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{ "accepted_answer_id": "8", "answer_count": 6, "body": "Assuming the world in the One Piece universe is round, then there is not\nreally a beginning or an end of the Grand Line.\n\nThe Straw Hats started out from the first half and are now sailing across the\nsecond half.\n\nWouldn't it have been quicker to set sail in the opposite direction from where\nthey started?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:37:08.823", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "1", "last_activity_date": "2022-05-12T10:37:24.403", "last_edit_date": "2015-04-17T19:06:38.957", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "21", "post_type": "question", "score": 83, "tags": [ "one-piece" ], "title": "The treasure in One Piece is at the end of the Grand Line. But isn't that the same as the beginning?", "view_count": 98252 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI think that the One Piece, being at the end of the Grand Line, simply refers\nto the fact that to get to the \"One Piece\", the legendary treasure talked\nabout by the last Pirate King, you will need to travel to the \"end\" of the\nseas. In this case, that means traveling through the most remote/dangerous\nplaces so that only the worthy can get to it.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:47:29.397", "id": "7", "last_activity_date": "2015-05-26T12:50:40.920", "last_edit_date": "2015-05-26T12:50:40.920", "last_editor_user_id": "11083", "owner_user_id": "32", "parent_id": "1", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nNo, there is a reason why they can't.\n\nBasically the [New World](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/New_World) is beyond\nthe [Red Line](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Red_Line), but you cannot \"walk\"\non it, or cross it. It's a huge continent, very tall that you cannot go\nthrough. You can't cross the [Calm\nBelt](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Calm_Belt) either, unless you have some\nform of locomotion such as the Navy or [Boa\nHancock](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Boa_Hancock).\n\nSo the only way is to start from one of the Four Seas, then to go the [Reverse\nMountain](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Reverse_Mountain) and follow the\nGrand Line until you reach _[Raftel](http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Raftel)_ ,\nwhich supposedly is where One Piece is located.\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:47:52.167", "id": "8", "last_activity_date": "2013-05-06T19:21:04.703", "last_edit_date": "2013-05-06T19:21:04.703", "last_editor_user_id": "1528", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "1", "post_type": "answer", "score": 73 }, { "body": "\n\nLuffy's dream is to be the Pirate King. By definition in One Piece itself, the\nPirate King is someone who most freely wanders in the Grand Line. Surely,\nfinding One Piece is a necessity to become the Pirate King, but is not an\nenough condition.\n\nLuffy loves adventure by nature. He doesn't want to find One Piece so easily.\nIf he wanted so, he could have asked Rayleigh its location in Sabaody\nArchipelago arc. When Usopp asked it, he shouted him and asked Usopp to stop\nasking for it. And he said, if he were to learn its location, or even learns\nif it existed or not, he would quit being a pirate at that moment.\n\nLuffy simply wants to follow steps of the former Pirate King Gol D. Roger. He\nwant to experience a good adventure. He wants to fight strong opponents. He\nalways chooses the hardest path.\n\nIf finding One Piece was his only goal, he could have of course spent his time\nlearning cliff climbing skills instead of wasting his time in the sea. Then he\ncould finally climb that huge wall of Red Line and search for Raftel there.\n\nOne more thing to note is that the Location of Raftel is unknown. Even\nShirohige didn't know it. Remember that, in a flash-back during the war in\nMarine Headquarters, Gol D. Roger asks Shirohine if he wants him to tell the\nlocation of Raftel.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:00:44.390", "id": "17", "last_activity_date": "2022-05-12T10:37:24.403", "last_edit_date": "2022-05-12T10:37:24.403", "last_editor_user_id": "65721", "owner_user_id": "18", "parent_id": "1", "post_type": "answer", "score": 29 }, { "body": "\n\nWell, if Luffy chose the the easy way, he'd die, because much stronger\nopponents are trying to get One Piece. Plus, Gold Roger said to go get One\nPiece, so he must have left a guardian or something. It wouldn't be that easy\nto become pirate king.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-08-05T18:03:50.727", "id": "4637", "last_activity_date": "2013-08-05T18:09:49.790", "last_edit_date": "2013-08-05T18:09:49.790", "last_editor_user_id": "274", "owner_user_id": "2158", "parent_id": "1", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nIn addition to [Alenanno](https://anime.stackexchange.com/users/15/alenanno)'s\nanswer, it should be pointed out that the location of the One Piece isn't what\nis important, but **the journey is what is important**.\n\nIf there were such an item as the _One Piece_ located at Raftel, the Marines\nwould have been able to get it already. In episode 315, it was pointed out by\nCoby that the Marines' ships can cross the _Calm Belt_ , and coming from North\nor West Blue, they would be able to just go to Raftel without doing the\ncomplete journey around the world.\n\nThere are also lots of other ways for the World Government or the Marines to\nreach Raftel (e.g. Kizaru could use his mirrors, Kuzan could build an ice\nstairs, Fujitora could literally fly over there, ...). So if it were as simple\nas going to Raftel to get the _One Piece_ , the World Government would have\ndone so already, displaying whatever treasure it would be and trying to end\nthis _Great Age of Pirates_.\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-11-30T01:35:09.063", "id": "15362", "last_activity_date": "2015-04-17T19:11:11.720", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:54:48.523", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "6166", "parent_id": "1", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 }, { "body": "\n\nThe One Piece is indeed at the end of the grand line but even Big Mom has had\ntrouble finding it. The reason for this is that one cannot find Raftel without\nbeing able to read the Poneglyphs, specifically the four red Road Poneglyphs.\nEach of these leads to an island and the midpoint between those four islands\nis the location of Raftel. One Road Poneglyph is held by Big Mom, one by\nKaido, one is on the moving island of Zao, and one is missing. Thus you can\nsee that someone would have just as much trouble finding One Piece if they\ncrossed the Calm Belt or the Red Line as they would doing things the\nadventurous way.\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-07-13T18:10:31.453", "id": "47816", "last_activity_date": "2018-07-13T20:46:00.803", "last_edit_date": "2018-07-13T20:46:00.803", "last_editor_user_id": "41439", "owner_user_id": "41439", "parent_id": "1", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "33", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIn the middle of _The Dark Tournament_ , Yusuke Urameshi gets to fully inherit\nGenkai's power of the _Spirit Wave_ by absorbing a ball of energy from her.\n\nHowever, this process turns into an excruciating trial for Yusuke, almost\nkilling him, and keeping him doubled over in extreme pain for a long period of\ntime, so much so that his Spirit Animal, Poo, is also in pain and flies to him\nto try to help.\n\nMy question is, why is it such a painful procedure to learn and absorb this\npower?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:39:40.780", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "2", "last_activity_date": "2013-06-20T03:31:39.187", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-26T17:02:31.570", "last_editor_user_id": "247", "owner_user_id": "26", "post_type": "question", "score": 14, "tags": [ "yu-yu-hakusho" ], "title": "Why does absorbing the Spirit Wave from Genkai involve such a painful process?", "view_count": 2591 }

[ { "body": "\n\nSpirit Energy is a part of one's life energy, like an extension of one's soul.\nWhen Genkai transfers her spirit energy into Yusuke to teach him the\ntechnique, it is incredibly painful for him to receive such an overwhelming\namount of energy/soul at once because his body takes time to adjust to the new\nlevels of energy.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:22:12.437", "id": "33", "last_activity_date": "2013-06-20T03:31:39.187", "last_edit_date": "2013-06-20T03:31:39.187", "last_editor_user_id": "88", "owner_user_id": "52", "parent_id": "2", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "148", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nIn Sora no Otoshimono, Ikaros carries around a watermelon like a pet and likes\nwatermelons and pretty much anything else round. At one point she even has a\nwatermelon garden and attacks all the bugs that get near the melons.\n\nWhat's the significance of the watermelon and why does she carry one around?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:42:47.447", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "3", "last_activity_date": "2020-05-07T03:36:46.550", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "29", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "sora-no-otoshimono" ], "title": "What's the significance of the watermelon in Sora no Otoshimono?", "view_count": 4924 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI believe there is no significance.\n\nIt is just a character trait that she really likes watermelons. Probably for\ntheir smooth and round shape.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T06:26:09.120", "id": "148", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-17T20:11:01.917", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-17T20:11:01.917", "last_editor_user_id": "29", "owner_user_id": "115", "parent_id": "3", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nFrom what I understand of the anime, she likes being patted on her head by her\nmaster. Since patting something round reminds her of the times her master pats\nher, she may simply be reliving that memory.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-02-01T19:16:03.963", "id": "2280", "last_activity_date": "2014-01-15T21:01:55.043", "last_edit_date": "2014-01-15T21:01:55.043", "last_editor_user_id": "29", "owner_user_id": "1407", "parent_id": "3", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nI think Ikaros likes watermelon not just because it is round and reminds her\nof herself when she is being pet, but she also is in a situation where she\nmight be under a lot of stress without even knowing it (she is trying to get\ntaken back to her original master), and this is her way to cope with it.\n\nBut this is a more realistic theory, so this probably isn't even close to the\nidea the producers had when making this decision.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-09-13T17:34:38.563", "id": "42312", "last_activity_date": "2017-09-13T18:07:56.870", "last_edit_date": "2017-09-13T18:07:56.870", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "35618", "parent_id": "3", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIs there any particular software or software family specifically designed for\nmaking anime?\n\nAre they drawing all the frames of motion scenes, or does a software\nautomatically generate them? For example, consider a soccer player kicking a\nfootball. Let the duration of the scene be 0.5 seconds, and let the frame rate\nof the video be 24 fps; that makes 12 frames in that scene. Do they patiently\ndraw all those 12 frames manually for that scene which takes only half a\nsecond?\n\n", "comment_count": 7, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:44:46.870", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "4", "last_activity_date": "2018-01-01T00:43:31.463", "last_edit_date": "2013-08-22T12:44:58.107", "last_editor_user_id": "111", "owner_user_id": "18", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "anime-production" ], "title": "What software is used for making anime?", "view_count": 20711 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIt depends on a few different things, including the content, the style, and\nwhen it was made (i.e. did the technology exist to do it one way vs. another?)\n\n[Here's a GREAT example of multiple anime styles used in a single show\n--](http://youtu.be/YibyPAsCCJE) we go from \"high quality\" level animation for\nthe transformations, to the more \"western\", flash-friendly style the show is\nnormally in, to a rather garish live-action explosion at the end. These all\nrequire different approaches.\n\nIf you pay attention, you can also spot where the characters aren't moving\nmuch in certain points in the video (like where Panty & Stocking are standing\nstill under the \"disco\" lighting), so they can get away with only drawing the\nframe once even though the scene goes for much longer.\n\nWhen \"tweening\" between keyframes (to produce moving animation like your\nsoccer ball example), yes, those have to be hand-drawn -- or at least hand-\nchecked, even if a computer is used to extrapolate between keyframes! Using\ncertain animation software like\n[Flash](http://www.adobe.com/products/flash.html), [Toon\nBoom](http://www.toonboom.com), or 3D modeling software like\n[Blender](http://www.blender.org/) may take out some of the work, but none of\nthat software can compensate for a bad animator, or replace an artist at the\nhelm.\n\nThere's plenty of shortcuts animators use, but the computer never draws the\ncartoon for them -- they still have to do that part themselves!\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:29:39.617", "id": "38", "last_activity_date": "2018-01-01T00:43:31.463", "last_edit_date": "2018-01-01T00:43:31.463", "last_editor_user_id": "37396", "owner_user_id": "41", "parent_id": "4", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "11", "answer_count": 6, "body": "\n\nIn several episodes of DB:Z and DB:GT, using SSJ3 form is shown to be _very_\ntiring for the user and burns up energy very quickly, compared to\nSSJ1/2/enhanced/mystic/etc.\n\nHowever, when DB:GT rolls around, SSJ4 form, while as tiring as all other\nenhanced forms, doesn't seem to put as much strain on the user, nor does it\nhave a time limit, as with SSJ3.\n\nIs there a distinct reason for this in terms of power drain, or how the body\nhandles the transformation, or is this perhaps something overlooked when GT\nwas created?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:47:21.890", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "6", "last_activity_date": "2017-10-08T19:07:14.397", "last_edit_date": "2016-08-22T03:44:55.933", "last_editor_user_id": "3028", "owner_user_id": "26", "post_type": "question", "score": 25, "tags": [ "dragon-ball-z", "dragon-ball-series", "dragon-ball-gt" ], "title": "Why is SSJ3 shown as tiring to maintain, but SSJ4 is not?", "view_count": 9125 }

[ { "body": "\n\nDon't forget that GT is a filler, it wasn't created by the original creator,\n**[Akira Toriyama](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Toriyama)**.\n\nThere is a very high probability that is was overlooked. Also if I remember\ncorrectly, SSJ3 wasn't shown as tiresome in Dragon Ball GT.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:55:53.410", "id": "11", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T20:55:53.410", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "6", "post_type": "answer", "score": 22 }, { "body": "\n\nIn SSJ3 form, the energy output is huge, in contrast to the SSJ4 form. The\nproof is written in this article from [the Dragon Ball\nWiki](http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Super_Saiyan_3). The reason behind that\nis not known, as far as I know.\n\n> In Dragon Ball GT, Goku's child form caused him to have trouble using Super\n> Saiyan 3. His small body could not handle the energy output of the\n> transformation, and he could only hold it for one minute. [...] It was after\n> this fight that Goku discontinued the usage of Super Saiyan 3, as it was\n> heavily outclassed by the raw power and minimal setbacks of Super Saiyan 4.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:40:46.080", "id": "44", "last_activity_date": "2015-04-25T18:52:30.450", "last_edit_date": "2015-04-25T18:52:30.450", "last_editor_user_id": "11083", "owner_user_id": "47", "parent_id": "6", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nThis is how I remember it:\n\nGoku leveled up to SSJ3 on the other dimension and never really planned to\nreveal it because he didn't want to show it on front of Vegeta. At this point\nhe would have made up his mind if it comes to fighting Vegeta on the\ntournament he would resort to Mystic saiyan mode to deal with him.\n\nTurns out Vegeta ends up dead and Goku in desperation to buy time for Trunks\ndecides to show case SSJ3 to Buu and I believe it's the difference between the\ndimensions; I mean, the time it takes to generate the same power in this\ndimension could be entirely different I presume and also on the aspect that\nGoku didn't spend time on that mode, because he could have been practicing\nextensively on the Mystic mode for the tournament and so it took quite a toll\non his energy levels when he uses it first time.\n\nWhen he uses it on the second time with Kid Buu. He seems to have a grasp on\nthe energy levels and fights for a longer time until the point he uses a\nKamehameha way in desperation to finish off Kid Buu and also holding out so\nVegeta can fight him causes him to suffer towards the end as well. Also the\nfight happens on the Kai's planet which becomes another different dimension\ncompared to earth also I think that might have aided him a lot because thats\nwhere Gohan reaches ascension trained by Supreme Kai.\n\nI believe it's the changes in the environment primarily taking a toll on\nGoku's body. As for SSJ4 I haven't seen Dragonball GT (primarily for the lack\nof Bruce Faulconer's theme :P) but as from the images I think the tail helps\nthe body to handle the power levels differently because I somehow synonymize\nthat to a controlled transformed Mode.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T03:15:59.013", "id": "137", "last_activity_date": "2017-05-24T01:08:20.630", "last_edit_date": "2017-05-24T01:08:20.630", "last_editor_user_id": "3028", "owner_user_id": "104", "parent_id": "6", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThe reason for this is because Super Saiyan 3 form was to fully maximize the\nki of the user.\n\nThe Dragonball Wikia states :\n\n> Where the third stage of Super Saiyan's purpose was 100% utilization of\n> physical stamina, the purpose of the Super Saiyan 3 transformation is to\n> increase the utilization of ki, and as a result, the transformation rapidly\n> consumes the energy of the user. This notably leads to extended levels of\n> fatigue, even long after powering down.\n>\n> However, with the enormous power, there are some very serious setbacks\n> stemming from the rapid use of ki energy. When the then-deceased Goku showed\n> Babidi and Majin Buu the form, he cut his remaining temporal revival energy\n> in half, and in the anime when he shows his power to the excited Trunks and\n> Goten, his energy was completely dissipated, forcing him to return to Other\n> World.\n\nAs far as Super Saiyan 4 the wikia states :\n\n> Unlike the Super Saiyan 3's strain due to the utilization in ki, this form\n> does not require as much energy consumption as Super Saiyan 3's, allowing\n> the user to stay in the state at a much longer duration. It also appears\n> that the form makes the individual larger in height and muscularity.\n\nEssentially Super Saiyan 3 maximizes the ki output while Super Saiyan 4 is a\nmore powerful transformation which does not drain the user as much as the 3rd\nform does.\n\nAlso Super Saiyan 4 is not actually a canon form because it was not developed\nby Akira Toriyama.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-01-13T21:08:50.817", "id": "6891", "last_activity_date": "2014-01-13T21:08:50.817", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "3317", "parent_id": "6", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nWell, the Oozaru (Great Ape) form is portrayed to require no particular\nthreshold of energy, as even the low class warrior infants are capable. Heck,\neven Gohan did it when Vegeta made the fake moon. \nAnd SSJ4 is definitely something that draws power from that hidden ability:\nfrom the tail and the hair draws in the power of the great ape Oozaru.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-04-17T08:59:14.740", "id": "8721", "last_activity_date": "2014-04-17T11:32:48.050", "last_edit_date": "2014-04-17T11:32:48.050", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "4529", "parent_id": "6", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nIt's because in gt goku was a kid & his body couldn't take the strain like his\ngrown body did... So whenever he turned to ssj4 & & went back to his grown\nbody form he was now accustomed and didn't burn energy as fast\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-08-04T22:05:10.107", "id": "35586", "last_activity_date": "2016-08-04T22:05:10.107", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27538", "parent_id": "6", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "6467", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nEdo Tensei is a technique to revive the dead, and bind their souls into living\nbodies. However, after releasing the technique, all of the dead should get\nback into being dead.\n\nHow can Madara still stick around even after the Edo Tensei had been ended? I\nam not sure if it was something that we needed to think about and figure out\nby ourselves or is it yet to be revealed?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:51:17.307", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "10", "last_activity_date": "2018-12-20T18:03:22.010", "last_edit_date": "2013-12-20T18:09:17.177", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "32", "post_type": "question", "score": 18, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "How can Madara still stick around even after the Edo Tensei had been ended?", "view_count": 92815 }

[ { "body": "\n\nFrom what I understood, if you know the Edo Tensei technique yourself, and\nyou're resurrected, you can _use it on yourself, after the technique was\ndismissed by the original caster_.\n\n> So actually, what Madara Uchiha did was use Edo Tensei again, using the\n> original sacrifice Kabuto gave him, so that he is now the new caster, and he\n> revived himself. Like Madara said on **Chpater 591 page 17** , there is one\n> risk to the technique. _If you know the seal, you can release the summoning\n> contract itself._ Basically, freeing you from the caster's control. Madara's\n> soul wasn't bound by Kabuto anymore, but by himself.\n\nTell them not to use forbidden jutsu so lightly next time.\n\n", "comment_count": 15, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:58:12.290", "id": "15", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-14T14:11:15.153", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-14T14:11:15.153", "last_editor_user_id": "122", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "10", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 }, { "body": "\n\nWhen Edo Tensei ends, the summoned soul is freed from the Edo Tensei's\ncontrol, and then the soul ascends to the pure world (afterlife). However,\nthere is a small \"grace period\" between the two. During this grace period, the\nsoul can act freely.\n\n> During that grace period, Dan used the Reika no Jutsu to go meet his\n> girlfriend. Itachi shared his memories and feeling with Sasuke (though\n> granted he had been freed from the Edo Tensei's control long back). Most\n> other shinobi stood around doing nothing significant. \n> However, during that grace period, Madara released the Edo Tensei's\n> summoning contract itself. As such, his soul is no longer bound to \"ascend\n> to the pure world\" and can continue to stay in the impure world.\n\nHe could have done the same thing even before the Edo Tensei was released, if\nKabuto had let him, and the effect would be the same. Also, if others knew the\nseals and chose to use them, they would be able to stick around too.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-02-14T13:40:16.563", "id": "2478", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-14T13:45:35.657", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-14T13:45:35.657", "last_editor_user_id": "99", "owner_user_id": "99", "parent_id": "10", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\nFirstly, the most important thing to know is that anyone, who knows the Edo\nTensei seals, can free themselves from the contract, if given the opportunity.\nNow, there are multiple ways that one can be unrestricted in Edo Tensei form.\nThese are their opportunities:\n\n 1. The grace period when one's soul is released (Example: Dan meeting Tsunade)\n 2. The revived person is strong enough to withstand the Edo Tensei (Example: Hashirama not under Orochimaru's control)\n 3. The controller allows the revived person free movement (Example: Madara being revived by Kabuto)\n 4. Some other force is able to place a stronger control over the revived person (Example: Kotoamatsukami being used on Itachi)\n\nIn Madara's case, Kabuto had claimed to revive him in a form stronger than his\nprime. Madara questions Kabuto's ignorance of his prime state and then Kabuto\ngives Madara full control of his own body in order to demonstrate his\nabilities.\n\n**After Kabuto gave control to Madara, Madara was able to use the Edo Tensei\nseals to free himself.**\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2013-12-20T18:17:50.593", "id": "6467", "last_activity_date": "2018-12-20T18:03:22.010", "last_edit_date": "2018-12-20T18:03:22.010", "last_editor_user_id": "32", "owner_user_id": "2178", "parent_id": "10", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "22", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nI originally thought that the only surviving members after the Uchiha massacre\nwere Sasuke and Itachi, but more and more seem to be revealed. Is there a\ncanonical list of surviving members of the Uchiha clan after the massacre?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:56:15.090", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "12", "last_activity_date": "2018-03-16T18:38:49.033", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-11T21:42:46.997", "last_editor_user_id": "22", "owner_user_id": "22", "post_type": "question", "score": 14, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "List of surviving Uchiha", "view_count": 25271 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe following:\n\n * **Uchiha Itachi** \\- Who performed the massacre. Was killed later by Sasuke (according to his plan), then reanimated, eventually to die again (permanently, this time).\n * **Uchiha Sasuke** \\- Who was spared by Itachi in hopes of making him strong. Still alive.\n\nThat's about it from the traditional ones.\n\n * **Madara Uchiha** \\- Who was dead during the massacre, was also later reanimated.\n * Uchiha Obito also survived the massacre, in fact, he helped Itachi execute it (as Tobi).\n\n### And also\n\n> [Sarada Uchiha](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Sarada_Uchiha), Sasuke's and\n> Sakura's daughter, also counts for the purposes of this list.\n\n", "comment_count": 8, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:05:56.557", "id": "22", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-19T22:22:02.660", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-19T22:22:02.660", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "12", "post_type": "answer", "score": 20 }, { "body": "\n\nItachi Uchiha \nSasuke Uchiha\n\nSpoiler:\n\n> Madara Uchiha - he was alive during the obito flashback but not sure if he\n> was still alive after the clan massacre. Obito Uchiha - Tobi turned out to\n> really be Obito.\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:07:39.073", "id": "24", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T21:20:08.687", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-11T21:20:08.687", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "32", "parent_id": "12", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\n**Disclaimer** : most of the Uchihas mentioned below are alive currently. In\nthe Naruto series, only Sasuke, Itachi, and Obito were still alive. In the\nBoruto, Sasuke and Shin, another introduced Uchiha. The other ones are Uchihas\nthat were introduced (as alive, duh) in the Naruto and Boruto series.\n\nYes, all of the above answers are correct:\n\n 1. Sasuke Uchiha\n 2. Itachi Uchiha (dies in the fight against Sasuke)\n\nand ( **SPOILER** ):\n\n> 3\\. Madara Uchiha (saved Obito who was under the tree in the 3rd Shinobi\n> World War, probably died soon afterwards) \n> 4\\. Obito Uchiha (unintentionally fakes his death, dies in 4th Shinobi\n> World War)\n\nBut there are still a few more that weren't introduced properly:\n\n 5. Shisui Uchiha (Danzo took one of his eyes, Shisui entrusted his other eye to Itachi, then suicided)\n 6. Fugaku Uchiha (Sasuke and Itachi's father)\n 7. Mikoto Uchiha (Sasuke and Itachi's mother)\n 8. Indra Otsusuki (not really an Uchiha, but the ancestor of all Uchihas)\n 9. Izuna Uchiha (Madara's brother, Madara took both of Izuna's eyes out)\n 10. Shin Uchiha (unknown until Boruto, experimented on by Orochimaru)\n 11. Other people like Baru, Naka, Naori, Rai, etc. Uchiha (important characters in the Uchiha Clan's war history).\n\nLook, there are many Uchihas but most are irrelevant or not important to how\nthe history of Naruto and others were affected.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-04-25T02:48:35.173", "id": "40037", "last_activity_date": "2017-04-25T02:48:35.173", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "31773", "parent_id": "12", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "658", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nRan's birthday is usually seen as something important in the anime and manga\nand is talked about a lot. Yet, throughout the entire series of 660+ episodes\nand 70+ volumes, it has never actually happened.\n\nWhy is Ran's birthday so important to the plot?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:56:41.787", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "13", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-16T13:36:03.083", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-16T13:34:03.663", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "25", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "detective-conan" ], "title": "What is the significance of Ran's birthday?", "view_count": 2083 }

[ { "body": "\n\nOfficially, neither the birthday is revealed, nor has it really played a role\nin the plot.\n\nHowever, Aoyama said in an interview, that there is an \"obstacle\" preventing\nhim from revealing Ran's birth date, but since the birthday hasn't passed Ran\nis 16 right now\"\n\nThe interview, quoted from [Detective Conan World's\nforum](http://www.detectiveconanworld.com/forum/topic/346-birthdays/?do=findComment&comment=288267):\n\n> 蘭の誕生日教えて！→差し支えあるので今は言えない。でもまだ誕生日来ていないので蘭は現在16歳。\n>\n> Tell me about Ran's birthday! → Since there's an obstacle, I can't tell it\n> for now. But since the birthday hasn't passed, Ran is 16 right now.\n\nI think that a future volume will be about her birthday, so everything else\nwould be wild speculation.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-18T14:57:03.690", "id": "658", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-16T13:36:03.083", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "13", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "20", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIn both the Death Note manga and anime, it is stated multiple times by Ryuk\nthat once you use the Death Note, a human can go to neither Heaven nor Hell.\n\nHowever, it is hinted in an additional movie that encompasses part of the\nanime that Light was reincarnated as a Shinigami.\n\nIs it then possible to say, that any humans that use the Death Note do not go\nto Heaven nor Hell because they go to the Shinigami Realm?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T20:57:10.447", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "14", "last_activity_date": "2015-12-14T20:56:14.707", "last_edit_date": "2015-12-14T20:56:14.707", "last_editor_user_id": "19294", "owner_user_id": "26", "post_type": "question", "score": 49, "tags": [ "death-note" ], "title": "Do people who use the Death Note become Shinigami themselves?", "view_count": 21090 }

[ { "body": "\n\nNo.\n\nHumans who die don't go to Heaven or Hell (because neither exists).\n\nThey go to [Mu](http://deathnote.wikia.com/wiki/Mu) (Which means, nothing).\n\n> **Death Note, Volume 12** , page _188_ , has these two rules in regards to\n> \"Mu\": \"All humans will, without exception, eventually die.\" Also, \"After\n> they die, the place they go is MU (Nothingness).\"\n\n* * *\n\nBasically, there's nothing after death. Shinigami are a different species.\n\n", "comment_count": 8, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:04:04.697", "id": "20", "last_activity_date": "2013-05-06T19:37:27.560", "last_edit_date": "2013-05-06T19:37:27.560", "last_editor_user_id": "1528", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "14", "post_type": "answer", "score": 41 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "524", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIn Eyeshield 21, Deimon wins the game against Oujou that gets them into the\nChristmas Bowl but they're never shown actually playing in the Christmas Bowl.\n\nIs there a manga that went with this anime that shows the time between beating\nOujou and playing professional football or are we just to assume that they\nwon?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:00:30.097", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "16", "last_activity_date": "2016-10-28T01:17:29.120", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "29", "post_type": "question", "score": 9, "tags": [ "eyeshield-21" ], "title": "Does Deimon win the Christmas bowl?", "view_count": 12104 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThere is in fact an Eyeshield 21 manga, which continues the story further than\nthe anime. The anime ends on chapter 239 of the manga, while the manga\ncontinues to chapter 333. The manga doesn't go as far as professional\nfootball, but the last chapter does end with a similar scenario at the college\nlevel.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-16T00:31:19.773", "id": "524", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-16T00:31:19.773", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "183", "parent_id": "16", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "21", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nAt the end of the last episode of Cowboy Bebop, Spike collapses. It's not\nclear, but it looks as though he may be dead. Is there a way to know whether\nhe is alive or dead (something in the background, comments from the director,\na continuation in the story in the manga, etc.)\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:01:35.350", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "19", "last_activity_date": "2017-04-19T20:35:00.747", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-11T21:40:56.077", "last_editor_user_id": "36", "owner_user_id": "36", "post_type": "question", "score": 49, "tags": [ "cowboy-bebop" ], "title": "Do we know what happens to Spike at the end of Cowboy Bebop?", "view_count": 53656 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAccording to Wikipedia:\n\n> However, in an interview, Watanabe stated, “I’ve never officially said that\n> he died. At this point, I can tell you that I’m not sure if he’s alive or\n> dead.”\n\nThe link to the source is\n[here](http://mrsspooky.net/bebop/TheDailyTexan.pdf). Though it's very hard to\nlook at it, unfortunately.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:05:06.750", "id": "21", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-24T16:29:30.270", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-24T16:29:30.270", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "25", "parent_id": "19", "post_type": "answer", "score": 34 }, { "body": "\n\nShinichiro Watanabe has stated:\n\n> I've never officially said that he died. At this point, I can tell you that\n> I’m not sure if he’s alive or dead\n\nHe decided to leave it open-ended, so, even with the many hypothesis on the\ninternet, I guess the real answer is to ask yourself.\n\nSource is the same as in Rapptz's answer:\n<http://mrsspooky.net/bebop/TheDailyTexan.pdf> at the top of page 5.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:09:37.480", "id": "25", "last_activity_date": "2016-04-25T07:31:56.287", "last_edit_date": "2016-04-25T07:31:56.287", "last_editor_user_id": "43", "owner_user_id": "43", "parent_id": "19", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\nIn [this more recent interview](http://youtu.be/Y4Z1uvexzrQ?t=7m15s) to\nShinichiro Watanabe by Red Carpet News TV on MCM London Comic Con 2013, around\nminute 8 he says:\n\n> I've never actually said whether he is alive or dead in that final scene.\n> That's up to the person watching to decide. I think that people who watch\n> that and think that Spike is asleep are probably right. Just sleeping.\n\nAlthough he still leaves the matter up to the viewer's interpretation, he\nseems to suggest that he is more likely to be alive. \nLater on on the interview he also states that Spike is his favourite\ncharacter, but then again, that does not mean he can't die at the end.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-05-26T18:23:47.080", "id": "3918", "last_activity_date": "2014-11-19T16:52:05.247", "last_edit_date": "2014-11-19T16:52:05.247", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "19", "post_type": "answer", "score": 18 }, { "body": "\n\nI feel it was made pretty clear when the star winked out at the end. Spike\ndied. Based on the quotations posted above, however, it seems the creator is\ngiving you permission to believe that Spike is alive if you want to.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-10-09T02:02:39.817", "id": "26510", "last_activity_date": "2015-10-09T02:02:39.817", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "18409", "parent_id": "19", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "20707", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nIt seems as though a lot of anime go through a production cycle where they put\nout a series that seems fairly popular, but ends long before the manga's\nstoryline does. Obviously, a big reason for making anime is to get people to\nbuy the original manga, but if the anime series itself were turning a profit\nit's tough to imagine (from my American viewpoint, anyway) that the producers\nwould abandon it, when it could easily continue (given its proven popularity,\nvoice actors lined up, storyline set, etc.)\n\nIs there an overarching reason? Do many anime not turn a profit?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:06:36.670", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "23", "last_activity_date": "2017-01-12T20:53:18.520", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-06T06:12:04.197", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "36", "post_type": "question", "score": 34, "tags": [ "anime-production" ], "title": "Do anime usually lose money?", "view_count": 6219 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAnime is much bigger in Japan. There are lots of mangas that were given a shot\nat anime adaptation, but they didn't get a following and eventually got\npulled. In my opinion, the manga has to be popular in Japan first before the\nnetwork heads start to export the anime officially.\n\nThere are other reasons aside from profit. Take Gintama for example; I can't\nbe sure if they were pulled off air because of profit (which I doubt) or\nbecause the network wasn't happy with the show's direction.\n\nSo, yes, the big reason why they get pulled off air is because the anime\ndidn't make enough profit. It's a competitive market.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:19:01.717", "id": "31", "last_activity_date": "2017-01-12T20:53:18.520", "last_edit_date": "2017-01-12T20:53:18.520", "last_editor_user_id": "19307", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "23", "post_type": "answer", "score": 18 }, { "body": "\n\nYou have to remember that **it's far cheaper and easier to produce a manga**\nthan it is to produce an anime -- it takes fewer people to produce a manga,\nwhich means less money is needed to pay for production, even if you pay\neveryone involved a huge salary (and you usually don't).\n\nMore investment means more risk, so if an anime doesn't turn a big enough\nprofit fast enough, it may not warrant further investment.\n\nYou can keep a crap manga going a lot longer than a crap anime, if only\nbecause the bar for financial security is that much lower.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:56:48.023", "id": "57", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T21:56:48.023", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "41", "parent_id": "23", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nNote it doesn't need to produce losses: it just needs to produce less than\nalternative.\n\nStudios have limited resources: they often can produce maybe two series in\nparallel, sometimes not even that. Expanding on that is costly, and may well\nbring serious losses if all \"pipelines\" aren't filled with profit-generating\nproducts.\n\nSo, if the managers notice a new, promising series - obtained a sure-fire\nscenario, and a different one is nearing end of season 2, with dwindling\naudience, they must decide what to produce: season 3 of the old thing, which\nwill almost certainly produce less cash than season 2, following the dwindling\ntrend, or maybe the new and revolutionary thing for which TV networks have\nalready lined up, and earn much more. Or, potentially, hope that hiring a\nbunch of animators and getting them a new studio with equipment will cost less\nthan combined profits of the two shows. Which it rather won't.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-16T14:34:10.743", "id": "2016", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-16T14:34:10.743", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "126", "parent_id": "23", "post_type": "answer", "score": 17 }, { "body": "\n\nOn their own, Yes.\n\nObviously this is a fairly blanket statement and is hard to qualify because of\nsecrecies in company financials, but I think it's reasonable to assert.\n\nI also realise I'm not directly answering your question about dropped manga\nadaptions, but addressing the question broadly. I think most points probably\napply to that situation also, but these are some of the reasons in general why\nanime fail/return losses:\n\n# Anime as a loss-leader\n\nAnime is often used by companies as a promotional tool for their other\nmerchandise. This is often the case with children's mecha shows - They will\nwatch the show on TV and then potentially buy the DVDs, toys, albums, etc. As\nan interesting side note, since about 1990 children are more likely to buy\nhero toys than villain toys - hence several combining mecha shows.\n\nAnother example as to how shows act as advertisements is low cost harem anime.\nWhilst not immediately as obviously merchantable as a show like Gundam or\nPower Rangers, The large female cast that the protaganist has to choose from\nhas the potential to have their own figurines, body pillows, etc.\n\nThese mean that anime doesn't have to turn a massive profit (or indeed a\nprofit at all) - that's up to the sales that it inspires.\n\nThe evolution of anime itself is deeply associated with advertisement, even\nsince its inception when it was used solely for advertisement rather than as a\nstandalone medium. In Hayao Miyakazi's biography \"Starting Point\" he mentions\nthat one company in particular was known to contribute a third of their target\nanime's total cost (Note that this was at an earlier point in history). This\namount would typically be around 90% of a successful toy company's advertising\nbudget.\n\nThere's a stereotype of otaku in Japan that they buy 3 copies of any one\nDVD/Book - \"one to read, one to collect, one to lend\". The consumers of anime\nin Japan, whether children (A good market worldwide) or otaku are very keen on\nmerchandise and spending on a franchise. It is the combined revenue streams\nthat the anime creates, combined with the show itself which usually lifts the\nshow into profit.\n\n_**This is the main reason why an anime would be turning a loss.**_\n\n# Relying too heavily on emulating success stories\n\nThis is a big one too. Once a very successful show hits the market (for\nexample Evangellion, Akira, K-On!!, Pokémon) many clones will follow.\n\nThe same phenomenom can be see in bookstores - The amount of romance vampire\nbooks in stores went from 0 -> many after Twilight's success. Similarly 50\nShades of Grey did the same for erotic romance for women.\n\nThere is only so much capacity in the market for cloned shows, and more than\nlikely none of them will be as successful as the original. This often leads to\na situation with a few big winners and many losers.\n\n# Too many blockbusters\n\nThe ideal time to release your amazing anime series is to pick the season that\nhas the highest viewing rate of your target audience. Hence, shows that target\nthe same audience may be heatedly vying for the same audiences attention.\nUsually one show will win, and the others will lose by a sizeable margin.\n\nThere have been several media studies that have shown that usually only one\nfilm/series occupies a viewers fanaticism at one time period. This is what has\nlead to the yearly _blockbuster_ summer and Christmas successes in Hollywood.\n\n# Things go wrong, often\n\nWhen you are still animating episodes whilst the first ones are airing, any\ndelays can set the whole show back. What usually happens is that recap\nepisodes are shown, animation quality drops in the latter episodes and\npotential postponements of episodes in the worst of cases. These things\ntransfer to the quality of the production and hence affect the impressions on\nviewers, which then affect sales, and so forth.\n\n# Tight budgets\n\nThis kind of fits into the previous item, but when budgets are tight (which\nthey usually are for anime) studios cannot afford to replace sick animators,\nredo scenes that don't fit well, etc. Another problem with tight budgets is\nthat studios often have to outsource animation to cheaper countries like China\n- which in itself has problems of communication issues.\n\n# Subsequent seasons\n\nAnime that are received well in their first season often announce another, or\nseveral new seasons. The problem with this is that each season the audience\ndwindles - Viewers become less and less likely to stick with a show as the\ntime investment increases. It's a difficult call to make for the directors to\nstop the broadcasts before the series starts to become loss-making.\n\n* * *\n\nAnd just as a final note, I don't believe there is one over-arching reason.\nEach studio is different, has different priorities, objectives, revenue\nstreams, etc.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-04-08T18:29:30.653", "id": "20707", "last_activity_date": "2015-04-18T20:03:03.523", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "1530", "parent_id": "23", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "689", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nThere are a few places in _Mobile Suit Gundam Seed_ where Kira Yamato faces\ncertain death, is presumed dead by all the other characters, then miraculously\nreappears in a later episode. I'm curious about one particular incident, for\nnow: His duel with Athrun and the Aegis.\n\nAthrun sets the Aegis to self destruct, attaches it to Kira's suit, and bails\nout to avoid the explosion. Kira is apparently trapped in the deadly blast,\nthough. Assuming he's not cloned or something like that (which the humans &\nCoordinators of Seed almost certainly have the technology to do), he somehow\nmanaged to survive and escape from that situation.\n\nHow did Kira survive when the Aegis self-destructed at point-blank range to\nhis own mobile suit?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:09:44.893", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "26", "last_activity_date": "2017-11-12T04:35:14.617", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T22:42:19.257", "last_editor_user_id": "44", "owner_user_id": "44", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "mobile-suit-gundam-seed" ], "title": "How does Kira Yamato survive the Aegis' self-destruct in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed?", "view_count": 18796 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThis incident is analogous to a similar situation in ZZ Gundam. An important\ncharacter dies in a situation where their later reappearance seems impossible,\neveryone angsts, they return and Tomino doesn't bother explaining anything.\n\nFirst, a short review of the battle. Spoilered, because it is not vital to\nunderstanding the answer:\n\n> At dawn, as it passes by an island cluster, the Archangel is attacked by the\n> three surviving Gundam frames. Soon, the flight system is damaged, and a\n> hard landing is made on one of the islands. Meanwhile, Kira has destroyed\n> Duel's leg, forcing Yzak into the water and out of the fight. La Fraga\n> shoots down Buster, and the frame crashes near the Archangel, immobilized\n> and pinned down by one of the ship's turrets; Dearka surrenders. Kira,\n> fighting Athrun away from the ship, receives backup from Tolle, who is\n> promptly shot down. Witnessing his friend's death, Kira enters SEED mode;\n> and so does Athrun. Finally, a severely damaged Aegis clings to the Strike;\n> as the machine powers down, unable to deliver the finishing blow with its\n> cannon, Athrun starts a self destruct sequence, and jetpacks away. The\n> Archangel, detecting a second attacking squad, is forced off the island\n> without the time to start a rescue operation; they send Orb a request to\n> perform the search, and leave as soon as their engines are repaired.\n\nTimeframes have all been taken from the show, side materials may provide more\naccuracy. Anyway, a review of the facts: This battle takes place around a day\nafter the Archangel leaves Orb (the first attack is right after they leave the\nneutral territory; the second, on dawn of the next day). The Reverend is shown\nto live nearby, most likely on the same island. The Aegis' self destruct timer\nis ten seconds. The Strike's cockpit is open due to damage from the battle:\n\n\n\nMy theory? Kira escaped as well. He likely acted quickly: from his seat, he\ncould not only see Athrun flying away; he could also see his cockpit opening\nbeforehand. This is the last scene we see where Kira is present, and at this\npoint, he has had two to four seconds to figure things out - he probably fled\nimmediately after (we see him with a look of realization shortly before; he is\nalso in SEED mode, presumably more aware than normal).\n\nThe power of the explosion is significant - Athrun, found by Orb either later\non the same day, was flung by the blast, incapacitated before landing or due\nto it, and lightly wounded - and that was even though he employed the best way\nto escape, starting at the earliest possible moment and with a jetpack.\n\nKira's wounds are more severe - the next time he is shown, he is lying in bed\nin one of the colonies. I have no idea how long it would take to transport him\nthere; but unless the Reverend used his priestly powers, it probably took at\nleast a week. His awakening in Lacus' presence is implied to be his first one\nsince he was found - yeah, in comparison to that, Athrun walked away with just\na few scratches.\n\nBut where did he escape? If he had a jetpack, the answer is clear. Even if he\ndidn't, there's yet one place he could have fled - behind the Strike. You see,\nwhen the Aegis latches on Kira's machine, we are shown a shot of both; the\nStrike is standing. Later, during the rescue operation, the Strike is shown\nmostly intact - the outside layer of armor is partially melted, as well as the\nexposed cockpit, but the machine itself is fine. The blast has toppled it over\n- it is only a question of whether Kira was lucky to be hiding in a place\nwhere he would be crushed or not. In any case, the torso and the power pack of\nthe Strike form a neat bomb shelter.\n\n\n\nDid he have a jetpack then? Probably - Federation pilot suits seem to come\nequipped with a retractable unit, just like ZAFT-issued ones.\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-19T08:41:22.780", "id": "689", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-04T05:55:06.857", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-04T05:55:06.857", "last_editor_user_id": "180", "owner_user_id": "180", "parent_id": "26", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 }, { "body": "\n\nWhen Aegis exploded Athrun was pushed instead of absorbed into the blast and\nkilled, Kira may have gotten out of the Strike but was then pushed by the\nblast, but more severely than Athrun as he was closer.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-05-22T08:00:48.450", "id": "32260", "last_activity_date": "2016-05-22T08:00:48.450", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24217", "parent_id": "26", "post_type": "answer", "score": -2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIn episode 25 of Valkyria Chronicles, Maximilian shoots (and it is strongly\nimplied that he kills) Jaeger:\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qyj0L.jpg)\n\nYet during the credits of the final episode (26), Jaeger is clearly seen\nwalking in the background at the train station:\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pVEsm.jpg)\n\nWhat's the deal here? Did Jaeger not get shot? Or did he get shot but\nsurvived? And if so, how in the world did he escape from the rest of the\ncrumbling fortress?\n\n", "comment_count": 7, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:10:15.923", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "27", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-16T16:39:59.630", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-07T02:51:47.907", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "17", "post_type": "question", "score": 14, "tags": [ "valkyria-chronicles" ], "title": "How is Jaeger still alive at the end of Valkyria Chronicles?", "view_count": 1333 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI guess it's kind of a cameo. It really looks like Jaegar was killed and no\nsource can be found that he survived. Because of that, all we can do is\nspeculate - And I think, that it was just a cameo like \"Hey, it's over, let us\nshow him again!\".\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-21T12:22:35.913", "id": "745", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-21T12:22:35.913", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "27", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nI haven't seen the anime, but in the game (which the anime is based off from),\nJaeger was defeated by Squad 7 during Chapter 17 where Squad 7 attempts to get\nback to Randgriz. But on the way, they find's Jaeger unit has barricaded the\nGreat Vasel Bridge while Jaeger now commands the improved Lupus Regnum.\n\nAfter his defeat, he doesn't return to Maximilian and his whereabouts are\nunknown. I read that there is a mention of him in _Valkyria Chronicles 3_ but\nI haven't played it to confirm. He doesn't fight for the Empire but for the\nfuture independence of Fhirald (under Empire control), so having seen the\nGallian Militia continuously get the upper hand against the superior might\nEmpire and even not using their new Valkyria as the Empire did, he probably\nsaw that the Empire was not the way for him to gain independence for Fhirald\nand that it was possible for Fhirald to get its independence on its own.\n\nAs for the scene at the end of the anime, it could be the writers forgot about\nJaeger's fate in the game, remember it and made a cameo for him at the end. I\nhaven't seen him getting shot in the anime so I'm not sure how much of a\npossibility there is that Maximilian was mistaken that he was dead.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-06-17T02:55:07.010", "id": "11317", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-16T16:39:59.630", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-16T16:39:59.630", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "1587", "parent_id": "27", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nLet's say you want to extract texts from the visual novel for the purpose of\nlooking up the word in the dictionary, or feeding them into a machine\ntranslator. How would one go about accomplishing this?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:12:10.927", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "28", "last_activity_date": "2016-04-01T20:54:32.587", "last_edit_date": "2016-04-01T20:54:32.587", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "37", "post_type": "question", "score": 5, "tags": [ "resources" ], "title": "How do you extract texts into a text format that you can copy and paste from visual novels?", "view_count": 2975 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThere are some software, such as [Anime Games Text\nHooker](https://sites.google.com/site/agthook/) or [Interactive Text\nHooker](http://www.hongfire.com/forum/showthread.php/208860-Interactive-Text-\nHooker-new-text-extraction-tool), that are especially made for this purpose.\nSome people use them together with automated translation tools.\n\n[An AGTH tutorial](http://www.hongfire.com/forum/showthread.php/59189-AGTH-\nTRANSLATOR-AGGREGATOR-ILLUSTRATED-GUIDE), and an example screenshot of how it\nlooks in action: \n\n[An ITH tutorial](http://www.craneanime.com/2011/01/tutorial-ith-interactive-\ntext-hooker.html), and an example screenshot of how it looks in action:\n\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:19:09.090", "id": "32", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T22:02:39.810", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-11T22:02:39.810", "last_editor_user_id": "38", "owner_user_id": "38", "parent_id": "28", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "70", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nTo explain, I want to know whether it is more efficient to produce anime or\nmanga, and why.\n\nAnime:\n\n * Needs to be made frame by frame\n * need people to record voice.\n\nManga:\n\n * Needs lots of paper\n * has to be printed.\n\nBy more efficient, I mean which one has more profit and takes less time to\nmake.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:15:32.163", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "29", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-03T16:06:31.267", "last_edit_date": "2015-12-20T12:15:27.103", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 23, "tags": [ "anime-production", "manga-production" ], "title": "Is anime production more efficient than manga production?", "view_count": 1846 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn term of human resources as well as production costs, manga is thousands of\ntimes more efficient than anime.\n\nThe personnel involved in a manga production (the chain is very little):\n\n * Mangaka\n * 4 or 5 assistants at best\n * Graphic design staff (logos, covers, general branding of a series is often externalized)\n * Series editor\n * Chief editor\n * Printing staff\n * Distribution staff\n\nAnd the materials needed is minimal, since the drawing stuff, while not cheap,\nis lots of times cheaper than all the needs to make an anime.\n\nIn the anime production the staff needed is lots of times that amount, since\nthe editors (here named \"producers\") and distribution staff are part of large\ncommittees, and the production staff (director, animation staff) is very\nlarge, too. So, only in staff and time the costs are way bigger, and the\ndistribution and marketing expenses are significative.\n\nSo, in the end, I think that manga is way more efficient than anime.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:36:45.403", "id": "43", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-03T16:06:31.267", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-03T16:06:31.267", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "29", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 }, { "body": "\n\nA production is only as productive as the people that make it up.\n\nManga production happens at a much smaller scale compared to [anime\nproduction](http://washiblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/anime-production-\ndetailed-guide-to-how-anime-is-made-and-the-talent-behind-it/).\n\nFor anime production, on top of publisher front costs, you have to get your\nstaff, sponsors, script, character/set designers, broadcasting rights, and\nadvertising ready before the production even starts.\n\nTypically only half the budget allocated to an anime is used by the studio in\ncharge.\n\nManga production can vary greatly. Some authors are interested in creative\ninput from their assistants, while others only ask them to assist. Some\nartists like do to as much of the work themselves as possible, others have\ntheir assistants fill in most of the page while the artist only draws the\n\"name\" (a kind of storyboard for manga) and main characters.\n\nAnime are usually created and broadcast at a loss while profits are made from\nDVD/Blu-ray and merchandising sales. Most mangas are produced at a loss, their\nviability access by their rank in their parent magazine's reader survey polls\nand takubon (volume) sales.\n\nGenerally, it takes around [8,000,000 to 10,000,000\nyen](http://d.hatena.ne.jp/makaronisan/20060719/1153219520) to make a \"30\nminute\" episode anime, while it takes only about 2,000,000 yen to produce a\nweekly serialization, because it typically takes 2 months for a tankoubon can\nbe compiled, at a 100-page monthly production rate.\n\nOn top of that you have to factor in rent for the studio, and payroll (pay +\npensions) for that staff which typically is composed of 1 chief-assistant + 2\nor 3 assistants + 1 background artist, typically a group of 4 to 5 people.\nDifferent authors/artist get different rates depending on the publisher and\nthe experience/fame of the author/artist.\n\nMost animators are [contract employees to a production\nstudio](http://motoz5.cocolog-nifty.com/animator/2006/12/post_41df.html).\nTherefore they do not get benefits, pensions, or vacations. Because many\nproductions employ so many animators for their tween animations it can be hard\nto keeps track of who's who and doing what.\n\nA well managed small anime production can sometimes be more efficient than a\nlarge high budget manga serialization, but the opposite can be true as well.\nIt usually comes down to who is an change and how the work trickles down.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:43:42.713", "id": "70", "last_activity_date": "2015-12-21T04:45:38.590", "last_edit_date": "2015-12-21T04:45:38.590", "last_editor_user_id": "102", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "29", "post_type": "answer", "score": 18 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "191", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nI'm kind of a fan of time travel stories, so I got a little disappointed with\n_Steins;Gate_.\n\nAccording to\n[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel#Time_travel_in_fiction),\n\n> Time travel themes in science fiction and the media can generally be grouped\n> into three categories: immutable timeline; mutable timeline; and alternate\n> histories, as in the interacting-many-worlds interpretation.\n\nWhen they explained timelines in the show, I got the idea of the timelines\nbeing alternate, but then we got all of this \"Alpha/Beta timeline\", and that\ngoes more with the immutable timelines, with some alternate-difficult-to-reach\ntimelines.\n\nAnd at the end, Okabe couldn't change the beta timeline, except if he cheated\nhimself (which would make the timeline mutable)...\n\nSo, did the scriptwriters just cherry-picked things as they felt it could add\nmore drama? (For example, I was telling myself all the time: if Kurisu dies in\ntimeline beta, and Mayuri dies in timeline alpha... wouldn't the solution be\ngoing to timeline Gamma?!)\n\nAm I missing something?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:22:36.507", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "34", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-16T16:52:39.897", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-16T16:49:28.680", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "43", "post_type": "question", "score": 7, "tags": [ "steins-gate" ], "title": "What time travel category applies on Steins;Gate?", "view_count": 5267 }

[ { "body": "\n\n_Steins;Gate_ mainly works with mutable timelines with an infinite amount of\nworld lines and borrows many time travel concepts, primarily the black hole\ntheory, to mix into the story.\n\nIn _Steins;Gate_ , the time travel theory consists of mutable timelines and\nalternate timelines. However, Okarin is the only one that is aware of the\nchanges in the mutable timeline. For everyone else, their memories are only\nfrom the timeline that they're in. Also, there are some events that cannot be\nchanged in the mutable timeline and are limited to the current timeline,\n\n> such as Mayuri's death.\n\nHowever, there are alternate timelines, revealed as attractor fields. The main\ntimeline changes to another alternate timeline when there is a major event,\nand yet Okarin is the only one that is aware when this happens.\n\nSo there are limits to changing the past in the current timeline and can only\nbe changed with a major shift to one of the other alternate timelines.\n\nTo clear things up, the current timeline follows the rules of a mutable\ntimeline. The past can be changed to some degree and people's memories change\naccordingly. If there are enough of major changes in the current timeline, it\nconverges into an alternate timeline which has different limits to changing\nthe past.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T11:55:37.507", "id": "191", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-16T16:52:39.897", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-16T16:52:39.897", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "34", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "142", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nAs anyone who has seen Lucky Star will remember, most of the references to\nother anime and manga are censored. The most obvious examples of this are\nreferences to Gundam or Sgt. Frog (both of which are notably Sunrise shows).\nPresumably this is done to avoid KyoAni getting sued. This also explains why\nreferences to Haruhi and Full Metal Panic weren't censored (as far as I\nremember). Interestingly these instances of censorship probably could have\nbeen removed in the English release since it was licensed by Bandai, but I\ndon't know if they actually were, so this question might only apply to the\nJapanese version.\n\nHowever, there are still a few cases of references which weren't censored\ndespite no obvious connection between the Lucky Star team and the source. The\none that immediately comes to mind is To Heart, which is referenced several\ntimes. To Heart is associated with VN studio Leaf as well as animation studios\nOriental Light and Magic and AIC, neither of which have anything to do with\nLucky Star (KyoAni and Kadokawa). I can't find any connections between them,\nbut of course that could be oversight on my part, and I didn't check all of\nthe individual staff members.\n\nIs there some connection that I missed? Barring that, what sort of policy\nwould a studio typically use for references like this? Would they try to\nobtain permission for all of the references, or just bleep the ones that seem\nrisky to them?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:23:45.537", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "35", "last_activity_date": "2018-12-18T01:59:08.167", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24", "post_type": "question", "score": 18, "tags": [ "lucky-star" ], "title": "Why are only some of the references censored in Lucky Star", "view_count": 4465 }

[ { "body": "\n\nA major concern might be whether they has consent from the references'\ncompany.\n\nAn example would be **Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai** , they\nshow some vender's H-GAME cover in Kirino's H-Game pill, which have offended\nthose companies and the production studio later apologized. (If I remember\ncorrectly)\n\n## Updated: 2013/12/26\n\nI found something interested when investigating a recent news, I'm not sure\nit's relevant or not though)\n\n<http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1312/20/news095.html> (Japanese):\n\nA recent episode of **Yuri Danshi** in Japan was said to infringe the\ncopyright of some manga. (Hidamari Sketch, A Channel, Golden Mosaic)\n\n I thought\nthis should be in the range of fair use (just like quoting sentences from\nanother book), after checking \"Fair use\" the Japanese Wikipedia, it turns out\n\"Fair use\" doesn't exists in Japan's copyright laws. You must have consent\nfrom the author.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T03:30:43.083", "id": "141", "last_activity_date": "2015-06-25T13:37:59.167", "last_edit_date": "2015-06-25T13:37:59.167", "last_editor_user_id": "91", "owner_user_id": "106", "parent_id": "35", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nNot sure if this is just a random connection or actually the reason, but\nhere's the connection between Lucky Star and ToHeart:\n\nLucky Star's manga and anime are published by different branches of Kadokawa.\nThe ToHeart manga was published by MediaWorks which was owned by, you guessed\nit, Kadokawa.\n\nI don't know if every single branch of Kadokawa is allowed to mention a work\nin every other branch, but there is at least this connection. If someone\nbought Lucky Star DVDs and saw ToHeart mentioned and then decided to go buy\nthe ToHeart manga, that's a double win for Kadokawa.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T04:18:53.117", "id": "142", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T04:18:53.117", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "107", "parent_id": "35", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 }, { "body": "\n\nMainly due to copyright reasons and the animes not belonging to the animation\nstudio.\n\nIf they decided to un-blur them they would have to give copyright claim for\nall of them or get permission from other companies.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-12-18T01:59:08.167", "id": "50125", "last_activity_date": "2018-12-18T01:59:08.167", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "43938", "parent_id": "35", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "45", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nDoujinshi seem to represent usually works of amateurs, but that is a\nsubjective measure. What is the objective difference between both works?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:26:07.177", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "36", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-02T13:41:21.423", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-02T13:41:21.423", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "38", "post_type": "question", "score": 24, "tags": [ "terminology", "doujinshi", "manga-production" ], "title": "What is the difference between doujinshi and manga?", "view_count": 64379 }

[ { "body": "\n\nWell, if it's self published, it is called doujinshi. If it's by a manga\npublisher, it's manga. Note that this distinction makes no mention of relative\nquality...simply who is doing the publishing (and presumably paying for) the\nwork.\n\nWikipedia highlights this in the first paragraph:\n\n> Dōjinshi (同人誌?, often transliterated as doujinshi) is the Japanese term for\n> self-published works, usually magazines, manga or novels. Dōjinshi are often\n> the work of amateurs, though some professional artists participate as a way\n> to publish material outside the regular industry.\n\nNote, professional artists can produce doujinshi if they're self-publishing\nthat particular product.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:33:36.273", "id": "40", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T21:33:36.273", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "36", "parent_id": "36", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 }, { "body": "\n\nDoujinshi just means you published it yourself, so the difference is that non-\ndoujinshi manga is published by a company, while doujinshi manga is a self-\npublished manga\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:33:42.773", "id": "41", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-02T13:40:49.427", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-02T13:40:49.427", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "43", "parent_id": "36", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nDoujinshi is closer to what we think of as \"indie/self-published\" comics\ncompared to manga. **Professionals can produce doujinshi as well as\namateurs,** and many mangaka will produce doujinshi on the side when they're\notherwise unable to produce a certain work for legal reasons.\n\nDoujinshi are often, but not limited to:\n\n * Fanart of pre-existing intellectual properties\n * Ecchi material\n * One-shots\n\nThe quality of any given doujinshi can vary as a result, since literally\nanyone can produce a doujinshi without any sort of editorial oversight.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:41:45.643", "id": "45", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T21:41:45.643", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "41", "parent_id": "36", "post_type": "answer", "score": 27 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "335", "answer_count": 8, "body": "\n\nIf you've seen much anime, you're familiar with the male character getting a\nbloody nose when he gets sexually excited. For example:\n\n \n\nMaster Roshi (Dragon Ball) and Umino Iruka (Naruto)\n\nHowever, when I mentioned this to a Japanese person (someone who was not a big\nanime viewer), she was confused, and adamant that a bloody nose would normally\njust mean that the person was excited in general, and it would not necessarily\nhave anything to do with sexual excitement.\n\nThis could (and seems likely to be) true for Japanese day to day real life,\nbut very different in anime, where the connection to libido seems very clear.\n\nIs there someone that can explain this difference? Is the \"bloody nose\" in\nanime just used to signify excitement, and it just happens to often (always)\nbe sexual excitement because of the plot? Or is it supposed to be just\nunderstood how a bloody nose is interpreted in anime is different from normal\nlife?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:31:19.987", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "39", "last_activity_date": "2021-10-24T15:41:50.710", "last_edit_date": "2014-04-18T07:01:52.127", "last_editor_user_id": "1908", "owner_user_id": "36", "post_type": "question", "score": 74, "tags": [ "tropes" ], "title": "Does the \"bloody nose\" trope necessarily imply a sexual situation?", "view_count": 45972 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAccording to\n[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime#Facial_expressions):\n\n> Male characters will develop a bloody nose around their female love\n> interests (typically to indicate arousal, which is a play on an old wives'\n> tale).\n\nIt has a reference in the end of this sentence that leads\n[here](http://www.umich.edu/~anime/info_emotions.html).\n\nI am not sure if these are reliable source, though...\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:34:35.687", "id": "42", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T21:34:35.687", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThe bloody nose gag exaggerates the rise in blood pressure when people are\naroused, to such a degree that blood shoots out of the aroused character's\nnose.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:49:07.520", "id": "49", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T14:14:31.247", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T14:14:31.247", "last_editor_user_id": "44", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 36 }, { "body": "\n\nAs far as I know, it comes from embarrassment more than arousal. Note that it\ntends to not be perverts who get bloody noses (at least not when they're\ndealing with someone other than their primary love interest). Instead, it is\nthe semi innocent/honorable hero/supporting character, the one who is not\nactively trying to look at a female's chest.\n\nWhen presented with this kind of situation, all of a sudden, they tend to\nbecome quite embarrassed. This embarrassment normally leads to the face being\nfilled with blood (blushing). BUT, to show an extreme case of this\nembarrassment, their nose bleeds instead from the excessive blood pressure\nbuildup.\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:49:29.547", "id": "50", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-03T16:09:31.653", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-03T16:09:31.653", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "46", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\nGilles Portras, author of [The Anime\nCompanion](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1880656329), wondered the\nsame thing:\n\n> \"So I asked a few Japanese and got a variety of pseudoscientific, and\n> occasionally embarassed, explanations about humidity and blood pressure. But\n> the best response I got was from one fellow who simply recounted that when\n> he was a child he was told by his mother that if he stared at a pretty woman\n> he would get a bloody nose.\"\n\nIt's basically superstition, like if you sneeze once someone is saying\nsomething good about you. If you sneeze twice they are saying something bad.\nIf you sneeze three times, you have a cold.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T15:53:55.743", "id": "335", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T15:53:55.743", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 49 }, { "body": "\n\nNo actual proof here, but...\n\nI would suspect that the anime writers just use bloody noses when they think\nit is funny, not taking actual Japanese beliefs or day-to-day customs into\naccount.\n\nIt is way more funny when heroes get bloody noses when they get an accidental\nlook than when perverts get a look (all the time).\n\nOn the other hand it is also funny when a pervert gets a bloody nose all the\ntime (in extremes). As already mentioned, Jiraiya is an example of this. Sanji\nis even a better example as his bloody nose becomes _life threatening_ at a\ncertain point!\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-14T12:20:05.680", "id": "419", "last_activity_date": "2016-11-05T13:58:19.727", "last_edit_date": "2016-11-05T13:58:19.727", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "51", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nAccording [here](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Nosebleed), in\nanime, nosebleed mostly happens to a character being sexually aroused. It is\nan exaggeration of having high blood pressure when a real person is sexually\naroused.\n\n> In Japanese media, healthy young men that have no other sexual outlet will\n> often suffer nosebleeds upon seeing the naked female body, or even just a\n> pair of well-filled panties. It's probably a side effect of High Pressure\n> Blood in a body that's Overdrawn at the Blood Bank.\n\nAnd it is somehow a metaphor to this:\n\n> The nosebleed is, of course, a visual shorthand/euphemism for sexual\n> arousal. It is commonly interpreted that way for males and females, with\n> little trickles of blood indicating mild arousal, and gushing fountains of\n> blood indicating erection/extreme arousal in both sexes. It can also be\n> interpreted as shorthand strictly for erections in males. In that case, when\n> blood shoots from the nose explosively, and in ridiculous quantity, the\n> implication would be an ejaculation.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-04-25T08:42:08.600", "id": "3530", "last_activity_date": "2013-04-25T23:29:39.797", "last_edit_date": "2013-04-25T23:29:39.797", "last_editor_user_id": "88", "owner_user_id": "88", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nAs explained on [MedlinePlus Medical\nEncyclopedia](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003106.htm):\n\n> Nosebleed can be caused by:\n>\n> * Irritation due to allergies, colds, sneezing or sinus problems\n> * Very cold or dry air\n> * Blowing the nose very hard, or picking the nose\n> * Injury to nose, including a broken nose, or an object stuck in the nose\n> * Deviated septum\n> * Chemical irritants\n> * Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays\n>\n\n>\n> Repeated nosebleeds may be a symptom of another disease such as high blood\n> pressure, a bleeding disorder, or a tumor of the nose or sinuses. Blood\n> thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin, may\n> cause or worsen nosebleeds.\n\nTo answer your question, your Japanese acquaintance is right that in real\nlife, a bloody nose would normally just mean that the person was excited in\ngeneral, and it would not necessarily have anything to do with sexual\nexcitement. In my experience, though, it's usually due to the causes listed in\nthe bullet points, not due to high blood pressure. I would go with @ʞɹɐzǝɹ 's\nanswer that it is a superstition/myth that is perpetuated in anime and manga,\nwhich this [potentially NSFW\nvideo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUS74d4pC2c) debunks (rather\nunscientifically) in a light-hearted manner.\n\n\n\n\nScreenshots from the video. The big captions read \"Verification method: the\nwoman in front will get naked without warning\" and \"Will the nosebleed come\nout?\"\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-11-20T05:29:31.617", "id": "15199", "last_activity_date": "2015-02-12T10:40:36.020", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "8486", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nIt's possible that the response of the 'Japanese person' in one of the above\ncomments, that it's a sign of excitement in general, is probably correct. In\n'Black Clover,' the character Gauche Adlai exhibits the characteristic anime\nnosebleed over a little girl, Marie - but she is merely his sister, whom he\nworships, and nothing more.\n\nIn anime, not all nosebleeds are a sign of sexual arousal - but perhaps all\ninstances of sexual arousal are signified by nosebleeds.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-07-29T07:06:37.057", "id": "48114", "last_activity_date": "2018-07-29T07:06:37.057", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "41776", "parent_id": "39", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nI understand that one of them is actually the other. At first we are led to\nbelieve that Vincent is Ergo. But toward the end of the series, we discover\nsomething but I am not sure what it means: Ergo created Vincent to run away\nfrom himself. Also, in the beginning, when Vincent turns into Ergo, he loses\ncontrol and doesn't remember any of it. Later on he starts to control Ergo,\nbut at the same time he can talk with him.\n\nSo, basically, I don't understand which 'came first': Is Vincent Law Ergo\nProxy? Or is it the other way around? Or are they actually two different\n'selves' that 'reside in the same body'?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:44:49.020", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "48", "last_activity_date": "2017-11-04T04:42:54.897", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-07T00:33:13.780", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 8, "tags": [ "ergo-proxy" ], "title": "What is the relation between Ergo Proxy and Vincent Law?", "view_count": 9173 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAccording to wikipedia under [Other Characters -\nProxies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ergo_Proxy_characters#Proxies):\n\n> Ergo Proxy is a \"clone\" of Proxy One, Romdo's creator and guardian, who was\n> created to help bring about the destruction of the human race because of\n> Proxy One's anger at humanity's treatment of and plans for the Proxies,\n> specifically Monad Proxy. Ergo Proxy often wears a white mask with elements\n> of both The Phantom of the Opera and a harlequin jester to differentiate\n> from Proxy One. Vincent initially has no control over his transformations,\n> changing into Ergo Proxy whenever another Proxy reveals itself, but is\n> implied to be in control of his abilities by the end of the series.\n\nRegarding Proxy One:\n\n> The main antagonist of the series, he is Ergo Proxy's original and true\n> self, and calls Vincent his shadow. He was first alluded to in episode 15\n> and is the one behind the events of the entire series, having created\n> Vincent and then sent him back to Romdo from Mosk to start his revenge plan.\n> Near the end of the series, Proxy One is revealed to be the one who fired\n> the thermonuclear missile Rapture, destroyed Amnesia to hide Vincent's\n> memories, and killed Donov Mayer.\n\nTo summarize, Vincent Law transforms into Ergo Proxy. Ergo Proxy is the proxy\nform of Vincent Law. He appoints Romdeau, his domed city, with a human regent\nand then gives himself amnesia, leaving himself in his human form (as\nVincent). Ergo Proxy comes first, though he is a clone of Proxy One.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-28T22:36:48.767", "id": "2200", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-20T03:46:37.863", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-20T03:46:37.863", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "93", "parent_id": "48", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nFrom what I understand, Proxy 1 and Ergo Proxy are two separate entities. A\nmiss conception, thanks to the English translation, is proxy 1 created\nRomdeau; this is not the case as Romdeau is described a flawed Dome in the\nsame way as its creator, Ergo Proxy, is a clone on Proxy 1 and hence a flawed\nproxy (also shown by the fact he can survive UV rays).\n\nThis is further backed up by the relationship between Ergo and Monad. Monad we\nare told loved Ergo proxy due to their opposing natures of life and death,\nthus she comes to Vincent AKA Ergos aid at the end of the series rather than\nto help forefill Proxy 1's ambitions for Ergo to destroy humanities chance for\na future on earth.\n\nVincent is therefore the human name of the being Ergo proxy while he has\namnesia due to the removal of his own memories to prevent him from becoming\nthe literal grim reaper on earth. Ergo Proxy was created a long time prior to\nthe series by Proxy 1 as a means of revenge on humanity.\n\nOf coarse I could be completely wrong but it doesn't really matter as the main\nfocus of the anime isn't the plot but the moral and theological questions\nwhich arise from the setting and premise of the series. In short its a\nfantastic anime whether the ending is ambiguous or not :)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-03-25T22:35:45.330", "id": "8261", "last_activity_date": "2014-03-25T22:43:01.020", "last_edit_date": "2014-03-25T22:43:01.020", "last_editor_user_id": "4258", "owner_user_id": "4258", "parent_id": "48", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nVincent Law is Ergo Proxy, who is Proxy 1. Proxy one divided himself into two.\nThat which is divided must become one. So Proxy 1 splits into 2, and one half\nleaves the dome, the other half remains. The half that leaves gets rid of\ntheir memory... who are they now? They are no longer the true Proxy Project\ncreation. They are now gaining self-awareness and forging a new identity.\n\nIt is perhaps because they rejected their imperfect origin that they decided\nto dump their memory, and become Vincent Law. Victory over Law. He has claimed\nvictory over the rules. He is no longer just a proxy. The amnesia effect\nallows us to follow him on his journey against the strongest enemy he'll ever\nface... himself. A journey we all must take if we strike out against what we\nwere planned to be and instead seek out our own destiny.\n\nSo Proxy 1 is Ergo Proxy... He is both one and the same, and he must embrace\nevery aspect of himself if he is to truly choose his own future. It's not an\neasy thing to do, but he has Re-l, or reality. He also has pino, and \"in vino,\nveritas\", or \"in wine there is truth\".\n\nSo moving forward with reality and truth, the lab project known as Proxy One\nwill eventually embrace that he is Ergo Proxy, and yet overcome his origins\nand finally reach happiness by redefining himself as Vincent Law, victorious\nover the laws his very cells were programmed to follow. He felt the pulse of\nthe awakening, and instead of dying, he awoke. He is the agent of death... or\nwas... not anymore... He is Vincent Law, and Vince is in full control as he\nsails off with truth and reality, and a new autorave who perhaps represents\nthe discipline he has finally achieved.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-11-04T04:34:06.753", "id": "43141", "last_activity_date": "2017-11-04T04:42:54.897", "last_edit_date": "2017-11-04T04:42:54.897", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "36455", "parent_id": "48", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "13263", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nIt was said that when a Shinigami saves a human with his Death Note, that\nShinigami dies, and his remaining life-span is transferred to the human he\nsaved.\n\nBut imagine the following situation, a Shinigami has accumulated 500 years of\nlifespan by killing a lot of humans. That Shinigami then kills someone for a\nhuman, to save his life, and dies.\n\nDoes that mean the human would gain 500 years to his lifespan?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:49:34.630", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "51", "last_activity_date": "2021-02-08T16:10:47.967", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "post_type": "question", "score": 30, "tags": [ "death-note" ], "title": "What would happen if a Shinigami with exceedingly long life-span dies for a human?", "view_count": 7805 }

[ { "body": "\n\nEssentially yes, they will become semi-immortal. They will have a long, long\nnatural lives but they'll still be vulnerable to death.\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:21:12.493", "id": "65", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T05:23:16.463", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T05:23:16.463", "last_editor_user_id": "28", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "51", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 }, { "body": "\n\nThe human would indeed gain 500 years to his lifespan.\n\n> Shinigami who die are reduced to dust, and their remaining lifespan is given\n> to the human they saved. [wiki](http://deathnote.wikia.com/wiki/Shinigami)\n\nIt is very unlikely to see that human live those 500 years though. Shinigami\nare lazy and don't want to be bothered with the human world too much, so the\nhuman would become an eagerly desired target for the other Shinigami. If they\nwould kill that specific human they would be able to gamble for 500 more years\nwithout having to be bothered with writing some new names.\n\nSo basically he would gain a lot of extra lifespan, but it wouldn't make him\nimmune to the power of the Death Note. [An example of this was seen with Misa\nAmane](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/11424/6166). Despite having gained\nthe lifespan of two Shinigami, she still only lived a couple of years after\ntheir deaths, because the Death Note had recalculated her lifespan over\nseveral occasions during the story.\n\n* * *\n\nAs mentioned by [Madara\nUchiha](https://anime.stackexchange.com/users/27/madara-uchiha), humans with a\nlifespan of 124 years or higher can indeed not be killed directly.\n\n> You cannot kill humans at the age of 124 or over with the Death Note.\n> [XXIX](http://deathnote.wikia.com/wiki/Rules_of_the_Death_Note#How_to_Use:_XXIX)\n\nThey could be killed indirectly by killing people that would result in his\nlifespan being recalculated, but as I mentioned Shinigami are lazy, so they\nwouldn't bother to do so intentionally, making him indeed semi-immortal :)\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-08-05T14:22:40.367", "id": "13263", "last_activity_date": "2014-08-05T14:40:19.060", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:54:48.953", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "6166", "parent_id": "51", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 }, { "body": "\n\nI always wondered that. \nMy main thought is whether they continue to age normally or if their aging\nslows to match their remaining life span. I cant imagine a human who gains 500\nyears from the death of a shinigami could live for so long if aging naturally. \nWith some deductions, I have come to the conclusion that one who gains 500\nyears of life from a Shinigami would have to experience aging at a slower rate\nbecause their entire being has been extended in life by that 500 years. That\nmeans disease, accident oh, the shutting down of organs, could not lead to the\ncause of death until they used up those 500 years. So everything about that\nperson would either be slowed or halted in time until they can naturally die\nafter using the extra time. Aside from external factors such as usage of the\ndeath note before they hit the age of 124.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2021-02-08T16:10:47.967", "id": "61862", "last_activity_date": "2021-02-08T16:10:47.967", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "58719", "parent_id": "51", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "256", "answer_count": 5, "body": "\n\nI haven't watched Anime in many years, but recently I've had time to get back\ninto it. I've seen that one of my favorite series, Fullmetal Alchemist, has\ndone a series reboot. What I'm wondering is:\n\n**Does it present a lot of deep variations** (plot-wise, character-wise or\notherwise) **, or is it just the same series with updated art?**\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:52:50.980", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "55", "last_activity_date": "2020-08-22T07:43:01.020", "last_edit_date": "2016-01-18T09:29:06.353", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "61", "post_type": "question", "score": 132, "tags": [ "fullmetal-alchemist-series", "fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood", "fullmetal-alchemist-2003" ], "title": "What's the difference between the FMA and FMA Brotherhood series?", "view_count": 983236 }

[ { "body": "\n\nBrotherhood is actually more faithful to the Manga. The first _'version'_\nfollows the Manga to some extent (about half the show) although it adds some\ndetails that do not follow the Manga.\n\n> The whole thing regarding the creation of Homunculus is completely different\n> in the first series. \n> The whole Ishbal incident is also different. \n> The role Hohenheim plays in the first series is rather ridiculous comparing\n> to his _'real'_ role. \n> And there is also no Father in the first series...\n\nMost of these different aspects I really don't understand.\n\nAs for the number of episodes: the _'reboot'_ actually catches up to the first\nversion rather fast (in about the first 4th) and then has _'new material'_\n(comparing to the first one, but actually it is just going according to the\nmanga) until the end of it. Brotherhood also has more episodes (64, compared\nto 51) .\n\nAlso, the animation in itself is rather different in Brotherhood (much better\nIMO).\n\nBasically, the first series is, in my opinion, rather poor when compared to\nBrotherhood.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:57:12.873", "id": "58", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T17:26:38.693", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T17:26:38.693", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "55", "post_type": "answer", "score": 32 }, { "body": "\n\nAs you've said, two animes were done:\n\n * _Full Metal Alchemist_\n * _Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood_.\n\nWhile they both start the same way, the first one starts to develop following\na whole different path than the Manga. This is because when it was being\naired, the Manga was not done yet, so the plot as well as the end of the anime\nare invented.\n\nThe second was done after the Manga ended, so it respects the original Manga\nmuch more. I watched both because I didn't know of this distinction. But I can\ntell you quite objectively, that even if the first one is not so faithful, it\nwas of very good quality, speaking of plot twists, unexpected changes in\nhistory and other similar devices.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:59:02.940", "id": "59", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T10:07:11.723", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T10:07:11.723", "last_editor_user_id": "15", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "55", "post_type": "answer", "score": 13 }, { "body": "\n\nThe new Fullmetal Alchemist series is completely worth it since it adapts the\noriginal manga from beginning to end. The previous series, while being really\ngood (in my opinion), diverges from the manga in the whole second half and\nends in a way that was not supposed to be. The new series follows everything,\nretells in just a few chapters what we previously watched and then tells a\ncompletely new story with a completely new end.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:00:23.697", "id": "60", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-21T00:45:23.513", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-21T00:45:23.513", "last_editor_user_id": "2604", "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "55", "post_type": "answer", "score": 13 }, { "body": "\n\nThere are a large number of differences between the two Fullmetal Alchemist\nanime, with far too many to list; therefore, I'll only cover the major ones.\n\nTo improve the flow of this answer, the following abbreviations will be used:\n\nFMAM = Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga) \nFMA03 = Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 (Anime) \nFMAB = Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (Anime) \n\nThe reason for the difference is because FMA03 was created when FMAM was still\nin the early stages of its development. When an anime series is based on a\nmanga that is still in development, the anime is eventually going to reach a\npoint where it outpaces the manga, because anime episodes tend to be developed\nquicker than manga volumes. When this happens, either filler for the anime is\ncreated or changes to the anime's storyline and characters are made so that\nthe anime can continue to be developed. The latter is what happened to FMA03.\nFMA03's storyline started to diverge from FMAM's storyline after around 10\nepisodes because, at that point, the anime was starting to outpace the manga.\n\nOn the other hand, FMAB was created when FMAM was nearing the end of its\ndevelopment. This allowed FMAB's storyline to be more faithful to FMAM's\nstoryline because FMAB had a mostly-complete storyline to draw from FMAM.\n\nThe major differences between FMA03 and FMAB & FMAM are:\n\n# Storyline\n\n> Although both stories follow Edward and Alphonse, the overarching story is\n> considerably different between FMA03 and FMAB & FMAM. In FMAB & FMAM the\n> main antagonist was a character referred to as **Father** , a being of\n> incredible power who is capable of performing transmutation at will, and\n> without regard for equivalent exchange. His ultimate goal in FMAB & FMAM is\n> to steal the power of what he refers to as \"God\" and become a being of\n> infinite power and knowledge. \n> \n> The main antagonist in FMA03 is Dante. Unlike Father, she is just a normal\n> human being who created a Philosopher's Stone and has managed to live a long\n> time by transferring her consciousness into the body of other human beings\n> whenever she was nearing death. Dante's only motivation is to become\n> immortal and live forever.\n\n# The Homunculi\n\n> In FMA03, the **Homunculi** were the result of attempting to perform human\n> transmutation and failing. They could only be killed by destroying their\n> original body. \n> \n> In FMAB & FMAM, the Homunculi were created by Father, with each one\n> representing a different aspect of his personality ( **Lust** , **Gluttony**\n> , **Envy** , **Greed** , **Wrath** , **Sloth** , and **Pride** ; the seven\n> deadly sins). Each Homunculus is also powered by a Philosopher's Stone.\n> Unlike FMA03's Homunculi, FMAB & FMAM's Homunculi do not have an \"original\"\n> body that needs to be destroyed. Instead, either the Philosopher's Stone\n> powering them needs to be destroyed or its power drained (normally through\n> forcing them to regenerate multiple times). \n> \n> Another difference is the identify of the Homunculi themselves, with some\n> Homunculi from FMAB & FMAM not appearing in FMA03 at all and others having\n> their name changed. \n> \n> **Gluttony** , **Envy** , **Lust** , and **Greed** have the same name and\n> appearance in FMAB, FMAM, and FMA03. \n> FMAB & FMAM's **Wrath** (King Bradley) is called **Pride** in FMA03. \n> FMAB & FMAM's **Pride** (Selim Bradley) is not present in FMA03. \n> FMA03's **Wrath** is unique to the series. He was the result of Izumi\n> Curtis's attempt to revive her son. \n> FMAB & FMAM's **Sloth** is not present in FMA03. \n> FMA03's **Sloth** is unique to the series. She was the result of Ed and\n> Al's attempt to bring back their mother.\n\n# Hohenheim\n\n> In FMA03, **Hohenheim** is just a normal human being who was originally\n> Dante's lover; however, he eventually left her due to no longer sharing her\n> desire to have immortality at any cost. Like Dante, he created a\n> Philosopher's Stone and gained a long life by transferring his consciousness\n> into another person's body. His role in the anime is very minor, and he\n> becomes trapped on the other side of the Gate after a confrontation with\n> Dante that ended in failure. \n> \n> In FMAB & FMAM, Hohenheim was a human Philosopher's Stone with a seemingly\n> infinite supply of power. Although he was originally a slave, he was granted\n> his near-immortality by Father well before the events of the series took\n> place. Hohenheim is more significant in FMAB & FMAM, facing off against\n> Father at the end of the series. Unlike FMA03's Hohenheim, he dies at the\n> end of FMAB & FMAM after finally exhausting the power of his Philosopher's\n> Stone.\n\n# The Gate\n\n> The **Gate** is the largest major change in the series. In FMAB & FMAM, the\n> Gate is the source of all alchemy and also seems to be a source of infinite\n> knowledge. The Gate is also guarded by a being commonly referred to as\n> **Truth** , and who is responsible for taking the required tolls from\n> alchemists who perform human transmutation. Those who are capable of\n> performing alchemy have their own gate, and if that gate should be removed\n> (by sacrificing it to Truth), they will no longer be able to perform\n> alchemy. \n> \n> In FMA03, the Gate is still the source of alchemy, but it also serves as a\n> portal between the world of _Fullmetal Alchemist_ and **Earth**.\n> Furthermore, the Gate derives its powers from the souls of those who have\n> died on Earth and is what powers the transmutations performed by alchemists.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:37:45.790", "id": "256", "last_activity_date": "2020-08-22T07:43:01.020", "last_edit_date": "2020-08-22T07:43:01.020", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "62", "parent_id": "55", "post_type": "answer", "score": 120 }, { "body": "\n\nThere are quite a few differences, actually. The \"original\", or the \"first\none\" is an entirely different storyline from the manga. The manga was the\noriginal thing, so most people hate the first FMA series.\n\nA few differences between the two anime series are:\n\n * **The Storyline**\n\n> In the first FMA, it ends with Ed in London around the time of World War 2.\n> Al gets his body back and stays in \"their world\", while Ed is stuck in \"our\n> world\" with his fake right arm and left leg. Al is 10 (the age he was when\n> this chaos happened) again and has no memories of the last four years. But,\n> in Conqueror of Shamballa, he gains his memories when he goes back to \"our\n> world\" with Ed, after Ed brutally abandons him. Although, in Brotherhood, it\n> sticks to the storyline of the manga.\n\n * **The idea behind the Homunculi**\n\n> In the first FMA, the Homunculi were created from failed human\n> transmutations (explaining Sloth's appearance), while, in Brotherhood, the\n> Homunculi were Father's humane \"flaws\" that he extracted from his\n> personality and put into the \"artificial beings\". Ironically enough, his\n> wanting to become a god was awfully greedy, even after he'd rid of that\n> \"flaw\"\n\n * **The Homunculi's appearance**\n\nLust has a black dress in the first series, but in Brotherhood, she has a\nreddish-brown dress.\n\nGluttony, Envy, and King Bradley look the same. Sloth looks like Ed and Al's\nmother, while in Brotherhood, Sloth is a big (much bigger than Armstrong xD)\nbuff male with long black hair.\n\nIn the first series, King Bradley is Pride, instead of Wrath (in Brotherhood,\nhe's Wrath). In FMA, Wrath is a little boy (Izumi's son) with long black hair\nand he has Ed's real right arm and left leg. While in Brotherhood, Wrath is\nKing Bradley. In Brotherhood, Pride is King Bradley's son, Selim Bradley.\nWhile in the first series, Pride is King Bradley.\n\nIn the first series, Greed looks normal, but\n\n> since Greed takes over Ling Yao's (the twelfth crown prince of Xing) body,\n> Greed looks like Ling\n\n**FMA** :\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qmEq7.jpg)\n\n**Brotherhood** :\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/PZItdm.jpg)\n\n(The blonde guy in the middle is Father)\n\n * **Who the Homunculi are** (... meh. It's pretty much explained in the aforementioned point, so I don't think I have to re-explain).\n\n * **Hohenheim's appearance**\n\nIn the first series, Hohenheim has a more round, smooth face. His glasses are\nbigger and more round. His hair and beard is a dirty-ish blonde color, and his\nponytail is lower. In Brotherhood, Hohenheim has a rectangle-shaped head. His\nface has more ...umm... say \"chiseled\" features. His glasses are smaller and\nnot as round. His hair and beard are light blonde, and his ponytail is higher)\n\n**FMA** :\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/I1G1a.jpg)\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/IuhtF.jpg)\n\n**Brotherhood** :\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/DCWLbm.jpg)\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/DTuhom.jpg)\n\n * **The art**\n\n * **Al's voice**\n\n * **Rose's appearance**\n\nIn the first series, Rose's skin is brown. Her hair is dark brown with pink\nbangs. In Brotherhood, Rose's skin is very white. She has black hair with\nmaroon-ish colored bangs\n\n**FMA** :\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/azNqzm.png)\n\n**Brotherhood** :\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/misT5.jpg)\n\n * **Rose later on**\n\n> In the first series, she has a baby (an ugly one, at that. xD ), while, in\n> Brotherhood, she doesn't.\n\n * **There are a few new characters in Brotherhood**\n\nI had more in mind, but in the midst of typing, I forgot what the rest was. I\napologize.\n\nEven with the absence of the other differences I had planned to provide, I\nhope this helped.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-09-20T04:07:57.800", "id": "26008", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-20T20:42:06.717", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-20T20:42:06.717", "last_editor_user_id": "2604", "owner_user_id": "17912", "parent_id": "55", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "138", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIn order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Anime Tenchou (who most notably\nappears in Lucky Star), ufotable animated a 10 minute crossover anime between\nTouhou and Anime Tenchou in 2010. ANN has a news release about it\n[here](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-09-24/touhou-project-anime-\ntenchou-get-anime-by-ufotable).\n\nI know that this was shown at Animate Ichioshi Bishōjo Matsuri according to\nthe news release, but I have not been able to find any information about a\ngeneral release. Was this ever released in any format to the general public?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T21:56:12.620", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "56", "last_activity_date": "2014-06-09T21:11:46.703", "last_edit_date": "2013-06-12T03:46:55.560", "last_editor_user_id": "107", "owner_user_id": "24", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "touhou-project", "anime-tenchou" ], "title": "Was the ufotable Touhou anime ever released?", "view_count": 6131 }

[ { "body": "\n\nTo my knowledge, it has been released [but in a\ntheater](http://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1%E5%BA%97%E9%95%B7%C3%97%E6%9D%B1%E6%96%B9%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A7%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88)\nor the like and no one was allowed to record it in any way thus no one else\nhas seen it.\n\n> アニメ店長×東方プロジェクトとは、アニメ店長誕生10周年を記念して行われたコラボレーション企画である。\n>\n> [...]\n>\n>\n> アニメ店長誕生から10周年を記念し製作されたショートアニメーション（約10分）で、2010年11月20日に行われた”『アニメ店長』プレゼンツ!!アニメイト一押し美少女アニメまつり”にて初公開された。\n>\n> [...]\n>\n>\n> その後12月29日～31日にアニメイト一部店舗で単独イベント上映、2011年1月9日に全国アニメイト各店にて上映された。尚、DVD,BDの販売はなく（設定資料のみ販売）会場での上映限定での公開となった。\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T03:17:09.120", "id": "138", "last_activity_date": "2014-06-09T21:11:46.703", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "103", "parent_id": "56", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "66", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nVoice acting is one of the many things that can make an anime movie, OVA or TV\nseries successful or not, and some\n[seiyuu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_acting_in_Japan) gain their own\nfollowings or are treated like idols.\n\nWhat happens if, say, a major character's seiyuu has an accident, dies or\nquits before the production is finished?\n\nHas this ever happened, and if so, what were the consequences, measures taken,\nand reaction from fans to those measures?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:10:41.397", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "61", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-08T02:11:14.250", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-08T02:11:14.250", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "38", "post_type": "question", "score": 20, "tags": [ "anime-production", "voice-acting" ], "title": "What happens when a seiyuu cannot continue working on a production?", "view_count": 683 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThis happens occasionally. The most recent example that I can think of is when\nKawaragi Shiho, the seiyuu of Nishizono Mio from Little Busters!, got\npregnant. In fact, this is very recent, as she just [gave\nbirth](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-12-10/voice-actress-\nshiho-kawaragi-gives-birth-to-healthy-girl) last Friday (December 7th). Of\ncourse Mio isn't the main character, but she's not a minor character either.\n\nIn this case, they just replaced her (with Tatsumi Yuiko). That's about the\nonly real option they have most of the time. Unless the problem is only for a\nvery short duration, the entire show is not going to be delayed for one\nseiyuu. If it happens well in advance and the character is pretty important,\nthey can probably work around it. Gotou Yuuko (seiyuu for Hiro from Hidamari\nSketch), who was on hiatus for a while this year for health reasons but is\nback now in Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb, is a good example of this. However,\nthis is a pretty atypical situation, and the other shows she was in mostly got\nreplacements.\n\nIn the end, unless the character is crucially important, it's very likely that\nthey'll get a replacement, since it's pretty much the only realistic option.\nIf something like this happens for a popular character in the off-season, it\ncan also affect the possibility of sequels (e.g. most shows with Aya Hirano\nleads probably aren't in the sequel market). It usually doesn't hurt the\nseiyuu's career too much if it occurs for good reasons e.g. health, but some\nimpact is inevitable.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:34:58.657", "id": "66", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T22:34:58.657", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "61", "post_type": "answer", "score": 15 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nAs the series develops, it seems that Ergo Proxy has a growing number of\nphilosophical references:\n\n * The concept of Anamnesis in episode 11.\n\n * The Council/Collective figures.\n\n * All the events in episode 20.\n\n * Every discussion Vincent has with Ergo about the 'self' (especially episode 11)\n\n * And numerous others that I don't recall at the moment...\n\nWhich philosophical concepts/authors are referenced or portrayed in the\nseries?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:12:56.637", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "63", "last_activity_date": "2021-07-17T06:00:02.317", "last_edit_date": "2021-07-17T06:00:02.317", "last_editor_user_id": "60264", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 10, "tags": [ "tropes", "ergo-proxy" ], "title": "What philosophical concepts and/or authors are referenced in the series Ergo Proxy?", "view_count": 5638 }

[ { "body": "\n\nActually funny enough some of the robots in the anime are named after\nphilosophers...\n\nThe Ergo Proxy Wiki states in the Production section\n<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergo_Proxy>\n\n> It is set in the future. A group of robots become infected with something\n> called the Kojiro [sic] virus, and become aware of their own existence. So\n> these robots, which had been tools of humans, decide to go on an adventure\n> to search for themselves. They have to decide whether the virus that\n> infected them created their identity, or whether they gained their identity\n> through their travels. This question is meant to represent our own debate\n> over whether we become who we are because of our environment, or because of\n> things that are inherent in us. The robots are all named after philosophers:\n> Derrida and Lacan and Husserl.\n\nSo pretty much the whole anime is about self discovery and coming to terms\nwith their existence. One such philosophical / socialogical debate we take\nfrom the above mentioned quote is that of Nature vs Nurture. Are we who we are\nbecause of \"what\" we are, or is our \"self\" formed by our actions or the things\naround us. There's quite a few different philosophical undertones, the most\nprominent I think is the one I quoted above.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-01-14T19:24:35.390", "id": "6905", "last_activity_date": "2014-01-14T19:24:35.390", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "3317", "parent_id": "63", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nbig spoilers. go away.\n\n> Cogito refers to - Cogito Ergo Sum - I think, therefore I am. also the word\n> is similar to 'Cognito' or 'Cognition', which all derive from the root for\n> 'know'. there's the whole daedalus/ikaros thing... oh i can't remember any\n> more ;p the whole series itself seems sort of highlander/the one-like.\n> asura/ashura is commonly used in anime, based on indian beliefs. let's not\n> forget 'The Rapture' lol ;p\n\nmore? decided to move stuff from other thread lol\n\n> pino = piano, the playing card soldiers of karos (karos = diamonds), the\n> russian miniatures. how everything works like 'clockwork'? - the wombs,\n> vincent's plan - gods trying to kill humans, while humans are trying to kill\n> the gods (at least raul).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-05-29T12:42:33.557", "id": "9999", "last_activity_date": "2014-05-29T14:55:23.663", "last_edit_date": "2014-05-29T14:55:23.663", "last_editor_user_id": "5055", "owner_user_id": "5055", "parent_id": "63", "post_type": "answer", "score": -3 }, { "body": "\n\nIt's been a long time since I have watched the anime, but here's a quick\nrundown of some of the concepts I think the anime portrayed:\n\n**Absurdism**\n\nThe resulting conflict, called the \"Absurd,\" to find meaning and not being\nable to find any, at least, not in a humanely possible way. In other words,\nmeaning can be logically found, but not be achieved. This concept is shown in\nRaul's mental breakdown as he slowly loses any possible source of meaning in\nhis life. His adopted child, for example, could have been a source of meaning,\nbut as he loses that and Pino, he began to create the Absurd and the way he\nresolves this is through suicide. The are other examples of the Absurd, more\nnoticeable when they're talking about their Raison d'Etre. Others can handle\nthe Absurd in a different way, particularly the Proxies because they're not\n(normal) humans, although those like Re-L was able to handle it as well in the\nend. The way Ergo Proxy portrayed Vincent's journey can also classify this\nwork as an Absurdist Fiction.\n\nFor more: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdism>\n\n**Mind-Body Problem**\n\nThis is more broad and can be divided into two subcategories: dualism and\nmonism or physicalism (also called Identity Theory). Dualism is where the mind\nis separate from the body and the latter is when the mind is the body. This\nissue is addressed when the robots begins to acquire sentience on their own.\nThe Cogito virus, which seems to be immaterial, is what gives the robots in\nthe series their free will, their \"mind,\" similar to how dualism says that the\nmind is immaterial and separate from the body. Yet, the experiences each robot\nhas is what makes them act different, which also depends on the body. The\nstate of mind of an intimidating military robot is going to be different than\nthat of Pino, where people are more likely to treat her like a child. This\nissue is also more notable between Ergo and Vincent.\n\nFor more: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind%E2%80%93body_problem>\n\n**Social Contract**\n\nThe anime briefly touched on this, but it's there. The legitimacy of Romedau's\ngovernment is questioned. Cities can be created and destroyed easily by the\nProxies, so it seems that the council is very powerless. More than that, no\none voluntarily enters these cities. Rather, people are forced to exist inside\nthem, either through artificial birth or through emigration (they were either\nto die in the harsh outside environment or live inside). In contrast, the\ncommune outside of Romedeau works the opposite, in a way. Thus the problem:\nwould you be willing to give up some of your freedom for comfort or would you\nrather have complete freedom?\n\nFor more: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_contract>\n\n**Existentialism**\n\nVery similar to absurdism. This problem is the question of where meaning comes\nfrom, if there is at all. It also deals with the issue of where existence came\nfrom, whether we existed without our bodies and how does it relate to our\nmeaning. Existentialism on its own is too broad, however, but it seems to me\nthat the anime touched on this as well.\n\nFor more: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism>\n\nThere's a lot of references on the other hand, so I'll only list a few:\n\n_Utilitarianism_ \\- Society should be guided so that everyone is equally\nhappy. Thus everyone in Romedau is given meaning.\n\n_Transhumanism_ \\- There was a scene where a city is run completely by robots.\nThis seems to be more of a jab on transhumanism rather than a support for it,\nas it shows there's no need for humans if everything is mechanized.\n\n_Divine Command Theory_ \\- Whatever the council says, it has to be good. Why?\nBecause they said so.\n\n_Übermensch_ \\- Nietzsche's idea of a perfect human and how human propagation\ngives meaning. The proxies aren't perfect, but it somewhat alludes to it\nconsidering how obscenely powerful they seem to be and that their mission is\nto perpetuate human society, if I recall correctly.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-10-12T18:15:30.043", "id": "14409", "last_activity_date": "2014-10-12T18:15:30.043", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "293", "parent_id": "63", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "297", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nHiro Mashima, the author of Fairy Tail, has a really similar drawing style to\nEiichiro Oda, One Piece mangaka.\n\nWe know that some well known mangakas had previously worked as assistants to\nothers (like Hiroyuki Takei and Eiichiro Oda himself, both worked with\nNobuhiro Watsuki), so I was wondering if Hiro Mashima has something in common\nwith Eiichiro Oda, since they had very similar styles at the beginning.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:15:56.970", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "64", "last_activity_date": "2016-03-22T03:57:30.183", "last_edit_date": "2015-05-08T20:15:23.517", "last_editor_user_id": "11083", "owner_user_id": "31", "post_type": "question", "score": 18, "tags": [ "one-piece", "mangaka", "fairy-tail" ], "title": "Does Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail) have something in common with Eiichiro Oda (One Piece)?", "view_count": 17618 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI have read that Oda and Mashima are good friends. However, not only has\nMashima never been Oda's assistant, but he has never been an assistant to\n_any_ mangaka. The resemblance of their artwork is due to something they share\nin common: Toriyama worship and obsession with _Dragon Ball_. More details on\n[this blog\npost](http://web.archive.org/web/20110707081343/http://activeanime.com/delreyblog/?p=129).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T06:05:41.390", "id": "297", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T06:05:41.390", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "99", "parent_id": "64", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nI know that the _Princess Tutu_ anime uses a lot of music and performances\nfrom the ballets _Swan Lake_ and _The Nutcracker_. However, does the anime's\nmain plotline -- of a princess who helps return the prince's heart to him,\nonly to die upon confessing her love -- closely follow either story? If so,\nwhat are the major deviations?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:36:35.703", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "67", "last_activity_date": "2017-11-01T21:07:18.900", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 7, "tags": [ "princess-tutu" ], "title": "How closely does Princess Tutu follow Swan Lake and The Nutcracker?", "view_count": 407 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe story is loosely based on this, but it actually revolves more around\nbending the inevitable fate thrown to Ahiru (Tutu) by third side of the story.\nThe storyteller, if you prefer.\n\nThe ending of the anime is not same either, even though it uses the same kind\nof theme. IMHO the ending is most closely following the original story, if you\nlook the big picture.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-18T21:18:52.470", "id": "670", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-15T02:20:42.070", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-15T02:20:42.070", "last_editor_user_id": "2604", "owner_user_id": "204", "parent_id": "67", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nI know that _Saiunkoku Monogatari_ is based on a series of light novels. How\nclosely does the anime (both seasons) follow the original series? What are its\nmain points of deviation?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:38:54.803", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "68", "last_activity_date": "2015-06-25T17:18:26.977", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-19T21:34:50.920", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 7, "tags": [ "saiunkoku-monogatari" ], "title": "How closely does the Saiunkoku Monogatari anime series follow the light novels?", "view_count": 2185 }

[ { "body": "\n\n **Attention! Spoilers!**\n\n> _Are there differences between the novels and the anime?_ \n> In a word, yes. I try to note these in the summaries. In the first season,\n> the differences are relatively minor. Some minor subplots have been\n> eliminated, or switched around, and some scenes added or subtracted. In the\n> second season, although the major events and plotlines remain the same, some\n> of the foreshadowing for later events has been cut. For this reason, I\n> advise you to read the summaries from volume 9-10 on, if you are interested\n> in understanding the post anime events. I have also tried to do translations\n> of scenes that were altered or entirely cut from the anime which change our\n> understanding of the characters and political situation.\n\nSource: <https://saiun.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/frequently-asked-questions-\nabout-saiunkoku/>\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-17T14:08:27.603", "id": "2053", "last_activity_date": "2015-06-25T17:18:26.977", "last_edit_date": "2015-06-25T17:18:26.977", "last_editor_user_id": "91", "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "68", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 9, "body": "\n\nIn my region, people don't know the difference between anime and regular\ncartoons. When they see me watching anime, or they hear about it somehow, they\nsay that I'm watching a regular cartoon and hence I'm being childish.\nSometimes, they even display sarcastic attitudes, so that giving a serious\nlong explanation wouldn't be possible.\n\nWhat effectively explains how an anime is different from a regular cartoon?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:39:03.647", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "69", "last_activity_date": "2016-03-30T03:01:16.753", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-14T04:08:00.183", "last_editor_user_id": "107", "owner_user_id": "18", "post_type": "question", "score": 141, "tags": [ "anime-production" ], "title": "What differentiates anime from regular cartoons?", "view_count": 144179 }

[ { "body": "\n\nMy personal argument:\n\nCartoons are _mainly_ produced for _kids_ , with topics about friendship, fun,\nexploration and similar things.\n\nAnime / manga and related media _mainly_ are produced for targets of _all\nages_ (except for Hentai and Ecchi series, of course). They can of course\ncontain the \"kids content\", but there are much more serious ones out there,\ne.g. ones about love, death, conflicts, and wars. They're simply much deeper.\nThe drawing and character art of cartoons is often vastly deformed /\notherworldly to emphasize the disconnect from reality and the fun part of it.\n\nAnother difference is the way characters evolve. In most comics I've read, you\nhave episodic experiences which are, at most, loosely connected, and so\ncharacters don't really evolve / grow up. I'm sure there are counter-examples\nout there, but I think we can agree that the characters are not the focus.\n\nFor most anime and related media, the characters are _much_ deeper. Of course\nyou also have the occasional counter-example here, but the characters get a\nmuch bigger focus.\n\nYou can think of anime / manga / visual novels / light novels as (Western)\nbooks / series / movies with regards to the content, except they're drawn (or\nhave illustrative content) instead of being filmed / purely in written form.\n\n* * *\n\nNote that there are examples of anime that look and feel just like Western\ncartoons (Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, for the \"look\" aspect, at least)\nand the other way around (Avatar - The Last Airbender, Korra).\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:46:28.370", "id": "72", "last_activity_date": "2015-06-18T07:55:17.620", "last_edit_date": "2015-06-18T07:55:17.620", "last_editor_user_id": "2604", "owner_user_id": "20", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 31 }, { "body": "\n\nAnime and cartoon are both used to identified an animated production, the\nfirst made in Japan, the other ones in the rest of the world...\n\nIf we have to show more detailed difference I'd say:\n\n**Visual characteristics** \nAnime: Distinct facial expressions. Wide variation in physical\ncharacteristics. Physical features of characters are, on the whole, closer to\nreality than cartoons. \nCartoon: Characters usually have features that are not relative to the rest of\nthe body and therefore further from reality than anime.\n\n**Topics/Themes** \nAnime: concentrates mostly on life issues or things tied closer to human\nemotion. \nCartoons: are generally made to make people laugh and so is more comical.\n\n**Definition and Term:** \nAnime: English dictionaries define the word as ‘Japanese style of motion\npicture animation’. \nCartoon: was used as a model or study for a painting but is now associated\nwith caricatures for humor and satire.\n\n[Reference](http://www.diffen.com/difference/Anime_vs_Cartoon)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:48:55.477", "id": "73", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T22:48:55.477", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "77", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 18 }, { "body": "\n\nWe all know Anime is \"Japanese-style cartoons\", and this often makes people\nsay they are both cartoons. Yes they are, but this doesn't mean _there aren't\ndifferences_. Substantial differences.\n\nFirst of all, the **audience**. The main _objective_ difference is that Anime\nare not cartoons for kids, usually.\n\nSome Anime get censored when dubbed in foreign countries and they are rendered\nas quite childish (and this is sometimes really annoying), while the original\nholds some adult references, scenes containing violence and so on. While this\nis not true for all Anime, as some are really aimed to children, some of them\nneed a mature audience.\n\nAlso, the **characters** are treated quite differently. There is more growth\nin Anime characters as it develops for a whole series. For example, _Zabuza_\nin Naruto ends up being quite a likeable character because you go beyond him\nsimply being an antagonist.\n\nBoth Anime and cartoons treat **themes** like _life, death, religion, love,\nbetrayal, ethics, etc_. But cartoons really treat such matters quite\ndifferently. Just think about Disney-style cartoons: do they share anything\nwith Anime in terms of _how_ they treat these topics?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:49:07.073", "id": "74", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-19T13:23:03.443", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-19T13:23:03.443", "last_editor_user_id": "15", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 13 }, { "body": "\n\nThis is a pretty difficult question, but I may have some tips.\n\nWhile _cartoons_ are meant to be watched by _kids_ , anime is meant to be\nwatched by _all ages_ : there is a series for everyone, for every theme, for\nevery age. From little kids, like Doraemon, for young kids like Pokemon, to\nteenagers like shonen series or teen-shojos, to more adult like seinens or\neven hentai. Everyone can enjoy something.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:49:10.267", "id": "75", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T22:49:10.267", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\nNo matter how you look at it, an anime is a cartoon. The main difference is\nthat an anime is considered a Japanese style of cartoons in the West.\n\nMany English-language dictionaries\n[define](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anime) anime as \"a Japanese\nstyle of motion-picture animation\" or as \"a style of animation developed in\nJapan.\"\n\nHowever, in Japan, the term \"anime\" does not specify an animation's nation of\norigin or style. Instead, it serves as a blanket term to refer to all forms of\nanimation from around the world (both foreign and domestic). The word \"anime\"\nis loan word referring to \"animation\" or \"cartoons,\" adapted from the English\nword \"animation.\"\n\nTaking this from another perspective, in Japan, Disney movies are referred to\nas \"Disney Anime\", This refers to a certain style, not the genre as a whole.\n\nThe Japanese Wikipedia on \"anime\" [specifically\nnotes](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1#anime) that:\n\n>\n> アニメーションをアニメと略せる言語は日本語に限られるため、日本国外で「anime」という場合は日本製の表現様式のアニメに対して用いられる。日本国内では、製作国や作風に関わりなくアニメが使用される。\n\nWhile in Japanese, \"animation\" was abbreviated to \"anime,\" Outside of Japan,\nthe word has been used only to refer to media considered \"Japanese animation.\"\nHowever in Japan, the country of origin and literary style (of the media) are\nnot taken into account when applying \"anime\" to it.\n\nWestern cartoons and anime can both vary in drawing styles, based on the\nstaff, budget, and character/set designs. Anime series are typically more\ndetailed than your average western show as there is more of an abundance of\ntechnically skilled artists overseas than there are available in the West.\n\nBoth can reach different age regardless of their initial target audience (\n_Avatar: The Last Airbender_ , _My Little Pony_ , and _Adventure Time_ are\nnotable examples).\n\nTypically western cartoons are more lighthearted when compared to Japanese\nanime. However, both can deal with more mature themes, in both a serious (like\n_Cyber 6_ , _Mighty Max_ , and _Dungeons and Dragons_ ) and humorous light\n(like _Futurama_ , _South Park_ , _The Simpsons_ , and _Family Guy_ ). There\nare western cartoons for mature adults just like there are 18+ anime in Japan.\n\nIf you ask the average person in your country and one in Japan, both will\nconsider them to be childish. The difference between anime and cartoons is\nvery subjective. It typically comes down to what you like and how you like it.\n\n", "comment_count": 8, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:00:37.730", "id": "81", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-10T21:00:22.473", "last_edit_date": "2014-12-10T21:00:22.473", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 140 }, { "body": "\n\nThe difference is only subjective, depending on yours and your peers'\nperceptions. Keep in mind that MOST of the anime that is exported from Japan\nis actually aimed at children. (defining 'children' as extending through the\nteenage years)\n\n> When they see me watching anime, or they hear about it somehow, they say\n> that I'm watching a cartoon and hence I'm being childish.\n\nWalt Disney didn't think\n[Fantasia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_%28film%29) was for children\neither. Having watched the film several times, I'm inclined to agree. The\npoint is that although they have tended in that direction (with a few notable\nexceptions) in the western world, there is no particular reason to limit\ncartoon themes to kids.\n\n> **Sometimes, they even display sarcastic attitudes, so that giving a serious\n> long explanation wouldn't be possible.** What are the effective ways to\n> explain that anime is different from cartoons in these kind of situations?\n> Are there any clever sentences that will make an impact on people who don't\n> know about anime?\n\nI realize you only included this for context... but if someone is being\nsarcastic, it's not as if any real answer is applicable. This section of the\nquestion is also probably offtopic.\n\n* * *\n\nThe easiest method of convincing someone would probably be making them sit\nthrough a showing of Grave of the Fireflies... although that's not\nparticularly quick or clever.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:36:26.760", "id": "101", "last_activity_date": "2014-06-04T07:08:24.477", "last_edit_date": "2014-06-04T07:08:24.477", "last_editor_user_id": "191", "owner_user_id": "71", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 25 }, { "body": "\n\nThis question is really usual, especially when you are an anime fan. In my\nsituation, I don't want 'anime' to be called 'cartoons' because they are so\ndifferent for me. The following are the differences I think they have:\n\n * Anime targets a vast audience, from kids to adults, while cartoons \nmainly targets kids, with the exception of course of adults who likes to watch\ncartoons.\n\n * Anime tackles themes for kids, teens and adults and have stories that have depth, while cartoons tackles more themes that are for kids.\n\n * Anime came from Japanese productions, and cartoons came from US productions (or anywhere except Japan).\n\n * You can really tell if what you are watching is an anime or a cartoons by it's visual graphics (if you're an anime fan then, you'll know what I mean). You can notice that the characters from one cartoon show is very different from how cartoon characters in another cartoon show looks like. However in anime, you can notice some similarities on how they look like.\n\nI think the best way for you to explain is to let them watch a very good anime\nand have them watch some cartoons, then tell them, \"Saw the difference?\". Or\njust let them think what they want. I experienced what you experience a lot\nfrom my parents but I just let them say what they want or think what they\nthink. Respectfully ignore them. Just make sure that you don't disrespect them\nas you try to defend anime and that watching anime doesn't affect your\nattitude negatively.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:52:29.233", "id": "109", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:52:29.233", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "88", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 20 }, { "body": "\n\nI don't want to get too subjective here, but there are some key aspects that I\ndiscuss with others:\n\n * Art style; there is a distinct difference in how characters in an Anime series are drawn as opposed to Western style series. (Occasionally, you'll get a shout-out to the Anime style, too.)\n\n * Target audience; there are a wide variety of audiences and an even more diverse demographic of consumers of anime than there are of traditional Western cartoons.\n\n * Theming; as much of a culture shock as it may be (which I'll get to in a moment), many Anime have themes that wouldn't make much sense in the Western world, such as 108 for the Buddist number of temptations man will case, 4 for death, white for death, etc.\n\n * Culture differences; there are _quite a few series_ that are tolerated, if not acceptable, in Japan, whereas in the Western world, they'd be censored in some way or not permitted at all, or merit whomever is a fan of it some very dirty looks.\n\nSome of the things that would cause controversy or be seen as \"unacceptable\"\nin Western animation would be homosexual relationships (yaoi/yuri), large age\ngap relationships, lolicon/shotacon (which is strangely _legal_ but heavily\nfrowned upon), and incest.\n\n**Western animation wouldn't touch _that_ with a one-hundred foot pole.**\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-14T07:32:09.317", "id": "406", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-14T07:32:09.317", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "102", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 16 }, { "body": "\n\nFirstly, anime in English tends to refer to Japanese content. However, as\nnoted in [this answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/81/2604), \"anime\" in\nJapanese just refers to _any_ animated content. That said, it's fine to have\nthis discrepancy -- similar things have cropped up in other English loanwords.\n(For instance \"Lied\" or its plural \"Lieder\" refer to 19th to 20th century\nstyled German language art songs when the words are used _in English_ , but in\nGerman, [\"Lieder\"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lied#History) seems to\nsometimes take on a more general sense.) **So in this sense, at the very\nleast, _in English_ , not all cartoons are anime, because not all cartoons are\nJapanese.** (Certainly it would be ridiculous for me to go around claiming\nthat _Spongebob Squarepants_ is anime to an English speaker.)\n\nIt is still unclear whether \"anime\" is simply a subset of \"cartoons\". The main\nproblem, which other answers have touched on, appears to be that in English,\n\"cartoon\" often suggests something intended for young children, which does not\ncover the content of a lot of anime. Certainly things like _Serial Experiments\nLain_ or the _Fate_ series are, by this connotation, not really \"cartoons\".\n\nHowever, even shows animated outside of Japan are sometimes denoted as\n\"cartoons\", even when their content or art style doesn't really fall into the\nareas of the average person's idea of a \"cartoon\". For instance, a\n[search](https://www.google.com/search?q=waltz%20with%20bashir%20cartoon&oq=waltz%20with%20bashir%20cartoon&aqs=chrome..69i57.3027j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8#q=waltz%20with%20bashir%20%22cartoon%22)\nfor `waltz with bashir \"cartoon\"` suggests that at least a few writers in\nlarge newspapers ([1](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/movies/26bash.html),\n[2](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/war-death-and-\nanimation-cartoon-film-stirs-israels-conscience-1021732.html)) described the\nanimated film [_Waltz with\nBashir_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltz_with_Bashir) as a cartoon, and\nboth its subject matter (the 1982 Lebanon War) and [its\nstyle](https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=663&q=waltz%20with%20bashir&oq=waltz%20with&gs_l=img.3.0.0l10.112.1774.0.2505.10.8.0.2.2.0.116.635.7j1.8.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.10.654.qmuUDfV8Fy8)\nhardly resemble the likes of the average cartoon, both in content and style.\n(Compare to [_Arthur_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_\\(TV_series\\)) or\n[_South Park_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Park).)\n\nThe same goes for\n[_Archer_](https://www.google.com/search?q=archer&oq=archer&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.839j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8#q=archer%20%22cartoon%22),\nwhich is, at least in the English-speaking world, markedly more famous than\n_Waltz with Bashir_. I have not seen _Archer_ , but\n[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archer_\\(TV_series\\)) suggests that\nit is hardly more appropriate for children than _Waltz with Bashir_.\n\n**So insofar as usage _in English_ goes, either:**\n\n * **Anime _is_ different from \"regular cartoons\", but _only insofar as \"regular cartoons\" consists of children's shows_ and also fail to cover other animated content like _Waltz with Bashir_.** Anything outside of regular cartoon-appropriate content is best either described with a different classification if this gives more information about the content (e.g. \"anime\") or a broader one (e.g. \"animated content\").\n\n * **Anime _is not_ different from \"regular cartoons\", because \"cartoon\" covers anything at all animated.**\n\nIn either sense, \"anime\" is really only about the fact that something was\nanimated (and marketed towards the Japanese).\n\nI am inclined to prefer the first view in terms of how I _personally_ use the\nword \"cartoon\" (so describe _Doraemon_ and [_Chibi Maruko-\nchan_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chibi_Maruko-chan) but not _Fate/zero_ as\n\"cartoons\") because of the connotations of \"cartoon\". However, I would\nconsider the second to still be acceptable (in the sense that I won't get\nupset about that view being taken) because it's obvious that people also use\n\"cartoon\" similarly \"inappropriately\" on other more adult-oriented shows that\n_are not_ from Japan.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-06-18T02:47:47.373", "id": "22540", "last_activity_date": "2016-03-30T03:01:16.753", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:54:48.953", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "2604", "parent_id": "69", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "3052", "answer_count": 5, "body": "\n\nAt his current state, how could Madara possibly be defeated?\n\nAny physical attack/Taijutsu would be easily deflected by either:\n\n * The Susano'o \n * The Gunbai (war fan, which proved to easily negate a Bijuudama) \n * Shinra Tensei (which wasn't seen yet, but we have to assume he's capable of it).\n\n> And I'm not even starting to talk about the Rikudo mode.\n\nAny non-physical attack would be easily absorbed by the Preta Rinnegan path.\nThere aren't ~~m~~ any ultra-powerful genjutsu ninja who can hope to trap him\nin a genjutsu for more than 2 seconds. And in the offshoot that something does\nhurt him, he'd just regenerate. He's a zombie.\n\n* * *\n\nWhat weakness does Madara have that could be exploited to harm him? They'd\nhave to damage him badly to hope for a seal.\n\n", "comment_count": 9, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:51:49.787", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "76", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-04T07:31:28.820", "last_edit_date": "2014-10-30T13:53:25.823", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "27", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "What are Madara Uchiha's weaknesses?", "view_count": 6575 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThey mentioned in the latest chapter that Madara is vulnerable to Taijutsu.\nAlso, as grasshopper said, his overconfidence causes him to drop your guard\nwhen dealing with those he thinks are not able to harm him.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:02:40.570", "id": "84", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-24T20:14:22.747", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-24T20:14:22.747", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "22", "parent_id": "76", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\n> Currently the only combatants I could see do lasting damage to Madara would\n> be the recently resurrected Hokages. Currently Madara has the following:\n> full control of Hashirama´s cells, Rinnegan, an invulnerable body and an\n> infinite supply of chakra (courtesy of the Edo Tensei), the Eternal Mangekyo\n> Sharingan and the most powerful Katon of all time. Kishimoto has outright\n> said that he has no real weakness. The closest thing to a weakness he may\n> have is Taijutsu, but since it does no lasting damage it´s frankly as\n> useless as everything else one could use against him. Only an intervention\n> from the 1st-4th Hokage could possibly defeat him right now, as he is a\n> cocktail of the 3rd strongest person of all time and all the overpowered\n> abilities in the series.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-02-14T14:53:46.470", "id": "2480", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-04T07:31:28.820", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-04T07:31:28.820", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "1446", "parent_id": "76", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nIt does not seem like any of Madara's new abilities have a counter to sound\ngenjutsu, especially when boosted by Senjutsu / Sage mode. While sound\ngenjutsu and Senjutsu are both very rare, the manga has shown two examples of\ndifferent techniques of that type being effective against techniques that\nMadara has recently gained.\n\nThe two Sage Toads' sound genjutsu is effective against the Rinnegan. When\nJiraiya had them use it in his battle with Pain, it was able to easily\novercome 3 paths of Pain.\n\n> When Kabuto in Snake Sage mode used Tayuya's flute sound genjutsu, he was\n> able to immobilize both Sasuke and more notably, a Susanoo-wielding Edo\n> Tensei Itachi. The pair were only able to escape by using Sharingan genjutsu\n> on each other.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-03-26T21:37:43.453", "id": "3052", "last_activity_date": "2013-03-26T22:41:40.360", "last_edit_date": "2013-03-26T22:41:40.360", "last_editor_user_id": "1434", "owner_user_id": "1434", "parent_id": "76", "post_type": "answer", "score": 27 }, { "body": "\n\nChapters 622 and 623 hint at a possible weakness of Madara Uchiha.\n\nIn Chapter 622, it has been shown that Madara has issues with [being too aware\nof his surroundings, and being easily distracted or have an inability to focus\nproperly](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Wjgyn.png). He also has [issues with\npride](https://i.stack.imgur.com/fwcJz.png), that he carried on until his\nadulthood.\n\n> [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qbIuP.png)\n> [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/fwcJz.png)\n\nIn Chapter 623, the same possible weaknesses has been shown. [He even claimed\nthat he didn't have any weaknesses](https://i.stack.imgur.com/GuxX0.png).\n[[1]](https://i.stack.imgur.com/GuxX0.png)\n[[2]](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6hhrB.png).\n\n> [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qQCsy.png)\n\nCredits: All images are from [Mangastream](http://mangastream.com/)'s\nscanlations.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-03-27T10:04:36.047", "id": "3061", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-13T01:40:16.690", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-13T01:40:16.690", "last_editor_user_id": "310", "owner_user_id": "310", "parent_id": "76", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 }, { "body": "\n\nI know this is not an answer (but couldn't stop writing this), but seeing the\nquestion and recent chapter I believe Madara's weakness is:\n\n> Talk No Jutsu .... [**For your\n> reference**](http://konohalibrary.wikia.com/wiki/Talk_No_Jutsu)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-02-24T07:05:57.387", "id": "7662", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-11T09:52:42.750", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-11T09:52:42.750", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "3343", "parent_id": "76", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 6, "body": "\n\n_Detective Conan_ is a notoriously long-running series -- it's been running\nfor like fifteen years, and hundreds of cases have been solved. Conan has made\nfriends, received upgraded technology over time (cell phones!), and has\ngenerally \"kept up\" with its audience.\n\nYet, logically, time in-universe _must_ have passed, and Shinichi's continued\nabsence should be more notable than it is if he's been gone for more than a\nyear.\n\nHow much time has passed, currently, in the _Meitantei Conan_ universe?\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T22:52:03.777", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "77", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-07T01:11:22.253", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-28T08:47:28.080", "last_editor_user_id": "93", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 21, "tags": [ "detective-conan" ], "title": "How much time has passed in-universe in Detective Conan?", "view_count": 46386 }

[ { "body": "\n\nTechnically the story plays out in real time, but realistically it is at the\nwhim of the author.\n\nAssuming the cases appear in chronological order. You'll notice that none of\nthe characters ever age or even graduate. There are many discrepancies the\nEisuke/Kir Arc alone has some serious and problematic time discrepancies. It\nstarts with the Nail and Snake Arc which took place a week or so after New\nYears and then continues to some cases later in the Clash of Red and Black arc\nwhich climaxing in a _certain_ person's death. Eisuke vanished around 18th to\n19th of December... so chronologically speaking a year should have passed...\nbut did it? Ask Gosho Aoyama.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:12:46.577", "id": "89", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T04:55:04.000", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T04:55:04.000", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "77", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nI don't believe a whole year has passed, there have been several plot holes in\nthe midst of it though. A good example would be using Holidays as a way to\ntrack time. The \"first\" actual Valentine episode was actually TV-only (Episode\n6), yet there is another Valentine case (Episode 266-268, Volume 33 files\n3-6). The Holiday that comes after it is White Day, which takes place March\n14th, one month after Valentine's Day, and they make references to the past\nValentine's Day as an excuse to give back gifts to the women of the show.\nHowever, the episode/volume that takes place during White Day is episode\n608-609 and volume 69 files 7-9. That's over 500 episodes and 36 volumes for\none month to pass in their time.\n\n", "comment_count": 7, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:48:16.303", "id": "127", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T04:51:04.630", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T04:51:04.630", "last_editor_user_id": "25", "owner_user_id": "25", "parent_id": "77", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nMy first theory is, in order to make sense of the Detective Conan universe,\nthe stories must overlap! So the only thing that's in order is the first\nepisode. From there, we have probably 5 cases going on at a time, and when he\nsolves one he goes on to another. Every day he has a case to solve, whether\nit's one from weeks before or not.\n\nMy second theory is that even if we say each episode represented a day, which\nit doesn't, at least a year would have passed based on the number of episodes,\nand Ayumi and the rest shouldn't be in grade 1 anymore. As a result, the only\nlogical explanation is time overlaps!\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-05-04T03:04:29.507", "id": "3666", "last_activity_date": "2013-05-04T05:36:50.243", "last_edit_date": "2013-05-04T05:36:50.243", "last_editor_user_id": "61", "owner_user_id": "1735", "parent_id": "77", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nAlthough time has passed in the sense that the technology and other aspects of\nthe setting that are not directly related to the story have progressed, very\nlittle time has passed in the main story. Occasionally, they will make\nreferences to it having been months since a previous case or other reference\npoint, but these do not seem to line up much, if at all, and generally they\nare intended to indicate a time period for the individual case or arc, so that\nelements such as Ran's waiting for Shinichi seems to have actually been over a\nperiod of time. These indications, for obvious reasons, cannot always\ncoincide, and so it would seem that the author decided long ago to make the\nstory timeless. If you want a clear answer of the main plotline, so far it has\nbeen only for a few months, while the numerous side cases do not fit into this\nframework.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-06-08T23:25:13.343", "id": "11165", "last_activity_date": "2014-06-08T23:25:13.343", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "6167", "parent_id": "77", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nI would say that you have to look only at cases that are canon. And by that I\ndon't mean the ones that are in the manga.\n\nI mean canon as in something in the story line moves along and it's not just a\n'guess who did it'-case.\n\nThere are only in about maybe 300 canon eps where the storyline is moved along\nin 750-ish anime eps. And stuff like 'The Clash of Red and Black', 'Homles\nRevalation' and 'Jet Black Mystery Train' are many eps long but they are only\nover the span of 1-3 days each time. Plus many cases are 2-4 eps but happen in\na day or just overnight.\n\nThere are times where the characters will say it's been this long or that long\nbut they are few and far in bewteen.\n\nI would say that only about 6-ish months have passed since the start of\nDetective Conan.\n\nThe fact that tech in the show changes and the seasons change is simply\nbecause Aoyama-sensei the anime staff have been writing the show in real life\nfor many years.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-07-01T21:38:14.777", "id": "11594", "last_activity_date": "2014-07-01T21:38:14.777", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "6452", "parent_id": "77", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nIn episode 521, one of the canon episodes, the gang goes to some town to\ninvestigate a report that Shinichi solved a case wrong. That case happened \"a\nyear ago\" while Shinichi was still teen-sized. Hundreds of episodes have\npassed since then, but that gives you a floor for the time.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-12-17T16:13:03.827", "id": "16816", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-17T16:55:28.500", "last_edit_date": "2014-12-17T16:55:28.500", "last_editor_user_id": "61", "owner_user_id": null, "parent_id": "77", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nIf the various \"superpower\" ninja traits are considered \"blood traits,\" how is\nit someone like Kakashi, who is in no way related to the Uchiha clan, can use\nthe Sharingan Eye technique?\n\nMore fully: would transplanting work on _any_ bloodline trait power? If\nsomeone had a bloodline trait that worked on arms, could they just transplant\ntheir arm onto another person and then there would be two people with that\ntechnique?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:07:22.197", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "85", "last_activity_date": "2015-05-12T13:27:22.213", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "How is it that a Sharingan can work when it's been transplanted?", "view_count": 4365 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI'm not sure about other bloodline jutsu, but the Sharingan's power lies\nwithin the eye. So whoever controls a Sharingan eye gains its powers.\n\nIt may be possible to gain other bloodine jutsu, but to determine where the\nactual jutsu is located within their body or even the chakra system is still\nspeculation. For now, we know that those jutsu that comes from eyes, Sharingan\nand Rinnegan are up for grabs, not sure about others though.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:12:05.167", "id": "88", "last_activity_date": "2015-05-12T12:47:11.007", "last_edit_date": "2015-05-12T12:47:11.007", "last_editor_user_id": "11083", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "85", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nLet's disregard the fact that eyes in Naruto are considered less difficult to\nwork with than PnP displays. (Rin did it in a cave, without any medical\nsupplies, in a couple of seconds, and it just _worked_ )\n\nYour eyes contain your DNA, so our (the Uchiha) eyes contain the already\nawakened Sharingan, it's written into the DNA.\n\nIt also has the genetic information allowing you to activate the techniques\nthe eye holds (including Mangekyo).\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:14:37.643", "id": "91", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:14:37.643", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "85", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThe Sharingan being transplanted will work, as you've noticed with Kakashi.\nHowever it won't be as effective.\n\nSharingan original users, the Uchiha clan, can use the techniques with ease,\nbut Kakashi needs to rest more often. This is due to the fact that since he's\nnot an Uchiha member, these techniques will use up his chakra much faster.\n\nKakashi has it all covered, except in battles, because he cannot deactivate it\nand it would, like I said above, consume his chakra in vain.\n\nHe's not the only one that does a transplant. Also,\n\n> Danzo, Tobi transplants the Rinnegan and steals it and Sasuke receives new\n> eyes.\n\nI suspect the same would happen for other transplants but I have no examples\noff the top of my head.\n\n", "comment_count": 13, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:15:41.743", "id": "92", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:15:41.743", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "85", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nA non-Uchiha cannot advance their Sharingan. As seen with Danzo and Kakashi.\nThe only reason Kakashi had a Mangekyo Sharingan is because Obito saw Rin die.\n\nThis is explained by Tobirama when he tells about the Uchiha's brain, how\ntheir pain and hate change their brain physiology and functioning, allowing\nthem to turn that pain into the Sharingan. As their pain and hate grow, so\ndoes their power.\n\nIf a brain isn't an Uchiha brain, and thus does not have this special area of\nthe brain, then they will not:\n\nA.) Naturally gain a Sharingan\n\nB.) Awaken the different stages of the Sharingan.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-05-12T12:54:56.710", "id": "21511", "last_activity_date": "2015-05-12T13:27:22.213", "last_edit_date": "2015-05-12T13:27:22.213", "last_editor_user_id": "11083", "owner_user_id": "14409", "parent_id": "85", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 6, "body": "\n\nMost ninjas probably don't live very long by the nature of their work. They\ndie on missions, in wars, in raids, while being ambushed by other ninjas,\nduring testing, etc.\n\nHowever, the handful of ninjas we have seen (e.g. The Third Hokage, as well as\nTsunade and Jiraiya) who've lived past the usual lifespan seem to be of very\nadvanced age.\n\nDo ninjas have a longer natural lifespan that is simply cut short by the\nnature of their work?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:11:08.920", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "86", "last_activity_date": "2020-05-13T00:39:53.150", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-17T08:59:38.163", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Do ninjas have extended lifespans?", "view_count": 3544 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAs far as I know they all had lifespans that you'd judge as normal.\n\n * The Third Hokage, Sarutobi, was let's say around 30 when he was training Orochimaru, Tsunade and Jiraiya. He died at 68-69 years old, that's a reasonable lifespan. \n * Tsunade uses a special Jutsu that preserves her in a younger state, but she is as old as Jiraya. \n\n> Jiraya died younger than Sarutobi, around 54. His hair is not a proof of his\n> age, since it was white even when he was a kid.\n\nOn Tobi/Madara I won't say anything, since it's a yet-to-be-fully-revealed\ncharacter and wrong information might be given at this point.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:26:33.040", "id": "97", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T07:20:48.527", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T07:20:48.527", "last_editor_user_id": "15", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "86", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nNot really, no.\n\nThe oldest (probably) Shinobi alive was Madara Uchiha, and even that because\nhe awakened the Rinnegan, summoned the Gedo Mazo, and leeched on it for life-\nforce.\n\nWithout it, he would probably have died at 80-90, which is a reasonable\nlifespan.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:28:32.973", "id": "98", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-15T10:04:45.197", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-15T10:04:45.197", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "86", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\n> The Third Hokage, as well as Tsunade and Jiraiya\n\nSarutobi Hiruzen was 69 old. When he died (following _NARUTO Hiden: Tō no Sho_\n), Tsunade has a special jutsu (as already mentioned).\n\n> Jiraiya died at age ~53, being 50 at his first appearance (plus the\n> training-time with Naruto (1.5 years, if I'm not mistaken, plus some story,\n> I think 53 would be right)).\n\nThe only one who had a very long life was...\n\n> ...Uchiha Madara who had the Rinnegan and attached himself to the Gedō Mazō,\n> with which he had a longer lifetime.\n\nAlso, Kakuzu had a long life, but just because he had the ability to swap\nhearts.\n\nAll in all, you could say, that with special jutsus, ninjas live longer, but\nother than that, they're normal people.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:58:41.537", "id": "198", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-17T09:01:33.220", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-17T09:01:33.220", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "86", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nSome ninja families do have extended lifespans like the Senju and their sub\nbranches like Uzumaki and Hyuuga.\n\nMost ninjas have average lifespans which seems long as it is rather\ncommendable for any of them to be able to survive that long. Also, this is\ncomplimented by the point that in surviving for this long, they manage to\ngather many accomplishments.\n\nGenerally, a old seeming ninja has just matured from all they have been\nthrough.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-11-20T17:12:43.543", "id": "27460", "last_activity_date": "2015-11-20T17:12:43.543", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "19200", "parent_id": "86", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nThe anime and manga make it quite clear that normally ninja live only for the\nsame lifespan as all normal people do. There are exceptions though to this.\n\n * Having extremely high/dense chakra. The most notable here are the uzumakis who are renowned for this. Although the Senju are related to them I don't remember reading about Senju who grew older or had a dense chakra. The Uzumaki are the only clan mentioned that had this ability and a longer lifespan.\n * Cheating. The best example here is Orochimaru. He cheated death by taking on new bodies time and time and time again. Another one being the Akatsuki guy who stole hearts of his oponents.\n * One additional possibility is the faith of Jashin. The followers of that cult can gain immortality. Although it is not stated if this merely means undying by force or also undying by old age. Thus I count this only as a possibility.\n\nAside from these examples (and a quite old Madara Uchiha where it is never\nnoted if that was still a normal lifespan or an extended one) there are no\nninja who life beyond the natural lifespan.\n\nAs a note to add to the first point: Of note are here the sage of the 6 pathes\nwho lived VERY long, the tailed beasts themselves (effectively immortal) and\nthe mother of the sage of 6 pathes (his two sons I don't count as they were\nmore or less ghostlike from the descriptions and it is not known if they would\nhave lived longer than natural normally).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-11-22T08:26:45.257", "id": "27509", "last_activity_date": "2015-11-22T08:26:45.257", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "13246", "parent_id": "86", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nMost ninjas don not live very long.\n\nEven the handful of ninjas we have seen (The Third Hokage, as well as Tsunade\nand Jiraiya) who've lived past the usual lifespan do not seem that old.\nBetween 50 and 70.\n\nDo ninjas have a longer natural lifespan that is simply cut short by the\nnature of their work? No, (For anyone born in 2017, average life expectancy is\n72.2 years and highest theoretical life is 104 years{one woman reached 122\nyears a man 116 years})\n\nInstead, shinobi seem to age faster than normal people and die younger as\nwell. this is most likely due to healing chakra speeding up cell division to\nheal wounds. The more they use healing chakra the faster they age the sooner\nthey die. The answer is a simple \"No\" except for special cases like Uzumaki\nwith amazing yang and chakra or natural energies like the animal sages who\nhave lives thousands of years ninjas do not have an extended lifespan.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2020-05-13T00:39:53.150", "id": "57538", "last_activity_date": "2020-05-13T00:39:53.150", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "53300", "parent_id": "86", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "3209", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nIn Full Metal Alchemist, who is the character (or the concept really) of\n**Truth**? What does he symbolize? What is his purpose?\n\nFrom what I guess, he's some sort of your inner God, because he seems to know\nyou better than you do yourself. He knows the best way to punish you, the way\nthat would hurt you the most. He must be tied with alchemy and alchemical\nknowledge, but _what_ is he?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:11:11.837", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "87", "last_activity_date": "2022-06-23T22:06:22.463", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "post_type": "question", "score": 26, "tags": [ "fullmetal-alchemist-series" ], "title": "Who the hell is Truth?", "view_count": 16116 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIt is you and it is the Universe. It is everything.\n\nWhen the Elric brothers train in the island, they realize the connection\nbetween the 'one' and the 'all'. They understand that everything is connected.\nI think that what they understand is **Truth** itself. They understand\nsomething that is in them and around them.\n\nSo basically, I don't think that **Truth** is a God (at least in the usual\nsense), but rather a sort of _law_ that runs everything. It is in you and\neverywhere around you. However, it materializes itself as a humanoid form in\nyour subconscious or whatever place that is where the gates are.\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:21:08.380", "id": "94", "last_activity_date": "2021-07-12T08:34:46.467", "last_edit_date": "2021-07-12T08:34:46.467", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "87", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nTruth himself (itself?) states,\n\n> Who am I? One name you might have for me is the world, or you might call me\n> the universe, or perhaps God, or perhaps the Truth. I am All, and I am One.\n> So, of course, this also means that I am you. I am the truth of your\n> despair, the inescapable price of your boastfulness.\n\nTruth is a being that has no physical form, and a being that regulates all\nalchemical exchanges that take place. He essentially exists in order to\nprevent humans from \"playing God\" with alchemy; when human transmutation is\nperformed, for example, Truth intervenes as it is seen as an unfair\n(inequivalent) exchange.\n\nIn these ways, Truth is somewhat symbolic of God. It has also been compared to\ngods in other mythos, such as Hera, a Greek goddess who was known to\nvengefully challenge heroes.\n\n> Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature, most notably against\n> Zeus's lovers and offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her, such\n> as Pelias.\n>\n> — [Hera, Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera)\n\nHowever, it is important to realize that\n**[Truth](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Truth) is _not_\n[God](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Eye_of_God)**. While it is certain that they\nare linked in some way, God is the entity that lies within the domain of the\nGate (the eye and mass of black hands that restrain his \"victims\").\n\n \n( _The Gate, Truth sitting in front, and God within it.\nSource:[Wikia](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/File:Gate.png)_)\n\nWhen an alchemist pays the toll and is forced through the Gate by Truth (and\nby God), they are shown all knowledge about alchemy. Their minds can only\nabsorb so much, but enough is clear that they are able to perform their\nalchemy without requiring a transmutation circle.\n\nSo, what _exactly_ is Truth? He is a vengeful, godlike being, who is linked to\nGod, and governs all alchemical exchanges performed by alchemists. He has no\nphysical form and exists only metaphysically within the mind of each\nalchemist.\n\n", "comment_count": 11, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2013-04-02T16:46:01.833", "id": "3209", "last_activity_date": "2021-08-07T01:03:30.467", "last_edit_date": "2021-08-07T01:03:30.467", "last_editor_user_id": "49915", "owner_user_id": "274", "parent_id": "87", "post_type": "answer", "score": 21 }, { "body": "\n\nIt doesn't make a whole lot of sense because it is, in essence, a deus ex\nmachina. It borrows from the concept of Dao, but by giving the thing the\nability to communicate it elevates it into godhood, but then it is very\nuseless at being a god, so all that remains is a deus ex machina there to tie\nup the loose ends without bothering to explain anything.\n\nLeaving people wondering what the hell this character is supposed to be is by\ndesign. And there is no answer, since it's just a plot device to finish the\nstory.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2021-07-12T22:09:54.693", "id": "64198", "last_activity_date": "2021-07-12T22:09:54.693", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "22562", "parent_id": "87", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\n## I think to understand this we have to grasp the concept of the world of\nFullmetal Alchemist itself. Here's my take:\n\nIf we look inside ourselves and ask who we truly are, we'll soon realize that\nwe can't answer that question. If our answer is \"all interdependent parts of\nmy body\", we're still left with the question of who \"you\" in \"your body\" is.\nWe might argue it's our consciousness, but the same question still applies.\nThe answer is, it's not found only within us. We're not cut off from the\noutside world we move in, we're a part of it. Just like our organs are part of\nus. We need air around us to breathe, we eat other living organisms to sustain\nourselves and eventually sustain other organisms with ours after we die.\n\n[That's what the Elric Brothers discover on the\nisland.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1PShCL4cjQ) Everything we think we\nare is an effect of evolution in form of a single organism inside a much\ngreater, bigger organism. This organism, in turn, is also part of a bigger\norganism and so on. Our body, our society, the food chain, our planet, our\ngalaxy... On the highest level, there is only one, which is all.\n\n> **\" All is the world, one is me. One is all and all is one.\"**\n\nWe perceive ourselves as individuals but are ultimately made of a single,\ngreat everything, sometimes called the world or the universe, or god, or one,\nor all, or truth.\n\n* * *\n\nNow, if we break down this single everything back into its first components we\nare left with 2 forces, orientations, flows of the world, ways of behavior, or\nwhatever you want to call them. This was also the research of Scar's brother.\nThere are infinite words to describe these two fundamental opposites:\n\n 1. the good, the active, the living, the positive, the evolving, the creating, the growing, the forward-moving, the known, truth, order, god, humans...\n 2. the bad, the passive, the dead, the negative, the regressing, the destroying, the killing, the backward moving, the unknown, deception, chaos, humans, god...\n\n* * *\n\nGood is not \"good\", bad is not \"bad\". They just are, as a part of everything\nand are opposites that need and birth each other. The default state of things\nis that they fall apart. It's also the default state that they're being put\ntogether by the living though, that's us. There has to be both for either to\noccur. Because there is a set amount of energy. You cannot create something\nout of nothing, you have to pay an equal price.\n\nTo influence this flow of fundamental substances is what the anime calls\nAlchemy. There's Amestrian (inorganically oriented) and Xingese (organically\noriented) Alchemy. That which allows Alchemists to perform the transmutation\nis the Gate of Truth. Its existence is the fantasy element about Fullmetal-\nAlchemist. It allows individuals to transmute matter by studying its behavior\nand creating a formula for it, a transmutation circle.\n\n* * *\n\n## What's inside the gate?\n\nMy guess is that inside the gate there's the incarnation of the second\nopposite: death, chaos, the opposite of what the living experience, the souls\nof the dead. The original Fullmetal Alchemist confirms this by stating that\n[the energy used for transmutation is taken from the tragedies of this\nworld](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11nXBQ8CuxU) (likely referring to souls\nthat left their bodies after death).\n\n * Firstly this would explain why witnessing it gives you the ability to transmute without a transmutation circle that contains the matter's energy cycle. You have witnessed, integrated, and become a part of the cycle itself. As Edward says, he became something like a transmutation circle himself post-truth.\n\nAs a side note, Rose mentions, clapping your hands together is similar to\npraying to god. The concept of praying is to ask god (the world) for\nsomething, just like Alchemists \"ask\" the world to provide the energy for and\nexecute transmutation. Praying and Alchemy follow the same concept,\nAlchemy/Science is just more empirical.\n\n * Secondly, this would underline the great overarching story writing in Fullmetal Alchemist.\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/uPoet.jpg)\n\nWe know that [the dwarf in the flask came from the other side of the\ngate](https://youtu.be/9wLJAYBY4tU?t=105). That would mean he's an incarnation\nof chaos within order, of literal evil. He's the ultimate antagonist. All\ncharacters get the opportunity to unite and fight one ultimate evil and grow\nalong the way without it getting forced or with the need for a new antagonist\nafter each chapter. It's one concluded story that conveys its ideas clearly.\n\n[The moral of Fullmetal Alchemist is that we don't need the gate. There's no\nneed to be supernaturally gifted or perform alchemy. There's no need to become\nperfect or play god's duties. We should experience life and learn what it's\nabout instead of trying to go beyond it. Because that's the insurmountably\nscarce gift that was bestowed upon us. We're human. No more, no\nless.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiDqtDUxahc)\n\n* * *\n\n## Why is human transmutation forbidden?\n\nIn the first place, human transmutation fails. That is because there's more to\na human than their physical substance. There's their soul. Their\nconsciousness. The experiences that shaped them. Consciousness and who a\nperson is is something shaped during life experiences. You cannot transmute a\nsoul or a person's experiences. The world just doesn't work that way. It only\nmoves forward.\n\n**Transmuting a human is the biggest taboo because it goes against the very\nlogic of the world and the natural flow of everything.**\n\nIn the space of truth, after attempting the transmutation of his mother,\nEdward says his calculations for human transmutation weren't wrong, they just\ndidn't go far enough. What he might have realized is that you'd have to pull\nthe extinguished soul from the other side as well.\n\nThat is what the dwarf in the flask is. It is unknown how he has been\nextracted apart from the use of Slave #23's blood and Alchemy. We do know\nthough that he needed a body to walk in the world. The dots of Hohenheim's\nmaster transmuting life into death in the form of blood for an extinguished\nsoul could connect here. If this would be the case, the life -> death\ntransmutation direction of the cycle isn't forbidden because it follows the\nnatural flow of things.\n\n* * *\n\n## The lie of balance\n\nAt the conclusion of the story, the Homunculus gets punished by the truth. He\nasks the truth\n\n> \"what's wrong with seeking perfection?!\"\n\nWhat he didn't understand in trying to become the perfect human by cutting off\nhis sins is that perfection doesn't exist. Perfect balance equals nothingness.\n..If you try to reach the truth on your own accord, you get irony. Trying to\nbalance for yourself unbalances another part of you. It's just not your job.\nPerfection is moving forward as your imperfect self and letting the world\nbalance you.\n\nVan Hoenheim says during the trial with his master [\"if all is not included in\nthe one then one is nothing\"](https://youtu.be/xuaQNnuEDcA?t=222). Everything\nmust always exist. The meaning of life isn't to achieve balance. Neither is it\nto push an extreme. It's the process of balancing and unbalancing ourselves\nwithin the one just as much as it can handle so it gets thrown back at us with\nthe same intensity. Life balances itself out, always. Extremes breed opposite\nextremes. Balance breeds nothingness. The one that balances is the inescapable\ntruth, the felt reality.\n\nA real-life example would be:\n\n> Relationships likely become boring without some unbalancing playfulness or\n> complementary traits. They also fall apart if the partners are too\n> different.\n\nThis concept of \"not too much, not too little\" works in all areas:\n\n> How to learn. How to work. How to do sport. How we dress. How we raise our\n> pets. How we have a conversation. How we treat our friends. How we treat our\n> enemies. How we treat strangers. How we treat our planet. How we live.\n\nWe're all one part of the same energy and should treat others like they're us.\nBecause they are. The dwarf in the flask, Homunculus, wanted to split himself\nfrom the unity that is everything but simultaneously become everything too. He\nput himself before everyone, not realizing that he is one complement with\nthem. For this hypocrisy, he was forced to return to his origin.\n\n* * *\n\n## A note on religion\n\nOrienting ourselves towards the good, towards life, is what we, as living\nbeings, are made for and what brings us happiness and keeps unnecessary\nsuffering away. Everyone already subconsciously believes that. It's what our\nparents and experiences taught us. If we didn't learn to orient ourselves\ntowards life, we'd not be reading this. Because there are too many things in\nlife to consider though, religion, in theory, provides a simplified frame of\nreference to stay oriented towards the good, towards living.\n\nThis also explains the conflict between certain teachings of religion and\nscience. As science is able to more precisely explain the world, the unknown\nor god, the need for a deity fades. Both religion and empirical science are\nultimately an attempt to explain and simplify the same world to guide its\nbelievers towards the good, towards life. If religious (or even scientific\nleaders) become corrupted, they cling to and exist for power and control,\ndriving unity towards the bad. This is illustrated with Father Cornello.\n\n* * *\n\n## So, who is Truth?\n\nWith all these presuppositions in place, we can finally say who the truth is.\nIt is the watcher, judge, and incarnation of everything. One name you might\nhave for it is the World, or you might call it the Universe, or perhaps God,\nor perhaps the Truth. It is all and it is one, so of course, this also means\nthat it is you.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2021-07-13T08:40:54.230", "id": "64201", "last_activity_date": "2022-06-23T22:06:22.463", "last_edit_date": "2022-06-23T22:06:22.463", "last_editor_user_id": "61543", "owner_user_id": "61543", "parent_id": "87", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nAt the end of the anime _Aim for the Top! Gunbuster_ , Takaya Noriko and Amano\nKazumi must travel at sub-FTL speeds (that is, at speeds slower than faster-\nthan-light) to reach from the epicenter of battle to Earth.\n\nWhat is the ratio of their time dilation? That is, how long has it been for\nNoriko and Kazumi versus how long has it been on Earth?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:13:59.470", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "90", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-11T00:20:33.663", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 4, "tags": [ "gunbuster" ], "title": "What is the time dilation ratio that Noriko and Kazumi experience?", "view_count": 1458 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe center of the galaxy is about 8,000 parsecs away from Earth. The Gunbuster\nwas heavily damaged while completing its mission, but was able to escape the\nblack hole. However, they had to have spent at least 33 days at sub-light\nspeed trying to outrun the blast while also trying to long distance warp back\nto Earth after finding suitable ethereal space for warp.\n\nSo 12,000 Earth years have passed. For Noriko and Kazumi only 33 days and a\nfew hours had passed.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:48:55.797", "id": "108", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:48:55.797", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "90", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\n_Gunbuster_ is one of my favorite series, and I remember learning of a sequel\nseries called _Diebuster_ , or _Gunbuster 2_.\n\nWhat is the relationship between the two shows? Does _Diebuster_ 's story\nrelate to _Gunbuster_ 's in some way? Do any characters cross over both shows?\nDoes _Diebuster_ refer to the events of _Gunbuster_ in any way?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:18:46.160", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "93", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-08T11:37:39.600", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-08T02:11:25.170", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 7, "tags": [ "gunbuster", "diebuster" ], "title": "What is the relationship between the Gunbuster and Diebuster series?", "view_count": 4237 }

[ { "body": "\n\nGunbuster was originally released as a six episode OVA in 1988. It's sequel,\nDiebuster, was also originally released as a six episode OVA 18 years later.\nTypically sequels are released around the time of the original so it's fresh\nin the minds of people. Without giving too much away the stories are somewhat\nbut not directly connected, since Diebuster happens ~12,000 years after\nGunbuster.\n\nTo take care of the time gap issue with Gunbuster, both series have been cut\ninto two movies and presented as a double-feature. The references to each\nother are subtle.\n\nFor an example if you didn't watch Gunbuster:\n\n * You wouldn't know that Nono appears in Gunbuster under a different name\n\n * The Diebuster ending only makes sense if you saw the ending of Gunbuster (takes place 12,000 years earlier)\n\n * You wouldn't understand the Solar System Defence System and why it was attacking\n\n * You wouldn't understand why the drive was removed from Dix-Neuf\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:24:55.657", "id": "96", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-08T11:37:39.600", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-08T11:37:39.600", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "93", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nIn _Hikaru no Go_ , the main character (Hikaru) has a ghostly companion who\ntutors and trains him in the game of Go, a sort of Othello/chess hybrid game.\nHowever, about halfway through the series....\n\n> Sai ends up disappearing and, from then on, Hikaru must train and succeed on\n> his own.\n\nWhat happens to Sai? Why is he no longer present for the rest of the series?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:22:17.443", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "95", "last_activity_date": "2017-07-05T02:41:20.737", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "hikaru-no-go" ], "title": "What happens to Sai?", "view_count": 25614 }

[ { "body": "\n\nFrom what I understood, Sai had fulfilled his role in the world. He had\ntrained someone with passion to continue his work alone, without his guidance.\nThe path to the \"Divine Move\" is now cleared, and he's no longer needed.\n\nHis job was done.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:39:07.273", "id": "104", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:39:07.273", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "95", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nAccording to the plot of the serie, Sai realized his role was not to achieve\nthe Divine move (also called \"hand of god\") but that he was just there to\ntransmit all his knowledge of the game to Hikaru. Having no more regrets, he\ncan leave the world. So Madara Uchiha's answer is correct.\n\nAlso, in a public interview Yumi Hotta (scenarist of the \"Hikaru No Go\") gave\nduring European Go Congress 2011 (in Bordeaux, France), someone asked her \"Why\ndid Sai disappear?\". She answered that Sai had a role similar to a father to\nHikaru, and that you cannot live your whole life with your parents following\nyou. At some point, you have to grow up and become an adult. So, the fact that\nSai disappeared is a symbolic way of saying that Hikaru is (on his way to)\nbecoming an adult.\n\nHikaru \"finds\" Sai later when playing go. This has the same meaning as saying\nthat even if you leave your parents, you will always have in you what they\ntold you, what they taught you, and the values they transmitted to you.\n\nAnd, in fact, by the end of the series Hikaru looks a lot more mature than\nwhen he was with Sai.\n\nAccording to Yumi Hotta, \"Sai had to disappear\", otherwise he would be\nblocking Hikaru from becoming an adult, in the same way a mother or a father\nwould if he or she was always protective about his/her child.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-03-27T08:58:16.713", "id": "3059", "last_activity_date": "2016-11-13T18:48:35.160", "last_edit_date": "2016-11-13T18:48:35.160", "last_editor_user_id": "19307", "owner_user_id": "1609", "parent_id": "95", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 }, { "body": "\n\nI think that Sai's original goal and purpose was to play the divine move and\nbe part of the game, but as he realized Hikaru's potential he decided by\nhimself that his goal was to put Hikaru on the path to the divine move. Kind\nof like if your a parent that played a certain sport and your child decides to\nplay as well. There might be one thing in that sport you were never able to do\nbefore you retired. Would you continue to push past your limits as you got\nolder? No you would help your child achieve that goal themselves and leave\nbehind your legacy with them.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-07-05T02:41:20.737", "id": "41197", "last_activity_date": "2017-07-05T02:41:20.737", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "33440", "parent_id": "95", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "679", "answer_count": 5, "body": "\n\nThe _henshin_ (or, transformation) sequences in _Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon_\nare legendary for being _awesome_ , but do we ever see them change back into\ntheir civilian identities?\n\nI'm requesting either video links, screencaptures, or panels from the manga\nfor this one, because I'd like to see the scenes myself! Examples from _both_\nthe anime and the manga would be appreciated.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:32:15.693", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "99", "last_activity_date": "2018-03-13T09:02:43.493", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T12:49:21.297", "last_editor_user_id": "28", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 16, "tags": [ "sailor-moon" ], "title": "Do we ever see the Senshi de-transform?", "view_count": 2361 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn the anime, there was a scene or two where the senshi were forced to\ntransform back by draining power or similar.\n\nActual detransformation was done by \"ripping\" the transformation off (though\nnot as visible as in some other series), which'd suggest normal transformation\nwould be something different, which I remember not be shown at any time.\n\nLooks like there was (at least one) back-transformation in anime too.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-18T21:23:48.597", "id": "671", "last_activity_date": "2018-03-13T09:02:43.493", "last_edit_date": "2018-03-13T09:02:43.493", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "204", "parent_id": "99", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nIn episode 45 of the dub, Sailor Moon is forcibly de-transformed at ~11:44.\nWhen it does, she \"ribbons\" back to her civilian clothes.\n\nIn episode 108 of the dub, we see Sailor Uranus de-transforms (at ~21:12),\nwillingly, by going nude briefly before she appears in her civilian clothes.\n\nIn the manga. it looks like they use the transformation pen to [de-\ntransform](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Sl0Zj.jpg) a la ribbons.\n\nSo it seems they typically get surrounded by ribbons again and revert back to\ntheir civilian clothes.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-19T02:52:04.020", "id": "679", "last_activity_date": "2018-03-13T02:58:07.357", "last_edit_date": "2018-03-13T02:58:07.357", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "99", "post_type": "answer", "score": 17 }, { "body": "\n\nWhat I've found:\n\n * _Sailor Moon R the Movie: Promise of the Rose_ \\- Sailor Moon is forcibly detransformed by Fiore, twice. Both times are during the later half on the movie, on the asteroid. The first one is the asteroid-flower scene with Sailor Moon tied-up in vines.\n\n * _Sailor Moon SuperS_ \\- I believe it's also in the later half on the movie, on the ship. The Inner and Outer senshi/soldiers have their power drained, having them detransformed. However, they only appear as their colored-barbie forms, likely because it showed them frontally \"nude\" for around 12 seconds. - [YouTube reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_s74tAFSKQ). \n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-03-24T23:55:01.103", "id": "3025", "last_activity_date": "2018-03-13T08:59:37.163", "last_edit_date": "2018-03-13T08:59:37.163", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "1603", "parent_id": "99", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nIn episode 8 of Sailor Moon Crystal, Sailor Venus is shown intentionally de-\ntransforming in front of the other senshi.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-10-30T23:43:41.087", "id": "14752", "last_activity_date": "2014-10-30T23:43:41.087", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "8134", "parent_id": "99", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nIn episode 8 of the third season of Sailor Moon Crystal (episode 34 of the\nentire adaptation), we see Sailor Chibi Moon revert back to her civilian\ncostume after her brooch is stolen (along with her \"copy\" of the Legendary\nSilver Crystal and her soul) by a transformed Hotaru. (We learn in the next\nepisode that Hotaru has transformed into Mistress 9.)\n\nWe can assume then that one of these objects--presumably the brooch and/or the\nsoul, as the other Sailor Guardians do not have the Legendary Silver Crystal--\nis necessary for \"maintaining\" the transformed state. (It is of course obvious\nthat the brooch is needed for the transformation, but it does not seem clear\nto me whether or not the Sailor Guardians could drop their brooches while\ntransformed and stay transformed. Perhaps the distance from a Sailor Guardian\nand her brooch could also matter.)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-05-24T04:44:36.330", "id": "32306", "last_activity_date": "2016-05-31T00:34:46.750", "last_edit_date": "2016-05-31T00:34:46.750", "last_editor_user_id": "2604", "owner_user_id": "2604", "parent_id": "99", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "711", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nFor those who don't know, Aoi Bungaku is an adaptation of 6 classic Japanese\nnovels, namely No Longer Human; Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita; Kokoro;\nRun, Melos!; The Spider's Thread, and Hell Screen.\n\nOf these, I've watched all of them, but I've only read No Longer Human. I'm\ninterested in reading the original novels, but only if there are significant\ndifferences in terms of plot. Are there any major omissions or changes in the\nanime that would merit reading the novels?\n\nThe ending of No Longer Human has at least one such difference:\n\n> In the ending of the anime Yozo commits suicide. In the end of the book he\n> gets sent to an asylum and then released to an isolated place.\n\nDo the other works have similar differences (preferably with as few spoilers\nas possible, though some spoilers are inevitable)?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:32:16.013", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "100", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-20T09:26:43.350", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T20:58:57.407", "last_editor_user_id": "24", "owner_user_id": "24", "post_type": "question", "score": 7, "tags": [ "aoi-bungaku" ], "title": "How accurately did Aoi Bungaku follow the original novels?", "view_count": 2130 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAoi Bungaku is an ambitious anime and follows each novel closely. Madhouse\ntook each novel and made adaptations to fit a whole novel into just a few\nepisodes, leaving out some plot elements and changing some parts entirely\nwhile retaining the authors message.\n\nKokoro is actually a three part novel, however the anime only focuses on the\nthird part, \"Sensei and His Testament\". Unlike the novel they took away the\nnarrator and told the story from the perspective of the sensei, which follows\nthe original novel more closely, and also included a whole new story as told\nfrom K's point of view. There are also scenes that weren't in the novel such\nas those which focused on the relationship between K and Ojo.\n\nIn The Spider's Thread the criminal's violent deeds is depicted in more detail\nand exaggerated a bit to show exactly how evil he was, however the main plot\nof the sort story retains its meaning.\n\nRun Melos was also changed as they included a new story of the author himself,\nand told parallel stories which complimented each other, the story about Melos\nand a story about the author's own life.\n\nIn Hell screen they change the setting, the original novel focused on a\npainter committing brutal acts in order to depict an image of hell, while in\nthe anime he is a rebel that defies his lord's wishes to paint a beautiful\nalbeit false image of his kingdom and instead paints the ugly truth.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-20T08:39:38.110", "id": "711", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-20T09:26:43.350", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-20T09:26:43.350", "last_editor_user_id": "28", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "100", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nAt the start of the _Bleach_ manga, Rukia stabs Ichigo in the heart with her\n_zanpakuto_ in order to give him her shinigami powers, which allows him to\nprotect his family from the Hollows.\n\nAfter that, Ichigo obtains a sealed zanpakuto that he uses (alongside Rukia in\na _gigai_ ) to fight Hollows around Karakura.\n\nLater, Rukia returns to Seireitei and regains her shinigami powers, which robs\nIchigo of his.\n\nThis implies that Ichigo had _borrowed_ his powers from Rukia for the run of\nthe Karakura Arc. This is further supported when Ichigo gains his own\nzanpakuto, Zangetsu, and his sword is unsealed rather than remaining in its\nmore benign state.\n\nBecause Ichigo is borrowing Rukia's spirit powers, and because Zangetsu's form\nappears to be more volatile and less prone to remaining sealed, **is the first\nzanpakuto that Ichigo carries Rukia's zanpakuto _Sode no Shiraiyuki_**?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:38:15.377", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "102", "last_activity_date": "2019-06-12T10:22:18.917", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T03:37:41.030", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 8, "tags": [ "bleach" ], "title": "Did Ichigo originally have Sode no Shiraiyuki?", "view_count": 13253 }

[ { "body": "\n\nNo.\n\nWhen Ichigo was stabbed again (Again, by Rukia) to give him his Shinigami\npowers after he lost them against Ginjo, he regained his own sword.\n\nThat makes it rather hard to believe that he originally had her Zanpakuto.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:57:05.407", "id": "110", "last_activity_date": "2016-04-26T15:16:23.690", "last_edit_date": "2016-04-26T15:16:23.690", "last_editor_user_id": "23700", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "102", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nIchigo doesn't have Sode no Shiraiyuki originally. He loses his powers\noriginally because Byakuya severs his soul chain, which detaches him from\nbeing able to touch his powers. He regains the powers because of training with\nUrahara that also causes him to become\n\n> part Hollow.\n\nAs quoted from bleach.wiki.com:\n\n> [Urahara] explains that Byakuya destroyed the source of his power, leaving\n> him without any Shinigami powers and that he must restore these in order to\n> fight the Shinigami. He explains about Reiryoku, saying that the more one's\n> reiryoku rises, the sharper the movements of their spiritual body becomes.\n> He says that if Ichigo can manage to move even better with his spiritual\n> body than he can with his mortal body, then we will have made a complete\n> recovery of his reiryoku.\n\nMore importantly, however, his unsealed zanpakuto is the same both before and\nafter his fight with Renji/Byakuya. To have had Sode no Shiraiyuki previously,\nhe would have needed to have an entirely different sword, which he didn't.\n\nThese aren't exactly manga scans, but here are pictures of the sword before\nand after Ichigo regains his powers:\n\n**Before:**\n\n\n\n**After:**\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:12:07.997", "id": "120", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T14:54:09.847", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T14:54:09.847", "last_editor_user_id": "4", "owner_user_id": "93", "parent_id": "102", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nNo. When Ichigo was stabbed, the only thing transferred over was Rukia's\nSpirit Energy. She lost the ability to call forth her sword and to use Kido\neffectively, both of which have some bearing on Spirit Energy. However, Ichigo\ndidn't pick up any of her abilities.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T02:01:37.423", "id": "131", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T02:01:37.423", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "102", "parent_id": "102", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nThe blade of the zanpaku-to just channels the spirit of the users zanpuku-to.\nIt was an incomplete manifestation of Zangetsu. So even if he had called Sode\nno Shiraiyuki, nothing would have happened.\n\nIts like trying to call someone else's spirit (zanpaku-to), when you don't\neven own it.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2019-06-12T10:22:18.917", "id": "53224", "last_activity_date": "2019-06-12T10:22:18.917", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "47566", "parent_id": "102", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIt is said in some sites (including\n[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshi_Gam%C5%8D)) that based on\nsome cross-references the Bakuman and Death Note, the author, Tsugumi Ohba, is\nactually a pen name, and his real name is Hiroshi Gamo, another 50-year-old\nmangaka that was some kind of one-hit-wonder in the 90's.\n\nI couldn't find any reliable source for verifying this, does someone know if\nthis is true from some source (interviews, press...)?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:38:42.210", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "103", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-18T21:55:22.677", "last_edit_date": "2014-12-18T21:55:22.677", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "31", "post_type": "question", "score": 10, "tags": [ "mangaka", "death-note", "bakuman" ], "title": "Is there any reliable source that explains the Tsugumi Ohba-Hiroshi Gamo pen name?", "view_count": 6967 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThese are still just rumors and speculation.\n\nThe most notable are in Death Note and Bakuman.\n\nIn Death Note, the seminar Light goes to is called \"Gamo Seminar\":\n\n\n\nIn Bakuman, there is reference to a series called Super Hero Legend. Not only\nis the concept similar, but even the drawings of this are very clear\nreferences to the art style of Hiroshi Gamo's 1993 work Tottemo! Luckyman.\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T00:00:50.903", "id": "111", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T00:00:50.903", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "103", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "106", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nAlchemy, in Full Metal Alchemist, is based on the concept of 'one needs to\nprovide materials of equal value compared to the thing one want to create'\n(equivalent exchange).\n\nBut, how does it exactly work. Can this amount of required materials be\ncalculated by the alchemist? If so, how? Are there some sort of lookup-tables?\n\nOr does one need to guess and provides something of more value to be on the\nsafe side? If so, can one become a more skilled alchemist by experience of\nsuccessful guesses?\n\nAlso, different alchemists might have different specialized skills. How does\nthat work? For the guessing part, I can imagine that one have a preference for\ncertain kinds of alchemy and thus gain experience with a specialized skill.\n\n**Edit** : [Madara Uchiha](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/106/51)'s answer\nsuggests that there are always materials required. I was also wondering about\nthe situation where this is not the case and the alchemist was successful none\nthe less.\n\nFor example:\n\n> In the end Edward trades his alchemy skill in exchange for returning\n> Alphonse's body to him.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:39:22.333", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "105", "last_activity_date": "2013-06-19T21:57:22.290", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "51", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "fullmetal-alchemist-series" ], "title": "How does the equivalent exchange of alchemy work?", "view_count": 6183 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAlchemy has three stages: _Understanding_ , _Break down_ , _Rebuild_.\n\nDifferent alchemists have different specializations because of the\n_Understanding_ part, learning chemistry in general isn't easy, and digging\ninto a specific subject (For instance, the study of the atmosphere and oxygen\nin Roy Mustang's case), is even harder, hence specialization.\n\nMatter of \"equal value\" means of equal \"type\" (Mineral to mineral, organism to\norganism, you can't turn stone into a flower), and of equal **Mass**.\n\nThis works well in accordance to the physical laws of matter and energy\nconservation. You cannot make matter _disappear_ , nor you can make it _appear\nout of nothing_. You can't input more matter to be on the safe side, that\nmatter won't be used for the alchemic transmutation (at best), or result in a\nrebound (at worse).\n\n", "comment_count": 12, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:44:55.883", "id": "106", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:44:55.883", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "105", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 }, { "body": "\n\nThat's why alchemists study so long, and National Alchemist even more. There\nare lots of books explaining how to do It properly, how to calculate the\namounts, the type of materials, the decomjposition of things and so on.\n\nThey aim to use exactly what they need, not more, not less, so they work to\nfine-tune, to _understand_ how things are made, how things work, and then\nreplicate them as they wish.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-11T23:45:46.123", "id": "107", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-11T23:45:46.123", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "105", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "3420", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nWhy did Kingdom Hearts manga series release new volumes so far apart from each\nother?\n\nThe game has been out for a long time, so the plot is pretty much predictable.\n\nPlus, why have they stopped KH2 in the middle, and begin with KH358/2?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T00:02:55.240", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "112", "last_activity_date": "2013-04-18T03:28:12.973", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T20:22:58.337", "last_editor_user_id": "28", "owner_user_id": "85", "post_type": "question", "score": 8, "tags": [ "kingdom-hearts" ], "title": "Why weren't Kingdom Heart volumes released regularly?", "view_count": 323 }

[ { "body": "\n\nInitially, the publications of English volumes weren't that far apart; the\nEnglish _Kingdom Hearts_ and _Chain of Memories_ were on a release cycle\naround 90 days.\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/TpHFz.png)\n\nHowever, that changed in 2008, when TOKYOPOP, the English publisher, underwent\na major corporate restructuring. Many of their projects, including _Kingdom\nHearts_ translations, were delayed following the first _Kingdom Hearts II_\nrelease. This effectively slowed the English releases of _Kingdom Hearts II_\nto a halt.\n\nIn addition, Shiro Amano (the artist) went on hiatus from _Kingdom Hearts II_\nafter volume 2 in favor of _Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days_ , so Japanese versions\nstopped after volume 2 as well. (I don't believe Amano or the producers had\nany comment on _why_ he did this.)\n\n_Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days_ has been completed with 5 volumes, but shortly\nafter Tokyopop's reorganization was finished, they lost the majority of their\nlicenses and effectively shut down, which halted the English _Kingdom Hearts_\nseries. Thus, those English volumes never saw the light of day.\n\nOn a side note: Recently, [Yen Press announced that they had purchased the\nrights to the _Kingdom Hearts_ series](http://geek-\nnews.mtv.com/2013/04/02/sakuracon-hatsune-miku-kingdom-hearts/). They will be\n[re-releasing some of the old\nvolumes](http://kingdomhearts.wikia.com/wiki/Kingdom_Hearts_series_\\(manga\\)#Licensing_Issues)\nfirst, then:\n\n> Yen will kick things off with the first volume of the fourth series,\n> \"Kingdom Hearts 365/2 _[sic]_ days\" in November, and it will release the\n> four-volume \"Kingdom Hearts\" series as two omnibus volumes (dubbed \"Kingdom\n> Hearts Final Mix\") in May 2013 and the two-volume \"Kingdom Hearts: Chain of\n> Memories\" as a single omnibus in June 2014.\n\n\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-04-18T01:54:29.153", "id": "3420", "last_activity_date": "2013-04-18T03:28:12.973", "last_edit_date": "2013-04-18T03:28:12.973", "last_editor_user_id": "274", "owner_user_id": "274", "parent_id": "112", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "2438", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nAt the ending of Code Geass R2, the last scene showed someone whose face\nwasn't showed riding a horse-pulling-cart with CC. I believe that it is indeed\nLelouch (who was previously stabbed by Suzaku wearing Zero's uniform as part\nof their Code Zero plan to free Elevens), and that he had gained immortality\nbecause of his frequent usage of his Geass.\n\nLelouch's Geass first leveled-up the episode when he accidentally ordered his\nsister Euphemia to kill all Elevens. Then, his father King Charles was beaten\nby him and I'm thinking that King Charles' immortality was transferred to him.\n\nIf that person was really Lelouch, then, has he already gained immortality by\nthat time?\n\n", "comment_count": 10, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T00:22:33.817", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "116", "last_activity_date": "2018-07-24T17:45:53.870", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T05:22:39.440", "last_editor_user_id": "107", "owner_user_id": "88", "post_type": "question", "score": 54, "tags": [ "code-geass" ], "title": "Was Lelouch the person driving the cart in the last scene of Code Geass R2?", "view_count": 247693 }

[ { "body": "\n\nLelouch is really the cart driver at the end of Code Geass R2.\n\nQuoting from [this blog post](http://animeotaku.animeblogger.net/2008/09/code-\ngeass-r2-25-so-is-lelouch-dead-or-not/):\n\n> The most obvious reason would be CC calling to Lelouch in the closing scene\n> of the episode. As we can assume CC to be still sane, she must be talking to\n> someone, and that someone would most probably be the driver of the cart:\n> Lelouch would have to be alive.\n>\n> Second, however, and this is where the others have thought things through,\n> Lelouch is alive because he got his dad's code. He beckoned the World of C\n> to lend him its powers, and he took Charles's code before Charles passed on.\n> The reason why Lelouch still has his Geass is because he didn't take the\n> Code from the same person who gave him his Geass: he took his Geass from CC,\n> and he took his Code from Charles. Thus, he now possesses both immortality\n> and a Geass. This is also a reason that the title is _**Code Geass:\n> Lelouch** of the Rebellion_.\n>\n> To further corroborate this, however, remember that when Nunnally held\n> Lelouch's hand he transferred his memories to her. CC also did it when\n> Lelouch touched her accidentally back then, so it could be assumed that\n> people with Codes are indeliberate telepaths. This leaves us with both\n> immortals traversing the world for the rest of eternity.\n>\n> [...]\n>\n> Additional evidences:\n>\n> 1. Charles grabbed Lelouch with his right hand, which had the Geass sigil.\n> 2. Lelouch needed the fully evolved Geass to transfer a code.\n> 3. The code doesn't appear to activate until someone dies. Hence, why C.C.\n> was wounded when she first inherited her code. Same happened with Charles in\n> the World of C.\n> 4. When Lelouch touched Nunnally, Nunnally got a flash of his memories.\n> This ONLY happens when a high potential Geass user touches someone with the\n> fully evolved Geass.\n> 5. The title of the series is \"R2″, which is similar to how \"C.C\" is\n> pronounced. So Lelouch would be \"R.R.\" which is Engrish (I presume) for\n> L.L., Lelouch Lamprouge.\n> 6. When C.C. is talking on the wagon, she says \"the power of Geass brings\n> loneliness…that's not quite right is it, Lelouch?\" and nods her head in the\n> direction of the wagon driver.\n>\n\n>\n> [Furthermore,] Orange knew of Lelouch's and Suzaku's plan and helped them\n> out by ordering his men not to fire on Zero, he even smiled when Zero\n> (Suzaku) jumped on his shoulder.\n>\n> Now would Orange, a man who devoted himself entirely to Lelouche and threw\n> away everything without a second thought be OK with a plan where the sole\n> person he wants to protect in life is actually killed? The answer to that is\n> NO, not even if Lelouch ordered him to accept the plan: he would not go\n> along with it and would protect him with his life. There is only one way\n> that Orange would be OK with a plan like that and that's if he knew about\n> Lelouch's immortality, which I assume he did as he worked with V.V. in the\n> Geass research base. Orange was OK with this plan as he knew Lelouch would\n> come to no harm and would be able to start a new peaceful life with the\n> woman he loves in a world which he himself had made peaceful.\n>\n> Even at the end, we see Orange on his orange plantation, completely content\n> with the way things have panned out, he definitely could not be that happy\n> had Lelouch actually died.\n\nSo Lelouch and CC lived happily ever after, literally.\n\n", "comment_count": 7, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T05:55:36.733", "id": "147", "last_activity_date": "2015-08-01T19:50:46.027", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "88", "parent_id": "116", "post_type": "answer", "score": 27 }, { "body": "\n\nThis seems to be a religious issue, judging by the amount of arguing I found\nwhile I was searching for the information contained in this answer. At the\nvery least, xjshiya's answer is not universally accepted, and there are a lot\nof people who flat out reject that theory. In my opinion the evidence against\nthe other theory is more compelling. I'm going to try to present said evidence\nas impartially as I can.\n\n* * *\n\nFirst, no official source has ever claimed that Lelouch survives at the end of\nR2. That alone doesn't answer the question, because it could be deliberately\nambiguous. Of course, Lelouch would need to be alive to be driving the cart.\n\nSecond, several official sources list Lelouch as dead at the end of R2.\n[Here](http://forums.animesuki.com/group.php?do=discuss&gmid=38473) is an\ninterview with writer Ichiro Okouchi, taken from the Japanese magazine\nContinue (vol 42, Oct 2008, translated into English (I have not yet found the\noriginal so I can not confirm the accuracy of the translation). I've copied\nthe relevant part below:\n\n> \" \\-----Still, isn't it possible that defeating the wise ruler Schneizel,\n> the person who was supposed to have brought order to the world, might lead\n> to some [viewers] interpreting it as a Bad End?\n>\n> **Okouchi** : That's true. There are probably a lot of people who think of\n> it as a Bad End, a tragedy, considering the protagonist's, Lelouch's end as\n> well. However, Lelouch says in the first episode: \"Only those prepared to be\n> shot are allowed to pull the trigger themselves.\" If you were to think of\n> that as his pride, then I think his getting shot (killed) in the end was a\n> logical end. Of course, I understand that not all of the viewers will accept\n> this ending. There were people who wanted a happier ending, after all.\n>\n> \\-----Was there a dispute among the staff members regarding the ending?\n>\n> **Okouchi** : No. It was decided fairly naturally. During the \"Code Geass\"\n> script meetings, there are many cases in which there were a number of\n> disputes, but there were barely any when it came to the scripts for (the\n> previous series's) episode 25 and the final episode. I think everyone felt\n> the same when it came to the end of the character that is Lelouch.\n>\n> \\-----Why were you so bold as to choose this ending when the viewers might\n> see it as a Bad End?\n>\n> **Okouchi** : Bold... yes, we were so bold as to chose this ending. Perhaps\n> the show that is \"Code Geass\" ending up this way was decided the moment\n> Director Taniguchi and I teamed up. I suppose you can call it our sense of\n> aesthetics, or perhaps a part of our psychological makeup.\n>\n> ...\n>\n> \\------I see. So Lelouch's decision was also your, Mr. Okouchi's, and\n> Director Taniguchi's decision.\n>\n> **Okouchi** : Which is why I think of both our and Lelouch's decision as\n> Happy Ends. I believe that there will be better things in the tomorrow\n> awaiting Nunnally, Kallen and the rest who have been left behind. And surely\n> Lelouch, who was able to make this into a reality, can only be happy [about\n> this].\n>\n> ...\n>\n> \\-----Some unresolved mysteries still remain.\n>\n> **Okouchi** : From the very beginning, [I/we] never planned on explaining\n> everything. In fact, if you ask me, I think we might have overdone the\n> explanations. While it's undeniable that Lelouch's story has ended with a\n> full stop, the other characters' stories are still on-going, and it's not\n> like the world [of Code Geass] itself has come to an end either. [I/we]\n> didn't want to end it by closing it up for good.\"\n\nThat seems to pretty strongly confirm that at least Okouchi believes Lelouch\ndies in the end. Of course, Okouchi, being a writer, doesn't have the final\nsay. The director is the one whose word we should ultimately be looking for,\nbut director Gorō Taniguchi has not said anything definitive either way. He\ndid say something ambiguous, to the effect that he \"prefers to see the end as\na happy one,\" but Okouchi also claims it's a happy ending despite Lelouch\ndying. Okouchi also didn't seem to have any difficulty speaking for the whole\nteam, and no one came out to correct him, so this seems reasonable.\n\nThe link above has a couple other relevant quotes which I will not repeat\nhere. I believe that this establishes that there's a pretty strong opinion\nthat Lelouch is, in some form or another, dead.\n\nHere's a further confirmation of this. This image lists people who died in R2.\nI've boxed the relevant entry for Lelouch.\n\n\n\nThe above was taken from the same issue of the magazine. This is an official\nimage. I don't think this really adds anything to the above except removing\nsome ambiguity.\n\nThere's some further evidence\n[here](http://animeotaku.animeblogger.net/2008/10/code-geass-r2-another-nail-\nin-lelouchs-coffin/) (I haven't really checked this translation but by a\ncursory skim it seems to be accurate).\n\n> C.C.’s profile has also been updated, and the final part of it now says:\n> “Knowing that Lelouch does not hate her for giving him the Geass, she is now\n> able to show her true feelings. With the realization of “Zero Requiem”, her\n> time with Lelouch, who was able to forgive and accept her, came to an end,\n> but the memories created with him has, without doubt, saved her from eternal\n> loneliness.”\n\nGiven that the \"Lelouch = Cart Driver\" theory requires that Lelouch and C.C.\naren't separated at the end, this piece of information just doesn't make sense\nunless we reject that theory.\n\nSo we've confirmed that Lelouch is pretty dead at the end of R2, and that the\nfan theory that he is the cart driver really isn't supported by the official\nstatements. There are a couple of ways to get around all of these facts. I\ndon't really regard them as anything but conspiracy theories and other ways\nfans are trying to deal with the ending that isn't quite as happy as they were\nhoping for.\n\n * Lelouch has at least two identities. Perhaps Lelouch vi Britannia died, but Lelouch Lamperouge lived on? Or maybe Lelouch abandoned his name, but he's still alive, and the sources list him as dead because his identity as Lelouch vi Britannia is dead? I can't really argue against the _possibility_ of this, but there is no evidence supporting it at all. It doesn't really make sense in light of the C.C. bio either.\n * While several people have confirmed that they believe Lelouch dies, director Taniguchi has been notably silent. Perhaps there was some disagreement among those in charge, and Taniguchi actually thinks Lelouch is alive? We can't ever know for certain what happened when they were writing the ending, but it seems reasonable to expect that if there were disagreements, Okouchi wouldn't have claimed that there were none, and if the disagreements were major someone else probably would have spoken up.\n\nAgain, I regard those as little more than conspiracy theories by disgruntled\nfans who think the ending is somehow \"unfair\". There is no evidence supporting\neither of them.\n\nWhile the theories proposed in the other answer are good speculation, they\njust don't fit with facts released later. The consensus of the production team\nis that Lelouch is dead and not driving a cart at the end of Code Geass R2.\nThe cart driver is probably just some random guy. If this seems unfair to you,\nthen it's worth remembering that many other characters with far fewer crimes\ndied in the series, so in some sense it's poetic justice for Lelouch to also\ndie. And the interviews with everyone including the director do confirm that\nin dying, he was successful at his goal of starting the world down a better\npath.\n\nAgain, this seems to be something people view religiously. I'm not claiming\nthat the speculations that Lelouch survives are bad in-universe, but there's\nsimply no evidence for them either from the producers and a lot of evidence to\nthe contrary, so the better answer in this case is that **Lelouch is dead.**\n\n", "comment_count": 11, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-02-11T06:12:29.717", "id": "2438", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-11T06:32:19.323", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "116", "post_type": "answer", "score": 51 }, { "body": "\n\nWell, actually, if you're going to offer that the official records pronounced\nhim dead. I'd like to counter by saying during the show, after freya was\nlaunched by suzaku, the official records pronounced both nunnally and sayoko\ndead, and we know what happened there.\n\nI know it was to prevent spoilers for the show, but still. Unless there's\nanother season that adds on to it, we really can't definitively prove whether\nLelouch is either dead or alive. There's just too much circumstantial evidence\nthat he is alive, yet more solid evidence plus motive to say that he is dead.\n\nIt's inconclusive, really, but as a placeholder I think seeing him as passed\non would be appropriate for now.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-08-22T07:46:17.747", "id": "4917", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-20T04:08:36.103", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-20T04:08:36.103", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "2267", "parent_id": "116", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\n## Lelouch is officially confirmed dead\n\nOver the past 10 years the creators of the show have repeatedly explained that\nLelouch is truly dead. This was done in interviews, articles, tweets, live\ncommentary, the official guide book, the remade epilogue (from 2009) where\nthey dropped the misunderstood hay cart scene and replaced it with C.C.\nexplicitly narrating to the audience that Lelouch is dead, etc. There's a\n[Reddit\npost](https://www.reddit.com/user/GeassedbyLelouch/comments/8hklfr/evaluating_code_theory_main_body_index/)\nwhere all these official statements can be found. This post also scrutinizes\nthe fan theory which assumes that Lelouch has the code and shows where and how\nthe anime itself contradicts the theory's points.\n\nI will give a few examples from that linked post, for a full overview follow\nthe link above.\n\n## The interviews from Animage 10\n([October](https://matome.naver.jp/odai/2143969576830905201/2143972453355434003),\nOkouchi) and 11\n([November](https://matome.naver.jp/odai/2143969576830905201/2143972453355433703),\nFukuyama) from 2008.\n\nIn these interviews they explain that the death of Lelouch was a matter of\nprinciple for them (their aesthetics, their psychology, etc.), it was a matter\nof redemption and salvation in the eyes of Lelouch and Lelouch found peace\ndying for the gentler world his sister wanted.\n\n> **Okouchi** : _\"(...) That end is to Lelouch and to Suzaku both the\n> punishment and the salvation at the same time. It's also connected to the\n> words Lelouch said at the beginning: \"Utte ii no wa utareru kakugo no aru\n> yatsu dake da.\" The person who gave the punishment was punished themselves\n> and if you want to get the salvation, give the salvation first. Of course\n> it's also the same with Lelouch's decision to accepts the geass (wish),\n> because he geassed many people, as he himself has said in the show. [He\n> refers to the last episode when Lelouch says what the people of the world\n> wish for]\"_\n>\n> **Animage** : _\"So this was the end, but was Lelouch happy?\"_ \n> **Okouchi** : _\"I think that the show had a happy ending, not a bad ending.\n> Lelouch and C.C. talks about it in season 1 episode 7 - just living a life\n> is meaningless. Lelouch saved his beloved sister and managed to create a\n> kind world in his own way. His life wasn't meaningless. That's why in the\n> end he is smiling.\"_\n>\n> **Animage** : _\"So you accept the end of the show?\"_ \n> **Fukuyama** : _\"I think that before he reached that final scene, Lelouch\n> had many possibilities to choose from. But he understood very well what he\n> had done and had to pay the price for that. Suzaku choose to live as Zero\n> and was awarded the opportunity to pay for his sins by this choice. And\n> Lelouch got his salvation by choosing not the happiness of living on but to\n> sacrifice his own life to create the situation for the world to move\n> forward. If you think about his character, I don't think he would still be\n> himself, if he chose other end.\"_\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pUAvd.jpg) \n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/gRnIb.jpg) \n(Additional pictures of these interviews can be found\n[here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/EN8sj.jpg) and in the [compilation\npost](https://www.reddit.com/user/GeassedbyLelouch/comments/8hklfr/evaluating_code_theory_main_body_index/)\nof all official statements)\n\n## The interviews from Continue\n([Vol.42](https://www.retromags.com/galleryimgs/monthly_2017_10/small.59f05755697f9_ContinueVol.42\\(October2008\\).jpg.f9ec262ce76541c515b3ea32e65060c8.jpg)).\n\nIn this interview they confirm that the decision to kill Lelouch was a\nunanimous one, the entire show staff agreed:\n\n> **Continue** : _Was there a dispute among the staff members regarding the\n> ending?_ \n> **Okouchi** : _No. It was decided fairly naturally. During the \"Code Geass\"\n> script meetings, there are many cases in which there were a number of\n> disputes, but there were barely any when it came to the scripts for (the\n> previous series's) episode 25 and the final episode. I think everyone felt\n> the same when it came to the end of the character that is Lelouch._\n\nThey confirm that Lelouch's death was one of the first things they decided for\nthe show and that his death was a matter of principle to them (\"their sense of\naesthetics\"). This statement was confirmed yet again 10 years later in the\ntweets (see below).\n\n> **Continue** : _Why were you so bold as to choose this ending when the\n> viewers might see it as a Bad End?_ \n> **Okouchi** : _Bold... yes, we were so bold as to chose this ending.\n> Perhaps the show that is \"Code Geass\" ending up this way was decided the\n> moment Director Taniguchi and I teamed up. I suppose you can call it our\n> sense of aesthetics, or perhaps a part of our psychological makeup._\n\nThe following statements explain how they foreshadowed Lelouch's death from\nthe very first episode with his famous line \"The only ones allowed to kill are\nthose who are willing to be killed\" (exact phrazing will depend on the subs\nyou used, of course):\n\n> **Continue** : _Still, isn't it possible that defeating the wise ruler\n> Schneizel, the person who was supposed to have brought order to the world,\n> might lead to some [viewers] interpreting it as a Bad End?_ \n> **Okouchi** : _That's true. There are probably a lot of people who think of\n> it as a Bad End, a tragedy, considering the protagonist's, Lelouch's end as\n> well. However, Lelouch says in the first episode: \"Only those prepared to be\n> shot are allowed to pull the trigger themselves.\" If you were to think of\n> that as his pride, then I think his getting shot (killed) in the end was a\n> logical end. Of course, I understand that not all of the viewers will accept\n> this ending. There were people who wanted a happier ending, after all._\n\nIt is important to note that part of this last statement was often\nmisinterpreted by code theorists as him saying that people could see it as\nopen ended. It is clear from his words that this is NOT what he is saying. He\nsaid that he understands that some people will see Lelouch's death as a bad\nending and that some people wanted a happy ending. Basically, what he is\nsaying is that people are free to interpret Lelouch's death as happy or sad,\nbut Lelouch's death itself was never open for interpretation, it was set in\nstone as the rest of the article clearly demonstrates. The ending was never\nmeant to be ambiguous. \nIt is also important to note the Lelouch's death can only be interpreted as a\ntrue, final death and not something temporary until the code revives him,\nespecially the foreshadowing of his death doesn't make sense if we see it as\ntemporary death or faked death, but the later tweets will make this even\nclearer, so I will go in further depth there. (see tweets below)\n\n## The tweets\n\nAs part of the 10 year Code Geass anniversary, the creators of the show\nstarted a series of tweets titled \"Geass Memories\" in which they reminiscence\nabout the days when they made the show, shedding light on the production\nprocess, the way certain decisions were made, etc. Of particular relevance\nhere are the Geass Memories 77-83:\n\n> \"Before I started writing the story of a person called Lelouch, I confirmed\n> with Taniguchi-director something. That thing was that **the end of Lelouch\n> will be death**.\" \n> \"At least he is aware of his sins and pays for them with **his death**.\" \n> \"This man called Lelouch will pay for his sins by **his death**. The story\n> follows him till he finally make this decision.\" \n> \"Probably this Lelouch we see in the first episode of the series wouldn't\n> **choose death**. He would try something to avoid it. He couldn't **die** ,\n> for Nunnally as well. But we see him changed in the last episode.\"\n\n[Link to the tweets on his twitter\naccount.](https://twitter.com/ichirou_o/status/998739675895365633)\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FklXz.png)\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/H503o.png)\n\nIt is important to note that \"death\" here can only be interpreted as a \"true,\nfinal death\" and not some temporary death until the code revives him, just as\nwas the case earlier with the explained foreshadowing. This is easily made\nobvious by replacing the word \"death\" by \"death for 2 minutes\" or \"faked\ndeath\". \"Lelouch pays for his sins by being dead for 2 minutes\". \"Only those\nwho are willing to fake their deaths are allowed to kill\". \"Lelouch being dead\nfor 2 minutes was part of our aesthetics\". \nIt is immediately obvious that their words simply make no sense if we assume\nLelouch had the code and was immortal. The old argument \"they said he's dead\nbut not that he stayed dead\" with which code theorists try to dismiss the Word\nof God simply does not hold water at all. (Also, who ever says something as\nunnatural as \"he died and after that he stayed dead\"?)\n\n## The Official Guide Book\n\nThe official guide book explicitly states several times that Lelouch is dead.\nTo avoid too much repetition I will only copy the explanation of the Zero\nRequiem:\n\n> \"For those two who bear the heavy sin known as killing their fathers, they\n> share the belief that they can forgive each other by imposing the greatest\n> punishments on themselves. **Death for Lelouch** who wishes for a tomorrow\n> with his sister, **life for Suzaku** who wishes to atone for his sins\n> through death.\"\n\nThis explains that Zero Requiem was not only about creating a better world,\nbut also simultaneously redemption for both Lelouch and Suzaku for their sins\n(as explained above in the tweets). Lelouch eternally boinking C.C. is NOT\nredemption, as much as some fans might want that. It is undeniably clear here\nthat Lelouch is truly dead.\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/yrgj1.jpg)\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/E8EFf.jpg)\n\n## The New Epilogue (2009)\n\nUnlike the fake fan made epilogue which is going around on the internet (and\nwhich I will not give more attention by linking it!) where there's a fan edit\nwhich zooms in on the face of the driver and reveals it to be Lelouch, there\nis actually a real, new epilogue which can be found on the official release of\nthe Zero Requiem Blu-ray. \nWhile the fake ending was nowhere to be found except on shady YouTube channels\nfrom people who were pushing their code theory narrative (If it were real how\ndid THEY get it? And why ONLY they?), the real new epilogue can be found all\nover the web where you watch anime (look for Zero Requiem movie). \nUnlike the fake one where the image quality massively dropped during the\nedited zoom, the TV logo suddenly disappears, and there is no music during the\nedit, the real new epilogue has brand new, high quality art, music and\n**narration by C.C.'s voice actress**. \nIn this new epilogue, the often misunderstood hay cart scene is dropped and\nreplaced by a new scene where C.C. talks to the audience and explicitly\nexplains that Lelouch is dead, that she mourns his death, but that she finds\ncomfort in the thought that he died achieving his goals.\n\n> _\"A young man dies. He had the power to change the world, to create a new\n> order. The world feared him, hated him. But, I know he died with a smile on\n> his face. Only those who have realized their dream will truly understand\n> that feeling of utter contentment. So, this is not a tragedy. And whenever I\n> feel sad or cry at night, I sing a song. A song of man's making. Zero\n> Requiem!\"_\n\nYou can watch the new epilogue [here](https://streamable.com/d8dji).\n\n## Nunnally Did NOT See Memories\n\nAs if all the official statements about his death aren't enough, the creators\neven explicitly denied some of the core points of code theory, such as\nNunnally seeing memories/code visions.\n\nIn [Mook Animedia](http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOBK-65848) (28 January\n2009, p.89-90) there was an interview (see 2 pictures below) which explicitly\ndenied that Nunnally was seeing visions or that those images had anything to\ndo with codes or geasses.\n\n> Q: _\"How did Nunnally managed to realize Lelouch true intention, when she\n> touched his hand at the end?\"_\n>\n> Staff member K: _\"The way Nunnally can tell that someone is lying, just like\n> she was able to tell that Lohmeyer was lying to her, is that she can feel\n> the hand of the person she is talking to is sweating or lightly trembling.\n> It's nothing like Geass or some special ability like that.\"_\n>\n> Staff member Y: _\"Yes. So, she simply came to conclusion [Lelouch was lying]\n> by herself, because of this ability.\"_\n>\n> Staff member K: _\"She is Marianne's daughter and Lelouch's little sister.\n> Two months have passed since that defeat of Schneizel and for this two\n> months she's been wondering constantly about what had happened, like \"why it\n> happened?\" and so on. So when she touched Lelouch's hand at the end she felt\n> that he is calm, she put the two and two together and realized the truth. Of\n> course, we know that in anime, it's hard to explain things like that, but\n> yeah, please accept it like this kind of romantic idea we had.\"_\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/mJmrU.jpg)\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/HNmru.jpg)\n\n## Codes Do NOT Need To Be Activated\n\nThe release of the Code Geass movies was accompanied by various Code Geass\nrelated events, some of these were, obviously, live interviews and live\ncommentary. The following are excerpts from commentaries given by Okouchi,\nTaniguchi-producer and two other producers when they talked about the scene\nwhere Lelouch attempted to geass his father. This was documented by people who\nwere present at these events. To protect the privacy of these people, I have\nremoved all information which would allow them to be identified.\n\nThis [tweet](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wIQYa.jpg) reads\nパパんにギアス掛けるシーンも、「これギアス掛かってないのに死んだふりするんだよ」「息子を驚かせようと」「ルルーシュくんかわいそう」「これ一番ショックなタイミング計ってるよね」「絶対笑いこらえてるよ」って色々言われてて笑った。\n\nTranslation: About that scene Lelouch geass his dad I laughed because they\nsaid like \"He isn't geassed, just pretends he dies!\" \" He tries to surprise\nhis son!\" \"Poor Lelouch\" \"He tries to choose the most shocking timing, doesn't\nhe\" \"I'm sure he tries hard not to laugh\"\n\nThis [blog post](https://i.stack.imgur.com/uqtjW.jpg) talks about various Code\nGeass things, the relevant part is highlighted in red and reads\nコウジロウさん「この人、ギアスかかってない じゃないですか。よく我慢してますよね。こことか 絶対笑い堪えてますよ」\n\nTranslation: \"He isn't under an influence form Geass, is he? He's good with\npretending, sure. I'm sure he tries his hardest not to laugh right now.\"\n\nThe creators are saying Charles is immune to geass already, that means Charles\nalready had an \"active\" code, which means that codes are never not active and\nthus don't need activating.\n\n## Conclusion\n\nThere's is a mountain of official statements which all repeat the same thing\n**Lelouch is truly dead**. \nWhen you put all these things next to each other, you see this conclusion is\ninescapable, consistent and waterproof.\n\nSome people will argue that the fact that a sequel is coming with Lelouch as\nthe officially confirmed protagonist is proof that he's alive/immortal, but it\nis, in fact, the exact opposite. The official name of this sequel is \"Lelouch\nof the **Resurrection\"**. when you combine all the official statement about\nhim being truly dead, him returning for the sequel and the sequel's name, it\nis obvious that Lelouch will start as dead in the sequel and will somehow be\nresurrected, he'll return from the grave somehow.\n\nSome people will argue that the sequel is an AU (alternate universe) which\nsomehow must mean Lelouch is immortal. It is indeed true that the sequel will\nfollow the movies and not the original series, and these movies have 1 BIG\ndifference with the original series which makes it an AU. However, this change\ndoes not directly involve Lelouch, Zero Requiem still happens, Lelouch still\ndies, so as far as the movies show, all of the statements about R2 also apply\nto the sequel.\n\nThis answer was based on a [compilation\npost](https://www.reddit.com/user/GeassedbyLelouch/comments/8hklfr/evaluating_code_theory_main_body_index/)\nfrom reddit. The compilation post consists of 2 parts, part 1 gathers all the\nofficial statements, part 2 shows how the anime itself contradicts code theory\nbecause code theory violates the rules established by the anime's canon. \nThat post is very long (even linger than this answer), but it is thorough and\ncomplete, and an absolute MUST READ for all Code Geass fans.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-07-20T16:08:23.357", "id": "47956", "last_activity_date": "2018-07-24T17:45:53.870", "last_edit_date": "2018-07-24T17:45:53.870", "last_editor_user_id": "1458", "owner_user_id": "41600", "parent_id": "116", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "135", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nAs a follow up, but another subject, of my [question about equivalent exchange\npart of the alchemy laws](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/105/how-\ndoes-the-equivalent-exchange-of-alchemy-work).\n\nWhy do (most) alchemists require a transmutation circle? Does any circle\nsuffice or does an alchemist require a specific type for each (type of) job?\nAt least the size seems to matter...\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T00:26:39.337", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "117", "last_activity_date": "2018-03-16T08:03:01.647", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:54:49.117", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "51", "post_type": "question", "score": 34, "tags": [ "fullmetal-alchemist-series" ], "title": "Why does an alchemist need a transmutation circle?", "view_count": 6085 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThose circles are, in fact, like \"spells\", or more accurately \"mathematical\nformulas\", so in order to make what they want, they have to write the correct\nformula.\n\nThose alchemists who don't do that, just a few, can bypass that formulas\nbecause they have them \"inside\", but that's very rare, and as far as I know,\nwasn't explained in the series.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T00:51:25.277", "id": "119", "last_activity_date": "2015-12-14T06:52:53.367", "last_edit_date": "2015-12-14T06:52:53.367", "last_editor_user_id": "11083", "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "117", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nAccording to the [Fullmetal Alchemist\nWiki](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Alchemy#Transmutation_Circle), transmutation\ncircles have a symbolic and functional aspect. The symbolic meaning is in the\ncycle of energy and life, where Equivalent Exchange ensures that objects are\nnever created nor destroyed, but changed into different forms. My\ninterpretation is that this embodiment of a principle of Alchemy helps the\ntransmutation take place, but it is unnecessary if the alchemist has been to\nThe Gate, thus embodying the principle of Alchemy by himself.\n\nAs for function, the transmutation circle harnesses the energy from the earth\nor substrate that the circle is drawn on (compare the energy sources of\nAmestris [SPOILER] and [Xing](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Alkahestry)). the\ngeometric symbols (triangles, squares and other polygons) represent various\nelements (water/earth/fire/air), and other symbol-like runes which direct and\nmanipulate the energies in more specific ways. So in the functional aspect,\nthe diagrams and symbols in the transmutation circle serve as an \"energy\nmanipulation chamber\" to harness for specific alchemical uses.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:39:49.287", "id": "125", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T01:39:49.287", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "97", "parent_id": "117", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThe transmutation circles contain the formulae and/or specific incantation\nneeded to carry out a function. There is always some part of the human mind\nthat is involved in a transmutation (otherwise, Mustang's gloves would only be\nable to mess with the air in a very select pattern), but in general more\ncomplicated transmutations will require a more robust \"hard formula\". The\n\"soft formula\" comes from the mind of the alchemist. This is the part that\nactually shapes what should happen, while the \"hard formula\" is used to gather\nthe required energy/ handle the heavy lifting.\n\nOn the subject of people who can transmute without circles, there are two\ndifferent schools of thought.\n\nThe first follows the anime/manga rigidly, and interprets Izumi's words\nliterally. They see it as the 'reward' for losing part of yourself when you\nlooked beyond the gate. Looking beyond the gate exacts a toll from you, which\nis then used to \"pay\" for the privilege of seeing the base code of the\nuniverse. Knowing this base code, alchemists are able to use the \"soft\"\nformula to a greater extent, and do not require the assistance of a \"hard\"\nformula in order to transmute.\n\nThe second possible explaination is more of an unintended side effect.\nRemember how Barry the Chopper lost his body? Well, his soul (in the armor)\nwas able to sense his body's presence (and vice-versa). If one assumes the\nfigure at the gate (which takes peoples' body parts) is god (or at least, the\nsource of alchemy), then him \"wearing\" an alchemists parts (pardon the term)\nis essentially giving that alchemist a very subtle, yet powerful connection on\na mental level. The alchemists are able to use their missing parts to bridge\nthe gap separating them from this god-like being, and thus transmute seemingly\nat will.\n\nAlphonse, not having a physical body at all with which to form a bridge, is\nunable to skip the \"hard formula\" at first, but upon re-visiting the\nexperience in his own mind, he forces himself to build this \"bridge\" and can\ntransmute naturally from then on.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T02:26:25.650", "id": "135", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T02:26:25.650", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "46", "parent_id": "117", "post_type": "answer", "score": 26 }, { "body": "\n\nI think the idea from Merlin (with Sam Neill) helps here: there there are\ndifferent types of Magic (== Alchemy == Sufficiently-Advanced Technology):\nhand-magic, word-magic, and thought-magic. The gestures or words are used to\ninduce the necessary thought-form which actually performs the action of the\nmagic. Note that the ability to read silently is a relatively recent\nacquisition. Historically, St. Augustine is the first human to have done this.\n\nHere's a description of the concept of _logos_ in talismanic magic in [Magical\nEgypt](http://youtu.be/oFJxeg5jDmw?t=35m20s).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-02-03T03:27:04.347", "id": "2337", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-08T09:23:16.450", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-08T09:23:16.450", "last_editor_user_id": "1340", "owner_user_id": "1340", "parent_id": "117", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "6726", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nWhen watching the _Hana Yori Dango_ ( _Boys Over Flowers_ ) anime, it seemed\nlike there was a distinctly different art style for the final episode (#51).\nNot remarkably different, but noticeable enough that it made me wonder if\nsomething had changed for the last episode... different direction, artists,\netc.\n\nWas anything ever said about the production of the series that indicated that\nsomething happened near the end that could have caused some kind of shakeup?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T00:45:57.437", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "118", "last_activity_date": "2020-12-22T00:52:12.100", "last_edit_date": "2020-12-22T00:52:10.043", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "36", "post_type": "question", "score": 6, "tags": [ "boys-over-flowers" ], "title": "Did something change for the final episode of Hana Yori Dango?", "view_count": 1892 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI can't answer your question with certainty. No, there doesn't seem to be\nanything off about writing, production, or art direction in the last episode:\n\n * The last 3 episodes were all written by the same person, 影山由美 (Yumi Kageyama). 影山由美 was in charge of series organization/composition and wrote more episodes than anyone else.\n * The producer, 山吉康夫, also produced episodes 3, 9, 15, 20, 26, 32, 37, 42, 46, and of course 51.\n * Art direction was performed by 馬越嘉彦 (Yoshihiko Umakoshi), who was actually in charge of character design for the whole show. He also provided art direction for episodes 1, 16, 25, 32, 43, and of course 51.\n\nThis is all from the Wikipedia page on the anime, which lists all the details\nby episode: [花より男子 アニメ\nTVシリーズ](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8A%B1%E3%82%88%E3%82%8A%E7%94%B7%E5%AD%90#.E3.82.A2.E3.83.8B.E3.83.A1)\n\n**Personal speculation:**\n\nI've seen the whole anime, have read the manga all the way through a couple of\ntimes, and watched two of the live actions (Japanese and Korean), I was really\ninto _Hana Yori Dango_ back in the day. I felt like the end of the anime was\nunexpected/unforeseen and that they just rushed an ending together. The show\ndid a pretty good job of following the manga ... right until those last few\nepisodes/last episode. My guess is they were told,\n\n> were cutting the show, end it.\n\nso they did and things didn't turn out quite the same as usual.\n\nAccording to [HMV\nOnline](http://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1_000000000013179/item_%E8%8A%B1%E3%82%88%E3%82%8A%E7%94%B7%E5%AD%90-%EF%BD%B1%EF%BE%86%EF%BE%92_1412110),\nthe average rating for the TV show was 9.9%, max was 12.1%. I don't know much\nabout TV ratings, but the Japanese TV Drama was never lower than 17% in season\n1 and 19% in season 2 ([same Wikipedia\npage](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8A%B1%E3%82%88%E3%82%8A%E7%94%B7%E5%AD%90#.E3.82.A2.E3.83.8B.E3.83.A1)).\nTo me, this looks like a cut due to ratings.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2014-01-03T22:19:12.587", "id": "6726", "last_activity_date": "2020-12-22T00:52:12.100", "last_edit_date": "2020-12-22T00:52:12.100", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "1433", "parent_id": "118", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nWhy does Himura always end almost every sentence with gozaru in this show? Is\nthis normal for people in that time period?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:23:02.773", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "121", "last_activity_date": "2016-01-13T04:54:18.787", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-14T19:02:43.743", "last_editor_user_id": "24", "owner_user_id": "37", "post_type": "question", "score": 24, "tags": [ "rurouni-kenshin", "japanese-language" ], "title": "Why does Himura Kenshin say ～ござる (~gozaru) at end of every sentence?", "view_count": 52493 }

[ { "body": "\n\n～ござる is commonly known as a more polite way of ending a sentence, but it's\nalso common in historical dramas because it is a bit archaic-sounding. ANN has\nan entry on this in their lexicon\n[here](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/lexicon.php?id=36). A more\ndetailed analysis of Kenshin's speech patterns can be found\n[here](http://www.jessdoor.com/anime/seissha.html).\n\nEDIT: It was pointed out in chat that there's a closely related question with\na really good answer on the [Japanese Stack\nExchange](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/653/if-i-wanted-to-\nsound-more-like-a-samurai-what-words-and-phrases-should-i-learn/673#673).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:33:28.373", "id": "123", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-14T18:32:35.360", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:43:49.183", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "121", "post_type": "answer", "score": 13 }, { "body": "\n\n## Why does Himura always end almost every sentence with gozaru in this show?\n\nTo **express his self-abasement,** modesty, and serving attitude. This is the\n**persona he adopted in the Meiji era** as a _rurouni_ (wandering samurai).\n\n**Kenshin's usage** of this speech pattern is **_not_ for the intent of\nmarking the series as historical fiction**. This is evidenced by the fact that\n**none of the other characters** in the series speak this way.\n\nFurthermore, **Kenshin did not use「でござる」( _de gozaru_ ) when he was younger**\n(before his _rurouni_ phase of life), and **when he flips into _hitokiri\nbattousai_ mode** within the series proper (when his eyes are yellow), **he\ndoes not use this copula verb form** because, in _battousai_ mode, he does not\nhave a meek personality.\n\nThe stark difference between his speech patterns and everyone else's\nemphasizes **Kenshin's personal, intentional choice to use this style of\nspeech**. Rather than the _mangaka_ , Nobuhiro Watsuki, intending this\nphrasing to be representative of the era, it highlights Kenshin's now humble\npersonality and that he is a bit different from the new norms of his time\nperiod (in the same way that he persists in carrying a sword and sheath, still\nwears _hakama_ rather than pants, etc.).\n\n\" _De gozaru_ \" is part of Kenshin's response to realizing that he was very\nmistaken in his previous actions and convictions during the Bakumatsu period.\nIn combination, he also uses 「拙者」 ( _sessha_ ), which is a 謙譲語 ( _kenjougo_ =\nhumble language) word. _Kenjougo_ is a lowering of the speaker in comparison\nto the person/people being spoken to. As seen in thejapanesepage.com's\n[article on _keigo_](http://thejapanesepage.com/grammar/more_polite_language)\n(polite speech), _kenjougo_ is (to this day) employed in\n\n> referring to oneself or one's family members and (usually) **speaking to\n> someone higher up** in social rank, position or some other criteria for\n> determining status. However even some people with high positions may choose\n> to use the humble form with those under him/her.\n\nAs [Kenneth\nHanson](http://www.japaneseprofessor.com/reference/grammar/conjugations-of-\nthe-japanese-copula/) explains\n\n> A copula is a word meaning “to be”, and is used to predicate a sentence. . .\n> . **The copula takes three basic forms** in standard speech: the plain form\n> だ (da) in informal speech, the polite form です (desu) in formal speech, and\n> でございます (de gozaimasu) in honorific speech. In the case of the last form, the\n> same word is used both for respectful and humble speech; unlike other\n> components of keigo, de gozaimasu is neutral to who the subject is. . . . In\n> truth, things are a little more complicated than this. . . . **de gozaru is\n> the honorific form of de aru** , but with keigo the polite form of an\n> honorific verb is almost always used, so we get de gozaimasu.\n\n## Is this normal for people in that time period?\n\n**No.** It was **not customary for people to use 「でござる」 in this period**.\n_Rurouni Kenshin_ takes place starting in **1878** (year 11 of the Meiji era)\nand the epilogue ends in the [spring of\n**1885**](http://kenshin.gamesurf.it/immagini/cherry/haru_ni_sakura-6.jpg)\n(Meiji Era year 18). The side story _Yahiko no Sakabatou_ takes place 5 years\nafter the Great Kyoto Fire.\n\nAs [Boaz Yaniv](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/users/153/boaz-yaniv)\nexplains on the [Japanese Language\nSE](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/653/if-i-wanted-to-sound-\nmore-like-a-samurai-what-words-and-phrases-should-i-learn/673#673),\n\n> the stereotypical Samurai speech in Jidaigeki is actually based on the **Edo\n> dialect of late Edo period**. Many of the mannerisms you'd find in this\n> speech do not specifically represent Samurai, but rather a typical resident\n> of Edo in that particular time.\n\nThe [Edo era lasted from 1603 to\n**1868**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period); however, Japan had been\nforcibly opened to the outside world by Commodore Matthew C. Perry’s black\nships back in **1853** (15 years before Edo officially ended). The Convention\nof Kanagawa was signed with Perry in **1854** , with three more international\ntreaties of Amity and Commerce following in 1858 (the shogunate was\nsuccessfully disbanded in 1867, the Boshin civil war raged for over a year as\nloyalists attempted to restore the shogunate to power, and the Republic of\nEzo, a secessionist state located in what is now Hokkaido prefecture, stayed\nafloat for half of 1869 before being crushed by Japan’s imperial forces).\n\nIn contrast to speech patterns of the late Edo period, Meiji is when Japan's\nfirst generation of young men attended college, learned English, learned how\nto eat with fork and spoon, and went to study abroad. **Japan was very keen to\nportray itself as rapidly modernizing so as not to be colonized by other\nnations** (approximately when Perry opened Japan to the West, the British\nEmpire took control of India; America annexed Alaska and Hawaii; and the\nBerlin Conference of 1884 set the Scramble for Africa into motion. Historical\nfigure Nitobe Inazo explained that \"[t]he Union Jack was firmly planted in\nIndia and was moving eastward to Singapore, Hong-Kong, and there was some\nprobability of it marching on to China. Why not to Japan too? The French\nTricolor was also seen floating over Cambodia, Annam, and Tonkin, and nobody\ncould tell how far north or east it would fly. More alarming than these, the\nMuscovite Power, like a huge avalanche, was steadily descending southwards\nfrom its Siberian steppes, crushing everything on its way.\" Inazo Nitobe,\n“Lectures on Japan: The Manchurian Question and Sino-Japanese Relations,” in\n_Lectures on Japan: An Outline of the Development of the Japanese People and\nTheir Culture_ , pp. 227–29).\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-06-15T08:40:56.170", "id": "22460", "last_activity_date": "2016-01-13T04:54:18.787", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:43:49.183", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "8134", "parent_id": "121", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "133", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nThe show, _Sword Art Online_ has 2 Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing\nGames in it, _Sword Art Online_ (SAO) and _Alfheim Online_ (AFO). What are the\nplayer-vs-player rules in these 2 games? Sometimes the rules seem to either\nmake no sense (being able to attack someone in a home town but not be attacked\nback) or seem contradictory (requiring a mutual duel sometimes and sometimes\nnot).\n\nAlso, I realize the rules from the 2 in-anime games are probably different.\nWhere SAO seems to have free PvP in non-safezones, AFO requires duels (but\nonly sometimes?).\n\nDo the light novels go into any details about this?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:32:26.177", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "122", "last_activity_date": "2013-09-02T17:59:12.000", "last_edit_date": "2013-09-02T17:59:12.000", "last_editor_user_id": "247", "owner_user_id": "91", "post_type": "question", "score": 18, "tags": [ "sword-art-online" ], "title": "What are the PVP rules in the Sword Art Online MMORPGs?", "view_count": 3503 }

[ { "body": "\n\nBased on only the Anime (especially episodes 5-7), the rules for Sword Art\nOnline are this:\n\n * Players normally can't damage each other in inner-areas (such as towns). But they do suffer from knock-back (as shown in episode 11 when Asuna attacks one of the Liberation Front members).\n * The only way for players to damage each other in inner-areas is to have a duel.\n * It is possible to die in an inner-area duel. (It's the only way to die in an inner-area.)\n * Both players must consent to a duel. But \"consent\" is only getting the player to push a button.\n\nWhat to get from this:\n\n * If a player is asleep, you can pickup the player's hand and push the button for them, thereby initiating a duel. Since the sleeping player is unprepared, you can kill the person. Hence a \"sleep-PK\" in an inner-area. (episode 5)\n * The entire arc of inner-area PKs were actually fake PKs using the \"durability\" of the clothing.\n\n* * *\n\nIn Alfheim Online, the details are less clear:\n\n * In hometowns, natives can attack outsiders, but outsiders can't attack natives.\n * There isn't much about duels. (At least I don't recall seeing anything about it.)\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:53:56.333", "id": "129", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T02:06:04.050", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T02:06:04.050", "last_editor_user_id": "17", "owner_user_id": "17", "parent_id": "122", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nWarning, there are spoilers in this answer if you haven't watched SAO\ncompletely yet.\n\nFor the SAO arc, outside of towns, you're constantly \"flagged\" for PvP. From\nthe beginnings, when you're getting explained how the players are divided:\n\n> Inside the city, or the places mostly referred to as «Safe Areas», there was\n> protection implemented by the system and players couldn't hurt each other.\n> But it wasn't like that outside. The stragglers made teams with other\n> stragglers and ambushed other players —which was in many ways much more\n> profitable than hunting monsters— out on the fields or the labyrinth areas.\n\nPlayers that commit crimes are marked orange (i.e., their cursor turns\norange). From when Kirito and Asuna encounter the troop from The Army in the\nforest:\n\n> More importantly, whenever a player committed a crime, their cursor would\n> turn orange and wouldn't turn back to green for a long time.\n\nNote that attacking an orange player doesn't change your cursor to orange.\nFrom when Asuna steps in to stop Kuradeel from killing Kirito:\n\n> Kuradeel bounced back up as if he had springs and attempted to form an\n> excuse with his nervous voice. But before he could finish, Asuna's right\n> hand flashed and the tip of her sword tore Kuradeel's mouth. She didn't\n> become a criminal since her opponent already had an orange cursor.\n\nInside of towns, you have the town protection in place, which doesn't allow\nopen PvP, so many new players originally stayed in town to be safe. You can\nattack other people in towns, but it won't do anything except for some special\nshiny effects and knockback.\n\nIf players engage in duels, there are several options:\n\n * First Strike Mode - from the duel against Kuradeel: \n\n> I nodded in reply, then pressed Yes and chose the «First Strike Mode» from\n> the options. This was a duel that could be won either by landing the first\n> clean hit or by reducing the opponent's HP to half.\n> * Complete Decisive Mode - from the Inner Area PK incident:\n\n> But unfortunately, there were still some loopholes around this rule. One of\n> them is when the player's sleeping. There are times when players, with their\n> energy exhausted through long durations of battle, are basically unconscious\n> when they go into a deep sleep, and unable to wake up even with some\n> stimulations. With that opportunity, one could raise a request to duel in\n> «Complete Decisive Mode» and moved the sleeping opponent's finger to press\n> on the OK button. All that was left was to literally make the opponent sleep\n> like the dead.\n\nThe other options are not explained or mentioned as far as I can see.\n\nFor the ALO arc, there's PvP against other fairy races in your native race's\n(controlled) towns. From when Lyfa/Suguha shows Kirito around meeting Sigurd:\n\n> Somehow, a circle of onlookers had already surrounded them, drawn by the\n> signs of trouble. If this was a formal duel, or if he were an actual\n> Spriggan spy, then fine. But it would be dishonorable if Sigurd instigated a\n> fight with a tourist like Kirito, who can't even fight back in this area.\n\nAnd in that same quote, it's mentioned that a \"formal duel\" is possible, but\nthat's not further explained. Outside of towns, you can fight without\nrestrictions. This can be seen by people just fighting about everywhere. Note\nthat if a race's lord is killed by another race, the other race will gain\ncontrol over that lord's territory. From when Lyfa explains why the Salamander\nwant to stop the Sylphid-Cait Sith alliance:\n\n> \"Also, if they kill the Lord, they will get some amazing bonuses. They will\n> unconditionally receive 30% of the lord's funds stored in the mansion, and\n> for ten days, the territory that the lord rules over would become occupied,\n> then they are free to set taxes and take that money. That is a tremendous\n> amount of money. The reason why Salamander became the largest force in the\n> game was because in the past, they had set a trap for Sylph's first Lord and\n> killed him. Normally lords don't venture into neutral territory. In the\n> history of ALO, only one lord has ever been killed.\"\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T02:02:57.207", "id": "133", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-29T10:00:31.947", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-29T10:00:31.947", "last_editor_user_id": "20", "owner_user_id": "20", "parent_id": "122", "post_type": "answer", "score": 19 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "128", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIn both the anime and manga Naruto often ends his sentences with either\n\"dattebayo\" or \"believe it\" in the English translations.\n\nWhy is this a thing?\n\nIs it meant to further his character or provide a bit of remembrance of his\ncharacter to the reader or viewer, or even other characters of the series?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:39:02.223", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "124", "last_activity_date": "2014-07-21T18:56:49.900", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T01:58:40.650", "last_editor_user_id": "25", "owner_user_id": "26", "post_type": "question", "score": 33, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Why does Naruto have a catch phrase?", "view_count": 4330 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn chapter 498 of the manga, it is mentioned that Naruto inherited this habit\nfrom his mother, Kushina, who would instead end her sentences with\n\"(Da)-ttebane\" ([だ]ってばね) when she got excited or angry. She also mentioned\nsomething along the lines of hoping that her son wouldn't inherit this habit.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T01:52:30.600", "id": "128", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T01:52:30.600", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "124", "post_type": "answer", "score": 42 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "134", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nAt the end of _Fate/Zero_ , why did the Holy Grail materialize for Kiritsugu\n(Episode 24, 23:30) when Saber, Matou Kariya, Kotomine Kirei and Gilgamesh\nwere still alive?\n\nKirei should still have been alive because he was merely unconscious and\nwatching Kiritsugu's visions within the Grail. According to what Kirei\nexplained to Gilgamesh in order to \"plead for his life\" (Episode 17, 23:30),\nall seven servants must be \"sacrificed\" before the Grail can be activated.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T02:01:37.410", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "132", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T03:35:02.823", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T03:35:02.823", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "97", "post_type": "question", "score": 7, "tags": [ "fate-zero" ], "title": "What happened at the end of Fate/Zero?", "view_count": 79696 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAt some point in the Fate/Stay Night game, it's revealed that the holy grail\ncan be summoned without having sacrificed all of the necessary servants. The\ngrail won't be all-powerful, but it should still be plenty powerful for most\nwishes. Because the grail was activated while some of the servants were still\nalive, it was not at full power, hence the destruction (the only wish it is\nable to grant in its current corrupted form) is less than what it could be.\n\nSpoilers for F/SN game:\n\n> The fact that the grail wasn't all-powerful and yet still caused so much\n> destruction is why Kotomine sets in motion the events of the 5th grail war.\n> By keeping Gilgamesh and beating the newly summoned servants, Kotomine would\n> be able to see the grail at full power. In fact, six servants would be\n> sufficient for any wish \"within the limits of this world\" (whatever that\n> means), but Kotomine wants to know what would happen with all seven.\n\nThis is also important for at least one F/SN route:\n\n> On the UBW good end, the grail is summoned while both Saber and Archer are\n> present. The fact that Archer is still alive is not known at the time, even\n> to Gilgamesh. In this case, the grail was summoned into an impure vessel as\n> well, because Gilgamesh believes that the more corrupt the vessel, the\n> greater the destruction it can bring.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T02:22:36.397", "id": "134", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T02:22:36.397", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "132", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 }, { "body": "\n\nIt's explained that the grail will materialize before it's fully \"filled\", but\nit's only complete once all 7 heroic spirits are dead. From the Novel when\nKariya hands over Irisviel to Kirei:\n\n> “To be precise, it is this homunculus. If one or two more Servants are\n> finished, then it will probably show its true form… I will prepare the\n> ritual to receive the Grail as it descends. Until that time, let this woman\n> also be temporarily under my protection.”\n\nAnd later, while Kirei and Kiritsu duel:\n\n> Directly above the big prop warehouse where the two men were, Irisviel’s\n> already-cold corpse was placed upon the raised stage of the music hall.\n> [...]\n>\n> After Archer’s victory, this vessel had finally absorbed the soul of the\n> fourth Servant. [...]\n>\n> The corpse of the beautiful homunculus was completely consumed by the heat\n> in the blink of an eye, and was reduced to ashes. That was not all. The\n> golden cup that had contacted the outside air charred the floor and the\n> curtains, and roaring flames enveloped the completely empty stage.\n>\n> On the stage where the fire was raging ever wilder, the golden cup floated\n> in the air as if it was upheld by a pair of invisible hands. The ceremony of\n> the descent of the Holy Grail, which the Three Noble Families of the\n> Beginning had desired so much, had begun silently even without the presence\n> of a priest\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T02:30:44.200", "id": "136", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T02:30:44.200", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "20", "parent_id": "132", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThe ending of FZ was a result of the Holy Grail not being complete due to the\nsacrifice of less than the necessary number of servants. It was still\nconsiderably powerful and able to destroy half of the city and reincarnate\nGilgamesh and resurrect Kotome Kerie.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-03-29T16:28:56.140", "id": "8354", "last_activity_date": "2014-03-29T16:28:56.140", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "4320", "parent_id": "132", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "150", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nAlmost every character in the Naruto series, from minor character to boss\nlevel character, uses this jutsu (Kawarimi no Jutsu).\n\nEver since I started watching the series, I wanted to know how this technique\nworks. It may look like a Ninjutsu 101 technique in the early parts of the\nseries, but in many of the serious fights later in the series, it seems to\nfool even the opponents who are well-versed in combat. Is this jutsu based on\nany real life technique?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T03:24:35.003", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "139", "last_activity_date": "2022-08-10T19:08:44.337", "last_edit_date": "2015-04-11T16:03:59.807", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "104", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "How does the substitution jutsu work?", "view_count": 7043 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAccording to [this](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Body_Replacement_Technique),\nit is indeed based on a real-life technique:\n\n> This technique is based on a real-life ninja art, kawarimi. It was an\n> ancient ninja art revolving around misdirection and the split-second timing\n> of a switch between a 'body' and a location, or between two or more bodies:\n> A technique utilized by ninja in ancient Japan, involving the ninja and\n> anything that can be mistaken for them, (such as a dummy or a mannequin).\n\nAs you mention, it is used by all levels of characters, because it is one of\nthe basic techniques being taught in the Academy.\n\nNow, for the \"it seems to fool even the opponents who are well versed in\ncombat\" part. This is also similar to the real word. For example, all boxers\nuse pretty much the same punches, yet some of them are much better than\nothers, meaning they also use those punches better (stronger, faster, etc).\n\nThat is why a technique performed by a stronger shinobi would also have a\nstronger effect, so if the opponents are close in power, they can still use\nthis jutsu to distract each other.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T06:35:26.033", "id": "150", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T06:35:26.033", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "111", "parent_id": "139", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nPrepare a log or a mannequin and a smoke bomb.\n\nPosition yourself where there are a lot of hiding spots or objects that block\nthe enemy's sight.\n\nThrow the smoke bomb, leave the log and start hiding REALLY FAST.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-12-22T04:20:07.973", "id": "37999", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-22T04:22:47.460", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-22T04:22:47.460", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "29892", "parent_id": "139", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nI'd like to weigh in on this question with some more info, because the\nquestion of how the technique works does not seem to be fully answered to me.\n\nA substitution is actually shown in full in episode 403: _Unwavering\nGutsiness_ at around 16 minutes in. Unfortunately, it's not a log\nsubstitution, but an insect one. Still, I imagine it's the same for a log.\nKiba and his teammates all move away at high speed while the insects take\ntheir place and transform into insect clones. Thus, it is as the [Naruto\nwiki](https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Body_Replacement_Technique) states:\n\n> The instant before they are to be struck by an attack, the user replaces\n> themselves with a block of wood or something similar. Because the attack\n> does hit something, opponents may briefly believe that they've successfully\n> struck the user. But this is merely an optical illusion and opponents will\n> quickly notice what's happened.\n\nSubstitutions are probably also shown at other points in the series or\nexplained. But from this scene, we can see that they aren't using\nteleportation or summoning jutsu to do the substitution, but rather that they\nsimply move away at high speed and hide, while leaving something to take their\nplace. Using smoke and other sleight-of-hand distractions are helpful in\ncreating the illusion, and we see the smoke a lot in the log substitutions in\n_Naruto_.\n\nAs stated in [SingerOfTheFall's\nanswer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/150/19307), ninja substitution is\nindeed part of the real world myths of ninjas in Japan, and appears a good\ndeal in their fictional works. Another description of the technique can be\nfound in _A Certain Scientific Railgun_ volume 14, by one of the ninja in the\n4-Koma at the end:\n\n> \"When you sense an incoming attack... You dress a log in your clothing...\n> And it takes the attack for you! The art of substitution! So secret and\n> difficult it's never been seen in battle!\"\n>\n> \"That's... Probably because if you're that fast, you have way less\n> complicated options, dummy!\"\n\nIn fact, all three of the 4-Koma at the end are about logs and substitution,\nand they kind of lampoon the popularity and ridiculousness of the technique,\nlike the second one where the ninja characters lament the suggestion of just\nusing a 3-D hologram:\n\n> [\"If we had city tech...\"]\n>\n> \"I wouldn't need to carry a log around all the time, for starters.\"\n>\n> \"Or a change of clothes for the log.\"\n>\n> \"Um, what about... a handy 3-D projector?\"\n>\n> \"But... B-But the look on your opponent's face when they realize they've\n> struck a log, of all things!\"\n>\n> \"But the log...!\"\n>\n> \"The log...\"\n>\n> \"Will you forget about the log for a second?!\"\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2022-08-10T19:08:44.337", "id": "67104", "last_activity_date": "2022-08-10T19:08:44.337", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "19307", "parent_id": "139", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "850", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIn Ranma 1/2, it's made obvious that Saotome Ranma speaks in a very casual and\ninformal way...but when I played a particular sound bite for some people who\nspeak Japanese (but who were not familiar with the anime), both of them seemed\nto think that the sound bite was from someone playing a member of the Yakuza.\n\nDoes Ranma really speak with such a provocative accent in general, or did I\npick a sound bite that just could happen to sound like that?\n\n(It's probably not critical to the question, but the bit I played, in case\nyou're curious, was from the \"Lambada / Ranma da\" song off of one of the\nsoundtracks where he says \"omee, kawaiku nee n da yo\")\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T03:27:24.287", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "140", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-31T04:09:51.500", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "36", "post_type": "question", "score": 8, "tags": [ "ranma" ], "title": "Does Saotome Ranma talk like a member of the Yakuza?", "view_count": 948 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe part you heard is Ranma’s catchphrase, which is something like “You are\nnot cute at all!” used as argument/conclusion with those endless fights with\nAkane, and not related to be ”yakuza-speak” at all if you ask me.\n\nIn my experience, there isn’t specific accent Yakuza people uses, atleast\ndifferent anime that features Yakuza. The words like aniki are much used to\nbring some feeling to the speak. I’d say it’s more of way of speaking than\ndifferent accent.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-19T08:26:47.160", "id": "687", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-19T08:26:47.160", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "204", "parent_id": "140", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nI was hoping a native Japanese speaker would answer this question, but it\ndoesn't seem like we have any at the moment so here's my best attempt.\n\nRanma speaks a bit like a yakuza, but that's not how it's supposed to be\ninterpreted. He does speak very rudely at times, but he's much closer to an\naverage delinquent's (ヤンキー or _yankee_ in Japanese) speech pattern than a\nyakuza's. The two manners of speaking are somewhat similar, because both of\nthem are rude and disrespectful towards authority, and also somewhat cocky,\nand indeed Ranma is supposed to come off as rude, cocky, and disrespectful to\nauthority. However, there are definite differences. I'd probably call yakuza-\nspeak a sub-dialect of yankee-speak, but it has a lot of specific properties\nwhich Ranma's speech doesn't.\n\nRather than describing both dialects here, it'll be easier to link to places\nthat have already done so. This [blog\npost](http://thedailyyoji.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post_27.html) describes\nsome basics of yankee speech.\n[Here](http://www.jingai.com/yakuza/introduction.html) are a few lessons on\nyakuza-speak. As you can see, there are similarities, but yakuza-speak goes a\nwhole lot farther in a lot of ways and has its own vocabulary. For instance,\nyakuza-speak usually has rolled Rs and slurred vowels (rare in yankee-speak),\nwhile both have some vowel changes. The difference is actually pretty similar\nto English. In English, if someone swears a lot and insults everyone all the\ntime, you wouldn't assume they were a gang member, but you'd probably expect\ngangsters to talk that way, and you probably also would find that person a bit\nunpleasant even if you didn't think of them as a gangster. In all cases I\nlooked at, Ranma seems to be squarely in the delinquent category, but not\nreally in the yakuza category.\n\nIn fact, there's somewhat of a spectrum of delinquents in Japanese culture,\nwith some speaking very similar to yakuza, and others not really fitting into\nthe yankee archetype at all. For instance, the delinquents in Beelzebub often\ndo roll their Rs and slur their vowels, but don't use most of the yakuza\nvocabulary. Ranma's speech is definitely less aggressive and offensive than\nthat, but still less respectful than how a normal person is expected to speak.\nOn the other end, Clannad's Okazaki Tomoya is a delinquent, but mostly speaks\nlike a normal guy, and doesn't fall into the yankee archetype at all. However,\nit would be wrong to construe any of these characters as yakuza members unless\nthere's evidence elsewhere. In some cases the more thugish of the delinquents\nmay even be in gangs, but yakuza is different from just ordinary gangs (a\nbetter analogy would be the mafia).\n\nHowever, the show is over 20 years old, and the yankee archetype, which was\nvery popular in the 1980s and early 1990s during a period when action and\nmartial arts shows were very popular, is much less common now. Ordinary\nJapanese people may not be as accustomed to it as they were at that time, so\nthere's somewhat more room for confusion now. Speech patterns have also\nevolved quite a bit in that time separating the two dialects more and pushing\nRanma further on the delinquent spectrum. Also, when Ranma transforms to a\ngirl, she still speaks the same way, even though women are expected to speak\nmore respectfully in Japanese society, which could lead to further confusion.\nAnd finally, the two dialects are definitely close, so some confusion is\npossible even without all the other factors.\n\nAs such, the misunderstanding is understandable, but if a person watched the\nshow from the beginning, they would definitely not get the impression that\nRanma is somehow related to the yakuza. Someone listening to the particular\nclips from the song you showed could easily make that mistake, since Ranma is\nspeaking in an especially angry tone (especially in his female form) at that\ntime and also because there isn't very much dialogue in the first place to\nmake the distinction.\n\nUnfortunately, the only source I have for this other than the above links and\nnumber of years of studying Japanese is a 5-minute conversation with one of my\nJapanese professors about this subject, so it's entirely possible that I'm\nwrong about some of the above assertions. However, I do think that I'm correct\nthat you aren't supposed to interpret Ranma as speaking like a member of the\nyakuza, just a particularly rude and cocky teenager.\n\nIt's also worth noting somewhere that the average Japanese person's perception\nof how yakuza speak is pretty different from how they actually speak. Most\nJapanese people only know the yakuza through yakuza movies, which use a fairly\nlimited subset of yakuza-speech to be easily understandable while still\nsounding authentic.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-31T04:09:51.500", "id": "850", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-31T04:09:51.500", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "140", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nWhat is the reason why the Celestial Spirits work for their wizards (such as\nLucy)? I understand that they have a contract, but why do they get into the\ncontract at all? I could not think of anything they gain from the contract.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T04:38:03.680", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "143", "last_activity_date": "2014-08-21T05:58:36.200", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "99", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "fairy-tail" ], "title": "Why do the Celestial Spirits work for their wizard?", "view_count": 2582 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI didn't manage to find any sources that answer this question exactly, but I'm\ngoing to speculate about it a little.\n\nMy opinion is that the spirits are _forced_ to appear once the wizard acquires\nthe key. The key, as we know, is usually required to open the gate though\nwhich the spirit comes from the spirit world. When the gates are opened in the\nfirst time, the wizard and the spirit make an agreement (e.g. on which days\nshould the spirit be summoned).\n\nNow, if you look at how do the spirits react when Lucy calls them, you may\nnotice some interesting things. For example, when she summons Aquarius,\nAquarius is often disappointed with Lucy, and shortly returns to the spirit\nword, sometimes refusing to do what Lucy asks for.\n\nOne might ask: _why in that case would the spirit even appear_? If Aquarius is\nnot in the mood, she could as well not appear at all, rather than be summoned\nand almost instantly go back (after a few insults towards Lucy, that is). That\nleads us to an assumption that the spirits can not actually refuse to be\nsummoned, and possessing the key almost equals possessing the spirit's\ncontract (they just have no other options).\n\nSome spirits, however, find benefits in working with the wizards, for example,\nTaurus enjoys being summoned because that way he can observe Lucy's body,\nwhich he admires.\n\nIn general, most of the spirits become very loyal to Lucy once she acquires\ntheir keys, so that is another argument for the assumption that possessing the\nkey forces the spirit to make the contract and work for the wizard.\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T11:50:28.500", "id": "190", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T11:50:28.500", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "111", "parent_id": "143", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nIn the episode where the Spirit King appeared because Lucy exclaimed that she\nwould change the rules of the spirit world, he said that the spirits and\nhumans had an agreement together. That \"agreement\" can mean the contract\nbetween the spirit and the wizard, or it can mean that something happened\nbetween the humans (probably wizards) and the spirits which made the spirits\nbe indebted to the humans, therefore, they pay it with their services to the\nhuman.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-05-07T09:17:20.383", "id": "3703", "last_activity_date": "2013-05-07T09:17:20.383", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "1750", "parent_id": "143", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nThis may not completely answer your question, but spirits are born to help\ntheir \"masters\" and carry out orders. Whether they listen to the wizard or not\ndepends on the spirit's personality. For example Aquarius would usually go\nright back to the spirit world after being called. But other spirits that have\nmore loyalty towards Lucy would stay by her side.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-08-21T05:26:28.553", "id": "13544", "last_activity_date": "2014-08-21T05:58:36.200", "last_edit_date": "2014-08-21T05:58:36.200", "last_editor_user_id": "7579", "owner_user_id": "8075", "parent_id": "143", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "476", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nThe in-game encyclopedia entry for Rider in Fate/Stay night lists her as\nchaotic good. This is true regardless of what route you are on and who is her\nmaster. However, at several points in the story she is noted as being evil,\nand it's said that the only reason she (along with a few other servants) could\nbe summoned is because the holy grail was corrupted. These seem to pretty\nstrongly contradict each other.\n\nAm I missing something subtle (maybe a translation issue, or maybe I'm\nmisunderstanding alignment) or is this a mistake by TYPE-MOON and Rider should\nbe listed as evil in the encyclopedia?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T05:08:29.233", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "144", "last_activity_date": "2016-07-24T10:57:37.917", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "fate-stay-night" ], "title": "In the Fate/Stay Night Visual Novel, why is Rider listed as Chaotic Good?", "view_count": 3320 }

[ { "body": "\n\nFundamentally, Rider doesn't seem to shy away from evil deeds - most notably\nher actions at the school. She doesn't perform them with glee, but unlike,\nsay, Saber, she doesn't resist her Master's commands when they lead her in\nthat direction.\n\nI tried to obtain a full transcript of the game to analyze every time she is\nmentioned as \"evil\"; however I couldn't find any. The following is from my\nmemory: Most narration is made from the standpoint of another character,\nusually Emiya Shirou. And you can't blame him, or his compatriots, for\nlabeling Rider as evil; however, most of this is more due to her Master's\norders.\n\n> In Heaven's Feel, Rider's true goal is revealed - and it is, in fact, a\n> noble one. All of the previous events are implied to have been because of\n> her loyalty to Sakura - disobeying Zouken or Shinji would have had direct\n> repercussions on her. In fact, Rider is significantly more powerful in\n> Heaven's Feel than in any other path - this is most likely due to a\n> reluctance and half-heartedness when obeying Shinji; in other words, she was\n> faking it and not giving her all in hopes of being defeated.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-15T13:53:37.737", "id": "476", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-15T13:53:37.737", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "180", "parent_id": "144", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nChaotic Good basically means you´ll do whatever it takes to complete a noble\ngoal. Gilgamesh´s Chaotic Good is what he was for the most of his life, where\nhe was at first a massive jerk and a tyrant, but after befriending Enkidu he\nbecame a fair king with a habit of using force against anything hostile with a\npulse, hence the Chaotic bit. But due to the depression from Enkidu´s death\nand the craziness he got from the Grail (he wasn´t corrupted by it, but it\ndid, according to Nasu, make him alot less sane), He´s more akin to Lawful\nEvil in Zero (pre-grail bath) and Chaotic Evil in Stay/Night.\n\nBasically, Rider means well but is willing to do things that could be\nconsidered evil for her goal.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-02-10T20:50:34.547", "id": "2431", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-16T00:43:28.660", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-16T00:43:28.660", "last_editor_user_id": "1446", "owner_user_id": "1446", "parent_id": "144", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nI shouldn't reply to an old post, but I will leave this here for people who\nmay end up here like me.\n\nIn the Nasuverse, or at least in the Fate series, the usage of \"traditional\nD&D alignement\" isn't precise. Well, it is precise but in a different\ninterpretation.\n\nThe Good vs Evil axis regards not the moral of the person but his personality.\nGood and Evil are personality types, good means open, brave, honest and\nmagnimonious. Evil means selfish, cowardly, sly and focused on self-\ngratification. It also regards how, even unconsciously, a person see himself.\n\nFor example: Medea knows that what she is doing is bad/evil (harming people\nfor her own good), and she does so following a selfish desire. Meanwhile,\nGilgamesh, who want to fuck up the entire world is doing this on a honest\nproposal to save humanity. In his own way, but that's his objective.\n\nLaw and Chaos are principals- Law means you care about some likely very\nabstract concept to the point of total self-denial. Chaos means you feel no\nobligation towards anything but your own whims. A Lawful-Nasu character, also,\nfollows more rigid and generally good (in our traditional interpretation)\nmorals, while Chaotics are generally connected to no-morals whatsoever, only\nthinking about their true desire, and so are more \"evil\" in a traditional way.\n\nThis is shown, again, in Gilgamesh and Medea, with a little bit of Cu and\nSaber. Gilgamesh (chaotic) even if he is working to improve humanity, he does\nso without any consideration for little lives but an eye on the general\ncondition of the race. Killing something like 90% of humanity is good, if it\nhelps the remaining 10% to reach a better condition.\n\nMedea is evil indeed, but not without any consideration. Just watch how she\nharms people, but avoid kills and has a particular hate for harming children.\nShe isn't complitely without any moral lines.\n\nWhile Lawful sees a perfect example in Saber and I guess that it is enough.\nMoral, putting oneself in danger for a greater good, following a (strict) code\nof behaviour and so one. But she is Good. Cu is an example of the same thing,\nbut on a neutral level.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-07-24T10:57:37.917", "id": "34409", "last_activity_date": "2016-07-24T10:57:37.917", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "26347", "parent_id": "144", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIn around chapter 592-596 of _One Piece_ , Buggy the Clown mentioned that\nSilver Rayleigh is Luffy's uncle. This implies that Rayleigh's sister should\nbe Dragon's wife.\n\nWho is Monkey D Dragon's wife/Luffy's mother?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T05:11:13.490", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "145", "last_activity_date": "2020-12-23T08:43:23.900", "last_edit_date": "2019-11-02T16:32:15.927", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "108", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "one-piece" ], "title": "Who is Monkey D Dragon's wife/Luffy's mother?", "view_count": 35004 }

[ { "body": "\n\nNo mention has yet been made of Luffy's mother at all, the idea of her hasn't\neven been brought up. Very few characters have been mentioned to have mothers\nat all for some reason.\n\nIn Japanese as in many Asian countries, they use the idea of \"Uncle\" or \"Big\nbrother\" differently to in English speaking countries. It just means an older\nperson you respect, and doesn't imply a blood relation at all. By far most\nlikely what happened is Buggy called Rayleigh \"Uncle Rayleigh\" as Rayleigh\nused to be his first mate when he was a cabin boy.\n\nSo in summary, there is nothing said about Luffy's mother, nor any hints\ngiven, and it's incredibly unlikely that Buggy was saying that Rayleigh is\nLuffy's uncle, which doesn't happen in the manga anyway.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-12-20T12:18:47.203", "id": "16929", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-20T12:18:47.203", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "4515", "parent_id": "145", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nIn [SBS Volume 44, Chapter\n424](https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/SBS_Volume_44#Chapter_424.2C_Page_106),\nOda hinted that Luffy's parents would appear in the next volume, Volume 45.\n\n> **D: Oda-sensei!! I have a serious question. Will you ever draw Luffy's\n> parents?** P.N. Mr. Uni, Age 16\n>\n> O: His parents? Well, I think you will be pleased with the next volume. Get\n> excited!\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2015-08-10T17:31:22.140", "id": "23952", "last_activity_date": "2019-11-02T16:32:18.887", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "108", "parent_id": "145", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "257", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIn chapter 116 of the _Bleach_ manga, Ichigo finally meets Rukia in her tower\n(well, in fact, on the bridge) right after Byakuya has easily defeated Ganjyu,\nand Ukitake stopped him from finishing Ganjyu off.\n\nHowever, when Ichigo tries to fight Byakuya, Yoruichi hits him in the stomach,\nand runs away carrying Ichigo. A little later, in chapter 120, when Ichigo\ncomplains about it, she says that he \"had no chance of surviving that fight\",\nand that \"no one could have survived a fight against Byakuya\".\n\nWhile I have no doubt that Ichigo in his condition was no match for Byakuya,\nthat phrase still confuses me. I can understand why Yoruichi thinks she would\nnot be able to do it, since she has been in cat form for a long time, and\nmentions that she had \"gone a lot weaker\". However, Ukitake was on the bridge\nas well, and since we know he's a kind man, it is safe to assume that he would\ntry to stop Byakuya from killing people (as he did for Ganjyu).\n\nSo did Yoruichi imply that Ukitake is also weaker than Byakuya, and had no\nchance of surviving a fight with him either? Wouldn't that be _really_\ndebatable?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T05:49:04.090", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "146", "last_activity_date": "2016-04-07T03:36:55.320", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-12T12:46:37.393", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "111", "post_type": "question", "score": 10, "tags": [ "bleach" ], "title": "Why does Yoruichi say, \"No one there could have survived a fight against Byakuya,\" in Bleach chapter 120?", "view_count": 4716 }

[ { "body": "\n\nBleach characters often tend to exaggerate about things to make them more\ndramatic (it's really a Kubo trait).\n\nShe was referring that at that time, no one in the area would be able to fight\noff Byakuya:\n\n * Ichigo wouldn't stand a chance.\n * Yuroichi was weakened after a century of avoiding a battle.\n * Ukitake was sick, and weaker.\n\nHence, no one could match Byakuya at the time.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T10:20:53.400", "id": "183", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T19:14:09.603", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T19:14:09.603", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "146", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nIt was likely a situational fact.\n\n * Ichigo had resolved the fight between him and Kenpachi, so he was physically weak. He wouldn't have been capable of fighting Byakuya in that state.\n * Yoruichi hadn't been in battle in over a hundred years. While she (somewhat) maintained her Flash Step, she couldn't have engaged him in a head-on battle.\n * It was _very unlikely_ for Ukitake to intervene in the fighting, him being a fellow Officer, and while Ukitake would have been interested in protecting his subordinate, he wouldn't have immediately sided with the outsiders against the growing threat to Soul Society.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:50:48.197", "id": "257", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T18:50:48.197", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "102", "parent_id": "146", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "779", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\n\"Elfen Lied\" (エルフェンリート, Erufen Rīto) has a rather confusing plot and setting\nin the anime version alone; the bits of the setting which I glimpsed from\ndiscussions about it hint at the original manga being even more complex in the\nrelationship department between the characters and organisations. It doesn't\nhelp that the manga wasn't finished by the time the anime was produced, which\nvery likely leads to inconsistencies between the two with material which so\nheavily relies on uncovering secrets to drive its story forward.\n\nHow does the plot (as opposed to superficial details, like location or hair\ncolour) differ between the anime and manga, then?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T06:30:04.683", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "149", "last_activity_date": "2019-03-14T18:56:20.717", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-14T16:49:07.363", "last_editor_user_id": "107", "owner_user_id": "48", "post_type": "question", "score": 35, "tags": [ "elfen-lied" ], "title": "How does the plot of Elfen Lied anime differ from the manga?", "view_count": 34408 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe anime is mostly the same up to about _half_ the manga. The end of the\nmanga, when Lucy goes on the bridge and loses her horn while being shot is the\nsame in the manga. I think the only thing from the latter parts that were\nincluded in the anime was the side-story OVA which featured some of Lucy's\npast and the reason why she didn't attack Director Kurama from the research\ncontainment facility where Lucy escaped. I could be misremembering, though.\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:12:16.587", "id": "167", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T08:12:16.587", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "20", "parent_id": "149", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nClearly, the anime does not cover the whole story. One of the major plot\npoints in the whole series is the execution of the plan to eliminate homo-\nsapiens by the research facility, which involves spreading the virus through a\nlarge population by using a missile. We could say that this is half of the\nwhole story and the anime only covered the first half.\n\nThe relationship between Lucy and Kouta is very similar in both the anime and\nthe manga. The major difference is the fact that Kouta is a bit more agressive\nregarding avenging his father and his sister, but in both cases he still tries\nto protect Lucy (not forgiving her though).\n\nThe bridge incident (the ending of the anime) also differs slightly. Mariko\ndoes forgive her father and engages Lucy in a battle. She uses the explosives\nwithin her to attempt to kill Lucy (thus, her father actually survives and is\nnot killed). She fails and Lucy merely loses her horns.\n\nThere obviously are a bunch of characters not introduced in the anime. Most of\nthem are not critical for the storyline, though, which might explain their\nexclusion at first.\n\nOne of the biggest discussions regarding the anime is whether Lucy died or not\nat the ending. Technically, from the point of view of the manga, the answer is\nno - she actually survived the bridge incident. She loses her horns, which\ndisables the \"evil\" Lucy and keeps her as Nyuu. The horns grow back, however.\n\nAt first, it doesn't seem like the anime is capable of continuing, since they\nkilled Mariko's father (whose name I forgot), who plays rather important roles\nthrough the rest of the manga. This is fixable though, they just need to do a\nfew tweaks and make a new scene where he somehow survives the bridge\nexplosion.\n\nSo, yes: the main difference is the fact that the anime only covers half of\nthe story, and kills some people who shouldn't have died.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-22T23:59:46.973", "id": "779", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-22T23:59:46.973", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "261", "parent_id": "149", "post_type": "answer", "score": 19 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "161", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nWhat are the demon-like entities shown at end of _Madoka Magica_ , which\nHomura is now fighting instead of witches?\n\nAnd what does Homura's explanation mean, regarding how these demons replaced\nwitches?\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T06:47:21.053", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "153", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-08T02:55:32.830", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-08T02:55:32.830", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "115", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "madoka-magica" ], "title": "What are the demons at the end of Madoka Magica?", "view_count": 2329 }

[ { "body": "\n\nDuring the conversation between Kyubey and Homura near the end of the final\nepisode of the series, Homura mentions that although Madoka's wish prevented\nwitches from being born, the curses from the human world still remained and\ncontinue to haunt humanity in the form of \"magical beasts\" (魔獣), which are\ndemonic forces of unknown nature.\n\nThe new role of magical girls now is to defeat these demons, gather their\ncurses in the forms of small cube fragments, and have Kyubey harvest them, in\norder to slow the effects of entropy on the universe.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:32:16.903", "id": "161", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-08T02:10:49.800", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-08T02:10:49.800", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "153", "post_type": "answer", "score": 11 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "174", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nAt first they stopped the production from 2000 until 2009, even though the\nmanga is released every week and has already gained a lot of episodes and\npopularity. Why would they not make more chapters of anime?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T06:52:07.100", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "154", "last_activity_date": "2013-09-20T18:25:39.430", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "85", "post_type": "question", "score": 0, "tags": [ "hajime-no-ippo" ], "title": "Why Hajime no Ippo stop producing more episodes?", "view_count": 8400 }

[ { "body": "\n\nProbably the anime wasn't profitable enough to mantain a stable series. Hajime\nno Ippo's manga sells well, but not overwhelming well despite it's lots of\nvolumes (more than 100, selling way less than big blockbusters like Naruto or\nOne Piece, which have half that amount), so while being popular it isn't a big\nhit like other series. The old-school graphic aspect may be another issue,\nthat style don't sell well nowadays.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:37:55.613", "id": "174", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T08:37:55.613", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "154", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "173", "answer_count": 7, "body": "\n\nIs there a website or any kind of document that shows all currently airing\nseries in Japan? Airing dates and times would be great too.\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:00:50.660", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "156", "last_activity_date": "2014-04-09T15:29:59.577", "last_edit_date": "2014-03-17T20:08:19.737", "last_editor_user_id": "1908", "owner_user_id": "115", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "resources" ], "title": "Where do I find a table / listing of all currently airing anime series?", "view_count": 4976 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThere's a MAL Group that updates with the season, has airing dates for all the\nanime airing during that time and such. [It's right\nhere.](http://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=743)\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:42:59.663", "id": "163", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T07:42:59.663", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "58", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 }, { "body": "\n\nI always use [Mahou.org](http://www.mahou.org/Showtime/?o=ET), which not only\ntells you what is airing, but gives you up-to-the-minute information on\nprecisely when it is airing. However, you'll need to cross-check the listed\nshows with some other site like [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/),\n[AniDB](http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=main) (note the convenient\nlinks to the right of the table), or [ANN's\nEncyclopedia](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/) if you want\ndescriptions.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:50:09.753", "id": "164", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T08:01:32.873", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T08:01:32.873", "last_editor_user_id": "24", "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nThere's [AnimeCalendar](http://animecalendar.net), which, when you make an\naccount and are logged in, lets you filter the series and also convert to your\nlocal timezone.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:24:01.413", "id": "169", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T08:24:01.413", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "20", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nThere is also the [Fansub\nWiki](http://www.fansubwiki.com/Who_Subs_What%3a_WINTER_2012) which separates\nout each season, includes the time/date/channel, is updated (at least\nregularly enough these days) to show which shows get picked up by which groups\nthat aren't licensed by U.S. distributors. Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Sentai\npick up large handfuls of shows each season these days so the actual fansub\ngroups are less relevant now.\n\n* * *\n\nEDIT:\n\nI just noticed today that [ANN has an upcoming anime\nlist](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime/upcoming/tv).\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:27:57.520", "id": "171", "last_activity_date": "2013-03-29T17:38:58.377", "last_edit_date": "2013-03-29T17:38:58.377", "last_editor_user_id": "91", "owner_user_id": "91", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nI use <http://countdown.mandragon.info/> which shows the day and time of the\nnext episode for currently airing shows and dates for shows that will be\nbroadcast soon.\n\nEdit: This site is now down, so I'll recommend another one I use often:\n<http://anichart.net/>\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:36:35.633", "id": "173", "last_activity_date": "2014-04-09T15:29:59.577", "last_edit_date": "2014-04-09T15:29:59.577", "last_editor_user_id": "127", "owner_user_id": "127", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\n[Neregate](http://neregate.com/blog/anime-charts/) also has charts of all\nanimes, OVAs/movies/whatever else will be airing the next season. (So you can\ncheck what was the \"next season\" of last season, i.e. this season.)\n\nNote that while the charts on Neregate are family-friendly, other elements of\nthe website may contain NSFW content.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T09:07:20.513", "id": "176", "last_activity_date": "2014-03-17T20:09:58.460", "last_edit_date": "2014-03-17T20:09:58.460", "last_editor_user_id": "1908", "owner_user_id": "103", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nWikipedia has listings of anime per year. For example: [Anime Television\nSeries of\n2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:2012_anime_television_series).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T11:41:08.617", "id": "189", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T11:41:08.617", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "21", "parent_id": "156", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "168", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nThere are many people in SAO who committed crimes (such as doing PK), yet\nmanaged to survive until the end of the game. What happened to them after\nthat? Did they go to trial and get sentenced to prison?\n\nIf that's the case, what about people (like Kirito) who killed others\ninvoluntarily in self-defense? Were they exempted from trial?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:14:57.083", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "157", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-06T06:59:22.987", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-06T06:59:22.987", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "115", "post_type": "question", "score": 18, "tags": [ "sword-art-online" ], "title": "What happened to people who committed crimes (such as killing) in SAO?", "view_count": 1734 }

[ { "body": "\n\nFrom the end of the ALO arc in the novel, where Kirito thinks about his school\nand the policy to avoid using in-game names:\n\n> In this special «school», the students were players who had been in middle\n> or high school before the SAO incident. Those orange players with a serious\n> history of murder were undergoing more than one year of counseling that\n> included treatment and observation. People like me who attacked others for\n> self-defense, were inquired without leaving a criminal record like theft or\n> blackmail.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:14:49.243", "id": "168", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T08:14:49.243", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "20", "parent_id": "157", "post_type": "answer", "score": 19 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "165", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nThe original format for Full Metal Panic is\n[novels](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Full_Metal_Panic!_light_novels).\nBut which novels have been translated to manga form, and what chapters/series\ndoes each manga correspond to? And of those, which do the Anime series map to?\nOr is there much correlation at all?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:30:43.593", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "160", "last_activity_date": "2014-06-03T09:09:47.620", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T07:38:05.703", "last_editor_user_id": "118", "owner_user_id": "118", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "full-metal-panic" ], "title": "Which Full Metal Panic novels correlate to which Manga/Anime Series?", "view_count": 13936 }

[ { "body": "\n\nEach manga series is their own retelling of the light novels. Currently there\nare 6 manga series that each tell their own story. Currently, there is the\noriginal, Overload, Comic Mission, Surplus, Sigma, Another, and most recently,\nZero.\n\nThe original, titled **Full Metal Panic!** is the first manga of the series,\nby Retsu Tateo. This covers the first season of the anime. It follows it\npretty closely with the anime, but there are some subtle differences. The\nseries ends after the Tuatha de Danaan hijacking is resolved.\n\n**Overload** does not follow any of the anime at all and was published as a\ntype of side story that is not related to the anime or the light novels.\n**Surplus** is basically the (1 volume) sequel to Overload. None of this is\ncanon, it's essentially an officially-published doujinshi.\n\n**Comic Mission** is more of a light-hearted side story (by the same artist as\nthe original), like _Fumoffu_ , that deviates from the main mecha story. Each\nchapters is more or less a self contained short story. Certain stories like\n\"Cinderella Panic\" are from the light novel's side stories while other are\noriginal scenarios.\n\n**Sigma** is a continuation of the anime, but illustrated by a different\nartist (Ueda Hiroshi). It begins around the same time as _The Second Raid_\n(Volume 4: _Ending Day By Day_ ). This manga parallels the light novels and\npicks up where TSR left off and deals with the events after it. This series is\nmeant to be a continuation of the original manga.\n\n**Another** is another story in the _Full Metal Panic_ universe, set 11 years\nafter the events in the original FMP series with Sosuke and Kaname, with a new\nprotagonist, new heroine. Lina (short for: Adelina Aleksandrovna Kerenskaya)\nis an AS pilot for the PMC, known as DOMS (Dana O'Shee Military Service),\nwhich seems to be have been created by Tessa and run by Mao. The male\nprotagonist, who looks like Sousuke, is Tatsuya Ichinose, he is the son of a\nPower Slave (PS) mechanic. PSes are AS made for civilian use, like\nconstruction.\n\nThe [**Zero** series](http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/11/10/a-look-\nat-rideback-authors-take-on-full-metal-panic-manga), scheduled to be released\nJanuary of 2013, is a retelling of the light novel by Tetsuro Kasahara, the\nauthor of Rideback. This series starts, like the light novel and anime, just\nbefore Sousuke gets the mission to guard Kaname. The only thing new (so far)\nabout this series is the art.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:58:45.683", "id": "165", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-26T07:01:41.347", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-26T07:01:41.347", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "160", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nAccording to the 2nd episode, Kirito and Asuna met in the first month of SAO.\nYet 2 years later, they meet again and it seems they are like complete\nstrangers.\n\nWhat happened to them in those 2 years? Do the light novels explain this?\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T07:33:17.257", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "162", "last_activity_date": "2018-09-20T00:09:52.663", "last_edit_date": "2013-05-22T17:53:57.193", "last_editor_user_id": "24", "owner_user_id": "115", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "sword-art-online" ], "title": "What happened between Kirito and Asuna in those 2 years?", "view_count": 9633 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn the anime, a _lot_ happens to Kirito through those two years.\n\n * He distances himself from other players after clearing the first floor's boss, due to him being identified as a \"Beater\" (beta tester/cheater). When he does run into people he knows from the real world...\n\n> ...he reluctantly agrees to join a guild with them, then they go on a raid\n> and it winds up costing all of his friends their lives. He shoulders that\n> grief for the next two years.\n\n * He tells Asuna to go ahead and join a guild if she sees an opportunity, due to her strength.\n\n * He never really got to _know_ her in the short period of time they interacted when clearing that boss, except for the fact that this was her first MMO, and that she was surprisingly talented.\n\nTwo years later, they reunite - recognizing each other from the boss raid they\ndid way back when. That's about all they could recognize each other from,\nanyway. In that time, they've both become very strong SAO players, and are\nfighting on the front lines, determined to clear the game.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-21T06:09:22.260", "id": "727", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-21T06:09:22.260", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "102", "parent_id": "162", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 }, { "body": "\n\nDuring the two years, players teamed up to clear the floors. However Kirito\ndecided to solo the game (heavily influenced by Sachi's death ep. 3). This\nmade contact between other players uncommon. Even though Kirito was a solo\nplayer, he participated in Boss Battles.\n\nBefore the boss battles he talked with other players for strategy. Asuna being\none of the leaders, and Kirito being one of the strongest of players, would\ntalk to each other or at least be in the same area.\n\nIt was referenced during the time of Gleam Eyes (Boss of the 74th Floor) when\nKlein found Kirito in a party with Asuna.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-21T08:39:28.787", "id": "735", "last_activity_date": "2014-07-17T18:03:04.650", "last_edit_date": "2014-07-17T18:03:04.650", "last_editor_user_id": "7597", "owner_user_id": "175", "parent_id": "162", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 }, { "body": "\n\nThey both meet at a guild, trying to beat the first level, and they formed a\ngroup. Kirito becomes a solo player, then plays in a guild called “The Moonlit\nBlack Cats”. They then meet again, and sort of like each other. Asuna wants to\nquit the “Knights of the Blood Oath” but Heathcliff stops them. Kirito\nchallenges him, and the leader turns out to be Akahiko Kayaba (the creator of\nSAO). As a result, Kirito try’s to stab him, but Heathcliff prevents himself\nfrom dying with an immortal shield. Kirito then has a fight with Heathcliff.\nThen, Kirito gets almost killed before Asuna comes to save him and dies\ninstead. Kirito says he wants to be here for sleeping today.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2013-05-14T04:28:01.363", "id": "3787", "last_activity_date": "2018-09-20T00:09:52.663", "last_edit_date": "2018-09-20T00:09:52.663", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "1781", "parent_id": "162", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nOk, so kirito first met asuna while clearing the first floor. They team up,\nand beat the boss. They later meet while buying bread and after that when\nkirito is sleeping and the whole grimlock thing happens. That basically is\nwhat happens in the two years.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-02-14T00:16:55.320", "id": "7495", "last_activity_date": "2014-02-14T00:16:55.320", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "3727", "parent_id": "162", "post_type": "answer", "score": -3 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "642", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nSome of the Puella Magi seem to have magical powers related to the wishes that\nthey made. Sayaka has regeneration abilities, and she wished to heal someone.\nHomura has time manipulation abilities, and she wished to go back in time.\n\nBut other magical girls, like Mami and Kyouko, don't appear to have powers\nrelated to their respective wishes.\n\nSo, is there a connection, or is it only a coincidence for Sayaka and Homura?\nIf it's the former, how do Mami and Kouko's wishes relate to their powers?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T08:06:40.063", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "166", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-05T04:21:36.687", "last_edit_date": "2015-09-06T05:23:45.540", "last_editor_user_id": "16253", "owner_user_id": "115", "post_type": "question", "score": 18, "tags": [ "madoka-magica" ], "title": "In Madoka Magica, are the girls' powers related to their wishes?", "view_count": 9285 }

[ { "body": "\n\nFrom an interview in the July 2011 issue of Megami, [as translated on the\nPuella Magi Wiki](http://wiki.puella-\nmagi.net/Megami_Magazine_2011-07#Mami.27s_Wish):\n\n> There's a few place in the script that I'd like to touch on, first about\n> Mami and Kyoko. How is their \"wish\" connected to their powers when they\n> became magical girls? In Mami's case, her wish \"to connect to life\"\n> [editor's note: she wanted to live] gave her the power to \"tie\" and\n> \"combine\" things together. That's why her power comes from the ribbon. By\n> using the ribbon as a weapon, she can use that to produce guns that are\n> useful in a battle. In ep3, Homura is stopped in her tracks by being tied\n> up. That is her true magical power. She has the most experience so has a lot\n> of different magical powers beyond those of her original powers.\n\nAnd as for Kyouko (same source, [different section](http://wiki.puella-\nmagi.net/Megami_Magazine_2011-07#Kyoko.27s_Power)):\n\n> Regarding Kyoko, it [her magic power] is really very special. Because she\n> got her wish of \"getting people to listen\" while in fact it was something\n> like charming or hallucination, she got the magic power related to those\n> things. However, because she lost her family, she totally negated those\n> power with her subconscious mind. As a result, she fought only with the\n> magic power she learnt later. This is the \"hidden setting\" (ura-settei) for\n> her, although we never got to tell it in the anime.\n\nThese answers were given by Urobuchi Gen, the writer for Madoka. Since he is\nexplaining the relationship between Mami and Kyouko's wishes and their powers,\nI'd say it's safe to take this as official confirmation there is indeed an\nintentional relationship.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-18T01:34:36.917", "id": "642", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-18T01:34:36.917", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "107", "parent_id": "166", "post_type": "answer", "score": 25 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "184", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nSince episode 279, the _One Piece_ anime doesn't have ending songs. Instead,\nit has long openings: almost 3 minutes, instead of the usual 1:30 openings.\n\nWhat was the reason for this change?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T09:06:51.410", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "175", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-18T16:27:42.890", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:36:05.730", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "31", "post_type": "question", "score": 14, "tags": [ "one-piece", "theme-song" ], "title": "Why did the anime stop having ending songs since episode 279?", "view_count": 21021 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThere could be lots of reasons they did that, the most logical being that it\nwas a production decision, they'll rather pay royalties or have one song made\nthan two, less time and money spent on one 3 min song than two shorter ones.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T10:06:40.277", "id": "182", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T10:06:40.277", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "175", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nI don't think any official explanations were given (I tried to search but\nthere are only speculations).\n\nI think the most probable reason is the fact that when you're watching\nbroadcasts on TV, as soon as the ending theme song pops up you change to\nanother channel. Almost nobody watches the ending credits/openings and this is\ntrue also for other things. Think about when you go to the movies: when the\ncredits starts rolling, is there someone that will stay sit there? Maybe, but\nthat's quite rare. Same for movies on TV, you usually change it because... you\nreally don't care, unless you need to look up some actor/character in those\nrare occasions.\n\nFor this reason, and I'm quite convinced this is the case, they cut the ending\ntheme song, made the opening longer and put the credits there instead. More\npeople are likely to watch it, not just those that like the song, but also\nonce you get to the channel, you're less likely to change it _just because_ it\nhasn't started yet.\n\nAlong with the recap, this makes the \"opening part\" much longer, even cutting\nfrom the usual ~24 minutes of actual episode time.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T10:21:35.327", "id": "184", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T10:21:35.327", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "175", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nThey simply wanted to change things up because _One Piece_ had been on the air\nfor so long. The theme songs are meant to be catchy little jingles by famous\nartists in Japan. _One Piece_ had basically surpassed a whole generation of\npeople, so there is really no need for two anymore.\n\nThey need a longer opening sequence to either re-familiarize long term viewers\nor new ones who hadn't seen the first 500 episodes. _One Piece_ started\nsimulcasting around \"Thriller Bark\" arc, as mentioned most people don't sit\naround to watch. Maybe if it was on actual Japanese TV where there's another\nshow they want to watch next, but not with simulcasting.\n\nAnd finally, there had been too much filler, so they tested out a huge\nanniversary opening before making this change. During this anniversary event,\nthey remade the classic \"We Are\" song, animated all the cover stories. This\nmarked the beginning of the change and there hasn't been an ED since. The way\nopening and ending credits are handled is also 100% artistic.\n\nTake _Supernatural_ for instance, whose opening credits basically consist of\nwhat happened so far mixed with music in a huge montage of previous episodes\nthen throwing you right into the action, or sleepy hollow whose opening\ncredits don't happen until 15 minutes into the episode.\n\nThe whole thing is practicality and art. There's no actual rules that say this\nis how OP and ED should go. As long as the actors are credited, that's all\nthat matters.\n\nI suggest you look up some different shows and see how OP and ED are handled,\nlike some different ones.\n\nYou'd be surprised how versatile it all is, especially in other countries\n(such as Korean dramas, which don't technically have OP and ED as far as i can\ntell)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-06-20T03:38:18.260", "id": "40958", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:40:17.117", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:40:17.117", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "33180", "parent_id": "175", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\n**It's to increase ads revenue** and reduce production cost at the same time.\n\nHistorically, this happened _at the same time_ when the timeslot for _One\nPiece_ on Fuji TV was moved from Sunday 19:00 JST (Golden Time, the Japanese\nequivalent to [prime time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_time#Japan)) to\nSunday 9:30 JST (Local Sales Time -- timeslot for procuring program sponsors\nat each broadcast stations [[Japanese\nWikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AB%E6%9E%A0)])\non October 2006. The reason for moving the timeslot was said due to the\nremoval of anime timeslot during Golden Time and replaced by variety shows\ninstead (in-effect until now).\n\nIt also went into some structural changes:\n\n * **Before episode 279** : OP (1:50) - sponsor (10s) - CM - A part - CM - B part - ED (1:10) - preview (30s) - sponsor (10s). Total time beside main content and CM = 3:50 minutes\n * **Episode 279-283 (morning timeslot, no ED)** : OP (1:50) - sponsor (10s) - CM - A part - CM - sponsor (10s) - B part - _Mugiwara Gekijou_ (extra from manga, 2:45-4:25) - preview (30s) - end card (5s). Total time beside main content and CM = 2:45 + extra = 5:30++ minutes\n * **Episode 284-now** : OP (2:30) - sponsor (10s) - CM - A part - CM - sponsor (10s) - B part - preview (30s) - end card (5s). Total time beside main content and CM = 3:25 minutes\n\nHowever, since the duration of the main content (A & B part) didn't change,\nthe remaining time was added for CM. Also, since the ED removal, the main part\nstarts around 9:35:40, so there were around 3:10 minutes of CM (minus the OP)\nbefore the viewers can enjoy the story. It's also said that the CM between A &\nB part was also lengthened to more than 3 minutes.\n\nThe reason why the duration of the CM was increased was said that it's harder\nto receive sponsorship on morning timeslot compared to Golden Time (less\nviewer → fewer ads revenue)\n\n* * *\n\nSource:\n\n * [Japanese Wikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ONE_PIECE_\\(%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1\\)#%E6%94%BE%E9%80%81%E6%9E%A0)\n * Yahoo! Chiebukuro (Japanese): [1](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1056305710), [2](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1069010995), [3](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1074398245), [4](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q10117589510)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-12-18T16:27:42.890", "id": "43836", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-18T16:27:42.890", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2516", "parent_id": "175", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "225", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nWe know that the \"mini-arcs\" in Higurashi (When They Cry) all start with a\nsudden rollback. After some terrible events, the town looks normal again.\n\nCloser to the end of the anime we are being shown that\n\n> It's Hanyū who is responsible for the rollbacks, and she helps Rika keep\n> (some of) her memories of what happened before the \"rollback\"\n\nNow my question is about what those \"rollbacks\" really _are_. The wiki\narticle, for example, says that they are\n\n> time travels, and what Hanyū does is reverses time to let Rika relive those\n> days again.\n\nHowever, when I was watching the anime itself, I clearly remember Rika saying\nthat\n\n> what they did was traveling between \"worlds\", trying to find a \"world\" where\n> everything was right (i.e. no murders).\n\nBasically, if the first version is right, then\n\n> all the murders didn't actually happen, because the time was reversed each\n> time. In the second case (changing \"worlds\"), however, all those murders\n> would be for real in each particular world.\n\nWas that possibly just a bad/false translation of the subtitles I was using?\nAnd which version is right, after all?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T10:02:38.287", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "181", "last_activity_date": "2022-03-30T09:45:54.467", "last_edit_date": "2022-03-30T09:45:54.467", "last_editor_user_id": "4484", "owner_user_id": "111", "post_type": "question", "score": 9, "tags": [ "higurashi-when-they-cry" ], "title": "What exactly are the rollbacks in Higurashi?", "view_count": 9591 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI think the correct answer lies between what you're saying and what Wiki is\nsaying.\n\nHere's a definition of \"kakera\" (usually translated as \"fragments\") from\nUmineko no Naku Koro ni (the installment of WTC after Higurashi) EP4's TIPS:\n\n> Worlds of different fates and circumstances are called kakera, and witches\n> who are able to cross the ocean of endless kakera are called Voyagers.\n\nHanyuu is taking Rika through different kakera, but she is also going back in\ntime. If she just went to the same time in a different kakera, it might be too\nlate for Rika to do anything. I believe towards the end of Higurashi, Hanyuu\nalso states that her power is weakening and she can't go as far back in time.\n\nIf you're interested in knowing why/how Hanyuu has these powers, I'd\ndefinitely recommend playing the Umineko no Naku Koro ni sound novels or maybe\neven reading the manga. Don't watch the anime though... It doesn't cover that\nfar into the story.\n\n", "comment_count": 6, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T16:08:47.920", "id": "225", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T16:08:47.920", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "107", "parent_id": "181", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "193", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nAt first I thought Killer Bee only used it as a rap gesture. Later on it was\nshown as a way to compare and equalize forces between two people. Even later,\nNaruto was shown doing it with Kurama, to fuse their chakra together.\n\nDoes the fist bump have any special meaning? I doubt it originated in Japanese\nculture or mythology, so where did it come from?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T11:17:30.343", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "187", "last_activity_date": "2016-02-18T22:10:33.083", "last_edit_date": "2014-03-30T19:34:33.750", "last_editor_user_id": "4331", "owner_user_id": "27", "post_type": "question", "score": 11, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "What does the fist bump mean in Naruto?", "view_count": 8736 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIt's mainly a character trait of Killer Bee, he uses it kind of as a symbol of\nfrienship, greeting or mutual respect; however he also uses this gesture to\nsense other people's chakra and channel his chakra to the other person.\n\n> which can be seen when he trains naruto to control the tailed beast\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:12:06.517", "id": "192", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T12:12:06.517", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "187", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nI think there isn't a single meaning, and sometimes it might be a simple\n_brofist_ , showing respect to one another. But there's also to consider that\nBee, in a way, uses fist bumps to read the other person's mind/heart/soul, to\nfeel the other person; he does it with the Raikage.\n\nBut for example\n\n> When Naruto exchanges fist bump with Kurama (The Nine-tailed fox beast):\n> There happens that the two chakra meld/connect, as a sort of energy\n> transfer. Perhaps it's also more than that, but that's basically to show\n> that we don't simply have brofists in Naruto.\n\nI think I found the chapter but it's not flat-out stated. When Bee first\nexchanges fist bumps with Naruto, he says he won't train him to control his\nbeast: first because he \"made a fool out of his rap\", but also because when\nthey exchange the fist bumps,\n\n> Bee feels the Dark Naruto inside Naruto himself, through them. So unless\n> Naruto solves this problem, he won't be able to proceed to the next stage,\n> i.e. the training with Bee.\n\nAfter the first meeting with Bee (when Naruto uses the Erotic Jutsu), Motoi\ndoes ask him whether they exchanged fist bumps. I think this is a hint to\nthat, because when Naruto confirms,\n\n> Motoi takes him and Yamato to the waterfalls. They ask whether that's the\n> place but Motoi says that that's just the first step: Naruto needs to see\n> the truth first, which is where the Dark Naruto is revealed. \n> Naruto will help save Motoi from the Squid attack that happens then and Bee\n> trusts Naruto can defeat the Dark one.\n\nHope that helps.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:16:40.757", "id": "193", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T12:52:57.330", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T12:52:57.330", "last_editor_user_id": "15", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "187", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 }, { "body": "\n\nBumping fists to naruto is the form of highest respect, in the the anime\nbumping fists is a way to read someones heart and soul without exchanging\nfists in a fight, when kurama and naruto bump fists it symbolizes\nacknowledgement between the two who at one point despised each other it's a\nbrothers in arms bond between them now, bumping fists even in culture and\nreality symbolize respect and acknowledgement.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-09-04T21:14:37.347", "id": "25624", "last_activity_date": "2015-09-04T21:14:37.347", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "17747", "parent_id": "187", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nI rewatched the first real fight at the falls between Naruto and Sasuke with\nmy daughter for the first time and it was Sasuke who asked Naruto if he knew\nthat the higher shinobi could tell each other what they were feeling/thinking\nwithout saying a word just by bumping fists. Original Naruto Season 3 Episode\n132.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-02-18T22:10:33.083", "id": "29895", "last_activity_date": "2016-02-18T22:10:33.083", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "22188", "parent_id": "187", "post_type": "answer", "score": -2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "259", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nAround 2003-2005, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) produces some\ndocuments highlighting the importance of manga and anime to promote Japan\nculture and international/business relations overseas.\n\nThe now unavailable online issue of Jetro Business Topics, \"Japan's Soft Power\nMoves into the Limelight\" (2 Sept 2004) by Tsutomu Sugiura, Marubeni Research\nInstitute director at time, stated:\n\n> If, for instance, children overseas learn to love anime, they may continue\n> to feel a fondness for things Japanese as they grow older. And it is\n> possible that such friendly feelings will translate into business deals\n> involving Japan after they become adults.\n\ndirectly citing the [Soft Power](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_power)\nconcept by [Joseph Nye](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Nye). Similar\nconcepts are [expressed\nhere](http://www.marubeni.com/dbps_data/_material_/maruco_en/data/research/pdf/0404_a.pdf)\nby the same Tsutomu Sugiura, identifying the phenomena as \"third wave of\nJaponism\", where animation and videogames are:\n\n> capturing the essence of Japanese character and lifestyle disseminates\n> Japanese culture and Japanese soul to young people the world over\n\nA document produced by JETRO Economic Research Department on March 2005 titled\n\"[Cool Japan's Economy Warms\nUp](http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/reports/market/pdf/2005_27_r.pdf)\" associate it\nwith the \"Gross National Cool\" cultural index theorized by Douglas McGray, and\nsoft power concept is cited again.\n\nAfter 7 years, are these concept actually implemented by the Japanese\nadministration? Are there documents related to direct intervention by the\nJapanese government to spread or boost the anime and manga industry overseas\naiming to these goals in international relations?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T11:19:01.690", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "188", "last_activity_date": "2017-05-13T16:50:19.477", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T21:18:47.357", "last_editor_user_id": "28", "owner_user_id": "98", "post_type": "question", "score": 23, "tags": [ "anime-production" ], "title": "Are anime and manga subsidized or actively used by Japanese government to promote Japanese culture/relations internationally?", "view_count": 3159 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has sponsored many programs\nthat uses anime to promote culture and\n[tourism](http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/animemap/index.html). Last year, they\npublished an English-language \"Japan Anime Map\" that highlights the locales in\nthe country with ties to anime.\n\nThe map provides info on the various real-life settings in animes such as\nLucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, true tears, and Summer Wars.\n\nIt also lists anime-related museums and theme parks such as Sanrio Puroland,\nStudio Ghibli Museum, and the Kyoto International Manga Museum.\n\nInfo on anime-related shopping areas such as Tokyo's Akihabara, Nagoya's Osu\nElectric Town, and Osaka's Nipponbashi (aka Den Den Town). Also included are\nshopping suggestions for souvenirs to bring back such as Gundam plastic\nmodels, soft vinyl toys, and Nendoroid figures.\n\nNaturally it also provides insight on on otaku culture topics such as cosplay,\nfigures, and games, and also anime-related events such as Comic Market and\nWorld Cosplay Summit\n\nThe JNTO had previously collaborated with the Hakone Tourist Association to\nproduce the \"Evangelion Hakone Instrumentality Map: English Version,\" and the\n\"Cool Japan Poster: Hakone\" to cover the town of Hakone near Tokyo.\n\nOne of the more noticeable ones is the [Young Animator Training\nProject](http://animemirai.jp/).\n\nIn 2010, the Agency of Cultural Affairs of Japan invested 214 million yen\n(over 2 million USD) in the so-called \"Young Animator Training Project\" and\nentrusted the execution of the project to the [Japan Animation Creators\nAssociation](http://www.janica.jp/) (JaniCA).\n\nIn the following years JaniCA produced several original anime in cooperation\nwith different production studios, continuing to receive money from the\nJapanese government. Each of the single episode anime was 23 minutes long.\nYoung animators receive on-the-job-trainings under the supervision of\nprofessional anime creators as the works are shown on TV and/or at anime\nevents.\n\nOne of the reasons that the Agency for Cultural Affairs is supporting this\ninitiative is the\n[concern](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-06/japan-animator-\nlabor-group-legally-incorporates) that more of the Japanese animation process\nis being [outsourced\noverseas](http://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/03/state-of-the-anime-\nindustry-2009.html) \\-- thus leading to a decline in opportunities to teach\nanimation techniques within Japan.\n\nFor those interested,\n[here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ea_blBuJ_jw) is\nthe trailer for the four shorts for Anime Mirai 2013 Young Animator Training\nProject, scheduled to premiere March 2.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T19:08:30.600", "id": "259", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-17T19:54:21.180", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-17T19:54:21.180", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "188", "post_type": "answer", "score": 16 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "853", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIn the manga, there are 19 cards featured, whereas in the anime this number\nhas grown to be 52 (excluding the card created during the 2nd movie).\n\nHas there ever been a reason given for this large expansion?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:18:23.250", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "194", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:22:01.400", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:22:01.400", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "131", "post_type": "question", "score": 15, "tags": [ "cardcaptor-sakura" ], "title": "Why did the anime have so many additional cards?", "view_count": 3241 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAs far as I can tell, there has never been an explanation given for this\nchange. However, there is one major difference between the manga and the anime\nthat may have led to this. In the anime, Meiling Li comes to help Syaoran Li\ncollect the Clow Cards. This may have caused a need for more episodes to deal\nwith her getting in the way of Sakura collecting Clow Cards, which required\nmore Clow Cards to exist.\n\nThis is the major difference between the manga and the anime in terms of the\ncollecting Clow Cards arc, but this is only speculation.\n\nThere are six \"leader\" cards (The Dark, The Earthy, The Firey, The Windy, The\nLight, and The Watery) and all remaining cards, whether part of the original\n19 or part of other 33, fall under the leadership of one of those six. While\nthe creators of the anime made 33 more cards, they did not make any more\nleader cards, implying that these cards are filler.\n\nMore information about the Clow Cards can be found here:\n<http://ccs.wikia.com/wiki/Clow_Cards>\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-31T18:25:44.107", "id": "853", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-31T18:25:44.107", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "93", "parent_id": "194", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\nIn addition to filler cards, if you reflect upon the number, it's the same as\nthe original deck of cards: 52 cards. Why 52? Although some have not been\nphysically shown to have been captured (time span between episode 35 and 36\nwhich was spring break), it can represent that concept of cards. The addition\nof the combination of the last two cards (the Hope card) in the movie can be\ncategorized as the Joker card which can be anything you want it to be (which\nmakes sense). Although, this is speculation on comparison with a regular set\nof the deck of cards.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-07-19T03:56:09.663", "id": "34342", "last_activity_date": "2016-07-19T03:56:09.663", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "26255", "parent_id": "194", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "258", "answer_count": 7, "body": "\n\nThis is a question that I really can't get my head around. I've asked many\npeople but I still have not come to a good understanding of the ending of\nCLANNAD: After Story.\n\nIn the end of the anime, Nagisa and Ushio both come back to life. It's not\nterribly clear on _how_ this happens and what causes it. Is it just magic?\n\nI found the ending very cryptic, so anyone could explain it well with relevant\ninformation and evidence of some sort, I'd be very glad!\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:34:13.107", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "195", "last_activity_date": "2021-01-26T09:15:34.737", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-22T21:37:47.230", "last_editor_user_id": "24", "owner_user_id": "128", "post_type": "question", "score": 41, "tags": [ "clannad" ], "title": "What happens at the end of CLANNAD: After Story?", "view_count": 173604 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI don't think this can be answered unambiguously even considering the visual\nnovel, but it certainly explains things somewhat better than the anime in this\ncase. In principle I can find quotes from the VN to support everything here,\nbut that seems like a pretty arduous task given the size of the VN.\n\nOf course, what follows constitute pretty major spoilers if you ever intend to\nread the VN regarding the illusionary world and the \"lights\", though . Some of\nthis is not discussed in any way in the anime, so I've spoiler tagged\neverything (but if you don't ever intend to read the VN, there's no reason not\nto spoil yourself).\n\n> In the visual novel, there are a number of \"[orbs of\n> light](http://clannad.wikia.com/wiki/Light_orbs)\" which are also in the\n> anime but not focused on as much. Yukine describes them to Tomoya at the end\n> of her route, and I believe also at some point in the anime. They are\n> capable of granting wishes, but are fairly limited in power. They are\n> created when someone helps someone else achieve a goal which brings\n> happiness. For unknown reasons, Tomoya is one of the few people who can see\n> them now, although they were visible to everyone in the past. In the game,\n> Tomoya gets one orb for each completed route (8 total), with a couple of\n> exceptions, and 5 more are available in After-Story. All of these are needed\n> to reach the true end where Nagisa and Ushio don't die. \n> \n> After Tomoya collects the orbs, they are transported to the illusionary\n> world, where Ushio (the true identity of the girl who lives there) keeps\n> them. Ushio created the illusionary world in order to save herself and\n> Nagisa by collecting the fragments of happiness that Tomoya gathers in the\n> form of orbs of light. She is capable of doing so because \"children are the\n> culmination of their parents' hopes and dreams\" (a theme that is repeated\n> many times in the series). \n> \n> The only other people who are able to enter the illusionary world are those\n> who willingly choose to do so, and Tomoya is the only person who falls into\n> that category, so he is able to enter the body of a doll made out of\n> garbage. Even when they made another doll, there were no more souls willing\n> to enter the illusionary world, so it was lifeless. It isn't clear whether\n> Ushio and Tomoya in the illusionary world have their real world memories,\n> but Tomoya in the real world definitely doesn't remember the illusionary\n> world, as evidenced by the fact that he thinks Nagisa's play is nostalgic\n> but doesn't know why (Nagisa's play was about the illusionary world,\n> although she probably also doesn't know this). It's also not clear how the\n> chronologies of the two worlds works, but it's very likely that they are on\n> completely different timelines. Judging by the fact that all of the\n> illusionary world segments occur between days, he may be seeing it as a\n> dream, but the research of the Ichinoses (Kotomi's parents, both of whom are\n> theoretical physicists) indicates that the illusionary world is very much\n> real and is connected to our world in many ways. \n> \n> In order to save Nagisa and Ushio, Tomoya needs to do 3 things. First, he\n> needs to gather a lot of happiness in the form of orbs of light, enough to\n> make such a big wish. Second, he needs to clearly tell Ushio (who is holding\n> the orbs via her alter-ego in the illusionary world) that he doesn't want\n> her or Nagisa to die and that he wants them to live together as a family.\n> And third, he needs to really mean what he is saying, as the orbs won't\n> grant wishes that aren't what one truly desires. If all of those are\n> completed, the orbs of light will grant his wish, returning time to the\n> point when Ushio was born and saving both Nagisa and Ushio. It should be\n> mentioned that in order to collect these orbs, Ushio sends Tomoya to many\n> different timelines, each time returning him to around the same point when\n> the anime begins and resetting his memories. This is touched upon briefly in\n> the special episodes revolving around Kyou and Tomoyo in which we see orbs\n> of light at the end, meaning it's likely they're canon and actually happened\n> during one of the timelines Tomoya was sent to. \n> \n> Note also that this isn't the only time that the orbs of light grant wishes\n> that would otherwise be impossible, although it's definitely the most\n> powerful instance. When Nagisa is dying for the first time and Akio wishes\n> to the tree that she doesn't die, that wish was also granted via the orbs.\n> Also, when Misae declares her wish to Shima that she wants him to always be\n> with her and love her, this is also granted, although unbeknownst to Misae,\n> Shima was actually a cat and he returns to that form. In addition, depending\n> on the order of routes that you choose in the VN, Tomoya may use an orb to\n> pray for Fuko to get better, though if he does he'll be able to get it back\n> in After Story. So this isn't as much of a deus ex machina as it might seem,\n> but a legitimate plot point that mostly got swept under the rug in the\n> anime.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:55:37.280", "id": "258", "last_activity_date": "2013-02-10T18:46:42.490", "last_edit_date": "2013-02-10T18:46:42.490", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 42 }, { "body": "\n\nSo what happend in the ending was tomoya was holding ushio in his arms and\nSaid \"ushio? Ushio? Ushio! Some one please please help her! Nagisa please help\nushio nagisa? Nagisa?\" So he praticly he wished to be with nagisa and have a\nhealthy baby to live a long happy life. The reason why that happend is because\nof the old town legend when someone achieved true happiness a ball of light\nappears and if you catch it you can have any wish, so when tomoya said goodbye\nto his dad in the second season him and his dad achieved true happiness and\nthe ball of light landed on tomoya so that is practically catching it so the\nball of light took him to the other world and that's how tomoya and nagisa\nboth know the story of the world that has ended!\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-11-26T20:58:08.220", "id": "6040", "last_activity_date": "2013-11-26T20:58:08.220", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2803", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nDo you remember when Kotomi was talking about her parent's research, and how\nthere were alternate universes where things were different from the one that\nthey lived in? Do you also remember how they talked about the orbs of glowing\nlight being a representation of happiness and can grant wishes?\n\nWell, the ending basically brings those two concepts together. The other\nuniverse has the robot and the girl: the robot is Tomoya and the girl is\nUshio. They are on the side where all the orbs of happiness come from the\nworld that people live in.\n\nAt the end, after Ushio died and Tomoya collapsed into the snow, they show the\nbeginning of the series again with Nagisa sitting under the tree and Tomoya\nsaying to himself that he wished he'd never met her, because he regretted all\nthe things they had gone through, and because she would still be alive\notherwise. While he was fighting with his regrets, Nagisa started to leave and\nwalked up the hill. Seeing Nagisa leaving, Tomoya chased after her and hugged\nher, where she responded with something like \"What took you so long?\". This is\nwhere he decided that he should have never regretted meeting her, as he\nrealized that he loved the time he spent with her because he loved her so\nmuch. At that moment, the orbs of happiness essentially granted his wish and\nput him back into his normal universe with the alternate ending.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-04-05T00:20:28.113", "id": "20627", "last_activity_date": "2015-04-05T09:14:35.037", "last_edit_date": "2015-04-05T09:14:35.037", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "13740", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nI know I'm a bit late to the party but I'd like to give my take on this\nconsidering my understanding of the show is a bit less literal than the rest.\n\nSo throughout the two seasons we get to see the life story of Tomoya as well\nas other characters. The story is composed of many fun and happy moments but\nalso some very sad and painful ones.\n\nAt the end of the show Tomoya goes through very rough times and just when he's\nabout to break he is given a choice:\n\n\"Would you like to go back and redo everything from the moment you met Nagisa\nand not go through all that tough things as well as all of the happy moments\nor are you glad you got to live the life you were given despite everything?\"\n\nAfter that we get to see a much happier version of the world were everything\nwent well and none of the bad things happened.\n\nSo basically to me Clannad can be summed up like this: Life can be very\nbeautiful or very sad but either way don't ever let those terrible things stop\nyou from living life at its fullest.\n\nIf we understand the show as an abstract metaphor designed to first reach your\nheart and then transmit that single very powerful message then every\nimperfection can be excused because everything in the plot is just an abstract\nillustration, only there to reach it's higher goal. And that goal is\nsuccessfully attained when its all said and done.\n\nClannad touches your very soul and teaches you how to live life. That is its\nonly objective and it's perfectly achieved. Ultimately anything concrete that\nhappens in the show isn't important at all. That's why it's perfect and it's\nthe best anime to have ever been created.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-07-26T20:19:39.790", "id": "34456", "last_activity_date": "2016-07-31T22:04:14.940", "last_edit_date": "2016-07-31T22:04:14.940", "last_editor_user_id": "26387", "owner_user_id": "26387", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nSo, a few things before I answer this:\n\n 1. I know I am late\n\n 2. SPOILER ALERT\n\nHere goes...\n\n### About the orbs of light\n\nThe orbs of light appear when a particular goal is achieved. It has the\nability to grant wishes.\n\n### About alternate timelines\n\nIn Clannad, there are alternate timelines where, obviously, things are\ndifferent. In the OVAs, Tomoya dates Kyou and Tomoyo. These events take place\nin the alternate timeline. Kotomi's parents were performing a research on the\nalternate world.\n\n### About the Illusionary world\n\nIn theory, the Illusionary World is the afterlife; when a person dies they are\nstill connected to the real world, yet they are free to create their own\nworld.\n\nThe Illusionary World in Clannad was created by Ushio. In the Illusionary\nWorld the girl is Ushio and the doll is Tomoya. Tomoya also mentions in an\nepisode that he somehow knows the end of the story that Nagisa told him. The\nstory was about the Illusionary World.\n\n### The ending\n\nWe see that Tomoya had a miserable life. Nagisa and Ushio die, and it wasn't\ngoing his way. Later on, Tomoya goes back to the point where he first met\nNagisa, and then he marries her and they have a kid. But this time Nagisa\nsurvived.\n\nNow there are three possible interpretations:\n\n 1. Tomoya was just dreaming of the worst that could happen. But in the end nothing bad happens and everything is okay.\n\nBut if this would've happened, then the orbs of light have no role. And the\nscene where he goes back to the past wouldn't have made sense.\n\n 2. Nagisa survived in an alternate timeline. But again, the orbs of light have no role.\n\nThe scene where he goes back wouldn't make sense either because in that scene\nTomoya and Nagisa remember each other... And it wouldn't have been possible\neven if they were in the alternate timeline.\n\n 3. This is probably what had happened. So in the illusionary world we see the orbs of light every now and then. These were collected by Ushio (the girl) and Tomoya (the doll). Tomoya first wished that he shouldn't have met Nagisa. But it wasn't what he really wanted and thus it wasn't granted by the orbs light. What he really wished for was for Nagisa to be alive.\n\nThe orbs of light that Ushio collected in the Illusionary World granted this\nbig wish and thus Tomoya is taken back to the past. He didn't say anything to\nNagisa. He was in a dilemma here. Nagisa started walking away and at that\nmoment Tomoya made his mind and ran to Nagisa and hugged her. They still\nremembered each other. Then he is taken to the point where Nagisa gives birth.\nShe survives and they live happily ever after.\n\nNow here both the conditions are satisfied.\n\n 1. The orbs of light grant him his wish\n\n 2. The scene where he goes back to the past makes sense because he has a faint memory of the terrible thing that happened to him (mentioned by Tomoya in the recap episode)\n\nPeople can believe whatever they want. I personally feel the third one makes\nsense.\n\nIf you've made it this far then thank you for reading!\n\nClannad is really the best anime I've ever watched. Hopefully this clarified\nthings :)\n\nThis is the ending: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc4MsZwBWOA>\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-11-12T07:55:01.383", "id": "37279", "last_activity_date": "2016-11-12T08:14:47.803", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "29203", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\n...I started watching from episode 5 so may be I am over interpreting... but\nultimately Tomoyas alternate timelines seem to play out through a deeper\nunderstanding of the lives of people close to him. First, his father shows hom\nthat his daughter and him may ultimately end up misunderstanding each other -\nthat his fathers pride is how he ended up without family. this is clearly\nshown by his refusal of money and his lack of food or water even. nigasas\nparents also suggested a timeline where nigasa survives. nigasas parents,\nalthough loving, ultinately were ill prepared for a child. the fact that the\nlack of experience or tragedy blinds them to the fact thtlat a child needs\nmore than love and fun. nigasas illness and desth may ultimately have allowed\nhim to push past his own selfish needs to become the father his daughter\nneeded. his coworkers fiances sister illustrates another example of the\nutility of pain and loss. also seems to suggest that wishing for another\nchance to choose does not prevent loss or death or love. also. i kinda got the\nfeeling that nigasa and his daughter coud not exist in the same world. i got\nthe sense his daughter like an afterthought. a lot of his inner monolgue\nseemed to be about showing the world he wasnt a bad dather. his child was left\nalone much like nigasa was after his grandma guilt tripped him. his last\nrwquest to his dsughter was stop making it hard for your dad to take care of\nyour illnrss. abyways. he doesnt seem to understand people in terms of their\nfeelings but only in regard to himself.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-12-13T08:36:09.120", "id": "37841", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-13T08:36:09.120", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "29750", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nFor some reason I had a hard time believing that the robot was not Okazaki\nbecause of the voice it had. It just was not the same. Whenever he talks or\nthinks his voice is the same out loud. Why aren't they same. Sure you could\nsay for the sake of plot so it wouldn't be obvious, but didn't Ushio sound\nsimilar. I'm pretty sure that if Ushio had grown up she would have sounded\nlike that. So why isn't Okazaki? Some might say he could sound like a child,\nbut we've heard his voice as a child before and he sounds nothing like that.\n(During the episode when Kotomi and Okazaki first become friends).\n\nDoesn't the robots voice sound an awful lot like Shima? The kid that made a\npromise to Misae when they were high school and promised to stay with her. I\ndon't doubt that the girl is Ushio but it'd make the most sense. You never\nknew much about Shima and his back story is very interesting. The robot never\nreplies when the girl calls him dad. But then again the robot claimed to have\nheard of the Dango song. But the Dango family song was very famous in Japan\nbut it was never specified during what time period and we can assume it was\nduring the time Nagisa and Okazaki were kids since Okazaki kept referring to\nthe Dango song as childish,and old. If that were true then it would fit the\ntime period that Misae and Shima went to high school, since Misae isn't very\nold. Shima would make sense since he had apparently died already, just like\nUshio, and claimed to have the power to grant any wish. From a pouch with a\nglowing light inside. Maybe the source is a glowing orb. He apparently was\nsuffering from an illness and was being hospitalized, could it have been the\nsame condition Nagisa and Ushio faced? Problem is he's completely foreign. We\naren't even completely sure if he is Shima.\n\nRegarding the end of Clannad After Story, I just thought that Okazaki had died\ndue to him collapsing in the snow and was reliving his life right before he\ndied and imagined the best case scenario, seeing how he did that during a card\ngame with fuuko and ushio or that when he passed away that him and his family\nwere reunited in the afterlife, only problem would be the 22 episode that\ntheory is contradicted with ushio laying in the grass at the end of it, but\nthen in the last three episodes it focuses on their pasts maybe implying that\ntheir all dead. Ushio may have survived seeing how she was at the same place\nNagisa's dad took her when she was facing certain death due to similar\ncircumstances the hospital (highly doubt it though) But then I remembered\nsomething major, in a dream I pretty sure Kyou told him that he had\nSchizophrenia, and that's a bid deal. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder where\nthe mind has a hard time separating reality from fantasy. Could the other\nworld just be a figure of his imagination, a result from Schizophrenia? It was\nstated in his own dream, maybe a clue or hint to what's really going on. While\nthey were children Kotomi and Okazaki always played with each other. Maybe she\ntold him about her parents research. If that's true he could have been\ndeveloping this story for a long time in his mind from the time since he was a\nchild. The ending of Nagisa's version was much different to Okazaki.\n\nThe orbs of light I thought were symbolic of the connection the story had with\nreality that ultimately Okazaki and ushio would be separated only to be\nreunited in a better place. Similar to the fortune telling in a way. The other\nworlds kinda felt a bit far fetched seeing how this anime didn't seem to focus\nits plot lines in that kinda stuff but lean towards problems based off society\nissues and not other worldly issues (amazing vocabulary I know) The other\nworlds I felt were focused to Kotomi but I'm still unsure about that, but I\nagree on the theory that it seemed that Nagisa and Ushio can't be in the same\nworld.\n\nDisclaimer this is purely based off the anime not the VN.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-12-26T23:07:12.607", "id": "38077", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-27T16:45:16.380", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-27T16:45:16.380", "last_editor_user_id": "29978", "owner_user_id": "29978", "parent_id": "195", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "207", "answer_count": 5, "body": "\n\nIn Fullmetal Alchemist, it is stated a number of times that a state\nalchemist's pocket watch increases their power, but there doesn't seem to be a\nclear mechanism for that. How does that work, and what does increasing the\npower of an alchemist mean?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:46:27.497", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "196", "last_activity_date": "2019-04-05T19:30:09.697", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T23:08:55.627", "last_editor_user_id": "107", "owner_user_id": "93", "post_type": "question", "score": 20, "tags": [ "fullmetal-alchemist-series" ], "title": "In Fullmetal Alchemist, what does a State Alchemist's pocket watch do?", "view_count": 11419 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThey never explained it because it is a development of the first anime\nadaptation that was never expounded upon. The watches were merely forms of\nidentification as state alchemists in Brotherhood, which follows the manga\nmore closely.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T13:31:04.523", "id": "205", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T13:31:04.523", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "133", "parent_id": "196", "post_type": "answer", "score": 8 }, { "body": "\n\nAs stated in [this wiki](http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/State_Alchemist),\n\n> ...each State Alchemist is given a silver pocketwatch to hold as\n> identification. This watch is engraved with the symbol of the State\n> Alchemist program - the Amestrian Dragon circumscribed in a hexagram (though\n> both anime series alter the hexagram to a nondescript polygram, presumably\n> so as not to invoke Judaism). Although **the manga does not describe the\n> pocketwatch as anything more than official proof that the carrier is a State\n> Alchemist** , **the 2003 anime suggests that each pocketwatch is an\n> alchemical amplifier**. The 2003 anime also depicts the watch's silver chain\n> as extendable, as in the instance when the Strong Arm Alchemist, Major Alex\n> Louis Armstrong uses it to tie up a target.\n\nSo, according to the 2003 anime, the watch amplifies the alchemist's powers.\nHowever, both manga and _FMA:Brotherhood_ shows that the watch is simply a\nform of identification, much like a police badge.\n\nAlso note that in the anime the watch is the indicator which people use to\nrecognize Edward as a State Alchemist. I believe that unless the State\nAlchemist himself tells you who he is, the presence of the watch is the only\nother way to know it (they also get a certificate, but I doubt they carry it\naround).\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T13:45:05.770", "id": "207", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T13:45:05.770", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "111", "parent_id": "196", "post_type": "answer", "score": 30 }, { "body": "\n\nThey actually showed this in one episode when Ed got his watched repaired,\nthat it contained red rocks in the back of it and that was how they amplified\ntheir alchemic powers.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-05-18T20:39:49.950", "id": "3821", "last_activity_date": "2014-05-30T10:58:45.523", "last_edit_date": "2014-05-30T10:58:45.523", "last_editor_user_id": "3650", "owner_user_id": "1798", "parent_id": "196", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nThe Silver Pocketwatches amplify the State Alchemist's power, but besides\nthat, the only thing they really do is prove that you're a State Alchemist,\nand perhaps to tell the time.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-11-26T19:03:34.087", "id": "6038", "last_activity_date": "2014-05-30T10:57:21.433", "last_edit_date": "2014-05-30T10:57:21.433", "last_editor_user_id": "3650", "owner_user_id": "2800", "parent_id": "196", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nThey tell time but mainly symbolize being a state alchemist and part of the\ncountry's government and army if necessary.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-11-13T02:05:06.093", "id": "15058", "last_activity_date": "2014-11-13T02:05:06.093", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "9146", "parent_id": "196", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "216", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIn the manga of _Katekyo Hitman Reborn!_ (also commonly just \"Reborn!\" for\nobvious reasons) after the future and Shimon Arc ends, the Arcabaleno Arc\nbegins and reveals that:\n\n> Bermuda, the arcobaleno of the eighth element of night, bargains with Reborn\n> in Chapter 384-ish to take his life for future generations and use his life\n> to kill Checker Face.\n\nWhile reading it, I noticed Bermuda calls _all_ characters \"-kun\"! Since it's\nobviously a term more for guys, and yet it was used on Chrome and weaker\nplayers like Lal Mirch etc., I thought it was a little strange. I don't think\nit's a translation error either - since 「―くん」is pretty obviously \"-kun\".\n\nIs there any explanation for this? Is it something to do with his personality?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T12:56:13.450", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "197", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:20:39.593", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:19:35.957", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "128", "post_type": "question", "score": 5, "tags": [ "japanese-language", "reborn" ], "title": "Why does Bermuda always address characters as -kun?", "view_count": 419 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn this case I believe Bermuda is looking down on all the characters as if\nthey were his subordinates or just addressing in an [endearing\nsense](http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/chan-and-kun-in-japanese) (he is _way_\nolder than them).\n\nIn company or school situations in Japan \"-kun\" is by superiors when\naddressing subordinates of both genders. Alternatively \"-kun\" might also be\nused as a term of endearment towards the (younger) male characters (similar to\n\"-chan\" with females).\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:49:12.400", "id": "216", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T14:49:12.400", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "197", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 }, { "body": "\n\nThis is usually misunderstood by a beginner in Japanese language. It is\ngenerally taught that _-kun_ is used with men while _-chan_ with girls. But,\nin real usage, this is not always the case.\n\nIn fact, Japanese suffix are not used according to genders but personal\nrelationships. _-kun_ is used with a junior person to show endearment. For\n_-chan_ , it is to show intimacy but there are nuances that I cannot explain\nin words as well.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-19T14:11:07.357", "id": "2082", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:20:39.593", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:20:39.593", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "1357", "parent_id": "197", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "279", "answer_count": 9, "body": "\n\nIn _Angel Beats_ , Kanade clearly entered the afterlife before even Yurippe\ndid, yet Otonashi arrived later. Technically, Kanade must've died after\nOtonashi.\n\nHow is it possible that Kanade has Otonashi's heart?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T13:40:11.743", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "206", "last_activity_date": "2019-03-10T05:34:28.237", "last_edit_date": "2019-03-10T05:34:28.237", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "134", "post_type": "question", "score": 37, "tags": [ "angel-beats" ], "title": "How is it possible that Kanade has Otonashi's heart?", "view_count": 104701 }

[ { "body": "\n\nUnfortunately, _Angel Beats!_ doesn't go into much detail about the mechanics\nof the afterlife environment it takes place in.\n\nHowever, if we assume that the series follows the basic concept of eternity,\nthen a partial explanation can be given.\n\nI drew up this little image of the three different timelines that are present\nin the series:\n\n\n\n_Key:_\n\n * The green line is the (main) world timeline where the characters in the series lived their lives before they died.\n\n * The red line is the afterlife timeline where the characters went when they died and where most of the series takes place.\n\n * The cyan line is the alternate world timeline where (I presume) the characters in the series went after they've resolved their issues and regrets in the afterlife and moved on.\n\n * The white circles/ovals represent the time Kanade Tachibana spent on a timeline.\n\n * The blue circles/ovals represent the time Yuzuru Otonashi spent on a timeline.\n\n * The white lines represent Kanade's transition from one timeline to another.\n\n * The blue lines represent Yuzuru's transition from one timeline to another.\n\n * The ranges of the circles/ovals are rough estimates.\n\n**The (Main) World Timeline**\n\n 1. Yuzuru is born.\n 2. Kanade is born.\n 3. Yuruzu gets in a train crash. Although he survives the initial crash, he eventually dies of thirst. Just before he dies, he signs an organ donor card. Because the rescuers arrived just barely too late, his organs could be harvested in time.\n 4. Kanade is in need of a heart transplant. She receives a donor heart. It is Yuzuru's.\n 5. Kanade dies. We don't know how long she lived after her heart transplant, but, it apparently saved her life, so I presume she lived a good while after it.\n\n**The Afterlife Timeline**\n\n 1. Kanade arrives in the afterlife. As per Yuri, Kanade was there before she arrived, but, we're never told for how long, so, the amount of time she spent there from her arrival to her departure is unknown.\n 2. Events in the [_Angel Beats! Heaven's Door_ manga](http://myanimelist.net/manga/19671/Angel_Beats!_Heavens_Door) take place.\n 3. Yuzuru arrives in the afterlife.\n 4. Kanade and Yuzuru finally meet in person. She stabs him in the chest and notices that Yuzuru doesn't have a heart. She then realizes who Yuzuru is.\n 5. Events in the [_Angel Beats!_ anime](http://myanimelist.net/anime/6547/Angel_Beats!) take place.\n 6. Kanade moves on from the afterlife after thanking Yuzuru for the heart he gave her.\n 7. As per [_Angel Beats!: Another Epilogue_](http://myanimelist.net/anime/10067/Angel_Beats!:_Another_Epilogue), Yuzuru remains in the afterlife for an undisclosed amount of time helping others move on.\n 8. Events in the _Angel Beats!_ anime sequel (if ever released) could take place here.\n 9. Yuzuru finally moves on from the afterlife.\n\n**The Alternate World Timeline**\n\n 1. Yuzuru gets reincarnated/reborn in the same universe that contains the main world timeline, but on an alternate and better timeline.\n 2. Kanade gets reincarnated/reborn in the same universe that contains the main world timeline, but on an alternate and better timeline.\n 3. Yuzuru finally meets up with Kanade and they live happily ever after.\n\n \nLike I said, the series never really explains the finer details of the\nafterlife and what exactly happens when someone moves on. This is the best\nexplanation I can give you at the moment. Perhaps some more light will be shed\non this matter in the future.\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T23:49:48.347", "id": "279", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-28T16:25:02.647", "last_edit_date": "2014-12-28T16:25:02.647", "last_editor_user_id": "10888", "owner_user_id": "140", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 32 }, { "body": "\n\nIn addition to Lunar Guy's explanation, my theory would be that, even though\nYuzuru died first, the rate of their transition is different, it probably took\nYuzuru a long time to transition between two timelines than what it took\nKanade. That's why Kanade arrived first, rather than Yuzuru.\n\nTo support this, Kanade's regret was that she could not thank the person who\ngave her his heart, so I'd assume that some form of higher system craftily\nplanned for Kanade to arrive first rather than Yuzuru, so that she could\nfulfill her regret and move on. Otherwise if Yuzuru arrived first, there would\nbe a risk that he would move on first, making Kanade's regret unfulfilled,\nleaving her stuck in the Afterlife.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-04-16T03:04:22.963", "id": "3401", "last_activity_date": "2013-04-16T04:26:13.683", "last_edit_date": "2013-04-16T04:26:13.683", "last_editor_user_id": "61", "owner_user_id": "1681", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nRemember when Otonashi signed that organ donor card before he died? Angel was\ngiven his heart because she needed it and came to the afterlife to thank\nOtonashi for his heart.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-06-16T16:33:47.253", "id": "4140", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-04T18:04:26.303", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-04T18:04:26.303", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "1906", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": -1 }, { "body": "\n\nThis answer may be wrong, but possibly Kanade was in a coma awaiting a heart\ntransplant. Yuzuru died a bit later and donated his heart to Kanade. It'd make\nsense because Kanade has Yuzuru's heart in her. The surgery must've failed and\nshe ended up dying, so that's why she remains in purgatory.\n\nThat's how I understand it anyway.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-08-09T12:18:50.577", "id": "4715", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-04T18:02:45.170", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-04T18:02:45.170", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "2193", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nI imagine the time it takes to transition into the after life = the number of\nregrets. The simpler the regret, the faster it takes to get to the after life.\nKanade's regret was just to thank the person who gave her the heart, while\notonashi'a regret is more complicated because he had no regrets, but he didn't\nknow. Hideki came into the after life before Yui because his regret was just\nto catch a ball, while Yui was multiple things she saw on TV. Time of death\ndoes play a role, but I think second to the kind of regret. Yui could have\ndied before Hideki.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-08-25T17:23:57.470", "id": "4960", "last_activity_date": "2013-08-25T17:23:57.470", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2284", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nThis is the fitting interpretation for me:\n\n 1. Otonashi died. Bug caused him to land in the 'school'. It's a place to fulfil regrets, in real live of afterlife (this is a bug by itself actually). \n 2. Felt in love with someone and realized it shouldn't be sustaining. **Created** Angel Player program to turn himself to NPC and thus erased his afterlife memory. \n 3. Kanade got the heart in real life. Died and due to fate got hold of the Angel Player. \n 4. Angel Player has the ability to turn NPC back; with certain conditions I presume (this is assumption). Otonashi got back his soul. \n 5. Otonashi fell in love again. The cycle should continue until he finds another love. \n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-09-01T11:01:04.520", "id": "5066", "last_activity_date": "2013-09-01T11:01:04.520", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2324", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nI just saw the anime, and it got me puzzling for a while, but I had made up a\nsomewhat believable explanation:\n\nMy proposed timeline:\n\n * Otonashi dies.\n * Otonashi **moves on** , since he died without any regrets. He doesn't end up in the afterlife school thing.\n * Kanade dies and ends in the afterlife school thing.\n * Kanade wishes to thank Otonashi.\n * Kanade's wish \"grabs\" Otonashi from his peaceful slumber and throws him into the afterlife thing. \n * I suspect that this place is designed specifically so people can find happiness, and since Kanade's requisite was to thank Otonashi, the place took him back temporarily.\n * Otonashi, upon arrival, loses his memory since he was taken to this world in a not-conventional manner.\n * Events in the anime occur.\n\nThe reason Otonashi didn't end up in the afterlife school upon death, is\nbecause he didn't really die with regrets. His own theory was that he simply\n\"forgot\" and thus ended up in the school, but that doesn't make much sense.\nInstead, he moved on, rested peacefully for a while, and then Kanade's wish\nbrought him to the school.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-09-10T23:00:50.510", "id": "5153", "last_activity_date": "2013-09-10T23:00:50.510", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "261", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nI have a different theory:\n\n 1. Otonashi died (signing first his organ card).\n 2. His organs are donated to different people (for instance, his heart went to Kanade, while his other organs went to a John Doe).\n 3. Kanade lived for a while (long or short), but regretted the fact that she couldn't thank Otonashi. Eventually she dies.\n 4. Kanade appears in the afterlife and starts acting like the \"angel\" after learning the purpose of this world.\n 5. John Doe dies and so Otonashi now is completely dead.\n 6. Otonashi appears in the afterlife with amnesia (this really isn't that weird considering Yurippe said it's normal, or you could also say that he was dead for so long that he forgot most of his life).\n\nOpinions?\n\nn.n\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-10-11T04:37:27.957", "id": "5447", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-04T18:08:39.893", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-04T18:08:39.893", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "2531", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nI propose a different solution.\n\nWhat if time in the afterlife traveled in reverse, compared to the \"real\"\nword? Then all the characters would be able to die and immediately travel to\nthe afterlife.\n\n_Note: When I re-watch the series, I will look for supporting facts. At the\nmoment, this is only a theory._\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-07-03T23:05:00.590", "id": "11634", "last_activity_date": "2014-07-03T23:05:00.590", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "3713", "parent_id": "206", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "251", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nAccording to\n[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cowboy_Bebop_episodes), the\nmovie is a midquel that takes place between episodes 22 and 23 of the anime.\n\nHaving seen both the movie and the anime, I don't recall any connection that\nmade it essential for it to be viewed in this order. I don't recall anything\nthat had happened in the anime to be vital for the movie, and I don't remember\nanything that happened in the movie to be vital for episodes 23 onwards.\n\nAm I missing something? Or does it fit between episodes 22 and 23 simply\nbecause the authors thought about it like that (maybe the authors thought\nabout the timeline like that, although it may be irrelevant?)?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:03:42.403", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "208", "last_activity_date": "2018-06-12T07:14:27.573", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:16:22.797", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "cowboy-bebop" ], "title": "What is the connection between the Cowboy Bebop anime and the movie?", "view_count": 55070 }

[ { "body": "\n\nNothing that happens in the movie is essential to what happens in episodes 23\nand 24. In fact, the movie came out over 2 years after the series was\nfinished, so there wasn't really room to add more plot before the ending.\nSince the ending of Cowboy Bebop is [deliberately\nambiguous](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/19/do-we-know-what-\nhappens-to-spike-at-the-end-of-cowboy-bebop), there was no room for a movie\nafter the events of episode 23 began, so putting it before episode 23 was\nnecessary and the simplest choice is between 22 and 23.\n\nI would argue that the placement of the movie in the chronology isn't all that\nimportant, though. Cowboy Bebop is pretty episodic for most of its run, and\nthe stories could be reordered without seriously affecting the feel of the\nshow. Chronological order is mostly irrelevant for the series as a whole (with\na few notable exceptions). Likewise, the placement of the movie doesn't make a\nbig difference. There are a number of places it could be placed in the\nchronology consistently, but putting it before episode 23 was the simplest. In\nfact, a few people I know watched the movie after episode 24, which obviously\ndoesn't work chronologically, but they didn't think they missed anything by\nviewing it in that order.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:11:28.367", "id": "251", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T18:11:28.367", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:54:49.117", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "208", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 }, { "body": "\n\nEpisode 23 has the cancellation of the bounty hunter TV show Big Shot, even\nthough it was featured in the movie. That's about the only thing to tie it\ninto the continuity, it has to be sometime before episode 23, and after\ngetting Faye, Ed, and Ein as part of the crew.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-10-02T23:25:13.790", "id": "14278", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:18:09.747", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T07:18:09.747", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "8571", "parent_id": "208", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nIn the film, the _Big Shot_ bounty hunters show is still airing. In episode\n23, it is cancelled.\n\nAlso, in episode 23 \"Brain Scratch\", we see Jobim (of the series' three\nreoccurring old men: Antonio, Carlos, and Jobim) dead after apparently trying\nand failing to get the bounty on Dr. Londes. All three are alive in the movie\n(and I believe one of them claims they are bounty hunters as a \"half-joke\").\n\nAll that to say, plus the fact that the film's soundtrack has the movie tracks\nlabeled 22.5, it's fairly evident where the movie sits in chronology. Again,\nit doesn't really matter too much. As long as Edward is in the crew (so after\nep. 9) and before ep. 23, it can take place anywhere.\n\nSome theorize the film takes place after the show, as it appears Spike may or\nmay not be dreaming the entirety of the film. But this is speculation at best.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-06-12T07:02:23.653", "id": "47415", "last_activity_date": "2018-06-12T07:14:27.573", "last_edit_date": "2018-06-12T07:14:27.573", "last_editor_user_id": "41085", "owner_user_id": "41085", "parent_id": "208", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "211", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\n\n\nHidan is probably the most misunderstood character in Naruto. He has the\nability to survive pretty much anything (including decapitation), and is able\nto remote-injure opponents whose blood he tasted, and while he's inside his\ncursed circle.\n\nWhere did this power come from? What kind of technique is that? Every single\ntechnique used in Naruto so far has been explained to some degree, besides\nthis one.\n\nDo anyone has some information to shed light on the technique? From the Data\nBook perhaps?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:04:14.340", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "209", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-19T03:49:47.480", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-19T03:49:47.480", "last_editor_user_id": "9260", "owner_user_id": "27", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "What is Hidan's Source of Power?", "view_count": 5119 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAccording to [the official character databook](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Naruto-\nOfficial-Character-Data-\nBook/dp/1421541254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355321724&sr=8-1):\n\n> The Way of Jashin uses bodies of believers in forbidden jutsu rituals. Hidan\n> was the first successful test case.\n>\n> As a reward for his many massacres, Hidan acquires an immortal body via the\n> Way of Jashin. This only helps to affirm his love for the Way.\n\nIt adds:\n\n> Thou shalt kill thy neighbor. This dogma is contradictory since it would\n> allow devotees to kill each other. But to Hidan who is immortal, this is\n> meaningless. That is why he is able to accept the doctrine and follow its\n> teachings. Even if he ends up with just his head...\n\nIt also adds, regarding his motivations:\n\n> The Way of Jashin is absolute for Hidan, the only thing worth believing in.\n> He considers his supreme purpose to be to spread the Way of Jashin to\n> nonbelievers throughout the world. It means to create a world that\n> acknowledges mass killing. And Hidan feels that this is possible by being a\n> part of the Akatsuki.\n\nAnd this is about it, regarding to info on Hidan on the databook.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:15:11.907", "id": "211", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T14:15:11.907", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "209", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "219", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nI know that they generate energy and they're used like power plants but\nthere's also a person or creature of some sort inside. What are the plants\nexactly and how is it that Vash can communicate with them?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:08:05.473", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "210", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-03T16:27:09.480", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "29", "post_type": "question", "score": 15, "tags": [ "trigun" ], "title": "What are the plants in Trigun?", "view_count": 11524 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThis is in [Wikipedia](http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigun#Trasfondo) in\nSpanish and I just translated it for the question:\n\n> In the future, Earth has been overpopulated and natural resources and\n> environment are in a state to disappear soon. In this situation they create\n> the project \"Seeds\", in which, to ensure the survival of the species they\n> sent into space a fleet of spacecrafts in which a great number of people are\n> contained in suspended animation.\n>\n> These ships used as feed system a technology called \"Plants\", a power\n> generator housed in an entity whose core is almost pure energy and serves as\n> a source of power to the ship.\n>\n> In one of these ships, a small crew is responsible for guiding and find a\n> planet that can accommodate the human race. One day, an anomaly leads to the\n> reactor to discover there that not only the Plant has given birth two\n> newborns, but unlike the rest of their species, they look more human and can\n> survive outside the reactor.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:57:35.030", "id": "217", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-03T16:27:09.480", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "8", "parent_id": "210", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 }, { "body": "\n\nIn the Trigun Universe, Plants are constructions, built by humans, to hold and\nhouse powerful beings that can create energy, food, and even water. Not much\nelse is revealed about the beings themselves in either the manga or anime that\ngives away where they came from, how humans learned to harness their power, or\nwhat they truly are.\n\nAs for why Vash can communicate with them:\n\n> Both Vash and Knives are \"products\" of the plant. It is unknown if they were\n> born by the plant on the ship, or how they came to be, as it is said that\n> they were found near the plant itself. Vash and Knives both show many\n> characteristics like the plant, and also many dissimilarities. For example,\n> both show increased control over their powers, including being able to\n> generate guns at will, and both have a far longer life-span than humans,\n> while aging to the mid-30's look faster. They are also able to communicate\n> with the plants, as Vash demonstrates on a few occasions. However, unlike\n> plants, they do not need to be contained in a special environment to\n> survive, and they are male, where as every plant form that can be seen is\n> female.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T15:02:19.080", "id": "219", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T15:02:19.080", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "118", "parent_id": "210", "post_type": "answer", "score": 13 }, { "body": "\n\nFrom what I can tell, the plants were not created by humans, they were\nharnessed by humans as an energy source. The humans in this series do not seem\nto have a complete understanding of the plant entities. Vash can communicate\nwith other plants, since he is a plant (or as the anime suggests a possible\nplant-human hybrid). Note that a crew member dies in the ship's engines just\nprior to the appearance of Vash and Knives.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-01-11T23:14:42.530", "id": "28879", "last_activity_date": "2016-01-11T23:14:42.530", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "20378", "parent_id": "210", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "337", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nFor both the original Naruto series and Shippuuden, which episodes should I\nwatch if I want to avoid the filler? I'm only interested in core plot and\ncharacter developments.\n\nTo make this question a bit more concrete: Which episodes are directly based\noff the manga, and which were produced with unique content for _only_ the\nanime? At what points did the anime \"catch up\" to the manga and require non-\nmanga-related content to continue airing episodes while the manga produced new\ncontent?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:20:00.543", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "213", "last_activity_date": "2021-08-28T14:25:41.580", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T14:39:43.093", "last_editor_user_id": "87", "owner_user_id": "87", "post_type": "question", "score": 22, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Which episodes of the Naruto anime are core plot and which are filler?", "view_count": 111330 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe Naruto anime is broken up into two \"Series\". The first is Naruto, which\ncovers events up until the 3 year time jump in the manga. The second is\nNaruto: Shippūden, which starts after that jump and continues onwards. Both\nseries have a fair share of anime exclusive plots, so here's the breakdown of\nAnime exclusive plots:\n\n**Naruto**\n\n * Ep 26: \"Special Report: Live From the Forest of Death\" - Summary Episode\n * Ep 102 - 106: \"Land of Tea\" Arc\n * Ep 136 - 219-ish (This is where they let the Manga truck along a lot) \n * Ep 136 - 141: \"Land of Rice Fields\" Arc\n * Ep 142 - 147: \"Mizuki Strikes Back\" Arc\n * Ep 148 - 151: \"Search for the Bikōchū\" Arc\n * Ep 152 - 157: \"Curry of Life\" Arc\n * Ep 158: \"Follow My Lead! The Great Survival Challenge\"\n * Ep 159 & 160: \"Bounty Hunter\" Arc\n * Ep 161: \"The Appearance of Strange Visitors\"\n * Ep 162 - 167: \"Land of Birds\" Arc\n * Ep 168: \"Remembrance: The Lost Page\"\n * Ep 169 - 173: \"Land of Sea\" Arc\n * Ep 174: \"Impossible! Celebrity Ninja Art: Money Style Jutsu!\"\n * Ep 175 & 176: \"Imposter\" Arc\n * Ep 177: \"Please, Mr. Postman!\"\n * Ep 178 - 183: \"Hoshigakure\" Arc\n * Ep 184: \"Kiba's Long Day\"\n * Ep 185: \"A Legend from the Hidden Leaf: The Onbaa!\"\n * Ep 186: \"Laughing Shino\"\n * Ep 187 - 191: \"Land of Vegetables\" Arc\n * Ep 192: \"Ino Screams! Chubby Paradise!\"\n * Ep 193: \"Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion!\"\n * Ep 194: \"The Mysterious Curse of the Haunted Castle\"\n * Ep 195 & 196: \"Third Giant Beast\" Arc\n * Ep 197 - 201: \"Trap Master\" Arc\n * Ep 202: \"The Top 5 Ninja Battles!\" _Recap Episode_\n * Ep 203 - 207: \"Kurama Clan\" Arc\n * Ep 208: \"The Supposed Sealed Ability\"\n * Ep 209 - 212: \"Shinobazu\" Arc\n * Ep 213 - 215: \"Menma\" Arc\n * Ep 216 - 219/20: \"Ultimate Weapon\" Arc - Note that 220 is part of this arc, but also includes some canon when\n\n> Naruto and Jiraiya leave the village for training, and others begin training\n> as well\n\n**Naruto: Shippūden**\n\n * Ep 54 - 71: \"Twelve Guardians Ninja\" Arc\n * Ep 90 - 112: \"Three Tails\" Arc\n * Ep 144 - 151: \"Tsuchigumo Kinjutsu\" Arc\n * Ep 176 - 196: \"Konoha History\" Arc\n * Ep 222 - 242: \"Adventures at Sea\" Arc\n * Ep 290 - 295: \"Chikara\" Arc _500 Episodes (total) celebration_\n * Ep 303 - 320: From the \"Shinobi World War\" Arc\n * Ep 327: \"Nine-Tails\"\n * Ep 347-361: \"Shadow of the ANBU\" arc\n * Ep 376 - 377: \"Mecha Naruto\" arc\n * Ep 386: \"I'm Always Watching\"\n * Ep 388: \"My First Friend\"\n * Ep 389-390: \"Hanabi Flashback\"\n * Ep 394-423: \"Chunin Exam\" arc\n * Ep 416: \"The Formation of Team Minato\"\n * Ep 417: \"You’ll Be My Backup\"\n * Ep 419: \"Papa's Youth\"\n * Ep 422-423: \"Konohamaru's training\" arc\n\nAlso of note is the Kakashi backstory \"Kakashi Gaiden\" is shown in the\nShippūden (Ep 119 - 120), which is out of order as to how it appeared in the\nManga (Chp 239 - 244). In the manga, it was between what became the first and\nsecond series (the time jump).\n\nAdditionally, none of the movies are based on Manga plots.\n\nSource for most of this information was [the Naruto\nWiki](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Plot_of_Naruto). \"Shadow of ANBU\" info from\n[Naruto HQ](http://www.narutohq.com/naruto-shippuden-fillers.php)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T16:00:12.923", "id": "337", "last_activity_date": "2018-06-03T07:00:54.330", "last_edit_date": "2018-06-03T07:00:54.330", "last_editor_user_id": "40681", "owner_user_id": "118", "parent_id": "213", "post_type": "answer", "score": 22 }, { "body": "\n\nNaruto Shippuden's story has progressed a lot since from the last answer. The\ncurrent filler episodes are:\n\n57-71, 90-112, 127-128, 144-151, 170-171, 176-196, 223-242, 257-260, 271,\n279-281, 284-295, 303-320, 347-361, 376-377, 388-390, 394-413, 416-417, 419,\n422-423, 427-442\n\nSource: <http://www.animesays.com/list/naruto-shippuden/>\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-12-19T08:45:49.173", "id": "28150", "last_activity_date": "2015-12-19T08:45:49.173", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "19822", "parent_id": "213", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\n**TL;DR** there's no one filler list that 100% agrees with each other, _viewer\ndiscretion is advised_.\n\n* * *\n\nCombining known sites for their list of filler episodes:\n\n * Wikia: filler episodes with at least 2 continous episodes, categorized by arcs ([ _Naruto_](https://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Plot_of_Naruto#Anime-Only_Arcs), [_Naruto Shippuden_](https://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Plot_of_Naruto#Anime-Only_Arcs_2))\n * Anime Filler List: includes \"mostly canon\" and \"mostly filler\" episodes ([ _Naruto_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto), [_Naruto Shippuden_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden))\n * AnimeSays: includes \"mostly canon\" and \"mostly filler\" episodes ([ _Naruto_](https://www.animesays.com/list/naruto/), [_Naruto Shippuden_](https://www.animesays.com/list/naruto-shippuden/))\n * [Naruto HQ](http://www.narutohq.com/naruto-shippuden-fillers.php): a simple list of filler episodes for both _Naruto_ and _Naruto Shippuden_\n\nhere are **the greediest/most filler episodes** : (\"plain\" means \"totally\nfiller\" | \" _italics_ \" means \"mostly filler\", prioritized)\n\n# _Naruto_\n\n * Episode 26: Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death!\n * Episode 97: Kidnapped! Naruto's Hot Spring Adventure!\n * [_Episode 99: The Will of Fire Still Burns!_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto/will-fire-still-burns)\n * [_Episode 101: Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi-Sensei's True Face!_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto/gotta-see-gotta-know-kakashi-senseis-true-face)\n * Episode 102-106: \"Land of Tea Escort Mission\" arc\n * **Episode 136- _220_**\n * Episode 136-141: \"Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission\" arc \n * [_Episode 136: Deep Cover!? A Super S-Ranked Mission!_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto/deep-cover-super-s-ranked-mission)\n * [_Episode 141: Sakura's Determination_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto/sakuras-determination)\n * Episode 142-147: \"Mizuki Tracking Mission\" arc \n * [_Episode 142: The Three Villains from the Maximum Security Prison_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto/three-villains-maximum-security-prison)\n * Episode 148-151: \"Bikōchū Search Mission\" arc\n * Episode 152-157: \"Kurosuki Family Removal Mission\" arc\n * Episode 158: Follow My Lead! The Great Survival Challenge\n * Episode 159-160: \"Gosunkugi Capture Mission\" arc\n * Episode 161: The Appearance of Strange Visitors\n * Episode 162-167: \"Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission\" arc\n * Episode 168: Mix It, Stretch It, Boil It Up! Burn, Copper Pot, Burn!\n * Episode 169-173: \"Kaima Capture Mission\" arc\n * Episode 174: Impossible! Celebrity Ninja Art - Money Style Jutsu!\n * Episode 175-176: \"Buried Gold Excavation Mission\" arc\n * Episode 178-183: \"Star Guard Mission\" arc\n * Episode 184: Kiba's Long Day!\n * Episode 185: A Legend from the Hidden Leaf: The Onbaa!\n * Episode 186: Laughing Shino\n * Episode 187-191: \"Peddlers Escort Mission\" arc\n * Episode 192: Ino Screams! Chubby Paradise!\n * Episode 193: Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth Is All About Passion!\n * Episode 194: The Mysterious Curse of the Haunted Castle\n * Episode 195-196: \"Third Great Beast Arc\" arc\n * Episode 197-201: \"Konoha Plans Recapture Mission\" arc\n * Episode 202: The Top 5 Ninja Battles\n * Episode 203-207: \"Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission\" arc\n * Episode 208: The Weight of the Prized Artifact!\n * Episode 209-212: \"Gantetsu Escort Mission\" arc\n * Episode 213-215: \"Menma Memory Search Mission\" arc\n * Episode 216-220: \"Sunagakure Support Mission\" \n * [_Episode 220: Departure_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto/departure)\n\n# _Naruto Shippuden_\n\n * [_Episode 6: Mission Cleared_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/mission-cleared)\n * [_Episode 7: Run, Kankuro_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/run-kankuro)\n * Episode 54-71: \"Twelve Guardian Ninja\" arc \n * [_Episode 54 (mostly canon): Nightmare_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/nightmare)\n * _Episode 55 (mostly canon): Wind_\n * [_Episode 56 (mostly canon): Squirming_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/writhe)\n * [_Episode 71: My Friend_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/my-friend)\n * Episode 89-112: \"Three-Tails' Appearance\" arc \n * [_Episode 89 (mostly canon): The Price of Power_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/price-power)\n * [_Episode 90: A Shinobi's Determination_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/shinobis-determination)\n * [_Episode 92: Encounter_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/encounter)\n * [_Episode 93: Connecting Hearts_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/connecting-hearts)\n * [_Episode 112: A Place to Return To_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/place-return)\n * _Episode 127-128: Tales of a Gutsy Ninja ~Jiraiya Ninja Scroll~_\n * Episode 144-151: \"Six-Tails Unleashed\" arc\n * Episode 170-171: Big Adventure! The Quest for the Fourth Hokage's Legacy\n * Episode 176-196: \"Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha\" arc \n * [_Episode 176: Rookie Instructor Iruka_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/rookie-instructor-iruka)\n * [_Episode 178: Iruka's Decision_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/irukas-decision)\n * [_Episode 179: Kakashi Hatake, The Jonin in Charge_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/kakashi-hatake-jonin-charge)\n * [_Episode 180: Inari's Courage Put to the Test_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/inaris-courage-put-test)\n * [_Episode 181: Naruto's School of Revenge_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/narutos-school-revenge)\n * Episode 223-242: \"Paradise Life on a Boat\" arc\n * Episode 257-260 \n * Episode 257: Meeting\n * Episode 258: Rivals\n * Episode 259: Rift\n * Episode 260: Parting\n * Episode 271: Road to Sakura\n * Episode 279-281 \n * Episode 279: White Zetsu's Trap\n * Episode 280: Aesthetics of an Artist\n * Episode 281: The Allied Mom Force!!\n * Episode 284-289 \n * Episode 284: The Helmet Splitter: Jinin Akebino!\n * Episode 285: User of the Scorch Style: Pakura of the Sand!\n * Episode 286: Things You Can't Get Back\n * Episode 287: One Worth Betting On\n * Episode 288: Danger: Jinpachi and Kushimaru!\n * Episode 289: The Lightning Blade: Ameyuri Ringo!\n * Episode 290-295: \"Power\" arc\n * Episode 303-320 \n * Episode 303: Ghosts from the Past\n * Episode 304: The Underworld Transfer Jutsu\n * Episode 305: The Vengeful\n * Episode 306: The Heart's Eye\n * Episode 307: Fade into the Moonlight\n * Episode 308: Night of the Crescent Moon\n * Episode 309: An A-Rank Mission: The Contest\n * Episode 310: The Fallen Castle\n * [_Episode 311: Prologue of Road to Ninja_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/prologue-road-ninja)\n * Episode 312: The Old Master and the Dragon's Eye\n * Episode 313: Rain Followed by Snow, with Some Lightning\n * Episode 314: The Sad Sun Shower\n * Episode 315: Lingering Snow\n * Episode 316: The Reanimated Allied Forces\n * Episode 317: Shino vs. Torune!\n * Episode 318: A Hole in the Heart: The Other Jinchuriki\n * Episode 319: The Living Soul Inside the Puppet\n * Episode 320: Run, Omoi!\n * Episode 347: Creeping Shadow\n * [_Episode 348: The New Akatsuki_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/new-akatsuki)\n * Episode 349-361: \"Kakashi's Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives in the Darkness\" arc \n * [_Episode 350: Minato's Death_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/minatos-death)\n * [_Episode 351: Hashirama's Cells_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/hashiramas-cells)\n * _Episode 360: Jonin Leader_\n * Episode 376: The Directive to Take the Nine Tails\n * Episode 377: Naruto vs. Mecha Naruto\n * Episode 388-390 \n * _Episode 388: My First Friend_\n * Episode 389: The Adored Elder Sister\n * Episode 390: Hanabi's Decision\n * Episode 394-413: \"In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths\" arc\n * Episode 416: The Formation of Team Minato\n * _Episode 417: You'll Be My Backup_\n * _Episode 419: Papa's Youth_\n * Episode 422: The Ones Who Will Inherit\n * Episode 423: Naruto's Rival\n * Episode 427-431 \n * [_Episode 427: To the Dreamworld_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/road-tenten-dream-world-part-1)\n * Episode 428: Where Tenten Belongs\n * Episode 429-430: Killer Bee Rappuden\n * Episode 431: To See That Smile, Just One More Time\n * Episode 432-450: \"Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero\" arc\n * Episode 451-458: \"Itachi Shinden Book: Light and Darkness\" arc \n * _Episode 451: Birth and Death_\n * Episode 460-462 \n * Episode 460: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki\n * Episode 461: Hagoromo and Hamura\n * _Episode 462: A Fabricated Past_\n * Episode 464-469 \n * Episode 464: Ninshū: The Ninja Creed\n * Episode 465: Ashura and Indra\n * Episode 466: The Tumultuous Journey\n * Episode 467: Ashura's Decision\n * Episode 468: The Successor\n * [_Episode 469: A Special Mission_](https://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/naruto-shippuden/special-mission)\n * Episode 480-483: \"Childhood\" arc\n * Episode 484-488: \"Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise\" arc\n * Episode 489-493: \"Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness\" arc\n * Episode 494-500: \"Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding\" arc\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-09-14T20:04:40.710", "id": "48793", "last_activity_date": "2018-09-14T20:04:40.710", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2516", "parent_id": "213", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "220", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nThere is a Naruto character named Tobi who maintains his eyesight though his\nspecial ability _should_ have caused a great amount of macular degeneration.\nThe following includes extensive spoilers.\n\n> By my math, Tobi possesses his Mangekyo for quite some years. It _is_ his\n> Mangekyo, he stated it himself. So in that case, how come he hadn't gone\n> blind yet? Itachi went almost completely blind in under 10 years. Sasuke got\n> half blind in less than 1 year (because he abused it freely).\n\nSo how come Tobi hasn't gone blind? As far as I can figure:\n\n> He obviously replaced his other eye, but it was kept behind his one-eyed\n> mask for a long period of time, he didn't use it for vision.\n\n", "comment_count": 8, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:35:42.340", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "214", "last_activity_date": "2015-04-21T09:04:21.957", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T15:41:07.590", "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "post_type": "question", "score": 10, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Why isn't Tobi blind yet?", "view_count": 1200 }

[ { "body": "\n\nWhen Tobi is not yet revealed to be\n\n> Obito Uchiha\n\n, it's shown that he's collecting Sharingan-Eyes. So it would be logical, that\nhe took two of these eyes to not go blind.\n\n> Remeber: Tobi was actually angered when he saw that Danzo sealed the\n> Sharingan of Shisui, because he couldn't use it anymore.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T14:42:03.947", "id": "215", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T14:51:29.137", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T14:51:29.137", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "214", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nThis answer contains lots of spoilers so I might as well make one block, edit\nif you will\n\n> When Madara rescued Obito from the collapsed cave he used Hashirama Senju's\n> living clone to heal Obito's crushed body. Not only did this heal Obito's\n> body but it also gave him access to Hashirama Senju's abilities, the wood\n> release ability, as seen when he defeated the ninjas who wanted to steal\n> Rin's body. Now Hashirama Senju had unique medical ninjutsu which healed\n> himself without forming any seals whatsoever. So if Obito gained access to\n> the wood release ninjutsu he may also gained this medical ninjutsu, which in\n> turn healed his eye throughout the years.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T15:32:41.180", "id": "220", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T15:38:22.153", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T15:38:22.153", "last_editor_user_id": "28", "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "214", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nKakuzu, an Akatsuki member who works with Hidan as a pair, has a unique\nability. His body is full of black strings that he can use to steal the organs\nof his opponents.\n\nHe uses this ability in order to\n\n> steal his enemies' hearts, which gives him two important advantages:\n>\n> **1)** Provides a type of \"immortality\". He can have a maximum of 4 hearts\n> but this means he needs to be killed 4 times without him replacing the lost\n> hearts in the mean time.\n>\n> **2)** Allows him to use the chakra nature elements of the stolen hearts.\n> For example, if he steals a heart from someone who possessed the wind chakra\n> nature element, he'd be able to use that.\n\nIs it known what Kakuzu's own original chakra nature element was?\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T15:48:11.877", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "222", "last_activity_date": "2017-04-18T11:25:44.173", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "15", "post_type": "question", "score": 10, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "What was Kakuzu's original chakra nature element?", "view_count": 2742 }

[ { "body": "\n\nBeing originally from the Waterfall village plus using the only element\nwithout having an embodiment,\n\nI'll have to take an educated guess and call **Water** on Kakazu.\n\n", "comment_count": 11, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T15:53:04.590", "id": "223", "last_activity_date": "2017-04-18T11:25:44.173", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-18T11:25:44.173", "last_editor_user_id": "31773", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "222", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThe [Official Character Data\nbook](http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1421541254/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1M9XSVQKNS3HZPY3Z2R0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317828027&pf_rd_i=468294)\nprovides **no info** on this. I'd say that any answer other than this without\nany strong sources is mere speculation, or some educated guess (as\nMadaraUchiha's answer).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T15:56:16.073", "id": "224", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T15:56:16.073", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "222", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nWhile impossible to know since many shinobi use multiple chakra elements,\n**Earth Style** was the only type he used without a mask\n(<http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Earth_Release:_Earth_Spear>) -- He had masks\nfor Water, Fire, Wind, and Lightning. So I'd say that was probably his natural\naffinity, or at least what he was most comfortable with/most practiced with in\nhis original body.\n\nRef: <http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Earth_Grudge_Fear>\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-08-01T19:01:26.450", "id": "34531", "last_activity_date": "2016-08-01T19:01:26.450", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "22449", "parent_id": "222", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "421", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nI read a lot of the Full Moon wo Sagashite manga a few years ago and recently\nstarted watching the anime. It's been so long since I read the manga that I\ncan't tell how much is different, but I remember my friend telling me a few\nyears ago that they are very different.\n\nIs there a lot of filler in the anime? Is the plot/story significantly\ndifferent?\n\nPlease mark any spoilers as corresponding to either the manga or anime so\nthose who have only seen one or the other don't get spoiled if they don't want\nto.\n\n(If my friend was blatantly wrong and they are pretty darn close, I apologize\nand don't mind having the question closed.)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T16:31:29.423", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "228", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-21T09:43:32.933", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T17:03:39.823", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "107", "post_type": "question", "score": 4, "tags": [ "full-moon-wo-sagashite" ], "title": "What's the difference between the Full Moon wo Sagashite manga and anime?", "view_count": 10120 }

[ { "body": "\n\nHere are the differences, there might be some spoilers. (If you know the story\nand you think something is a spoiler, please let me know in a comment so I can\nfix it).\n\n 1. Anime: Mitsuki claims to be called FullMoon during the audition. \nManga: This happens in another moment.\n\n 2. > In the **Manga** , Meroko's past is revealed: When alive her name was Moe and she was Mitsuki's grandma's best friend. She killed herself believing her friend had accepted the marriage proposal by the guy she was in love with. \n> In the **Anime** , nothing is revealed except something about her Shinigami\n> past, next to Izumi whom she loved.\n\n 3. > In the **Manga** , also Izumi Rio's past is revealed: When alive his name was Lio. He had a hard childhood. His father died when he was still very young, while his mother went crazy for the suffering and started to mistreat him, despising him and accusing him to be the reason why her new man left her. For this reason, in order to see his mother smile again, he kills himself being run over by a train. \n> Farther in the Manga, we discover that Izumi's vision of his past is\n> slightly wrong...\n\n 4. Manga: Fullmoon single is \"Angel\". \nAnime: It's \"Myself\" by Myco (singer and Fullmoon's voice).\n\n 5. Fullmoon's second song Eternal Snow (always sung by Myco in the Anime only). The history of the carillon, that contains the song's melody, written by Aoi for Mitsuki and that the girl finds in a closet outside of the house (where her grandma locks her for punishment), is told by Takuto when he regains his memory.\n\n 6. > **Anime** : Another difference about Eternal Snow, appeared in the anime only, is the challenge with Madoka who, after a snitch, decides to make her debut too using the same song. Mitsuki feels sad about this since the song was written by her father and so it belonged to the Route L. But Takasu-san, the producer, refuses to produce it and worse, decides to produce Madoka in its place. So Ooshige and Fullmoon end up being without a producer. Ooshige is however a Route L's fan and so he askes Wakaouji to produce this song. He initially refuses, because he swore to stop having any relation with music. In the Anime Mitsuki runs away but she comes back after a day. \n> **Manga** : Something similar happens in the manga, where a song, written\n> by Mitsuki is then found and sung by Madoka because of Izumi. The song's\n> name is \"Princess Marmeid\". Furthermore, Wakaouji is not contacted by\n> Ooshige, rather he spontaneously proposes himself as Mitsuki's producer,\n> since he was searching her that ran away from her house. In the manga she\n> doesn't come back until almost the end.\n\n 7. > **Manga** : Takuto Kira, the Shinigami, \"dies\" jumping from the hospital's roof, seeing by Wakaouji. Takuto Kira received a surgery to his vocal chors, because of a cancer. They are removed and since he lost his voice and cannot sing anymore, this brings him to kill himself. \n> **Anime** : When the throats problem is found out, Takuto rides a bike as\n> fast as possible, deciding not to turn at a bend he encounters.\n\n 8. > **Manga** : When Takuto was alive, he had a girlfriend named Hikari, a beautiful model, that will meet Mitsuki too.\n\n 9. > **Anime** : Meroko is promoted from Shinigami to Angel.\n\n 10. Another big difference is about Eichi-kun ( **huge spoilers** ):\n\n> He was Mitsuki's first love. \n> **Anime** : He dies two months after he arrived to America. Mitsuki knows\n> nothing about his death and will find out during her trip to America, when\n> she decides to visit him along with Ooshige, Wakaouji, Takuto and Meroko. \n> **Manga** : She knows about his death but she refuses it, so she talks as\n> if he was still alive. This reactions sprouts from her feeling guilty\n> because of the lack of reaction when he confessed his love for her, after\n> kissing her. In the manga, this guilty feeling is much stronger and dramatic\n> than the anime's, this is because she runs away after they kiss, the day\n> before he went to America, while in the anime the kiss is not shown.\n\nThere are more differences in the Wikipedia page. If you want I can include\nthem.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-14T14:06:46.807", "id": "421", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-14T14:06:46.807", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "228", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "2046", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nNear the end of the Gosick anime (possibly even just the last episode, I can't\nremember)... Victorique's hair suddenly changes from gold to silver.\n\nThere was speculation about whether this was an intended dye job to hide her\nidentity or representative of her sadness.\n\nDo the original novels give a clear explanation or is it just as ambiguous?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:06:52.853", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "233", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:09:34.153", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-12T12:16:38.310", "last_editor_user_id": "93", "owner_user_id": "107", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "gosick" ], "title": "Do the novels explain the sudden \"hair change\" near the end of Gosick?", "view_count": 3257 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIt was neither stated in the manga or in the anime, nor the author revealed\nthe reason in an interview/etc, but the most common explanation is the Marie-\nAntoinette-Syndrome. It's also written in the Wikipedia-article as a fact, but\nactually, it was never officially said, why the hair changes.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-17T10:23:20.883", "id": "2046", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-17T10:23:20.883", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "233", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nThere was a Q&A session with the anime director on the Twitter regarding the\nlast episode of _GOSICK_ in July 2011, and one of the question was about the\nchanging in hair color:\n\n> @namimi_sanjyo: アニメ版GOSICKの質問をいただいてます。少しお答えしますね。お付き合いよろしくです。\n> 「最終回でヴィクトリカの髪が銀髪になったのはストレスからなのか？それとも自ら脱色したか？」です。 hyankhさん GNT_0000さん\n> からいただきました。続く #gosick\n>\n> @namimi_sanjyo: ずばり！銀髪になったのは演出意図です。って答えじゃないかｗ\n> コルデリアやブライアンの死のショックで自然と色が抜けたのですが、 彼女の心象を表すためにも色を変えました。 ヴィクトリカは金色の妖精でもあり、\n> その金色でなくなることは妖精ではなくなった事も意味しました。 ショックぐらいで色が変わるはずがないと思うでしょうが、私の中でヴィクトリカは妖精でした。\n> いにしえの生き物です！ その彼女が力を失い人間になっていく過程（命乞いをするとか）が、あの逃亡中におこったのです！\n> その表現として髪の色も変わったと思って下さいませ。 #gosick\n\nRough translation\n\n> @namimi_sanjyo: [...] \"Was the reason for Victorique's hair color changing\n> to silver due to the stress? Or was it losing color naturally? [...]\n>\n> @namimi_sanjyo: [...]. The color naturally lost due to the shock from\n> Cordelia and Brian's death, but it's also changed to express her mind. Since\n> Victorique is also \"The Golden Fairy\", her hair not being golden means that\n> she is not \"The Fairy\" anymore. While I don't think that it's possible for\n> hair to change color due to shock, she is still a \"Fairy\" in my mind. An\n> ancient creature! The process (begging to die) when she lost the power and\n> became a human being happened while running away! Please think that as the\n> expression by the change of her hair color.\n\nIronically, as it has been mentioned by\n[looper](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/2046/2516) &\n[кяαzєя](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/233/do-the-novels-explain-\nthe-sudden-hair-change-near-the-end-of-gosick#comment312_233), [Marie\nAntoinette syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Antoinette_syndrome)\nactually exists. Also unfortunately, I failed to locate the tweets directly.\nEither they have been deleted or not indexed.\n\n* * *\n\nSource: [Otanews\n(Japanese)](http://otanews.livedoor.biz/archives/51803967.html)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-12-13T07:09:34.153", "id": "43766", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T07:09:34.153", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2516", "parent_id": "233", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "240", "answer_count": 6, "body": "\n\nI know he made ​​a contract with his own soul or something like that. But if\nthis Nen is so powerful, how come he is the only who used it in the series?\n\nI also watched the previous version(1999), and there was no one who did this\ntype of contract besides him.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:16:44.450", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "236", "last_activity_date": "2020-09-17T10:48:39.077", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T22:30:00.377", "last_editor_user_id": "22", "owner_user_id": "85", "post_type": "question", "score": 14, "tags": [ "hunter-x-hunter" ], "title": "Why is Kurapika so powerful?", "view_count": 57789 }

[ { "body": "\n\nKurapika's scarlet eyes allow him to shift from becoming a Conjurer to a\nSpecialist because of their unique nature. This ability, Emperor Time, allows\nhim to utilize all the types of Nen to 100% efficiency.\n\nKurapika has a Nen blade chain wrapped around his heart. Kurapika imposed a\nlimitation onto this chain, it can only be used to deal with members of the\nPhantom Troupe. If this condition is violated, Kurapika will die. This\ncondition (a\n[Limitation](http://hunterxhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Nen#Vows_.26_Limitations), a\nVow with a punishment) was needed in order to increase the strength of the\nability.\n\n", "comment_count": 7, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:30:25.933", "id": "240", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T17:30:25.933", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "236", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nKurapika uses vows and limitations. [The stronger the vows and limitations\nare, the stronger the Nen.](http://hunterxhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Nen)\n\n> a student of Nen can increase the overall power of an individual skill by\n> stating a self-imposed restriction that forces even more conditions on it.\n\nKurapika is the one of the only characters shown who uses such strong vows and\nlimitations because of its risk. If he makes one wrong move and attacks\nsomebody who isn't a spider, he will die. For most people, this is a risk that\nisn't worth taking because they could easily make a mistake - death does not\nleave any second chanced. Kurapika took on this risk because he was desperate\nfor a way to beat the spiders.\n\nOn top of this, only being able to use your Nen on a specific group of people,\nespecially one that is only thirteen members, limits the use of your powers\nsubstantially. Kurapika's power was one developed exclusively for fighting the\nspiders but most other Nen users would want to be able to use their power more\ngenerally.\n\nHowever, other characters do use weaker versions of vows and limitations. For\nexample, Bomber must tell all his victims about his powers before using it,\nwhich means he loses the advantage of anonymity.\n\nCombined with his specialist power of Emperor Time, which means he can use all\ntypes of Nen with 100% efficiency, Kurapika's Nen becomes very powerful.\nEmperor Time is very useful because one of the major weaknesses of Nen can be\nattributed to not being the right 'type'. Killua is bad at emitting aura\n([Chimera Ant arc - Chapter 237 - Page\n7](https://i.stack.imgur.com/kjeY2.png)) and this is presumably because he is\na transmuter. The same with\n[Machi](http://hunterxhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Machi).\n\n> If the threads leave Machi's fingers, their ultimate strength drops\n> significantly.\n\nEnhancers have the advantage of being able to enhance their power. A\ntransmuter only has 40% of this efficiency and so on so forth.\n\nForcibly learning a Nen of a type that doesn't suit you can result in one\nlosing the ability to perform other Nen skills. Hisoka calls this running out\nof memory.\n\nWith a combination of these two factors, Kurapika's Nen is far more powerful\nthan most Nen users.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-05-02T18:47:08.103", "id": "21304", "last_activity_date": "2015-05-02T18:52:33.697", "last_edit_date": "2015-05-02T18:52:33.697", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "13489", "parent_id": "236", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nIt's his Emperor Time, It boosts his Nen Capacity to significant Power Levels.\nIf you put things in perspective, only the Chain Jail is imposed on the\nspiders and not on everything else. Kurapika himself is above any human coz\nhe's Kuruta and with his eyes he can do everything in a berserk like state.\n\nIn numbers, Normal Kurapakia Physical Power 100 now add 350 because of emperor\ntime that makes it 450. His got a lets say 250 nen Capacity.\n\nNow for Uvon to attack him with a 1000phys+1500nen = 2200 attack power over\nall, Kurapika has to have the same amount or near that to negate the attack.\nSo Emperor time boosts his Nen output as well, from 250 to 2000. so lets add\nKurapikas 450phys+2000nen = 2450 defense power.\n\nUvon = 2500 attack power, Kurapika(EmperorTime) = 2450 Defense, Kurapika\nNormal = 350 defense\n\nTo simplify and tie in all the other answers. Kurapica's chain jail is the\nonly chain that has a condition and therefore nen boost. Kurapica himself as a\nkuruta gets a boost in physical abilities when his scarlet eyes turns on. So\ntherefore for Kurapica to negate Uvon's Big Bang impact, he could have had a\nhigh boost in Nen as well to augment his over all defense.\n\nThis is reasonable because Kurapica(for arguments sake) is only a let's say 20\nin his regular form while Uvon is a high 100. For a 20 to tank a 100 it should\nbe rational to think that he has a boost in attack and defense because of one\nhax ability. And from what we've seen, no chain gives him that advantage, it\ncould only have been his scarlet eyes and therefore Emperor Time.\n\nThis chapter explains it very well, the nature of nen. It's page 19, read the\nwhole issue to get a good grip of it's logic. \"when you're eyes turn red your\naura considerably increased\"\n<http://mangafox.me/manga/hunter_x_hunter/v09/c083/19.html>\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-07-01T03:02:49.260", "id": "34044", "last_activity_date": "2017-11-20T20:53:27.507", "last_edit_date": "2017-11-20T20:53:27.507", "last_editor_user_id": "25940", "owner_user_id": "25940", "parent_id": "236", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nKurapika is powerful because he is a part of the Kurta Clan. Whenever his eyes\nturn red it boosts his physical and nen capabilities, and changes his nature\ninto a specialist instead of a conjurer. His specialist ability(Emperor Time)\nenables 100% usage of all nen categories without limits. Making him a jack of\nall trades whom can master anything based on his characteristics.\n\nOn the condition part, every nen ability can be enhanced with a condition, how\nmuch stricter the condition the more powerful the ability. His chain jail is\nonly applicable to the Spiders, which isn't something you'd want to survive in\nthe HxH world. Good thing for him he's a kuruta with an extremely hax ability.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2017-11-21T04:51:24.690", "id": "43446", "last_activity_date": "2020-09-17T10:48:39.077", "last_edit_date": "2020-09-17T10:48:39.077", "last_editor_user_id": "1458", "owner_user_id": "25940", "parent_id": "236", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nIn a recently released chapter ([Chapter\n364](http://hunterxhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Chapter_364)), it's stated that\nEmperor Time has an additional price: for every second while this ability is\nactivated, Kurapika loses one hour of his lifespan. So, besides the Vows and\nLimitations of (some of) the chains, Emperor Time was under a powerful vow\nwhich boosted its power.\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4sSP4.jpg)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2018-09-29T21:04:07.200", "id": "48979", "last_activity_date": "2018-09-29T21:04:07.200", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27877", "parent_id": "236", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nSimilar to Gon turning into his adult form to defeat the Chimera Ant, Pitu. He\nvowed never to user NEN again just to gain that boost of Nen. Just like what\nthe others have mentioned, Kurapika only has CHAIN JAIL wrapped into this vow\nin order to make it stronger in addition to his emperor time. He can still use\nthe other 4 chains against other enemies but they will never be at the same\nstrength as the CHAIN JAIL against the spider.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2020-03-02T10:53:37.850", "id": "56916", "last_activity_date": "2020-03-02T10:53:37.850", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "52163", "parent_id": "236", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "242", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nHow was it exactly that Nagato came upon his Rinnegan?\n\nMadara states that it was his, and that he gave it to him: how did he do that?\nDid he transplant it into Nagato, or did he transfer it otherwise?\n\nNote: I do not recall whether this was explained in the manga or not.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:18:09.110", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "237", "last_activity_date": "2023-08-10T15:30:20.573", "last_edit_date": "2016-09-22T03:20:10.477", "last_editor_user_id": "7866", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "How did Nagato gain his Rinnegan?", "view_count": 3737 }

[ { "body": "\n\nLike you said, it certainly was not mentioned.\n\n> The best _guess_ is that he used Zetsu to do it, since he was chained to the\n> Gedo Mazo. Apparently he knew he could use it in the distant future to\n> revive himself again.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:29:02.883", "id": "239", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T17:33:18.023", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T17:33:18.023", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "85", "parent_id": "237", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nWell,\n\n> Black Zetsu, which is the embodiment of Madara's willpower and thought\n> (Yin), stated that he had indeed _transplanted_ these eyes into him when he\n> was a boy. When or how isn't stated, one can only speculate that Madara used\n> White Zetsu or some other Zetsu for it.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:31:41.673", "id": "242", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-15T10:06:21.247", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-15T10:06:21.247", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "237", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 }, { "body": "\n\nIn Chapter 606,\n\n> In Obito's flashback, Madara mentions that he did indeed transplant it into\n> Nagato without him (Nagato) realising it. How exactly he did it is not\n> explained, though it is likely he used a Gedo Mazo/Senju cells based\n> technique similar to the one he used to \"repair\" Obito's body (without Obito\n> realising it as well).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:36:02.117", "id": "246", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T17:36:02.117", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "99", "parent_id": "237", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nIn the anime series _Sailor Moon_ (or, _Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon_ ) the\nsenshi have a unique _henshin_ , or transformation sequence. Especially later\non, these are animated with the senshi receiving a manicure before the\ntransformation sequence begins.\n\nHere's Sailor Mercury (Mizuno Ami) starting her henshin sequence by raising\nher hand:\n\n\n\nThen she gets her manicure and her star wand transformation pen activates:\n\n\n\nAs you can see, her nails are clearly blue in the second screencapture. Yet,\nat the end of her henshin sequence, she's clearly sporting gloves:\n\n\n\nSo: **Why do the Senshi receive a manicure before putting on gloves?**\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:25:09.253", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "238", "last_activity_date": "2023-04-29T18:28:03.120", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 8, "tags": [ "sailor-moon" ], "title": "Why do the senshi get a manicure before they get gloves?", "view_count": 5494 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI haven't heard of any official response to that, so we can only assume that\nit's only to make the animation look cooler/more dramatic/more `insert praise\nword here`.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:38:13.250", "id": "247", "last_activity_date": "2020-04-15T14:34:49.630", "last_edit_date": "2020-04-15T14:34:49.630", "last_editor_user_id": "35679", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "238", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nWell, the Guardians _do_ shout \"Make up!\" before properly transforming, so\nmanicures and lipstick fit the motif nicely of transforming into _Pretty_\nGuardians.\n\nUsing Haruka Tenou/Sailor Uranus (Season 3 transformations that Anno worked\non, but still works) from the R2 DVDs as an example:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI know I answered this quite some time after the question was asked, but I'm\nsure it's helpful to someone out there.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2014-04-23T23:45:07.203", "id": "8873", "last_activity_date": "2023-04-29T18:28:03.120", "last_edit_date": "2023-04-29T18:28:03.120", "last_editor_user_id": "19307", "owner_user_id": "4628", "parent_id": "238", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 }, { "body": "\n\nThere is an official answer to this. Takeuchi Naoko, the mangaka seems to have\nmade this decision, not the animation staff. She points out the characters'\nnail polish in the _Settei Shiryoushuu_ (Materials Collection) art book, and\non the Sailor Mercury page she shows her own 8-frame [frame-by-frame\nsketch](https://i.stack.imgur.com/E2NTa.png)1 of Sailor Mercury's\ntransformation sequence, including the frame which includes her comment (fan\ntranslation from the original Japanese): \"6. 'Make Up!' Next, she covers her\nface with her hands, and her nails become instantly manicured, shining bright\nblue.\"\n\nIn Takeuchi's early concept art for the characters (also shown in the same\nartbook), [neither Sailor Mercury nor Sailor Mars wore\ngloves](https://i.stack.imgur.com/geirU.jpg)2 as part of their sailor soldier\nuniforms so, in their cases, their manicures would have always been showing\n(whereas Moon, Jupiter, and Venus were originally gloved).\n\nThe fact that Takeuchi wanted to highlight make-up in the series is the reason\nthat the characters use the phrase \"Make Up!\" - which was apparently important\nenough to be specifically mentioned in the Sailor Moon Crystal opening theme\nsong \"MOON PRIDE\" by Momoiro Clover Z.\n\n1 Source:\n<http://gallery.missdream.org/albums/scanlation_smoon/smoon_materialscollection/materials007.png> \n2 Source:\n<http://gallery.missdream.org/albums/scanlation_smoon/smoon_materialscollection/materials002.png>\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-09-06T13:08:13.623", "id": "13852", "last_activity_date": "2014-09-06T13:43:32.530", "last_edit_date": "2014-09-06T13:43:32.530", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "8134", "parent_id": "238", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nSeijitsu's answer refers to [word of\ngod](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WordOfGod), so I won't go that\nway.\n\nI will assume the OP is male since his profile does not exist ATM.\n\nWhy go to the trouble of doing a nail job if it is going to be under a glove\nis the same thought that makes me pull the first boxers out of the drawer and\nput them on without even knowing its color. Same goes for socks most of the\ntime.\n\nYes, I am also male. But the other gender works differently.\n\nGirls wear pretty lingerie nobody will see. It does not matter if their\nwonderful nail job is hidden behind a glove, they know the nail job is there\nand they feel good with themselves because of that.\n\nOr if something might happen later in the evening. Narusegawa of Love Hina did\nthat: [in episode\n5](http://www.type40.com/Shows/showEpisodeDetails.asp?EID=6417&ID=178), she\nhas to sleep in the same room as Keitaro. It did not matter that the poor boy\nwas bound and gagged, she got the nice lingerie \"just in case\".\n\nThe show is aimed at young girls. Tsukino is 14 when the series begin. The\ntarget demographic is going through puberty, beginning to feel like adults.\nEven though most of them already know how to do makeup\n([link](http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/819083/What-s-the-right-\nage-for-girls-to-wear-makeup)\n[link](http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG10721046/Survey-\nreveals-how-girls-start-wearing-make-up-aged-11.html)), they are at the age\ntheir bodies are changing shape.\n\nThe showmakers are aiming at increasing identification between the\nprotagonists (Sailor Senshi) and the viewer (young girls). The principle at\nwork is the same discussed [in this other\nquestion](https://anime.stackexchange.com/q/2178/2808).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-09-26T21:34:14.363", "id": "14185", "last_activity_date": "2014-09-26T21:34:14.363", "last_edit_date": "2017-04-13T12:54:49.090", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "2808", "parent_id": "238", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": null, "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nWhen Kenshin is content and in his normal, day-to-day state, his eyes are\npurple.\n\n\n\nYet, when he is incensed or when he must resume his Hitokiri Battousai\npersona, his eyes turn yellow:\n\n\n\nWhy do Kenshin's eyes change color?\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:31:34.403", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "241", "last_activity_date": "2023-02-04T20:01:02.313", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T20:16:47.893", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": null, "post_type": "question", "score": 10, "tags": [ "rurouni-kenshin" ], "title": "Why do Kenshin's eyes change color?", "view_count": 8660 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn this [Wiki](http://kenshin.wikia.com/wiki/Himura_Kenshin), it is stated\nthat:\n\n> Kenshin's eyes, too, are unusual, being a deep violet. In the anime series,\n> when **Kenshin's eyes change to reflect his psychological reversion to\n> Hitokiri Battōsai** , their color shifts from violet to gold.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:54:45.270", "id": "250", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T18:29:33.697", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T18:29:33.697", "last_editor_user_id": "15", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "241", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nIt's just an artistic style especially used in the earlier days of manga/anime\nto show a different, more serious state rather than the character's usual\njovial self. Many animes did this before the millennia and everyone just sort\nof accepted it. As they evolved, fewer anime do this now except the ones\naiming to parody earlier works.\n\nI personally prefer this to when he would glow red in Season 1 to show his\nangry state. What didn't make even more sense was when he went into the\nglowing state in the _Requiem_ movie which takes place after he learned _Ama\nKakeru Ryu no Hirameki_ (which was supposed to suppress his _hitokiri_ side\nsince he came to terms with it).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2014-07-17T19:58:20.080", "id": "12906", "last_activity_date": "2023-02-04T13:37:01.173", "last_edit_date": "2023-02-04T13:37:01.173", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "7597", "parent_id": "241", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nWe realized it is more because Kenshin has a split personality. When he is\nforced to get serious in a battle and loses himself to it, his personality\nchanges.\n\nThe prime example is when he was fighting an old rival from the war after\nSanosuke got hurt. He punched himself in the face to bring his kinder much\ngentler self out.\n\nWhen his eyes change, you know his other personality has emerged.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2016-10-12T01:05:07.490", "id": "36788", "last_activity_date": "2023-02-04T13:37:05.713", "last_edit_date": "2023-02-04T13:37:05.713", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "28678", "parent_id": "241", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nIt isn't a split personality, something which we now believe doesn't exist and\nisn't used as a diagnosis anymore. I believe that his eyes change color for\nartistic/symbolic effects. His soul is fractured, so he must shed parts of\nhimself in order to become a better fighter. When he is truly in danger, he\nreverts back to the manslayer, a killer above all others.\n\nAfter he finishes his training with his master, his soul is mostly at peace\nand he doesn't need to bury himself to become stronger and can thus reach a\nhigher potential than he ever could as a manslayer.\n\nFrom [All The Tropes - Eyes of\nGold](https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Eyes_of_Gold),\n\n> It's said that eyes are the window to the soul, and in fiction, their color\n> is often the first way to hint at a character's true nature. In particular,\n> characters who have gold and yellow-colored eyes tend to have some form of\n> supernatural origin or powers that place them above normal humans.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2017-09-17T03:47:41.560", "id": "42363", "last_activity_date": "2023-02-04T13:37:03.537", "last_edit_date": "2023-02-04T13:37:03.537", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "35672", "parent_id": "241", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "248", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nThere is a debate between fans as to the romanization of the name of the wolf-\ngirl character in Spice and Wolf.\n\nSome claim it should be romanized as Holo, whilst others say Horo.\n\nIs there official word on which is correct?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:35:24.517", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "245", "last_activity_date": "2020-06-01T05:01:23.913", "last_edit_date": "2016-11-13T06:50:35.017", "last_editor_user_id": "8486", "owner_user_id": "131", "post_type": "question", "score": 20, "tags": [ "japanese-language", "spice-and-wolf" ], "title": "What is the proper romanization of the wolf-girl's name?", "view_count": 2489 }

[ { "body": "\n\nAccording to Yen Press (the English publisher of the Spice and Wolf novels),\nthey were instructed by the Japanese licensor to use \"Holo\".\n\nSource: [This comment at Yenpress.com](http://yenpress.com/2009/09/spice-and-\nwolf-unveiled/comment-page-1/#comment-8088)\n\nThere was also a scene in the anime, season 2 episode 4, showing a hand-\nwritten letter that included \"Holo\".\n\n\n\nPoor writing, but I think it's obvious that it's an L not an R.\n\n", "comment_count": 5, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:38:58.503", "id": "248", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-20T04:45:42.023", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-20T04:45:42.023", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "107", "parent_id": "245", "post_type": "answer", "score": 28 }, { "body": "\n\nAccording to one episode in 2nd season and official translation of light\nnovels it is Holo.\n\nBut Horo has been used for so long, that it is hard to fans to accept the\nofficial romanization. Also, in many languages, the official japanese dubbing\ntoo sounds more like Horo than Holo.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T17:39:26.407", "id": "249", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T17:39:26.407", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "115", "parent_id": "245", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nThis indeed splits _Spice and Wolf_ fans into two as ホロ is \"Horo\" in romaji,\nbut in official English translation it's \"Holo\".\n\nFor Japanese viewers, the name is \"Horo\" (ホロ). For English viewers, the name\nis \"Holo\".\n\nWhich of the names came first? You know the answer to that already. In the\nend, both are official and valid names for wolf-girl protagonist\n\nIt's also known that HorribleSubs used term \"Horo\".\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-05-30T08:55:44.577", "id": "40588", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-17T09:32:28.363", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-17T09:32:28.363", "last_editor_user_id": "2516", "owner_user_id": "32818", "parent_id": "245", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "253", "answer_count": 11, "body": "\n\nWell... the title says it!\n\nI ask this because, supposedly, Hyuuga and Uchiha are descendants of the\nRikudou's eldest son (at least I am under that impression). In that way, does\nthe Byakugan have any other special techniques that can be awakened (such as\nTsukuyomi, Susano'o and Amaterasu in the Sharingan), and can it (ultimately)\nawaken the Rinnegan?\n\nSo far we have not seen techniques that derive from the Byakugan itself, but\nrather techniques that are possible because of it: the whole Hyuuga fighting\nstyle comes from the use of Byakugan, but it is not related to it in the same\nway that every Mangekyou technique is related to the Sharingan. They were only\nable to develop/and use it properly due to them having the Byakugan, but\n(again) it does not relate to it in the same way the Mangekyou relates to the\nSharingan.\n\nTo sum up: **Is it possible for a Byakugan user to awaken a Rinnegan?**\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:16:50.273", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "252", "last_activity_date": "2021-05-11T03:44:43.483", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 21, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Is it possible for a Byakugan user to awaken the Rinnegan?", "view_count": 45756 }

[ { "body": "\n\nUnlikely.\n\nWhile it is true that Kakashi originally said that the Uchiha clan (And the\nSharingan) is a branch off the Hyuuga clan (and the Byakugan), ~~it was later\nrevealed that it wasn't the case~~ **And even though Kaguya Otsutsuki was said\nto have the Byakugan** , it is currently presumed that the two bloodlines are\nseparate and there's no actual connection between the two eye techniques..\n\nNo Byakugan upgrades were ever discussed/revealed, like you said, the Hyuuga\nspecific techniques are only the Byakugan's potential being utilized.\n\n### SPOILER!\n\n> **Moreover, it was revealed that the way to awaken the Rinnegan would be to\n> combine Indra's and Ashura's chakra** , like Madara (who had Indra's chakra)\n> implanted the flesh of Hashirama (who had Ashura's chakra), to bring out the\n> Sage of Six Paths' chakra. \n> So theoretically, if Indra were to posses a Hyuuga clan member, and the\n> identity of Ashura would be known, it may be possible. That, however, never\n> happened and is not likely to happen in the future.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:21:41.240", "id": "253", "last_activity_date": "2014-04-05T19:48:05.853", "last_edit_date": "2014-04-05T19:48:05.853", "last_editor_user_id": "27", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 17 }, { "body": "\n\nNote that the Rinnegan is not a state/technique like Mangekyou or Amaterasu.\nIt's a whole different eye. Same goes for the Byakugan.\n\nRegardless of there being a common heritage, the Byakugan is an innate skill\nlike the Sharingan (the basic one). You have it because you were born in that\nclan. The Rinnegan is even rarer (being a supreme eye) but again, it's not a\ntechnique, it's an \"eye\" by itself.\n\nSo to answer your question, it's _highly unlikely_ that a Byakugan user can\nawake the Rinnegan. I'd say **no** , but the Manga is not over yet and I don't\nwant to bite off more than I can chew, but it wouldn't make sense because a\nByakugan could develop a technique, at best, not an eye.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T18:36:48.333", "id": "255", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-12T18:36:48.333", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nBasically, the [**elder\nson**](https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Indra_%C5%8Ctsutsuki) of the [**Sage of\nSix Paths**](https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Hagoromo_%C5%8Ctsutsuki) had the\nSharingan, introducing the Uchiha, but the [**younger\none**](https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Asura_%C5%8Ctsutsuki) didn't have any\nspecial abilities, introducing the Senju.\n\nYou need to have both Senju and Uchiha DNA to awaken the Rinnegan. During the\nbattle with Hashirama at the 'Final Valley' Madara lost, but in the process he\nmanaged to get Hashirama's cells. He put Hashirama's cells into his own body,\nleading to the awakening of the Rinnegan. That's how Madara Uchiha awakened\nthe Rinnegan. Nagato however did **NOT** awaken the Rinnegan, but when he was\na baby, Madara transplanted his eyes into Nagato. Nagato was originally from\nthe Uzumaki clan, and he had an extremely strong life force, as you can see\ndue to his red hair, which eventually turned white because of the amount of\npower he had.\n\nThe Sharingan was supposed to originate from the Byakugan but then he writers\nmust have just changed that idea and hoped everyone would forget. There are a\nfew similarities between the Sharingan and the Byakugan, such as the ability\nto sense chakra. But I think the bonuses of the Byakugan are that you can see\nthrough objects, but if your especially skilled like Neji, or if you can focus\nenough like Hinata then you can even see a humans chakra points.\n\nA Byakugan user can only awaken the Rinnegan if they posses both the cells of\nan Uchiha and a Senju inside them, and with time they would also probably be\nable to control the 'Gedo Statue'.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2014-03-26T19:12:04.630", "id": "8288", "last_activity_date": "2021-05-11T03:44:43.483", "last_edit_date": "2021-05-11T03:44:43.483", "last_editor_user_id": "59761", "owner_user_id": "4275", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nIt should be noted that Kaguya Otsutsuki (mother of the Sage of six paths) was\na Byakugan user. She could use Byakugan at a high level. Her son awakened the\nRinnegan proving that Rinnegan is somehow related to Byakugan. Since the Sage\nof six path's elder son could use Sharingan it was also clear that Byakugan is\nthe ancestor of Sharingan.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-04-05T17:40:29.137", "id": "8505", "last_activity_date": "2014-04-05T18:27:36.563", "last_edit_date": "2014-04-05T18:27:36.563", "last_editor_user_id": "122", "owner_user_id": "4401", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nI don't want to say that this is fact but here is a theory. Kaguya possesses\ntwo bloodline traits the byakugan and another sharingan/rinnegan trait. Upon\nhaving her two sons she could have passed the two traits down separately\n(seeing that we have not seen the sage's brother this is possible). This would\nmean that the sage obtained his mothers sharingan/rinnegan eye which\nmanifested as the rinnegan without the sharingan tomoe. Upon the sage having\nhis two sons he passed down his visual ability, albeit a weakened version (the\nsharingan), to his eldest and his physical energy to his youngest. It is, as\nwe know, that only when senju and Uchiha blood mix do you acquire the\nrinnegan. Pretty much what this theory states is that it is possible that the\nhyuuga clan originated from the sages brother while the rinnegan and sharingan\noriginated from the sage himself. If this Is true then it would not be\npossible for the byakugan to develop into the rinnegan because they would\nbelong to two different lineages. However this is just a theory so do not take\nthis as fact.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-04-19T03:36:42.693", "id": "8760", "last_activity_date": "2014-04-19T03:36:42.693", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "4553", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nThe byakugan might be able to awaken the the rinnegan. Kaguya otsutsuki passed\ndown her power to her two sons. The sage of six path is the ancestor of the\nuchiha and senju inherited visual prowess and physical prowess. The sages\nbrother is the ancestor of the hyuga and uzumaki inherited sealing justu and\nthe byakugan. So the only way for a byakugan user to awaken the rinnegan is to\nimplant uchiha and senji dna\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-09-30T02:52:53.380", "id": "14232", "last_activity_date": "2014-09-30T02:52:53.380", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "8535", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\n**No** \nThey can't. As you see, Kaguya had 2 sons: Hogoromo (Sage Of 6 Paths) and\nHamura (the one with Bayakugan). While Rinnengan and Sharingan are totally\ndifferent from Bayakugan. As both Sharingan and Rinnegan originate from [Rinne\nSharingan](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Rinne_Sharingan).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-11-05T10:41:14.873", "id": "14862", "last_activity_date": "2014-11-05T10:43:27.253", "last_edit_date": "2014-11-05T10:43:27.253", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "9019", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\n## Kekkei Genkai\n\n 1. Bloodline limits that can be achieved if your Mom or Dad has these characteristics. It may or may not get activated.\n\nExamples are:\n\n * Sharingan was activated by Sasuke, while some Uchiha were not able to achieve it.\n 2. Bloodline limits could also be obtained randomly by a senju or family branch, like the Uzumaki clan, or just a random genius like the 4th Hokage who wasn't part of senju or Uchiha or any bloodline limit clan at all.\n\nExamples are:\n\n * Kimimaro is the sole user of the bone bloodline limit, which is an original from Kaguya.\n\n * Sage Mode - considered a bloodline limit which requires a person who has massive amount of chakra to perfectly control his chakra without using any amount of chakra to obtain the sage levels. For example, Minato, Naruto, Hashirama, ...\n\n 3. Bloodline limits can also be achieved through implants/mastery/intense practice but has a low chance of getting it into perfect use.\n\nExamples are:\n\n * Kakashi's Mangekyu \n * Kabuto's Sage Mode\n * Yamato's Mokuton\n\n## Kekkei Tōta\n\nAn upgraded kekkei genkai or a 3-element bloodline limit user.\n\nFor examples:\n\n * Rinnegan - an upgraded state of Sharingan\n * Beast Bomb Rasenshuriken Jutsu - a densed Kyuubi, Sage, and Wind chakra\n * Mokuton no Jutsu\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-11-11T07:10:39.607", "id": "15010", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-29T14:46:54.110", "last_edit_date": "2014-12-29T14:46:54.110", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "9116", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nFirst of all they made it fair enough by make a new evolution of the byakugan\nwhich is TENSEIGAN that we saw in the seventh movie. They felt that the\nbyakugan didn't get as much attention like the Sharingan.\n\nI have two theories about this:\n\n 1. We all know that byakugan is related to sharingan due to the anime .. BUT noticing that kaguya the mother of SGO6P had the byakugan! meaning that byakugan came first - rinnegan - then sharingan .. so byakugan is the ancestor of the other dojutsu. This infers that Kaguya had the power of the jubi plus her byakugan as a result , she awakened one rinne sharingan in her forehead .in other words maybe if a hyuga becomes the ten tails Jinchuuriki he\\she will also awaken one of two : regular rinnegan or rinne sharingan .\n\n 2. Second theory is about bloods. We know that on one side the uzumaki clan are relatives of the senju , on another side the uchiha clan is descended from the hyuga clan . so if a hyuga and an uzumaki/senju were to have offsprings , theyll perhaps have the power of the sage of the six paths ! which means theyll awaken the rinnegan .. (for example himawari , lets see what future hides) hope u like it ;)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-08-12T18:25:24.350", "id": "24023", "last_activity_date": "2015-08-12T18:44:17.053", "last_edit_date": "2015-08-12T18:44:17.053", "last_editor_user_id": "293", "owner_user_id": "16250", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nSeeing how Kaguya possesses both the rinne sharingan, which is the progenitor\nof the rinnegan, and the byakugan it is within the realm of possibilities that\na byakugan user may awaken the rinnegan, but as a forehead third eye since\nthey already have byakugan in both eyes and the original source of rinne and\ntensei chakra is Kaguya herself. But I would imagine that only select Hyuga or\nMoon Shinobi Otsutsuki clan members can do this depending on the purity of\ntheir blood that match either of Hamura's aspects (Hyuga or Moon Shinobi\nOtsutsuki) and/or whether or not Hamura's children have unique chakra like\nIndra and Asura that makeup the chakra of their parent and only them and their\ntransmigrants can awaken the rinnegan/ rinne sharingan. This is an\nhypothetical conjecture since what you're asking has remained unanswered at\nthe end of the Naruto series.\n\nIn an hypothetical scenario, it may be possible for an eligible Hyuga clan\nmember to acquire Asura & Indra's chakra or chakra from Hagoromo himself and\nthey may acquire a single forhead rinnegan. For the sake of logistics, lets\nsay they acquire one purple rinnegan in their forehead. Why? Because there may\nbe a component in Hamura's chakra that may mutate the rinnegan into the rinne\nsharingan and thus since we are talking about one third of said chakra they\nmay acquire an incomplete rinne sharingan. For simplicity's sake let's say\nthat an eligible Hyuga clan member can acquire a purple rinnegan and that an\neligible Moon Shinobi Otsutsuki clan member can acquire a red rinnegan. When\nthat missing 1/4th is acquired this may trigger the third eye to transform\ninto its complete form, the rinne sharingan.\n\nThis hypothesis may connect with another hypothesis as to why Kaguya doesn't\nappear to have the tenseigan while Hamura has it. Perhaps by acquiring\nHamura's chakra and the tenseigan and then acquiring the rinne aspect that the\nuser previously lacked, said individual may awaken the third eye as the\ncomplete rinne sharingan, but as a consequence of its activation the tenseigan\ndeactivates, because the tensei chakra now has a rinnegan to be processed by\nand thus in the absence of rinne chakra and the rinnegan the tensei chakra\nmanifests as the tenseigan in the user's byakugan. This maybe the reason why\nKaguya appears to lack the tenseigan while his son doesn't. I would also like\nto add that Kaguya's byakugan is considered a kekkei mora rather than a kekkei\ngenkai and it may very well be for this reason. This is taking into account\nthat Hagormo and Hamura each hold an aspect of Kaguya's chakra in their own\nand if both chakra were to merge, her chakra may likely mainfest in the\nindividual. As already mentioned, Asura + Indra = Hagoromo as shown by Madara\nand unspecified Hyuga + unspecified Moon Shinobi Otsutsuki = Hamura as\ndemonstrated by Toneri. So why wouldn't Hagoromo + Hamura = Kaguya? Let's also\ntake into account that Hagoromo's rinnegan are purple and tomoeless while his\nmother's rinnegan is red and with (9) tomoe like the sharingan. The absence of\nthe tensei component in Hagoromo may be the reason why there is a difference\nbetween his eyes and his mother's eye.\n\nA possible counter arguement for this last paragraph would be that Kaguya can\nindeed activate the tenseigan and there is no relationship between the\ntenseigan and her rinne sharingan as explained above. She may have simply\nchosen not activate them during her fight with Naruto and Sasuke. It can be\nfurther argued that her tenseigan may be more advanced compared to her son's\nseeing as how her son's tenseigan seems to be able to evolve further by\nsealing other clan member's byakugan inside it. Being the source of all chakra\nher tenseigan could very well be more advance than her son's. However, this\nhypothesis is also debatable as there is no evidence that supports that she\nhas the tenseigan.\n\nHope that this explaination makes sense and even if there is something that\nyou may disagree with or that you don't like, because it's speculative in\nnature that at least this attempt of explaining an untestible unknown (until\nKishi gets off his ass and tell us the answer) may get your imagination going\nso you may actually formulate your own explainations on this matter.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-10-12T22:15:01.273", "id": "26585", "last_activity_date": "2015-10-13T19:03:03.510", "last_edit_date": "2015-10-13T19:03:03.510", "last_editor_user_id": "18482", "owner_user_id": "18482", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nThe byakugan was inherited from kaguya by her son hamura, while the\nconstituent dojutsu that comprise the rinne-sharingan were inherited by\nhagoromo(sage of six paths), and as such, the byakugan cannot be transformed\ninto the rinnegan, as its chakra constituents are totally separate. The\nbyakugan can evolve he wever into the tenseigan, which exhibits similar\nabilities to the rinnegan, such as attractive and repulsive forces and\ntruthseeker balls. In conclusion, the only way for a byakugan user to get the\nRinnegan is by transplanting one and they must have massive chairs reserves\nand share even small relations to the senju, the uchiha or the uzimaki.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-12-04T03:22:31.257", "id": "37659", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-04T03:22:31.257", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "29585", "parent_id": "252", "post_type": "answer", "score": -1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "723", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nIs there some hidden meaning/message in\n[Akira](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_%28film%29)?\n\nDoes it have something to do with the scars left in the Japanese by the\nbombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? And ultimately...\n\n> is Akira the A-Bomb?\n\nOr is there another deeper meaning than the one depicted in the movie?\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T19:15:34.103", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "261", "last_activity_date": "2020-06-06T06:22:03.130", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-25T01:43:37.123", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "symbolism", "akira" ], "title": "Is there a meaning/message behind Akira?", "view_count": 15798 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThe manga is far more informative than the movie. The movie seemed to adapt\nthe first two and the last volumes for its content, without really bothering\nto explain anything about who characters were and where they came from.\n\nThe [manga](http://akira.wikia.com/wiki/Akira_%28Manga%29), begins with a\nnuclear blast that destroy Tokyo and triggers World War III.\n\n> It turns out that it wasn't a bomb, but Akira that caused the blast. Much of\n> the plot of the first half of the manga concerns attempts by the military-\n> industrial complex to contain the power of Akira. The central plot device\n> involved an experiment to create weaponized \"psychic\" children through\n> neuro-surgery and pharmaceutical regimens. Akira was an experiment gone\n> dangerously awry and the child is now kept deep underground (under Neo-\n> Tokyo's Olympic Stadium) within a sort of giant high-tech freezer.\n\nI believe that there is a taboo on overtly discussing the bomb that speaks to\na mediation between repression and remembrance. The memory of a nuclear attack\non one's own nation is a bit too vivid of a tragedy for many to face directly.\nThe author makes very good use of allegories to present a nuclear holocaust\nthrough a _shounen_ type of juvenile and imaginative storytelling. This way, a\nJapanese reader might be able to be drawn into a subject that would otherwise\nprovoke repulsion, or at least unease and anxiety.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-20T22:27:17.757", "id": "723", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-21T04:22:08.347", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-21T04:22:08.347", "last_editor_user_id": "61", "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "261", "post_type": "answer", "score": 17 }, { "body": "\n\nThe movie is symbolic of Tokyo in a post world war environment, which is\nobvious from the first few minutes. Note, though, how it starts with a massive\nnuclear explosion, forcing Japan to start over and rebuild. Over the next\nthirty years, Tokyo becomes a hub of technological advancement, and a breeding\nground for new businesses and capitalist opportunities. In the process, the\npeople get more greedy, the gap between rich and poor becomes bigger, and the\ngovernment becomes full of self interest as opposed to service of the people.\n\nThe film is a kind of satirical way to look at Japan after the actual nuclear\nexplosions of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It's become a black hole, closing in on\nitself with all the greed and selfishness from the moves forward Japan made\nthat were almost kind of forced on them because of the results of the Second\nWorld War.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-03-26T05:54:26.560", "id": "39568", "last_activity_date": "2017-03-26T20:30:51.233", "last_edit_date": "2017-03-26T20:30:51.233", "last_editor_user_id": "7579", "owner_user_id": "31631", "parent_id": "261", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "271", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nWhen Tobi uses his selective teleportation power that causes objects to pass\nthrough him, does he have to think about it when he does it, or is it\nautomatic? I'm trying to find out if he is vulnerable to a sneak attack.\n\nI know he is able to teleport at will, but I'm wondering more about his\n\"ghost\" ability that causes objects to pass through him.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T20:06:12.550", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "269", "last_activity_date": "2016-05-13T14:35:57.147", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-12T20:56:03.870", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "22", "post_type": "question", "score": 9, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Does Tobi control his teleportation consciously?", "view_count": 1181 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI'm thinking that it is voluntary, since he uses his Magekyou to do it, and it\nis the same technique as Kakashi's.\n\nAlso because he is able to quickly change between using (to dodge an attack)\nand not using it (to attack someone). Furthermore, Naruto headbutted him and\nhe did not dodge it.\n\nLater, Naruto hits him with a rasengan, breaking his mask and revealing his\nidentity as Obito. Although he was 'trapped' (because of the Bijuu-dama) on\nthe other dimension, if it were automatic, I'm guessing he wouldn't have been\nable to **not** dodge it, being fried by the Bijuu-dama 'back here'.\n\n**EDIT:** \nAlthough I say voluntary, it may be seen as **semi-automatic** (or even\nautomatic, for that matter), in the sense that he does not actually _think_\nabout it, but rather acts _instinctively_. However, I think it is triggered by\nhis will, and not entirely automatic.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T20:13:51.767", "id": "271", "last_activity_date": "2016-05-13T12:10:52.657", "last_edit_date": "2016-05-13T12:10:52.657", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "269", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nI think it's somewhat semi-automatic.\n\nWhen he wanted to touch Rin, he forgot to undo his jutsu, and went through\nher. This tells us he doesn't necessarily consciously control which parts of\nhimself he is sending to the other dimension.\n\nHe can however activate and deactivate it on will, like a master switch.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T20:31:08.427", "id": "272", "last_activity_date": "2016-05-13T12:11:32.003", "last_edit_date": "2016-05-13T12:11:32.003", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "269", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 }, { "body": "\n\nTo complete the answer of JNat, I think a better example could be the fight\nTobi (or Masked Man) VS Minato, while Kyûbi is attacking Konoha.\n\nIf I remember well, as the final move of the fight, Minato throws a Kunai on\nTobi's face and runs to Tobi directly after : to counter it, Tobi wants to let\nthe Kunai pass through his head with his jutsu, then come back \"real\" and\nattack Minato.\n\nBut at the exact time the Kunai has finished to pass through his head and he\nbecomes \"real\" again to attack Minato, Minato uses Hiraishin - Level 2\n(teleports instantly over Tobi and hits him with Rasengan).\n\nIf it was automatic, Tobi would have dodged it, but the thing that it was so\nfast that it hit him, proves that **he consciously uses it**.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-05-13T14:35:57.147", "id": "32083", "last_activity_date": "2016-05-13T14:35:57.147", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24040", "parent_id": "269", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "927", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\n_Mahou Sensei Negima!_ is a manga by Akamatsu Ken which has had an anime and\nlive action adaptation of the same name.\n\nThere is also another manga called _Negima!? Neo_ by Fujima Takuya which was\nmade into an anime titled _Negima!?_.\n[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negima!? \"Wikipedia article for\nNegima!? Neo\") says that Fujima is the author and Akamatsu merely provided\nguidance. [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/597/Negima!_Neo \"MAL page for\nNegima!? Neo\"), however, credits Akamatsu as a story author (along with\nFujima).\n\nIs there any official statement on Akamatsu's role in _Negima!? Neo_?\n\nI mostly want to know if he played a major role in its creation or just\nbasically made sure Fujima didn't completely ruin his series and/or its'\nreputation.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T20:08:08.537", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "270", "last_activity_date": "2014-05-01T02:51:54.210", "last_edit_date": "2014-05-01T02:51:54.210", "last_editor_user_id": "1908", "owner_user_id": "107", "post_type": "question", "score": 8, "tags": [ "mangaka", "negima", "ken-akamatsu" ], "title": "What was Akamatsu Ken's role in creating Negima!? Neo?", "view_count": 351 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI'd say that the info on [MAL's\npage](http://myanimelist.net/manga/597/Negima!_Neo) would be the accurate one. \nYou can see in [Amazon's page for the first volume of Negima!?\nNeo](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Negima-Neo-Magister-Negi-\nMagi/dp/0345509986/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358091160&sr=1-2), that\nboth the information on the authors (right under the title) and the cover\nstate that **the story is by Akamatsu Ken** and that **Fujima Takuya is the\nillustrator**.\n\n\n\nAlso, [Amazon.co.jp's page on\nNegima!?Neo](http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%8D%E3%82%AE%E3%81%BE-1~%E6%9C%80%E6%96%B0%E5%B7%BB-%E8%AC%9B%E8%AB%87%E7%A4%BE%E3%82%B3%E3%83%9F%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9C%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%83%B3-%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B3%E3%83%9F%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BB%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/dp/B002DEL212/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1358091801&sr=8-3)\ntoo states **Akamatsu Ken as the author** ([赤松\n健](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Akamatsu) appears under the title followed\nby the kanji [著, which means\nauthor](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%91%97#Japanese)).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-13T15:53:13.200", "id": "927", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-13T15:53:13.200", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "270", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "627", "answer_count": 4, "body": "\n\nSpirited Away borrows a lot of its side characters from various Japanese\nlegends, although many are also original. One of the most mysterious such\ncharacters is No Face, who is perhaps slightly antagonistic, and comes off as\na spirit of greed or something to that effect. The concept for No Face is very\nunique with a collection of strange powers that I don't know of in any other\nmythological spirit, suggesting to me that he might be a unique creation of\nMiyazaki.\n\nAre there any comments by Miyazaki on the origin of No Face? Barring that, is\nthere a clear origin in some Japanese mythology, or is he an original\ncreation?\n\n", "comment_count": 8, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-12T23:15:06.173", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "278", "last_activity_date": "2017-10-07T15:14:28.663", "last_edit_date": "2013-01-28T00:59:45.803", "last_editor_user_id": "24", "owner_user_id": "24", "post_type": "question", "score": 52, "tags": [ "spirited-away" ], "title": "Is No Face from Spirited Away based on any traditional Japanese legends?", "view_count": 144712 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThis interview was originally in the French movie magazine \"POSITIF\" (April\n2002 volume). It was [translated into Japanese by a Japanese\nblogger](http://cyberbloom.seesaa.net/article/104250571.html), and I've\ntranslated relevant parts into English. Some things may have been lost in the\ndouble translation, but hopefully the main points are the same.\n\n> Interviewer: By the way, where did Kaonashi, the creature who swallows\n> everything, come from? Also, I noticed in this movie that Kaonashi, Boh, and\n> Chihiro's parents are all obsessed with overeating.\n>\n> Miyazaki Hayao: That's true. These characters' personalities are full of\n> faults. I made this movie for my friend's two daughters. Like Chihiro, they\n> are also 10 years old. I didn't want to show them something like \"the\n> struggle between good and evil.\" I wanted to show them the truth about the\n> world. If young girls don't really see \"good and evil\" as something as\n> simple as dualism, then it's something they must discover for themselves in\n> the world. Regarding the overeating, in the past I saw \"[Babette's\n> Feast](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babette%27s_Feast)\". It's a very\n> beautiful and enjoyable movie. In that movie, the characters also eat a lot.\n\nEven when directly asked, he didn't give a very specific answer it seems.\nThough I suppose Babette's Feast was an important inspiration.\n\n> \"Kaonashi is inside of everyone.\" Those are Miyazaki Hayao's own words.\n> Kaonashi can't buy people's attention with money. In addition, he doesn't\n> know how to hold on to people's hearts. Kaonashi is irritated by Chihiro's\n> lack of desires and tells her to want. This is also a necessity of\n> capitalism. There is a contrast those who swarm around Kaonashi when he\n> gives out money and Chihiro's enlightened lack of desire for gold or food.\n> Her resolution in this is so strong that it can even seem cold. There was no\n> reasoning behind saving Haku. He clearly says to Kaonashi, \"I won't give you\n> what I want.\"\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-17T19:59:06.507", "id": "627", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-17T21:22:27.580", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "107", "parent_id": "278", "post_type": "answer", "score": 32 }, { "body": "\n\nFrom my opinion, I suppose that No Face might someway originated from Japanese\nTheatre Ritual called \"No\" or \"Noh\" as the character, Shite, a supernatural\ncharacter like ghost or god is wearing a similar white mask as No Face in\nSpirited Away. You can google \"Noh Drama\" for more info. xx\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-09-24T15:36:49.653", "id": "14151", "last_activity_date": "2014-09-24T15:36:49.653", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "8462", "parent_id": "278", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nI thought that No-Face was a newly formed Spirit of Empathy, with no control\nover his abilities or understanding of the Spirit's Bath House, he took on the\ncharacteristics of the strongest emotions around him.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-12-20T08:37:14.097", "id": "16920", "last_activity_date": "2014-12-20T08:37:14.097", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "10762", "parent_id": "278", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nYou can actually also relate the character of No-face (kaonashi) to a similar\nsupernatural entity from Inu Yasha (S1 EP. 11). There was an episode where a\ndemon Noh Mask was featured. This entity ate all the people it encountered;\neven though it's goal was to search for \"a body that will not rot away, the\nconcept is very similar to the character of No-face from Spirited Away. I\nguess they're based from a certain concept then manipulated to suit the\nstoryline - :p\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-05-28T14:05:07.830", "id": "21920", "last_activity_date": "2015-05-28T14:05:07.830", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "14709", "parent_id": "278", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "296", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nDuring the Chunin exam,\n\n> when Lee fights Gaara, Kakashi says that as you open more Gates, the risk of\n> death rises. \n> \n> Well, when Guy fights Kisame, Guy has already opened several Gates (up to\n> 6) before the final attack, and they have been open for quite a lot of time\n> (relatively) before the seventh Gate is opened. \n> \n> And of course as he opens more Gates, with his stamina rate supposedly\n> decreasing exponentially, I'm pretty sure he was supposed to be \" **pretty\n> exhausted** \". \n> \n> But still, when he opened the seventh Gate, he still had enough time to\n> talk and stop Kisame from escaping.\n\nShouldn't this be too much for him?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T02:25:21.757", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "280", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T03:55:45.977", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T03:55:45.977", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "85", "post_type": "question", "score": 12, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "How do Gai's Gates work?", "view_count": 5670 }

[ { "body": "\n\nNo, although opening the six and seventh gate is extremely dangerous, Guy\nSensei has gone through extensive training as can be seen whenever he makes an\nappearance, he's almost always pushing himself to his limits which allows him\nto withstand the effects of the eight gates and use the technique with minor\nrepercussions.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T04:39:48.797", "id": "295", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T04:39:48.797", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "28", "parent_id": "280", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nNo, you're not _quite_ right about it.\n\nThere are eight gates at total. Each gate is a special point in the body that\nlimits the flow of chakra. This is done in order for the body to live longer\n(more chakra flowing = the body is expiring faster). Opening a gate lets\nchakra flow freely through it, giving the shinobi a boost in his powers, but\nas a price his body is suffering from that power greatly.\n\nEach gate gives a boost in a special power, e.g. the first gate removes the\nrestrains on the muscles, the second improves physical strength and re-\nenergizes the body, and so on.\n\nNow, opening the gates is very dangerous by itself, and it's becoming more\ndangerous the more gates you open, that's right. The reason for that is that\nthe body simply can't stand the chakra, and gets damaged by it. That's why\nit's hard to open the gates, and it requires a lot of training to use them.\nGuy has gone through a lot of training to learn to use that much gates though.\n\nAs for the side effects, the seventh gate (which Guy used) causes the user's\nmuscle fibres to be\n\n> ripped to shreds, causing intense pain if anything or anyone touches them\n\nand finally the last, 8th gate gives the user some tremendous power, but costs\nhim his life.\n\nSo, to summarize: since Guy has gone through a lot of training to learn to\nopen the gates and use their power, he can use them in the battle. Of course,\nthere are side-effects, even for him, but they usually happen after the battle\nwhen he closes the gates once again. Nevertheless, opening the last gate would\ncost him (or anyone else, for that matter) his life.\n\n* * *\n\nsource: [Naruto Wikia - Eight\nGates](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Eight_Gates).\n\n* * *\n\n**Edit** : it's wrong to say that guy doesn't suffer from opening the gates,\nhe **does** , though not immediately, that's probably why you were confused.\nIt happens in chapter 512 of the manga, after\n\n> Kisame uses water prison and kills himself.\n\nHere's a screenshot with Guy starting to suffer from the Gate opening (not\nsure if it's a spoiler, but I'll mark it as one just in case):\n\n> \n\n", "comment_count": 10, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T05:30:49.220", "id": "296", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-20T04:51:38.023", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-20T04:51:38.023", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "111", "parent_id": "280", "post_type": "answer", "score": 12 }, { "body": "\n\nEach Gate requires immense Physical strength, this is why Lee and Gai train\ntheir body without using chakra but using weights, punching logs/trees. This\ntraining increases the strength of their bones and muscle so when they do open\nthe gates the limit release that comes with the increase chakra does not rip\nthem apart.\n\nEvery gate once opens releases a restrain in the physical body along with\nimmense chakra. Any ninja besides Gai, Lee or the Raikage opening the gates\nwould be rip apart because instead of using 10-30% of there max muscle/bones\nthey are using 100% thus breaking.\n\nTsunade/Sakura power comes from perfect chakra control not actual physical\ntraining this is why Sakura goes from being not able to lift anything at 12\nyears old to breaking dozens of meters of ground in just 2 years.\n\nThe difference in this is that Gai and lee posses more durability, defense,\nendurance, stamina, than both Tsunade and Sakura because they tain their body\nbut they don't posses anywhere close to the amount of chakra control they do,\nno one in the series does. while it may seem like chakra strength vs physical\ntraining strength is no difference in reality it is, if Gai and lee run out of\nchakra they still posses their superhuman like physique to somehow get away,\nbut if Sakura losses chakra/runs out she would become fodder and would be kill\neasily, because 100% of her power comes from chakra.\n\nIf you read any Wuxia/Xinxia novel a physical refinement character using\nweights/gravity/water pressure can increase his strength in bones, muscle,\nflesh, organs to reach a degree where his skin is hard as diamond.\n\nNo ninja in the series besides the Raikage has anywhere close to even having\nskin/bones as hard as a rock as majority of the ninja can be hurt by normal\nsharp kunais, there are ninjutsu that increases the body defenses like Kakuzu\nearth ninjutsu and sage mode but these are once again chakra depended, while\nthe body is 24/7 on, requires no chakra and requires no energy to sustain\nbesides food.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-10-12T06:07:37.470", "id": "42780", "last_activity_date": "2017-10-12T07:33:19.387", "last_edit_date": "2017-10-12T07:33:19.387", "last_editor_user_id": "1458", "owner_user_id": "32865", "parent_id": "280", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "312", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nWere they built by traditional means (as they would've been in our world)?\nWere they created via some sort of ninjutsu that shaped the rocks that were\nthere? Or was it erected by some sort of Doton jutsu (like some Doryuu Heki)?\n\nI am not sure if there is some canonical answer to this, but I'd like to hear\nyour thoughts.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T08:51:12.410", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "300", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-15T10:10:19.380", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T20:41:38.817", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 6, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "How did the Hashirama and Madara statues at the Valley of the End come to be?", "view_count": 4041 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIt's nowhere stated, where the statues come from. However, after Naruto and\nSasuke destroy some parts of the statues, they are restored, later. (Compare\nchapter 370) That could mean, that they are some special statues, formed or\nprotected by a jutsu.\n\nMaybe, after the battle between Madara and Hashirama (where the valley was\nformed), Hashirama decided to create these statues to be a sign.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T09:09:19.133", "id": "303", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T09:09:19.133", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "300", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nFrom what I can tell, these statues are not protected or enchanted. After the\nNaruto vs. Sasuke battle at the Valley of the End, the status were damaged,\nand later repaired. I believe it was a reconstruction job, much like Leaf's\nfaces on the mountain, or the Kage statues at the Sand.\n\n> ### Words of Madara\n>\n> I honestly don't think Hashirama would give a damn enough to make statues,\n> let alone self-repairing statues. He wasn't the sentimental type.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T11:37:42.563", "id": "312", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-15T10:10:19.380", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "300", "post_type": "answer", "score": 5 }, { "body": "\n\nMuch like Madara already said, it's not mentioned anywhere that someone had\nbuilt them. \nHowever, I (Hashirama) _did_ know to use Doton, and probably someone created\nthem to make a statement of peace. \nAs for the repair. It's easy enough for a future Doton user to fix it, I don't\nthink it's self-repairing.\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T12:07:37.263", "id": "317", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T12:07:37.263", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "85", "parent_id": "300", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "311", "answer_count": 9, "body": "\n\nThe title says it all... but I'll elaborate:\n\n * Initially we see techniques derived from **a single chakra element** (Katon, Doton, Suiton, Fuuton and Raiton). These are the most common, since usually a ninja can master only one chakra nature (since normally ninjas tend to have an affiliation with only one chakra nature) \n * Later we discover these can be combined in a number of ways, **creating new elements** (Mokuton=Doton+Suiton, Ranton=Raiton+Suiton, Youton=Katon+Doton, among several others). From what I understand, these are usually transmitted as a Kekkei Genkai. But I believe they can also be created by the combinations of the elements, by ninja who didn't inherit it from other generations (correct me if I'm wrong). These are not uncommon, but less frequent than the ones above (there are ninja who can master and possess affiliation to more than one chakra nature: Sasuke comes to mind, since he can master both Katon and Raiton. Katon is his clan's natural affiliation, and he mastered Raiton too. However, I don't **remember** if he has ever combined the both of them) \n * Even later, we find about combinations of **even more elements** by ninja who can master several elements, such as Muu (Nidaime Tsuchikage) and Oonoki (Sandaime Tsuchikage), who can combine Katon, Doton and Fuuton, to create Jinton. These are called Kekkei Touta. I don't know if they can also be transmitted through Kekkei Genkai, or if they can only be taught. They are even rarer than the ones above, since ninja can rarely master or be naturally affiliated to more than two chakra natures (Terumii Mei the Godaime Mizukage, can also master Doton, Katon and Suiton, but I don't think she ever combines more than two at each time). \n\nMy questions are:\n\n * **Are combinations of chakra natures taught or only transmitted by Kekkei Genkai (or both)?**\n * **Are combinations of more than three chakra natures possible?**\n * And the above question created a new one for me: **Can a ninja master more than three chakra natures?** (I think Kakashi does, but I am not quite sure about this)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T09:34:29.940", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "304", "last_activity_date": "2021-05-20T04:57:23.853", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-04T15:50:27.243", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 24, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Is it possible to combine all five chakra elements?", "view_count": 39412 }

[ { "body": "\n\nI think that combinations are Kekkei Genkai, only, as all combinations shown\nwere Kekkai Genkais.\n\nI don't think that combinations of more than three are possible, because then,\none nature would block the other (compare Suiton and Katon). Because there are\nfive \"base natures\", there can't be a combination with more than four natures\nwithout blocking one. A ninjutsu with all five would just... do nothing, I\nguess. As written in the comments (thanks to JNat), it's possible to combine\nup to 4 elements at a time, if you order them correctly.\n\nYes, they can. In NARUTO Hiden: Sha no Sho is stated, that shinobi can learn\nmore than two and theoretically up to five natures. However, using them all at\nonce in one attack could be... complicated.\n\n", "comment_count": 7, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T10:05:49.510", "id": "307", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T12:47:43.780", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T12:47:43.780", "last_editor_user_id": "122", "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\n> Are combinations of chakra natures taught or only transmitted by Kekkei\n> Genkai (or both)?\n\nI think combinations of Chakra are generally possible only through Kekkei\nGenkai, even if some can be \"passed\" by transplantation (e.g. Kakashi and the\nSharingan).\n\nAlthough, there's the issue of Lord Tsuchikage that in the Manga claims his\nmaster passed on to him the ability to combine _Earth_ , _Wind_ and _Fire_.\nIt's not revealed whether they share some blood relation so I'd treat this\nwith a grain of salt.\n\n> Are combinations of more than three chakra natures possible?\n\nThere is _Kekkei Tōta_ which is a combination of three elements (such as the\nDust Release), and this is already classified as _advanced_ , so I guess that\nfor now, they aren't revealed as possible.\n\n> And the above question created a new one for me: Can a ninja master more\n> than three chakra natures? (I think Kakashi does, but I am not quite sure\n> about this)\n\nYes, Kakashi masters four natures but one of them only according to the Anime,\nand they are:\n\n**Douton** \\- _Earth_ ; \n**Suiton** \\- _Water_ ; \n**Raiton** \\- _Lightning_ ; \n**Katon** \\- _Fire_ (only anime).\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T10:09:24.280", "id": "308", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T10:16:33.173", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T10:16:33.173", "last_editor_user_id": "15", "owner_user_id": "15", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 }, { "body": "\n\nSince it's very hard to answer if it's _possible_ to mix more than 3 chakra\ntypes (I doubt it was stated anywhere in the manga), I'll try to answer the\ntwo other parts of the question.\n\nLets start from the easiest one: _Can a ninja master more than three chakra\nnatures?_\n\nThis depends on what do you mean by \"master\", but the generic answer, I\nbelieve, will be \"yes\". Kakashi is shown to use 4 elements (earth, fire (only\nin anime), water and lightning). He didn't use any Wind techniques, but he was\nable to help Naruto in his training, so he at least knows something about\nthem. Also note that:\n\n * he has natural affinity to the Lightning\n * he has used Water techniques on the level that matched the level of Zabuza, who is a water specialist\n\nSo we can say that he is a \"master\" of at least two elements, and definitely\ncan use another two (he uses fire only in the anime, though). Now, taking that\ninto account, I think it's safe to assume that it _is_ possible to use all the\nelements. I've also seen opinions in the Internet (unconfirmed, though) that\nevery shinobi can actually learn techniques of every element, but they just\nchose not to, and only use the element they have natural affinity to. This is\na debatable, but interesting opinion.\n\nNow, to the question _Are combinations of chakra natures taught or only\ntransmitted by Kekkei Genkai (or both)?_\n\nI believe, both. At least three techniques: Jinton, Yōton, and Jiton have more\nthan one user with no apparent blood relations to each other. Also Ōnoki has\nstated that the secrets of Jinton were passed to him by Mū, so it implies (or\nat least suggests) that these abilities may not only be transmitted by Kekkei\nGenkai. So I would say that both of the ways are _plausible_. However, given\nthe information we have now, it's impossible to be absolutely sure.\n\nsources: [one](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Dust_Release),\n[two](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Kakashi_Hatake),\n[three](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Lava_Release),\n[four](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Magnet_Release)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T10:11:06.380", "id": "309", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T11:27:52.617", "last_edit_date": "2012-12-13T11:27:52.617", "last_editor_user_id": "111", "owner_user_id": "111", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nChakra element combination is supposedly a born trait. A shinobi is _born_\nwith one chakra element, and can master a few more (secondary elements).\n\nHowever, in some clans, such as the Senju, they were born with _two_ elements,\n(both Earth and Water), and they could naturally combine them to form the Wood\nelement.\n\nSince we only thought that two element combinations were possible, and we\ndiscovered that three were indeed possible, I see no reason why there isn't a\npossibility for four or more.\n\n> _**EDIT!**_ Based on the latest manga chapters, it seems as if at least 4\n> element combination is possible. Although it's an initial estimate and the\n> Third _might_ be wrong about it.\n\nWe do have some examples for ninja mastering all five chakra elements, Kakuzu\nis a great example. He had all five chakra elements, Water, Earth, Fire,\nLightning and Wind, in one body (though he did cheat and used 5 different\nhearts for it). So it _is_ possible. It is also said that those who awaken the\nRinnegan can master all _six_ elements (Including the YinYang element).\n\nAbout _mixing_ them together, since that hasn't happened yet, we can't be\nsure.\n\n## EDIT!\n\n> Six Paths Sage Chakra, which creates the Gudodama is called **Kekkei-Mora**\n> and was confirmed to be a combination of all 6 elements: Fire, water, earth,\n> lightning, wind and YinYang.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T11:34:02.607", "id": "311", "last_activity_date": "2021-05-20T04:57:23.853", "last_edit_date": "2021-05-20T04:57:23.853", "last_editor_user_id": "43199", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 15 }, { "body": "\n\nIn the episode where Kakashi battles Kakuzu, Kakuzu attacks with a massive\nfire attack. To counter this, Naruto and Yamato combine a water element attack\nand a wind element attack. They were successful in averting the attack.\n\nNow, the order in which the above mentioned elements come are\n\nwater -> fire -> wind -> lightening -> earth -> water.\n\nwhat we can see here is: water + wind = strong attack and fire + wind = strong\nattack.\n\nSo, can it be assumed that there are some elements that are more like support\nto the other elements, like in this case wind is the support element to both\nwater and fire.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-07-26T10:36:22.857", "id": "4462", "last_activity_date": "2013-07-26T10:36:22.857", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "2077", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nI think that if a shinobi can use all of the chakra elements, it doesn't\nguarantee that you can combine them. All of the answers above are correct in\nmy opinion (we can't assume anything, unless we've seen them, and I'm the\n\"only anime guy\", so I have no idea about manga), but if I can speculate, I\nwould answer:\n\n**Question 1: Are combinations of chakra natures taught or only transmitted by\nKekkei Genkai (or both)?**\n\nI think it's by teaching someone (but I won't exclude Kekkei Genkai). Just\nthink about it.\n\nFor example, Sasuke can master both Katon and Raiton, from which is (not\nguaranteed) born the Enton (Blaze Release). We can assume that his affinity is\nfor Fire (Uchiha clan/Hidden Leaf) yet he was able of learning the Lightning\nstyle, and he learned all by himself the combination of those ('cause I can't\nremember seeing someone else from the Uchiha's with that release).\n\nAnother example is the Dust Release, which was described about: Ohnoki was\ntaught, and yes, I think he and Mu weren't from the same family, so that's\nwith the teaching.\n\nI won't exclude Kekkei Genkai, because that's something \"not uncommon yet\npowerful\" so it can help the ninja.\n\n**Question 2: Are combinations of more than three chakra natures possible?**\n\nPractically, it's a smaller version of the main question. My answer is: if you\ncan combine 3, you can combine 5. I can't expand the answer for this question,\nsince we haven't seen such high skill combination. The Dust Release is 3, the\nBoil Release is 2 (but the Fifth Mizukage can use 3 types too).\n\n**Question 3: Can a ninja master more than three chakra natures?**\n\nAbsolutely! Yep, you're right: Kakashi can use at least 4 (Fire, Lightning,\nWater, Earth) plus some idea about the Wind, but I think that's only because\nhe's got the Sharingan. If he hadn't possess an eye like that, he would know\nlike 2 types. To be honest, the only shinobi I could think of being capable of\nusing at least 3, 4 for sure, don't know about 5, it's: Madara Uchiha. I'm not\nsure about the lightning style, but **he can** use the other 4.\n\nI've just remembered, everything was created by the Sage of the Six Path,\naccording to the Narutoverse, therefore he used (and possessed) all of the\nfive natures, that's another fact!!! (I don't know about combining them, sure\nhe was capable of that too)\n\nIn the end, I give you a big yes for the question, and I hope that I won't die\nuntil the end of this anime (manga). They have such potential and they can\nachieve far more than I could ever imagine. I am curious what would be the\nname of the release that includes all of the 5 chakra natures. We should ask\nHagoromo Otsutsuki. I'm sure, he knows it :D\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-01-01T22:36:46.817", "id": "6687", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-04T16:05:41.753", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-04T16:05:41.753", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "3187", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 1 }, { "body": "\n\nYes but mostly only by the Uchiha clan like Sasuke, Itachi etc. Because they\nhave the copy wheel eyes (aka sharingan )they can learn all five jitsu by\ncopying and observing them.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-02-15T00:48:32.450", "id": "7511", "last_activity_date": "2014-02-15T00:48:32.450", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "3739", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": -1 }, { "body": "\n\nYou must have read the manga up until the last chapter, as this does include\nvery late game information. From manga chapter 695 or something:\n\n> The Sage of Six Paths was capable of mastering all 5 elemental chakras. We\n> got this from the fourth Shinobi war, when Tenten, someone inept at\n> ninjutsu, picked up a Sage of Six Paths tool/fan and was capable of\n> utilising all 5 chakras, which exhausted her very quickly. Secondly, when\n> Naruto was given power by the Sage of Six Paths, the Sage of Six Paths gave\n> Naruto chakra of all the bijuu. Bijuu each having their own nature, e.g. Son\n> Goku's Lava style (Fire + Earth), which means Naruto had mastered all Kekkai\n> Genkai, and if he was capable of using his wind style to make a Lava Rasen\n> Shuriken, I see no reason why it isn't possible to master all 5 natures, as\n> well as the secondary and tertiary, or even quarternary natures.\n\nIt is possible to master and use every single chakra type.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-01-04T15:41:48.040", "id": "17304", "last_activity_date": "2015-01-04T16:24:56.643", "last_edit_date": "2015-01-04T16:24:56.643", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "11017", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nI know this is a very old question but since I saw a lot of small mistakes and\nstuff forgotten I have to lay light on them.\n\n**My answer contains spoilers from events that take place after the Masked\nMan's identity was revealed.**\n\n 1. The Kekkei Genkai can be passed by teaching if the student has the required chakra nature - for a proof check what Oonoki said about Muu: that he learnt his Jinton from him. So Muu taught him the Jinton since Oonoki already had the required chakra natures.\n\nAnother way to have a Kekkei Genkai is through transplantation. Examples of\nthis include Kakashi's Sharingan, Nagato's and Obito's Rinnegan, Danzo's\nSharingan, Madara's Wood Style, etc.\n\n 2. It is possible to have more Kekkei Touta since changes in chakra nature have no limits. Actually, each couple of episodes we see some new jutsu from a combination of certain chakra natures, as long as you get creative enough. An example of this are Deidara's Explosion Release: it is, in fact, combined Earth and Lightning releases, but it is also clay that explodes. So we can think about it like this: it is Earth + Water forming clay, then adding Fire or Lightning to create the explosion (but it was already decided what Deidara's Explosions Release is, so we need to get creative, and maybe Water + Fire gives Boil, which when using Lightning with the steam will be filled with electricity, since water is a supporter for lightning).\n\nSome people speculate that no matter how you think about it, with any\ncombination of more than 2 chakra natures, one of them will negate at least\none of the others (Earth + Water gives Wood, with Lightning the wood will be\ndestroyed since it's made of earth, so it's weak for lightning; Water + Wind\ngives Ice, with fire you melt the ice, or combining it with Earth or Lightning\nit makes no sense).\n\nPersonally I think there can be a way around it, so we can have more Kekkei\nTouta.\n\n 3. No sir, a Shinobi cannot master more than one chakra nature. But they can learn how to use more than one chakra nature — there are limits to what your body as a Shinobi can do, of course.\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/mDZxM.png)\n\nThe Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is able to use the 5 main chakra natures.\nHe uses Yin and Yang too, and that's why he was called the Professor of\nKonoha, and as I recall the god of Shinobi or the god of Jutsu, for knowing so\nmany chakra natures and every jutsu in Konoha.\n\n[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/sSjSH.png)\n\nAnother fact is that Rinnegan users can use all chakra natures and their\ncombinations with no exception, as Madara showed us after gaining the power of\nthe Six Paths: he used the Ranton (Water+ Lightning), and Madara normally only\nhad Fire style. With the Rinnegan, we know, he had all chakra natures and he\nalso used combinations.\n\nAlso, Kakashi doesn't use the chakra natures in his 1000 jutsu: he just copies\nthe chakra flow and hand signs to make the jutsu like its owners.\n\nAnd Kakuzu only uses chakra support system: Water to enhance Lightning, and\nWind to enhance Fire. But he doesn't use combinations — Kekkei Genkai — and he\nonly mastered earth style, the others are from different Shinobi.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-04-13T15:44:19.287", "id": "31383", "last_activity_date": "2016-04-19T13:43:59.660", "last_edit_date": "2016-04-19T13:43:59.660", "last_editor_user_id": "49", "owner_user_id": "23423", "parent_id": "304", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "306", "answer_count": 5, "body": "\n\nIn Naruto there is a group of abilities called Kekkei Genkai (血継限界). They are\ntold to be \"genetic\" abilities which are (usually) passed down genetically\nwithin specific clans.\n\nNotably, the eye techniques (Dōjutsu, 瞳術), such as sharingan, are also a\nsubset of those.\n\nHow did those abilities first appear? Did they appear naturally, or were they\nmade on purpose as a result of experiments?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T09:49:20.207", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "305", "last_activity_date": "2017-05-20T03:42:12.157", "last_edit_date": "2015-06-11T19:11:24.547", "last_editor_user_id": "191", "owner_user_id": "111", "post_type": "question", "score": 9, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "Where do Kekkei Genkai abilities (genetic abilities) originate from?", "view_count": 2589 }

[ { "body": "\n\n**Sharingan:** \nI'm guessing this would've appeared naturally, as with other Doujutsu\n(Byakugan and Rinnegan). Legend has it that these clans descended from the\nRikudou's eldest son, who received his father's \"eyes\": his powerful chakra\nand spiritual energy.\n\n**Kekkei Genkai Ninjutsu:** \nI think these were developed by ninja who possessed special abilities and\nchakra nature affiliations. They were, later on, passed down on the next\ngenerations. According to this [Leaf\nNinja](http://www.leafninja.com/kekkei.php)'s page, they are creations indeed.\n\n**Potential Bloodlines and Genetic Advantages:** \nThere are also Potential Bloodlines and Genetic Advantages, which also seem to\nbe passable down onto the next generation, such as Suigetsu's and Mangetsu's\nbody, which is unique to them and gives them a genetic advantage (I think\nthese could've been the basis for the development of some Kekkei Genkai in the\nearly stages of clans, though not in Suigetsu's and Mangetsu's case). I don't\nthink they are considered Kekkei Genkai, but they could've been linked in\nearly stages of development of a clan's special technique. I found out about\nthese in [this Leaf Ninja's page](http://www.leafninja.com/potential-\nbloodlines.php).\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T10:02:52.957", "id": "306", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T10:02:52.957", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "49", "parent_id": "305", "post_type": "answer", "score": 6 }, { "body": "\n\nIt seems that the first Kekkei Genkai was the rinnegan of Rikudo Sennin.\nBecause he was the first ninja, I don't think that the Kekkei Genkai was an\nexperiment, he literally \"just had it\".\n\nOther Kekkai Genkais like the Sharingan are mutations of Kekkei Genkais\n(compare JNat's answer).\n\nMaybe combinations (like Hakus Hyoton) are just mutations, suddenly appearing\nsomewhere in the world.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T10:12:47.417", "id": "310", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T10:12:47.417", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "122", "parent_id": "305", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nThe Sharingan itself originated from the Ten Tails, he had what I like to call\na \"Sharinnegan\", a Rinngean rippled eye, with Sharingan marks on each ripple.\n\nThe Sage of Six Paths inherited that power when he became the Ten Tails'\nJinchuuriki, which was then genetically passed to his eldest son.\n\nFrom my understanding, Sharingan is considered the Yin, while the Senju\nvitality and life force is considered the Yang. They are two halfs of the same\nwhole, which is why a combination of the two can achieve the ultimate power.\n\nAside from that, \"normal\" elemental Kekkei Genkai is the result of a specific\nbloodline being born with _two_ (or more in some cases) elements. This results\neasy manipulation and fusion of both elements, into the new Kekkei Genkai.\nThese were probably learned/created early in the bloodline, and then taught to\nnew members when they came of age.\n\nThere are also other Kekkei Genkai, like Kimimaro's bone jutsu, and Suigetsu\nliquefaction jutsu. These aren't explained in much detail, but they are\nprobably some sort of genetic mutation which enabled their chakra to preform\nthese techniques. Because it's a genetic mutation, only those bloodline\nmembers can use it.\n\nThere were expirments in Kekkei Genkai transfer and the results were\ninconclousive. It was seen that the Sharingan and even the Rinnegan can be\nsuccesfully transplanted and operated in the new host quite easily. However,\nwhen Orochimaru attempted to transplant Hashirama's cells into newborns, only\none out of fifty survived and accepted the cells.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T11:47:58.797", "id": "315", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T11:47:58.797", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "305", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nI think they just appear. The reason why I say that is because of Kimimaro.\nKimimaro came from a clan where no one had his kekkai genkai. (It was so\nvicious that his own tribe was afraid of him.)\n\nHis kekkai genkai just appeared. It's probably how most kekkai genkai\nappeared. I can't imagine someone \"came up\" with the Byakkugan or the\nRinnegan. They're just genetic, like being really tall or really smart. They\njust are genetic combinations that run in bloodlines.\n\n", "comment_count": 3, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2013-01-16T17:07:20.607", "id": "2023", "last_activity_date": "2013-01-16T17:07:20.607", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "1338", "parent_id": "305", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 }, { "body": "\n\nKekkei Genkai is not something that is solely related to a technique, it is\nsomething that limits the other users to use the same technique to its full\npotential. We can say that it is the affinity of a clan to do the technique\nbetter and to improve it to further extent. You could use a Kekkei Genkai, but\nit will not be as strong and effective as it would be when done by a member of\nthat particular clan\" Kakashi had a sharingan but could not defeat Itachi as\nhe did not possess Kekkei Genkai.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2017-05-20T02:30:36.463", "id": "40449", "last_activity_date": "2017-05-20T03:42:12.157", "last_edit_date": "2017-05-20T03:42:12.157", "last_editor_user_id": "7579", "owner_user_id": "32655", "parent_id": "305", "post_type": "answer", "score": 0 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "334", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nIn the dogfight between Gilgamesh and Berserker, Gilgamesh rides a golden\nfighter plane that is capable of hovering and flying at great speeds,\nsupposedly by harnessing some \"strange green power\" (see the opening wings and\nglow when Gilgamesh prepares to dodge Berkserker's approach). The Gate of\nBabylon is supposed to contain Gilgamesh's treasures of his time, so how did\nsuch a futuristic contraption come into his possession?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T11:42:11.597", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "313", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-20T04:55:03.130", "last_edit_date": "2015-12-20T17:06:29.873", "last_editor_user_id": "1908", "owner_user_id": "97", "post_type": "question", "score": 13, "tags": [ "fate-zero" ], "title": "How does Gilgamesh have a futuristic fighter plane?", "view_count": 5581 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThis \"airplane\" is the [Vimana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimana). It is\nrecorded in several epic Hindu texts, including the Ramayana and the\nMahabharata. In fact, in the original Sanskrit works, there is more than one\nvimana, but in any case it is a flying contraption that gods would ride. There\nis no record of them in Babylonian literature as far as I know, but of course\nGilgamesh owns the prototypes for all of the technology that appeared in later\ncultures, which presumably includes this.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T15:35:34.160", "id": "334", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T15:35:34.160", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "24", "parent_id": "313", "post_type": "answer", "score": 14 }, { "body": "\n\nThere are several examples of what would seem like futuristic technology in\nancient cultures like the Egyptians and Babylonians. In temple of Seti I there\nare hyroglyphics that depict blimps and helicopters.\n\n\n\n[Image Source -\nWikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_hieroglyphs)\n\nThe Vimana is another example of this. Also Ea is a construct \"not of this\nworld\" and is an Anti - World Noble Phantasm that defies the analysis of\nUnlimited Bladeworks despite not being a Divine Holy Relic like Excalibur.\nThis suggest that Vimana and Ea are of Alien Origin.\n\nThis may come into play later as Fate is part of the Nasu-verse and we know\nthey use the many worlds interpretation of time and space, adding or hinting\nat alien worlds to this is not a stretch for them.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2014-03-29T18:08:06.320", "id": "8358", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-20T04:55:03.130", "last_edit_date": "2016-12-20T04:55:03.130", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "4320", "parent_id": "313", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 }, { "body": "\n\nBasically, because Gilgamesh was the very first king, every treasure was\nclaimed by him, including everything made by Man. Even after he died, things\nthan Mankind dreamed up afterwards were claimed by him. That or the power of\nmagic back then meant that his kingdom was able to make magical things equal\nor greater to modern inventions. It is also is that as the very first Hero, he\nmust have the prototype to every weapon or item used by later heroes. The only\nthings Gate of Babylon doesn't contain is anything made with new concepts by a\nnew human race, or items made by extraterrestials or with extraterrestial\nknowledge. In Fate/Extra, he even has a spaceship able to move at the speed of\nlight.\n\nThe article I got this all from is worded a little confusingly, but I think it\nis that if Mankind has or will make something, then as the first King and\nHero, he already has it in his vault. So either the Vimana is a magical\nairship, or it's based on a ship Mankind will make.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2016-12-06T05:46:25.340", "id": "37713", "last_activity_date": "2016-12-06T05:46:25.340", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "29625", "parent_id": "313", "post_type": "answer", "score": -1 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "316", "answer_count": 1, "body": "\n\nIn _Steins;Gate_ there is much ado about the Divergence Number of the current\nworld line. But if I am remembering correctly, the meter Kyouma\nmade/carries/is given shows the difference between the current world line and\nthe \"previous\" one—which I understood to be the one Okabe was in immediately\nbefore his last time jump.\n\nDoes the Divergence Number work relative to the last time jump–originating\nworld line, or relative to the world line where it was constructed (the world\nline where SERN maintains a dystopia)?\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T11:45:52.020", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "314", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T12:01:11.210", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "44", "post_type": "question", "score": 9, "tags": [ "steins-gate" ], "title": "How are the Divergence Number and world line related?", "view_count": 3083 }

[ { "body": "\n\nIn Steins;Gate there is an important thing called Attractor Field. An\nAttractor field is a number of world lines that may be slightly different from\neach other in small details, but provide the same end result.\n\nEach attractor field is \"made of\" a number of World lines, in some range. For\nexample, the Alpha Attractor Field contains world lines with the divergence\nfrom 0% to 0.99%, the Beta Attractor has world lines from 1% to 1.99% and so\non.\n\nThus, the divergence meter is not showing some relative value, but rather an\nabsolute value which is used to determine the Attractor field that the current\nWorld Line belongs to.\n\n[Source.](http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Attractor_Field)\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T12:01:11.210", "id": "316", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T12:01:11.210", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "111", "parent_id": "314", "post_type": "answer", "score": 9 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "319", "answer_count": 2, "body": "\n\nI'll make a spoiler block of it all, since this can be a **spoiler to anyone\nwho hasn't seen/read the Pain and the Five Kage Summit arcs**.\n\n> After Pain's attack on Konoha, Tsunade exhausted her power and Danzo was\n> nominated as Rokudaime Hokage. This lasted for a very short period (Danzo\n> died fighting Sasuke) and Tsunade soon recovered and was, once again,\n> appointed as the Hokage. **So next will/should come the Rokudaime again and\n> Danzo should be ignored, or should we move on to the Shichidaime/Nanadaime\n> (not sure about this) Hokage?** \n> \n> I ask this because some people and\n> [sites](http://www.leafninja.com/kage.php) consider Danzo only a temporary\n> Hokage (in this logic we're still missing the 6th, so the next should be\n> it). However, something similar has happened with the succession from 3rd\n> (Hiruzen) to 4th (Minato) and back to 3rd (and later came Tsunade, the 5th).\n> From this point of view, the next to succeed should be the seventh.\n\nDoes anyone have any thoughts on this?\n\n", "comment_count": 4, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T12:59:46.040", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "318", "last_activity_date": "2017-12-13T03:53:19.387", "last_edit_date": "2017-12-13T03:53:19.387", "last_editor_user_id": "1587", "owner_user_id": "49", "post_type": "question", "score": 4, "tags": [ "naruto" ], "title": "What number comes after the Godaime Hokage?", "view_count": 1982 }

[ { "body": "\n\nNo. This is exactly the same case with the Third and the Fourth. The Third\nretired, and the Fourth was nominated. After the Fourth died, the Third retook\nthe position, until the Fifth arrived.\n\n> Conclusion: The next Hokage would probably be the Seventh.\n\nA practical example would be [Ariel\nSharon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Sharon), the Israeli prime\nminister who fell to coma. He was replaced with Ehud Olmert, who is now\nreferred to as an \"ex-prime minister\". He's also counted in the prime minister\nlist.\n\n", "comment_count": 2, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T13:27:23.350", "id": "319", "last_activity_date": "2015-12-15T08:20:51.133", "last_edit_date": "2015-12-15T08:20:51.133", "last_editor_user_id": "1527", "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "318", "post_type": "answer", "score": 2 }, { "body": "\n\nAs we now know, Danzo was only considered to be a temporary Sixth Hokage (\n_Rokudaime_ ).\n\n> **After the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kakashi becomes Konoha's Sixth Hokage\n> (Rokudaime Hokage)** [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3qqNp.jpg)\n\nWhereas:\n\n> **Several years later, Kakashi decided to step down and selected Naruto to\n> be the Seventh Hokage, thus making him the Nanadaime Hokage** [](https://i.stack.imgur.com/XMTpx.gif)\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2015-12-15T16:43:30.410", "id": "28038", "last_activity_date": "2015-12-15T16:43:30.410", "last_edit_date": "2020-06-17T09:17:53.303", "last_editor_user_id": "-1", "owner_user_id": "18431", "parent_id": "318", "post_type": "answer", "score": 4 } ]

{ "accepted_answer_id": "339", "answer_count": 3, "body": "\n\nThe most obvious answer everyone over the Internet is giving to this question\nis \"Because anime is produced much faster compared to manga, they need to put\nin fillers in order to slow down the anime series\". However, that shouldn't be\nthe only reason.\n\nFor example, consider One Piece. The show is going on for more than 500\nepisodes, and less than 10% are fillers. Comparing that to Naruto, the show\nhas almost the same number of episodes (original and Shippuuden combined), but\nalmost 50% of its episodes are fillers. Needless to say, the manga of Naruto\nis so far ahead that the anime won't be able to catch up even if they produce\n100+ episodes without any fillers.\n\n", "comment_count": 9, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T15:56:49.523", "favorite_count": 0, "id": "336", "last_activity_date": "2015-07-02T22:00:56.647", "last_edit_date": "2015-03-10T20:48:07.493", "last_editor_user_id": "63", "owner_user_id": "19", "post_type": "question", "score": 15, "tags": [ "anime-production" ], "title": "Why are there so many fillers in long-running animes?", "view_count": 21167 }

[ { "body": "\n\nThat is mainly because battle centered animes, like Naruto or Bleach have a\nlot of battle scenes. Battle scenes are much _much_ faster in Anime than it is\nin Manga.\n\nPlot centered animes, like One Piece or Death Note, can afford not to produce\nas many fillers, because they can leave the gap far enough apart, as plot\nevents unfold not as much faster in Anime.\n\nAs for Naruto specific answer, the upcoming saga is filled with battles, in\norder to compensate for the fast-pace anime, a sufficient gap needs to be\nopened. I don't have exact numbers or calculations, but I'd like to think that\nthe anime producers do have some sort of plan, and that they would keep the\nupcoming battle saga intact. Otherwise, guess who'll be delivering meteors to\ntheir houses\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T16:04:37.127", "id": "338", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T16:04:37.127", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "27", "parent_id": "336", "post_type": "answer", "score": 3 }, { "body": "\n\nThere are lots of possible explanations to that:\n\n * As you said, the anime catching up to the manga, so they have more time.\n * Special events, as anniversaries, movie-related specials or so.\n * Also, the narratives are different and that depends on the production team. In your example, Naruto (as Bleach did) commonly makes battles really fast-paced, so they tend to catch-up with the manga quickly. Whereas One Piece, while having lots of battle too, tends to make them less dynamic, so in the end, they are longer and don't catch up to manga as easily.\n\n", "comment_count": 1, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T16:09:18.270", "id": "339", "last_activity_date": "2015-03-09T13:31:01.633", "last_edit_date": "2015-03-09T13:31:01.633", "last_editor_user_id": "1398", "owner_user_id": "31", "parent_id": "336", "post_type": "answer", "score": 10 }, { "body": "\n\nAn anime is typically adapted from another source material. Usually it's\neither a manga, a light novel series (like Haruhi), or even visual\nnovel/computer game (Little Busters!, the When They Cry series).\n\nSome parts maybe cut, changed, rearranges, and sometimes new content is added\nall together scenes completely.\n\nWhile some changes are welcomed by fans, most are not. One most unwelcome\nadditions are the so called filler episodes. A filler episode can be as short\nas 1 episode, or as long as an entire season of the anime. These episodes were\nnot a part of the original source content's story, and usually serve\nabsolutely no purpose in furthering the main story.\n\nOne of the two main reasons that we see fillers because they are meant to buy\ntime for the anime when the content catches up to the pace the source\nmaterial. This delay give the authors some time to adapt more material for the\nanime. After all, you can't really adapt something that doesn't exist yet.\n\nThe other reason for fillers to exist is greed. Some productions like to milk\nan anime for more money by making a few episodes of filler in a season, to add\nto disc sales (so fan buy _n+1_ discs instead of _n_ ). Anime productions\nusually make the bulk of their money in disc sales.\n\nGenerally, fans don't like fillers for the following reasons:\n\n 1. They are pointless, and don't add to the plot of character development in any menaingful way. Sometimes it takes away from the action and go on bizarre tangets only to end up exactly where they began (it's was all a dream!).\n 2. They sometimes add plotholes or other contradictions to storyline and a considered non-canonical. \n 3. They (usually) aren't written by the same author as the original source material, so the quality and vision of the story might not be up to standards.\n\n", "comment_count": 0, "content_license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "creation_date": "2012-12-13T16:42:17.870", "id": "341", "last_activity_date": "2012-12-13T16:42:17.870", "last_edit_date": null, "last_editor_user_id": null, "owner_user_id": "63", "parent_id": "336", "post_type": "answer", "score": 7 } ]