Character outfit change

silverkitsune · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject: Character outfit change

Today, I realized some interesting coincidence about shounen anime/manga genre.
I realized that most shounen anime/manga has something in common.
The characters in shounen anime/manga always wear the same old clothes every day.
Other type of anime that targets older audience or shoujo anime/manga doesn't seem to show this characteristic. Especially in shoujo anime/manga, characters change outfits very often e.g. just look at CLAMP manga characters.

Now let's look at some of the popular shounen anime of today. To list a few, One Piece, Naruto, Eureka Seven, Sousei no Aquarion, Black Cat, Full Metal Alchemist, Inuyasha, Trigun, all have characters with their trademark outfits. Of course there are some exceptions like Bleach and Eyeshield 21 that has characters that does change outfits.
It's kind of similar to American cartoons where characters all wear the same set of clothing for years and years. e.g. The Simpsons.
_________________
[IMG:258:200]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/ypark/sigs/3fsn.png[/img]

Kyadytim · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:10 pm Post subject:

Odd, but I never really stopped to consider that.

On the other hand, a some of that can be defended via the mechanism of school uniforms.
Also, do you really think that people in the Warring States Era had that many changes of clothes?

In Naruto, I'll admit, the characters (except Jounin, it's a uniform of some sort) have no excuse for always wearing the same thing.

Just keep in mind, drawing different clothing makes it harder on the artists.

Yakmo · newbie! Joined: Apr 17, 2005 Posts: 7

Shounen mangas have much more details (combat - background) usually...

instead shoujo mangakas (always usually Razz

) focus details on dresses and characters in general.

I love completed manga/anime as Bleach Smile

momo_100100 · newbie! Joined: Aug 26, 2006 Posts: 24

Cardcaptor Sakura changes clothes a lot. Kinda obvious cause her friend has a huge wardrobe.

katsushiro · Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject:

Spender · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:30 am Post subject:

I've noticed it before. If you ask me, its not really that big a coincidence at all. Most shoujo anime/manga place a high emphasis on fashion and character outfits, so the authors take care to change things up as often as possible. On the other hand, shounen manga/anime are more about action, so outfits don't matter as much. Its also much easier and faster for the manga-ka to memorize a single outfit and keep repeating that patter. That way, they're more free to focus on making the action more intense.

Whatever the case, I don't really care. Jokes have been made about this kind of thing before. As long as the story is good and I like what I'm reading, I dont really care how often the characters change clothes.
_________________
[IMG:500:100:5f9d323c6a]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/spender/Witchbladebanner3.jpg[/img:5f9d323c6a]
If you're out there, I'll find you.

meganekko · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:01 am Post subject:

Ahahaha, yes! I noticed that too~ My brother once even asked me if they take a bath, cause the anime goes on and on and they don't go near any bathrooms (some anime are exempted of course, like Love Hina).

Anyway, it's also to make them more distinguishable from other characters.

Especially if the anime has a lot of characters in it. So if they were all changing clothes in each episode, it'll be difficult not only for the animators, but to the viewers as well~

Imagine Gundam Seed with every character changing clothes... My goodness... most of the people in that anime looks alike! If they don't wear their signature clothes, no one would tell whom apart! Laughing

_________________
EX-mod

CloudBlade · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject:

cutting · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject:

Well, they could cut out some clothes from paper or forge out some really cool outfits or just simply wear leaves, or bushes... Or maybe digital numbers in the places of their clothes. Each number would be each color and you have to figure it out. Like colouring books.

But now seriously, they can be a little original, but in this genre its limited

xenocrisis0153 · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:16 am Post subject:

haha, like Lisa Simpson said one time... "it feels like I've been wearing the same red dress for years"

In most anime series, the characters have a certain uniform... like military, work or school, so usually seeing the same outfit over and over is just part of the show. But I agree, seeing a wider variety of clothing and being able to see your favorite characters in different ways adds to the appeal.
_________________

GTX: Great Teacher Xeno... my daily blog about teaching in an elementary and middle school in Japan (see right-menu)

sakib · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 10:20 am Post subject:

true changing the clothes of characters in shounen manga/anime would make it more interesting, not by much mind you but it would keep the viewers more into it. of course we also have to take into consideration the mangaka's and their staff as well, they are not superhuman so they cant put a full fledged effort 24/7 into their products.

although not changing an outfit does have a certain quality about it, like it keeps the viewers wondering. for example when i was watching Eremetar Gerad the girl Ren gets kidnapped and other things (NOT IN THAT WAY) happen to her but she changes her outfit at least once or twice whereas the main character Coud is still in his red jumpsuit throught the entire season with him jumping around killing bad guys having buildings collapsing on him, AND ITS NOT EVEN DIRTY!
_________________
ALL HAIL LELOUCH

xenocrisis0153 · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 10:43 am Post subject: