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Magic represented by 2D patterns in anime and manga (ani.social)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by pglpm@lemmy.ca to c/anime@ani.social

15 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/68868025

Since quite a few years back, it's been quite commonplace in fantasy anime and manga to represent casting magic as some kinds of 2D circles or geometric figures with patterns, possibly multiple ones, as in the image on the right (Frieren). I see this idea used in almost all – if not all – anime and manga now.

It hasn't always been that way though. Older anime and manga used other and different kinds of representations, say from blinking stars (image on the left, Majokko Megu-chan) to smoke, or even just sound effects.

I'm just curious: does anyone have any info or links to share about how this "2D representation" came about and why it's become so popular? Cheers!

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[–] FiniteBanjo@feddit.online 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

I wonder if it became popular around the time of Full Metal Alchemist.

Manga Authors have been taking more inspirations from western myth and folklore than they did 40 years ago, particularly the Alchemists who were fond of sophisticated patterns and diagrams, as well as celtic runes and even some Chinese sorcerors.

[–] Unboxious@ani.social 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I know Cardcaptor Sakura was doing it long before FMA was, but I doubt they were the "first" either.

particularly the Alchemists who were fond of sophisticated patterns and diagrams, as well as celtic runes and even some Chinese sorcerors.

I'm sure that's a huge part of it.

[–] AntiBullyRanger@ani.social 1 points 4 days ago

Less about fondness, more about keeping secrets secret. If the entire planet is trying to synthesize immortality, wouldn't you want to keep the secret to yourself and peers? Espionage and theft will always exist. But cryptography deters adversaries from learning your notes as quickly. Alchemists used sophisticated means to keep secrets secret.

Magic formulae is no different.
If everyone can cast «gun,» everyone will cast «gun» e-vry-time.
Now «fold» my laundry pretties.
@FiniteBanjo@feddit.online

[–] e0qdk@reddthat.com 1 points 4 days ago

I'm not sure where it came from, but FMA also came to mind for me too...