Names to Know in Anime and Manga

John Samuel

http://piratesobg.wordpress.com/

@arcadiagt5

Introduction

The names for characters in anime can often have plot significance.

This is something that can be missed if you don’t know, and especially read, Japanese.

With that in mind, what are some repeat offenders to be aware of?

How is this going to work?

1. I’ll start putting character images up on the screen.

2. Sing out when you know what the name is and/or what shows they’re from.

3. Bonus points for knowing what the name means in context.

4. There may be minties.

Kusanagi

Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi

1. Originally “Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi” (“Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven”

2. Later “Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi” aka the “Grass Cutting Sword”

3. Essentially the Japanese cultural equivalent of Excalibur, Durendal, or Mjolnir

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusanagi (Yes, this sword gets a Wikipedia page of its own).

Tsuki = The Moon and Usagi = Rabbit

The Moon Rabbit

1. East Asian folklore tends to see a Jade Rabbit pounding in a mortar and pestle on the moon.

2. This pops up in a number of places3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_rabbit

Ogasawara

The Ogasawara Clan

1. This is only a guess on my part but Ogasawara tends to be attached to higher status characters when it appears.

2. Certainly true of at least two examples3. Historically the Ogasawara Clan were

governors and daimyos.4. http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogasawara_clan

Umi = The Ocean

Mizu = Water

Fuu = Wind

Hikaru/Hikari/Akari = Light

Rei = Spirit/Ghost

Ryuu = Dragon

高須 竜児

Ami = Asian Beauty

Mamoru = To Protect

Hime = Princess

Yuki = Snow

Ai = Love

Hana = Flower

Haru = Spring

Sometimes anime names are… complicated

1. The meaning of a name can change depending on the characters that the name is written in.

2. This is why I’m uncertain about Ami, at least in Toradora.

3. There’s at least one series where this is a major plot point.

4. SPOILERS AHOY!

Haibane Renmei

1. AKA Charcoal Feathers in Old Home2. The name of a character can, depending on

how it’s written, refer to a dream they had… or to a role they fill within the society once they resolve certain issues.

3. Often we only know the first meaning. But we find out the alternatives for two characters

Rakka and Reki

1. Rakka (seated) means either:• Falling; or• Involved Nut

2. Meanwhile Reki (standing) means either:• Small stone; or • To be run over

At least one of these should disturb you…

Theme Naming

1. Sometimes groups of characters will have names following a particular theme

2. CLAMP are notable offenders for this one• And sometimes in unexpected ways.

3. Floral Theme Naming is a repeat offender. Examples include• Heart Catch Pretty Cure• YuYu Hakusho• Please Save My Earth

Card Captor Sakura

Fujitaka = Wisteria

Nadesico = Wildflower

Touya = Peach Blossom

Sakura = Cherry Blossom

Revolutionary Girl Utena

1. Anthy = Greek name for flower

2. Utena = Japanese for the calyx, the protective covering that shields a developing blossom

Magic Knight Rayearth

1. The main characters have already popped up

2. Almost everything else...• The world of Cephiro: Nissan Cefiro• The master mage Clef: Mazda Clef• The swordsman Ferio: Honda Civic Ferio• The swordsmiths Presea & Sierra:

Nissans• The sorceress Alcyone: Subaru

• Etc, etc.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to:1. GammaCon for inviting me back. 2. Images from all over the web. 3. For their suggestions on twitter and ask.fm:

@ryorin, @twwk, @kelloggsPP, @marower, @zeroreq011, @frog_kun, @tintinaus