42
In Japan, cicadas are symbolic of summer, and possibly symbolize reincarnation as well, based on summer being the time when the cicada comes out to sing.[1]
As per their role in anime, according to Wikipedia,
The songs of the cicada are often used in Japanese film and television to indicate the scene is taking place in the summer.
— Cicada, Wikipedia
I ...
38
The Elfen Lied OP Code
This original analysis is built on previous works by Anime Afterglow, 莉露兜 and 知日部屋. For the meaning of Kaede's hand gesture that was once popular in manga, see What's the significance of the 'w' finger position in Elfen Lied and In the opening of the Elfen Lied anime why does Nyu/Lucy have her fingers positioned in a certain way? All ...
15
For one thing, the image of Totoro is part of Studio Ghibli's (one of the most famous and critically acclaimed animation studios) logo:
The second thing is that the movie appeals highly to both children and adults. In a paper by Rieko Okuhara titled "Walking Along With Nature: A Psychological Interpretation of My Neighbor Totoro", she starts with:
Why ...
15
The reason why the author uses the different languages with different groups is because he feels that will attach uniqueness to that group. In one of his interviews I have read, he stresses that for him, characters are very important and he draws the characters first.
In his interview in Germany, when he was asked the same question he replied as below
"...
14
I grew up in an area that was close to sea level (a bit further south than Japan) and in the Spring and Summer I recall hearing cicadas just about every time I went outside. I suspect the effect in anime is to improve immersion or accurately reflect the reality of the situation that the anime is trying to portray.
13
Those chairs are a direct reference to Bokurano, understanding which actually adds depth to the scene (if you've seen Bokurano).
Bokurano huge spoilers:
12
According to a tweet from @anime_photokano (the official Photokano twitter account):
「フォトカノ」EDアニメーションのイントロで映る花ですが、順にリンドウ、ガーベラ、ヒマワリ、シロツメクサ、タンポポ、コスモス、スイートピーです（どの花がどのヒロインに対応しているかは以降のカットでご確認を）。本編でも、花のカットの使われ方にご注目ください！ #photokano
Loosely translated,
Regarding the flowers at the beginning of the Photokano ED - in order, they are Japanese gentian, gerbera, ...
10
It's likely to be a homage to the work of El Greco, who used this hand symbol in his various works.
Like this one titled The Gentleman with His Hand at His Breast
or Christ Carrying the Cross
The meaning of this gesture is subject to much debate...
Some hypothesis indicate that:
The hand gesture is a secret sign indicating that the gentleman is a Marrano -...
8
This song, being sung by the 3 main heroines, was especially made for the anime. The song uses the metaphor of an orange, likening the girls to an unripen, not yet matured, orange.
This blog entry offers a much in-depth look into the meaning behind the song. Though the translations may differ between people, the general meaning stays intact. The blog article ...
7
While the anime is never explicit about it's visual intentions, there are some potential implications for these two paintings:
Most obviously, they both feature naked or semi-naked women, quite appropriate for an anime named "Lesbian Bear Storm"!
More subtly, in both paintings the women are in a 'primal' state, whether in the wilds of the jungle, or leading ...
7
looper's answer is correct but not quite complete. This answer will be based on the manga, mostly because I don't immediately have access to the anime, but also because I'm not sure how much of this is explained in the anime. Kanon's arc is flags (aka chapters) 7-10 in the manga.
As the other answer points out, Kanon's idol career made her fear failure, ...
6
Steins;Gate sort of uses the many-worlds time travel theory referenced by John Titor. There are many discrete worldlines, like parallel universes. When Okarin leaps to the past, he is moving from one worldline to another; his actions do not affect the future in the worldline he leaped from, only the future of the one he is currently in. The worldlines exist ...
6
I believe this refers to the saying "like a moth to a flame".
The saying indicates that something/someone is irresistibly attractive (not necessarily as in human attraction), but that it will ultimately lead to downfall. Remember, at the end, the flame engulfs the moth, and it dies.
So, Bradley and Mustang are fighting for peace/freedom/a good future. They ...
5
I haven't seen it myself, but apples can often symbolize sexuality, temptation ("forbidden fruit") , fertility ("bearing fruit" as in your screenshot).
Connections can also be made to the stories of Adam & Eve and Sleeping Beauty.
The circular shape of an apple can also be a depiction of loops, or eternity - which is what it appears to be in ...
4
Fun Facts About Sebastian Michaelis' Symbol written by aneir on DeviantArt stated:
Fact 2: Pentagram
The Pentagram is a five-sided star, usually made with a single continuous line, with the points equally spaced. It is often depicted within a circle. This is one of several geometric star designs representing the mysteries of creation and redemption, ...
4
It has something to do with the term Mother Ocean, the fact that Japanese islands are made of several volcanoes linked together, their work ethics and custom.
Mother Ocean
Mother Ocean is a term used to refer to the fact that all lives on earth starts from the sea/ocean as described in Nagi no Asukara. Even after leaving the sea and becoming land creature, ...
4
That's the currency symbol for the Yen, the Japanese currency.
The Wikipedia article you have linked to in your question has this to say:
Maris' obsession with money is demonstrated by her hair ornaments, in the shape of the symbol for Yen (Japanese money).
4
This is primarily a homage to Freddy Mercury, most notably the one song with the same name as the title of the series.
Freddy Mercury also owned many cats and had a very close relationship with them on top of being influences for his works. It's a very fitting tribute.
3
To add on to Rarst's answer, the pyramid-shaped stance naturally channels the viewer's gaze to the sword, especially to its tip. This places focus on the "warrior spirit", typical of a declaration of victory. The "warrior spirit" is raised to a high position by the stance, which further befits the idea of "dominance".
3
Before Kanon became an idol, she was "socially invisible" - after the Citron broke up, she feared to be alone in front of a large group of people. The effect of being "transparent" expresses her shyness.
3
James wrote,
Steins;Gate sort of uses the many-worlds time travel theory referenced by John Titor. There are many discrete worldlines, like parallel universes. When Okarin leaps to the past, he is moving from one worldline to another; his actions do not affect the future in the worldline he leaped from, only the future of the one he is currently in. The ...
3
I don't know if this story was the basis of the appearance of the moth but I know a story about it from our country Philippines. I don't know if this story is already known around the world but it was a story told by the mother of our national hero Jose Rizal.
It was Jose Rizal's Mother who told him about the story of the moth. One night, her mother ...
3
It's a peach. As Aki Tanaka commented, this is a reference to the story of Momotaro, in which an old woman finds a peach floating down a river. When she and her husband attempt to eat it, they find a boy inside.
2
The movie is symbolic of Tokyo in a post world war environment, which is obvious from the first few minutes. Note, though, how it starts with a massive nuclear explosion, forcing Japan to start over and rebuild. Over the next thirty years, Tokyo becomes a hub of technological advancement, and a breeding ground for new businesses and capitalist opportunities. ...
2
I think the orange personifies the characters of the Toradora, mostly the girls (Taiga, Ami & Minori).
The lyrics says,
ORENJI iro ni hayaku naritai kajitsu kimi no hikari wo abite
which translates to:
The fruit wants to hurry up And turn orange-colored Basking in your light
means that the girls want to be more matured, like a still unripe ...
2
Madoka's mother is drinking from a faceted glass and what your screenshot shows are two edges of it and the Michelangelo's painting behind the glass. The dialogue between two women doesn't really correspond with the painting's theme, as far as I'm concerned.
The painting seems to be part of the entourage of the bar. With studio Shaft in charge of ...
2
I guess you could describe this as calligraphic. I don't know enough to say whether this is what a calligrapher would consider genuine art vs. just being writing with bold and swishy brush strokes.
This writing doesn't "symbolize" anything, though - it's just the lyrics of the first verse of the OP theme as they're being sung.
混ぜんな mazen na
危険な kiken-na
...
2
As I haven't read the Japanese edition, and don't have a copy laying around to reference with. I can't say it with 100% certainty. But it seems to be a play of words.
Mugem Mamiya (無限 間宮) Infinite Momentum
Kudan Kumiko (件 久美子) Matter Forever
Touge Miroku (峠 みろく) pass (to) Maitreya
Which would turn the sentence into
This world may be bizarre, but it has ...
2
The easiest answer is:
Cat burglar (i.e. thief etc). Makes sense for an anime about swindlers.
It could also be a suitable comment on the phrase "Great Pretender." Have you ever heard that cats roam for miles away from their house when they are not at home? They could lead a double life and you might never know. At least 1 cat in my life has done ...
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