Writing is an art. As is the case with any art form, the creator of a work has to expose some of their personal being to others. These others tend to, more often then not, be strangers. Those same strangers then freely interpret what they perceive to be the creator's process. This then gives rise to an understanding of what a body of work is about. Slave In Utero is difficult to pin down for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he isn't a North American writer. Born and raised in Korea, there is bound to be a significant level of difference in how SIU conceptualizes and values certain aspects of human living. Then there are a multitude of factors stemming from his geographic location that directly effect his cultural perception of the world. These are then heavily characterized by linguistics and demographic qualities that suffuse his writing.
TOWER OF GOD's central protagonist, the 25th Baam, is a fairly capable protagonist despite his seeming naivete. To the contrary, his naivete appears to endear and charm others into working alongside him. Without actively having to take a leadership role, he nevertheless is the leader of his team. Despite this focus on Baam, SIU doesn't appear to characterize his personal state with that of Baam's. To the contrary, Phantaminum appears to be much closer to the author's personal avatar than even the lead character. Why is this and what relevance does that have to TOWER OF GOD? Where Phantaminum is an all powerful entity, capable of changing a Talse Uzer Story on a whim, Baam is bound by his level of experience. Again playing into the naivete of his character, the lack of experience evident in Baam creates a simple plot of growth and development that has served as a focal point for the TOWER OF GOD. Admittedly, Rachel has her part to play in pushing Baam to climb the Tower. Her insistence on climbing even if it means having to harm others is something that Baam struggles to comprehend. His personal love for Rachel and his isolation from others had provided a strong motive for his development as a character. Yet, across more than three hundred chapters Baam is still learning and discovering new things about himself. In creating a character as fantastical as Phantaminum, there is an unknowable quality that captures the essence of an author writing a literary piece. There is a distinct feeling of involvement from an unseen character that is difficult to fully comprehend with words. It is a sensation that epitomizes how foreign an author can seem despite having shared some of their feelings and thoughts through their work. Coming back to the hero, it is clear from his earliest interactions with the denizens of the Tower that Baam is of a gentle nature. There are few who go through hardships and can maintain the level of civility that has allowed him to enamor others to his cause. It is a virtue that derives from a mix of personal ethos and isolationism. The need for social relationships that are often named necessary for human well being act as driving forces in Baam's personality. For this reason he shares a close attachment to everyone that he meets. This idea of "love everyone" is quickly left behind by SIU as the second season of TOWER OF GOD places a much greater emphasis on Baam's growing inner struggle. As is the way of children, experience, intelligence, and knowledge force a change in how Baam sees the world around him. There is an austere quality to the Baam trained by FUG that is off-putting when compared to his former nature. Of course, SIU doesn't hold him to this standard instead allowing Baam to rediscover himself through the lens of his increased understanding. This development, break down, and redevelopment of characters is something that appears in a variety of stories, not just TOWER OF GOD. The reason for this is a simple one. No person can ever stay the same despite how they might attempt to isolate themselves. Baam is a character who actively seeks out others because of his intimate experience with isolation. There is a desire to leave no man/woman behind evident in his character. Holding to this core value serves as the basis of conflict and resolution for Baam as he continues to chase after Rachel. Though this marks Baam's isolation in an external manner, there are layers of internal depth that are profoundly facilitated by this same isolation. It is the quiet of isolation that allows for the deepest introspection and reflection upon oneself. By virtue of this, Baam is acutely aware that he still has yet to fully understand himself, let alone understand Rachel. SIU then draws on this as a device to progress and elevate the plot through "Revolution". Revolution is a turn around. It is a shift in paradigm, a change in thought. Change is something that everyone goes through, but a revolution is more immediate. There is a drastic quality to a revolution that implies rapid shifts and understandings. There wasn't anything stopping Baam from learning from Eduan about "Revolution". To the contrary, it seemed almost as if Eduan would coach Baam through how to achieve "Revolution" through tutelage similar to what he had been doing earlier on. Instead SIU introduces a much more profound concept. Revolution, within the context of TOWER OF GOD, is something that is deeply individual. It is a change that derives from an personal evaluation of oneself, and the direction in which one is going. Through the give and take of understanding oneself, there is a conviction that is built up that subsequently manifests as an increase in power. SIU's "Revolution" is about mastery of the self, and inner power that then impacts the external world. Although he now has the conviction necessary to face Zahard's data, there is still a large discrepancy between their combat abilities. Again, SIU plays on the idea of knowing oneself here, because even with "Revolution" Baam does not aggressively fight against Zahard's data. In place of a physical confrontation, there is a greater focus on finesse and subterfuge in order to come out ahead that suffuses the most recent chapter. Baam's understanding of his own capabilities, and his enemy's strengths saves him from death at the onset of this fight. Even with the power of "Revolution" there is an unspoken understanding that Baam is still not strong enough to win. There is, however, a new level of conviction in his character that appears frequently in young protagonists. In a literary sense, conviction forms the basis upon which a character is able to overcome their personal limitations and against all odds succeed in their endeavors. The fight against Zahard's data is a crucial one. This fight marks an important turning point in Baam's character, through both "Revolution" and in gauging how powerful he will need to grow in the future. There are unanswered questions that have come full circle as well in the form of Urek Mazino. What his purpose and motivations on the Hidden Floor are remain unknown. When paired with White and Icarus blocking Aguero and Rak's path forward, there is still another dimension in his thought process that has yet to be explored fully. With Baam now desperately fighting for his life, and his companions pitted against worth rivals, it feels as if this season is finally drawing to a close. Where will the story go, and how will SIU have his characters grow in the future are up for debate. The only way for these questions to be answered is by reading the upcoming chapters of TOWER OF GOD. Written By: ALAN "VIENNA" SINGH
0 Comments
I probably don't need to tell you that the latest chapter of ONE PIECE was knock-out-of-the-park outstanding. Eiichiro Oda has been pulling readers every which way with his masterwork, and this chapter has brought sentiments full circle. There was a lot going on in the Whole Cake Island arc that many people didn't, and still don't agree with. From controversial character developments, to controversial fights, to daring escapades, to outstanding strategies, there was a smorgasbord of plot directions tugging away at our heartstrings. In the end, everything worked out, and everyone is feeling ready for the next stage in Luffy's journey to becoming Pirate King. This means that, at long last, Reverie will bring about new developments within the world of ONE PIECE. These political schemes are certain to have an affect on the central protagonists, but the how and why of it all are still very much in the air. It's leading into these turbulent political instances that news of our hero's most recent escapades have been proclaimed to the world.
CH.903 marks the true end of the Whole Cake Island arc, and a shift in perspectives. After a long, and hard fought escape from the Yonko Big Mom's territory, news has spread to the world of our protagonists' hard work. Once more, the Strawhat Pirates are making big waves in the new world. With a title like "The Fifth Emperor" readers immediately get that hint of what is to come in a chapter that gives readers exactly what they've been clamoring for. First and foremost, Sanji received the Raid Suit that I had hypothesized he would. From the moment I had seen Germa 66 and their exceptional technology, it became evident that Sanji would be getting a long awaited upgrade. Post-Romance Dawn things had taken a sour turn for Sanji. Many construe his lack of combat capability as something that has become fundamentally wrong with his character. While there is some truth in this statement, many are quick to forget that the resident chef is a culinary expert first and a combatant second. In the past, it had been wholly plausible for Sanji to be combat effective because of his time at Baratie. The level of strength exhibited by pirates in East Blue, however, truly has nothing on the strength of pirates in the New World. Where Zoro and Luffy are required to fight well because of their goals, Sanji is not. That said, it's exciting to see that Sanji may now be able to compete with other capable fighters in the battles to come on more even footing. Everyone's favourite cat burglar has also received an interesting power up in the form of Big Mom's cloud Zeus. This addition to the crew is yet another not-so-subtle nod by Oda toward the powers of science. Characters like Vegapunk, and Ceasar Clown have proven the capabilities of advanced science within the world of ONE PIECE, and Nami's uptake on this has been evidenced in her upgraded climatact. These scientific advancements have proven to be beneficial for the Strawhat Pirates in several ways, but have also been a point of conflict in others. In stressing this importance, there appears to be a growing interest on Oda's part in expanding his use of technology as an angle for plot development. Nami and Sanji's technological upgrades are simply another nod in this direction, and how Oda intends to use scientific advancement may yet have significant importance to ONE PIECE's overarching story. In the wake of events on Whole Cake Island, the world has once more taken notice of the notorious pirate Strawhat Luffy. From Fishman Island to Drum Island, there have has been an influx of notable individuals making their own waves across Paradise and beyon. Mixed in are several familiar faces who continue to make their way to Reverie amidst the news of Luffy's notoriety. Naturally, the majority of these characters are elated to hear about Luffy's continued good health and rise in stature. Oda draws attention to the characters of Helmeppo and Koby in particular - both of whom are members of the Marines, trained by Garp and saved by Luffy - as they continue to grow in capability alongside the Strawhats. There is a vast ocean of information that has been unloaded upon readers through CH.903. The significance of Luffy's increased bounty has certainly cause a swell in the hearts of readers that have followed ONE PIECE from the very start. Reverie is rapidly approaching, and with many old faces appearing once more, it will be a treat to see their interactions with one another. Beyond the simple concepts surrounding the Celestial Dragons, there are many political facets that are available for Eiichiro Oda to fiddle and play with in this upcoming display of diplomacy. How he intends to shape this New World will likely be explored and defined by this oncoming summit. As old friends head to Mariejois, Luffy and company will continue on to Wano. What adventures await for our heroes, and what changes will the next tide bring? It'll be exciting to see what Oda comes up with next because ONE PIECE is nothing if not an unpredictable wave of adventure. Written By: ALAN "VIENNA" SINGH HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR has followed the titular HLW through a plethora of trials and tribulations. It can be difficult for even the most capable individuals to start over from zero. This is particularly astringent when the afore mentioned individuals stood at the apex of their strength before their fall. HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR has been a long road since then, and though the series only has fifty two chapters - or episodes if you prefer the original Korean linguistic - quite a bit has happened. Kim Se-hun, manhwa author and artist, has proven himself to be an exceedingly rare find in a world full of SWORD ART ONLINE clones. His unique take on MMORPGs, VRMMORPGs, and gaming in general have proven to be engaging, and colourful in ways that many series are almost afraid to be. There is a freedom to Se-hun's work that adds a comical twist to all of his work, while still possessing enough grit and sharpness to make a serious tone when necessary. Of the current ongoing manhwas, HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR is decidedly engrossing and should be read by everyone on either side of the equator.
CH.50 ended on a weird note because many readers assumed that the gift received for HLW's success in the Subjugation Round would be something significant. It was disappointing to learn that the gift for placing first was a plastic model factory with workers included. A strange gift, but one assumed to have incredible latent power. The problem here is that there is no way to easily evaluate how effective a plastic toy will be in a game world where everyone seems to be throwing around lasers, and ranged sword attacks. Enter: Heart Heater. I've long been a big fan of Heart Heater. He's a character with a very vintage character design who has frequently passed along helpful bits of information to HLW and his companions. There are quite a few mysteries surrounding him as well, but whether those are derivative of his character design or actual events within the plot are yet to be exposed. Through his information network Heart Heater disseminates some vital information to HLW's team, a conversation that includes classified news about the next phase of the tournament. Heart Heater's description of this next stage really draws attention to Se-hun's ingenuity as a content creator. For anyone familiar with contemporary, popular, and mobile games, there is a wealth of similarity between these and Se-hun's concept. What makes Se-hun's stand out is the diverse mix of elements housed in his games design. There is a strong connection to games like StarCraft, League of Legends, and the World of Warcraft readily evident in how Heart Heater outlines the stage to come. In this way, Combat God's tournament aims to test not only individual and team based combat aptitudes, but strategy and planning as well. With the upcoming events handily laid out in this manner, Dark returns focus to HLW and his earlier escapades during the Subjugation stage of the tournament. In particular, he calls attention to HLW's use of a Nightmare skill that has attracted the attention of Giga's Lucas Han. Their exchange is decidedly heated with HLW countering Dark's initial observations by stating that their team would have failed had he not used his skill. This conflict between teammates drives HLW out of Heart Heater's home, and onto the streets. There is a strangeness to this interaction that Heart Heater touches on by claiming that HLW must have experienced difficult times in the past. This is then further expanded upon as HLW runs into Master Swordsman, but refuses to interact with him because of their shared history. From this point readers are transported two years into the past where a young HLW challenges Master Swordsman to a duel. At the time of this duel, HLW is ranked significantly lower than Master Swordsman and is easily bested by the superior swordsman. It is revealed in this sequence that Master Swordsman presumably taught or lost his "Moonlight Slash" ability to HLW at a later point in the future. Additionally, this young HLW is much more immature and blatantly inexperienced when compared to the character that readers have gradually become familiar with over the course of this story. Having lost to Master Swordsman, HLW is pressed by the aged swordsman to join his guild. Although able to force his hand, Master Swordsman refrains from using his status as victor to make HLW join his guild. Instead, he requests a single gold piece for having defeated HLW, and gives HLW details about his guilds location. This is a particularly telling moment as Master Swordsman's relationship with HLW up to this point has been largely incongruous with HLW's personality. It is with the beginning of this relationship that begins HLW's journey as a member of Zara Guild. Segueing into CH.52, while struggling to locate Zara Guild, HLW meets a child-like character named Constance who claims to be a fan of our central protagonist. At the start of CH.52, it seems as if HLW has truly come into his own under the guidance of Zara Guild. In addition to Master Swordsman and Constance, readers are introduced to the Guild Master of Zara, Armes, who proves herself to be a valuable comrade-in-arms. Surprisingly, it is revealed that HLW has also challenged and failed to defeat Master Swordsman one hundred and twelve times up to this point in the story. The build up of combat experience derived from battling the third highest ranked played in Lucid Adventure serves as a minor explanation as to how HLW would eventually come to rise take the top position. There is a nostalgic quality infused into Se-hun's writing of this particular chapter. A portion of this familiarity is certainly derived from the memory aspect of this part of the story, however, it is the foresight afforded to the readers that makes this flashback all the more invigorating. Even before having reached the end of this chapter there is an overwhelming sense of dread building in the back of the readers mind. Already, Se-hun has readers morning the unknown losses that HLW is bound to experience without having fully concluded this segment of the story. Though the conclusion in question may be dreadful, readers can rest assured that they will gain a greater understanding of HLW and his motivations despite the tragedies to come. Written By: ALAN "VIENNA" SINGH |
Archives
July 2019
Categories
All
|