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Post by Hades on Jun 9, 2009 18:42:01 GMT -5
I'm in the very early stages of developing a small manga series (it's mainly for myself, but I'll make it public when it's done). Anyhow, I'd like to avoid as many cliche's as possible. I'd like for my main character wield a huge sword, but, is that way too cliche?
I mean, characters with huge swords are generally turn out to be popular - Cloud (FF7), Gattsu (Berserk), Ichigo (Bleach), and probably a few more that slip my mind atm. I know that there's way more to the popularity of these characters than their weapon, but it's still an obvious pattern.
Any opinions on this subject? Any ideas for alternative weapons? I want the weapon to be either big or very heavy. The character in mind possesses immense physical strength, so he can't just be waving around a thin little katana or something.
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Post by Jodie on Jun 9, 2009 19:22:37 GMT -5
How about a hammer or a mace?
I know it's very Freudian but I've always figured that large weapons, especially swords, is a direct or indirect euphemism for a penis. I suppose that it is just stroking the male fantasy of having a huge member and unlimited energy and power reserves, which male anime characters with large weapons also seem to possess.
Just my observation on why big penisesswords seem to be popular with teenage boy anime fans. I find it kind of boring and repetitive honestly.
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Post by Dr. Waldorf X on Jun 9, 2009 19:36:05 GMT -5
Honestly, Berserk is the only piece of media I've ever seen that had a logical reason for such prowess with a giant sword. I agree with Jodie on the subject. Unless you do it right (which I've only seen once, in Berserk, as I mentioned), it is best to avoid altogether. After all, a large sword doesn't cut any better than a more logically sized one. Besides, battle axes are a lot cooler (and, due to the nature of the weapon, heavier than swords).
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Post by Hades on Jun 9, 2009 19:41:51 GMT -5
How about a hammer or a mace? I know it's very Freudian but I've always figured that large weapons, especially swords, is a direct or indirect euphemism for a penis. I suppose that it is just stroking the male fantasy of having a huge member and unlimited energy and power reserves, which male anime characters with large weapons also seem to possess. Just my observation on why big penisesswords seem to be popular with teenage boy anime fans. I find it kind of boring and repetitive honestly. I see it as a fantasy, but not in the way you mentioned. To me, it's about immersing yourself in a world where things can be done that aren't possible in reality. I can certainly see your point though. Especially with the abundance of big boobed and weak female characters in the genre. I plan to incorporate a female character that's vital to the story, not as a helpless love interest, but as an actual contributor. I'm really trying to get away from the same old shit you see over and over. And I've considered a hammer/mace. My problem is that swords are, for lack of a better word, elegant. Which is probably why they're so popular. Blunt weapons and axes are really quite clunky, but I really can't think of a happy medium >_< Oh, and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks the big sword thing is overdone.
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Post by Jodie on Jun 9, 2009 19:51:25 GMT -5
I see it as a fantasy, but not in the way you mentioned. To me, it's about immersing yourself in a world where things can be done that aren't possible in reality. I can certainly see your point though. Especially with the abundance of big boobed and weak female characters in the genre. I plan to incorporate a female character that's vital to the story, not as a helpless love interest, but as an actual contributor. I'm really trying to get away from the same old shit you see over and over. You have no idea how refreshing that would be! I love anime animation, but to many stories turn me off with their bland or sexist portrays of female characters. And I've considered a hammer/mace. My problem is that swords are, for lack of a better word, elegant. Which is probably why they're so popular. Blunt weapons and axes are really quite clunky, but I really can't think of a happy medium >_< Oh, and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks the big sword thing is overdone. That's a tough one. You're really creative so maybe it would be fun to try and create a new kind of weapon. Or how about borrowing from other sources. I've always loved those bladed weapons that the Klingons use in Star Trek but I have no idea what the heck they are called. ETA: This thing: I think something like this (in giant size) would be just as illogical as a giant sword, but just as much fun and not so obviously a replacement penis.
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Post by lunarxero on Jun 9, 2009 20:06:33 GMT -5
Whoa, that thing is awesome.
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Post by Admiral Lithp on Jun 9, 2009 20:47:48 GMT -5
Ichigo mostly uses his Bankai anymore, which is pretty normal-sized. Anyway, if I were you, I would go for something normal-sized, but memorable in other ways. The First Tsurugi (Cloud's sword in AC), for example, is fascinating because it splits into separate swords, and in a very mechanical fashion. Then there's Squall's gunblade, & swords that actually fire projectiles. But it doesn't have to be that impressive, either. Genesis's blade* is fucking awesome, in its design. But this is coming from a guy who really doesn't like the ridiculously oversized swords. Strange given my favorite game, I know. Anyway, if you're dead set on it, no, it's not too cliche. At least, not any more cliche than any OTHER type of sword. *= media.animevice.com/uploads/0/1226/58380-cc_genesis_rhapsodos_super.jpgAcknowledged, Genesis's sword is slightly longer than normal length-wise, but that isn't the point. Really, most weapons take a bit of strength to use. You could just try making it LOOK heavy. I'm no artist, but I find myself picturing darker-colored blades as being heavier, as I associate them with iron. Anyway, swordwise, you could just use a typical claymore/longsword thing. In terms of alternatives, you probably won't find anything with as much of a psychological impact as a sword. (Popular culture is popular.) But...yeah...axe, mace, flail, those sorts of things all come to mind. Hope this helped at least a little bit. You could always hit up TV Tropes for some inspiration. I'm sure they have a section for weapon tropes.
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Post by Patches on Jun 9, 2009 21:32:05 GMT -5
I know it's very Freudian but I've always figured that large weapons, especially swords, is a direct or indirect euphemism for a penis. I suppose that it is just stroking the male fantasy of having a huge member and unlimited energy and power reserves, which male anime characters with large weapons also seem to possess. Certainly there is no way one could read too much into this.
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Post by Admiral Lithp on Jun 9, 2009 21:36:26 GMT -5
I know it's very Freudian but I've always figured that large weapons, especially swords, is a direct or indirect euphemism for a penis. I suppose that it is just stroking the male fantasy of having a huge member and unlimited energy and power reserves, which male anime characters with large weapons also seem to possess. Certainly there is no way one could read too much into this. HA! ...Little disturbed Miroku's the psychologist, though....
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Post by DarkfireTaimatsu on Jun 9, 2009 22:47:37 GMT -5
I've always loved those bladed weapons that the Klingons use in Star Trek but I have no idea what the heck they are called. ETA: This thing: I think something like this (in giant size) would be just as illogical as a giant sword, but just as much fun and not so obviously a replacement penis. It's called a bat'leth. Just for reference. =3
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Post by Jodie on Jun 10, 2009 0:32:37 GMT -5
Certainly there is no way one could read too much into this. LOL! Not at all! It's called a bat'leth. Just for reference. =3 Cool! Thanks!
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Post by Admiral Lithp on Jun 10, 2009 2:05:16 GMT -5
I've always loved those bladed weapons that the Klingons use in Star Trek but I have no idea what the heck they are called. ETA: This thing: I think something like this (in giant size) would be just as illogical as a giant sword, but just as much fun and not so obviously a replacement penis. It's called a bat'leth. Just for reference. =3 1: How am I supposed to pronounce that? 2: What's it supposed to do?
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Post by DarkfireTaimatsu on Jun 10, 2009 2:10:39 GMT -5
It's called a bat'leth. Just for reference. =3 1: How am I supposed to pronounce that? 2: What's it supposed to do? 1. Unfortunately, I don't speak Klingon, so I couldn't tell you. 2. My guess is "kill people".
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Post by Jodie on Jun 10, 2009 2:32:35 GMT -5
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Post by Napoleon the Clown on Jun 10, 2009 5:10:23 GMT -5
Have him one hand a Claymore. Suitably badass without anal violating the laws of physics. For extra "Kewl" points have him use a bastard sword in his off-hand.
As for Claymore bad-assery, you need look no further than William Wallace and the Claymore demonstrations shown on the Deadliest Warrior episode that had them so beautifully demonstrated.
Zweihanders also work for big fucking sword that could be used as a way to show that the user is far stronger than any normal person could ever hope to be without going into the realm of "So wait, how does he keep his balance/footing swinging that monstrosity around?"
Making him a staff user (with a flair for particularly heavy materials, such as lead-cored steel or tungsten, don't ask how he finds those...) would be a change of pace while still letting him use a melee weapon.
Polearms would also be a nice touch. If the flavor is going to be strongly Asian, especially Japanese, there's a polearm called the naginata. It's basically a spear, the blade is a bit heavier, but is much like a blade off a tanto or wakizashi.
For Epic-level "Holy shit" strong, have him use scenery, such as cars, as weapons. Maybe even have him carry around some big-ass chains so he can use cars as a fucking flail.
A very brutal means of showing off just how ridiculously badass the protagonist is would be to have him simply shun weapons, using nothing but his fists, feet, knees, elbows, etc. Maybe include a part where he tries to use a sword and accidentally breaks it when he uses it on someone and happens to hit a bone at a bad angle or something along those lines. (For reference involving barehanding it, think of what Seras from Hellsing does when she goes into her berserker frenzy in Hellsing Volume/OVA 2 or, even better, Zorin Blitz's means of being dispatched). As an example of what kind of strike power he could easily develop, think of the people renowned as hard hitters. Jack Dempsey, for example, was one of the hardest punchers in history. As a demonstration of how hard he hit, he was punched a donkey in the head and KOed it. In one punch. Mr. Donkey ended up dead from the blow. Keep in mind that donkeys are a bit more durable than the average human, and that while Dempsey was definitely much stronger than the average person, his strength was by no means record setting.
Of course, should Mr. Fisty-cuffs ever decide he wants to beat someone to death with something other than his own body, he can always remove an arm or leg and proceed to lay the beat-down on the poor SOB he's up against. (Remember: Any fighter worth a damn will rip your nuts off and feed them to you without hesitation, or go knuckle-deep in your eye-socket. A few of these will show your protagonist will do what it takes, though may make him seem excessively ruthless unless one stops to think what a fight should be like.)
Side note: Swords are a much bigger pain in the ass to make than an ax or knife. There's a reason that the people that could afford them would use them, much like fullplate.
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