Sakuya: not a 2D character

Mishi · 30-01-2002, 04:24 PM

I posted this in the Shin Tenchi Support Group thread but decided to post in as a separate thread itself as there are ppl who have expressed their opinions on how she isn't a character with depth. Please bear in mind that I am arguing about Sakuya for now. I believe that the other characters had character development as well and that has been discussed within the Shin Tenchi thread as well.

Contains spoilers for Shin Tenchi.

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What makes a character 2-dimensional? A character who is 2D is lacking depth of characterization. In other words, he or she scored low in character development. So what is character development? An article from http://www.utarpa.org/anime101/ tapped into my definition of character development: "Most anime series are designed to be watched in order, and tell one big story instead of a bunch of small ones. The characters are allowed to develop along with the story. Within a series, viewers can watch the characters unfold emotionally and psychologically. It then becomes possible to relate to the characters as they suffer through life's trials and tribulations."

People grow and change all the time and so does certain anime characters. These characters are known to possess depth and sometimes human-like personalities that the viewers can relate to. Kumashiro Sakuya is one of these anime characters. A lot of people have argued that she's simply 2D. That there wasn't a single aspect of her character that grew throughout the Shin Tenchi Muyo series. She's overly cheerful and ditzy and that's all that there is to her. Why have these people penned her that way? Have they actually paid attention to the whole series? Watched it without harboring any bias towards the character?

In the very beginning of the series, we see Sakuya as an outgoing, positive, cheerful, and forward type of girl. It was established that she was the most popular girl in school. The moment she sees Tenchi, she began to like him. This was due to some sort of pre-ordained feelings that Yugi instilled in her when she was created. A sort of attraction, something that made her want to get to know Tenchi. And that's what she did. Sakuya was assertive, she immediately went out of her way to spend time with Tenchi. Asking him if she could eat lunch with him and his friends, asking him if she could walk him home and etc. She wanted Tenchi's love right away. Wanted him to confess it to her during the Love-Knot goddess episode. And yet in the end of that ep, instead of happily seeing Tenchi being forced to commit to her, she changes her mind and decides that she herself wasn't ready for such a commitment. From then on, I saw her grow up emotionally. She began to loosen up more and not constantly push her feelings on Tenchi. It was during Ryoko's date episode where Sakuya releases her full-blown emotion towards Tenchi, humbly stating her faults and how maybe he wasn't the guy for her. Since then both characters were left to re-examine their feelings.

Tenchi later on tells her that he's not sure of what he feels and he'll let her know when he is. It was painful for her but she accepts the situation and decides to be just friends with Tenchi. In the later episodes, Sakuya's maturity can be observed. Such emotional growth can be seen from her feeling left out and jealous of the girls during the Tenchi anniversary to her understanding their importance to Tenchi during the Carnival episode. How she recognized their bond and how she can forgive them for the actions they've done because of it.

Also, here's a quote from an editorial on Sakuya from vader2000 that exemplifies her growth: "I also recall an instance when Tenchi asked her to come in and have some tea at his house after she dropped off some food, after which she promptly turned him down. This clearly illustrates her true feelings for him. She cared enough about him to know when not to intrude in on his personal time." Instead of wanting to be with Tenchi whenever she can, she has learned that giving him space is important.

The emotions that she expressed were definitely human-like. How she didn't want Tenchi to leave her when Washu came and told him about what happened in Okayama. She was selfish. I can relate to her in that way. Even when you want your love one to be happy, sometimes doubts and insecurities can cloud your decisions. Yes, she pushed her needs and I can understand why she did it. This was during the time she was discovering that she can't recall her past. Scared to be alone, Tenchi was the only one that she can hold on to that would reassure her reality.

In the end, the ultimate proof of her emotional and psychological growth was when she accepted the purpose of her existence. And when she finally lets Tenchi go, knowing that his happiness is hers as well. And her sacrifice was a sign that Yugi didn't plan for her to fall inlove with Tenchi. She was simply there for Tenchi to fall inlove with. And yet she did really fall inlove with him which was an advantage at first for Yugi but eventually brought about her demise.

It is because of character development that makes an anime series such an experience to watch. And Sakuya displayed her growth in Shin Tenchi Muyo which is one of the reasons why I liked this series.

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Thanks for taking the time read (^-^)V

rascal45 · 30-01-2002, 11:54 PM

Well said Mishi. Well said.

orochi X · 30-01-2002, 11:59 PM

well finaly i finsished reading it

well put Mishi

what can i add to this . . . well i dont know it seems u have covered alot of things about who

Sakuya

isnt 2d.
Well to all those people saying Sakuya is too 2d, lets see what u have o say to this

So Full of Mercy · 31-01-2002, 12:17 PM

It would be next to impossible to create a character with absolutely NO character developement. A truly 3d character, however, shows what kind of person they are in everything they do... how they dress, what they say, who they choose to interact with, how they interact. However, there are also conflicting dreams, ambitions, thoughts, morals, beliefs, and biases in each character, I don't think we see the first part of this in Sakuya, in that everything she does it to be with or acquire Tenchi and his love. However, that's ALL she is concerned with... Tenchi, if it has nothing to do with Tenchi, does Sakuya care? No, she is two dimensional.

Let's take Ayeka in the OVA. She is concerned about firstly, Jurai and the retaliation of the crimes against Jurai. Then, we see that she is also looking for her lost love, Yosho. Then, we see her bias in that Earth cannot be as good as Jurai, but we see her begin to change her mind with Tenchi. We see Ayeka dress modestly, talk temperately (unless enraged by Ryoko). We see jealousy develope between her and Ryoko which only builds on the crimes Ryoko committed on Jurai and how she blames Ryoko in part for Yosho's disappearance. We see Ayeka cares for her sister Sasami because they share a common past, but that is expanded so that we see Ayeka is a fit ruler because she cares for all things when, she is willing to laugh at and love Ryo-ohki even though it is connected with her arch-rival Ryoko. We see she is dutiful, because even though she confesses her love for Tenchi, she would be willing to part with him, through great pain, to rule her planet as she MUST.

Notice how I ran all that together and it most likely does not encompass Ayeka's character even though I just put in hard facts and tried not to build on any for too long? That is from an incomplete OVA, where Ayeka is not even introduced on the first episode and she isn't the spotlight of the series. Sakuya is a focal point of Tokyo, she's in just about every episode in depth and you can only find two or three subtle and a few less subtle points as to her character developement. I could go as long as I did on Ayeka into any character in the OVA (save maybe Ryo-ohki) and they are all sharing the focus of the show!

rascal45 · 31-01-2002, 01:38 PM

Sorry, but I have to disagree. Look at how Sakuya acted with Tenchi in the beginning of Shin Tenchi Muyo. She was bit forceful in her actions for Tenchi and at times trying to rush Tenchi into deciding in something that he wasn't ready for. Doesn't this remind us on how a certain space pirate acts?

Yes, she wanted to be with Tenchi but he said he wasn't ready. If Sakuya didn't have any character growth she would have continued pursuing him in the same way she was doing in the beginning of Shin Tenchi Muyo. She would have continue to act like an annoying fangirl or as a teeny-bopper but she grew up in the sort of sense. Her feelings for Tenchi matured into something more than just a silly little crush.

Furthermore, her human feelings developed too. Like in the beginning when she wanted Tenchi and then later realizing that Tenchi needed his moments for himself which is something that the other girls tend to lack in understanding of what Tenchi was feeling. She was at first jealous of the other girls and their relationship with Tenchi and then later she developed a sense of compassion for them too.

Mishi · 31-01-2002, 06:00 PM

No it's not next to impossible to create a 2D anime character. Just watch some DBZ and you'll know what I mean.

Quote:

A truly 3d character, however, shows what kind of person they are in everything they do... how they dress, what they say, who they choose to interact with, how they interact. However, there are also conflicting dreams, ambitions, thoughts, morals, beliefs, and biases in each character, I don't think we see the first part of this in Sakuya, in that everything she does it to be with or acquire Tenchi and his love. However, that's ALL she is concerned with... Tenchi, if it has nothing to do with Tenchi, does Sakuya care? No, she is two dimensional.

That just proves my point that Sakuya isn't 2D. First of all, you have to understand that Sakuya was created with pre-ordained feelings for Tenchi. Such is the reason why she pursues him. With that said, I have to agree that yes, at first all she really wanted was Tenchi's love. Within the acquisition of that love, she grew. That is where her depth lies. The first few episodes, all she was concerned about is his feelings. In the Love Knot episode, we see her fumble, undecided when she faced commitment. Why should she? What changed her mind? Obviously not Yugi's doing but Tenchi's. Yes, he made her mature emotionally because there couldn't be anyone else who could do so otherwise. In the process of learning more about him, she started learning about herself. She eventually wanted his happiness first before hers. She became concerned about his family and the other girls -- which could be seen in The Carnival episode. There was little interaction between her and Tenchi's family and the girls but what little they were still had an impact on her. Such can be seen in the Tenchi anniversary episode and again, the Carnival.

You have to understand that Sakuya's role in Shin Tenchi was to directly influence Tenchi's life and by doing so indirectly affecting the other characters. Because of her, we see Aeka's loneliness and need for closeness -- we see Ryoko's determination and confidence and deep understanding of emotions -- we see Nobuyuki's concern for Tenchi's future ... etc.

The question is not "If it has nothing to do with Tenchi, would Sakuya care?" ... WHY should she care? When like she said, "All I know is Tenchi." She was created solely for him and it is with him and because of him that she became who she is. He is the catalyst for her character development. Therefore every emotion that she felt, every doubt, every conflict she faced, the dreams she aspired, the thoughts, the pain, the acceptance of her past and reality -- all was due to Tenchi. And yes because of him she isn't 2D. The other characters weren't meant to influence her in great way. She was meant to influence them through her relationship with Tenchi.

So again like I said, Sakuya is NOT a 2D character.

Fungus · 31-01-2002, 06:46 PM

posted by Mishi:

Quote:

No it's not next to impossible to creat a 2D anime character. Just watch some DBZ and you'll know what I mean.

HAHAHAHHAHAHA.... I think I know what you mean

Black_Knight · 01-02-2002, 01:22 AM

Sakuya might not be a "2D" character… But she is still mearly a shadow, or a puppet for a higher being with a lot of pent up anger…

So Full of Mercy · 01-02-2002, 06:36 PM

Any given DBZ character is more developed than Sakuya. Period.

iwakura · 01-02-2002, 08:34 PM

Quote:

SFoM:
Any given DBZ character is more developed than Sakuya. Period.

Hmmm. I thought Sakuya looks much better in a swimsuit than pretty much any DBZ character.

Couldn't help myself on that one.

rascal45 · 01-02-2002, 08:42 PM

Satan had less character than Sakuya. Period.
Oxking had less character than Sakuya. Period.
Andriod 19 had less character than Sakuya. Period.
The Ginyu Force had less character than Sakuya. Period.

Want me to continue?

And yes, Sakuya has a more developed figure for a swimsuit than any DBZ character. Sakuya in a thong...

Mishi · 03-02-2002, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Black_Knight
Sakuya might not be a "2D" character… But she is still mearly a shadow, or a puppet for a higher being with a lot of pent up anger…

If Sakuya is merely a shadow or a puppet then the ending would've been totally different. Even Yugi was amazed with her. With the certain behaviors she exibited throughtout the series.

She was able to accept her existence and didn't keep Tenchi with her when she could've in Yugi's dreamworld. Why? I mean, if all that she was meant to do is separate Tenchi from the other ppl, shouldn't she have kept Tenchi with her in Yugi's dreamworld? Shouldn't she have been happy that Tenchi was with her and just her? But no. She said:

"...people are depending on you and your home is waiting for you .."

What does this mean? This means that she realizes how important Tenchi is to his reality and his family. And that his happiness would mean hers as well. So she let him go. Is this the work of a character who remained the same since the first episode. Was this the same Sakuya who wanted to spend all her time with Tenchi? Was this the same Sakuya who didn't want Tenchi to leave her alone because she was scared to be lonely again?

"The time we've spent together, every smile, every touch. All of our hopes and dreams we had for the future. I will cherish them all. I will treasure every memory and my treasure will remain right here (touches Tenchi's chest). I won't wonder about my past. I won't feel lonely ever again."

As for Sakuya having less character devt. that DBZ characters... I'm just gonna ROFLMAO on that. You're not even gonna back up that argument .. I wonder why HA HA HA.

(^_^)V

So Full of Mercy · 03-02-2002, 11:59 PM

Ginyu Force... wow, had to go to characters who had all of 5 episodes with them in it. That's sad. And I could probably argue that for the time they were on the show they were more developed. What did we learn about Sakuya in 5 episodes... not a damn thing except that she liked Tenchi. At least with Jase we learned that he was arrogant, valued his place on the Ginyu Force... maybe for prestidge or honor, and saw Captain Ginyu as a role model of sorts.

Mishi · 04-02-2002, 04:44 PM

Ginyu Force? Never heard of that anime. So, are you finally withdrawing your comment about DBZ? I figured you ain't got nothing there to argue about anyways.

BTW, since there is a Sakuya Debate thread - we can go ahead and debate there (^-^)V

MiruTenchi · 04-02-2002, 05:36 PM

the ginyu force is in DBZ..its freeza's "troop"