tatsunokofan
Gatch Guru
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Registration Date: 03-12-2006
Posts: 1513
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Hi all!
| quote: | | If we assume that in Japanese thinking, decades ago, "germanic-looking" equaled "evil" |
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And if we forget that Germany and Japan were allies...
Regardless, I wouldn't leap to that conclusion. While I can point out a number of blond villains in anime, I can just as easily point out a number of non-blond anime villains as well.
But, to be fair, you are correct that both Berg Katse and Gel Sadra's names are based on German words. Berg Katse comes from the German "berg katze," meaning "wildcat."
With Gel Sadra, Tatsunoko was trying to keep with a similar stylistic theming for her name, so they based her name off of the German words "Gier" and "Sadist," meaning "ambitious" and "cruel" (At least to the Japanese).
Trying to keep a similar style between Katse and Sadra is also the likely reason why Sadra had blond hair -- to emulate Katse, not to say "Blond = Evil." Both wore purple outfits too, but that doesn't mean the Japanese think that purple is the color of evil.
So, while it's a fun thought, it not one that holds up well under closer scrutiny.
James
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by tatsunokofan on 10-09-2009 at 00:10.
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09-09-2009 16:42
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tatsunokofan
Gatch Guru
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 03-12-2006
Posts: 1513
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Hi all!
| quote: | | Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times. |
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You're misinterpretting the use of the word "family" to mean a connection by blood or genetics, which in this case it does not. The "Egobossler Family" is meant to be interpretted in the same manner as one would the a Mafia "family." They're a gang of thugs who have banded together as a group that they are calling a "family," not people who assume that they are genetically superior to other races.
| quote: | | Maybe he wanted his skin to be blue to emphasize the fact that he was really of "blue blood", ie royal blood ran through his veins! |
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More likely Tatsunoko was hoping to attract people who were fans of what was by far the most popular anime TV and movie series of the time, Space Battleship Yamato. When the first Yamato movie was released in 1977, it was to Japan what Star Wars was to American cinema during that same year (Star Wars didn't hit Japan until 1978). The box office success of Yamato brought about what is known as the "Anime Boom," and is in no small part responsible for the existence of Gatchaman II as anime series and movies became a hot ticket item.
Yamato followed up its movie success with a sequel movie in the August of 1978, a second TV series that started in October of 1978 (The first Yamato movie was based off of the first Yamato TV series from 1973), and a TV special in July of 1979. All of these were unqualified successes.
Why is this significant to Egobossler? Because the lead villain in the first Yamato TV series/first movie was Leader Dessler, an alien leader with blue skin. The character was quite popular, and appeared in all of the subsequent Yamato films and TV series.
Here's what Dessler looks like:
Like Egobossler, Dessler acted very much the nobleman, and he would often be seen with a glass of alcohol. It was fairly obvious to everyone at the time that Egobossler was...well, let's be polite and just say that he was "inspired" by Dessler.
So, if you really want to know why Egobossler has blue skin, look no further than the most popular anime series at the time he was being created, and the answer becomes fairly obvious.
James
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by tatsunokofan on 09-09-2009 at 17:40.
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09-09-2009 17:36
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amyltrer
Gatchamaniac
I am an Egoblosser.
4 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 02-12-2006
Posts: 3986
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| quote: | Originally posted by gatchamarie
Now that you both have mentioned it, I too had that impression, especially with the Gatch F series! Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times.! |
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I don't know, I never had the feeling while watching Gatch F that Egobossler had anything against a particular nation/ethnical group. True, that he wasted entire cities in his rush for territorial conquests, but I had the feeling he regarded the victims as collateral damage. "I fought a thousand battles and I learned that in order to conquer the world I can't show any mercy "
As more, he tried to induct newly conquered nations in his Gallactor syndicate. (Episode 4 - "!Parlon's citizens are at Galactor's service, now! ")
He had indeed a lot of similarities with the Prussian ideal, manners, etiquete and principles.
| quote: | Originally posted by gatchamarie
Maybe he wanted his skin to be blue to emphasize the fact that he was really of "blue blood", ie royal blood ran through his veins! |
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That's an interesting pov about Egobossler, one that never crossed my mind! Kudos! 
Though he comes from a minor nobility class, and his blood is only half noble!
__________________
It is the tiny spark of humanity that adds blaze to a villain
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09-09-2009 17:41
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lborgia88
Gatchamaniac
I am a Condor.
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Registration Date: 27-06-2007
Posts: 5991
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| quote: | Originally posted by tatsunokofan
Hi all!
| quote: | | If we assume that in Japanese thinking, decades ago, "germanic-looking" equaled "evil" |
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And if we forget that Germany and Japan were allies...
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Heh, true. Granted, the United States and the Soviet Union were allies, and didn't exactly hold favorable opinions of each other in the decades following. I guess my idea of "germanic=evil" is also comes from watching Neon Genesis Evangelion, where the character Asuka is such an arrogant, obnoxious brat and it's specified that she's German -easily a complete coincidence though. I think that Fullmetal Alchemist's "Shambala" movie too, also got me thinking along these lines, as the villains are the "Thule Society" from 1920s Germany.
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by lborgia88 on 11-09-2009 at 01:36.
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11-09-2009 01:29
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