42
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?
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 ...
- 29.2k
38
votes
About the artworks used in the Elfen Lied opening scenes (contains nudity)
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 ...
- 9,538
14
votes
What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?
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 ...
- 139
13
votes
Accepted
What's the meaning behind all the chairs in Madoka's room?
Those chairs are a direct reference to Bokurano, understanding which actually adds depth to the scene (if you've seen Bokurano).
Bokurano huge spoilers:
- 513
7
votes
Is there a meaning behind the paintings in Tsubaki Kureha's living room?
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 ...
- 1,599
4
votes
Accepted
What is this symbol called which is used to denote "II" in the second season of "The Quintessential Quintuplets"?
No, you're right, that is absolutely the double integral sign. There's a trend of indicating follow-on seasons of shows with indicators like random punctuation marks or letters (see, e.g. this ...
- 3,478
4
votes
What's the meaning of ending credit of Great Pretender that have cat on it?
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 ...
- 41k
4
votes
Accepted
What is the symbol/tattoo on Sebastian's hand?
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 ...
- 1,294
4
votes
Accepted
What is this upside down floating heart symbolizing?
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 ...
- 156
4
votes
Why are there so many tragic ocean promises?
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 ...
- 12.7k
4
votes
Accepted
What is the symbol in Maris the Chojo's hair?
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 ...
- 2,631
4
votes
What does the black-and-white fish symbolize in the opening credits for 'Jujutsu Kaisen'?
I was also wondering this, and also thought the fish could represent Sukuna or Junpei, but after watching the series over again, I've found that about 43-45 seconds into the opening it shows the black/...
- 41
3
votes
What is happening at the start of episode 12 of Steins;Gate?
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 ...
- 108
2
votes
Accepted
Does the mark on Kimimaro's forehead have any significance?
All Kaguya clan members have that two-dot mark as their trait, just like how the Uzumakis have red hair, Uchihas with Sharingans, Yamanakas have blonde hair and greenish eyes, Hyugas have Byakugans, ...
- 1,827
2
votes
Is there a meaning/message behind Akira?
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 ...
2
votes
In Revolutionary Girl Utena, what is the metaphor of Nanami's egg?
Touga says to Nanami, towards the end of the episode:
Do you know why we've been able to live together so happily? It's because you aren't the type of girl who lays eggs. I pity the family of a girl ...
- 14.4k
2
votes
Accepted
What's the significance of this Michelangelo reference?
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 ...
- 9,387
2
votes
Accepted
What does Senjougahara refer in the first novel?
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 ...
- 21.9k
2
votes
Accepted
Is distorted calligraphy used in the season 1 opening of Ushio to Tora?
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.
...
- 34.6k
2
votes
What's the meaning of ending credit of Great Pretender that have cat on it?
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 ...
- 21
2
votes
What does the black-and-white fish symbolize in the opening credits for 'Jujutsu Kaisen'?
According to a Tumblr post, it is the Pomacanthus imperator, or emperor angelfish. Contrary to what you have pointed out, a website states that:
General aquarium Angelfish are not poisonous. If you ...
- 427
1
vote
What's the meaning of ending credit of Great Pretender that have cat on it?
SPOILERS FOR CASE 4 READ AT OWN RISK
Building of what drgharris said, cats are used to symbolise Edamura’s mother however, rarther than the cat being owned by Dorothy and Lauren, I believe the cat IS ...
- 11
1
vote
What's the meaning of ending credit of Great Pretender that have cat on it?
I know this is random but this is how I interpreted it. Cats are constantly showing up in the show: from Edamura's connection with his mom, to Laurent and Dorothy having a cat in the ending credit. ...
- 11
1
vote
Why do they tie their thumbs and don't use handcuffs?
"A normal zip or cable tie is borrowed. A participant firmly cables the performers two thumbs together, making it impossible for the performer's hands to separate" (wonderwizards.com).
So my ...
- 11
1
vote
Does Anyone Know/Have A List of Caster Shells and Their Effects?
The numbers of the shells used in the show were 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, along with a shell that was unnumbered.
The Outlaw Star Wikia has a nice page all about Caster shells.
Caster ...
- 8,499
1
vote
Why do people keep comparing Shinji to Yesod?
I'm a native Hebrew speaker, and "Yesod" (יסוד) literally means foundation or an element (like the table of elements). I'm not an expert when it come to Judaism (FYI that's because not all Jews are ...
- 51
1
vote
Accepted
Did Hyung Min-woo Invent Temozarela, the Antagonist of the "Priest" Manhwa?
Temozarela is based off of the dark god Tchernobog from the Monolith game Blood, which the author admits is his inspiration for the basic setting of priest.
- 26
1
vote
What is the symbolism behind depicting Kaga Ryosuke as a centaur when he uses his invisible dictionary?
The Centaur, in Greek mythology, is a creature related to both basal instincts and wisdom (lust, or in the context, perverseness). They are connected to the god Dionisius, god of carnal desires (...
- 10.5k
1
vote
In Revolutionary Girl Utena, what is the metaphor of Nanami's egg?
Nanami's Egg isnt any single thing but is instead a representation of the difficult nature that a growing woman experiences.
In a sense her egg is her menstruation starting.
No one talked to her about ...
- 111
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