Questions tagged [symbolism]
This tag is for questions looking for meanings, either explicit or subject to interpretation, behind a character, a setting, an action of a character, a plot point.
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What kanji is this, and what's its meaning?
In the anime Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (精霊の守り人), when the Star Diviners are speaking and do not wish for the contents of their conversation to be heard, they say something like "There is ...
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What's the significance of the 'w' finger position in Elfen Lied?
I've noticed that in the opening sequence, and the big climactic moment at the very end of the season, Lucy has her hands on the figure's back with the ring/middle fingers together and the other two ...
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Ubiquity of Totoro
Why is the image of Totoro (from "My Neighbor Totoro") so common? Even outside anime, background drawings can include Totoro dolls or posters.
Is it just a question of marketing or is there ...
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What does Sorachi want to convey by drawing Isaburo this way in chapter 671?
So, I am really having a problem understanding what Sorachi wants to convey when he draws Isaburo behind Nobume in Gintama chapter 671.
First, what does his pose means (by pose I am referring to him ...
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In the first opening of 'Jujutsu Kaisen', what does the water filling the train that Yuji is riding signify?
I'm continuing to try and fully understand the OPs in Jujutsu Kaisen, and right now I'm interested in knowing whether, in the first OP, there is any deeper significance behind Itadori Yuji riding an ...
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What does the black-and-white fish symbolize in the opening credits for 'Jujutsu Kaisen'?
The opening credits for Jujutsu Kaisen generally only feature scenes of the major characters who will appear in the forthcoming episodes. As far as I can tell, there is only one motif that actually ...
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What is this symbol called which is used to denote "II" in the second season of "The Quintessential Quintuplets"?
The Japanese title for "The Quintessential Quintuplets 2nd season" is 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬. I assume "∬" to be number 2 or "II". But this symbol looks more like the ...
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In Revolutionary Girl Utena, what is the metaphor of Nanami's egg?
Ikuhara had said it would be better if we didn't know, but I want to know. What is the meaning behind Nanami's egg? Especially when she wakes up from an apparent dream, and finds a smashed egg in her ...
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What's the meaning of ending credit of Great Pretender that have cat on it?
In the Great Pretender anime, there is something that bothering me. What's the meaning of the ending credit scene that represent a bunch of cat? I mean the anime is about fraud and swindling, but why ...
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Why do they tie their thumbs and don't use handcuffs?
I've seen lots of animes where a character is caught and interrogated by some authority. The captive is usually depicted sitting on the chair in the interrogation room. But instead of being handcuffed,...
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What is this upside down floating heart symbolizing?
In the Nichijou short 8, Yuuko Aioi goes fishing.
After fishing up a boot and kettle, she leaves and this upside down heart shape on a leave floats by.
Supposedly this is a symbolism of sorts, hence ...
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Is there a meaning/message behind Akira?
Is there some hidden meaning/message in Akira?
Does it have something to do with the scars left in the Japanese by the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? And ultimately...
Or is there another ...
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About the artworks used in the Elfen Lied opening scenes (contains nudity)
The anime Elfen Lied is notorious for its one of a kind OP, featuring the mesmerizing theme song Lilium composed by MOKA and performed by Kumiko Noma, as well as sequences of art porn, a homage to ...
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what is the symbolism of the floating sword over the Vatican?
when we see the Vatican in Trinity Blood, one thing that makes it stand out (compared to the irl version) is that it has a floating sword
at first i thought this might have been a Sword of Damocles ...
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Is there symbolism behind the language choices in Bleach?
In Bleach, different languages are used by or to represent different groups. For example, the Bount spells are all in German. Many of the terms referring to/for Hollows are Spanish (e.g. Hueco Mundo, ...
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Does the mark on Kimimaro's forehead have any significance?
Kimimaro Kaguya has two dots on his forehead. In South Asia, it is called a bindi. Is it an identification mark, or does it have any significance like a curse mark? Is there any canon reason given for ...
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Is the Hyuuga main family's juinjutsu a Swastika?
In Naruto, the Hyūga clan is divided into two houses: the main house and the branch house.
The main house members brand the branch house members with a Juinjutsu (Cursed mark), which has the objective ...
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Why do people keep comparing Shinji to Yesod?
Several analyses of Shinji Ikari's character compare him to Yesod.
Now Wikipedia has this on Yesod:
Yesod (Hebrew: יסוד "foundation") is a sephirah in the kabbalistic Tree of Life. Yesod is the ...
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What is happening at the start of episode 12 of Steins;Gate?
At the start of episode 12 of Steins;Gate, Okarin and Mayuri have time traveled 70 million years into the past. They are in an arid desert environment which appears to be the inside of an hourglass. ...
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Does Anyone Know/Have A List of Caster Shells and Their Effects?
Got back into watching Outlaw Star, and always wondered about Caster Bullets and their numbering. Anyone got a complete list/set of the number. Do the numbers have meanings besides the bad luck shells?...
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What is the symbol/tattoo on Sebastian's hand?
In Black Butler, Sebastian has a symbol on his hand and Ciel has the same symbol on his eye.
I swear I've heard of it, but what's the name of this sign and why is it significant?
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What does Senjougahara refer in the first novel?
In the 'Hitagi Crab' story of Monogatari series, Senjougahara says the following:
So you say, Araragi-kun. But I'm afraid I only half trust him. I have been tricked too many times. Five people had ...
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Is distorted calligraphy used in the season 1 opening of Ushio to Tora?
The opening sequence of the first season of anime series Ushio to Tora contains a series of images which might be distorted calligraphy, sort of like what Picasso might have done. There are a set of 6 ...
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What are the transformed crew symbolizing?
In episode 644 the crew left on the boat get transformed into some "Artistic things".
What exactly are they symbolising? For brook it was pretty obvious, as it was the screamer. But I couldn't quiet ...
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Did Hyung Min-woo Invent Temozarela, the Antagonist of the "Priest" Manhwa?
One of the interest plot constructs in the Priest (manhwa) series by Hyung Min-woo is the antagonist Temozarela.
He is summarized as:
Temozarela is an arch-angel who fought on God's side in the ...
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Why are there so many tragic ocean promises?
Quite often in a promise is made to go see the ocean. Just as often these promises can not/ no longer be achieved due to some events occurring.
Is there some symbolism at play here? Leading to a ...
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What's the meaning behind all the chairs in Madoka's room?
In Episode 9 of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, during Madoka's conversation with Kyuubei, we see that she has a ton of chairs in her room:
At first I thought this was just the usual Shaft weirdness. But ...
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What is the symbol on Kakashi's ninja dogs' backs?
Every one of Kakashi's ninja dogs has a symbol on its back that looks like a face:
What is this symbol and what is its meaning?
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What is the meaning of Eternal Feather's braid writing Jesús Navas?
In episode 08 of Soul Eater! Not:
and leaves a message on the bedsheets:
Jesús Navas seems to be a soccer player for Manchester City. I don't follow football myself, but he doesn't seem to be ...
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Do the moths during Grumman's thoughts have any symbolic significance?
In episode 47 (12:08) of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, general Grumman's thoughts about a leadership position in Central are made audible to the viewer:
Miles: And what about the plan, sir? Aren'...
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What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?
Why do so many anime (e.g. Code Geass, Steins; Gate, Ano Hana) have cicadas in the background?
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Is there a meaning behind the paintings in Tsubaki Kureha's living room?
In episode 7 of Yuri Kuma Arashi, I noticed that Liberty Leading the People was hanging on the wall in Tsubaki Kureha's living room:
Here's an image of the full painting:
I get the symbolism of ...
CommunityBot
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Why does Shinnosuke ask people if they like peppers?
I sometimes watch this anime called Crayon Shin-chan in Portuguese (in which it is simply called Shin-chan). Flirty as he is, Shinnosuke (its main character) is often inconveniently messing around ...
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What is the symbolism of Labyrinth in Grisaia no Meikyuu?
The first VN/season deals with the fruit of Grisaia, the sins (or sorrow) of the girls.
Is the Fruit of Grisaia an actual fruit?
Now, what is Labyrinth in the title of the second game supposed to ...
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Why is Toradora's ED about oranges?
This site has Toradora's second ending theme, Orange (オレンジ), together with lyrics both in Japanese and translated.
First, it's worth noting that the word Orange is ambiguous in English, referring ...
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What is the symbolism behind depicting Kaga Ryosuke as a centaur when he uses his invisible dictionary?
In the Boku-H anime, whenever Ryosuke uses his invisible dictionary, he is shown as a centaur.
What is the symbolism behind that figure?
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What is the significance behind the apples and boxes?
In the show, the box and apple motifs reoccur throughout Mawaru Penguindrum.
What are the significance the two? Does it tie into the plot in any way?
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What is the relation between the flowers and the heroines in ED sequence of Photokano?
At the end of the ED sequence of Photokano, 7 main (?) heroines are shown.
Then in the next scene, at the same position, a pot of flower is shown for each of the girls.
What are the flowers shown in ...
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What's the significance of this Michelangelo reference?
In the penultimate episode of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, we briefly see this image, possibly formed by the ice in a glass of alcohol when Madoka's mother is at the bar with Madoka's teacher. (This ...
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Is there any significance to the comment on madeleines?
Towards the end of the last episode of Serial Experiments Lain, we see Lain have a brief conversation with her father. At the end of it, her father says:
Lain, I'll make us some nice tea next time. ...
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What is the symbol in Maris the Chojo's hair?
From Maris the Chojo:
What is this symbol in her hair and what does it mean?
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Is there any meaning to the first Hatsuyuki Sakura OP "freak of nature: start"?
The visual novel Hatsuyuki Sakura has 3 opening themes, namely "freak of nature: start" by I've, "Presto" by Kotoko, and "Hesitation Snow" by fripSide. The latter two have lyrics and a lot of images, ...
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What's the significance of Kanon becoming "invisible"?
In Kami-nomi, Kanon (the idol girl) becomes "transparent" several times throughout her Arc. (eps 5 - 7)
What is the significance of this?
What does it mean?
Does it symbolize something?
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Does this swordsman pose have any significance?
Does this pose of raising your sword with your right hand have any significance? For example, is this a famous pose used by a real life legendary swordsman? Both Zoro of One Piece and Erza of Fairy ...
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