Naruto mythology references featuring Shinto, Buddhist, East Asian references

Naruto: Major Shinto, Buddhist, East Asian Mythology References

Mythology references in Naruto include: Naruto—The Nine Tailed Fox Sasuke— Susanoo the Storm God Sharingan—Shinto Creation Myth Jiraiya, Orochimaru & Tsunade— The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya Mythic Beasts: Bijuu and Isonade Naruto is an enormous franchise that pulls an immense amount of cultural creativity …

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who is akira in the Akira anime?

Akira Anime Movie: Who is Akira?

In short, the Akira character in Akira (1988) is a god-like being who imbodies the energy of the universe.  Every event from the big bang to the evolution of life carries this cosmic energy within it, and Akira is a boy who has unlocked the …

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90s iconic anime

The 7 Most Iconic 90s Sci Fi Anime

The most iconic 90s sci fi anime are: Ghost in the Shell Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor Cowboy Bebop Trigun Neon Genesis Evangelion Tenchi Muyo! Ghost in the Shell Ghost in the Shell is a manga originally created by Masamune Shirow.  Then, …

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what is Ninja Ninja in Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai: What is Ninja Ninja?

In the Afro Samurai (2007) mini-series by Gonzo, Ninja Ninja is a figment of Afro’s mind that has partial existence in the real world.  He is connected to the Number 2 Headband and acts as a narrator of the silent hero’s thoughts and fears. Ninja …

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why does broly hate goku Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z: Why Broly Hates Goku

In short, Broly seems to hate Goku because of Goku’s childhood rage.  However, this reaction to Goku has a deeper meaning about the search for conflict inside warrior class Saiyans. What really sets Broly off when confronted with Goku is: Saiyan warriors can’t help but …

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ghost in the shell what is a ghost

Ghost in the Shell: What is a Ghost?

A ghost, in Ghost in the Shell, refers to a sentient being’s ability to experience and maintain a sense of self.  However, this notion is challenged throughout the manga and anime adaptations with cybernetics and artificial intelligence—posing a greater philosophical question about existence and meaning.  …

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princess Mononoke wolf spirits forest spirts

Princess Mononoke Wolves, Forest Spirits and Mythology

In 1997, Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki released the epic, supernatural story Princess Mononoke.  Pulling from familiar Japanese folklore, mythology and Shintoism, Miyazaki creates his own fairy tale with stunning animation and giant wolf gods.  These wolves are crucial to the crux of the …

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samurai champloo who is the samurai who smells of sunflowers?

Samurai Champloo: Who is the Samurai Who Smells of Sunflowers

In many ways, Samurai Champloo is the spiritual successor to Shinichiro Watanabe’s popular Cowboy Bebop anime, sharing similarities in philosophy, style-fusion and character building.  The plot is driven by 3 characters: Fuu, the teenage girl in search of a “sunflower samurai”, and 2 diametrically opposed …

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did spike spiegel die at the end of cowboy bebop?

Cowboy Bebop: Is Spike Spiegel Actually Dead?

Maybe, maybe not.  Series creator Shinichiro Watanabe never specifies that he does, leaving it up to interpretation.  Spike has survived unbelievable battle wounds and bounced back, so the possibility is there.  Ultimately, this scene was the end of his story arch.  He finished his personal …

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cowboy bebop what happened to Earth?

Cowboy Bebop: What Happened to Earth?

In the western-based lore of Cowboy Bebop, the first astral gate, built in 2022 to orbit the moon, exploded in a devastating catastrophe.  The resulting astral rocks fell to Earth in a massive shower, killing most of the planet’s population and driving civilization underground.  These …

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