The concepts of mecha and moe can be traced back pretty directly to the Shinto belief system as a cultural norm- it would be nice to see that explored here.
@golddiggersof2033: While the idea of ghosts in shells is arguably Shinto, I'm reluctant to tie such modern things as mecha and moe back to the distant background hum of Japanese religion/spirituality. Mecha and cyborg fixation is very popular in the U.S. too, after all. As for moe, that (to me) ties in more directly to recent social developments such as Japan's low birth rate (idolization of the young) and the stress which it has placed on the Japanese family (such as the stereotypical spoiled, introverted boys raised in the '80s and '90s, for whom the domestic sphere of the house and home -- the realm of the saintlike cooking-and-cleaning child-mother characters so popular in moe -- is the most comfortable social sphere). But I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. #comics
@Jason Thompson: I was thinking of mecha specifically and the idea that inanimate objects can inherently be anthopomorphized. To me that relates directly to the idea that every river has a spirit, every tree, every leaf, every rock. It's not that animism is specific to Japan but it lasted a hell of a lot longer there than in comparable civilizations.
I think it is specific to Japan though and to the modern social developments you mention that all the ghosts in these machines are pre-pubescent girls. #comics
@golddiggersof2033: Holy Crap!
I've just read this whole damn thing
and I get down here to find you invoking my name!
Am I some kind of demon that can be summoned at will?
Don't I even require a human sacrifice?
Something in the 'moe-thrown-into-a-volcano' line would do nicely in future :) #comics
@SJ_Edwards: I thought my last message was presentient enough to draw you here. That and the Lovecraft dagger through the crossroads at midnight seemed like enough. #comics
@golddiggersof2033: Good point, and you can definitely see a lot of references to 'spirit' and 'heart' in inanimate objects in everything from Yu-Gi-Oh! to mecha shows. Speaking of both spirituality and moe, did you hear about the mikoshi shrine float devoted to the anime "Lucky Star"? [www.japanprobe.com]#comics
@Shini: R.O.A.C.H.: Me too. I was just expecting a short fluff article when the title came up in my news feed but this was something really meaty and intriguing. Thanks for sharing! #comics
Nothing meaningful to add, mostly because I didn't know these manga existed 10 minutes ago (I'm a robot man, myself). However, nice article and well done. #comics
I hate to admit it out loud here, but I really want a window cling of that cranky Corsair. As a warbird fanatic, the aircraft moe is way cool to me and the Corsair happens to be my fave plane.
I bet you she's cranky cause she gets called "hose nose" alot. #comics
11/13/09
You know... it's us Spaniards who sleep la siesta, and Italians who eat red sauce with their pasta, not the other way around #comics
11/13/09
11/13/09
Please weigh in SJ_Edwards! #comics
11/13/09
11/13/09
I think it is specific to Japan though and to the modern social developments you mention that all the ghosts in these machines are pre-pubescent girls. #comics
11/13/09
I've just read this whole damn thing
and I get down here to find you invoking my name!
Am I some kind of demon that can be summoned at will?
Don't I even require a human sacrifice?
Something in the 'moe-thrown-into-a-volcano' line would do nicely in future :) #comics
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/16/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
I bet you she's cranky cause she gets called "hose nose" alot. #comics
11/13/09
-Kle. #comics
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
10/29/09
Puts on "Making of Cyborg" #ghostintheshell