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Best World-Building Tournament: Minigame.


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One-Eye



Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Posts: 2267
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 5:19 pm Reply with quote
Ah, I've been too busy working and traveling to make any nominations this tournament, but I'm glad to see that most of the ones that I would have put forward have already been done so (Haibane Renmei, GITS, Moribito, etc.). It can be time consuming sometimes, so my thanks to everyone who has made nominations. I think I will dash off a few more votes in support...

Voting for/Supporting:

Island of Claymore, Claymore
Land of the Beast Gods, Princess Mononoke
Shinobi World, Naruto franchise
Tuskuru, The World of Utawarerumono
World of Inuyasha, Inuyasha franchise
World of PMMM, Puella Magi Madoka Magica

I wont vote for, but I wont vote against Cold Sleep Capsule Centre, King of Thorn. I recall feeling that there were problems with some of the logic of the world building in the movie (didn't read the manga but I am interested in it) besides some convenient choices in plot that I didn't care for.
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CrowLia



Joined: 24 Feb 2012
Posts: 5528
Location: Mexico
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 5:23 pm Reply with quote
I won't do it, but if anyone's up to doing the write-up, wouldn't the world of Bleach fit just right for this tournament?

Although, tbh, the one thing I think of when I think of this category if LoTR and Song of Ice and Fire, which of course aren't anime, but would fit fantastically here
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Key
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Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:46 pm Reply with quote
While I don't believe that this is one of the stronger candidates, it's good enough to deserve to be in the tournament:

Nominating:

The Soul Society

Franchise:
Bleach
Magic/Technological Base: Heavily supernatural, mostly feudal with some advanced technology.
Important Locations: Seireitei (base of operations of the Court Guard Squads), Rukon District, Senzaikyu (central palace), Sokyoku Hill (execution grounds), Shin'o Academy, assorted Court Guard Squad barracks, Central 46 Compound, Shinigami Research and Development Institute
Important Groups: 13 Court Guard Squads, Kido Corps, Hollows, Stealth Force, Central 46, Soul Reapers, Hollows, Arrancar.
Description: The Soul Society is an afterlife (specifically for those of Japanese background?) where souls dwell until such time as they are reborn into the Human World. It is also the dwelling place and base of operations for the Soul Reapers who maintain the balance of souls, deal with threats from corrupted souls called Hollows, and send wayward souls in the Human World to the Soul Society. The Soul Reapers dwell in the massive central Seireitei, while more ordinary souls live in the Rukon district in Japanese feudal era conditions. The Seireitei is mazelike in construction, accessible by four compass point gates, and protected by a wall that can be lowered into place if a threat emerges. Though governed by a never-seen Soul King, day-to-day administration is typically carried out by the 13 Court Guard Squads, each of which is headed by a Captain and subordinate Lieutenant and each of which has a specialty (stealth, research and development, striking, healing, etc.). The squads answer to a judicial organization called Central 46 - or did before a certain villain killed them all off, anyway. Gates to other realms typically look like traditional sliding Japanese doors which appear in mid-air.
What Makes The World-Building Great: The Soul Society is gradually built and detailed over the course of three hundred or so episodes, including some exploration of its history. It captures a distinct feudal Japanese style while also integrating in several of its own style points, such as a rather elaborate execution method and certain places where the architecture has a uniquely otherworldly feel.
Seireitei Details Link: http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Seireitei
Image: http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Soul_Society?file=Soul_Society.jpg

Oh, and an update is going up on the front page momentarily. This nomination puts us up to 78 candidates, of which 71 have 2+ votes. I'd like to see us at least get to a field of 96 on this, but I'm going to call time on the nominations by the end of the week and go with a field of 64 if things don't pick up.


Last edited by Key on Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:46 am; edited 1 time in total
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rheiders



Joined: 05 Jul 2011
Posts: 1137
Location: Colorful Colorado :)
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:58 am Reply with quote
It sounds like 96 is pretty unlikely, but I wrote up quick nominations for a few I had been considering to help it along a bit. Let me know if I got some details about Angel Beats! wrong, as I watched the show in one night quite a while ago and may have forgotten some details.

Nominating:

Assiah/Gehenna

Series: Blue Exorcist
Magic/Technological Base: High Fantasy
Important Locations: True Cross Academy, Exorcist Cram School, Vatican City
Important Groups/Races: Demons, Order of the True Cross, Exwires
Description: The material world, Assiah, and the demon world, Gehenna, are parallel to each other and usually remain unconnected. Sometimes demons are able to cross between the worlds and wreak havoc in Assiah. The Order of the True Cross, run by the Vatican but including exorcists from many religions throughout the world, work to eliminate those demons who become problems. The demons are very Shinto in nature and are usually themed after elements of nature. The main character’s existence is controversial because he is the half-human son of the king of demons, Satan.
What Makes The World Great: The concept of parallel worlds is interesting, and the mix of Christian, Buddhist, and Shinto influences on the demons is creative and original. The complicated (and somewhat corrupt) hierarchy of this world’s Vatican and the Order itself adds a political element and a bit of moral ambiguity.
Picture Link: [1] [2]

Gargantia

Series: Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
Magic/Technological Base: Sci-Fi, Mecha
Important Groups/Races: Gargantians, Human Alliance, Hideauze
Description: Long, long ago, the Earth froze over, forcing humans to either evolve to fit the change or leave. Humans were split between those who chose the former and those who chose the latter, and the two factions are still at war to this day. Now, the militaristic Human Alliance (using giant robots with advanced A.I.) and the hyper-intelligent aliens known as the Hideauze fight deep in space, far from their home planet. Meanwhile, the ice on Earth has long since melted, allowing some humans and Hideauze (known here as “whale squids”) to remain and rebuild their lives. The Earth is now completely flooded, so humans live on giant ships. One such fleet is the eponymous Gargantia. The Gargantians spend their days working to allow humans to eke out a living and fighting off pirates who seek to steal treasure and precious resources.
What Makes The World Great: The differences between Human Alliance Ensign Ledo and the Gargantians provide a strong heart to the series, and the nature of the Hideauze is a good mystery. The world is not just fleshed out well but visually breathtaking as well.
Picture Link: http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130423022654/suisei-no-gargantia/images/1/1d/Gargantia.png

The Afterlife

Series: Angel Beats!
Magic/Technological Base: Purgatory, but with virtual reality elements.
Important Groups/Races: SSS, NPCs, Tenshi
Description: In this story, Purgatory is high school. A ragtag group of students caught between this life and the next form the rebel group SSS, unwilling to comply with the rules of the world for fear of turning into NPCs. The NPCs are normal high-schoolers and have no souls. A mysterious entity called Tenshi enforces the rules by attacking anyone who breaks them.
What Makes The World Great: As a crossroads between this life and the next, this world provides a lot of interesting opportunities for the students to confront their baggage and move on. The inclusion of many video game-inspired elements keeps things interesting.
Picture Link: http://panzer0magier.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mazui_angel_beats_-_02_b658e512-mkv_snapshot_00-10_2010-04-09_22-11-28.png

Future Tokyo

Series: Chobits
Magic/Technological Base: Sci-Fi
Important Locations: Hideki’s apartment, Minoru’s mansion, Tirol Cafe
Important Groups/Races: Humans, Persocoms
Description: In this version of Tokyo’s future, persocoms have replaced normal computers as a universally popular and hugely important appliance. Nearly everyone owns one, and they do pretty much everything, including check e-mail, surf the web, run errands, do chores, and much more. Except for their unique ear modules, the newer models are nearly indistinguishable from real humans. With cases of humans marrying their persocoms making the news and rumors of a persocom called a Chobits with a true A.I., the line between human and non-human is blurring more and more.
What Makes The World Great: The importance of the persocoms as an invention is explored well through the inclusion of several side stories about various persocom owners. The way this machine was invented and has spread throughout Japan is surprisingly believable and pretty tragic as well. An in-story series of picture books cleverly raises questions about the implications of the persocom technology.

1960s Japan

Series: Kids on the Slope
Magic/Technological Base: Historical
Important Groups/Races: Students, student protesters
Description: A small town in 1960s Japan. The Sound of Music has recently come out in Japan, and with The Beatles rock music is sweeping the country. However, to the main characters, jazz is still king. Always looming just behind the main narrative are the violent student protests going on in Tokyo.
What Makes The World Great: The soundtrack, color scheme, and general atmosphere make the period setting clear without the historical aspects overpowering the narrative.
Picture Link: http://media.animevice.com/uploads/1/11000/545566-vlcsnap_00019_copy.png


Voting For:
The Soul Society (Bleach)
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MorwenLaicoriel



Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 1617
Location: Colorado
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:13 am Reply with quote
Supporting:
Land of the Beast Gods (Princess Mononoke)
The Afterlife (Angel Beats!)

Just as a heads up--I know I mentioned possibly nominating The Jungle earlier, but I'm not sure if I'm going to have the time for it. Been pretty busy lately, unfortunately!
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Galap
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Joined: 07 Apr 2012
Posts: 2354
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:17 am Reply with quote
Voting for
Gaea, Vision of Escaflowne.
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Errinundra
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Joined: 14 Jun 2008
Posts: 6584
Location: Melbourne, Oz
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:44 am Reply with quote
Voting for:

1960s Japan, Kids on the Slope
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mow123



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 339
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:28 am Reply with quote
Voting for:

1960s Japan, Kids on the Slope
Yogo, Moribito
Soul Society, Bleach

Is the Soul Society all inclusive for the world of Bleach?
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Animegomaniac



Joined: 16 Feb 2012
Posts: 4158
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:45 am Reply with quote
Nominating

Prefracture F/World of Excel

Franchise:
Excel Saga
Magic/Technological Base: Wow, we got your high grade sci-fi, we got your low grade fantasy.
Important Locations:Underground Lair of ACROSS, Department of City Planning, Prefracture F, then Japan and then ... the world!!
Important Groups: The Evil Organization of ACROSS {you know they're evil, it's right there in the name}, Department of City Security; various Puuchuus of uncertain rank, creators of the Excel Saga anime and manga...
Description: Modern day Japan, more than ten years ago. An evil overlord wannabe is on a quest to conquer the world but first, he has to conquer Japan but before that, her has to conquer. Aiding him {read: the ones actually doing the conquering} are the Incredibly Energetic Girl Excel, her emergency food ration Menchi and the Ever ... Dying ... Hyatt. Opposing them, apart from their lack of talent, ambition, luck, skill and so on, is the Department of City Security, a group of heroes who sole superpower {and not to forget desire} is to get paid by the hour.
What Makes The World-Building Great: If you don't like the world, give it an episode. Honestly, it's not only the gag anime with the most character and plot but it has the most continuity and most vision as it becomes less about the world of Excel Saga and more about bringing that world/vision to life, not successfully but with great compromise because the manga at the time was little more than a few chapters in. Remember, with great compromise, comes great productions. Maybe. If you're lucky. Especially if you try to do in the author with the main character before you even start the adaptation...

So, in a tournament of world building, this is an anime ... about world building. Still, it has a world with rules, buildings and characters so go with it.
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Crisha
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:42 am Reply with quote
I am genuinely surprised that nothing from Satoshi Kon has been nominated. I think that the arguments for or against his movies/show that blur the lines between imaginary and real could be interesting. Then again, I guess I can understand why it might be hard to do a write-up of his stuff, considering how often the lines are blurred and how the setting changes depending upon the mental state of those in the show.

I haven't really had an interest in nominating anyone (Writing arguments? Yuck. When I get home from work I want to relax), though I might consider doing one from Satoshi Kon. Perhaps. If I'm motivated enough.
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Key
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Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:22 pm Reply with quote
The problem with Satoshi Kon's works, as far as this tournament is concerned, is that they are specifically and firmly grounded in real-world settings even when they have fantastic elements; in fact, their realism is a crucial aspect of each of his works. I can't think of any of his works that would merit inclusion.

I'm also iffy on the worthiness of the 1960s Japan of KotS. Again, it's just too ordinary a setting. A title set in the same time period that I think would be a much better fit for the tournament is Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, which IIRC is technically an alternate-history Japan.

Concerning Bleach: While I think The Soul Society can stand well enough on its own, expanding that entry to include Hueco Mundo is not out of the question. That could easily be justified as a separate setting, though.

Coming later tonight will probably be the Kingdom of Honneamise, whose lack of presence so far seems like a major oversight. And I wouldn't be objectionable if someone wanted to do the post-earthquake Tokyo of Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, as I think its meticulously detailed projection of what might actually happen to Tokyo in such an occurrence definitely counts as a form of World-Building.

Supporting Prefecture F from Excel Saga, too, BTW.
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rosebrook11



Joined: 20 Mar 2011
Posts: 1181
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:55 pm Reply with quote
Supporting
Tuskuru- Utawarerumono
Gaea- Escaflowne
World of tsuritama
Land of the Beast Gods-Princess Mononoke
Soul Society- Bleach
Assiah/Gehenna- Blue Exorcist
The Afterlife- Angel Beats
Future Tokyo- Chobits
1960s Japan- Kids on the Slope
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marie-antoinette



Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 4136
Location: Ottawa, Canada
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:00 pm Reply with quote
Supporting
Prefracture F, Excel Saga
Future Tokyo, Chobits

I still have a few nominations I plan to get in, I'll do my best to get to them sooner rather than later.
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CrowLia



Joined: 24 Feb 2012
Posts: 5528
Location: Mexico
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:32 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
Concerning Bleach: While I think The Soul Society can stand well enough on its own, expanding that entry to include Hueco Mundo is not out of the question. That could easily be justified as a separate setting, though.


Wouldn't it make more sense to include the entirety of the Bleach Universe? by only picking SS and/or HM a huge amount of races and locations are left out (namely Hell, Karakura Town, Quincies, Fullbringers, Visoreds).

Also, not to be nitpicky or anything, you skipped the "Important Groups/Races" part on that nomination
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Crisha
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Posts: 4290
PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:37 pm Reply with quote
Key wrote:
The problem with Satoshi Kon's works, as far as this tournament is concerned, is that they are specifically and firmly grounded in real-world settings even when they have fantastic elements; in fact, their realism is a crucial aspect of each of his works. I can't think of any of his works that would merit inclusion.

Well, since I spent the time to type all of this out, I'll just leave it in even though it's not really relevant to the tournament: I'd argue that the setting is more than just the "real world" for movies like Paprika and Millennium Actress. Satoshi Kon likes mixing reality and fantasy to the point where there isn't a clear separation. In Millennium Actress, we're constantly switching between Chiyoko's past, the movies she performed in, and present day where she's recalling her story to Genya and Kyoji. At certain points, Genya and Kyoji are directly interacting with all three realities and breaking the 4th wall with their commentary. Despite taking a step back at one point and showing Genya and Chiyoko play-acting the story out in present day, it's not as simple as that. I would argue that the worlds created from her movies, and how those movies interact with her past and present, are equally as important settings as the "real world," if not more so. Not only did she spoiler[die in a hospital, she traveled on that spaceship rocket to chase after new dreams.]

Yeah, having read the eligibility standards more closely, I'm clearly twisting around the word "world-building." You're obviously going for Tolkien-esque world-building with constructing and developing cultures, histories, geography, etc. The setting of MA revolves around a specific person instead of a specific "constructed world." It's the World of Chiyoko, focusing on character development with different backdrops (Princess in the Warring States Period, Ninja fighting against samurai in the Edo Period, etc).


*sigh* I should at least vote for something to make my post relevant.

Supporting:
18th Century Europe, Le Chevalier d'Eon
Aqua, Aria franchise
Bath House of the Gods, Spirited Away
Daikuuriku, Simoun
France, The Rose of Versailles
Glie, Haibane Renmei
Gold Crown Town, Princess Tutu
Land of the Beast Gods, Princess Mononoke
LoGH Milky Way, Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Metropolis, Metropolis
Noein Multiverse, Noein
Roanapur, Black Lagoon franchise
Ryvius, Infinite Ryvius
Saiunkoku, The Story of Saiunkoku
Setting of BTM: Decode, Birdy the Mighty: Decode
Solar System, Cowboy Bebop
Twelve Kingdoms, The Twelve Kingdoms
Victorian England, Victorian Romance Emma
World of Beast Player Erin, Beast Player Erin
World of Castle in the Sky, Castle in the Sky
World of Mushishi, Mushishi
World of One Piece, One Piece
World of PMMM, Puella Magi Madoka Magica
World of Spice and Wolf, Spice and Wolf
World of tsuritama, tsuritama
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