| Subject: Re: Deep thoughts at 1:35 AM |
Author:
Ariane
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Date Posted: 13:48:06 12/27/03 Sat
In reply to:
Ari
's message, "Re: Deep thoughts at 1:35 AM" on 05:34:40 12/27/03 Sat
It's not the point of
>X- I never said it was ;).
Ah, sorry! I wasn't trying to contradict your point. I left your passage in the original post because it was what got my brain wheeling in the first place. I should have said something, sorry about that. :P
>If they were going to put aside philosophy for
>character development, fine. But quite frankly I don't
>consider the vast majority of the cast more than
>one-dimensional, let alone well-developed...We don't even get to know
>why most of the Dragons of Heaven are fighting in the
>first place, so how are we supposed to feel for them
>during the End of Times?
A valid point regarding their backgrounds. Perhaps we're meant to assume that Fate is reasoning behind everything? If so, then I'm sorry to say that it's a weak explanation. >_O But I wouldn't go so far as to call most of the cast one-dimensional. Despite their lack of past, the majority do have character traits and personalities that make each of them very individualistic, and they stick to those traits very well. Yuzuriha wouldn't do something you wouldn't expect her to (like take up smoking); her predictablity adds some measure of strength and volume to her character. Also, the fact that people read "X" shows that the characters do have some depth to them. It's very difficult to care about a character that's one-dimensional. When I think of flat characters I think of Souhi and Hien, and I doubt many would read "X" if the entire cast was as simple as them.
There ARE well-developed characters, though,
>like Subaru and Kamui, and I'm waiting for their
>stories to play out myself. But most of the rest of
>the cast? Without the background, I'm just not
>interested.
But there are people that care about others members of the cast, so even though they lack backgrounds it might be pushing it say that they're flat. This could all be a matter of preference. There are those who aren't interested in Fuuma and Kamui at all and would be content with nothing but one big Arashi and Sorata romance, despite the fact that neither's background explains why they fight to begin with (I'm not of them, Kamui & Fuuma story ending is my cup o' tea too).
And of course, there seem to be discrepancies in what makes a character one- or three-dimensional. ;) But I certainly won't claim that they're extremely well-developed either...
>> As a result, people get
>>frustrated when they can't find much discussion of
>>those "philosphical" points. The description of "X" as
>>a story of "two friends torn about by fate" is more
>>accurate than the description that calls it "a story
>>about the end of the world".
>
>I haven't met too many other people that care
>enough to be frustrated by it, personally. I don't
>think I count as 'people' all by myself ;). The
>vajority of the X fans I know are reading it for the
>reasons you pointed out about- the story of Kamui and
>Fuuma, the two friends torn apart by fate.
I was thinking of unbiased, non-"X" fans. I've noticed in reviews and articles by not-fan parties complaints about lack of plot development, character development (which you did mention), etc. I've also noticed in these reviews they start out with describing "X" as an End of the World story as opposed to a "two friends forced to fight one another" story. Since my feeling is that the latter is what "X" is chiefly about, I can sort of see why non-fans would be 'frustrated' as it were: they were promised philosphy, but what they got was Kamui's angst. Eheheheh.
>Ah, but white wings or batwings, Fuuma is still a
>killer, and killing is wrong because people will be
>sad ;). I'm still waiting for CLAMP to twist that one
>on it's head, and I think I know how they'll do it,
>but I won't announce it for bragging rights just yet
>;).
"So? God kills people all the time." Anyone ever read "The Princess Bride"? XD If Fuuma represented God, as the angels do in Revelation, then even if he kills, how can be be the bad guy? Although by the time Yuuto or Yuzuriha of whoever it was that originally made the "someone will cry" statement said it, "X" had moved so far away from Revelations that there's no point in even thinking about who the 'bad' and 'good' guys really are. DoH good, DoE bad, and God Save the Queen. :P But it was something I thought about when I first started reading the series...
I have thoughts on how that might be twisted too, but we'll just have to see. That is, if we don't age and die before CLAMP finishes it.
>You mean it would be easier to focus on the most
>complicated character in the series and his
>complicated set of Wishes, emotions, and loyalites?
>Oh, probably. But everyone else? I'd say the plot
>would take priority in discussions, and from the ones
>I've seen around most X communities and such, it does.
Yup, that's pretty much what I think. ;) And I do think it would be easier, because there's more material to work with when one focuses on the individual characters rather than the workings of the group. But you're right about online discussions. Conflict and resolution within individual characters is left up to character shrines to discuss. :P
Now I'm in the mood for a sandwich.
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