LET IT GO! SHINJIYOU!
Apr. 30th, 2008 10:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
faded_lace1) Minekura-sensei's old style was preeeeeeeetty. I didn't even remember that there was that much of a difference until just now, rereading Saiyuki.
2) wtf, Hakkai makes a lot of sex faces during the Chin Yisou arc. Just randomly. Srsly. It's like Chin Yisou: *MOLEST!* Hakkai: *sex face homg* XD;;;;;
3) Lit has eaten my soul, whut? :D;; As demonstrated:
A brief discussion on Minekura's presentation of Westerners in Saiyuki
Though Saiyuki's Shangri-La exists in a strange combination of traditional eastern and semi-modern western elements, when one takes a closer look at the most Western-influenced characters, a negative undertone seems to become apparent. Throughout the story, characters dominated by Western culture and characteristics are presented as antagonistic or immoral. This subtle technique may be indicative of a negative view towards Westerners [OR KIT COULD BE GOING INSANE YES YES]
--I. Hazel Grouse
Hazel is the obvious "Western" character in Saiyuki; from the west of America, he sports an amusing accent, stylish cowboy hat, and English name. Though Hazel isn't necessarily a despicable or hate-worthy character, he has a twisted sense of moral which goes beyond even the moral ambiguity of the Sanzo-ikkou. Filled to the moral brim with prejudices, Hazel is determined to "help humanity" by bringing dead humans back to life with the intent to kill youkai, a goal which is, fairly universally, not morally sound. Even to those who like him as a character, he is still "in the wrong" when it comes to his intentions. And even should a reader find no issue with Hazel's clearly judgmental nature, Minekura defines him as an antagonist by putting him in direct conflict with the Sanzo-ikkou. Hazel effectively earns himself two one-word labels: "Westerner" and "Antagonist."
--II. Cho Gonou
Though Cho Gonou cannot definitely be defined as a character of Western origins, it is notable that he was raised in a Western orphanage and was Roman Catholic, and that whenever Gonou is pictures in flashbacks and memories, he is dressed in Western clothing. Whether or not he can truly be categorized as "Western," he is certainly associated with Western culture in general. The morality, or else mental stability, of Gonou, however, cannot really be questions: he is, as he would deem himself, "a sinner." It's difficult to defend the cruel and bloody slaughter of over one thousand persons, regardless of their crimes; Gonou is, without a doubt, either morally or mentally lacking. Interestingly enough, when Gonou becomes Hakkai, he drops most aspects of Western culture, and seems quite a deal more stable than when he was Gonou. His instability seems to be cured when he is no longer Gonou, and no longer tied to the West.
--III. Cho Kanan
Kanan is really a subcategory of Gonou; as her death is before the story begins, not much is known about her personality. We can say for her, however, that she was very selfish. After all, after Gonou came to her rescue, killed over a thousand humans and youkai, the majority of whom were innocent, injured himself badly in the process, she still couldn't even allow him the victory of taking her home. She killed herself right then, before his eyes, because that's what she wanted, regardless of the effects it would have on him. And, as Gonou was, Kanan was, so far as the audience knows, accustomed to living a Westernized life; raised in a convent and Catholic, nothing about her appearance even suggested the East. [However, I'm not sure if Kanan is a valid point or if I just hate her so much I wanted to make her into one XD;;]
--IV. Dr. Huang
As Kanan, Dr. Huang is not a very developed character, and thus not so much can be said as to her moral standing. What we know about her is that she is one of the doctors of the "Western science" that is, in such a brazen and taboo manner, being mixed with "Eastern magic," that she does indeed find some moral question in the work that she does, and that she does it anyway, regardless of her own hesitations. Dr. Huang is not really evil, not in the way that Gyoukumen Koushu or Nii Jianyi are evil, but she allows her great talents to be used for evil without argument. Notably, Dr. Huang insinuates herself to be youkai, though the reader can't easily tell from her physical features. This would make her the only youkai of the mentioned characters, which may be linked to the fact that she is also arguably the least of an offender.
--V. Dr. Nii Jianyi
Ignoring his actions as Ukoku Sanzo, which is obviously his not-Western counterpart, Nii Jianyi is obviously a disturbed, morally void person. He takes pleasure in causing others misfortune, and enjoys watching them suffer. He enjoys toying with people, including his deranged disciple, "Kami-sama" to their own ruin. Though he is favoured by many, he can certainly never be argued as a moral person. Nii's ties to the West as similar to Huang's: he is a doctor of the Western science. Nii is never seen out of a lab coat, collared shirt, and slacks, as well as his signature bunny slippers. As Nii is no longer Nii when dressed in the clothing of the East, it is safe to say that Nii can be categorized as both Western and morally lacking.
Also of note, the point of the story is for the Sanzo-ikkou to go to the West, where the antagonists of the story reside. Hmmm...
Oh yes. I'm such a nerd. XD;;;;
2) wtf, Hakkai makes a lot of sex faces during the Chin Yisou arc. Just randomly. Srsly. It's like Chin Yisou: *MOLEST!* Hakkai: *sex face homg* XD;;;;;
3) Lit has eaten my soul, whut? :D;; As demonstrated:
A brief discussion on Minekura's presentation of Westerners in Saiyuki
Though Saiyuki's Shangri-La exists in a strange combination of traditional eastern and semi-modern western elements, when one takes a closer look at the most Western-influenced characters, a negative undertone seems to become apparent. Throughout the story, characters dominated by Western culture and characteristics are presented as antagonistic or immoral. This subtle technique may be indicative of a negative view towards Westerners [OR KIT COULD BE GOING INSANE YES YES]
--I. Hazel Grouse
Hazel is the obvious "Western" character in Saiyuki; from the west of America, he sports an amusing accent, stylish cowboy hat, and English name. Though Hazel isn't necessarily a despicable or hate-worthy character, he has a twisted sense of moral which goes beyond even the moral ambiguity of the Sanzo-ikkou. Filled to the moral brim with prejudices, Hazel is determined to "help humanity" by bringing dead humans back to life with the intent to kill youkai, a goal which is, fairly universally, not morally sound. Even to those who like him as a character, he is still "in the wrong" when it comes to his intentions. And even should a reader find no issue with Hazel's clearly judgmental nature, Minekura defines him as an antagonist by putting him in direct conflict with the Sanzo-ikkou. Hazel effectively earns himself two one-word labels: "Westerner" and "Antagonist."
--II. Cho Gonou
Though Cho Gonou cannot definitely be defined as a character of Western origins, it is notable that he was raised in a Western orphanage and was Roman Catholic, and that whenever Gonou is pictures in flashbacks and memories, he is dressed in Western clothing. Whether or not he can truly be categorized as "Western," he is certainly associated with Western culture in general. The morality, or else mental stability, of Gonou, however, cannot really be questions: he is, as he would deem himself, "a sinner." It's difficult to defend the cruel and bloody slaughter of over one thousand persons, regardless of their crimes; Gonou is, without a doubt, either morally or mentally lacking. Interestingly enough, when Gonou becomes Hakkai, he drops most aspects of Western culture, and seems quite a deal more stable than when he was Gonou. His instability seems to be cured when he is no longer Gonou, and no longer tied to the West.
--III. Cho Kanan
Kanan is really a subcategory of Gonou; as her death is before the story begins, not much is known about her personality. We can say for her, however, that she was very selfish. After all, after Gonou came to her rescue, killed over a thousand humans and youkai, the majority of whom were innocent, injured himself badly in the process, she still couldn't even allow him the victory of taking her home. She killed herself right then, before his eyes, because that's what she wanted, regardless of the effects it would have on him. And, as Gonou was, Kanan was, so far as the audience knows, accustomed to living a Westernized life; raised in a convent and Catholic, nothing about her appearance even suggested the East. [However, I'm not sure if Kanan is a valid point or if I just hate her so much I wanted to make her into one XD;;]
--IV. Dr. Huang
As Kanan, Dr. Huang is not a very developed character, and thus not so much can be said as to her moral standing. What we know about her is that she is one of the doctors of the "Western science" that is, in such a brazen and taboo manner, being mixed with "Eastern magic," that she does indeed find some moral question in the work that she does, and that she does it anyway, regardless of her own hesitations. Dr. Huang is not really evil, not in the way that Gyoukumen Koushu or Nii Jianyi are evil, but she allows her great talents to be used for evil without argument. Notably, Dr. Huang insinuates herself to be youkai, though the reader can't easily tell from her physical features. This would make her the only youkai of the mentioned characters, which may be linked to the fact that she is also arguably the least of an offender.
--V. Dr. Nii Jianyi
Ignoring his actions as Ukoku Sanzo, which is obviously his not-Western counterpart, Nii Jianyi is obviously a disturbed, morally void person. He takes pleasure in causing others misfortune, and enjoys watching them suffer. He enjoys toying with people, including his deranged disciple, "Kami-sama" to their own ruin. Though he is favoured by many, he can certainly never be argued as a moral person. Nii's ties to the West as similar to Huang's: he is a doctor of the Western science. Nii is never seen out of a lab coat, collared shirt, and slacks, as well as his signature bunny slippers. As Nii is no longer Nii when dressed in the clothing of the East, it is safe to say that Nii can be categorized as both Western and morally lacking.
Also of note, the point of the story is for the Sanzo-ikkou to go to the West, where the antagonists of the story reside. Hmmm...
Oh yes. I'm such a nerd. XD;;;;
