UlasanAnime.com – Gothic Lolita is a distinct subculture, separate from other “goth” aesthetics.
The World of Darkness, a creation of White Wolf, has long served as a popular setting for those interested in vampires, mages, werewolves, and mummies, alongside more conventional characters like thugs, cops, masterminds, heroes, heroines, and everyday individuals. It has been a favored playground for geeks, teenage punks, and college students seeking shared amusement.
What makes the World of Darkness particularly noteworthy isn’t its game mechanics but its deliberate effort to embed mood and atmosphere as a core element of the system. This is akin to how Apple Jacks prioritize a specific taste before considering nutritional value or affordability. The gothic, depressive, and angsty mood has evolved into a common experience, a recognizable motif, and even an alternative expression. It fuels the creation of angsty teenage poetry and extensive blog posts, much like those found on MySpace, and is intrinsically linked to its accompanying music.
This amalgamation of themes can be repackaged, reprocessed, and resold. This is precisely where the concept of gothloli emerges, and it’s also how White Wolf generates its income, contributing to the popularity of alternative and indie music.
One might initially dismiss this as insignificant. However, it becomes more substantial when one grapples with the true nature of this repackaged phenomenon. Imagine a diet consisting primarily of organic and natural foods, and then suddenly consuming a hot dog at a friend’s barbecue. The experience is undeniably different. This situation highlights the benefit of being consciously unaware of the product’s true content.
You might also be interested in : A Data with a Kindred Spirit
In essence, in everyday life, one encounters cosplayers, angsty teenage poetry, and individuals who aspire to join groups like Suicide Girls. These manifestations are acceptable. However, it becomes problematic when this repackaged essence is utilized and integrated into the creation of fictional character concepts.
Living vicariously has its limitations.
However, it’s important to clarify that this critique doesn’t stem from a dislike of hot dogs or a lack of appreciation for tabletop RPG systems. The theoretical underpinnings of tabletop RPG systems are fascinating and offer a powerful lens for examining social theory, serving as a healthy exercise in modeling. The World of Darkness itself is also quite interesting as a whole. What is truly bothersome is the presentation and intent observed in certain materials, such as the Vampire core book.
It’s akin to taking a beloved hot dog and presenting it on a solitary tray, elaborately garnished with cilantro and an expensive, time-consuming Chef Ming’s Oriental Bistro Citrus Sauce, which costs as much as a fifty-pack of Sabretts. In other words, the issue lies in the disconnect between a game, the concept of having fun, exploring ideas, creative writing, fiction, and roleplaying, and the attitude, emotion, feeling, and despair associated with a more visceral, less manufactured experience. This chasm is evident because the entire package feels manufactured.
If this fusion were to occur naturally, it might be acceptable. If it were subtle, it would be less bothersome. However, the forced and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to achieve this creates a sense of disappointment, indicative of a second-rate marketing effort.
Ah, yes, this discussion is leading to anime. Specifically, Magipoka.
Because, surprisingly or not, this show effectively demonstrates that stereotypical purée more accurately.
Characters like Pachira, Aiko, Liru, and Uma. Do they not seem to fit seamlessly within the World of Darkness? It’s plausible. Their cheerful and make-believe setting is as fantastical as the gritty underworld depicted in a story like Blade 2. Both worlds are replete with themes of sexuality, violence, magic, and even death.
Naturally, anyone who has watched Magipoka understands that drawing such a resemblance is preposterous. There should be no overlap between these two worlds. Yet, the persistent feeling remains that the World of Darkness fundamentally served as an inspiration for Magipoka.
Of course, Pachira would likely have been in torpor for an extended period. But.
