User talk:Nox

Greetings

Hey, good to have at least one native Japanese speaker among us!
No problem for the poor english, we'll reword your contributions if needed (maybe you'll get better at english as you contribute too; that's how I learned it at least).
Anyway, it can be pretty useful to have someone that can translate/explain stuff for us -- I think we'll have a couple of things to ask you ... --Homerun-chan 18:58, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Thanks. I'll also learn English here :) It's my pleasure to contribute enriching the wiki.

Church of Madoka

I will ask the question on everyone's mind: How established is the Church of Madoka in Japan? Has there been an election of Bishops? What happened to the apostle that applied to Fukushima? Prima 23:26, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

At Fukushima, there is critical disaster at very limited region. Many people in Tohoku and Fukushima might enjoy Madoka Magica. However, Japanese government seems not to work effectively. I'm sorry, don't know the activity of "Church of Madoka". I'll tell you if I found information for this.

Don't worry too much about the "Church of Madoka". It's basically a group of fans that made a new religion based on MadoMagi's finale, and prima seems devoted a lot to it. You shouldn't take it too seriously IMO (sorry if I hurt your feelings prima :) )
On an unrelated note, could you sign your comments with --~~~~? It makes the talkpage a lot easier to read this way. Thanks! --Homerun-chan 07:41, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

thanks. I see. As you may know, most of Japanese are Buddhist. We need build up "Temple of Madoka" as soon as possible, and act something good at Tohoku :) --Nox 10:05, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

One of the good points of Japanese culture is "Religion Free", I think. Maybe most of people who believe each (any?) religions could be enjoyed MadoMagi and other Anime (on Region Free Players). No more war for religions. --Nox 10:05, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

Magical Crusaders Matagi Magica

The game you posted on your profile page is quite famous, it even has its own page on this wiki and a partially fan-translated English version ;) --KFYatek 10:58, 28 April 2011 (UTC)

I see. What I should say in this case? "Gyafun" in Japanese :)

QB's treatment of girls

I've written a bit about Kyubey's pattern of speech, ie. his usage of 僕（ぼく）, 君（きみ）, and not using honorifics or polite verbs. Could you check if I haven't misinterpreted something? It's at the bottom of the Kyubey#Trivia section. --KFYatek 12:20, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Sure!

ありがとうございます！ I reworded your contribution quite a bit, but I hope I haven't changed the meaning of your clarifications. The "tags" theory about names is also interesting, thanks! --KFYatek 16:59, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for correction. I can learn much of natural English expression. This is benefit for me. And I'm interested in the first "foreign" interpretation. I agree this. --Nox 17:10, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Additional Trivia of 九兵衛: 「八兵衛」 (Hachi(8)bē) is a famous character in a drama, 「十兵衛」 (Jū(10)bē) is a famous Samurai. You may know. "QB" is the most usual expression on Internet communities. --Nox 17:10, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

For addressing their name, first name or family name without honorifics are commonly used in close relationship (generally the first name is closer). But full name without honorifics is very unusual especially in recent years, and oppose to polite. --Nox 17:25, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Oriko Magica

Well, the first thing I'd like to ask is whether Oriko Magica will be a prequel (ie. a story before the main series) or a sequel (ie. after the main series). I always thought it's going to be a prequel, but recent edits suggest it's a sequel. Could you clarify it, based on some official info? --KFYatek 19:19, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

I think there is no official announce, but the "Oriko Magica" may focuses the Mami, Kyoko and other girls. They were killed in the "Madoka" episode. So that it should be prequel before episode 12. However, now it can be sequel story as you say.

A release of the first comic is delayed due to delay of airing "Madoka". Wait the release!

These extra-stories seems not to have exact common world except some backgrounds. It isn't kind of prequels nor sequels. --Nox 03:40, 10 May 2011 (UTC)

Yuri evidence at the end of Ep.12

• I didn't agree the Yuri factor at Episode 12, But the new movie story shows that Homura has emotion of love to Madoka. I cannot agree more, now.
• I don't agree the comparison of as evidence of Yuri. Yes the poses of them, but them faces look quite different especially eyes. Their eyes have tendresse, affection and/or respective love. No romantic depiction on their face in not only Episode 12 but also the others. No Yuri factor.
• In case of Sayaka and Kyoko, it is more possible, but I feel Kyoko respect to Sayaka who has fought against Witches with dreams and hopes, and Kyoko remember her original motivation. Kyoko might get a chance to die as hopeful girl with Sayaka, and avoid to become herself to Witch. This well up my eyes.

Well, you know... objectively speaking, you're probably right. I'm not into yuri, and I didn't find this particular scene an "evidence". However, when someone is into yuri, then it's more than enough for him. It's just... a different way of looking :D I hope Mutopis will comment here :D Though he seems to be more of a KyoSaya than HomuMado fan ;) --KFYatek 19:03, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Your yuri-goggles are broken. Here, take these. - Prima 21:05, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

File:Kyouko yuri goggles.jpg
You mean these? BrickBreak 21:15, 29 April 2011 (UTC

Oh, you told me how to embed small images! I like this. --Nox 23:39, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

My Yuri Goggles are stuck to max. But I do see the point that they may just be friends... still as long as there is hope there is still a way. --Mutopis 23:57, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

You may like couples of Kyoko×Sayaka and Madoka×Homura. OK, I'll see to Mami. --Nox 06:17, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

As the person who made this jpg or rather this updated one here (http://i56.tinypic.com/rh3hmv.jpg), I'll try to explain it as best as I can to people who aren't familiar with yuri. I originally made the jpg for people on /u/ for a yuri audience who already know the significance behind the symbols and so there was no need for explanations. First, let me explain how important context is with an example like the ribbons Madoka gives to Homura. To someone who doesn't know yuri, this wouldn't mean anything. However, if you're a yuri fan, you recognize that as a reference to the scene that started yuri shipping for one of the most iconic/famous mahou shoujo yuri couples, Nanoha and Fate. You also know this was done intentionally because Shinbo directed both Nanoha and Madoka anime. I'll direct you to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmKTGB_QmKc where (while it's nice to watch it all and see the similarity in long embraces and talk of friendship, just skip to 4:40) and you see 1) giving of ribbons, 2) stating the ribbons will be a way to remember the other person, 3) a promise they'll meet again. This parallels what Madoka tells Homura as Madoka gives her the ribbons.

The importance of context is also true with the nearly identical pose for Madoka and Homura's naked embrace in space to one of the most iconic/famous scenes known in yuri (as an example of how well-known this pose is, on /u/ there is a thread dedicated to nothing but this scene redone for dozens of yuri shipped couples...of which 95% are pure fanart because to see this actual pose in an anime or manga is actually quite rare). This original embrace was in Kannazuki no Miko (KnM), one of the most well-known couples in yuri that share many parallels to Homura and Madoka. In KnM, Chikane is very similar to Homura in being tall, dark-haired, competent, totally willing to sacrifice herself for another girl etc. whose ways are mysterious to the sweet, naive Himeko (who Madoka resembles). As it turns out, Chikane is the one who remembers her shared fate with Himeko of repeating the same cycle of lives together over and over again, with Himeko only discovering the full truth of their connection just before they are parted because they need to sacrifice themselves to save the world. And when this happens, Himeko gets to choose how she want the next world to be remade..e.g. whether they forget about each other or remember and meet one another again (she chooses the second option). So with that context of the similarity of these two couples, the embrace is basically hitting home the point of yes, yuri fans, we're comparing these two to KnM if you haven't already noticed. And again, this is done intentionally (much like the episode 9 similarity to the well-known yuri Utena symbolism) from a studio (SHAFT), director (Shinbo), character designer (Ume) among others on the production staff, who are well-known for being very genre-savvy about yuri and putting in intentional yuri subtext in their anime on a regular basis. Now whether someone sees something different in expression is a subjective view (and like with me, I happen to disagree and see it differently from my subjective view) and doesn't change the symbolic meaning behind that pose (to yuri-fans at least) nor the similarities of Homura and Madoka's situation to that in KnM.

I hope this clarifies the understanding behind the jpg. --98.169.117.208

Now that I read your explanation, the people behind Madoka are even bigger geniuses to me. They managed to appeal both to people wanting purity (because the show itself is just about friendship) and yuri fans (using cleverly placed references to iconic yuri scenes). Just brilliant. --KFYatek 08:13, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

It makes sense, they get twice the profits and fan base. --Mutopis 10:26, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Is yuriology a word? Because it should be. -- Prima 09:23, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Dammit, I want my yuriology certificate of scholarship now! --Mutopis 10:26, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for detailed comment. I don't think the staffs of MadoMagi doesn't know the yuri-patterns as you mentioned. So that the subtext may be put in intentionally if the patterns are famous enough. --Nox 15:23, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm glad my explanation seemed to be useful. They really did an amazing job with Madoka on homages to other animes and someday if I'm really bored I may go through the tons of examples of how Madoka plays the mahou shoujo (came up with at least six mahou shoujo anime and a couple manga) tropes straight and when they do a brilliant job of subverting them (ex. take exact heartwarming lines, "You finally called me by first name. I'm so glad," showing two magical girls overcoming animosity in Precure to become close, and turn them into Madoka's final words to Homura prior to being mercy-killed in ep. 10, TL3) There really is an amazing amount of meta-references in Madoka where you can see exactly how twisted Urobuchi's mind works. I could do an extensive read but since I don't have a blog or anything, I wouldn't be sure how to publish it and well, it'd be time-consuming to do it properly with specific cross-references from other anime.

For completionist's sake, I'm going to add Madoka's naked embrace in space also references one other famous yuri scene in anime (plus Diebuster and Lain for that matter--EoE too--but I rather not cover these scenes that have more ambigious interpretations). The third clear yuri reference is from the classic, Yami to Boshi. Hazuki is the Homura-like character (tall, long dark hair, fighter, obsessive etc.) who obsessively travels across different worlds to track down her pure-hearted, sweet Hatsumi (Madoka-like character). They finally meet in this otherworldly place outside the rest of the universe, and Hazuki confesses her feelings to Hatsumi, only to find out Hatsumi is a god and so they cannot stay together. Hatsumi users her god-like powers to reset Hazuki's world so she's suppose to forget her, but Hatzuki seems to have a vague recollection anyways, and yes, there's also a vague promise of meeting again one day. --98.169.117.208

I see you're very knowledgeable in many anime, Don't worry about not having a place to publish an extensive analysis of homages, references and shout-outs in Madoka - I think a page on that topic would be more than welcome on this wiki. I actually post this comment just to encourage you to do so - make an account, make the page, and write whatever you know on the topic! --KFYatek 18:56, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks, I'll think about it. I feel like I need to re-marathon some older series first, like Sailor Moon (which Madoka references very heavily), so I can verify if my recollections are accurate and also to note details like which episode parallel event XYZ occurred. I'm also not that incredibly knowledgeable as some, like I've never bothered for instance to read all the manga for CCS and Sailor Moon. I've considered putting together some thoughts for a thread on /a/ to tap the expertise pool there, but I get annoyed by how every magical girl comparison thread degenerates into powerlevel wars. So yeah, I'll probably get around to it but don't expect it anytime soon. -randomanon

Very interresting indeed. Truth be told, I never really paid attention to these sort of things before, so it was interresting to read. I agree with KFYatek, you should probably make a page about it somewhere on this wiki. And the good part about it is that it's a wiki, so other knowledgeable anons may complete it if you think you lack knowledge/references (plus it's permanent and less shitstormy than /a/). --Homerun-chan 20:00, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

English

As some of you may know, English is contained to curriculum over 10 years in junior high, high and also university. I spend lot of my learning time to sleep. And I've never use English except of very limited world in my business in my life. There's a lot of ways I'd regret this... --Nox 00:23, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

Sound Track CD

I love mami's theme. I want to get CD, but it can be got as extra CD of Bluray Vol.2... It can play with Bulk BD-ROM drive and normal PC? --Nox 16:33, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

The soundtrack will be a normal CD perhaps, so it will play anywhere you want. As for the BD, it'll play in a PC's BD-ROM drive, but you need some playback software like PowerDVD or WinDVD with Blu-ray support. It was probably bundled with your drive (or PC, if the drive was there since the beginning), at least it was with mine. --KFYatek 18:16, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

Thank you. Another friend tell me PS3 is one of the good candidates as Bluray Player. But it will not be Region Free. It is important for imported DVD to play... :) --Nox 23:24, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

I quite don't understand why the anime publishers region-code their Japanese disc releases. Truth be told, Japanese anime discs are ridiculously expensive as for Western standards, and don't usually feature any kind of English translation, so only the most devoted fans are willing to import them. So original Japanese disc imports don't pose a threat to eventual licensed release sales. Maybe it's not the case for Blu-ray (but it's more easily hacked, on the other side, at least on a computer), but a DVD player can be bought cheaper than the actual Japanese anime disc, so region-coding is not a problem for those who are willing to import them anyway. So... what for? --KFYatek 08:01, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

I live in Japan, and I sometimes import DVDs from EU or US because of huge price difference. In this case, my retail drive and software in Toshiba laptop reject other regions disks. The playing software developed by Toshiba rejects region-freed disk, too. It is toooooo much protection. --Nox 15:39, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

It's kind of strange what you're saying, especially this about region-free discs... And as far as I know, both Japan and Western Europe (including EU) are DVD Region 2, so they generally should work, at least on a computer (PAL/NTSC system difference may be more serious for stand-alone players and TVs).
In case of Blu-rays, the region coding system is different - Americas and East Asia (including Japan, but except China) are region A (so US and JP discs should be interchangeable); most of Europe, Australia, Africa and Middle East are region B; Eastern Europe (Belarus, Russia and Ukraine) and most of Asia (including China and India) is Region C. --KFYatek 16:14, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Oh, I misunderstood. These are good news the same region-code as EU in DVD, and as US in Bluray. Mainly I use Amazon.com to buy US DVDs, I haven't notice EU and JP are in the same DVD region. Thank you! Anyway, DVDs/Blurays are very expensive for me... --Nox 16:36, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

DVDs (and Blu-rays too, but since it's a different region code, it probably isn't very important to you) are very cheap in the UK, so I can recommend amazon.co.uk for you. I've bought few things without any problems. In Europe they provide free shipping for orders above some price, but I don't know how are the shipping costs to Japan but to Japan it's not that good - you can see the shipping rates here. --KFYatek 16:46, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Thank you so much again. I have accounts at Amazon JP, US, UK and FR in order to buy DVDs at the cheapest price. As you know, release day at EU and US is long time after the original release day in Japan. But ~30-40 euro for 1 BOX is very reasonable price. --Nox 17:16, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

If we're talking about anime, I actually recently bought a full 4-disc set of one of my absolute favorite anime series, the first seaon of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, for about 15 pounds, which is about 17 euro, or about 2000 yen. Yes, it's a 4 year old series, but I was still amazed at that price. --KFYatek 18:29, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

Sorry if I'm misinformed, but don't JP releases for DVD and BD usually come with extra stuff? Like comics, bookmarks, soundtracks, and other promotional stuff? Usually US/EU releases don't come with this, which is maybe why it's cheaper? I don't think it makes up for the huge price difference, but for a collector it's worth the price.

Extra Communication Channel

Some of you have twitter activities or other communication channel? --Nox 16:33, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

There is the IRC channel if you wanna talk with us live, but I'm not sure how many people will be there when you log in (well it's pretty much always active anyway). Most of us have other nicknames on the IRC than here though.
Aside from that, no twitter account or other "Web 2.0" means of communication on my side, I go with mails and sometimes Skype. I'd still be glad to chat with you though. Dunno about the others. --Homerun-chan 18:57, 30 April 2011 (UTC)