Calling All Fantasy Buffs: Demonstrate the Difference!

[Tenofovir]

I think 99% of occult in anime is just gimmick plot device and not about esoteric, new knowledge etc. I don’t think we can take Japanese anime makers seriously. But I do worry more about Western shows. Still I think shows such as Twilight are soap operas for hipster gals. I personally don’t think the occult is so bad there.

Harry Pothead is probably a show for: kids who like the magic and special fx, creepy middle aged fans of Hermione whatshername and just people reliving their school days, when they were younger, care free and had no responsibility.

What is worrying more is that Golden Compass propaganda and films based on books by Dan Brown.

 

[CesarAugustus]

I think 99% of occult in anime is just gimmick plot device and not about esoteric, new knowledge etc. I don’t think we can take Japanese anime makers seriously. But I do worry more about Western shows. Still I think shows such as Twilight are soap operas for hipster gals. I personally don’t think the occult is so bad there.

Harry Pothead is probably a show for: kids who like the magic and special fx, creepy middle aged fans of Hermione whatshername and just people reliving their school days, when they were younger, care free and had no responsibility.

What is worrying more is that Golden Compass propaganda and films based on books by Dan Brown.

Yes, I know that.

Usually is just for aesthetical purposes, and to convey a sense of “generic” magic. But I was speaking of people trying to know what symbol they saw, etc.

And yes, I do worry more for western media. As you said, here the Golden Compass and DaVinci code type propaganda is sadly more and more common.

Blessings!

 

[Bryan77]

When I think of fantasy magic. Anime is the last thing that comes to mind. I think of Elves, Dwarfs, and sorcerers. Shooting fire, ice, lightning etc. Creating Impenetrable barriers made of colorful light. Instant healing. Stuff like that.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

When I think of fantasy magic. Anime is the last thing that comes to mind. I think of Elves, Dwarfs, and sorcerers. Shooting fire, ice, lightning etc. Creating Impenetrable barriers made of colorful light. Instant healing. Stuff like that.

Lina Inverse says hi.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

The difference is fan service.

At first, this offended me… until I got to this part.

There is one male loser hero who NEVER EVER gets intimately close to any girl (although he approaches that) and there are many girls who vie for his attention. I think we can agree it’s a different type of magic.

Oh my goodness. You’re right! What craft can be so foul that it curses only the most hopeless of males to be surrounded by such goddesses!? DX

Tis no wonder they have been declared as Enemies of All Mankind! (If you don’t know this 4chan reference, shame on you.)

Seriously though, I get sick of it too. If you’re going to make a harem scenario, can we at least have a male lead who is actually MANLY? I’ve only seen a few recent ones that do this and the idea was really received well. Why do people hesitate to make this more mainstream?

I mean, look at Shirou from Fate/Stay Night. He was actually just half a wuss in the beginning and later becomes more and more aweshum.

I think the occult is just a gimmick in most such shows. Thankfully Christianity is not debased to this level, although sometimes pseudo-Catholic imagery is used too.

Pff, you’re talking about a trope now actually. I think it was called Crystal Dragon Jesus or sumthin’. In the end though, aesthetics don’t really matter to me as much as personality characterization.

What is worrying more is that Golden Compass propaganda and films based on books by Dan Brown.

I would actually say that those works impose the same bizarro connections between symbols and the ‘occult’ just like fundamentalist nutso Jack Chick. It’s one reason why I don’t think Dan Brown is a good read.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Anyways, since I’m a little bored. I think I’ll post another script for more lulz. You guys are free to make your own too.

This is reality:

Witch #1: Trust me, it’s December 8 and things are definitely not gonna well for him if he goes to that weird little church thingie. The moment he steps out of the cathedral gates, he’s got something coming.

Witch #2: Uhh… he seems fine if you ask me. o.o

Witch #1: And… why would you say that?

Witch #2: Cuz I’m seeing him right now. He’s not just out the gate. He’s walking across the street with everyone else… oh look, he’s getting on the bus! There he goes. You sure you did the divination ritual right? 7_7

Witch #1: … okay, lemme check my horoscope and consult with the spirits later. >_>;;;

This is Fantasy:

lightning clashes with steel, steel repels arrow, and dragonfire clashes with green light whilst the music of battle begins to play

Ken, Elf-Blessed Planeswalker: Gah! jumps back You will pay… for what you did to our world, BROTHER! D8< twirls elven bow-blade

Andre, Dragonmage Planeswalker: Hmph adjusts glasses man… you really bought a big one this time.

Ken: SHUT UP!! D8< swiftly dashes while magically encasing himself in full, elf-themed battle armor with green-black color scheme

Andre: Tch… armors himself in a similar manner but with a dragon-themed suit of red and blue with a green gem on his belt buckle

Andre dodges and counters by conjuring his own sword, a shining blue katana, only to exchange parries and spells with Ken

Ken: I will not be fed with your lies! D8<

Andre: Someone already did. >B(

Announcer Voice: The Wheel of Fate Is Turning! Rebel 1! ACTION!!!

actual plot-point fight starts

 

[Tenofovir]

At first, this offended me… until I got to this part.

Tis no wonder they have been declared as Enemies of All Mankind! (If you don’t know this 4chan reference, shame on you.)

I hang around 2ch only and I post only on issues involving Korea, China and Japan and politics involved. Seriously, that’s not true.

Pff, you’re talking about a trope now actually. I think it was called Crystal Dragon Jesus or sumthin’. In the end though, aesthetics don’t really matter to me as much as personality characterization.

No. I’m talking about the depiction of the goddess “Mary” in pseudo-Catholic churches near exclusive private schools. There is at least one nun too.

I would actually say that those works impose the same bizarro connections between symbols and the ‘occult’ just like fundamentalist nutso Jack Chick. It’s one reason why I don’t think Dan Brown is a good read.

The problem is that they could convince some people. I don’t really care much for Jack Chick since I’m not American and the whole protestant vs Catholic thing has never really affected me. I have never had to deal with Jack Chic and the consequences of his misinformation campaign.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

No. I’m talking about the depiction of the goddess “Mary” in pseudo-Catholic churches near exclusive private schools. There is at least one nun too.

Is this in reference to settings that are completely fictional or are we talking slice-of-life?

I think the nun characters are a nice add-on actually. I can understand why certain depictions might offend more reverent Catholics but it’s not that bad when you actually sit down and watch/read.

The problem is that they could convince some people. I don’t really care much for Jack Chick since I’m not American and the whole protestant vs Catholic thing has never really affected me. I have never had to deal with Jack Chic and the consequences of his misinformation campaign.

Trust me. Jack Chick and Dan Brown are bosom buddy member of the same conspiracy club.

 

[Tenofovir]

Is this in reference to settings that are completely fictional or are we talking slice-of-life?

Both but obviously not in da same show.

I think the nun characters are a nice add-on actually. I can understand why certain depictions might offend more reverent Catholics but it’s not that bad when you actually sit down and watch/read.

I’m not offended. Because I see worse things in the West (check any Madonna video) and the Japanese producers probably mean well, they don’t mean to purposefully ridicule. Buddhist iconography and Shinto goddesses are depicted irreverently so I guess I know where this comes from. It’s a different approach to the sacred.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

imgsrc.com is for sale!

Dude that’s hysterical. It’s just the kind of thing I’d share if this was FB.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

Yet somehow Midgar remains in one piece! Isn’t fantasy wonderful? (Or should I say game physics? )

It’s funny you wrote this. I was just reading the Poetic Edda last night, and it’s Mithgarth in there. Same thing, synonymous with Middle Earth.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

I hope this uploaded right. A couple of years ago I met an English professor in CAF (I’ll have to go through my archives and see if I can find him) and he found for me a copy of ON FAIRY STORIES by JRR Tolkien. I highly recommend reading it for all fantasy fans/writers as it very very hard to find, and so I’m repaying his generosity by sharing the love and passing it on here. This is the gold standard by the master.

If it opens–enjoy. The one thing I realized was just how many things we take for granted in the genre were truly pioneered by Tolkien.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

If it opens–enjoy. The one thing I realized was just how many things we take for granted in the genre were truly pioneered by Tolkien.

It opened on my end. Should be savable. As Tolkien was deeply Catholic his arguments should serve as a defense against even the most scrupulous of critics.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part. It’s strange because I can see it happening to Lewis more than Tolkien. Especially after reading That Hideous Strength, towards the end with Merlin and the planetary angels. A lot of that does draw from Enochian magic. But what ever happened to the Aquinine spirit of “converting the pagans,” as Aquinas did for Plato.

 

[manualman]

I like fantasy. Hey, I watched every single Stargate episode/film ever made all in 2011 alone. That might make me a scifi geek.

But, like it or not, there is a difference between fantasy that upholds and stimulates a healthy imagination and that which stimulates unhealthy appetites for domination and control beyond human natural capability. I leave it to y’all to discern the difference because I lost interest in cartoons rather a few decades ago…

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

But, like it or not, there is a difference between fantasy that upholds and stimulates a healthy imagination and that which stimulates unhealthy appetites for domination and control beyond human natural capability. I leave it to y’all to discern the difference because I lost interest in cartoons rather a few decades ago…

Pff, what’s natural in fantasy becomes a matter of perspective (the author’s at least). In my world, this is quite natural. fists light up in red-blue flames >8)

I never stop thanking God for fantasy. It helps cope with the bore that his creation has been distorted into. Just cuz you know fantasy from reality doesn’t mean you have to appreciate the latter (just tolerate it and acknowledge enough so you can go back to the former).

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

If it opens–enjoy. The one thing I realized was just how many things we take for granted in the genre were truly pioneered by Tolkien.

Amen to that! (And thanks for the file! )

Ironically, when people explore the religious side of Tolkien, they portray him as a staunch traditionalist himself.

Anyways, sometimes I feel a bit ashamed of what I do with fantasy tropes. I don’t seem to share the same reverence the man had for them (as evidenced by the geeky scripts I post here ).

Ah well, I think I’ll just make another one.

 

[TrueLight]

This is reality.
http://whoyoucallingaskeptic.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/handfasting-avebury.jpg

Oh my goodness. That was me in my pagan days, all decked out with flowers in my hair, LOL.

 

[Lokabrenna]

Um, let’s see…

Reality (in my tradition, at least): involves chanting and singing and entering into trance states, but I suppose it’s pretty boring if you aren’t the one going into trance

Fantasy: flinging fireballs at dragons (I’ve been playing Skyrim lately), also, raising zombies who fling fireballs. Actually, how about we start with a basic healing spell? In real life, healing spells aren’t instantaneous with special lighting effects

…and let’s not forget flinging fireballs at dragons

 

[TrueLight]

Fantasy: flinging fireballs at dragons (I’ve been playing Skyrim lately), also, raising zombies who fling fireballs. Actually, how about we start with a basic healing spell? In real life, healing spells aren’t instantaneous with special lighting effects

…and let’s not forget flinging fireballs at dragons

Speaking of fireballs, back in the day I joined a lucid dreaming forum. Yeah I know.

Anyway, on that forum, there were challenges that you could try. The challenges were dream assignments. Basically, you had to know you were dreaming (lucid) and you had to fulfill an assignment in the dream.

So I thought, why not.

The assigment was to dream of a house on a beach. Then while strolling along the beach, you had to see a tree and then throw a fireball at it.

You would then report in the thread whenever you were able to dream that dream. Everyone had a month and whoever was able to create the dream first won the challenge.

I actually got it the first night.

When I entered the dream, immediately I said, “I’m lucid”!

Then I created a beach house in my mind and it appeared in the dream. Then as I walked, came across… well… beam in the shape of a cross. Close enough to a tree. I then created fireballs, which I flung at the dream.

So this is where you have a combination of reality and fantasy.