Aging in the anime: Difference between revisions
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===Slowed time=== | ===Slowed time=== | ||
According to the slowed time theory, because only one half-hour episode airs approximately each week, the flow of time in the anime is considerably slower than in real life. This theory is supported by the apparent, though minimal, growth of the characters, as well as the noted marks of time. | According to the slowed time theory, because only one half-hour episode airs approximately each week, the flow of time in the anime is considerably slower than in real life. This theory is supported by the apparent, though minimal, growth of the characters, as well as the noted marks of time. | ||
However, this theory still faces the same problems as the Eternal Youth theory. | However, this theory still faces the same problems as the Eternal Youth theory. | ||
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===Arbitrary age=== | ===Arbitrary age=== | ||
According to the arbitrary age theory, the label of an age has a different significance in the Pokémon world than in the real world. In their culture, the numerical "age" of a person is not representative of the amount of years which they have lived, but representative of the person's familial status. When a person comes of age and is ready to head out into the world of Pokémon, they are labeled "ten." When a person has children, they are labeled "twenty." When they have grandchildren, "fifty." Other ages may exist but there is not enough evidence to deduce these ages and milestones in one's life. The theory argues that these seemingly young ages for things like having (grand)children are similar to the surprisingly young age at which children come of age. Ash may well have been alive eighteen years, but hadn't earned the position of "ten." Brock's familial role is most accurately described with a half-age, fifteen. He doesn't have children of his own but he takes care of his younger siblings in the absence of his parents. | According to the arbitrary age theory, the label of an age has a different significance in the Pokémon world than in the real world. In their culture, the numerical "age" of a person is not representative of the amount of years which they have lived, but representative of the person's familial status. When a person comes of age and is ready to head out into the world of Pokémon, they are labeled "ten." When a person has children, they are labeled "twenty." When they have grandchildren, "fifty." Other ages may exist but there is not enough evidence to deduce these ages and milestones in one's life. The theory argues that these seemingly young ages for things like having (grand)children are similar to the surprisingly young age at which children come of age. Ash may well have been alive eighteen years, but hadn't earned the position of "ten." Brock's familial role is most accurately described with a half-age, fifteen. He doesn't have children of his own but he takes care of his younger siblings in the absence of his parents. | ||
===Uncommon Theories=== | |||
===The Poke-Opera Theory=== | |||
This theory holds to that Ash is simply an actor for a Daily Broadcast of a show that is a loose autobiographical presentation of multiple characters like Red and Gold. The theory derives it's name from the medium of television of Soap Operas which are broadcasted during the day for 5 days out of the week. With the number of Anime Episodes that would put Ash around 12. Characters that appear in the tales of Red and Gold such as Misty and Brock are just participating to be compensated. It is theorized this can explain the mentions of Hollywood and Minnesota in the Anime because it is trying to pander to it's audience. | |||
===The Celebi Theory=== | |||
The Celebi Theory originated in thought from the events of Pokemon 4Ever. The holders claim that Ash has never aged because he travels back in time and starts a new journey with no time actually passing but allowing others to retain their memory of him like Prof. Oak retained his memory of Ash. | |||
==Related articles== | ==Related articles== | ||
Revision as of 20:13, 7 May 2013
The aging of characters in the anime has been a subject of common fan debate, since it is not addressed by the anime itself. The passage of time is clear, but characters show small, if any, signs of aging. The writers and character designers seem to ignore the issue of aging, usually so the viewers of the show feel closer to the protagonists. It is easier for a child to relate to a ten year old rather than a twenty year old.
Common theories
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This section contains fan speculation. There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article. |
Eternal youth
According to the eternal youth theory, like in many cartoons, the characters never age and are trapped at the age of their first appearance.
However, this seems strange since the passage of time is pointed out every once in a while without the mention of any character's birthday. The dub has mentioned large periods of time passing, despite Ash still being 10 years old in In The Shadow of Zekrom!. One of the most common supports for this theory is that Ash and May are supposedly the same age when May begins her journey, even though Ash has traveled through two regions and competed in three leagues before she received her first Pokémon. This is also the case when Dawn starts her journey as she is the same age as Ash, even though he has been through three leagues by this time, as well as traveling through Kanto twice.
In the English dub, many characters have had their voice change over time, especially Ash, whose voice has become noticeably deeper over the seasons, giving the impression of aging. Brock and his family are often used as evidence towards this idea as Brock should always be five years older than 10-year-old Ash and his youngest siblings barely look any older between Showdown in Pewter City and SS025.
Slowed time
According to the slowed time theory, because only one half-hour episode airs approximately each week, the flow of time in the anime is considerably slower than in real life. This theory is supported by the apparent, though minimal, growth of the characters, as well as the noted marks of time.
However, this theory still faces the same problems as the Eternal Youth theory.
Arbitrary age
According to the arbitrary age theory, the label of an age has a different significance in the Pokémon world than in the real world. In their culture, the numerical "age" of a person is not representative of the amount of years which they have lived, but representative of the person's familial status. When a person comes of age and is ready to head out into the world of Pokémon, they are labeled "ten." When a person has children, they are labeled "twenty." When they have grandchildren, "fifty." Other ages may exist but there is not enough evidence to deduce these ages and milestones in one's life. The theory argues that these seemingly young ages for things like having (grand)children are similar to the surprisingly young age at which children come of age. Ash may well have been alive eighteen years, but hadn't earned the position of "ten." Brock's familial role is most accurately described with a half-age, fifteen. He doesn't have children of his own but he takes care of his younger siblings in the absence of his parents.
Uncommon Theories
The Poke-Opera Theory
This theory holds to that Ash is simply an actor for a Daily Broadcast of a show that is a loose autobiographical presentation of multiple characters like Red and Gold. The theory derives it's name from the medium of television of Soap Operas which are broadcasted during the day for 5 days out of the week. With the number of Anime Episodes that would put Ash around 12. Characters that appear in the tales of Red and Gold such as Misty and Brock are just participating to be compensated. It is theorized this can explain the mentions of Hollywood and Minnesota in the Anime because it is trying to pander to it's audience.
The Celebi Theory
The Celebi Theory originated in thought from the events of Pokemon 4Ever. The holders claim that Ash has never aged because he travels back in time and starts a new journey with no time actually passing but allowing others to retain their memory of him like Prof. Oak retained his memory of Ash.
Related articles
External links
- Comic Book Time - A listing of the external youth theory in other fiction.
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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime. |
