [French version of the Mudra Wikipedia page](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudr%C4%81#Dans_la_fiction), they do indeed link directly to [Naruto's hand seals page](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univers_de_Naruto#Signes_incantatoires), unlike what happens in the English page. However, they don't add much info other than the fact that they are called Mudra, and that they're based on the Chinese Zodiac.
From Wikipedia's page on Mudra, on its use on Martial Arts (highlight by me):
>
> One of the more curious things that I encountered in my martial arts training was the use of mudra in combative arts. Mudra (Japanese: in), for those who aren't familiar with them, are these weird hand gestures that are derived from esoteric Buddhism (mikkyo), particularly the Tendai and Shingon sects. **These gestures are supposed to generate spiritual focus and power which then are manifested in some way externally.**
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However, as far as I know (and also according to [this page](http://www.freewebs.com/narutovsreallife/)) **the use of Mudra in Ninjutsu is made up by Kishimoto** (once again, highlights by me):
>
> Although the use of hand seals in ninjutsu is entirely made up by Kishimoto, **seals are used as ways to focus energy during Buddhist meditation**. Also, special hand signs, called mudras, are **used to convey a certain concept into the user**. For example, a right hand raised with palm facing outwards means “no fear”, and **grants the user that concept’s blessing through their meditation**. The seals in Naruto are from the oriental zodiac, the 12 animals which name the years (I was born in the year of the snake, for instance), the properties of each seal representing what that animal’s qualities are - Eg, Tora/Tiger seal is fire.
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>
Basically, in real life hand seals are used in meditative practice, and are supposed to help the user get into a certain state of mind.
In the Naruto universe, Kishimoto decided to use these ancient signs in a different way (associated to Ninjutsu), but their purpose is basically the same. The user performs hand seals in order to gather/mold chakra, which means that he is entering a certain state of mind when he does so. Also, when a user masters a jutsu he [needs to perform less/no signs before he can do it](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Hand_Seals), which means that the meditation phase before the use of the jutsu can be skipped/sped up. Similarly, the more one meditates, the easier it gets for him to get into a state of meditation.
**So they are basically based in an existing concept, but used in a different context** (in Ninjutsu)**, with basically the same function.**
For more info in Mudra, also see [this page](http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/mudra-japan.shtml).
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: They are based on kuji-in. Similar to, but not mudras.
Mudras are learned around peace and happiness while kuji-in are developed to handle danger and battle. "Mudras is to qigong" as "kuji-in is to budo taijutsu or karate".
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_3: They are from daoism..The author has said they come from Taoism. No one knows and everyone says they are Hindu or Buddhism. If you just compared the patterns of the movements you can see the similarity. In Naruto they are modified a bit from the original but sees a similarity much more than mudra
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/05/14 | 859 | 2,781 | <issue_start>username_0: In Fairy Tail episode, when Master Makarov take Gildarts to appoint him as new Master, he show something to Gildarts, and I'm so interested in it. Anybody have information about that 'thing'?<issue_comment>username_1: 
Lumen Histoire is located in a secret underground room in Fairy Tail's [original building](http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/First_Fairy_Tail_Building). This secret is only known by Fairy Tail's Guild Master and is passed on to the new Master successively. Purehito showed it to Makarov when he became Master. Years later, Makarov showed it to Gildarts Clive when he told him that he wanted him to be next Master of Fairy Tail. According to <NAME>, Lumen Histoire is Fairy Tail's darkness, while according to Mavis Vermilion, it is Fairy Tail's light.
[Wiki link](http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/Lumen_Histoire)
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The Girl in the Crystal is the 406th chapter of Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail. This is where you can find the answer to the main question of this thread.
It was revealed on the second to the latest chapter that Lumen Histoire is Mavis Vermillion, frozen inside a crystal.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: here it is in Chapter 406: The girl in the crystal
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> ..Mavis Vermillion
> 
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>
>
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_4: Originally it was said that *[Lumen Histoire](http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/Lumen_Histoire)* is located in the basement. This has later (in chapter 4 been revealed, not to be a *thing*, but a weapon. A weapon related to the sealed body of the first master of Fairy tail, Mavis. Therefore, more than just *Lumen Histoire*, **it is Mavis' sealed body that lies beneath Fairy Tail's [original building](http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/First_Fairy_Tail_Building)**.

Quote from the wiki:
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> Lumen Histoire is located in a secret underground room in Fairy Tail's original building. This secret is only known by Fairy Tail's Guild Master and is passed on to the new Master successively. Precht showed it to Makarov when he became Master. Years later, Makarov showed it to Gildarts Clive when he told him that he wanted him to be next Master of Fairy Tail. According to <NAME>, Lumen Histoire is Fairy Tail's darkness, while according to Mavis Vermilion, it is Fairy Tail's light.
>
>
> Later, it is revealed that Lumen Histoire is in fact the body of Mavis Vermilion encased in a crystal. Makarov also calls it the "ultimate weapon" of Fairy Tail. [source](http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/Lumen_Histoire)
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Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/14 | 302 | 996 | <issue_start>username_0: In the manga, Kenpachi can't hear his Zanpakuto's sound at all in the beginning. But when he's battling with Captain Unohana (previous Kenpachi, I heard), he began to hear his Zanpakuto's speaking. Does anyone know the Zanpakuto's name or its abilities?<issue_comment>username_1: It has not been disclosed in the manga yet and no one knows it except for the writer Tite Kubo.
It probably won't be revealed real soon though... I speculate that first Ichigo will master a new power to fight the Quincy king and then there will be a fight between Kenpachi and the king again.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: As of today's (16-04-2014) manga chapter (chapter 577) we got to know how Zaraki Kenpachi's Zanpakuto looks and what its name is.
The name of his Zanpakuto is Nozarashi. Also, in order to get into Shikai state the keyword seems to be "swallow".
How it looks:

Upvotes: 3 |
2013/05/14 | 481 | 1,667 | <issue_start>username_0: 
At the end of the fight between [Souda Emonzaemon](http://katanagatari.wikia.com/wiki/Emonzaemon_S%C5%8Dda) and [Maniwa Pengin](http://katanagatari.wikia.com/wiki/Pengin_Maniwa) in the [episode 11](http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=270971), Emonzaemon starts firing random directions with [Entou Juu](http://katanagatari.wikia.com/wiki/Ent%C5%8D_J%C5%AB), and somehow a bullet reaches Pengin's body to kill him. I don't understand how this happened. Even when Emonzaemon fired directly towards Pengin, none of the bullets reached him because of his extremely high luck. Then, how was Emonzaemon able to shoot him by firing random directions?<issue_comment>username_1: He ricochets the bullets off of his other ninpo, the blue ball he sent bouncing around the room.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: According to the novel, when Emonzaemon shot his bullets off all over the room, he was aiming for things made of metal, like the nails on the floorboards and columns in the room.
As his bullets ricocheted off metal objects, Penguin's luck was forced to be pitted against the luck of the metal itself, which Penguin lost out to.
This was explained that no matter how lucky Penguin was, his luck would not last forever, because like all humans, he will one day have to die. Metal, on the other hand, has a much longer natural life span, far longer than that of humans. Therefore the metal has accumulated much more luck over the centuries, if not millennia, far surpassing the natural luck of any given human gathered in their lifetime.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/17 | 320 | 1,082 | <issue_start>username_0: In *Buso Renkin*, the medallions each have a Roman numeral inscribed on them. Tokiko's is numbered XLIV (44), and Kazuki's is numbered LXX (70).

What do these numbers mean and why do these characters have these specific numbers?<issue_comment>username_1: The roman numeral represents the kakugane's serial number. There are only 100 Kakugane, from I (one) to C (one hundred). There are 29 known kakugane that are used (in Japan) in the series.
Kazuki's "LXX" kakugane is... special.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Exactly as the first answer, but there were three special Kakuganes, which were prototypes of black Kakuganes, but the three prototypes ended as a failure. The one that had to live with it lived by draining the life forces of everything around him. The black Kakugane's bearer's (also known as a Victor 1, 2 or 3 depending on his Kakugane) appearance also changes. His hair became of a glowing green, his skin turned into a burned red.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/17 | 1,397 | 4,527 | <issue_start>username_0: 
When watching anime, sometimes at the beginning of the show, I come across the warning message
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> テレビアニメを見るときは部屋を明るくして、テレビからはなれて見てください!
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which can be translated as
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> When watching anime, light up the room, and leave some distance between the TV and yourself!
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I understand that not staying too close to TV is important for eye health. But why is it so important to light up the room? What is the purpose of this message, and why do some shows display this warning message while the others don't?<issue_comment>username_1: This is less to do with eye health as it does with [photosensitive epilepsy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosensitive_epilepsy) (PSE):
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> Television has traditionally been the most common source of seizures in PSE. For patients with PSE, it is especially hazardous to view television in a dark room, at close range, or when the television is out of adjustment and is showing a rapidly flickering image (as when the horizontal hold is incorrectly adjusted). Modern digital television sets that cannot be maladjusted in this way and refresh the image on the screen at very high speed present less of a risk than older television sets.
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> Some PSE patients, especially children, may exhibit an uncontrollable fascination with television images that trigger seizures, to such an extent that it may be necessary to physically keep them away from television sets. Some patients (particularly those with cognitive impairments, although most PSE patients have no such impairments) self-induce seizures by waving their fingers in front of their eyes in front of bright light or by other means.
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Since many anime contain rapidly flickering images (think flashing lights), the broadcasters ask to turn the lights on as it is especially hazardous in a dark room, for those susceptible.
---
This is happening even recently:
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> In some cases, specific television programs featuring certain types of visual stimuli have provoked seizures in a small minority of television viewers, including some viewers with no prior history of seizures of any kind. The "Dennō Senshi Porygon" episode of Pokémon is the most frequently cited example ... broadcast of the program in Japan, which includes strong flickering scenes, produced seizures in a surprising number of viewers, even though the proportion of viewers affected was extremely low
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See the [Public Responsibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Photosensitive_epilepsy&oldid=554545459#Public_responsibilities) section of the page for more examples.
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Oded's answer is correct. The most important reason to remain far away from the screen is to avoid the risk of epileptic seizures. As a practice in anime, this was started after the infamous Pokemon episode [Electric Soldier Porygon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denn%C5%8D_Senshi_Porygon) aired, which resulted in 685 viewers being hospitalized for seizures. The Pokemon anime was put on hiatus for 4 months after the episode was broadcast, and the episode has never been reaired in Japan or anywhere else. [Bulbapedia](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Electric_Soldier_Porygon) has some more information on the episode as well.
That episode, which contained fast flashing scenes with a lot of red in the images (particularly bad for epileptic people), resulted in stricter guidelines for flashing images in anime. Broadcast studios also elected to begin showing these sorts of warnings, especially on children's programs, though there is no official rule that they must do so. This is mentioned on the [Japanese Wikipedia Article](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9D%E3%82%B1%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF) about the incident (called "Pokemon Shock"; see the [注意を促すテロップの表記 section](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9D%E3%82%B1%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF#.E6.B3.A8.E6.84.8F.E3.82.92.E4.BF.83.E3.81.99.E3.83.86.E3.83.AD.E3.83.83.E3.83.97.E3.81.AE.E8.A1.A8.E8.A8.98)), but not in any English sources I was able to find.
There was a similar incident with the anime [YAT Anshin! Uchū Ryokō](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YAT_Anshin!_Uch%C5%AB_Ryok%C5%8D#Controversy) earlier in the same year, but it was not as large scale. The Pokemon incident is the one which spurred action from both the government and broadcast companies.
Upvotes: 4 |
2013/05/17 | 2,096 | 7,219 | <issue_start>username_0: [*Hunter × Hunter*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_%C3%97_Hunter) is quite a large series which has [an anime starting in 1999](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_%C3%97_Hunter_(1999_TV_series)) and [one starting in 2011](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hunter_%C3%97_Hunter_(2011)_episodes). The latter is longer (currently at 80 episodes versus 62 from the original), and is said to follow the manga more faithfully.

I have not read the manga, nor seen either series. What are the major differences\* in these two adaptations?
\* - Minor differences need not be stated, only ones which affect plot or character development significantly.<issue_comment>username_1: Besides the quality of the graphics, you've already said it, the 2011 version is more faithful in the manga.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: There are only minor differences between the old Hunter × Hunter and the new Hunter × Hunter. The main reason they decided to do a remake was because of the viewer group. Almost no one would decide to pick up Hunter × Hunter if it were to start right in the middle after more than a 10-year break.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: Hunter × Hunter 2011 is the 'reboot' of the original series of 1999. It was created in order to improve the quality of the animation (ex. cute Bisky), and because the 1999 series was very popular; they rebooted the series to gain some more popularity. Also, the reboot completely follows the manga and reduces huge amount of fillers, like the Greed Island arc.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: I'm a Japanese, so please excuse my English.
I ignore a lot of small changes, and want to talk about the cause.
Speaking from the conclusion, the notable differences are the following, I think:
1. Original Manga's Progress
2. Broadcasting Station
3. Main Target
**1. Original Manga's Progress**
Togashi is working now. That's all.
**2. Broadcasting Station**
Fuji TV is following One Piece, Toriko and Dragon Ball.
It is the HxH 2009's station, and faithful to the original.
Fuji's slogan is "NO FUN, NO TV", and is known as the most vulgar TV station in Japan.
But I really, really love Fuji's "noitaminA".
The 2011's Nippon TV is the most traditional commercial broadcasting station.
This oldest station is known as the most aggressive technical pioneer.
Maybe the original fans hate their editing, and the children's parents like it.
I think that the 140 times same OP songs is their attempt, too.
**3. Main Target**
In Japan, HxH 2009 was the "Saturday Golden Time Anime"; then from episode 62 onward, it became OVA. HxH 2011 was the "Sunday Morning Anime"; then from episode 99 onward, it became "Midnight Anime". Both began broadcasting in time slots meant for "Children's Anime" in Japan,
and OVA and "Midnight Anime" were the "Adults' Anime".
The nature of the children's time slot is slightly different between the two continuities. "Saturday Golden Time Anime" means that children watch the anime with their parents at dinnertime.
"Golden Time TV Program" is the TV Program that airs between 18:00 ~ 20:00 in Japan.
If the Golden Time Anime airs on Saturdays, TV station is expecting the conversation with the children.
In other words, children logical conversation with the parent is satisfied are eligible.
This is why HxH 2009 did not refrain from grotesque representations, in contrast to HxH 2011.
The reason why the TV broadcast was finished is because the original stock was gone.
By the way, there is no relation to the animation named "Golden Time".
On Sunday mornings, I think you are still sleeping, right?
In this time slot, most young children are watching TV, so a more wholesome animation is required.
Japanese parents do not like their children watching torn heads or hearts or fingers without supervision.
I think the reason of the change in time slot is that there are few parents who like their children watching torn organs in anime.
Then I wonder what kind of adult gets up in the early Sunday mornings, but I do not have the answer. I think they are probably also the type that does not turn on the TV during dinnertime.
Anyway, I do not write in detail because spoilers, but HxH 2011 thoroughly ignored the content of the original manga.
I'll never forgive the corruption related to Kite, the worst difference for me:
>
> In the original manga and the 2009 anime, the reason why Gon aimed to become a hunter is because Kite told him that Gon's father is a superior hunter. Gon thought his father was dead.
> First appearance: Kite gave Gon a scolding "you should not come near the territory of dangerous organisms".
>
>
>
> In the 2011 anime, Gon has forgotten the existence of Kite, and they don't know each other, not even the names.
> First appearance: Kite had been fishing on the side of the nests of chimera ants.
>
>
>
For more information, you can read [this wiki](http://hunterxhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Kite#Anime_and_Manga_Differences).
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_5: The fillers, OMG the Fillers! Animation quality is better in new. Stuff regarding kite, see the wikia for story related differences they have a good list. Also the soundtrack has a noticeable difference. Not that one soundtrack is better than the other, as the new one is pretty good. There were scenes I thought the 2009 soundtrack did better (just felt darker for some reason).
Kurapica vs Uvogin,
Phantom Troupe's assault on the Auction (when Chrollo conducts the music of war),
Pakunoda's death scene with the chains
Sidenote - Overall I prefer the new one minus the music parts listed above. (sadly i also really enjoyed some of the soundtrack of the original FMA even though FMA:Brotherhood was better overall. I wish they would keep original music people enjoyed in these Anime remakes or integrated in a way that did homage to it)
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_6: the intro/outros are different.
otherwise, *(I just watched all of the 1999v, and started w/the 2011, and could barely tell the difference...except)*
the 2011 in/out theme is a bit obnoxious, while I'm partial to the 1999 version.
imo the 1999 ending song (with the female voice) is the best.
otherwise, I've watched all of the 1999v, and up to ep11 on the 2011v... with the verdict of the 2011v is a quicker story, and one youtube version (1-5 combined into one video) completely skips the first episode entirely.
one of my favorite parts was in the 1999v ep1, when Gon meets the fox-bear, and Kite, and this is a very touching part of the story that is left out of the 2011v. This sub-story also comes into play later on, and should be considered important..so, if you only watch the 2011v, then I recommend to (also, at least) watch the 1999v ep.1 as well to get a few extra bits of the story.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_7: I think the 2011 version of *Hunter x Hunter* has better music cast and drawings than the 1999 version.
The story in the 1999 version stops in the middle, but the 2011 version continues until the end, although it has many fights, some sad moments, and happy ones.
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/05/17 | 1,268 | 4,889 | <issue_start>username_0: At the end of *Akira*, there is a massive power release; then:
>
> Tetsuo manages to gain full control over his powers, and these abilities end up creating a new Big Bang in another dimension.
>
>
>
After this event, Tetsuo says the following: "I am Tetsuo."
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/05ISR.jpg)
Why did he say this? What meaning does it have?<issue_comment>username_1: Testuo (probably like Akira before him) finally gains full control of his powers, and uses it to initiate the creation of a new universe. In effect he is now the creator god of this new universe, and he proclaims this at the end:
"I am Tetsuo"
*This* is the real Tetsuo, he is saying. His essence without the limiting shell of his mortal body. The pure energy of his being distilled into a pocket universe.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_2: I think I may disagree a little here, since one of the main themes of the film is evolution and the main subtext is about puberty, (Tetsuo being unable to "control his body" and his inability to "ride Kaneda's bike") I think Tetsuo simply reached the next step in our plane of existence. Like Akira, Tetsuo has accepted his role as a superior being; however, since he is aware of the damage that he creates (told through dream sequences, and Kaneda's exploration of his psyche), he is also partly human. He is aware of any and all change around him, including the change within himself. He undergoes a total metamorphosis, completing his evolutionary destiny. By recognizing that he is a supreme being with mortal qualities, he comes to accept himself thus his statement, that he's neither the experiment known as #41, nor is he the resentful boy, he is and has always been, Tetsuo.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I do not negate or confirm whether he has created a new universe or just come to terms with his pubescent angst... I would say it is just as likely that he is merely coming to terms with **death**? But, what is the difference? That is the beauty of the story. It could be all three... I mean, creating a new universe and now becoming its god, that's insane. Not to say impossible, but in our view it would be the same as death.
I am curious about the puberty undertones, I can see that but I have to say *undertone*, no more. I feel that Akira is social commentary at it's peak and puberty may be a theme, but not the main one. I like the idea of a new universe but I feel that it is not obviously stated. Yet I cannot deny that it is a great analysis of the ending. So, having never read the manga, because I am a cheap jerk or whatever, I feel that Tetsuo dies. He dies, only in our eyes. It is a perfect ending. We do not know what comes after death, and I agree the theme is about the Star Child, human evolution, 2001 Space Odyssey, etc. So all these interpretations are essentially the same ending. AMAZING. I don't know. AKIRA! Every time I watch it I am blown away. Tears. Amazed. Or as Kei said, "Fantastic."
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: It is due to he and Akira moving on to another plane of reality and creating a new universe. This directly correlates to the ending of the manga when Kaneda is trapped inside the energy wave as Akira engulfs Tetsuo to keep him from getting too out of control. Those pages talk about the initial genetic testing on humans which led the test subjects towards a new step in evolution. The conclusion being the possibility of creating a new universe via the powers granted through genetic manipulation and high doses of experimental drugs over subsequent generations of test subjects. Ultimately, the power talked about in both the film and the comic is "the power". It is the power that drives physics, chemistry, and all of life. It is the power to both create and destroy.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_5: "I am Tetsuo" is a great and memorable line, but albeit a tricky one to decipher. I believe the intent is to serve two points to the audience, anything further might be reading too much into it.
The first point serves to inform to the user that Tetsuo is still "alive" (as in he' still out there), but not necessarily in a physical sense. The second point serves to point out to the audience the *individual* entity know as "Tetsuo" still exists. Not as part of Akira or as a new merged entity, but as Tetsuo in one form or another.
Though this doesn't necessarily doesn't explain or foreshadows anything, it's a reminder to the audience that somewhere in the vastness of space of that world... Tetsuo is out there.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_6: I believe that Tetsuo had created a new world to inhabit as a higher power and not in a firey passion but in a benevolent society. Perhaps he had just said I am Tetsuo to to hint at his conciouaness thrives on.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/17 | 2,367 | 8,205 | <issue_start>username_0: I read [an article](https://web.archive.org/web/20110917031942/http://www.aolnews.com:80/2010/05/06/the-art-of-akira-a-tattooed-freaks-obsession-with-doing-thin/) recently that states:
>
> "Akira" rewrote every rule for animation. It was filmed at 24 frames per second, in full Cinemascope aspect, using 312 colors in the palette (the richest palette for any hand-done animation ever).
>
>
>
Based on this article, it seems *Akira* was the first anime (or perhaps animation) to be filmed at 24fps. Is it the only anime to do so, or did others do this later on as well?<issue_comment>username_1: From what I can tell (according to [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_rate)):
>
> Practically all hand-drawn animation is designed to be played at 24 FPS. Actually hand-drawing 24 unique frames per second ("1's") is costly. Even in big budget films usually hand-draw animation shooting on "2's" (one hand-drawn frame is shown twice, so only 12 unique frames per second)[6] and some animation is even drawn on "4's" (one hand-drawn frame is shown four times, so only six unique frames per second).
>
>
>
Other sources (of varying degrees of reliability) say:
>
> Japanimation runs at an average of 24 frames per second, with main objects animated at 8 to 12 fps and background objects as low as 6 to 8 fps.
>
>
>
([Source](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071111114612AA52dSO))
>
> Decent/high quality animation in general is done at the 24 frames/second rate (this also includes animation in other mediums, such as claymation and CG'd work). Now, depending on the 'look' and 'feel' they are aiming for--all of those 24 frames may be slightly different (in succession) than each other, to give 'movement' to the object on the screen (as in, none of the frames look exactly alike. There are slight variations between all frames), or only 12 of them may be different from each other--every other frame (in succession with each other) being varied, with an exact copy of the last frame before it acting as the ‘filler’ frame. So it's like 12 pairs of different frames--the first frame in each set varied from the last and its copy behind it to lengthen the time the image is on the screen.
>
>
>
([Source](http://www.animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=201462))
A general consensus, from the little that I can find, is that most anime now seem to have a frame rate of 24, but they often are 2s, which means that every frame is doubled so there are 12 unique frames per second. For example, a torrent site for Claymore lists the frame rate as 23.9, which is really 24 fps. So to conclude, Akira is not the only anime to be produced at 24fps.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: As can probably be seen by the response, the way the question is made can lead to misleading answers.
Akira was filmed completely using 24 distinct images per second to achieve 24 frames per second. This is normally called "shooting on ones", where no frames are repeated consecutively.
Most animation is done "on twos", which mean 12 distinct images per second are used to achieve 24 frames per second, by repeating as necessary.
Most Anime is done from 2 to 12 distinct images per second to achieve 24 frames per second, by repeating as necessary.
High-Quality studios usually use a mix, having some animation running on ones but the majority of the feature running on twos (Ghibly, for example, does this a lot, usually it's very obvious in the smoothness of the animation).
Akira is the most famous animated full feature done in "true" 24fps for the whole length of the movie. I'd argue the other most famous one is the unreleased "The Thief and the Cobbler", partly due to its bizarre history and partly because when talking about the fact that it's done "on ones" is always mentioned.
So the answer to your question is, if taken literally, that no, it's not the only one "filmed" at 24fps (most, if not all, are).
The answer to your actual question is "yes", as it's the only full-length anime production **animated** on ones, at the full 24fps.
Depending on whether you want to consider "The Thief and the Cobbler" (being as it is unreleased), it is the only "modern" (post-1950) full-length animated feature **animated** on ones.
I would've given the willfully obtuse answer to your literal question instead of your intended question, but I see that's been done already :)
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: Most anime today would be running at 24fps or higher, I don't know the specifics, but the animation in itself is mostly animated on the 3s (8 drawings per second), and rarely animated on the 2s (12 drawings per second), and even more rarely on the 1s (24 pictures per second / a picture a frame). Stuff like CGI, which you would find is more recent anime, are mostly running at 24fps.
When it comes to *Akira* on the other hand, there is a common misconception that it is all animated on 1s. That is not true, not even *The Thief and the Cobbler* was animated on 1s, though <NAME> was known for always insisting on animating on ones, there are some scenes animated on the twos.
You've probably heard this before, but animation is a tedious and long process, and there is no reason for a studio to ever spend so much time and effort and money on animating on the ones.
There are even moments where animating on the ones is the wrong way to go, slower scenes that aren't as energetic are much better animated on the twos as it creates a much more natural movement (natural isn't smooth), and there aren't enough skilled inbetweeners to work on a two-hour picture animated on the ones, *Akira* wouldn't look as good if it was.
*Akira* is mostly animated on the 2s and 3s, and it has a few bits animated on the 1s, but still way more than most anime which would usually be animated on the 3s. Most of the ultra-smooth scenes that you think are on the 1s are probably on the 2s.
I'm not trying to say that I'm better than people, but there are a lot of YouTubers feeding this misinformation when giving their analysis/ essays. There are so many documentaries on the making of Akira where they say it's mostly animated on 2s and 3s. If you don't believe me then at least give this video a watch, he kinda clears things out.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtYpif-dLjI>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: Most western animation is mostly done on 2s both slow and fast movements are done on 2s, while the very fast movements would be on 1s on particular occasions.
Anime is usually done on 3s , even though Akira is 24fps, so it's animated both on 3s and 2s in some scenes, even Anime is mostly done 3s, it's rarely animated on 2s.
<NAME>'s shorts would be done 4s, 5s and 6s, because that's really peculiar for animator like him to make animation like that since most animators do animation in 1s and 2s, and most Japanese animators do animation in 3s.
YouTubers make a lot documentaries and video essays about the 24 fps myth about Akira.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: I'm late to answer but most answers here have some misunderstanding and approved answer is wrong so here is some explanation
0. Akira is not on 1s and probably there is no any other movie or TV series on 1s. Look about Akira [here](https://exploringakira.wordpress.com/2020/09/30/akira-the-24-frames-per-second-myth/)
Some explanation
1. All cartoons have the same framrate or fps of 24 which is standart TV framerate
2. To make animation cheaper the same frame is often shown several times. So if you show the same frame 2 times you need only 12 frames to draw. If you show it 3 times you need 8 frames to draw. This is called on 1s, on 2s on 3s
3. Most 2d animation are either on 2s or 3s including Disney, Ghibly etc. Big movies are usually on 2s. TV series are often on 3s
4. 3d animation is usually on 1s as frames are interpolated by software. "cutout" animation made in AfterEffects or similar software could be done on 1s too.
5. There is probably no 2d drawn movies or tv-series made totally on 1s. The closest example was unfinished "The Thief and the Cobbler" but even it wasn't fully on 1s.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/18 | 943 | 3,064 | <issue_start>username_0: After reading an interesting post on the "anti-midian" meaning of Seras' battle rifle/cannon thing, I would like to know what the motif of <NAME> from the "Dune" series has to do with her cannon?
Let me give you an example:
>
> Alucard's awesome pistol "The Jackal" symbolizes Walter's future betrayal of Alucard because, in the Fred Forsyth book "The Day of The Jackal", the character The Jackal kills everyone who helped him make his forged documents and weapon as a way of covering his tracks as he tries to kill <NAME>. In the dream sequence where this motif is introduced, The Jackal comments, "Never trust the man who makes your own weapon," which foreshadows Walter's betrayal.
>
>
>
So since Seras has two huge cannons that bear the Vladimir Harkonnen name and she even talks to Harkonnen in a trippy dream sequence, what kind of symbolism or motif does Harkonnen have in relation to the *Hellsing* universe?<issue_comment>username_1: If you recall from the OVA and manga, during dream sequences, the appearance of the gun's so-called "spirit" bears a strong resemblance to <NAME>onnen from the David Lynch adaptation of *Dune*. This is strongly implied to be a tribute/reference to the *Dune* series (or at least the movie).



Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: <NAME> experiences repeated visions of [<NAME>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Harkonnen) from the David Lynch film "Dune" claiming to be to be the spirit of her gun.
As far as I can tell, there's no [canon](http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/161/282/161282537_640.jpg) [sic] explanation for the reason why it chooses to manifest itself in this particular way, aside from the fact that her gun is actually called **The Harkonnen** (which is itself a contraction of the formal name of the gun; e.g.
* **H**ellsing **A**rms **A**nti-Midian **C**annon" becomes "HAA Cannon" becomes "[Harkonnen](http://hellsing.wikia.com/wiki/Harkonnen)").

Although she is initially scared by the Baron's 'spirit' and runs from it on several occasion, it does ultimately provide a successful (and **wholly accurate**) warning that she is being targeted by a Rio S.W.A.T. team which would seem to indicate that there's more to her visions than mere introspection brought on by extreme psychological pressure.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Okay, this is kinda pushing it, but if you see on Westwood Dune series RTS (Dune, Dune 2/ Dune 2000, Emperor: Battle For Dune) (which, kind of, based on Dune universe, kind like Alternate Universe or something), you see that House Harkonnen, a faction in this game, is kinda... obsessed with firepower. Ludicrous Firepower and Armor, at the expense of speed and utility. Their ultimate weapon is a nuclear missile.
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/05/18 | 1,399 | 4,998 | <issue_start>username_0: *Battle Angel Alita* is known as *Gunnm* in Japan, and Alita as Gally.
Why was the title and name of the series changed when it was localized? What other changes did they make from the original Japanese version?<issue_comment>username_1: Viz Media was responsible for localizing the Battle Angel Alita manga, and the reason apparently makes no sense, (from [this page](http://everything2.com/title/Gunnm)):
>
> Gally's name is changed to Alita. Why this was done is unknown, but the person who decided on the change tried to "validate" it, explaining that coincidentally Alita comes from Russian and has something to do with Mars (which is where Gally is from, incidentally).
>
>
>
There's a dream sequence where in the original Japanese version, Gally's dream self is named "Alita". The Viz version has the two reversed.
>
> Back in 1993, as Kishiro-sensei was quickly bringing things to a close with the Gunnm manga, he came across a plot point which he could use to take a jab at Viz. Early on, Kishiro learned that Viz decided to change, for reasons that truly make no sense, Gally's name to Alita. Towards the end of the series, Dr. Nova traps Gally in the Oruboros machine, in an attempt to crush her spirit. At one point, Nova is talking with Ido and suggests her name to be (in the japanese version) "Alita," the cat's name is "Gally." (Gally and the cats' names are important). Unfortunately, Viz decides to play along word for word, and Nova names her "Gally" and the cat is "Alita." So much for that potshot.
>
>
>
Additionally, Viz changed a bunch of names of a city, facility, and the computer (via [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Angel_Alita), with emphasis):
>
> Besides renaming Gally to Alita, the North American version of the manga also changed the city of **Salem** to **Tiphares**, after *Tiferet*. Since Kishiro also used the name Jeru for the facility atop Salem, **Jeru** was renamed **Ketheres** in the translation, after *Keter*. To further develop the **Biblical theme** in the original series, Salem's main computer was named **Melchizedek**, "the king of Salem" and "priest to the Most High God".
>
>
>
Although "Alita" isn't a bible reference (western religion), a number of these names were changed, and Alita is a western name (moreso than "Gally"), so that it's more accessible to western audiences.
---
EDIT: I found the quote, from AN's ["Ask John" column](http://www.animenation.net/blog/2000/01/10/ask-john-why-is-battle-angel-called-gally-on-the-dvd/):
>
> In the October 1993 issue of Animerica, <NAME>, co-translator for the Viz Comics Battle Angel Alita manga explains that, “For a Viz Comic to work, it’s got to appeal to more than just the hard-core manga and anime crowd;” therefore there were several alterations made in the translation of the manga. Yukito Kishiro’s title Gunnm, a compound of Gun Dream, was re-named Battle Angel Alita. Gally, the protagonist, had her name changed to Alita, a name, Burke explains, means “noble:” a name that he discovered while searching through a book of baby names. Burke also explains that, for no reason given, the floating city Zalem was re-named Tiphares: a name meaning “beauty,” taken from the Qabalah and the mystical Tree of Life. Furthermore, Yugo’s name was given a cosmetic change to Hugo for American readers.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Changing names is quite usual for translators/publishers when it comes to foreign works. Apparently their idea is that people couldn't possibly buy something with "foreign-sounding" names because that would be too confusing for our little brains. It's all about marketing. This is why "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" has been changed to "HP and the Sorcerer's Stone" for the American market: because the publisher feared that people would run away if they saw the word "philosophy" in the title.
Now you'll have to explain to me why it is the case here but not in Europe: for instance I know that the French version of Yukito Kishiro's works has kept every names and it's been a huge hit, not just among the "hard-core manga and anime crowd" as Burke thinks it would be. At some point it would be nice to see publishers and translators respect the work of the author and the intelligence of the readers.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_3: GALLY is the original name for the Gally Battle Angel Japanese cartoon. This is a sad attempt to make political correctness for giving a. Few props to recognize a hispanic female heroine. Much like, the thinking that ghost in a shell should be played by a european in the live movie version. It sure would be nice to have Gally identified as Japanese in both the big screen animation and live movie version.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_4: The word "Alita" in spanish means "Small Wing", so it also makes some sense when you translate the title to spanish " Battle Angel's Small Wing".
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/18 | 552 | 2,102 | <issue_start>username_0: Near the end of the second OVA series (Patlabor: New Files), in the episode titled "Snow Rondo" (episode 14). At the end, Asuma Shinohara says it's not a dream and there are hints that it wasn't a dream, but also bits to indicate that didn't happen either.
Can anyone explain what exactly happened?
<issue_comment>username_1: The OVA stated that the two timelines are real,
In the past Sinohara walked the girl (<NAME>) in the snow, he liked her but he didn't say anything, maybe because he didn't have the courage to do so.
The first timeline is when Sinohara met her at the class reunion.
They had a good time together and they both liked each other.
When finally Sinohara tried to say something she stopped him and said good bye.
In this timeline we all know that she is some kind of spirit.
The second timeline is when Sinohara wakes up again, and he hasn't gone to the class reunion. Although he didn't see her again, he got the clue that his experience was real. The proof is the postcard he got in the second coat. And he knew what Noa get for him before she even told him.
It's a love story, the spirit just wanted to say goodbye for the last time before she went to a place far away, and this is the most romantic and fun way she could ever done that without making him scared or sad.
ps: it will help you if you watch Groundhog Day, the movie made on 1993.
It has looping time, different from "Snow Rondo" but essentially the same.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Its just about Asuma moving on from idealistic dreams of how his future would be, lines like "I look at this and think, is this really where I want to be?" Hint towards this interpretation and the scene at the end where lets go of the red balloon showing that he's satisfied with what has life had become. This interpretation is further solidified with the events that take place in episode 16, showing us that Asuma is having to face the difficult parts of his past becoming a part of his future.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/19 | 1,247 | 4,665 | <issue_start>username_0: What/who causes Lain's "older sister" Mika to go insane? What happened to her (physically and mentally)?
<issue_comment>username_1: Layer 05 "Distortion" shows how Mika goes mad (spoiler from here).
At the beginning of the episode, she is apathetic but doesn't show any symptom of mental frailty. However, she is exposed to various traumatic events:
1. She witnessed a car accident on Shibuya caused by the traffic lights cracking, without any reaction while all around people are scared.
2. She has seen her sister both in person and on a big screen on Shibuya, but Lain doesn't confirm the fact.
3. She got a handkerchief containing a message:

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> Hell is full of the dead. and the dead shall wander.
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She use the handkerchief to clean a stain caused by a boy. Later, she reads this message on a coffee stain:

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> Fulfill the prophecy.
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The previous traumatic events (the coffee stain, the message) are now mixed with each other while she is hallucinating.
This is the turning point of Mika's insanity. Lain's father projection tells her how Prophecy is a way of Deus to interfere in the real world, and Mika seems to be a target of these actions, aimed to make her doubtful about her perceptions and, later, causing her dissociation. Lain can see a duplicate of her sister too in a form of a crystallized avatar at the end of the episode, and many other characters confirm the messages Mika was exposed to exist, so the first traumatic events are not hallucinations but a starter for her conditioning.
For reference, the [abstract of episode 5 on Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Serial_Experiments_Lain_episodes) is rough but clear:
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> Lain's sister Mika is driven to the point of insanity due to the Knights repeatedly communicating the message for her to "Fulfill the Prophecy".
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Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Ok I’m just throwing this out there: Mika died. She was hit by the car. The tv news verifies there was a fatality and the scene seemed to imply she was hit. What happened is that the afterlife was overcrowded so even though she died when hit by the car, she had nowhere to go (off topic, but another implication is that we need to transfer our souls online since the afterlife is too full to accept more souls). Her death by the car separated her soul and body-both of which are stuck in this world. The school girl outfit Mika represents her soul as opposed to casual clothes Mika her real body. Her real body goes home to have dinner with her parents. Her actual soul is stuck somewhere between this world and the next or the wired. The fulfilling the prophecy message she gets it’s probably meaning that she needs to move her soul on from this plain of existence to the wired since she has died and that is now where the dead need to go. She hasn’t yet realized/accepted her death until she goes home and sees her real body living her life. At this point she sort of starts to move on. Causal clothes/body of Mika acts almost zombie like in this series because she no longer has a soul.
It’s also possible that Mika’s soul is straddling the line between reality and the wired after getting hit by the car-this explains some of the trippier scenes and how they could make sense. It also explains how she is so unaffected by the car fatality unlike all the other bystanders-she was hit but refuses to accept it and therefore acts as if she doesn’t notice her body lying there as her soul walks away in denial of the event.
Also-if the fulfill the prophecy isn’t about moving her soul to the next world but some sort of message by the knights to help fulfill their agenda (I am only up to episode 5 so I haven’t yet learned what exactly they are really after), then Mika now is continuously harassed by it as she has begun straddling between the real world and the wired since dying and the wired is overrun with this message due to the knights-alica and her friends are shown discussing how the wired was spammed with this fulfill the prophecy message by the knights and since Mika is now partially inhabiting this reality she sees the message spammed all over the (wired) world around her as well.
That’s my idea. What does everyone think? It connects all the real world events and the trippy scenes of Mika into a coherent idea.
Thoughts on this????? Lol I really want to discuss this with someone
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/19 | 564 | 1,705 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm looking for an old anime which I watched when I was young, during the 90s. As far as I can remember:
* The earth is flat in the story
* The storyline is about this protagonist trying to save the world by killing monsters by transforming into different mecha?
* The protagonist transform by inserting a disk (?) into a device on his hand
* At the end of the first arc, the world isn't restored, and the protagonist had to return all the disks he collected to their original place
* Each time a disk is returned, one of the bad dudes will turn back to normal
* To make things clearer, it is the protagonist himself transforming<issue_comment>username_1: A few potential options, some of these are a shot in the dark hoping some of your information is mixed up:
* *Monster Rancher* - Monsters were born from disks and used to battle other monsters. Not a mecha anime and came out in 1999. Protagonist doesn't transform *most* of the time.
* *Saint Seiya* - Has transforming protagonists that look mecha-like. I don't recall any disks though, it came out in the late 80s.
* *Escaflowne* - Came out in the 90s, mecha like.
It could also be some flavor of *Digimon*, *Gundam*, etc.
Very few Mecha anime that weren't *Gundam* or *Macross* came out in the 90s that I'm aware of; but [here is a list](http://myanimelist.net/anime.php?q=&type=0&score=0&status=0&tag=mecha&p=0&r=0&sm=0&sd=0&sy=1985&em=0&ed=0&ey=2000&c%5b%5d=a&c%5b%5d=b&c%5b%5d=c&gx=0).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: i think that you are looking for [Gulliver Boy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulliver_Boy):

It matches your specifications.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/20 | 1,353 | 4,941 | <issue_start>username_0: An automail must be a masterpiece, as the user seems to be able to use it as a fully working arm/leg/... It seems however, that it's no regular artificial limb.
What's so special about an automail? How does it work? Are there any drawbacks?<issue_comment>username_1: There's a pretty good description [here](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Automail).
To summarize it, automail is a prosthetic limb that connects directly to the nervous system and requires no external power because it uses the electrical signals from the brain as its power. They were originally created to be weapons but then became sophisticated enough to use as a prosthetic limb.
There are a few major drawbacks to automail. The first is that it is incredibly painful to install, as shown when Edward's automail is being installed. The reason for that is that it is being connected directly to the nerves, which send pain signals to the brain. The second is that they break. Edward's has shown to break. They can be transmuted by the wearer, which is an advantage because they can be changed into weapons and then back when needed, but theoretically, they could also be transmuted by an enemy who could get their hands on them.
Another drawback is that they are reliant on the person who is constructing them. As shown by the time when Winry forgot a screw, if the person who builds/installs it screws up, the automail can break or fall apart.
They can also conduct heat, being made of metal, so when it's very hot out, they will irritate the skin because they'll become hot.
Automail can also be incredibly expensive. The God's Model automail (shown below) has a price tag of 10,000,000 of whatever money they use.

Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_2: [@username_1](https://anime.stackexchange.com/users/93/username_1)'s [answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/3840/274) covered most of it, but here's a bit more information as well.
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> What's so special about an automail?
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It's basically a prosthetic limb which has been optimized for fighting. Its name comes from [auto-](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/auto-) (as in "automotive") and [-mail](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_(armour)) (related to armor). They were originally designed to give more freedom of motion to uses of prosthetics, but were soon fitted to combatants who had lost limbs.
There is nothing extraordinarily special about these limbs except their versatility and wide variety of uses. Additionally, this type of technology did not exist in the real world during the time *Fullmetal Alchemist* is set (early 1900s).
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> How does it work?
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There are dozens of little parts to it, but it is largely composed of motors, tubing, and the external metal covering. Here's a couple images of its components (click to enlarge):
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/SsSyg.jpg) [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/zqiTy.png)
It has no internal power source; it draws its power directly from the impulses of the nervous system to run the intricate motors and other mechanics inside it (and of course, to control which ones activate when). So, when the synapses are sent, each part contracts with its motors, giving free, versatile movement.
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> Are there any drawbacks?
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Of course—otherwise, why wouldn't people just cut off their limbs? ;)
username_1 mentioned three major drawbacks:
1. [It is painful to have installed](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/5407/274) (nerve connections are painful—in real life, too).
2. It is prone to breaking (just like a bone or limb).
3. It creates a reliance on an automail mechanic for tuneups and fixes, and mechanics can make mistakes!
There are two drawbacks that weren't mentioned, though. One is that it is quite painful during pressure changes; recall that when Ed went to the field with Pinako to dig in the rain (2009 anime), he was actually forced into vomiting due to the aching pain of the pressure system. The second is that the material can work against you; iron and steel can cause issues like frostbite when in cold areas, and are also quite heavy. (Some alloys alleviate this issue, though.)
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: I think an explanation can be that in the Fullmetal Alchemist universe, there exist materials capable of converting neuron synapses (message signals from the brain) into mechanical waves, which are received by the circuitry in the automail and respond in its accordance. The automail limbs must be made to function as a real limb and its machine parts are made to provide the same contract and relax mechanisms as the muscles in our body.
It's just like in Inception with the dream-machine. Different universes, different rules.
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/05/20 | 475 | 1,518 | <issue_start>username_0: We know that when the Kyuubi attacked Konoha, the 4th Hokage sealed half of the Kyuubi's chakra using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and half within Naruto.
When Orochimaru sliced the stomach of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal "Reaper"/Shinigami (Chapter 618), all things that was sealed in it was freed.
So what happened to the half of the Kyuubi's chakra that was sealed? Why didn't it return?<issue_comment>username_1: We don't know what happened to it. It might be possible that it was released, and it might also be possible that it's sealed within Minato (if you remember, he sealed it within himself before he died).
I'm guessing that it won't go unnoticed, but I'm guessing we'll just have to wait and see.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: As of the current chapter (630), it is still not known if the Kyuubi's chakra was released from the Shinigami's stomach. It is possible that it is the **gift** that Minato is referring to when the kages and Sasuke's group are about to go to the battlefield.
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0TcKg.png)
From chapter 627, page 16
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: The latest chapter (631) shows:
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> [Minato cloaked in the Kyuubi chakra](https://i.stack.imgur.com/77N6j.jpg), in the same manner that Naruto is when using it.
> This suggests that the half he has sealed away in himself is still there, in him and he has full use of it.
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Upvotes: 3 |
2013/05/20 | 1,029 | 3,455 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm not sure whether anyone around has watched and followed Inazuma Eleven enough to be able to answer this... but here goes!
A brief description: Hissatsu techniques are special techniques in the anime which enables the users to do some powerful moves, including goal keeper techniques, defense, offense and shoots.
Now, I noticed that there are some hissatsu techniques which aren't used again, especially those used in the movies of the anime:
* [Maximum fire](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Maximum_Fire) used by [Gouenji Shuuya](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Gouenji) in the movie [Gekijyouban Inazuma Eleven Saikyou Gundan Ogre](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Inazuma_Eleven_the_Movie:_The_Invasion_of_the_Strongest_Army_Ogre) hasn't been used anywhere else in the anime.
* [Omega the Hand](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Omega_The_Hand) used by [Endou Mamoru](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Endou_Mamoru) in the same movie never appeared again. Ironically enough, the episodes immediately following it have Endou looking for a stronger hissatsu technique than his current strongest at that point in time (I hope this make sense ^^)
* [Joker Rains](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Joker_Rains) used in the next movie, [Kyuukyoku no Kizuna Gryphon](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Inazuma_Eleven_GO_the_Movie:_The_Ultimate_Bonds_Gryphon) by [Shindou Takuto](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Shindou_Takuto) and [Tsurugi Kyousuke](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Tsurugi_Kyousuke) is similar and isn't used again. Well, that one could be explained if they say they didn't want to use it again.
**Is it just me or are the movies like... completely separate from the anime series? Why are hissatsu techniques exclusively used in movies never used again?** If so, then there's something even stranger:
* [<NAME>](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Matsukaze_Tenma) met [Shuu](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/Shuu) the first and only time in the second movie, but knows him when he sees him again in episode 8 of Inazuma Eleven Go: Chrono Stone.
* All those who went to [God Eden](http://inazuma-eleven.wikia.com/wiki/God_Eden) in the movie also know about this place back in the series.
That's about the things I managed to notice, there might be more I didn't. The only thing I can think about is that the first movie alone is like a side/parallel storyline, or an alternative ending to the series, while the second movie is more like an actual event that happened but not much spoken of in the series, which I find really strange.<issue_comment>username_1: They are special just for the movie. They make it that way so the movie is fun to watch with new sorts of hissatsu techniques. If you see better, there are a lot of Avatars in the movie that we didn't saw in the anime episodes too.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Those are separate cases.
* The first movie *The Invasion of the Strongest Army Ogre* is not connected to the main series, since it happened in a different timeline due to the time travel. So in the main anime's timeline, the events in the first movie never happened.
* The second movie *The Ultimate Bonds Gryphon* is canon for GO and occurs between the 2 matches. It is canon, as the next episode features Pegasus arc, and the speech about avatar drawing and talking about batteries and circuits.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/20 | 1,492 | 5,481 | <issue_start>username_0: How do Claymores advance in ranks within the Organization?
We see many kills during the whole TV show, but Claire never advances in rank.<issue_comment>username_1: It is worth bearing in mind that the TV show only covers the first 7/8 books, and it might be addressed later on in the story.
As far as I could find however, the ranking system seems to be done by generation rather than reallocating ranks when someone dies.
You can see claymore occasionally contest someone's position in the manga, but it doesn't seem to be an official thing.
[Ranks by Generation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Claymore_characters#Current_generation)
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> Claymore warriors No. 1 through 47 are ranked on their baseline Yoki potential, strength, agility, intelligence, sensing and leadership. A warrior's rank rises and falls according to the warrior's strength in relation to other warriors.
> Claymores are known to belong in different eras/generations, marking the time they joined the Organization, but not all Claymores who are active at the same time belong to the same generation. This is because Claymores never age beyond their physical prime.
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It's unclear as to when a generation changes, as some claymore survive more than one.
We can see on the linked site that one generation's order has changed.
The old generation (旧世代) (Teresa era テレサ時代).
* No. 1 - Teresa
* No. 1 and 2 - Rosemary
* No. 2 - Priscilla
* No. 2 and 3 - Ilena
* No. 3 and 4 - Sophia
* No. 4 and 5 - Noel
* No. 5 and 6 - Elda
Recalling Priscilla who was a newly created claymore who shot up through the ranks to become number 2, I would imagine that in exceptional cases such as these, the organization would alter the ranks, but mostly it would be left as is until the next generation comes around and new claymores are assessed
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Claymore are ranked based on their combat ability. Their ability is taken from a number of factors such as strength, Yoki, and intelligence to name a few. Claymores typically only change rank by challenging and defeating a higher ranked Claymore or when a Claymore dies or awakens.
Now, just because a Claymore dies, it doesn't mean others will go up in rank. It is entirely possible that the newly created Claymore takes the exact rank of the one that died or awakened. The reason that Claire never advances in rank is because she is only one quarter Youma since she was created with Teresa's remains and it is said that she'll never achieve the potential of a regular Claymore that is one half Youma.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Clare being 1/4 Yoma surely indicates that she has full potential to house 3/4 of human energy mind being amongst the 1/4 Yoma.
Most Claymores, in a sense, have it rough, you might say, as they are all equally assessed in the middle of battleground between lethal killer and calm human, exceptions such as Teresa and Priscilla (before becoming aggravated by Teresa) are able to house full 100% human control within their means of reach of fighting, until they begin to access Yoki.
Clare is an exception to being discussed over ranking! This Claymore Universe may indeed need to stop entirely placing Clare on a parallel comparison to the other Claymores, as this is why:
* She became a Claymore to exact her spiritual bond connection to the physical beings of herself and Teresa's physical being, therefore *she has no hatred whatsoever towards Yoma or Claymores*. Only Priscilla, not Priscilla the Awakened Being, just Priscilla as an Entity, which qualifies Clare to have a unique case within the organization, as all other Claymore Creation stories, involve traumatic events with Yoma or Yoma Awakened Beings that cause them to choose to exact revenge (offensive) *or* protect themselves (defense), from the Yoma beings.
* The fact she took in 1/2 already Yoma Potent Flesh versus 1 whole piece of Yoma flesh, deems the obvious we know, 1/4 Yoma in Clare. This alone should not even begin to have a place in conversation over ranking, as with her fact she had 1/4 Yoma, means she has more Human Energy Control, which finalizes the logic behind her consistent ability to awaken far many more times than her comrades did, and with seeming ease reverts back more frequently, which wouldn't be possible with any half bred as by that many awakenings they would have by then surely lost their 50% control.
Clare needs to stop being judged. She's practically Teresa's daughter, that in itself gives her enough credit to be called a Badass Warrior.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: I think comparing Clare's baseline overall power, speed and combat ability, she's no match to either Teresa or Priscilla, or even the top 10 or say top 20 of Claymores.
But in a half-awakened state, it is possible that she can beat Priscilla and all the other strongest Awakened Beings, nothing more to say about all the Claymores from rank 2 to 10. Her powers are specifically developed to fight Awakened Beings. And her greatest strength is her ability to develop a part of her body or skills to match the power of the Awakened Being she fights with, e.g. Rigaldo.
As with Teresa, I think she is the strongest of them all, that is a special status relegated to her. We'll never know the extent of her powers when she became awakened. I think that Clare, if she fights with Teresa in her awakened state, would be able to find a way.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/21 | 735 | 2,834 | <issue_start>username_0: We know a couple of characters whose souls are bound to armor suits, e.g. Alphonse or <NAME>. It was explicitly shown that the armor suits have nothing inside - which means they are just pieces of metal with an rune that binds the soul to the armor.

So how are they able to move at all, not to mention that they have significant physical strength and agility?<issue_comment>username_1: I think it's the soul that enables the suit to move, and thus the armor gets the soul's owner's ability and techniques. Due to the binding process they no longer feel fatigue or pain, and they also no longer feel the need to sleep or rest, which explains why Alphonse never gets tired or feels physical pain when fighting.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: In each case of a bonded soul, the blood is directly placed against the armor, allowing the iron in the hemoglobin to physically interact with the metal (and presumably any other material it would be bonded with)[[1]](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Blood_Rune). This means, basically, that the alchemic procedure allows the soul to interact with the metal as well.
When a blood seal is made, it is connected to a being, and must remain with only that being, as well as it must be connected. That means that if Al loses his arm, he cannot move it; however, if he picks up an iron pipe, he cannot move that at free will either, as it was not bonded to him initially. (Even at one point, he transmutes part of his body and can no longer manipulate it.)

*(Note: Alphonse has no eyes lit up in his helmet because the helmet is separated.)*
In the *Fullmetal Alchemist* universe, souls are that which contain a being's personality, thoughts, and memories, which is seen later in the series:
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> For example: Kimblee's soul is able to connect with Pride from within; Hohenheim's many souls are spread around the land and are able to think and act with their energy; and Hohenheim was able to speak and interact with the emotions and arguments of every soul within him from the memories that soul kept.
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Thus, we can connect the dots: Alphonse's soul is connected to the armor through the blood seal, and is able to act with his full set of memories; thus, Alphonse can use his memories and thoughts to move the armor at will.
The physical strength and agility comes from their ability to not be restrained by inner forces. (Imagine how much faster you could run if your body worked the same, but without bones and muscles weighing you down!) However, all the fighting skill and ability comes from things that soul has learned (both before getting that body, and after).
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/22 | 760 | 2,636 | <issue_start>username_0: In Episode 80 of the 2011 anime, they showed Gyro's back story then a clawed up chair. Was he killed or was he eaten? It wasn't clear what happened to him.<issue_comment>username_1: Gyro is killed and eaten after the Chimera Ants invade NGL.
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> but he is later reborn as a Chimera Ant... and the first to keep all of his human memories and break free of the Chimera Ant Queen's control.
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Additionally,
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> The Chimera Ant King, Mereum, cannot be Gyro, because Gyro was shown leaving the hive at the same time that Gon was training to defeat Knuckle, in Chapter 204, before Mereum was born.
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Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: According to the manga, he became a chimera ant and had all his human memories intact. He escaped while the queen was dying and supposedly went to Meteor City to start his empire again (according to the manga). I think they might have him return in the future as a super villain or something, because in ep 79 or 80 it showed his back story and his thoughts on humans. He wanted to bring evil in his human form, so why not in his chimera ant form?
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: Gyro was not re-born as the Chimera Ant King, Meruem. Gyro was killed and eaten by the Queen, turned into a Chimera. But he re-gained every single one of his memories and fled to Meteor City to rebuild his Empire. It says so in the manga and on Gyro's Wiki page.
<http://hunterxhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Gyro>
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: Gyro was killed by the chymera ants why i say this is because when the ants invaded gyro was seen seated in his chair and in the next scene the chimera an't who looks like a centuar said "Gyro huh..wish i could know more about him..well no use dwelling in it now what's fine is done "
In order words gyro was killed and eaten by the queen and born as the king 'meruem' and that explains why meruem was do evil from the start because when the narrator was explaining gyro's past he said gyro is evil hence the king' s behaviour Gyro would have without a doubt continue to be evil if it weren't for komugi and that's why he did not even bother to take out the five million humans with him to hell
Gyro 'muruem' was killed by the poison by netero and died along with his love interest kumogi
So in conclusion gyro is the king of the chymera ants mureum
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: Yes, it was said in the manga the Gyro did return to meteor city after being turned into a chimera ant. Gyro escaped the queen to meteor city specifically to rebuild an army and spread evil across humanity.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/22 | 787 | 2,638 | <issue_start>username_0: Manga and anime famously originate from Japan, and the vast majority of the big names in manga and anime are Japanese; <NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME>, and <NAME> come to mind.
Outside of Japan, I can really only think of one creator who had their work become an anime/manga: The [*Deltora Quest* series](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltora_Quest_%28series%29) was adapted into an anime and manga and was created by an Australian writer, <NAME>.
Aside from Rodda, however, are there any\* international creators, particularly from the Western world, that have successfully published manga (or anime) in Japan, *manhua* in China, or *manhwa* in Korea? Have any Western studios created and produced\*\* anime (or rather, anime-influenced) series?
\* - An exhaustive list is not necessary; a few examples from various countries and maybe some stats versus Japan, if possible.
\*\* - Not as a result of outsourcing.<issue_comment>username_1: Don't know of a non-Japanese studio that produces *only* anime, but the series **Oban Star Racers** was produced by a French studio, "[Sav! The World Productions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sav!_The_World_Productions)" along-side Bandai and Disney.
The Studio 4C production "[First Squad](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10231)" has writing credits to Russian studio **Molot Entertainment Film**.
As far as mangaka, there's a lot of Korean manwha artists/writers that get published in Japanese serials. I don't think that necessarily makes them "mangaka". The series "[Blade of the Phantom Master](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_of_the_Phantom_Master)" by **Youn In-wan** was serialized in "Monthly Sunday Gene-X" in Japan (published by Shogakukan). **[<NAME>](http://www.mangaupdates.com/authors.html?id=5047)** also had his first couple of works published in "Young Champ".
As far as the western world **[Frederic Boilet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Boilet)** is probably the most well known, born in France but draws comics in Japan.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The only name that comes to my mind is the Japanese-Brazilian novelist and illustrator [**Yuu Kamiya**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%AB_Kamiya), who works in Japan and is pretty famous now with the anime adaptation of his series [*No Game No Life*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Game_No_Life).
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: One of the creator of Dr. Stone is Korean and he was able to publish his story in Shonen Jump which later was adapted into an anime.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/22 | 1,112 | 3,777 | <issue_start>username_0: I don't really understand what a vocaloid is so, what is a vocaloid? Is it an anime? If not, how is it related to anime? Is it a singer? If so, is it a real person (because someone told me that some are but mostly are just machine-created voices)?<issue_comment>username_1: [Vocaloid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid) is a program that produces singing voice, it is not an anime. As to how it is related to anime, there are a few anime which have vocaloid singers. You can also see [this question](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/3794/1772) for a bit more explanation on that aspect, which I think are well detailed.
The significance of Vocaloids in the anime industry is probably similar to how significant robotics is used in assembly lines, in the sense that depending on how you use them, you can be making more savings. But you first need to know how to effectively use them, and this often comes with an initial significant investment. Once this is overcome however, things should be easier onwards, as long as you can continue innovating the outputs.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: [Vocaloid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid) is a singing voice synthesizer. In other words, a piece of software that enables users to synthesize singing by typing in lyrics and melody.
One of the better known vocaloids is [Hatsune Miku](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsune_Miku).
At the moment there is no anime with vocaloids. There is only a manga called: [Hatsune Mix](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsune_Miku:_Unofficial_Hatsune_Mix). The only relation I can futher find for vocaliods with anime is:
>
> <NAME> performed her first "live" concert like a virtual idol on a projection screen during [Animelo Summer Live](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animelo_Summer_Live) at the Saitama Super Arena on August 22, 2009. At the "MikuFes '09 (Summer)" event on August 31, 2009, her image was screened by rear projection on a mostly-transparent screen. Miku also performed her first overseas live concert on November 21, 2009, during [Anime Festival Asia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime_Festival_Asia) (AFA) in Singapore.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: Vocaloid is a piece of software used to model a human singing voice. Users can create music with the software by putting in a backing track and giving the Vocaloid program a set of lyrics to sing.


While many Vocaloid (And similar software) mascots are anime-styled, there are no actual animes that include them as a main role.
There have been some fan-based mangas however - [Chibi Miku-san](http://mangag.com/comics/chibimiku/) (A 4-Panel manga) and the previously mentioned [Hatsune Mix](http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Maker_Hik%C5%8Dshiki_Hatsune_Mix)

Vocaloid Merchandise also overlaps a bit with typical anime merchandise, including figurines, plushies, bags, etc.

Vocaloid songs are all created by the software, although sometimes they may star some actual singers too, but the term Vocaloid is referring to the software.
[More Info](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid)
Vocaloid was a significant breakthrough in music technology, the software now offers a cheaper alternative to professional singers and the versatility of getting harmonics and etc exactly perfect to the way the composer envisaged it (rather than adapting it to suit a singer's voice).
It also was a significant breakthrough for hobbyist musicians, making a lot more songs feasible without leaving the home. This was especially important for the ones who can't sing :p
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/23 | 535 | 1,809 | <issue_start>username_0: When Sasuke fights Danzo, on chapter 477 page 9, he uses summoning technique and a hawk appears.
How and when did he sign a contract with hawks, and thanks to whom did he get it?<issue_comment>username_1: >
> To symbolise his ascension from snakes (i.e. Orochimaru's power) he
> changed his team's name from Hebi (snake) to Taka (hawk). It is
> revealed that his [animal-oriented techniques](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Summoning_Technique) have also changed from
> snakes to [hawks](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Hawks) as shown from him summoning a hawk that he used to fly
> around on during his fight with Danzō, evade his assaults and in the
> anime perform coordinated attacks with Sasuke. It is currently unknown
> when he made a contract with them.
>
>
>
This can be found [here](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Sasuke_Uchiha) under "Summoning Technique"
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Sasuke most likely reversed summoned himself. Every shinobi has a signature animal summoning, in Jirayias case he simply used the summoning jutsu without a contract and ended up with the toads.
Kakashi probably did the same and found his ninken hounds, he is half Inuzuka so he was probably by blood bound to his ninken.
So ultimately, Orochimaru taught SASUKE the snake summoning but that wasnt Sasukes natural summoning. Naruto's natural summoning probably isn't toads either but he never used the reverse summoning so he will probably never find out. Sasuke probably reversed summoned himself and found the place where the hawks resided and signed a contract with whichever hawk was there that could speak with sasuke. Allowing him to summon Garuda, Garuda cannot speak so I'd imagine another hawk gave him the contract for the summoning.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/05/23 | 706 | 2,379 | <issue_start>username_0: Team 7 (Naruto's team) existed for at least while before they took the chunin exam, and they took on a number of missions before taking the chunin exams. I can't remember, however, how long they exactly existed as a team before the exam. How long were they genin before the exam? Is that the normal length? Is there some sort of mission requirement where they have to complete a number of missions before they can take the exam?<issue_comment>username_1: There is no definitve answer to this as no set age or timeframe is given in the manga, anime or on the wiki. Keep in mind ninjas like Itachi who became a chunin at age 10 and kakashi at age 6. *(special cases yes but they did become chunin).*
**So if I were to give an answer, it would be until *when* they decide to take the exams**.
As per the [wiki](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Chunin)
>
> To become a chūnin, a genin participates in a large examination, known
> as the "Chūnin Exams".
>
>
>
*Again,* also as related, keep in mind that not all academy students become [Chūnin](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3536/what-happened-to-the-rest-of-the-academy-class), so that might apply here too.[\*](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3654/does-every-ninja-become-a-jonin/3680#3680) No doubt they would have to try again.
And then *again* there is also this guy.. [<NAME>](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Kosuke_Maruboshi) who even though by choice, has been a genin for over 50 years. This could also apply to your question.[\*](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3654/does-every-ninja-become-a-jonin/3680#3680)
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: The exams happen twice a year. The genins that participate are chosen by their group leaders. So if the group leader is of the opinion, that they are ready at age 6, he sends the genin to the exams, if he's of the opinion that they are not ready yet, he lets them wait. There is no special requirement to take the exams (at least nothing was mentioned), it's just the group leader who decides. This can be seen in chapter 35, when Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma suggest their team for the exams. Although Iruka protests, he can't do anything against it. That does not mean, that the genin can't decide against it, though. A ninja can't be forced by his group leader to do the exam.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/24 | 295 | 1,031 | <issue_start>username_0: Tobirama Senju stated that hatred births the Sharingan and strengthens it:

Can an Uchiha remain powerful without hatred? If not, does this imply that Itachi was full of hatred?<issue_comment>username_1: I don't think hatred is the only feeling that makes an Uchiha powerful, since many strong feelings (e.g. pain) can strengthen him, and this is just a quicker way to gain more power.
If an Uchiha sees their close friend or relative die, they gain Mangekyou Sharingan, but the feeling of hatred is not a necessity (Itachi hated no one when he saw Shisui commiting suicide).
So, I believe the feeling of hatred CAN make an Uchiha powerful, but it's not the power source. In short, a strong feeling is just a trigger, and once you awaken the Mangekyou Sahringan with it, you remain powerful.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Itachi didn't seem like that hateful of a person, and he was very powerful.
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/24 | 1,076 | 3,955 | <issue_start>username_0: Manga magazines are usually targeted to a specific age and gender of readers. Usually shounen manga are written by males even if there are notable examples of female artists working on shounen series (e.g. <NAME>ahashi, CLAMP).
Are there any case of a female mangaka pretending to be a male using a pen name to adapt to a specific gender or just to challenge her readers and later reveal herself?<issue_comment>username_1: **I think none.**
First of all, in this [link](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoustacheDePlume), these are the only manga examples created by authors who pretended to be the opposite sex using pen names.
* In the anime ef - a tale of memories, <NAME>, 17 year-old male who is a professional mangaka, writes under the pen name <NAME>, claiming to be female. Given that his work is shoujo, it's understandable.
* In Otomen Tachibana Juuta writes sparkly romance shoujo manga under the penname <NAME>, and refuses to disclose his real identity even though the manga is hugely popular, because he's afraid readers wouldn't take well to their shoujo manga being written by a man. He goes as far as crossdressing whenever he needs to appear as Sachihana.
* There's also his (Tachibana Juuta's) favorite mangaka, Mira-sensei (short for "Mirage") who dresses, speaks and behaves like a classic '70s shoujo manga character, for the same reason as Juuta. His motto is "Because we're professionals!"
* In Himitsu No Hanazono the four brothers work under one female name to publish their shoujo manga.
Which all are male mangaka pretending to be female for their shoujo manga. And in this [list](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_comics_creators#Japanese_manga) are female mangaka, and you can notice some created shounen manga. If there are some of them who pretended to be male, then it should have been stated there because it's a must-know.
*Why none?*
According [here](http://womenincomics.wikia.com/wiki/History_of_Women_in_Manga), female mangaka were greatly accepted so I think there is no need for them to use pen names to hide their true identity, either for the reason of having their shounen manga accepted or the reasons you mentioned above. And there exists a lot of female mangaka who created/creating shounen manga.
>
> Later popular artists include the highly prolific and successful
> <NAME> and rising star <NAME> (both drawing primarily
> shonen stories for boys) as well as the female collective CLAMP.
>
>
>
Furthermore, I think male mangaka receives more discrimination for writing shoujo manga than female mangaka writing shounen manga. It's much like the discrimination when females are okay to hold hands with females (most will think that they are best friends) while males holding hands with males are.. not so acceptable. If you know what I mean. :P
Well, the links I provided might not be complete or I might be wrong (forgive me) so I'll just update this answer if I find something. As of now, this will be my answer.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The creator of *Full Metal Alchemist*, <NAME> pretended to be a male for a while as she was worried her being a female would give her less credit and readers. She originally called herself Edmund (or Edmond) Arakawa. Then changed her alias to something similar to her real name but masculine, <NAME>.
Besides being afraid that fewer people would read her shounen works if they knew she was a woman, she is also allegedly very camera shy and there aren't a lot of photos of her online and she tends to draw herself as a human with a cow head and avoids interviews.
I'm not sure if there are any other examples of this though however I wouldn't be surprised.
A lot of the female manga authors who make popular works typically make it with male leads though and I think there are various obvious reasons there.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/26 | 1,008 | 3,592 | <issue_start>username_0: How did it get so popular in otaku subculture?
What is the name of the proper name for name tag that's commonly found on female school swimwear? Sometimes it just says the name, sometimes just the class number, and other times both. What significance does it play both in-universe and in real life?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qPGL1.png)<issue_comment>username_1: It's a bit difficult to find the name, though using the word from the Japanese Wikipedia page, it seems to be this: 名札.
To summarize the [Japanese Wikipedia](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%93%E6%93%8D%E7%9D%80) page on gym clothes:
It seems like there are two reasons to have these name tags. The first reason is for identification for emergency response. If a student is injured while exercising or, in this case, has a problem while swimming, they can be quickly and easily identified. Also, it allows for identification both to help people keep their clothing straight and to be identifiable to the teachers/other students in the class.
This is corroborated as well in the German Wikipedia page on [mizugi](http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_Mizugi), or Japanese swim-wear, where it states that the name-tags help teachers identify their students because identification is otherwise difficult due to the swim-caps.
The reason for it being so popular with otaku subculture is likely just that swimsuits in general are popular, and this is just one aspect of it. Additionally, they are used in schools primarily, so they likely show an aspect of innocence that is also popular.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: What is it called?
==================
There doesn't seem to be a separate name for that kind of school swimsuit, but the the part with name and class written on it can be called either ゼッケン (zekken, literally meaning cloth) or 名札 (nafuda, literally meaning name tag).
Why is it popular?
==================
I don't think there's a definitive or objective way to answer why school swimsuits are so popular in anime, but here are translations of some of the possibilities mentioned in various answers to [a very similar Yahoo Chiebukuro question](http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1189881196):
* It's easier to draw everyone in school swimsuits than to make up a swimsuit design for each character
* They make the character seem younger, inferior, and/or weaker
* They expose some skin and show off a character's body while still seeming immature
* It's moe (see related question: [What does 'moe' mean?](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/894/what-does-moe-mean))
* They have a simple design which is appealing
* Lolicons prefer school swimsuits, and it's easier to please all of lolicons with school swimsuits than to attempt to please all the other groups with widely varying preferences
What is its purpose?
====================
From the [Japanese Wikipedia article for gym uniforms](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%93%E6%93%8D%E7%9D%80#.E3.82.BC.E3.83.83.E3.82.B1.E3.83.B3), which typically also include the same patch with a student's name:
>
> In order to manage students and in the event of an accident while
> exercising, the student's name, class, attendance number (similar to
> an ID number), etc. are filled out on a white cloth name tag that is
> sewn or embroidered onto the clothing.
>
>
>
There was no relevant information in the article specifically for school swimsuits which is why I used the article for gym uniforms in general.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/26 | 556 | 1,882 | <issue_start>username_0: On youtube and elsewhere it's frequent to find "MAD" video, a sort of Anime Music Video (AMV) composed by anime sequences on a music track. Are MAD and AMV synonyms? If not, how these differ from each other and what MAD means?<issue_comment>username_1: MAD are probably refer to a broader classification of AMV from Japan.
According to the [Nico Nico Pedia](http://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/mad):
MAD refers to video and/or audio created by editing and rearranging existing video or audio, to give it new meaning. Basically, they are derivative, fan creations.
The name is [probably derived](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/mad) from "MAD Tapes" from [the 80s-90s](http://web.archive.org/web/20050212172315/web.ics.purdue.edu/~milliken/anime/mad.html) which was the fad in which people uses cassette tapes and mess around with the audio. The acronym for MAD predates the popular usage of the term "anime."
MAD can be used to describe the the Japanese underground media community. However, MADs can be mush-ups of anything from audio clips, edited pictures, to wholly originally created content (e.g. custom animation). While not all MADs are associated anime or manga, most of the more popular ones typically are.
AMVs on the other hand typically describe the American media subculture of editing bits of anime with music, though similar in content the scope tends to differ.
Lets compare this AMV: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9dHD1JvUXo>
to this MAD: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRHItX-zQCo>
The MAD mashes up a lot more custom together compared to the clips in the AMV.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I think MAD and AMV is one. MAD is shorted for "music anime douga", similar to "anime music video" aka AMV. There's lots of pages saying that these two are actually one kind of fan-made video, too.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/28 | 672 | 2,470 | <issue_start>username_0: On the first episode of *Sword Art Online* we know about a microwaves device installed on the helmet. We learn that this device can damage to death the user's brain removing the limiter. Unplugging the device causes the battery to activate as fallback, using the remaining power on the battery to damage the brain of the user.
The main device of a today microwave oven is [magnetron](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavity_magnetron), I cannot find any example of a magnetron consuming less than 1kWh as now (I accept correction), emitting more than 600W in microwaves. As of current technology, can a portable battery provide enough power to burn a brain? Are there more details about this issue described later in the anime or in the novels?<issue_comment>username_1: Lets say the magnetron indeed has a power requirement of 1kW (I never tried, so I might be off with this value and 1kW is not enough to burn a brain. On the other hand, I guess it also depends on the duration the magnetron is turned on.)
Lets also say a mobile(-ish) battery of 50V is used (I do have to pick some value, right).
[P = V \* I](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power) , so it would draw 1000W / 50V = 20A.
Now, lets say a brain is fried in 1 minute (maybe this assumption is too high: if it takes too long the 'immediate dying' effect would be gone? Although some agony is a pro in the eyes of an evil mastermind)
So [this battery](http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=106) for example (disclaimer: first one I found; I do not own stock for this company) seems to be sufficient. As it should be able to power it for about 1 hour (19.5Ah)...
It is a bit heavy with its 8.8kg, but we do probably not need power for one hours, so a smaller battery should be sufficient, weighing a lot less.
---
So in short the answer is (with these crude estimates and calculations): Yes it is possible to power a (mobile-ish, the magnetron you linked to did not look too mobile as well) device with our current technology.
I did not read the manga or anime, but I guess the complete system needs to be scaled down to match the description and fit in a helmet...
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: In light novels there is no "infinite batteries". Kayaba says "You will die if you're unplugged from the electricity or the internet for more than 10 minutes". Infinite battery thing is made by anime productors.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/29 | 391 | 1,218 | <issue_start>username_0: What is that manga that is set in the 17th century about a small boy who has a sword from his deceased old man that only he can open when he's angry? The sword is longer than his body.
And he's all about revenge and the manga is often about war tactic or strategy...
Chosen people have star marks on their bodies and that boy is one of the star-marked people...<issue_comment>username_1: You're looking for *[Hero Tales](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_Tales)* aka *Juushin Enbu.* There's also a 26 episode anime adaptation of it.
From [ANN](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8281):
>
> Set in a time of chaos, seven heroes of the Stars, the Hokushintenkun, rise up to lead the people. Two of the seven, the Nitenshinson, the Hagun and the Tanrou, are never supposed to exist at the same time, but fate has decided otherwise. Taito, chosen as the Hagun, now must rise up to defeat the Tanrou, as the fate of the Stars destined it to be.
>
>
>

Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: I am kind of sure you mean Juushin enbu. Its by the same mangaka as full metal Alchemist with the same kind of art.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/05/29 | 945 | 3,025 | <issue_start>username_0: Before the Allied Shinobi Forces HQ was
>
> destroyed and scene goes to the Four Hokages with Sasuke, Orochimaru and the others,
>
>
>
was there is a strategy from Nara to be executed. If so, what is this strategy?
As I remember when the scene goes back to the war,
>
> Naruto and others have difficulty fighting against Madara and Tobi with no any sign of Nara's strategy.
>
>
><issue_comment>username_1: It is clear that you are not up-to-date with the manga, so I'll put the answer in a spoiler block.
>
> Shikaku figured out how the chakra of the Nine Tailed Fox can be shared with other shinobis, giving them extra power, so that they can provide better backup to the main warriors.
>
>
>
Note: This is only an abridged version of the entire plan. The plan in action starts from chapter 614 of the manga, and then the next instance is in the last page of ch 615. Finally ch 616 shows it all.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Nara's strategy had four components:
1. Shinobi Alliance create distractions
2. Naruto powering shinobi up with chakra
3. Locking down the Juubi with the Shika Ino Chouji combo
4. The entire Alliance will attack full force at the Juubi
Naruto comes into communication with Shikaku here, as he shares his great Nara Plan. He also stated that he has told the entire alliance his plan already. However, the entirety of the plan is not revealed to the reader just yet. What they are discussing in this chapter is simply creating the distraction.
<http://www.mangainn.com/manga/chapter/95742_naruto-chapter-612/page_9>
Phase 2 of the plan begins here as Naruto starts to transfer his chakra to the Shinobi Alliance.
<http://www.mangainn.com/manga/chapter/96726_naruto-chapter-615/page_20>
Then phase 3 begins. Chouji is the front line tank along with many others. Ino uses her jutsu to take control of Obito and slightly throw off the Juubi's attacks. And Shikamaru and his clan use the shadowbinding technique on the Juubi. Also note that Shikamaru suspects that something may go wrong with this strategy and (in the flashback) Shikaku basically tells Shikamaru he is going to have to make that decision when the time comes.
<http://www.mangainn.com/manga/chapter/97954_naruto-chapter-616/page_13>
Phase 4 commences and the Alliance begins their attack.
<http://www.mangainn.com/manga/chapter/98410_naruto-chapter-617/page_8>
That pretty much sums everything up about Nara's strategy. The only problem was that it didn't work. Obito, Madara, and the Juubi are too strong to be taken down by the current Shinobi Alliance. That's when Minato shows up, followed by the other Kages and Sasuke and then everything changes again.
---
Additional proof Shikaku understood the Kyuubi's chakra transfering ability.
<http://www.mangainn.com/manga/chapter/97954_naruto-chapter-616/page_8>
Shikaku first learned of it from Kakashi's experience here.
<http://www.mangainn.com/manga/chapter/98410_naruto-chapter-617/page_5>
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2013/05/29 | 387 | 1,427 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm just wondering if one of them (Naruto and Sasuke) becomes Hokage, is he promoted from Genin rank directly to Hokage?<issue_comment>username_1: While I am not 100% sure about the transition from Genin to Kage, I do know that Gaara was at most a Chuunin before becoming the Kazekage. So, it would seem that a jump in ranks would be justified under special conditions of ability.
In any case, why should there be a need for a direct promotion? If Naruto (or Sasuke I guess) has plans to become Hokage, it does not mean that they have an intention to skip the transitions between ranks (although I'm sure there would be some sort of allowance for them to "test out").
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Yes, they can.
The rank 'Genin' is usually associated with ninjas which just started out in the ninja academy or as a derogatory term for ninjas with no talent in ninjutsu.
However, Sasuke and Naruto have advanced beyond leaps and bounds. Especially now they have received the blessing *we all already knew they had* directly from The Sage of the Six Paths.
So yes, I think they can be upgraded from Genin (if they are still perceived as such) to Hokage.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: Well because Naruto is already hokage I guess you can jump from ranks because he has been a genin this whole time because he lost against konohomaru in the chuunin exams
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/05/30 | 706 | 2,341 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there a (Japanese) cultural term for reverse-tsundere-type or two-faced characters who are sweet on the outside, but mean people on the inside. Like Kanako from *Oreimo* and Akira from *Lucky Star*?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FOSov.png)
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/GKV3Y.jpg)<issue_comment>username_1: Actually, the term is still *tsundere*.
>
> The word is derived from the terms tsun tsun (ツンツン), meaning to turn away in disgust, and dere dere (デレデレ) meaning to become 'lovey dovey'.
>
>
> — [*Tsundere*, Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsundere)
>
>
>
There are, then, two types of *tsundere*: *Tsun* (Type A), and *Dere* (Type B).
**Type A**, also known as **harsh**, is what we typically consider *tsundere*; they are typically angry, mean, or pessimistic on the outside, but have a sweet side that they reveal to characters they like (or in other similar situations).
**Type B**, also known as **sweet**, is the reverse of Type A. These characters are typically sweet and kind on the outside, but have a hidden meanness inside of themselves that they sometimes unleash, usually in a response similar to that of Type A.
Originally, the term seemed to refer to Type A only, but has expanded over the years:
>
> The term was originally used to describe characters who began with a harsh outgoing personality, but slowly revealed a soft and vulnerable interior over time. Over the years the character archetype has become flanderized, and is now generically associated with a character who flips between the two emotional states at the slightest provocation.
>
>
> — [*Tsundere*, TVTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Tsundere)
>
>
>
So, it seems the way the word *tsundere* is structured, it can have either *tsun* as the default mood, or *dere*, meaning it can be used to describe either variation of a character. In your case, though, you're looking for a "Type B *Tsundere*".
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Instead of *tsundere*, it's *haraguro* (腹黒).
It means a character who is "two-faced", acts nice but vicious with certain people or in secret.
Example of haraguro character: Maki from Seto no Hanayome.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/31 | 999 | 3,767 | <issue_start>username_0: Hikaru makes Sai play Go over internet with the nickname "Sai". Sai is very powerful, and defeats everybody, even Meijin.
I don't know how to play Go very well, but I perceive that a computer algorithm that plays Go can be written easily. And I believe that there must be a lot of Go bots all over the real world currently.
Why doesn't anybody consider the probability that Sai could be a computer bot? I'm very surprised that it is not mentioned even once during the entire series. Is there a reason for this?<issue_comment>username_1: Firstly, the manga was released in 1998 which was just about when the Internet was exploding all across the world and the dot-com bubble taking shape. Similarly, the off-the-shelf hardware available at the time was a shadow (think 300 MHz Pentiums) of what is available now. Things were far different back then than they are now.
Secondly, while it might be possible for computer algorithms that play Go to be written reasonably easily, algorithms that seemingly play Go *well* is exponentially complex. If you consider [Deep Blue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Blue_%28chess_computer%29), the chess engine that beat Kasparov 2-1 (out of six games played) in 1997, it used racks of cutting edge hardware calculating 200 *million* positions a second, and intricately tuned software specifically built for the purpose by IBM. It didn't exactly overpower him. In terms of board size, possible moves and combinations, Go is far more complex and demanding than chess and it would have been extremely unlikely for any 1998 desktop software to be able to match Go grandmasters of the time.
Lastly, incorporating cheating and other negative elements of real life was unnecessary to the story and would have hamstrung one of the objectives of the manga, that being the aim to popularise the game of Go.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: What follows is not a real answer (I believe the accepted answer is correct), but more an interesting side note.
Sai played go on internet. But Sai is a purely fictional manga character.
However, in 2003 - 2004 on a real go server (KGS), a strong opponent appeared and had a 100% win ratio. He won also against some professional players. His name was "Tartrate".
Actually, after some time he lost a few games, but these losses were on time, or occurred during simultaneous games. Note that KGS is not really a "strong" server, so that even if the best players on KGS are professional, they are not the best professional players. But still, Tartrate managed to get an impressive winning streak.
The identity of Tartrate was kept secret, and actually it was only revealed in 2009. So at that time (2003 - 2004 and later until 2009) many players wondered who he could really be. There were many gossips and a [web page](http://senseis.xmp.net/?Tartrate) was created in order to figure out what could Tartrate's real identity be.
Some people even claimed he was Sai (more as a joke than a real hypothesis).
Nobody would believe (seriously) this user was a computer bot. The reason is that at that time the best bots were still at kyu level.
Even today (June 2013), the best bots are at 4 dan or 5 dan amateur level (which is still weaker than an average insei for example).
Also, another interesting anecdote on this topic is "the shodan bet". An amateur player ranked first kyu made a bet of 1000$ with a friend that he would not be beaten by a computer player before 2011. He had to play a series of games against a computer in 2010 and won the bet. However, in 2012 (after the bet deadline), he lost 3-1 against another computer.
The [web page](http://dcook.org/gobet/) about this bet gives some information about computer bots.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/05/31 | 2,355 | 9,675 | <issue_start>username_0: To be honest, I’m mostly interested in <NAME>’s films (My Neighbor Totoro, <NAME>, Ponyo). They aren’t available on Netflix, iTunes, the PS3 or Xbox VOD services despite other Disney-owned movies (Pixar movies for example) being available there. Has Disney ever put any of Ghibli's films in any digital distribution service?<issue_comment>username_1: For whatever reason, Disney seems to prefer more traditional distribution methods. Going to Disney's [Studio Ghibli](http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/studio-ghibli.html) page, I could not find any information on purchasing these in any digital format. All of the links they had were to purchase physical DVDs or Blu-rays. If they were selling it in a digital format officially, I imagine they would have included that on the website.
As for streaming services, you've listed most of the relevant ones, which probably means it isn't being streamed anywhere legally. I know for a fact that Ponyo was available at one point for streaming through Netflix, but what movies these services offer can vary on a day-to-day basis. I can't tell if any of them are available for streaming at the moment, but even if they are, it would likely change in the near future anyway, so your best bet is just to check with whatever services you do use and see if they have it. If not, your only legal option (at the moment) is to buy the DVD/Blu-ray.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I have discovered that its the 'Japanese arm of studio Ghibli' that is withholding the digit oral distribution rights and bans any company or studio from selling or renting the Ghibli films in digital format. But what they gain by doing that is a still anyone's guess. :-/
Truthfully no one knows why they won't release the films digitally. I've had no luck in trying to contact Ghibli, Disney who do the American dubbing and distribution, or StudioCanal who now do the UK distribution.
The simple answer is you can't buy them anywhere and the only way to get hold of them is to rip a digital file from the DVD or Bluray, if you have the know how to do that, or get the films illegally from Internet torrents which no one wants to do as a general rule, given that its fiddly, time consuming, unreliable and illegal. Presumably, there's some complicated licensing issue at stake or perhaps one of the investors has some vested interest in Bluray or DVD distribution that they need to protect, but it's all guesswork and conjecture unless someone can find an explanation or actually get a response from one of the companies on the matter.
I'm just a Miyazaki fan like any other and am always frustrated by this when I periodically try and hunt for any of the films to buy so I message them on their UK Facebook page intermittently to try and get their attention on the matter, though again I've never had a personal reply to any message I've sent, nor to any queries I've sent directly to the studios. But I did start a petition the other day on change.org and sent it out into the net just to see how much attention it gets as I'd be curious to know if there's many other people looking for these films online or if I'm just a frustrated minority.
The petition is connected to Disney and StudioCanal who seem, according to Google searches, to be the studios currently controlling the western distribution rights. Whether there are other companies imposing the restrictions from elsewhere, it's hard to tell but Disney and StudioCanal are the ones losing profits by not selling the films and so if enough people post on their Facebook page, email other studios and sign petitions like the one I've started, then eventually the studios might start thinking there's enough interest in the films that its worth resolving whatever issues are preventing their digital distribution and releasing them. They're the ones who have the power to change things and resolve whatever problems are holding the films back so if they can be made to see they are encouraging piracy of films they hold the rights to by refusing to sell them and thus losing out on millions in revenue from those lost sales then logic would suggest that eventually they've got to see reason and fight whatever is preventing them from releasing these films. Holding them back must be losing them money from lost sales and encouraging piracy to boot as that's the only way to get the films at the minute so presumably there must be a huge legal, financial or contractual obstruction in the way that is preventing the films being distributed and knowing exactly which studio or company is responsible for the restriction is nearly impossible but with enough consumer interest and consumer complaints they must eventually relent and resolve the issue.
For now the only solution to this problem, apart from reverting to DVDs and Blurays, seems to be pirating the films illegally (far from ideal or advisable for many obvious reasons but as absurd as it may seem that is the only option people are being offered currently) or alternatively the only other option is contacting and pleading 'en mass' with the studios involved to request the release of the film. My humble attempt to write a petition is below and states the frustration of not being allowed to legally buy films and being forced to pirate or go without and the logic of releasing the films digitally and pleads with the studios to release them.
Anyone out there who wants to see these films released, I'd encourage you to consider signing it or even starting your own petition if you believe you have found a better platform to launch one from or a more direct line to the correct studio or person that hold the decision on releasing these films or not. But also reply on this post or others if you find out any further information on why the films aren't available or who is responsible for their restriction.
The best educated guess is what's already been stated in previous answers, that the studios (Disney and StudioCanal it seems but there may be other Japanese studios in loved in the matter too) may (and this is purely guesswork) have a financial investment in Bluray or DVD so don't want to support the (perhaps less profitable?) digital distribution of the films. If this is the case then the way to reverse their decision would be to convince them that they have more to lose by not selling the films digitally than to gain by only selling physical discs.
If they think people are buying the discs because they're not sold digitally then they will never release the films but if they get the message that people are choosing to pirate the films instead of buying he discs then they might realise that it's in their interest to sell the films online digitally. A popular misconception is that video piracy exists because people don't want to pay but the emergence of iTunes and Netflix, et al has shown a huge drop in piracy, suggesting that people are quite happy to pay if the price is right and the service is easy to use so far from piracy being held in place by copy protection and legislation it would seem its actually prevented by offering consumers an easy affordable alternative.
That is the message that the studios need to hear from their customers in order to convince them that wide digital distribution of films is the only solution to preventing piracy. For the moment they may still see Blurays and DVDs as more profitable but until the scales tip completely over to digital streaming sales the only way to make your voice heard is to speak up to the studios. If enough voices are heard they will listen. They have no way if knowing how many people are refusing to buy physical discs or have already bought discs but would be willing to buy digital versions too if only they were available so the only way of them knowing that is if consumers speak up. This isn't an answer to where you can buy the films in the short term but hopefully it may be part of the solution to ensuring people can buy the films in the long run.
[Join the campaign to make the films available on change.org](https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/studio-canal-disney-studio-ghibli-release-studio-ghibli-films-on-digital-streaming-download-formats?share_id=BcDWDwKUad&utm_campaign=twitter_link&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition)
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: If you live in Italy, since the 8 November plenty of Studio Ghibli features are available on Infinity, the new streaming service from Mr. Berlusconi's Mediaset:
<http://www.infinitytv.it/>
As I live in the UK, I cannot subscribe that service, but apparently they may even allow you to download the features on mobile devices.
The Infinity TV blog dedicated a recent entry to Miyazaki:
<http://blog.infinitytv.it/talk/miyazaki-filmografia/>
If Studio Ghibli allows that in Italy, I would imagine is merely a matter of providers for other territories not being able to match its commercial demands.
While anime in Italy is not as big as in Japan, it is way bigger and popular among the general audience than in USA or in UK, so new challengers on the digital market arena such as Infinity TV are probably getting a larger incentive on matching the requests of the Japanese film studio or of its distributors.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: There are some titles in the UK iTunes store, like [The Castle of Cagliostro](https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/the-castle-of-cagliostro/id914600854?ign-mpt=uo%3D4) or [Grave of the Fireflies](https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/grave-of-the-fireflies-1988/id917750274?ign-mpt=uo%3D4). Not so much, but is something.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/01 | 488 | 1,580 | <issue_start>username_0: 
In 'Nana', Nana(the singer) has a tattoo of a lotus flower on her arm.
The lotus flower shares the same Kanji as 'Ren' , Nana's boyfriend.
Flowers are used quite a bit in symbolism in media, Is there any further significance to this choice of flower aside from the similar names?<issue_comment>username_1: As @j\_\_m mentioned, There's probably no more meaning to the name 'Ren' than meets the eye, but reading into it, Lotus flowers can symbolize several things that could be linked to their relationship:
* The Egyptians believed the lotus was a symbol of Rebirth, Life and Death
>
> In the final chapters of the manga, Their relationship is cut short by Ren's sudden death
>
>
>
* Buddhism associates the flower with loyalty and faithfullness
>
> Even though they separate, Ren and Nana return to each other. Ren's lock necklace is a symbol of loyalty also.
>
>
>
* Also, Red lotus flowers can be a symbol of love and harmony
[Ref1](http://www.lotusflowermeaning.net) [Ref2](http://exotic-arts-gallery.com/pages/Lotus-Flower-Meaning.html)
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The name Ren also means lotus. Nana Komatsu in the dubbed version says, "Nana had a tattoo of a red lotus on her arm, a lotus also known as a Ren flower. At the time I had no idea what that tattoo meant to her"
It is obvious that the tattoo refers to him and is a response to the chain Nana put around Ren's neck as they joked about Ren being Sid Vicious and Nana being his Nancy.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/06/02 | 266 | 943 | <issue_start>username_0: Usui wears glasses when he is at home, but at school he doesn't wear them. Hence, either he is wearing contacts at school, or he doesn't really need vision aid but he likes wearing glasses at home for some reason. Why does he choose to wear glasses at home, but not at school?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qYhVc.png)<issue_comment>username_1: Usui-kun, wears contacts at school and glasses at home. Most probably, this shows how Usui is different from school and from the comfort of his own home. Revealing the real Usui when he is out of everyone's sight. ^^
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: In the question/answer segments <NAME> sometimes adds at the ends of chapters, Usui said that he thinks he has 20/100 vision in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. It was also confirmed he wore contacts at school.
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/06/02 | 567 | 1,958 | <issue_start>username_0: Before the openings in *Date A Live*, the narrator reads some epic-sounding text which is somewhat related to the content of the episode. In most cases it's been easy to understand, but the text from episode 9 is ambiguous. Here's the translation from [Funimation's stream of the episode](http://www.funimation.com/date-a-live/episode/frenzied-nightmare/sub), this dialogue starts at 1:30:
>
> "It" is something all things are given.
>
>
> "It" can not be bought.
>
>
> People often waste "it,"
>
>
> hold "it" dear,
>
>
> and chase after "it."
>
>
> What... is "it"?
>
>
>
What is this "it" that she is talking about, and what does it have to do with the plot of the series?<issue_comment>username_1: I am not very confident about my Japanese to argue about the correctness of the translation. However, it is quite clear from the context of the episode that the riddle is referring to **Time**, and **Time** fits quite well to the first 3 lines of the riddle (where there is no confusion in translation).
This is the episode where the *ability* of **Tokisaki Kurumi** (時崎 狂三), the third Spirit, is revealed.
>
> And as shown in episode 9, Kurumi has the ability to manipulate time. She can summon herself from different time axes, and this is the reason why she can cheat death as shown in episode 8 to 10. Episode 9 and episode 10 display her angel's abilities: rewind time on an object, temporarily freeze time on an object, and instant movement. However, every time she uses the angel's ability, it consumes a bit of her life (time) as indicated by the clock face on her left eye. Therefore, it is necessary for her to consume time from other sources to refill hers, as explained in episode 9.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: it's obviously "life"
& it's related to the episode since AST members doesn't care to waste their own life to take the life out of spirits.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/02 | 1,089 | 3,881 | <issue_start>username_0: In episode 47 (12:08) of *Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood*, general Grumman's thoughts about a leadership position in Central are made audible to the viewer:
>
> *Miles*: And what about the plan, sir? Aren't you going to proceed to central?
>
>
> *Grumman*: I don't seem to have much choice. I suppose I'll just have to let <NAME> have the biggest slice of Central pie.
>
>
> *Grumman (thinking)*: Bradley's current administration will still be properly functioning at this point in time. If <NAME> or General Armstrong try to make their move now, every soldier in Central will be ordered to retrieve their treasonous heads. And once they're captured, I'll step in to restore order. **They'll take the fall as enemies of the state, while General Grumman will heroically come riding in on a white horse.** I'll let the youngsters dive head-first into danger and do all the dirty work, and then I'll take my rightful place as leader of this country without any risk.
>
>
>
During the bolded part of his speech above, a lamp is shown with a few insects—which appear to be moths—hovering around it. One unfortunate insect flies into the lamp and is burned to death.

This seems like an odd thing to show during such a speech, which leads me to believe it might have a deeper meaning. Does this lamp scenario or the moth's death symbolize anything?<issue_comment>username_1: I don't know if this story was the basis of the appearance of the moth but I know a story about it from our country Philippines. I don't know if this story is already known around the world but it was a story told by the mother of our national hero <NAME>.
>
> It was <NAME>'s Mother who told him about the story of the moth. One night, her mother noticed that Rizal was not paying anymore
> attention to what she is saying. As she was staring at Rizal, he then
> was staring at the moth flying around the lamp. She then told Rizal
> about the story related to it.
>
>
> There was a Mother and son Moth flying around the light of a candle.
> The Mother moth told her son not to go near the light because that was
> a fire and it could kill him easily. The son agreed. But he thought to
> himself that his mother was selfish because she doesn't want him to
> experience the kind of warmth that the light had given her. Then the
> son moth flew nearer. Soon, the wind blew the light of the candle and
> it reached the wings of the son moth and he died.
>
>
> Rizal's mother told him that if the son moth only listened to what his
> Mother said, then he wouldn't be killed by that fire. ([source](http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Jose_Rizal_and_the_moth_anecdote))
>
>
>
The relevance I can see between the quote and the symbolism of the moth is (if this story was *really* the basis of the symbolism), probably, Grumman was comparing himself to the mother moth and the soldiers to the son moth who didn't listen to him so they'll be like that moth who'll burn themselves.
Note: This is purely based on my opinion.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I believe this refers to the saying "like a moth to a flame".
The saying indicates that something/someone is irresistibly attractive (not necessarily as in human attraction), but that it will ultimately lead to downfall. Remember, at the end, the flame engulfs the moth, and it dies.
So, Bradley and Mustang are fighting for peace/freedom/a good future. They themselves believe that they cannot stay away from the fight, as it must be done in order to achieve their goals. Yet still, the path they take is being predicted and taken advantage of, which, in the eyes of Grumman, will lead to their downfall.
So, the metaphor with the moth is used in a perfectly valid manner.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2013/06/03 | 1,328 | 4,994 | <issue_start>username_0: Many anime available are broadcasted very late in Japan. [Few examples](http://www.mahou.org/Showtime/?o=ET):
* Photokano, 1:58 AM
* Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties, 1:35 AM
* Chihayafuru 2, 1:53 AM
Why are anime often aired at night in Japan even though they get better timeslots when exported to other countries? When did TV stations start to broadcast anime late at night, and is there a specific reason behind this?<issue_comment>username_1: It's partly a matter of targeting specific audiences. Depending on what time a show broadcasts at, you can tell roughly what their target audience is.
Plenty of anime are broadcast in the morning. From this season, Danchi Tomoo airs at 9:30, Dokidoki! Precure at 8:30, Toriko at 9:00, One Piece at 9:30, Uchuu Kyoudai at 7:00. These are mostly shows which are aimed at younger children. Those also all air on weekends. There are some early morning anime which air on weekdays as well, but typically they air before school hours begin.
There is also some anime which broadcasts in the evening. These are generally programs which would be appropriate for a family to watch together or for older children/teenagers to watch on their own. Some examples of this from this season are Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 (5:30 p.m.), Train Heros (5:30 p.m.), Doraemon (7:00 p.m.), and Yuugiou! Zexal II (7:30 p.m.).
Late night anime are typically those which are targeting a mostly adult fanbase. In many (but not all) cases they aren't appropriate for younger viewers. Even if they are, they wouldn't be interesting to those viewers. At least in principle, the broadcast time is late at night so that children won't accidentally tune in while adults can still watch it or record it. Late at night, TV stations do not enforce broadcast restrictions as strictly as during primetime hours. Late-night anime thus has the connotation of having a lot of fanservice and moe, though that isn't always the case. For many of the shows, like Chihayafuru, it would probably be fine to show it in the evening, but since there are already established time blocks for showing anime, sometimes shows like that get shown as late-night anime anyway.
---
It's also true that most late-night slots are usually (though not always) purchased from the TV station by the production company directly. Since this doesn't require external sponsors, and because it's cheaper airtime, it's typically easier to get a late-night slot than a primetime slot, so this has become the default for a majority of anime which are not aimed at children. This is done essentially as a form of advertising for the final product (DVDs). Incidentally, this is also the reason why most anime production companies are gladly willing to sell rights to simulcast for next-to-nothing, because it serves as advertisement outside Japan, but DVD licensing rights are expensive (because the DVD is the final product and the way which they expect to make money).
Late night anime slots have existed on-and-off since the 1960s (one of the earliest being *<NAME>* from 1963-1964), but the first really successful series was *Those Who Hunt Elves* in 1997. This was also at the start of an anime boom, and rather than trying to expand in the daytime, many new anime series opted to follow this and go for night slots. In recent years, this has become the default method for broadcasting anime, and a majority of anime are broadcast in late-night slots. Occasionally, some of those which are particularly popular will get rebroadcast in other time slots.
As for why late-night series in other countries sometimes get better slots than in Japan, it's likely because of the different business model. In Japan, late-night TV are essentially advertisements for DVDs. They are not aimed at being profitable on their own. In most other countries, there is a much smaller supply of anime broadcast (some of which was broadcast late-night in Japan), and it is often sponsored or on pay-to-view channels. Hence, they can afford to broadcast a lot of anime during the day because of less competition and better sponsorship.
[English Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_night_anime) has some more information, though the article is poorly sourced and out-of-date. [Japanese Wikipedia](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B7%B1%E5%A4%9C%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1) is a little bit better and more in-depth, but still has sourcing issues.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: It's cultural. In Japan, anime is not limited to children or teens, and that trend is also growing here in the US. However, in Japan, many families watch the programs together. There is also the fact that the Japanese attend school until much later than we do and many have after hours clubs, activities or cram school.
You may have noticed that in many Anime high school students are not on the way home until around or after sunset. When you consider those factors it all makes sense.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/06/03 | 596 | 1,903 | <issue_start>username_0: <NAME>'s room is often portrayed in the ALO arc of Sword Art Online.
When Suguya is in her room, some stuffed toys are visible in the background.


Penguins resemble those from [Mawaru Penguindrum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguindrum), even available as stuffed toys:

However, the animation studio is different and the link between the two shows is not clear to me.
What are these stuffed toys? Are these a citation of other anime or universes related to Sword Art Online production?<issue_comment>username_1: There's nothing special about them, they are just random animal plush as such thing are popular toys for kids. Stuffed animals are often shaped as people's favorite animals and such things.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_2: I'd say the cat-looking things in front are a type of nesting doll (matryoshka doll). Specifically this:
*From <http://bobobabushka.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/lucky-new-year/>*

The Penguins themselves might be a generic penguin plush toy. Remember that people keep all sorts of things in their bedrooms, and wouldn't display anything they didn't find visually appealing. Plush toys are considered cute.
In the first image, the dog-like stuffed animals are Capybara-san. This is also a cute thing.
If you want to make a connection. Capybara-san and Mawaru Penguindrum are toys put out by Banpresto, who also puts out SAO figurines.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Those cat-like dolls kinda looks like Kapibarasan. A doll popular in Japan. I have one as well and the salesclerk told me they were Suguha's dolls.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/06/04 | 2,239 | 5,913 | <issue_start>username_0: I know *of* the [time notation](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OtakuOClock) for some anime—between 22:00-27:00. I know that this indicates that the show airs at a particular time, and likely targets a particular audience.
Why would this notation be used, and be preferred over a more traditional 24-hour format?<issue_comment>username_1: This is a hypothesis: The time goes beyond 24 hours in order to make it easier for the viewers to identify which day of the week they should stay up late to watch the show. For example, "*Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties* is aired on **Monday 25:35**" informs the viewers that they need to stay up late on Monday.
If we write in standard 24 hours format **Tuesday 01:35**, it may cause some confusions:
* Is the show aired at 01:35 in the afternoon, or some hours past midnight?
* Some people only take note of the day of the week, but not the time: "Since it is on Tuesdays, there is no reason to stay up late on Monday".
In Japan, [both 24-hour format and 12-hour format are used *in everyday life* activity](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_and_time_notation_in_Japan#Time). Therefore, a time without any indication of the period of the day such as **Tuesday 01:35** might be confusing. The confusion may also be partly attributed to the cultural perception about the hours of darkness.
Quoting the Wikipedia article1 (emphasis mine):
1 The Wikipedia article lacks citation, though.
>
> Times past midnight can also be counted past the 24 hour mark, usually when the associated activity spans across midnight. For example, bars or clubs may advertise as being open until "26時" (2am). This is partly to avoid any ambiguity (2am versus 2pm), partly because 8the closing time is considered part of the previous business day, and perhaps also ***due to cultural perceptions that the hours of darkness are counted as part of the previous day, rather than dividing the night between one day and the next***.
>
>
>
---
There is another notation that is commonly used, where the day of the week is the day that the viewer has to stay up late, and the time is clamped to 24 hours with some text to clarify the time. Using the same example as above, in this notation, it will be **Monday, late night at 1:35**.
For the purpose of reference, I do a sampling from the anime of Spring 2013 season (late night shows only):
* Beyond 24 hours:
+ [Ore Imo Season 2](http://www.oreimo-anime.com/onair/index.html): チバテレビ4月6日より 毎週土曜 24:30~ 予定
+ [DATE A LIVE](http://date-a-live-anime.com/story/onair.html): TOKYO MX 4月5日より 毎週金曜日 25:30~26:00
+ [Hataraku Maou-sama](http://maousama.jp/oa.html): サンテレビにて 毎週木曜日 26:00~
+ [Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince](http://mjp-anime.jp/17onair/index.html): テレ玉 4月4日より、毎週木曜 25:05~
+ [Kakumeiki Valvrave](http://www.valvrave.com/): 4月11日より 毎週 (木) 25:35 放送開始
+ [To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S](http://www.project-railgun.net/index.html): TOKYO MX 毎週金曜日 24:30~
+ [Shingeki no Kyoujin](http://shingeki.tv/onair/): MBS 4月6日より 毎週土曜 25時58分~
+ [Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Bride](http://www.hyakka-ryoran.tv/onair.html) (it uses both syntax): AT-X リピート放送 (火) 28:30~29:00
+ [Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko](http://www.henneko.jp/onair/index.html): MBS 毎週土曜日 26時28分~
* Clamped to 24 hours, but the day of week is the one before:
+ [Arata Kangatari](http://arata-anime.com/onair/): テレビ東京 2013年4月8日(月)から 毎週(月) 深夜 2時5分~
+ [Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W](http://nyaruko.com/onair/): テレビ東京 4月7日スタート 毎週 (日) 深夜 1:05~
+ [Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties](http://www.hayate-project.com/onair_staffcast/index.html): テレビ東京 4月8日 (月) 深夜 1時35分~
+ [Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge](http://crimeedge.com/#/broadcast): TOKYO MX 4/3 (水) ~ 毎週 (水) 深夜 0時30分~
+ [Karneval](http://karneval-anime.com/onair.html): ABC朝日放送: 4月3日より毎週水曜深夜 2:43~
+ [PhotoKano](http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/photokano/onair/): TBSにて毎週木曜日 深夜 1時58分~ 放送中!
+ [Yondemasuyo! Azazel-san Z](http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/azazel/onair/index.html): TOKYO MX 毎週土曜日 深夜1:00~1:15予定 2013/4/6予定
+ [<NAME>](http://www.hyakka-ryoran.tv/onair.html) (it uses both syntax): TOKYO MX 2013年 4月8日 (月) 深夜 0:30~1:00
+ [Oregairu](http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/oregairu/onair/): TBSにて毎週木曜日 深夜1時28分~ 放送中
The usage of the 2 notations are more or less equally common. We can also observe that it is more common to specify only the starting time, than specifying both starting and ending time. The data might be skewed by the fact that all the shows here are late night shows, and the sample size is quite small (17 shows).
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: From [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24-hour_clock):
>
> Time-of-day notations beyond 24:00 (such as 24:01 or 25:59 instead of 00:01 or 01:59) are not commonly used and not covered by the relevant standards. However, they have been used occasionally in some special contexts in the UK, Japan, Hong Kong and China where business hours extend beyond midnight, such as broadcast-television production and scheduling. They also appear in some public-transport applications, such as Google's General Transit Feed Specification file format or some ticketing systems (e.g., in Copenhagen). This usage prevents a time period reported without dates from appearing to end before its beginning, e.g., 21:00–01:00.
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>
>
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_3: Whist in Japan, I've seen this happen in other places outside of anime. The opening times for one onsen was 18:00 - 20:00 for women, 21:00 - 25:00 for men.
I'm pretty sure it's to avoid the *break* that happens when switching days. It's easy to see that the men's bath is open for 4 hours, but 21:00 - 01:00 isn't so obvious at first glance.
It's also related to waking hours - if you're up at 1:00 it's more likely that you've stayed awake rather than woken up early. In that vein, keeping the same day's hours could potentially be less confusing
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/06/04 | 662 | 2,408 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm just curious if there is any jutsu that would be impossible for Naruto to learn or master without the powers of the Kyuubi inside him?
If there is, which is it and why won't he be able to learn/master it without the Kyuubi? If there's none, then I guess Naruto is actually a smart ninja.<issue_comment>username_1: Well, here are some of the jutsu Naruto probably can't (or will be near impossible) to learn without Kurama:
* Techniques from elements other than Wind - Naruto's natural chakra affinity is towards wind, while he can train in other elements, he probably won't be able to learn some of the other elements. (Actually has nothing to do with the Bijuu, that's kinda what happens to everyone)
* The Bijuu Dama - a Bijuu specific technique (the nuclear-warhead like black sphere).
* It's possible that using Kurama's Yang element chakra (sealed within Naruto), he'll be able to do *something*.
* Tajuu Kage Bunshin - Even though Naruto naturally has massive chakra reserves, he wouldn't be able to make as much copies without the Kyuubi Chakra Pool.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: most of naruto jutsu really on bijuu.
even the rasenshuriken (his only futon jutsu), without kyuubi heal ability, naruto arm would be disabled to cell level after the first try.
If naruto hadn't kyuubi power (strong seal, fully isolate kyuubi from naruto like a high secured living storage scroll) naruto would be a outcast nobody (his strong own chakra level come from the seal convert and mix kyuubi chakra with his own)
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_3: Naruto was able to do multiple shadow clones (thousands of shadow clones) WITHOUT KURAMA or any other natural energy source. This is when he stopped taking karuma's help (Ep 52) and started learning rasenshuriken on his own. I guess most of the guys are getting it wrong here. I understand that kyuubi is the main reason behind his healing but you can't forget the uzumaki clan healing abilities and the level of chakra they possess. Naruto was able to maintain clones without kurama chakra and yamato was there to stop going kurama mode when naruto's chakra is completely depleted. I guess without kurama, Naruto can always learn different jutsus using multiple shadow clones with his OWN massive chakra level (20 years of training in just a week). LETS GIVE NARUTO A LITTLE CREDIT HERE!!
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/04 | 1,554 | 5,690 | <issue_start>username_0: It is known that the *Yomi Yomi no Mi* fruit will only revive its user once, and also that Devil Fruit users can't swim, so I was wondering... **What would happen if Brook falls into the ocean?** I mean, even if he's alive, as a skeleton he has no lungs, so he should just be unable to go back to the surface, shouldn't he?<issue_comment>username_1: He's just a skeleton obviously, so he's not really breathing, however, when his body gets drowned slowly by the seawater, his strength begins to fade away (Chapter 493, page 7):
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/gjb4a.jpg)
And from this scene, I imagine if he falls into the ocean, like all Devil Fruit users, he will be powerless and be unable to resurface unless helped.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: I imagine it would work something like this:
As a Devil Fruit user, he'd be rendered weak by the submersion. But we've also seen instances of Devil Fruit users' powers being somewhat nullified by submersion in seawater (specified since I have no idea if it applies to bath water, pool water, etc.). For example, Luffy was unable to stretch himself in the Arlong Park arc, but his head was still brought above water by third parties. Similarly, in the Enies Lobby arc, Chopper's rampage was stopped when Franky threw him into the sea, transforming him back into little Chopper.
My thought was that since Brook can't drown, as he has no lungs, the fact that he was submersed in seawater would nullify his Devil Fruit power and his soul would leave his body at the bottom of the ocean.
Just a thought.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: [username_2](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/14664/2516) brought up the topic of Luffy when nullified. He did tell his Devil Fruit being nullified underwater but was used by a "third party", so Devil Fruits can still function but the user is paralyzed I think.
So if Brook goes underwater, he doesn't drown because he's breathing nothing literally, so he won't drown. But let's say maybe he's underwater like Luffy. Just like drowning in a dreamlike situation, but he's unconscious like having a battery used 5x faster so it'll be null. But Brook won't die, he'll get unconscious, like "unconscious mode" underwater, so he'll be unconscious only. Even if he ejects his soul in the body because the body is the source of him.
And by Luffy, as his Devil Fruit abilities are still going to be functioning by other people as a third party, well, I don't know about Brook, but he's still having his abilities, but he's like paralyzed.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: Like all Devil Fruit users, Brook won't be able the move if he is fully submerged underwater, that's a fact.
But will he drown? We've seen Jack the Drought Mammoth guy got trapped in the sea floor still alive but unable to swim himself up, waiting for someone to rescue him because he was a fishman-human hybrid. We don't know whether Brook will drown or not because, during Fishman Island, he was wearing an oxygen bubble underwater, meaning he somehow breathed. Otherwise, he wouldn't need it since he was fully submerged in the water anyway (episode 538).
I always theorized that Brook had invisible organs that could not be touched or felt since he eats and poops, and that requires organs to break down his food and give him energy like all living things. If my theory is correct, then Brook will drown underwater.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: As a skeleton, he has no lungs to drown with. As a Devil Fruit user, he cannot move underwater.
You can make theories about how he works all you want, but as far as we've seen, there is no proof that he can die unless you destroy his skeleton. And even then, we've seen him pull his head back on using his spirit.
It is a known fact that skeletons decompose in salt water, it just takes five or ten years to accomplish. However, we've seen Luffy attack people while his limbs are underwater (Fishman arc) using Haki to protect his stretchy arms, so I'd assume that if Brook ever learned full-body (or full-skeleton?) Haki, he could not only survive the ocean but even walk about underwater unharmed. Swimming I doubt, as he has no flesh to move the water out of his way with. But would he survive? Most certainly.
So to sum it up: Brook COULD survive underwater for five or ten years in paralysis, or indefinitely (or as long as Haki lasts) with full-body Busoshoku Haki.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_6: I think you asked this question because you have seen Brook running on water.
No, Brook isn't actually able to drown as he has eaten a Devil Fruit, namely the Revive-Revive Fruit, but he can't die as he is already dead.
As per Brook's statement, when a person who has eaten this particular fruit has died, his soul would have to descend to Earth and find its body to be revived. But Brook happened to die in the Florian Triangle, which was so engulfed in darkness that Brook's spirit had trouble finding the body. And when he finally found it, Brook had already turned into a skeleton.
But we also see that Brook is able to literally "run" on water. This is because he is a very light-weight person. But of he were to stop running, he would immediately sink.
Had Brook's spirit found its body before he became a skeleton, then Brook wouldn't be so light as he is, thus he wouldn't be able to run on water.
So, if he is dropped into the ocean, he can survive by running on the Ocean's surface. But if he is released under the ocean like from a submarine, then he would lose his strength, but we can't say that he would die cus he is already dead.
It was a Skull Joke
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/04 | 997 | 3,590 | <issue_start>username_0: I've only seen bits and pieces of *One Piece*, but I know that Devil Fruit users (people who have eaten a Devil Fruit) can't swim. I never understood why, though. How does this work? It doesn't seem to give arm or leg disabilities, so what would keep them from being able to swim?<issue_comment>username_1: It is said that the Devil Fruits are the fruits of Sea Devil, so even if most of them provide a great power, they're cursed. Quoting [One Piece's wiki](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Devil_Fruit):
>
> The sea rejects the new Devil Fruit user and they become helpless
> while submerged in water
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>
>
Also, Oda said in SBS that Devil Fruit users are vulnerable to all types of water, not just salt/sea water. Basically any type of "standing" water (ocean, lakes, rivers, etc) will affect them, while "moving" water (rain, waves, etc) won't.
Overall, I'm not saying the problem is the sea or something inside the users, what I'm saying is that it's **both**. And as to why users are affected by Seastone/Sea-Prism Stone/Kairoseki, as stated by Smoker:
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> It gives off a wavelength that is the same as the sea itself
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>
>
Basically it's a mini solid piece of the sea so that's why Devil Fruit users are affected by that as well...
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: To add up to the other answer:
"A person who has devil fruit power experiences a lack of energy when gets into the water!" That means, the user lacks minimum energy to show body movements, otherwise, they could swim.
Without body movement, the person starts sinking down.
It's also evident that a person doesn't lose power immediately but constantly. The longer he stays in the water, the more he'll become helpless.
The Devil Fruit side effects section in the wiki is worth reading:
<http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Devil_Fruit>
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: In my idea, I think it's because the Devil Fruits are the body of the sea devil. So, if we ate one, we can't swim because we have the power of the seas. It's like, we are stealing their powers so they will make us can't swim. That's why people who ate Devil Fruit can't swim.
It's the same as *kairoseki* (sea stone). *Kairoseki* is like sea ice but won't melt, and that's why Devil Fruit users can't swim.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: Maybe it's because the Devil Fruits have some sort of origin with the Fishmen. I mean, Fishmen are already ten times stronger than a normal human, so maybe someone in the past thought that such power would be too dangerous if it fell into the hands of Fishmen. That's why those who eat it couldn't swim.
Maybe it started out as a feud in the past of the "ancient weapons"- the objects capable of destroying the world. Look at "Noah", the big ship at Fishman island. Maybe it played a part in the Devil Fruits. Or maybe it's connected to the Adam Wood and Eve Tree something which Franky stated.
This is just a guess though.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: My opinion is that because water as a weakness is commonly seen as a demon/devil weakness, hence the name Devil Fruit. And the user's soul is the polar opposite of the sea, which in turn would create a struggle between the 2. And water ultimately wins seeing as how Devil Fruits are rumored to be a part of the sea, causing its wielder to constantly be drained of their power, or in cases of sea stone, causes their power to drain just enough so that they can't use their power.
This is purely speculation, but it is also a very likely theory all things considered.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/04 | 1,831 | 6,680 | <issue_start>username_0: I've been wanting to try and get into [*Touhou*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touhou_Project). However, just looking at Wikipedia, there is a crap ton of games and most seem to be for very old systems; they aren't listed in chronological order by store (rather, by release date).
So, I'm wondering: Is there is a game/anime/manga which is in English, in one form or another with games, it would be either official English releases or fan translation patches; anime would be either English dub or sub; and manga either localized or scanlation), which would be a good entry point into the series?<issue_comment>username_1: The biggest difficulty with getting into Touhou is the number of characters which are present. The bulk of the canon story material is really not that large.
The main Touhou games are released in chronological order. This is rather irrelevant because the stories typically are not closely related anyway. However, newer games do involve characters from older games. This shouldn't really stop you from understanding what's going on, because the characters are all pretty easy to understand, but you may miss a few things if you go out of order. Note that these are really essential to understanding Touhou well, since they serve as the introduction for most of the characters and almost all of the major plot points which are referenced elsewhere are from the games.
Typically, it's recommended to start with the beginning of the Windows Touhou games, [Touhou 6 (Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil)](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Embodiment_of_Scarlet_Devil). The Windows Touhou games have only occasionally used characters from PC-98 era games, apart from [Reimu](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Reimu) and [Marisa](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Marisa) (the protagonists). However, it would not really hurt anything to start with any of the other games either. If you find the games too difficult, many people who are just interested in the story watch replays of them online or read transcripts of the dialogue (which are available on Touhou Wiki, e.g. [here](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Embodiment_of_Scarlet_Devil/Story)). There are fan-made patches available for all of the main Touhou games.
If you want an official source, Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red (the first Touhou fanbook) has a great deal of information on the characters up to [Touhou 9](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Phantasmagoria_of_Flower_View). [Touhou Wiki](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Touhou_Wiki) typically serves as a fine alternative as well, though it has a lot of fanon as well. Neither of those are really stories though. To be perfectly honest, you can read almost any of the canon manga releases if you're willing to occasionally look up who a character is. [Inaba of the Moon and Inaba of the Earth](http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Inaba_of_the_Moon_and_Inaba_of_the_Earth) might be a particularly good choice simply because it only involves a small number of characters.
In any case, once you know the very basics (the major characters and plot of the main games), you can pick up pretty much anything canon or fanon with relative ease. The biggest difficulty is just learning all the characters in the first place, and I don't think there's any better advice for that than just to play the games (or at least read the dialogue from them).
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: There's a good introduction to Touhou in [this blog post](https://rabbiteclair.tumblr.com/post/173504016367/i-know-nothing-about-touhou-but-i-think-its) by rabbiteclair, which gives some background on what exactly is *Gensokyo*, some perspective on the media and fandom, and also lists some games and manga that are particularly good starting points.
>
> The fandom is so damn big that it was very efficiently self-perpetuating for a long time. There’s no common canon entry point, because half the English fandom just stumbled upon [this thing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkgK8eUdpAo) ten years ago and got curious enough to try figuring out what in the hell it meant.
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Even just looking at official content, there are >27 official games, a bunch of manga series, a music CD series that has its own independent story in the booklets (fun Secret Sealing Club shenanigans). But here are some possible starting points:
**Games**:
The stories for the games are fairly straightforward and self-contained, so you can jump into any of these in any order without needing to worry about other games.
* [**Embodiment of Scarlet Devil**](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Embodiment_of_Scarlet_Devil): The 6th game of the series, and the first game to be released for Windows. The start of modern era Touhou; this game effectively soft-rebooted the continuity, so you don't need to worry about the previous 5 games (the older PC-98 system games). It introduces a lot of major characters, including Cirno, Patchouli, Sakuya, Remilia, and Flandre.
* [**Perfect Cherry Blossom**](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Perfect_Cherry_Blossom): The 7th game of the series. The Cherry mechanic makes it one of the easier games. Really great music. It introduces a lot of major characters, including Alice (well, if you ignore Touhou 5), the Prismriver Sisters, Youmu, Yuyuko, and Yukari.
* [**Mountain of Faith**](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Mountain_of_Faith): The 10th game of the series. Introduces major characters like Nitori, Sanae, Kanako, and Suwako. It's considered the first game of the "2nd Windows Generation", using a new engine.
* [**Ten Desires**](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Ten_Desires): The 13th game of the series. Relatively recent. There are a few really good songs in this game. The Trance mechanic helps make the game easier to play, but only if you remember to hit C.
**Manga**:
* [**Forbidden Scrollery**](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Forbidden_Scrollery): The story of a normal human girl from the human village as she starts getting entangled in the supernatural and youkai politics. Also, it has an [official English release](http://www.b2c.hachettebookgroup.com/series/forbidden-scrollery/?yen)!
* [**Sangetsusei (the Three Fairies series)**](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Touhou_Sangetsusei): The story of three pretty normal fairies as they do fairy things. Very slice-of-life-y. Lots of cameo appearances from other characters, so it's also a nice way to get introduced a lot of characters.
---
Incidentally, I first played the games in this order: TH06, TH08, TH10, TH13, and then TH07. So far, the only games I've been able to finish without any continues (on Normal!) are TH08 and TH07 ¯\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/06/05 | 4,122 | 17,406 | <issue_start>username_0: I need help understanding what is going on with the Trenni silver coin scheme plot that is mentioned throughout episodes 3-7 of *Spice and Wolf* season 1. Let me explain what I understand and hopefully get some clarity about these *Spice and Wolf* episode plots **(also if someone can block out the impending spoilers that would be awesome, I don't know how to do it)**
So our main protagonist Lawrence gets word that the Trenni silver coin currency is about to go up in its silver purity. This means that both the actual metal value of the Trenni silver coin and its representative value will go up.
>
> This all turns out to be wrong though, as Lawrence finds out the Trenni silver coins are actually becoming less pure and going down in value and what he was told was a lie. This plot then leads Lawrence to go over to the Milone trading company where somehow he hopes to make a profit off of telling the company this info.
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Now this is where it gets complicated. How was the Milone trading company going to make money off of the devaluing currency and how was Medio involved with this?
* In the anime the Milone Trading company,
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> upon hearing the devaluing silver info from Lawrence, started stockpiling Trenni silver coins. Why are they trying to stockpile the silver coins if their price and purity is going down? Shouldn't they be trying to get rid of all of their Trenni silver coins if the value is decreasing?
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* Also it is mentioned that the Medio trading company is
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> hiring people to give merchants the wrong info about how the Trenni silver coins are going up in value instead of actually going down. Lawrence was even told this lie. How does the Medio Trading company possibly gain any advantage from this?
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Basically I am asking what is the economic plot in the episodes 3-7 of Spice and Wolf season 1, explained in little kid terms, so I can hopefully comprehend what is going on in the story and enjoy the anime even more. I am sorry for not being more economics-savvy with this, but if you understand the plot be much appreciated for some insight.<issue_comment>username_1: Ok, let's look at the situation more carefully. You have your Trenni silver coins, which have some % of silver in them. The market value of such a currency is bound to the amount of the noble metal in each coin. It's very simple and intuitive: silver is rare and valuable, so the more silver there is in a coin, the more is the value of that coin.
Now, we have a situation where the amount of silver in the coins is going to be *decreased*. What is going to happen? Well, the *new* Trenni coins (with less silver) will become less expensive than the *old* Trenni coins. That means, that it is profitable to save all the old coins you have.
By spreading the rumors that the amount of silver is going to *increase*, the Medio company is accomplishing two things at once. First, it makes people think that it's profitable to sell their coins now (because they think that after the new coins arrive, the value of the old ones will decrease). Second, it creates a possibility to make people selling their coins for even a lower price than they are now, simply because they want to get rid of the coins ASAP, before the price drops.
Also, if they already have some new coins, they can even trade them for a *larger* amount (say, 2 old ones for 1 new, people think the new ones are more valuable, remember) of old ones.
This lets the Medio company stock plenty of old silver coins, which as we know, in reality, will be worth *more* when the new ones are released. That's how they want to make the profit.
The Milone company, after getting the information from Lawrence, starts doing the same thing: buying Trenni coins to get a large stock of them before the new coins are released. After the new coins will be in play, people will, of course, know that they are really *less* valuable, and the value of Milone company's stock of old coins will increase further.
I hope the explanation wasn't too messy ;)
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: When the silver coin in question has more silver in it, it is worth much more. So the current coin that everyone is using is about to increase in value. It is because the area is making more coins with less silver in them there, making anyone with the current coin want to keep it because the value will soon go up.
The kid who talks to our main protagonist tells him that the coin will decrease in value due to the area making a coin with more silver, which is the complete opposite of what will happen. So the people with the current coin who have this info will want to get rid of the current coin ASAP. So they will sell it to people for a low amount of money.
This is where that trading company comes in. They buy the coins that are really about to increase in value. So, in the end, they make a profit, and the traders given false info have been cheated out of a great deal of money.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_3: The comments on [username_1's answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/4032) is on the right track but not quite got it yet.
Yes, when new coins of lower purity are introduced to circulation, all coins of that type will lose value. It's due to the people using the coins having less trust in said coins.
While that is the first step to understanding the scheme, it goes much deeper.
When Milone Trading company starts collecting the Trenni Silver Coins, they are not doing so because they want them to be recycled in exchange for exclusive deals. First, you have to think about why that particular country would be lowering the purity. It's because the country of Trenni doesn't have the silver to continue making coins of such high purity.
Yes, in the short view Trenni can make more coins, but this also means that outside of their own borders, the coin will be worthless. In addition, within their borders, the coin is not valued on how much silver is in it so much as it is by how much the government says it is worth.
For example, let's say you have one pure 1 gram gold coin. Let's also say these pure gold coins are the common currency in your country. That means even though it is just 1 gram of gold, the government can say that the 1 gram is worth 2 grams. This is something called [seigniorage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seigniorage). Now, this only works to a certain degree, which depends on how much faith the people have in the coins purity and the government manufacturing the coins. So, it is in the country's best interest to keep purity high. However, when they decrease the purity, while it will make a lot of money really fast and put more in circulation, it does decrease the faith that the people have in the coin. Meaning that even with a small decrease in purity, you may see a drastic increase in how many coins any given item is worth due to people not having faith in the purity of the coins. Therein lies why it isn't a good idea to reduce the purity so drastically.
If the Government is reducing the purity, you can assume this means their funds are getting low. Meaning that they would be more than eager to trade exclusive deals for coins they can recycle. In that, the commenters were correct. But, think. If Trenni were to suddenly come into a large amount of silver they wouldn't *have* to recycle all these coins into lower value ones. They could slowly reintroduce them into circulation and therefore solve the problem of having such low funds. That is why this deal was so valuable and the land of Trenni would be willing to sacrifice quite a bit for the older coins.
Also, Milone's goal was not to trade for deals. No, instead they traded all the older higher purity coins for land, large area mining rights, tariff control, and other privileges generally held solely by the government. Meaning they could move their goods without paying tolls, resale the land at a higher price, and sell individual mining rights for a small area to smaller companies for a higher price per acre. For that matter, they could even further use the land and mining rights for future income by leasing the land and mining rights for certain areas in segments. Though it would be a little longer before you made your money back, you would in the long term have a potential to earn much more than you would just by selling it.
Now considering they were able to pay Lawrence back the next morning, I would assume they resold all or at least some of the privileges they acquired, which is the least risky way to play it since if they were to lease the land, there is no guarantee that people will be willing to lease it. That leads to the risk of actually losing money. It's my guess they sold the risky investments and kept the privileges that would lead to the saving money in the future as their portion of the profit.
Or there is a second option in which they could have kept all the assets and privileges they gained and gave Lawrence Trenni coins out of the Companies pocket based on the estimated value of the assets they'd acquired. That way, Milone Trading still has the potential gain from the mining rights and such.
And then there's yet another option where they sold just enough of the assets to make sure they hadn't suffered a loss in addition to the amount needed to pay Lawrence. This, in my opinion, would be the smartest play considering it would mean there is no risk of loss and their debts are settled. In addition, they would have the leftover assets to do what they wanted with them. In theory, this option is almost no risk with high potential gain.
Now to tackle why Medio would be spreading words of raising purities, and truthfully, compared to the rest of all this, it's quite simple. If the community believes the purity is going to raise, then they will begin getting rid of older coins and trying to acquire these newer "thought to be more valued" ones. This gives Medio to act as if they are a third uniformed party and give the people newer coins in exchange for older coins. Likely they had the same goal as Milone, this was just their way of collecting the coins. Unfortunately, the direction they chose to collect the coins also requires them scamming all the people that they tell into having the newer less pure ones. That part of it really is quite simple.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: Part of the answer to this(which isn't as explicitly mentioned in the anime), is that when Milone sells the gathered silver Trenni to the government, they actually make the government pay *more* than the coins are worth. The government can do this because the resmelting the coins still gives more coins than was provoided+the extra fee. (Example, sell 10 coins for 11 coins. These 10 coins are then smelted into 13 new coins. That way, the company gets 1 coin in profit and the government gets 2).
This was however the lesser valuable trade(as shown by the initial sale profit being quite low). The real profit came from selling the coins in exchange for trade rigths and privileges(like no tariffs on wheat from the company holding this privilege). This second option doesn't require the government to shell out cash here and now(though they still lose in the long term), which is why it was so attractive. In this case, Milone then sold the wheat privilege to Medio, who actually traded fairly heavily in wheat, and from there made most of their overall profits.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_5: The old trenni silver will technically be worth more in silver value even though on the face it's still worth the same to the average layman. The Kingdom of Trenni was having financial difficulties keeping a treasury in the black and so they basically devalued their currency in silver value while attempting to maintain the trust of the Trenni to remain the same fiat value.
To make it as simple as possible the Government of Trenni was trying to print money to make up for financial shortcomings. The Milone Trading Company capitalized on this by stockpiling old Trenni coins, they didn't get nearly enough to make a huge profit on its face but they did get concessions by the Kingdom in exchange for the old coins with extra value which they could then melt down and reduce the silver content of.
100 old Trenni coins turned into 120 new Trenni coins ( as an example of what happened) with barely anyone being aware of the devaluation. In the meantime Milone got some concessions (like no taxes), a tidy profit (as did Lawrence), The Kingdom of Trenni got to refill their coffers for whatever they needed it for and 99% of the people kept their trust in the value of Trenni silvers which prevented an economic collapse.
Near the end of the series of Light Novels a similar problem comes up. A noble who owns a Silver, Gold and Copper mine and refineries decided to make his own currency which was much purer and release it against the existing coinage which were all less pure. Therefore his currency gave him enormous power by allowing him to supplant the economic hold over the region in question and he basically made himself Kingpin. People were trading existing Trenni and Lutes for his purer silver and gold at a profit. By taking the hit in the short term by trading pure coins for less pure existing ones he gave himself a stranglehold on the trust in currency in the region. If everyone is using your trusted coins and you control all manufacture of those coins you have all the power. And since there was less and less old coinage the trust in their valuation was nonexistent. It would be like trading US quarters (mostly made of copper) for pure silver new coins. You'd make a lot of money exchanging your quarters for the silver but eventually there'd be no quarters left and the guy you sold them to controls what coins are made and make more any time he wants and buy stuff for little cost on his part.
I hope that makes sense.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_6: To understand this plot you need to know that the monetary value for everything in the world, including the world of *Spice and Wolf*, follow the principle of supply and demand, and Trenni silver coin is no exception. When the demand suddenly increase but supply does not, its price would increase; and similarly, when supply increase but demand does not, its price would decrease. In the case of Trenni silver coin, its value is its purchasing power. However, since Trenni silver coin is issued in such a large quantity, it's very difficult to drastically change its value in a short time. Only nobels or large merchant guilds have the power or wealth to effectively influence its price.
The root cause for this plot is the royal house of Trenni's need for money. They decides to achieve that by devaluing the currency (or inflation). Basically, they milt the old coins, and by mixing other cheap metal, they use the same amount of silver to make more coins. Such actions if planed properly, could go unnoticed for a very long time. But since the noble cannot gather large amount of old coins due to its financial crisis, they need someone else to do it for them. Medio smelled the opportunity in this, because once they have collected enough, they are able to negotiate an exclusive right to this coin collection business, and monopoly = high profit.
However, rashly collecting coin of such a large amount is very expansive, and has the risk of attracting the attention of rival merchant guild. Thus, to reduce the cost and also keeping it a secret, Medios hired people like Zheren to spread the rumor that the silver coin's silver content will increase (basically saying that its purchase power will go up). Upon hearing this, other small business owner like Lawrence would prefer to hold on to their Trenni silver coin, thus the demand for that silver coin will increase, its supply will decrease, because there are less Trenni silver coin being used on market. Medios would then use the Trenni silver he has, exchange it to goods or other currencies.
At the right time, Medios could release the truth, that the silver coin is about to be devalued. Upon hearing this, those who stock piled Trenni silver would panic and seek to spend their silver to avoid losses, creating a sudden surge in Trenni silver coin entering the market. As the market is suddenly flooded with Trenni silver, its supply increase and demand decrease. In that short period of time, the silver coin will quickly loose purchase power. Perfect time for Medios to collect large amount of "cheap" Trenni silver coin, and negotiate the exclusive right with nobles.
Medios did this in a slow and hidden process, because if rival guild catches wind of it, his entire plan would be spoiled. Which is why Medios tries so hard to get rid of Lawrence - the whistleblower.
For Lawrence, with Holo's ability, he was able to tell that the silver content is actually decreasing, he made a contract with Milone trading before telling them the plot. Which allows Milone trading to collect large amount of silver coin in that short window of time when the Trenni silver coin value decreases, and negotiated the exclusive right before Medios did.
In the end, not wanting his years of preparation went in vain, Medios purchased the right from Milone with a heavy price. Lawrence, received his share from that purchase.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/05 | 1,347 | 4,673 | <issue_start>username_0: According [here](http://ccs.wikia.com/wiki/Clow_Reed),
>
> Clow had accidentally wished for Yuko to live, thus severing her time
> from all dimensions. Clow regretted this wish, and no longer wanted
> the title of "world's most powerful magician".
>
>
>
Though it was said on the same link that their relationship is unclear and that <NAME> had a former lover named [Madoushi](http://ccs.wikia.com/wiki/Madoushi) (appeared in Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 1), I would still like to ask (because someone here might know) how Clow Reed and Yuko is related. Clow Reed wouldn't have wished for Yuko to still live if there was nothing deep in their relationship. So are there any formal statements from CLAMP about their real relationship and the story behind Clow Reed wishing for Yuko to live?<issue_comment>username_1: For one thing, it wasn't a very deep thought that caused him to wish for her to still be alive. Instead, according to [here](http://tsubasa.wikia.com/wiki/Y%C5%ABko_Ichihara):
>
> Upon her death, Yuuko finally explains her connections with <NAME>ed. As Yuuko lay dying, <NAME> had the briefest thought that he wanted her to remain alive. Clow's magic was so powerful that this single thought caused Yuuko to become frozen in time.
>
>
>
Additionally, according to [here](http://tsubasa.wikia.com/wiki/Clow_Reed):
>
> In Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, <NAME>ed is mentioned by Yuko frequently. They seem to have worked together for the same event that Yuko always talks about: "the day that has to come". For this purpose, both created the Mokonas (which implies that they had met the "Real" Mokona of Cephiro).
>
>
>
As far as I can tell from everything I've read, they are not related by blood. Instead, they worked together. They may have been no more than acquaintances or maybe friends, as there seem to be few implications that they were ever anything more.
The only time I have seen it implied was in Chapter 138 of Tsubasa, where Clow said to Sakura, "Being apart from the one you like, no matter how old you are, is a lonely thing. And while apart, I'm wishing for that person to be happy." There are thoughts that he may have been talking about Yuuko. It is possible that he was talking about Madoushi, but Madoushi only appeared in an anime movie and so may not have been canon to the manga.
I cannot find any official statements on the matter, though.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: It's not directly stated, but this being Clamp, whose themes often revolve around love, it seems highly likely that Yūko and Clow Reed were in some kind of a romantic relationship. That's the impression I got from reading *Tsubasa* and *xxxHolic*.
The evidence:
1. Yūko is always badmouthing Clow Reed. However, there isn't any real hostility in her words. This implies a high level of familiarity with him.
2. <NAME> wished to save Yūko. It's stated in the other answer that it was only a single passing thought that brought his wish into reality, due to his powerful magic. But such a mistake really isn't what Clow Reed is known for. My guess is he cared about Yuko a whole lot to slip up like that. Additionally, this situation parallels the one between Syaoran and Sakura, where Syaoran ends up making a wish that stops Sakura's time, so that she won't die. I highly doubt this similarity is a coincidence. And Sakura and Syaoran are confirmed to love each other.
3. Watanuki is stated to resemble Clow Reed. And...
>
> By the end of *xxxHolic*, Yūko is gone, and Watanuki decides he will wait for her in the shop, no matter how long it takes, and no matter how unlikely it is he'll see her again. It is clear he feels some kind of love for Yūko (not necessarily romantic, but I'm not discounting it either). He goes so far to choose this love at the expense of all of his other relationships.
>
>
>
I got the impression that Yūko and <NAME> were in a romantic relationship, but this isn't solely me making stuff up, as other fans noticed long before. [<NAME>'s page](https://xxxholic.fandom.com/wiki/Clow_Reed) here notes
>
> Clow and Yūko had a past relationship. It is theorized that he and Yūko were lovers. He and Yūko made the two Mokonas together.
>
>
>
As far as Madoushi goes, when I watched that movie, I got the impression her love was unrequited. Her [Wiki page](http://ccs.wikia.com/wiki/Madoushi) even states,
>
> She started developing feelings for him, but it isn't indicated if [<NAME>] returned the feelings. She constantly made mention that there was something she wanted to tell him, presumably that she loved him.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/06/05 | 542 | 1,856 | <issue_start>username_0: For everything Juha Bach is doing in the current Bleach manga, what is his reason for doing so?
Also according to the Bleach wiki his official name is "Yhwach" with no reference to Juha Bach though, so I also wonder about that. What is his canonical name?<issue_comment>username_1: >
> what is his reason for doing so?
>
>
>
It has not been revealed yet. Though it is likely to come out towards the end of the arc.
>
> What is his canonical name?
>
>
>
He is using and is mostly referred to by others as Juha Bach. "Yhwach" may be a title rather than a name (basing this on the similarity to "Yahwe" - the Hebrew name of god), or a different pronunciation of the same name (in a different script/language).
Though it appears that Juha Bach is a mistranslation of Yhwach (which appears to be the [official name](http://shonenjump.viz.com/node/1095)), as @Zeno [commented](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/4045/what-is-juha-bachs-motivation/4053?noredirect=1#comment3289_4053).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: He probably wants to kill The Soul King and rule the world. In one of the chapters. he told his assistant to order the Sternritters to retreat so that they can wait for the Royal Guards to come. Juha Bach is too smart to start a war all because of revenge. He only cares about himself.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: He now holds Hueco Mundo. Should he gain control of Soul Society, there would be no power considered great enough (in his mind) to threaten the Quincy race again. This seems to be my assumption.
Although i'm sure there's some sort of connection that's yet to be revealed to us as well. I speculate this connection due to the fact that Masaki's family is dead and there was no explanation given, unless we are to assume they perished in the Quincy genocides.
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/06/05 | 652 | 2,328 | <issue_start>username_0: In Cardcaptor Sakura, Yukito and Toya are romantically involved, or at least shown to have romantic feelings for each other. Yukito tells Sakura of his love for Toya. Has it ever been expressed or officially announced what Yue, Yukito's alter-ego, feels towards Toya?<issue_comment>username_1: As you have said, Toya and Yukito has romantic feelings for each other. As for Yue, it can be implied that he has no romantic feelings for Toya (since he knew ever since everything about Yukito, he probably had known that Yukito has feelings for Toya and wouldn't interfere). And according [here](http://ccs.wikia.com/wiki/Yue),
>
> **Yue was in quite a strong and close intimate relationship with Clow
> Reed.**
>
>
>
Yue was even against Sakura, as he strongly believed that no one succeed <NAME>, but later on accepted her as his new master. So if there's somebody who Yue has romantic feelings for, it probably would be Clow Reed.
In addition, as far as I can remember, the only specific event that Yue and Toya had a conversation was when Toya gave his power to Yue and made Yue promise to protect Sakura and Yukito.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: At first, Yue is cold toward Sakura. He is a very nostalgic person who only recognize <NAME>.
But Sakura's warmth melted the coldness in his heart, and he recognized Sakura as his new mistress deep within his heart. He and Sakura gets quite intimate in the battles to turn Clow Cards into Sakura cards, and even wiped her tears away in Episode 65 when Sakura overheard the conversation and transfer of powers between Yue and Toya.
Does Yukito and Toya have romantic feelings for each other? I'd say yes.
But how about Yue's feeling for him? Truthfully, I think after such a long time with Sakura, he has stronger emotional attachment to her than to Toya, whom he met only once in his true form. It is his false form, Yukito, who had feelings for Toya.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: I always thought that if, in the manga they make it clear to a certain point with Yukito; With Yue believed that if he has feelings for Toya even if it is false appearance he did not believe that they can only "create" those feelings unconsciously and he feels it. In the end they are the same person, two sides of the same coin.
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/06/06 | 403 | 1,090 | <issue_start>username_0: On the last page of Naruto chapter 633 Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura use summoning techniques.
Who is the big frog that Naruto summoned?<issue_comment>username_1: Naruto summoned [Gamakichi](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Gamakichi).

Sasuke summoned [Aoda](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Aoda).

Sakura summoned [Katsuyu](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Katsuyu).
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/C69Ko.jpg)
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: >
> **UPDATE!** This was confirmed in chapter 634.
>
>
>
Actually, based on the patterns on his body and face, I'd say that it's actually Gamakichi.
It's consistent with what this **[page on NarutoWiki](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Gamakichi)** says, although I don't know how reliable a source that is.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: It is Gamakichi, as Naruto himself confirmed. In turn, Gamakichi said that his dad (Gamabunta) was busy.
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/06/07 | 961 | 3,334 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there any other manga artist/s (famous or not-so-famous) who caters anime or manga like CLAMP's style?
I'm talking about the *cross-over style* or the re-using of anime characters from one of their manga creations to another and the diverging of their stories. CLAMP is known for that style and it was loosely defined as the "Clamp Universe" or "Clamp Multiverse".
If there is, then who is that manga artist/s and what are those anime/manga that manga artist/s created, and if possible, a preview of the anime's/manga's plot?<issue_comment>username_1: <NAME>, perhaps ?
In his mangas, the same characters would appear in different roles. Given the ammount of work he produce, it's not a big surprise he could do that. Don't think it was intensive like CLAMP, but was well used, in specific situations.
Tezuka had his [Star System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osamu_Tezuka%27s_Star_System), and his characters would appear in many stories, sometimes without a formal reference (not being identified as such).
Examples:
Black Jack made some apparitions in Astro Boy... Astro Boy made many apparitions in Black Jack and in other mangas.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Since the title mentioned "manga" but your description said "anime or manga", I'll just put it here. I'm conflicted because this one across many medias (Light Novel, Anime, Manga, Visual Novel).
**[Type-Moon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type-Moon)** (Fate series, Kara no Kyoukai, Tsukihime, etc) has its famous **[Nasuverse](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Franchise/Nasuverse)**.
>
> The universe of the writings of TYPE-MOON's scenario director, [<NAME>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinoko_Nasu). It's made up of several "sub-universes" ("franchises" that share characters) that take place in the same world with the same rules, but interestingly enough, seldom obviously cross over.
>
> ~tvtropes
>
>
>
There's also this image of [Nasuverse Character Chart](http://images34.fotosik.pl/64/031a310f6bfa47cd.jpg).
The difference with CLAMP is, while CLAMP likes to make the character clearly has an appearance in other series, Nasuverse isn't like that, and that's why, above, it's described as
>
> ...take place in the same world with the same rules, but interestingly enough, **seldom obviously** cross over. ~tvtropes
>
>
>
So don't expect to see something so obvious like when Syaoran and Sakura of TRC appear in XXXHolic (that even turns out their plot is related). From what I understand, Nasuverse heavily put its chain between series around its concept of magic, mage, and supernatural being. There's some character related, but still it's not like they appear like, how Sumeragi Clan of Tokyo Babylon involved heavily in X. As far as I know, their character relation is 'implied', like, X from Y series is teacher in School Q, and 'coincidentally', in B series, A is student in School Q.
For all the preview of anime and manga, you can see it in the tvtropes link I gave above. Almost all of them has magic as one of the story element, which also poses as one of its universe's chain. For deeper explanation of the universe, you can see its [analysis page, still in the same site.](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Analysis/Nasuverse)
CMIIW.
Upvotes: 2 |
2013/06/08 | 1,138 | 3,917 | <issue_start>username_0: The sheer action of the FLEIJA leaves behind a very neat crater and turns matter in its radius into a vacuum (airborne units tend to get blown into the blast center). How did Nunnally and Sayoko survive that?<issue_comment>username_1: [This blogpost](http://animehistory.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/theory-of-a-live-girl-code-geass-spoilers-inside/) adequately explains how she could have survived.
I also do not believe there was as much of a vacuum because at that point in time the FLEIJAs still had a limiter. It was not until the destruction of the Capital city of Pendragon that the limiters were removed.
This is the summary of the link:
>
> After Sayoko rescued Kallen she went on ahead to find Nunnally and to try and Rendevouz with Rolo and found the ship Nunally was on. Around the same time the Gefjun disturbers were disabled and Nunnally’s ship left with Sayoko and her men aboard. She never passed Rolo because he hadn’t even reached the hangar yet.
>
>
> Eight minutes later Rohmeyer is on a decoy ship with KF’s to make it look like the governor general is aboard and Rolo walks in to find the ship, assuming reasonably that Nunally is on it he commandeers a KF to try and blow up the ship and kill her. Meanwhile Sayoko barges in on Nunnally in the ship she’s really on and Rohmeyer doesn’t respond at all because she’s actually on the decoy back in the hangar. Nunnally’s ship is probably just outside the area by this point. When the bomb goes off Rohmeyer is caught in it in her decoy ship and goes up in a ball of flames. Rolo has run away once he thinks he knows what’s going on with Fleija (whatever it’s called) and somehow made it to safety.
>
>
> How? I’m not sure as that thing had a pretty big blast radius. So when he reports to Rolo he talks about the ship Rohmeyer is on and really isn’t lying when he says Nunnally is dead, because he honestly thinks she is. In reality I think she’s okay and with Sayoko elsewhere. Though that elsewhere might be in Schneizel’s clutches.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I believe that the FLEIJA that was used by Suzaku was not as powerful as the ones used by Prince Shnizle because Shnizle removed the limiter. Now if I can remember correctly Nunnally and Sayoko were underground and just out of the blast radius. Now how Nunnally, Sayoko and Gilford disappeared is uncertain. Without the power I believe that the outer blast radius is just a light show, and pulls then pushes out. I believe it threw them in some random direction out of sight. Stupid I know, but that's all I can think of.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: Do you have anything to back this up from Code Geass (or any related materials) itself? – Maroon 2 days ago
As a matter of fact I do. In Season 2 Episode 23 Floyd, Miss Cecile, and Nina talk about the FLEIJA that destroyed the Capital Pendragon, and Miss Cecile points out that the FLEIJA that Shnizal used that destroyed the Capital Pendragon was more 10x the destruction range than the one Suzaku use. Nina realized that he removed both the effect range and detination time limiter. These FLEIJA's Shnizle uses go critical when they are fired as he mentions when Lelouch orders his men to charge at the FLEIJA's. Now the FLEIJA's do pull things into the center of the blast because in the battle of Lelouch and Shnizal, Shnizal fired a FLEIJA and everything was pulled into the center. You may say that it was Lelouches order to charge at the FLEIJA and he did but if you see the environment like the oceans this shows things get pulled into the center of the blast. I believe FLEIJA's do not explode, but implode.
If you want to watch the final episodes of Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebelion R2 go to animefreak.tv and watch Episodes 23-25
P.S this does not explain everything about the FLEIJA's but it gave me enough to reach my conclusions
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/08 | 488 | 1,765 | <issue_start>username_0: Many series that I have seen have "x in Wonderland" episodes where they have retellings/variations of Alice in Wonderland with the characters from the show. Examples of this include Ouran High School Host Club (episode 13), Black Butler (season 2 OVA 1 and 4), <NAME> (episode 55), and Code Geass (OVA). What is the origin of this? Is there some sort of cultural basis for this?<issue_comment>username_1: I guess this is because of it's overall popularity. According [here](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AliceAllusion),
>
> **Alices Adventures In Wonderland is a pretty well-known work: it can be
> associated with world-crossing fantasy, drug imagery, lolita fashion
> and other aspects of Victorian England, political satire, and who
> knows what else. No wonder it shows up a lot in anime**, shock horror
> (it's a frequent target of Grimmification, usually with lots of
> blood), and emo teen novels. (You know the kind — usually involving
> vampires, eating disorders, or vampires with eating disorders.)
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: This is interesting because I see many answers saying it's not limited to anime, but from what I've seen, it's not limited to Alice in Wonderland.
While it seems to be the most popular one by far, I also have seen re-editions of the Japanese fairy tale 'Momotaru, the Peach Boy', examples include: Assassination Classroom, Maid-Sama and Free!!! (All of which are amazing and I would recommend watching from the bottom of my heart.)
I agree that they are many for the purpose of buying time for the animators to work on bigger pieces such as finales, they also are comic relief episodes that put loveable characters in familiar situations.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/09 | 799 | 2,586 | <issue_start>username_0: I read a manga a while ago about a girl who fell in love with a guy whose other darker personality appears at night. Later on, the girl and the dark side fell in love with each other and the dark side got jealous that the girl likes the other side of him more.
Can anyone identify what this manga is?<issue_comment>username_1: That looks like [D.N.Angel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.N.Angel) to me. Though I'm not too sure as the plot could be any story nowadays.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Out of the [five](http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?category=Personality%20Change/s&filter=oneshots) I've found, this one fits the closest:
**Blackberry**
>
> Ever since <NAME> was told that she was just like a "guy
> friend" by the boy she liked, she's been bent on becoming the ideal
> girl. But when she meets the perfect guy who turns out to be more than
> a little pretentious, she realizes that it can be difficult to keep up
> appearances!
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: I haven't finished this yet, but it might be S+M, however it doesn't mention anything about nighttime:
>
> The first man who doesn't obsess over her assets turns out to be the first man she ever wants to have obsess over her, though there's something strange about him... One time she's with him, he's a sweet masochist, the next time he's a bold sadist. Which does Ryou like better? The S or the M? She'll have to make a choice, because it turns out that she CAN'T have both.
>
>
>
<http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=1902>
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: A friend of mine was desperate to find this manga... after so long trying to find, she finally found! She said it's an extra chapter of [Ookami Nanka Kowakunai!?](http://myanimelist.net/manga/3457/Ookami_Nanka_Kowakunai!) If anybody else is after that, it's here :)
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_5: I was trying to recalled and find some manga that I have previously read before I stumbled upon your question. So it was not until that I ultimately found the manga that I have been looking for, that at the same, I found a manga that seems to match your description.
Here it is: [Saitei na Hito wo Suki ni Narimashita](http://myanimelist.net/manga/39673/Saitei_na_Hito_wo_Suki_ni_Narimashita)
>
> Liking the worst possible person...... "If you love me, you will fufil my wish, right?"
> Yui confesses her love to Hiro who hides a dark personality...
>
>
>
I haven't read it before but by the looks of it, it's maybe the one.
Hope it helps!
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/10 | 722 | 2,776 | <issue_start>username_0: I read about the upcoming **Gatchaman Crowds** anime.
According to [this source](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-16/gatchaman-crowds-anime-characters-staff-revealed), the series is about
>
> "Gatchaman" — warriors who fight in special reinforced suits powered
> by "NOTE," the manifestation of special spiritual powers in living
> beings.
>
>
>
This surprised me - the original Gatchaman series had no supernatural material. Some pretty improbable things happened, but they were all understood to be advanced science & technology. The "Bird Go!" transformations were not spiritual but technological.
So, is Gatchaman Crowds set in the same universe as the original Gatchaman?
Note: I'm aware this can't be answered until the show starts, or until Tatsunoko reveals more information.<issue_comment>username_1: I don't have a definitive answer to this, but based on the first 2 episodes of *Gatchaman Crowds* (all that has aired so far), at the very least there's no clear connection between the two series. If they are in the same universe, the characters in the two series don't seem to be interacting at all. There are definitely references to the original series, e.g. all of the members of the *Gatchaman* team in the original series have counterparts in *Gatchaman Crowds*, and many of the concepts stayed the same.
There's good reason to believe that the two series are in different universes. In the original Gatchaman, all of their powers were, at least in principle, just the product of science and technology. In *Gatchaman Crowds*, by contrast, their powers are of some sort of mystic origin. It's not yet clear how they work, but they aren't purely within the realm of science fiction anymore. This rendition of *Gatchaman* is thus fundamentally different from the original, and probably only makes sense in its own universe.
The Wikipedia entry for [*Gatchaman Crowds*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatchaman#Gatchaman_Crowds) seems to agree with this, describing *Gatchaman Crowds* as “based in the Gatchaman universe,” which would seem to preclude it from being in the same universe. However, there's no solid source for that statement, so it's at best questionable.
Of course, this answer could still change (at least until *Gatchaman Crowds* ends) but for the moment it seems more likely that they are in different universes.
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I would say the connection between *Gatchaman Crowds* and the original *Gatchaman* is the original is a TV show in the *Gatchaman Crowds* universe in which somehow the team actually exists in the world, which would explain the references to the team in the first episode before the reveal of them actually existing.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/12 | 2,006 | 7,150 | <issue_start>username_0: I have been watching Naruto anime for a few months and just started to watch Shinobi World War arc. I was shocked to see 80,000 ninjas assembled. Where did they come from? If we take into account that 5 countries and samurais make 6 countries total, each country would contribute around 12,000 ninjas. But only around 100 ninjas were seen in Konoha in the previous episodes. How did this number come from? Were they living in other villages under the orders of their respective Kage?<issue_comment>username_1: Let's approximate the size of the Hidden Leaf based on the size of the Nine-tails in his attack:

As you can see, the village is quite large. I can estimate a population of over 100,000 easily. Since many of them are shinobi, I don't think it's exaggerated to think that there are at least 12,000 shinobi there (probably more).
So that's where all of them came from. Don't forget that we are focusing on only one (two) set of academy students as they progress, in reality there are new (and old) classes every year that graduate, get their own Jonin sensei, and take on missions etc. Those unimportant characters are often seen as what I like to call "shuriken throwers" (they only know how to throw shuriken, nothing else). You usually see them die when a strong opponent arrives.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The number of the shinobi is too damn high. If you look at the ninja registration numbers in the databook you can see that since Konoha's founding there were some 13,000 shinobi total who graduated the academy- Naruto was no. 12607. That's 13,000 over more than 60 years. And if you figure in old age and battle casualties of four world wars and constant minor conflicts there's no way Konoha could have anywhere near 12,000 shinobi. I doubt Konoha should have even 2,000. The only rational explanation is that there are a number of shinobi villages in the fire country other than Konoha we have never heard about and that they make up the rest of their forces.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: The Databook shows ninja registration numbers, Jiraiya's number is in the 2300 range while Naruto's is actually 102k range as shown in episode 2 just after his picture is taken and he is told to retake it. It's not 12K range as shown in the databook. Considering there is roughly 38 years difference in age that means 100000 other ninja joined the roles of Konoha, roughly 2500/yr. So it's not hard to imagine Konoha putting up a large number of ninja for the fight. Remember, their true strength of numbers is spread across the Land of Fire. That was one reason the attack on Konoha by Orochimaru was difficult to counter.
Also, its interesting that people think the Academy is the only way ninja join a village. Whole clans join villages for various reasons, and a village would not require each of them attend the Academy, they would likely be given tests to prove their skill and then placed in the hierarchy accordingly.
For anyone questioning the number of combatants I suggest looking at the numbers of forces Japan and China used from the 13th century onward in struggles with one another.
>
> In 1592, and again in 1597, <NAME> decided to invade China (唐入り) through Korea and mobilized an army of 160,000 peasants and samurai.([Source](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#Azuchi.E2.80.93Momoyama_period))
>
>
>
The numbers are staggering, but consider this... The Cowboys NFL team averages 80K attendance for a single game. So getting the number together isn't impossible.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: Well the data book state the leaf population to be ranked 5 , rock 4, mist &cloud 3 and sand 2 , assuming the samurai are feared for their number they might be ranked 5 as well ( but they also might ranked 1)
The number of shinobi behind each star range from minimum of 80K/23 to 80K/18 = 3.5K to 4.5 K.
Than the leaf as around 17.5K to 22.5K of active shinobi.
While the sand the weakest one as between 7-9K active ninja..
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_5: I think a good theory is that not all Ninja come from that one village in each Nation? What dumb leader would recruit from a single village, however large? I see the Hidden Villages as the center of Ninja administration and leadership, and the place where a larger portion of active-duty Ninja are stationed. Certainly there are Ninja recruited and Trained in other regions of the nation. Other Clans, and academies? Just, as I said, the Hidden Village acts as the central hub. In this case, it is quite easy to imagine 12-20K Ninja a piece.
What about the small classes? 9 Students a class? Well, I imagine several answers to this. Firstly, let's ask how Naruto, the dunce who failed three times, is the same age and graduating class as Sasuke? My Thoughts? The graduating classes happen more then once a year. Likely several times a year. If there is one every two months (assuming Naruto merely has to retake the final semester or quarter after failing. It's the only idea that explains him being in the same class as people his age, despite failing 3 times), is would be 54 graduates a year. That is assuming Iruka's is the only class set. If there are 4 separate "graduating class'", and each one goes every two months, that is over 200 new Genin a year. That is much closer to replacement and growth numbers. And that is for one City.
And who is to say that is the only way to become a Genin? Perhaps there are some clan based methods? Or perhaps you can take a sort of Ninja-GED, if your old enough, skilled enough, and capable of competing on a Genin/Chunin level? Remember, Naruto is told he can be a Chunin merely by asking. Someone who didn't attend the academy, but can fight on a Jonin level, could perhaps be admitted as such without going through the Academy. The Academy / Genin system may be more of a Youth program to foster stronger members. It may not be the primary source of Ninja (although, considering that each Academy member outshines the pathetic "Shuriken-Throwers", it may be the source of the better quality ones. After all, training from Youth usually has that effect). Think about how most Military men didn't go to a Military Academy. But those who did tend to become Officers.
Also, to the person who lists the 5-point rankings, it may not be that each star represents an absolute amount (I.E 1 Star is a fifth of 5 Star). So, as an example, there may only be a 20 or 30K Population different (population, not Ninja Count) between 1 Star and 5 Star. So the Smallest City may still be 80K while Konoha is (I presume) around 100K. I question the size of the Land of Iron. It seems to be a small location, and how many Samurai do you see on the 4th War battlefield. It seems it's feared for it's skill, quality, and fortress.
But yes. That's my idea. Ninja are recruited and trained throughout the Nation, with the Hidden Village being the Central Hub of Ninja Leadership and Administration. As well as the City of Residence for the Most powerful Shinobi Clans.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/06/13 | 422 | 1,379 | <issue_start>username_0: In the end of chapter 634, the latest chapter of Naruto Shippuden, Naruto's shuriken and Sasuke's arrow mixed together and formed a new black kind of shuriken to attack the ten tails.
What kind of power does the new shuriken contain? It contains Naruto's Wind element, but which of Sasuke's powers does it contain?

Is it the "Amaterasu" OR "Lightning" element?<issue_comment>username_1: It contains Amaterasu. In Naruto, wind is superior to lightning and in fact defeats it. What Naruto stated earlier in the chapter was that he was glad that his wind could fuel Sasuke's fire with his powers - and the image is clearly black and colored like Amaterasu. He manipulates Amaterasu through his Blaze Release: Kagatsuchi.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: It is a **[blaze element](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Blaze_Release)** technique (an enhanced Amaterasu with help from Naruto). What is is called? Well according to the said chapter:
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/NJasc.jpg)
They could call it "[SHAKUTON KOURIN SHIPPUU NO YA ZEROSHIKI (read: Swirling Gale of Black and White Arrow)](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Scorch_Release:_Halo_Gale_Jet_Black_Arrow_Style_Zero)!"
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2013/06/16 | 836 | 2,982 | <issue_start>username_0: In the Lucky Star anime, there is a scene where one character mentions something about drama CDs and anime adaptations of the same work having different voice actors. Ironically enough (and probably intended), Lucky Star is one of these franchises.

| **Character** | Drama CD | Anime |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Konata** | <NAME> | <NAME> |
| **Kagami** | <NAME> | <NAME>ri |
| **Tsukasa** | <NAME> | <NAME>ori |
| **Miyuki** | <NAME> | Endou Aya |
I can take some guesses at why this happens, but I've never properly researched it and therefore don't know the actual reason(s) why.<issue_comment>username_1: I don't know this for sure, but practically speaking, just because a talent is contracted for voicing a character, doesn't mean that the person is tied to the character for life.
Add to the fact that production companies will green light projects at different times, there are scheduling conflicts, too.
Also, I'm pulling this from [seiyu ka](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiy%C5%AB_ka-! "Seiyu ka"), but it seems if the sound director doesn't like the talent, they can fight to have the talent removed from the project.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: In the case of Lucky Star, this is because [the drama CD](http://vgmdb.net/album/24597) predates the anime by about two years, and was produced by a completely different group of people. When Kyoto Animation took on the Lucky Star anime project, they decided to cast new voice actors. Why? I don't know in this specific case, but one possibly contributing factor is that drama CDs are likely to have a smaller budget than anime, meaning that there are probably more constraints on which voice actors can be hired. Then again, maybe the producers just didn't like <NAME> as Konata, or maybe Hirohashi had scheduling issues (because, after all, the Lucky Star anime wouldn't have been part of her contract to do the drama CDs). Who knows?
This is a pattern you will see from time to time - there are some manga/LN franchises that get drama CDs before getting an anime adaptation. In these cases, the drama CD cast is likely to be replaced when it comes time to make an anime, simply because the production staff for the drama CDs and anime are different, and so there's nothing really necessitating that the anime production staff use the drama CD cast. Kara no Kyoukai is another example of this - there was [a drama CD back in 2002](http://vgmdb.net/album/49306), but the entire cast (besides glorious Nakata Jouji as Araya) was replaced for the movies.
On the other hand, when the drama CDs are a *tie-in* to the anime, you'll almost invariably see the same cast used for both, since they're both being produced by the same people/companies. I know of no exceptions to this, though I wouldn't be too surprised if there were some exceptions out there.
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/06/17 | 2,421 | 6,351 | <issue_start>username_0: In the first episode of pokemon, Ash sees a Ho-oH flying overhead, yet it wasn't known about (at least by Prof. Oak) until the second generation of pokemon.

When Ash hatches a Pokemon egg and gets Togepi in "who gets to keep Togepi", the pokedex comes up with nothing apart from a name.

Are there any other pokemon we get to see prior to their generation's season of the anime? (Up to generation 5)<issue_comment>username_1: User Caciulacdlac on Bulbapedia has compiled [a list of Pokemon that appeared before their generation starts airing](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/User%3aCaciulacdlac/Pok%C3%A9mon_that_appeared_before_their_generation). I assume the Japan broadcast date is used as the criteria.
The whole answer below is mostly based on the link above, and several other articles on Bulbapedia.
---
All the dates cited below will be **Japan** broadcast dates. Episode numbering will follow the numbering used by Bulbapedia.
**Generation II**
Episode 117, aired on **October 14, 1999**, marks the start of the [*The Johto Journeys*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon%3a_The_Johto_Journeys) (season 3), and also the start of generation II. The Pokemon listed below are from generation II, but appeared in the anime before the journey to Johto started.
* **Ho-Oh**: [Episode 001: *Pokémon - I Choose You!*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP001) **(April 1, 1997)**
* **Togepi**: [Episode 050: *Who Gets to Keep Togepi?*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP050) **(June 25, 1998)**
* **Marill**, **Snubbull**: [Pikachu Shorts 01: *Pikachu's Vacation*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/PK01) **(July 18, 1998)**
* **Donphan**: [Movies 01: *Mewtwo Strikes Back*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M01) **(July 18, 1998)**
* **Ledyba**, **Elekid**1, **Bellossom**, **Hoothoot**: [Pikachu Shorts 04: *Pikachu's Rescue Adventure*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/PK04) **(July 17, 1999)**
1 Elekid also appeared earlier in Tracey's sketch in [Episode 103 - *Misty Meets Her Match*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP103) **(July 1, 1999)**
* **Lugia**, **Slowking**: [Movies 2: *The Power of One*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M02) **(July 17, 1999)**
**Generation III**
The first episode of [*Advanced Generation*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Advanced_Generation_series) series, aired on **November 21, 2002**, marks the start of [*Pokémon: Advanced*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon%3a_Advanced) season (season 6), and also the start of generation III. The Pokemon listed below are from generation III, but appeared in the anime before generation III (to Hoenn) started.
* **Kecleon**: [Episode 205: *The Kecleon Caper*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP205) **(July 5, 2001)**
* **Azurill**, **Wailmer**: [Pikachu Shorts 10: *Pikachu's PikaBoo*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/PK10) **(July 7, 2001)**
* **Wynaut**: [Episode 252: *Fangs for Nothin'*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP252) **(June 13, 2002)**
* **Duskull**, **Volbeat**: [Pikachu Shorts 11: *Camp Pikachu*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/PK11) **(July 13, 2002)**
* **Latias**, **Latios**: [Movies 05: *Pokémon Heroes*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M05) **(July 13, 2002)**
* **Blaziken**: [Episode 265: *Pop Goes The Sneasel*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP265) **(September 12, 2002)**
* **Sharpedo**, **Seedot**, **Shroomish**, **Lotad**, **Zigzagoon**: [Episode 272: *Johto Photo Finish*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP272) **(October 31, 2002)**
* **Wingull**, **Pelipper**: [Episode 274: *Hoenn Alone!*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/EP274) **(November 14, 2002)**
**Generation IV**
The first episode of [*Diamond and Pearl*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Diamond_%26_Pearl_series) series, aired on **September 28, 2006**, marks the start of [*Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon%3a_Diamond_and_Pearl) season (season 10) and also the start of generation IV. The Pokemon listed below are from generation IV, but appeared in the anime before the journey to Sinnoh started.
* **Munchlax**: [Movies 07: *Destiny Deoxys*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M07) **(July 17, 2004)**
* **Lucario**, **Bonsly**, **Weavile**, **Mime Jr.**: [Movies 08: *Lucario and the Mystery of Mew*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M08) **(July 16, 2005)**
* **Manaphy**, **Mantyke**, **Buizel**, **Chatot**: [Movies 09: *Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M09) **(July 15, 2006)**
* **Electivire**: [Advanced Generation Episode 192: *Home is Where the Start Is!*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/AG192) **(September 14, 2006)**
**Generation V**
The first episode of [*Best Wishes*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Best_Wishes_series) series, aired on **September 23, 2010**, marks the start of generation V. The Pokemon listed below are from generation V, but appeared in the anime before the journey to Unova started.
* **Zorua, Zoroark, Woobat**2: [Movies 13: *Zoroark: Master of Illusions*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M13) **(July 10, 2010)**
2 Appeared as image only.
**Generation VI**
The first episode of [*XY Series*](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/XY_series), aired on **October 17, 2013**, marks the start of generation VI. The Pokemon listed below are from generation VI, but appeared in the anime before the journey to Kalos started.
* **Sylveon**: [Pikachu Shorts 25: Eevee & Friends](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/PK25) **(July 13, 2013)**
* **Helioptile, Gogoat**: [Best Wishes Episode 134: The Journalist from Another Region!](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/BW134) **(July 18, 2013)**
* **Noivern**: [Best Wishes Episode 137: Celebrating the Hero's Comet!](http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/BW137) **(August 15, 2013)**
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Snubbull was introduced in 1998 in the Pikachu special, Pikachu's vacation. It was not until the year 2000 that the Generation 2 pokemon were introduced.
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/06/17 | 1,814 | 5,822 | <issue_start>username_0: In Steins;Gate , Okarin gives some of his projects operation names, such as "Operation Urd".
He mentions that the names he has given them don't really mean anything, but looking at what the names are referencing, it seems otherwise.

Urd (or Urðr), Verthandi(Verðandi) and Skuld are a trio of Norns that are described as deciding the fates of people. They represent Past, Present and Future respectively. These reflect the time-travel theme of the show
There are ones that I haven't been figured out, such as Operation Eldhrimnir (episode 10) and Operation Valkyria (episode 18). How do these Norse Mythology references fit into the show (and any other ones i may have missed) ?<issue_comment>username_1: According to [Episode Glossary article on Steins;Gate Wiki](http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_Glossary), there are 5 operation names coined throughout the series:
* Operation Urd (Episode 6)
* Operation Eldhrimnir (Episode 10)
* Operation Verthandi (Episode 11)
* Operation Valkyria (Episode 18)
* Operation Skuld (Episode 23)
---
***Operation Eldhrímnir*** is coined by Okabe in [episode 10](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Steins;Gate_episodes) for the plan to invite [Suzuha](http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Suzuha_Amane) to a party on the following day regardless whether she meets her father or not. The party is meant to be a celebration party in case Suzuha meets her father, and in case she doesn't, it is a farewell party for her.
According to [Wikipedia entry on Eldhrímnir](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldhr%C3%ADmnir):
>
> In Norse mythology, **Eldhrímnir** (Old Norse "fire-sooty") is the cauldron in which the cook of the gods, Andhrímnir, prepares Sæhrímnir every evening.
>
>
>
The name is probably chosen due to the similarity in the *meal* theme.
Looking at the entry for [Einherjar](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einherjar):
>
> In Norse mythology, the **einherjar** (Old Norse "single (or once) fighters") are those that have died in battle and are brought to Valhalla by valkyries. In Valhalla, the einherjar eat their fill of the nightly-resurrecting beast Sæhrímnir, and are brought their fill of mead (from the udder of the goat Heiðrún) by valkyries.
>
>
>
And [Sæhrímnir](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A6hr%C3%ADmnir):
>
> In Norse mythology, **Sæhrímnir** is the creature killed and eaten every night by the Æsir and einherjar. The cook of the gods, Andhrímnir, is responsible for the slaughter of Sæhrímnir and its preparation in the cauldron Eldhrímnir. After Sæhrímnir is eaten, the beast is brought back to life again to provide sustenance for the following day.
>
>
>
I hope I am not reading too far into this, but since **Eldhrímnir** is the cauldron which is used to cook food for the **einherjar** who died in battle, it bears resemblance to the fact that Suzuha introduce herself as a "soldier", and how she fails to meet up with her father the next day. Or maybe the name just simply refers to the party with all the food and drinks, which relates to the fact that the cauldron is the cook for preparing a feast.
---
**Operation Valkyria** is coined by [Kurisu](http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Kurisu_Makise) in [episode 18](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Steins;Gate_episodes), before the date between Okabe and [Ruka](http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Ruka_Urushibara) (this occurs in the world line where Ruka is an actual girl).
As for the meaning of [Valkyria/Valkyrie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyrie), citing from Wikipedia:
>
> In Norse mythology, a **valkyrie** (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host of female figures who decide which soldiers die in battle and which live. Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr), the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar. When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead.
>
>
> The word *valkyrie* derives from Old Norse *valkyrja* (plural *valkyrjur*), which is composed of two words; the noun *valr* (referring to the slain on the battlefield) and the verb *kjósa* (meaning "to choose"). Together, they mean "chooser of the slain".
>
>
>
Putting the context and story behind the name **Valkyria** together, it *probably* refers to the role of Kurisu as she tails Okabe and Ruka during their date. The date can also be thought of as a battlefield for Okabe, since this is his first time going on a date. And the fact that Okabe keeps screwing up during the date can also be thought of as "die in battle". (This is the best I can come up with to connect the name and the context of the story).
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Being Icelandic and speaking the language (which is the closest language to Old Norse), I noticed that Norse mythology is prevalent throughout this series. For example, immediately on episode 18 during Operation Valkyria, Okabe is on the date with Ruka at the cafe "Völuspá Café". The sign can be seen when they enter the cafe and again when they exit on episode 18.
Völuspá is the first and best known poem of the Edda (collection of Old Norse poems). In the 19th verse of Völuspá, the 3 Norns - Urður, Verðandi, and Skuld are talked about being home at one of the three roots attached to Yggdrasill, the tree of life. In the 30th verse, Valkyries are gathering because a warrior has fallen and they are preparing to bring him to the afterlife, Valhöll.
Considering all the Norse mythology in this series and that the sign is shown so clearly, it is worth mentioning.
Upvotes: 3 |
2013/06/19 | 322 | 1,102 | <issue_start>username_0: Why can't Inuzuka clan's dogs use human language when Kakashi's dogs can? Also, how does Kiba and Akamaru understand each other?<issue_comment>username_1: Well the difference is quite simple.
the Inuzuka clan's dogs are simple dogs. They can understand human language very well and are the "sidekicks" of the Inuzuka. Kiba and Akamaru understand each other by ["Hand Wave"](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HandWave).
This is not explained any further as it is prescriptive.
Kakashi's dogs on the other hand are Summoned. They are not "real" dogs but spirits, comparable to Gamabunta, Gamakichi and the other [Kuchiose No Jutsu](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Summoning_Technique) summoned animals.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Like how username_1 stated the reason why Kakashi's ninken can speak is cause they are summoned creatures. However, the only ninken part of the Inuzuka clan that can actually speak is Kuromaru, at least as of right now.
Also, the Inuzuka all understand their ninken because of their bonds with them.
Upvotes: 1 |
2013/06/19 | 1,278 | 4,380 | <issue_start>username_0: Up until now, only people from the Uzumaki clan were shown to host the Nine-Tails:
1. <NAME>
2. <NAME>
3. <NAME>
were all shown as the Jinchuuriki for the Nine-Tails.
Why can't people from other clans be hosts of the Nine-Tails?<issue_comment>username_1: The answer pretty much lies on the skills and abilities of the Uzumaki Clan.
1st: *Members of this clan were very knowledgeable in the art of fūinjutsu, and were both respected, and feared worldwide because of their prodigious skill.* **Fūinjutsu** *are a type of jutsu that seal objects, living beings, chakra, along with a wide variety of other things within another object. Fūinjutsu can also be used to unseal objects either from within something or someone.*
2nd: The Uzumaki Clan lives in Uzushiogakure. The people of Uzushiogakure were noted to have notoriously long lives, so it gained the epithet **"The Village of Longevity"**. The clan's life force was the reason Kushina survived the extraction of her tailed beast, despite additionally just giving birth only moments before, though she was left severely weakened.
These two (as far as I know) are the reasons why they are a chosen to be jinchuriki.
And another thing, if you analyze the situation, as the parent or member of certain clan that possesses a Kyubi, it is more likely for them to give the Kyubi as an inheritance for the next generation (Ex: Kushina to Naruto: given also the fact that they have the required skill to do that)
Sources:
* [Uzumaki Clan](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Uzumaki_Clan)
* [Uzushiogakure](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Uzushiogakure)
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: As explained by Motoi in Chapter 493, Jinchuriki are usually chosen among the spouses, siblings or close relatives of the Kage (and not just in Konoha). This reduces the danger of the Jinchuriki betraying the village, and also serves to protect the Kage and display the Kage's power.
Mito and Kushina were primarily chosen because they were the wives of the First and Fourth Hokage respectively. Them belonging to the Uzumaki clan was also a factor in choosing them over others, for reasons well explained by Christian username_1 in another answer. Naruto becoming the Jinchuriki was not pre-planned, it was a decision the Fourth Hokage took during the battle against Kyuubi.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: Because it was first put into an Uzumaki and it has been passed on from generation. It was first sealed into Mito Uzumaki, then Kushina Uzumaki, and during the Nine-Tails attack, Minato sealed the yang-half of the Nine-Tails into Naruto while sealing the yin-half in himself.
So right now, Minato and Naruto are both Jinchuriki's of the Nine-Tails and that also means that Minato is the only non-Uzumaki member with the Nine-Tails inside him since his last name is Namikaze.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: The Uzumaki Clan are the ONLY clan capable to holding down the Kyuubi No Kitsune because they have the proper techniques to bind the beast. The Uzumaki are best in fuinjutsu so their chakra and techniques are best when it comes to holding him down. Not only that, others would die becoming the Jinchuuriki.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: The reason only Uzumaki, is because the members of the Uzumaki Clan, such as Kushina, have a stronger life force and a longer lifespan, an example is that Mito Uzumaki survived since Konoha's Creation to the time of the Third Hokage.
It also explains why Kushina didn't die as soon as the Kyuubi was set free, due to this fact, Only Uzumaki were chosen to become the Nine Tails Jinchuuriki.
All Uzumaki have a great amount of Chakra reserves, and Additionally, have a large amount of experience in sealing techniques.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_6: The reason is none of the above.
Mito wasn't chosen to be a host. She sealed the nine tails in herself of her own accord when it was freed from Madara's control. This is the reason that she, an Uzumaki, was the first Jin of the 9 tails.
Kushina was chosen because even among the Uzumaki clan, her chakra was said to be special and unique.
In Naruto's case, Minato chose his son so that he could be a hero, also selfishly, so that he and Kushina could see him when it's needed.
Only one Uzumaki was ever chosen and that was Kushina.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/19 | 1,277 | 4,833 | <issue_start>username_0: In the anime version of Aku no Hana, the animators chose to use a technique called [Rotoscoping](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotoscoping):
>
> Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which animators trace over footage, frame by frame, for use in live-action and animated films. Originally, recorded live-action film images were projected onto a frosted glass panel and re-drawn by an animator. This projection equipment is called a rotoscope, although this device was eventually replaced by computers.
>
>
>
This resulted in the animation looking more realistic and quite different from typical anime, as pictured below.

Online, I've seen both love and hate for the style, but I'm wondering: Have any Japanese animators commented on it? [According to TVTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Rotoscoping), it has a bad reputation in the West with animators such as [<NAME>](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RichardWilliams) and [<NAME>](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DisneysNineOldMen), but it makes no mention of Japanese animators.<issue_comment>username_1: There's not much information out there, perhaps because it is bad practise to criticise fellow animators. But there is information from the people who were involved:
Firstly, [The mangaka](http://justputithere.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/aku-no-hana-hana-ga-saita-yo-kai-notes/) was satisfied with the way the anime was animated, and [the studio](http://sgcafe.com/2013/08/interview-with-mappas-masao-maruyama/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-mappas-masao-maruyama) itself was happy with the outcome, wanting [realism without making it completely live action](http://www.japanator.com/aku-no-hana-s-hiroshi-nagahama-talks-flowers-evil-28789.phtml) and wouldn't be opposed to doing it again with another series, mentioning that Mushishi would be a good candidate for the style.
Vertical Inc., who publish the manga in English, have also stated their support for the stylistic adaption - [Vertical Inc. Tumblr](http://vertical-inc.tumblr.com/post/47480925580/blog-post-on-the-flowers-of-evil-anime)
The industry as a whole isn't opposed to rotoscoping in the industry, Kuuchu Baranko also implemented it for one character's appearance and there was little outroar on the internet

Kids on the Slope also used the technique for animating the characters playing instruments, most notably the drums;

It also wasn't the target of much negative feedback either.
Personally, I think that if a large unconvential stylistic choice was made for an entire anime, there will always be negative feedback, and that makes a lot more noise than positive ones.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: It's not the rotoscoping itself, but the combination of rotoscoping along with the omission of various details that cause negative reactions. When the brain is given visual data to process, it doesn't immediately distinguish whether what it's shown are objects in the real world or images on a screen or paper. The brain looks for various cues, like the relationship between lines and shading and color, and automatically searches for and identifies patterns that it can use to determine relative positions of objects, motion of living things and other objects, human motion and facial expressions, and other features that are important for survival. As such, when the brain perceives patterns that aren't actually there it will never the less still include those patterns in the final processed image that we "see." This is the basis for pretty much every optical illusion ever created. On the other hand, when the brain is given an image that approaches realism but is missing various cues or the cues are slightly off, the brain freaks out and releases cortisols and other chemicals to simulate pain and initiate a fight or flight response.
Basically, images that approach realism too closely without actually making it all the way there will appear extremely "creepy" and be off-putting, and not just to some people, but to everyone with a functioning visual cortex and adrenal cortex. But that's exactly what the studio was shooting for, so mission successful? It simultaneously adds to the atmosphere but breaks immersion, which makes it difficult for people to project themselves into the story with the exception of a few scenes where the audience is allowed to vicariously explore deviant behaviors.
So when seeking other animators' opinions on Aku no Hana, I'd be wary of people who conflate the style with its psychological and physiological effects.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/21 | 1,033 | 3,958 | <issue_start>username_0: What is the significance of Koizumi noticing Kyon's mole at the end of Lone Island Syndrome?
I don't think there was this ever an explanation made in the anime... was there any context given in the light novel?
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYHm7N3EtmQ#t=44s><issue_comment>username_1: There's not much information out there, perhaps because it is bad practise to criticise fellow animators. But there is information from the people who were involved:
Firstly, [The mangaka](http://justputithere.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/aku-no-hana-hana-ga-saita-yo-kai-notes/) was satisfied with the way the anime was animated, and [the studio](http://sgcafe.com/2013/08/interview-with-mappas-masao-maruyama/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-with-mappas-masao-maruyama) itself was happy with the outcome, wanting [realism without making it completely live action](http://www.japanator.com/aku-no-hana-s-hiroshi-nagahama-talks-flowers-evil-28789.phtml) and wouldn't be opposed to doing it again with another series, mentioning that Mushishi would be a good candidate for the style.
Vertical Inc., who publish the manga in English, have also stated their support for the stylistic adaption - [Vertical Inc. Tumblr](http://vertical-inc.tumblr.com/post/47480925580/blog-post-on-the-flowers-of-evil-anime)
The industry as a whole isn't opposed to rotoscoping in the industry, Kuuchu Baranko also implemented it for one character's appearance and there was little outroar on the internet

Kids on the Slope also used the technique for animating the characters playing instruments, most notably the drums;

It also wasn't the target of much negative feedback either.
Personally, I think that if a large unconvential stylistic choice was made for an entire anime, there will always be negative feedback, and that makes a lot more noise than positive ones.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: It's not the rotoscoping itself, but the combination of rotoscoping along with the omission of various details that cause negative reactions. When the brain is given visual data to process, it doesn't immediately distinguish whether what it's shown are objects in the real world or images on a screen or paper. The brain looks for various cues, like the relationship between lines and shading and color, and automatically searches for and identifies patterns that it can use to determine relative positions of objects, motion of living things and other objects, human motion and facial expressions, and other features that are important for survival. As such, when the brain perceives patterns that aren't actually there it will never the less still include those patterns in the final processed image that we "see." This is the basis for pretty much every optical illusion ever created. On the other hand, when the brain is given an image that approaches realism but is missing various cues or the cues are slightly off, the brain freaks out and releases cortisols and other chemicals to simulate pain and initiate a fight or flight response.
Basically, images that approach realism too closely without actually making it all the way there will appear extremely "creepy" and be off-putting, and not just to some people, but to everyone with a functioning visual cortex and adrenal cortex. But that's exactly what the studio was shooting for, so mission successful? It simultaneously adds to the atmosphere but breaks immersion, which makes it difficult for people to project themselves into the story with the exception of a few scenes where the audience is allowed to vicariously explore deviant behaviors.
So when seeking other animators' opinions on Aku no Hana, I'd be wary of people who conflate the style with its psychological and physiological effects.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/21 | 1,187 | 4,071 | <issue_start>username_0: On the surface, red Saber (from *Fate/Extra*) and blue Saber (from *Fate/Stay Night*) look almost identical.
Was it ever explained why they look so similar?
What noticeable differences do the two have, aside from their abilities and attire?
 <issue_comment>username_1: Saber is extremely popular character. They are just "milking franchise" with character that looks similar to the original. And by having little different personality, they make sure they gain interest of more people other than fans of original Saber.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: On the [wiki-page for Red Saber](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Playable_Saber_%28Fate/Extra%29), there is a little excerpt from a Q&A:
>
> Q: Why are Red Saber and Blue Saber so similar? Are they related?
>
> A: They are very different!
>
> They are different like Takashi Takeuchi and Arco Wada. Or like buckwheat noodles and udon.
> The model of King Arthur were said to be a fusion of two individuals, and one of them is the Roman general Artorius. I guess there are some relationships.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: If I remember correctly, Red Saber as is much more hot blooded and much less proper, as compared to Normal Saber who is much more sedate and proper. Also, Red Saber is much more haughty and acts less humble than Blue Saber. I don't think that it's ever really explained why they look so similar, but the wiki says they don't have any blood relations.
>
> Also, they are two different people, Red Saber is Nero while Blue Saber is Arturia.
>
>
>
If you look at the wiki you can see that they are both extremely different despite their superficial similarities.
<http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Playable_Saber_(Fate/Extra)>
<http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Saber_(Fate/stay_night)>
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: @Templar627 makes an interesting distinction in his answer. Personality wise, the *Fate/Extra* Red Saber is more of a hedonist that does thing overindulgently with much gusto (expressed by her somewhat lewd attire). In the game dialogues and scenes, she is (implied to be) very openly bisexual saying the only things she cares for is what is beautiful ("Beautiful young boys are good. Beautiful young girls are better. My singular preference is beauty!").
Red Saber can be loud and opinionated -- often butting into conversations, throwing around advice, and insulting your enemies as she sees fit. Unlike her blue counterpart, she is vain, boisterous, and arrogant and speaks with all the regal proclamation of an arrogant ruler that is partially divine, not unlike Gilgamesh.
If you consider Blue Saber to be a tsundere, Red Saber would be the complete opposite. She bold (her attire shows off her cleavage and back/behind and legs/leotard/panties) where the other is reserved, proud where the other is humble.
Red Saber seems to be a bit shorter at 150cm tall, compared to the 154cm stature of her Blue counterpart. However Red Saber is bustier (B83/W56/H82) than her Blue counterpart (B73/W53/H76).
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/A9282.jpg)
In *Fate/Extra Material*, Red Saber's backstory makes mention that her care for diplomacy caused Britannia's relations in Rome to improve during later years, essentially making her the person who built the opportunity for the legend of <NAME> to be born. Perhaps why she Blue Saber looks so similar to Red Saber is because her [legend/archetype was based off Red Saber](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/4185/63).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_5: On [the wiki page that username_3 posted](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Playable_Saber_%28Fate/Extra%29#Development), under the development subheading it says:
>
> She was made to look like Saber because they wanted to trick people into thinking they were the same character and surprise them upon actually playing the game.
>
>
>
Upvotes: -1 |
2013/06/22 | 673 | 2,566 | <issue_start>username_0: I’m thinking of an anime but I only remember a flashback about one character (possibly a villain character). It’s bugging me that I can’t remember what the anime was. I’m sure I’ll remember the main story once somebody says the title but right now this is just an unassociated fragment in my head so here’s what I remember…
It starts out with a young boy and his father living in an impoverished sort of town where they both work at the same factory. The narrator (female I think) says that for this kid there were only two moments in his life that he valued: one was when he fell ill and his father stayed by his side, changing the wet towel on his head. I can’t remember the other moment.
His father is a mean drunk or something who pretty much takes all the money the boy makes and probably beats him too. Anyways, the boy finds out from a person at his work that it was a neighbor lady who stayed by his side while he was ill and not his father (and so his cherished memory was tarnished). His second valued memory was true, but I can't remember it.
So one day some other people gang up on and start beating the crap out of the boy when he spots his father. The boy looks over at him as if asking for help. His father looks at him for a moment but then looks away and carries on his merry way.
That’s all I remember... Any help would be appreciated.<issue_comment>username_1: Oh! I figured it out! It took me awhile searching through a few series I thought it might have been. I thought it could have been a minor Neo-Nazi or Czech S.S. character from Monster, the Comrade “villain” from Gun X Sword, the perfectionist character from the last story arc in The Twelve Kingdoms, or one of the rich & borderline-insane old men from Kaiji or Akagi.
But then it dawned on me... Hunter X Hunter (2011)! I found in the first ten minutes of episode 80.
It was a few details off in the previous description but it’s the story of the youth of Gyro (the leader of NGL’s underground). We’re never told what happens to him but I can only assume the worst if you saw the episode. I think I had my memory lapse because his name, position, and story of youth are all that are mentioned without any sort of introduction of his character into the storyline. Seems sort of suspicious to me…
I’m sorry about answering my own question kuwaly and other people who may have been researching this. Have a good day.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_2: Michiko & Hatchin has abusive stepparents at the beginning, in an impoverished country.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/23 | 608 | 2,131 | <issue_start>username_0: So, Tsukune's father finds a school admission letter someone drops, and gives it to Tsukune. And then Tsukune goes into a monster school, and the magic to stop humans doesn't work, and he becomes a normal student. Am I the only one who finds this weird?
Is there any reason he was allowed in the school? Surely the teachers/headmaster would realize he is not a monster, and that he is using someone else's admission letter?<issue_comment>username_1: The trick to this is, that noone in the school knows he is human except
>
> the headmaster, who dropped his letter of admission in the first episode
>
>
>
and maybe the bus driver, who is revealed to be:
>
> Nurarihyon the supreme commander of all monsters in the last episode of the 2nd season manga.
>
>
>
additionaly to the end of Capu 1 (it's their Season)
>
> he almost dies and <NAME> turns him into a part-vampire to save his life
>
>
>
The plot device used for this is, that in School no one is allowed to show their true form, but have to disguise as humans. This allows him to wander freely in this school for monsters.
At the same time of the revelation on who the Bus Driver is, the true reason is also revealed:
>
> Nurarihyon (aka the Bus Driver, aka the supreme commander of all monsters) wants Tsukune to be the next headmaster of the school of monsters.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: If you haven't finished the manga, the text below may be a spoiler.
>
> Okay, there is a reason - in the last 2-3 chapters of the manga, it was revealed that Tsukune was allowed to become a vampire to fight against Alucard, and I think that it was implied that he was supposed to be a middle man for negotiations between the two in the future in the beginning.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: It was revealed that the headmaster purposely drop the school admission letter and had planned to turn tsukune into a shinso vampire in the hope that tsukune could defeat Dracula one day, which technically happened even though Dracula voluntary admitted defeat and killed himself
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/24 | 701 | 2,500 | <issue_start>username_0: The term "Blitzendegen" is used by the Dorssian military frequently (see [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=valhuf2Ct5o) for an example). It seems to be used as a salute, but it's also used in other context. The term seems to be from German, but its literal meaning in German is "lightning rapier" which doesn't make much sense.
What is the in-universe meaning of "blitzendegen", and when are Dorssian soldiers expected to use it?<issue_comment>username_1: No, it's just a modified [military salute](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute) and the words themselves have no particular meaning or a translation that would make sense.
While a military salute can be used for acknowledgement when receiving orders, it is rather uncommon and makes the person doing so look retarded. Another use of a modified military salute may also be a [battle cry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_cry). While there exist historic videos from Germany with masses chanting and doing the [Nazi salute](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_salute), flags hanging everywhere and despite fascist songs being sung in the [Wehrmacht](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wehrmacht), usage of symbols and memes resembling those that the Nazis used (and not being very original) are anything but an accurate take on this topic and rather use of artistic license. Producers often use their artistic license in that kind to demonize the enemy and depict dictatorships or fanatics.
I can't blame them, it still works very well and I found one of my teachers refusing to believe me when I told her that the [Schwabacher](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwabacher) typeface was abolished in Germany by the Nazis (thus finally putting an end to the [Antiqua-Fraktur dispute](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiqua%E2%80%93Fraktur_dispute)).
Similar uses of artistic license in Animes:
* "<NAME>" in the Universal Century setting of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise from Sunrise
* "<NAME>" in Last Exile -Fam the Silver Wing-
* [...]
So what happend here was that they took some well known phrase and replaced one half with something random to have something new and unique. The Dorssian flag is another example of that.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Its quite easy:
Blitz`n`Degen
is a short form of
Blitz und/and Degen
bolt and sword (like epee)
It's to make something similar to the nazi "<NAME>" (blood and honour), which is forbidden like the Hitler salute in Germany.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/25 | 951 | 3,611 | <issue_start>username_0: In the latest episode 85, Pitou easily killed Kite even though Killua said Kite is as strong or stronger than a Nen Master. I thought chimera ants had nen similar to that of humans. How come they are so strong?<issue_comment>username_1: Before the royal guard was born, the chimera ants became aware of humans with 'excessive life force' (a.k.a. *nen*) and the queen ordered them to hunt down any *nen* users that were in the area for her consumption. We know that there were hunters in the country at the time, like Ponzu and Pokkle's group etc. We can assume that the queen consumed these hunters and the royal guard inherited the *nen* abilities.
The rest of the chimera ants are receiving (as of episode 85) their *nen* abilities the regular way - through the "baptism" which awakens *nen* in a person. This is how most humans acquire *nen* abilities, as was probably the case with Kite.
The overwhelming strength of the royal guard can be attributed to:
* They are born able to use *nen*, unlike human most *nen* users who are "baptised". This gives them an advantage because their understanding and ability to use *nen* is innate, not learned through years of training and study.
* Chimera ants are insects by nature and are usually brutal, savage, and cruel. This leads to more menacing battle auras, which can hinder the fighting ability of a human opponent if the aura is intimidating enough. For example, Pitou's aura was menacing enough to scare away Gon and Killua.
* Chimera ants also have the properties of any animals or humans that were eaten. This means that any member of the royal guard is going to have incredibly fast animal-like reflexes, the intelligence of the best humans, and the strongest muscles between animals/humans.
The combination of these means that the royal guard is going to be significantly stronger than most average hunters.
Kite was also at a disadvantage because he lost his arm protecting Gon and Killua before he fought Pitou.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_2: Since Pokkle didn't get eaten before Pitou was born, and since he is mentioned as the first "rare human" they've encountered, the Queen shouldn't have eaten any humans with Nen-abilities before conceiving the Royal Guard. Out of Pokkle's group, none of the four members were eaten by the Queen and there has been no mention of other "rare humans" before the Royal Guard was conceived.
How they still managed to be born with such strong Nen-powers is a mystery, since, as they say themselves, the "rare humans" are worth 1000 normal ones. So just to achieve the level of a normal Nen-user, the Queen would have to eat 1000 normal humans, and for the Royal guard to be dozens of times stronger than that, she would have needed to consume close to a hundred thousand humans for each of the Royal Guards.
The population is certainly big enough to provide that many, but given the time she had to eat that much, and subtract all the food that went to make the foot soldiers, captains and squadron leaders, not to mention the King himself, there is no way she had the soldiers to procure, let alone eat, that vast amount of humans.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: I think that the reason why the royal guards were so powerful was because one, The chimera ants evolve at a rapid rate and considering the amount of time for the chimera ants to evolve to the rate of pitou, it should be an easy feat.So, in conclusion, pitou is as strong as she/he is because pitou had lots of time to evolve and is at near the pinnacle of evolution only underneath the king.
Upvotes: 0 |
2013/06/26 | 2,377 | 9,622 | <issue_start>username_0: Ninjas in *Naruto* run with their hands at the back,

which is very different from normal anime character running.

Why is that? Is it because of their too much running speed or the wind force that their arms tend to be at their backs? Don't they lose balance when they run like that? Is there any explanation for this?<issue_comment>username_1: The shortest and most [sensible answer](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NinjaRun) I could find is:
>
> The standard Ninja Run is this:
>
>
> * Body tilted forward, low to the ground.
> * One forearm crooked in front of the body, apparently to block attacks (two fingers held in front of the mouth
> optional but prevalent).
> * The other arm behind the back, ready to pull out a bladed weapon.
>
>
>
Another speculative guess would be better aerodynamics. Also they move very quickly at times and it is said that [swinging your arms](http://running.about.com/od/howtorun/tp/runningform.htm) make you tire faster and give you bad form, so it could be to save energy.
Upvotes: 5 <issue_comment>username_2: Based on research...
...Ninjas frequently were portrayed running with [The Airplane Arms](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AirplaneArms).
>
> Ninja are also frequently portrayed running this way (with the arms swept farther back, like the wings on an F-14 Tomcat), though they now tend to prefer the Ninja Run. Samurai also run in a similar manner, usually while keeping one hand grasped onto their katana. **In a more (apparently) realistic series this may have something to do with the runner having a reduced profile and thus being harder to hit with ranged weaponry, but it's generally just the Rule Of Cool.**
>
>
>
Emphasis by me.
Upvotes: 7 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: When they keep their arms behind, they are streamlined.
They penetrate through air faster and air resistance is reduced, and hence it boosts their speed.
It also provides easy accessibility to weapons.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: The reason they do that is [Aerodynamics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerodynamics).
Less air resistance, faster speed. Used a lot when designing jets, planes, cars. You want something to be faster, you either make it more powerful or have the resistance against it cut. Speed was important to ninjas so wearing tight clothes and running in an aerodynamic position would make them faster. That is in addition to obvious benefits that people have stated (a hand at the ready to draw a blade...etc).
Ever wonder about the shape of submarines or torpedoes? Its cause its hydrodynamic. Faster speed due to less resistance from the water. It works the same for air resistance. NASA used to have a great page on aerodynamics but obviously it is no longer available (can't even be crawled due to robots.txt for the site).
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_5: Perhaps it's because the weapons they'd use to handle an ambush are drawn from their thighs and behind their backs. I'd think it would also give them a uniform running profile so that there is no 'best moment' to attack them. If you run with your arms swinging there will be moments when your hands are completely out of position. Especially if you have, say, a left thigh shuriken holster and a right shoulder sword draw then you will constantly be creating a moment where you can easily draw neither weapon due to arm swing. Thirdly it allows you to draw and throw weapons hidden in your sleeve without the delay of needing to swing your arm back.
I suppose it could also be an artifact of chakra assisted movement. A proper calisthenic running style might conflict with getting the best results from a run that relies more on sticking with chakra and explosively releasing it for a 'push' rather than the rounder motion of running based off pure athleticism. Perhaps it also helps their moment to moment balance by keeping their center of gravity near constant rather than allowing it to sway, that would theoretically allow for faster, tighter reactions and evasions.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_6: Because putting your hands behind your back while running makes you go faster. Because it's weighing you down in the back but your weighing yourself down in the front, So it's like your trying to keep your balance but the front has more weight than the back so when your running your also kind of leaning forward at the same time which makes you run faster giving you more speed. That's why ninja do this so they have more speed.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_7: Actually, I once saw a bit about this in a Japanese TV show. It comes from the way samurai used to run before meeting the English. Samurai ran into battle using only their legs, keeping the upper body stable and in a ready stance. The arms back thing was, I believe, an extension of this having to do with a belief that it cut down on air resistance. (like using the same technique to run through water) But one thing that happened when the English arrived is that each saw how the other ran and, as men will do, competed. The Western style of running is harder to do with a weapon in hand but is more efficient and therefor faster. The eastern style has no swinging of the arms, which allows larger weapons (swords) to be carried safely, but also requires the shift in weight to occur in the body rather than the arms, making it less efficient and slower.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_8: It obviously doesn't ACTUALLY make you run faster. If it did, you would see it in the Olympics.
Any additional aerodynamics isn't made up for by the loss of swinging momentum of the arms and the awkwardness that causes.
There is a reason people swing their arms when they walk/run, even though it uses significantly more energy to do so.
Indeed, I thought perhaps the reason you would see this run is that maybe it used less energy and helped for distance, but that is unlikely too, because it is probably more work to keep balance overall---and there are people who can basically run so long that what they have to stop for is sleep anyway.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_9: Several reasons really that I can think of.
1. To reduce the profile, leaning forward the way they do and keeping the arms straight makes for a harder target to hit and lower to the ground so its more difficult to see moving from cover to cover, which is a Ninja's main objective; to move stealthily.
1.5 This also gives them the perfect posture to leap forward for whatever reason since most attacks from behind are hard to block compared to a forward attacks which will have a reasonable amount of time to see and intercept them.
1. An easier/quicker access to weapons, which are attached to the thighs and back.
2. Increased aerodynamics. Running at a fast speed like most Ninja do creates a lot of drag, the more aerodynamic the posture the better. I can also think of several balance issues that come from running face first like that, the arms held behind the body fix these balance issues.
3. Can achieve a faster speed. Technically... With all the weight moving forward like that it acts like a lead weight on the front of a toy racecar. The force above and ahead of the main pivot of the legs increases the speed. Inversely this makes things harder to control, but, given that Ninja are basically Jesus and can walk on water and vertical surfaces like walking on flat ground, it makes sense that they have amazing leg strength/balance and can stop on a dime relatively easily.
4. Improves correct sneaking posture. Most Ninja are taught to be stealthy, but learning a toe heel posture that emphasizes stealth takes a lot of practice and is hard to maintain. Leaning forward as they do while running forces the body into a toe heel posture.
5.5 This early academy training idea also has a good grounding on why most adult Ninja in later chapters use the "one hand behind and one hand forward with a hand sign" running style. They've already learned the correct posture to run and sneak with, now they can keep a hand forward, ready to cast the Jutsu they learned during their time as Genin, alongside their proper sneak/running posture.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_10: The reasoning for this is most likely because it looks cool and fits what westerners thinks of when they think of ninjas. There may be some reasoning with weapons but I do not know of any. However it has nothing to do with aerodynamics, physics or speed.
Sprinters use their arms because it makes them faster. Leaning forward while running does not make one faster it actually slows you down because you are in front of your bodies natural center of balance.
It also does not aid in long distance running. Humans have evolved for bipedal movement because it is more energy saving and efficient way of moving because of the center of gravity and swinging of the arms while walking and running. This is why humans were able to prosper in our early developer because while other quadrupedal animals exhausted themselves while fleeing humans where able to run longer distance, though at a slower rate than other animals to tire them out.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_11: A mixture of obscuring your profile and having you hands closer to the branches on your side, should you have to pivot/swing away without wasting chakra on a shadow clone or substitution jutsu. I think.
Upvotes: 0 |