Bakkusutori!
In the midst of enjoying a long binge session of anime, and beating myself up for wasting a whole weekend, I noticed something very interesting. Each anime character - i.e., main character/s like the heroes/villains had back stories. I found on youtube that apparently this is a thing in Anime, and I used to get so caught up in the plot I never noticed this was a thing.
So yeah, today this is what you will be reading about. (Sorry)
Most of the Anime I watch is fantasy related. This follows a very standard Tolkeinesk trope, like elves, beings of different humanoid races, very perfect humans, the ultimate hero who can do no wrong etc.The villains are much more complicated with equally interesting abilities, great looks, and compelling reasons for being/behaving the way they are.
And everyone - everyone - of any importance has a backstory.
So let's assume you are a character in an anime.
These are the possible people in your lives - parents/a single parent, a childhood crush/unrequited true love character, a sibling/siblings, a girlfrend/boyfriend, a friend/friends, a master/person you admire, or God Forbid, a child/children and or a wife.
And here are the possible backstories you can have (the highlights are in bold!)-
1. sibling/siblings: There was initially a lot of love between the two/whatever number of you. You have a misunderstanding/falling out. These backstories flash by your mind to move the plot forward and introduce us to the sibling/s in question. Or maybe the sibling dies protecting you. Or the sibling is murdered in cold blood.
2. Friend/Friends: You loved each other like siblings. You had a misunderstanding/falling out. Now you are mortal enemies or your friend is dead. And in all probability - you had to kill him/her.
3. child/children: you want to be a good parent to your child. You are/were struggling to do so. Your child does/doesn't look up to you. You do something either heroic or stupid or bad. Now you reflect upon it to take the next decision with a -'Now my children will not be let down!'. Sometimes the child may die - this is mostly because of your bad decision making.
4. wife: She died. Her death was tragic and changed you as a man. You were consumed by grief, and any children you had were neglected or beaten up a lot.
5. parents/parent: They are mostly dead. Their death was tragic and changed your life. They were either murdered in cold blood in front of you, or died protecting you.
6. Sensei/master - usually there is a misunderstanding/you are being controlled by someone, or your master is, and you remember the good times with sensei before either killing him, or redeeming yourself or him
7. a girlfriend/boyfriend: You remember cut scenes from times that weren't mentioned till now. The person in these flashbacks is usually giving you amazing advice or being super supportive or general positive vibes are flowing around. There are usually cherry blossom petals blowing artistically in the background. They are usually alive. (If they are dead, they are "lovers")
8. lovers: These are tragic. Their death was tragic and the reason you became the way you are. You find another love who looks exactly the same as your past lover. You never have any of these flashbacks in memory while spending time with the creepy clone. You have them before facing a battle or something important.
9. a childhood crush/unrequited love from a long time ago: This one is definitely alive. You have made a ridiculous promise that you plan to keep after two or three decades (or centuries. Whatever). Or you have been crushing on them forever, while they remain blissfully unaware even though you spend literally every waking moment together. Cue sakura flowers!
So here it is! I neglected all of my duties and responsibilities, did not do anything remotely productive, and absolutely threw my weekend to the winds to bring you an analysis of the types of backstories (or bakkusutori in Japanese) you find in Animes. Maybe next time I could write about Anime deaths.
Sigh
Until next time,
DragonRider
So yeah, today this is what you will be reading about. (Sorry)
Most of the Anime I watch is fantasy related. This follows a very standard Tolkeinesk trope, like elves, beings of different humanoid races, very perfect humans, the ultimate hero who can do no wrong etc.The villains are much more complicated with equally interesting abilities, great looks, and compelling reasons for being/behaving the way they are.
And everyone - everyone - of any importance has a backstory.
So let's assume you are a character in an anime.
These are the possible people in your lives - parents/a single parent, a childhood crush/unrequited true love character, a sibling/siblings, a girlfrend/boyfriend, a friend/friends, a master/person you admire, or God Forbid, a child/children and or a wife.
And here are the possible backstories you can have (the highlights are in bold!)-
1. sibling/siblings: There was initially a lot of love between the two/whatever number of you. You have a misunderstanding/falling out. These backstories flash by your mind to move the plot forward and introduce us to the sibling/s in question. Or maybe the sibling dies protecting you. Or the sibling is murdered in cold blood.
2. Friend/Friends: You loved each other like siblings. You had a misunderstanding/falling out. Now you are mortal enemies or your friend is dead. And in all probability - you had to kill him/her.
3. child/children: you want to be a good parent to your child. You are/were struggling to do so. Your child does/doesn't look up to you. You do something either heroic or stupid or bad. Now you reflect upon it to take the next decision with a -'Now my children will not be let down!'. Sometimes the child may die - this is mostly because of your bad decision making.
4. wife: She died. Her death was tragic and changed you as a man. You were consumed by grief, and any children you had were neglected or beaten up a lot.
5. parents/parent: They are mostly dead. Their death was tragic and changed your life. They were either murdered in cold blood in front of you, or died protecting you.
6. Sensei/master - usually there is a misunderstanding/you are being controlled by someone, or your master is, and you remember the good times with sensei before either killing him, or redeeming yourself or him
7. a girlfriend/boyfriend: You remember cut scenes from times that weren't mentioned till now. The person in these flashbacks is usually giving you amazing advice or being super supportive or general positive vibes are flowing around. There are usually cherry blossom petals blowing artistically in the background. They are usually alive. (If they are dead, they are "lovers")
8. lovers: These are tragic. Their death was tragic and the reason you became the way you are. You find another love who looks exactly the same as your past lover. You never have any of these flashbacks in memory while spending time with the creepy clone. You have them before facing a battle or something important.
9. a childhood crush/unrequited love from a long time ago: This one is definitely alive. You have made a ridiculous promise that you plan to keep after two or three decades (or centuries. Whatever). Or you have been crushing on them forever, while they remain blissfully unaware even though you spend literally every waking moment together. Cue sakura flowers!
So here it is! I neglected all of my duties and responsibilities, did not do anything remotely productive, and absolutely threw my weekend to the winds to bring you an analysis of the types of backstories (or bakkusutori in Japanese) you find in Animes. Maybe next time I could write about Anime deaths.
Sigh
Until next time,
DragonRider
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