Recently I was imagining what it would be like if an AMV was done based on the , but replacing the DC Comics characters with ones from various anime series, as a 'Justice League Japan' of sorts.
Imagine that the various studios in Japan decided to band together to produce a series based on such an idea, and as you can guess there would be plenty of characters to choose from.
Basically, any animated series produced in Japan, which is set either in contemporary Japan itself (such as Shakugan no Shana) or has characters based on Earth who can be reasonably assumed to deploy in Japan (such as Transformers: Galaxy Force) are up for grabs.
While of course such a league could have loads of members, from all sorts of shows, in this case there would be one group of seven, the originals, who would be the founding members and who would have carried the league in its earliest days before the great expansion - and who would become the loci of the larger late-League (kinda like the original seven characters in the JL cartoon, before it became JLU). These would act as 'first among equals' and draw the toughest opponents.
So, if you had to choose from the range of characters available, who would be in your team of 7?
Would there be room for Saber? Shana? Yuki Nagato? Galaxy Convoy (or perhaps Rodimus Convoy)? Maya Natsume?
Or an entirely different group?
And what role would you assign the seven in the group? (who gets to be team leader, for example?)
I'm going to start the ball rolling in the next post, with the G7 that I came up with recently.
As a former monarch, a total badass in combat, and a more well-rounded character thanks to her time with Shiro, Saber is a natural choice for team leader - as first among equals. And since my take on the character has her re-born as a Cybertronian in a Pretender shell, she can kick bunbun in human or robot form!
(Okay, so going for my version of Saber is a bit of a cheat, but regular Saber would still be fine - plus it's my thread, so bleh...)
*Shana, from Shakugan no Shana:
Not totally dissimilar to Saber, though more headstrong and independent-minded, Shana would earn the spot due to her superlative abilities in combat, her iron resolve and her ability to learn - when given the right teacher. In my take on things, Saber would take her under her wing, helping to guide her and bring out the best Shana can offer.
Plus the two of them would share their love of food! Shiro will have to learn how to cook meron-pan...
*Yuki Nagato, from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya:
One of the sharpest minds on Earth, skilled with the ability to manipulate 'data' from her surroundings, and utterly level-headed - an invaluable asset to the team.
*Rin Tohsaka, from Fate/Stay Night:
One of the highest-level wizards in the archipelago, and a key element in the defeat of the Grail, Rin would be assured a place in the top 7, unless she eventually decides to set up her own team!
*Koizumi Itsuki, from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya:
A league such as this one needs more than skill in combat, or investigative abilities, or a strong sense of camaraderie - it also needs well-placed contacts, and a dab hand at diplomacy. Koizumi brings his extensive partnerships within the Agency to the table, as well as an easy ability to deal with other individuals and groups, never letting the mask of friendliness and apparent passivity slip when required. Also, as a well-trained esper, his superior perceptive abilities and powers often prove quite useful.
*Metalhawk, from Transformers: Masterforce:
Commander of the Pretenders assigned to Japan, Metalhawk (or Professor Hawk, as he is known in human form) has a knowledge of the social, econimic and political scene in Japan which is second to none - and through the knowledge gained via the network of Pretenders active in the Home Islands, isn't ignorant of the less orthodox events which take place...
As the Pretender HQ in the Japanese countryside serves as a temporary base of operations, Metalhawk serves as a go-between for the team and their new-found allies, and is able to assist Saber in her training while in Cybertronian form.
His own abilities in combat aren't lacking, either.
And last but by no means least:
*Haruhi Suzumiya, from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya:
No one is quite sure just how Haruhi managed to find out about the goings-on of the nascent league, but from the instant that news registered she has spared no effort - or those of her SOS-dan 'subordinates' - in barging her way into the group!
(Given the concerns held by Yuki and Koizumi over her latent abilties, it was probably just as well...)
Perhaps surprisingly, her vigour at playing the role of 'league Ultra Detective' has been a boon to the organisation - her ability to switch on the charm when chasing up leads, take down half-a-dozen opponents single-handed (so long as they aren't aliens, sliders, espers and whatnot) and ruthless ability to assert control in any situation speak for themselves.
Of course, it helps that Kyon and the gang are on hand to do most of the grunt work required in any investigations...
But anyway, definite favoritism going on here... if you're making a Justice League it kind of has to be on par, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, heavy heavy hitters... Fate Stay Night is a good series but would this super group really use two of it's characters and overlook more powerful/well known characters? Same goes for three characters from Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. More than that, the members should balance out each other, what one cant do another should be able to, be it physically or mentally.
That said... Hmm, what to do...
Goku - Dragonball Z
Obviously the Superman of the group. Super powerful, energy manipulator, matial arts master, but he doesn't get far without a team to help him every step of the way.
Kurama - Yu Yu Hakusho
Besides control over the plants he can instantly grow and his unmatched thievery skills, it's his intelligence that makes him a good choice, as well as his knowledge of demonic forces.
Sakura - Card Captor Sakura
I'll get rocks thrown at me for this one... it's a JL for anime, it needs a magical girl, and this one has 52 powers at her disposal, from elements and weaponry to flight and shapeshifting. Vast magical ability.
Sosuke Sagara - Full Metal Panic
Again, JL for anime, needs a mech pilot. This one's not only good in a walker mech but is an expert in artillery and an excellent combat strategist. Hostage situations, jungle survival, infiltration, he's got it covered. I think this puts him a notch above various Gundam and Evangelion pilot.
Loki - Mystical Detective Loki Ragnarok
He makes the list for knowledge of the supernatural, especially involving deities, as well as having a keen mind for problem solving. Being a god known for deceptions isn't bad, either.
Ichigo Kurosaki - Bleach
Here we have our swordsman... Aside from knowledge of evil spirits, his various release forms add to his abilities, and of course he's excellent with his sword in it's various forms.
Ryoko - Tenchi Muyo
One of anime's baddest females. Flight, teleportation, passing through objects... oh yeah, and energy blasts and blades. More than that, she pilots the most powerful ship ever to cross space.
Without going tooo overboard with the powerhouses (no planet destroyers in here)
-Ryo of Wildfire from Ronin Warriors as the Burning Youth Alpha-male Power House Leader rest of the ronins form a sub group
-Gene Starwind from Outlaw Star with an unlimited supply of castor shells of all types orVash The Stampede from Trigun can't take as much damage as Gene's shield can but can deal out a great deal more damage with his angel buster arm.
-Yagami Light aka Kira from Deathnote as the brainiac, super detective, Batman type leader who doesnt mind killing with Ryuk as a sidekick he's the weakest one physically but he could kill the others with time to plan if they ever go astray
-Lady Kyra also from Ronin Warriors with Ogre Armor, Twilight Swords and Ancient One/Kaos clan Powers as the female power house who conflicts with Ryo and Light in the leader role
-Yondaime/4th Hokage from Naruto as the speedster of the the team who has for all intents and purposes magical spells at his disposal and a suicide technique that can kill pretty much anyone.
-Unohana Retsu Taicho(Captain) from Bleach can heal just about anyone from any nigh fatal wound. She doesnt appear to be strong in Zanjutsu(Sword Technique) so I'm going to assume she's a Kidou maniac who can bypass the incantation on high lvl spells even those OVER NINE TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE(90).
-Wangtang from Powerstone Nimble Martial Artist and Chef who can go super(Mimicing Super Saijen Goku) if he uses 3 Powerstones
What do you guys think about my list so far?
EDIT:Fleshed out somethings while adding Unohana Taicho and Wangtang
"I'll hunt him down and feed him his own testicles. And I do it in a jiffy. And I don't care if his mamma there, I leave his whole block filled with hot brass if I have to. And you know why? Because I just don't give a fuck!!!"
-Worlds Greatest Detective "L" on catching "Kira"
*The list is supposed to be from characters who are either set in modern-day Japan, or who have a plausible reason for being there!
*The list can be a cherry-picked from a wide range of series, but it can also be more focussed - my own 7 assumes that these groups (the Shana, F/SN and SHnY groups, aling with the TFs) are the only ones who know about each other, and agree to work together, at the time the league was first founded. While there would be room for a further expanded league down the line in my own take, the 7 you see are the trailblazers.
*You don't have to copy the same seven archetypes as seen in the North American JL - your group can be strong in some areas, weak in others, or a relative jack-of-all-trades.
Wasn't really trying to stick to the JLA archetype, just a well balanced group that had abilities and knowledge that filled the gaps of the others. I like my team, even if it is loaded with star characters... If I could think better today I would have used more co-stars instead.
Trying not to use more than one character from a series, but I'm not that into 'combat' anime (and I'm selectively ignoring the "modern-day Japan" thing, since not enough of the stuff I watch takes place in that time period or could be shifted to that time period):
"L" (Death Note) - Team strategist and problem-solver. Given the time and resources, can outwit virtually any opponent and overcome any obstacle. Useless in physical combat. I was going to choose Light for this role as well, but L seems better at working with people and Light's questionable morality may lead to friction within the team.
Vash the Stampede (Trigun) - The team's resident joker (ala Flash in JLU), but still a moral compass and inspiration. Focussed largely on long range attacks in combat situations, providing non-lethal cover fire, etc.
Kambei (Samurai 7) - The team's field commander. "L" may be responsible for long-term strategies and plans, but when it's time for battle, Kambei leads the squad. Military background gives him command experience and he would be suited to bringing together the disparate personalities and getting them to function as a unit (particularly 'loners' like Vash or loose cannons like Edward). Expert swordsman and focussed on short range attacks in combat. Was also thinking of Roy Mustang for this role, but his interpersonal style would likely cause friction in the team.
Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) - Sort of trying to avoid 'big name' characters, but Edward's abilities would be too useful to pass up. Kambei needs a sword repaired or Vash's guns are damaged/out of ammo? Ed can repair them or produce replacements (for example). His alchemy is flexible for long- or short-range attacks and versatility in combat, while he has sufficient hand-to-hand experience for close battles.
Tsunade (Naruto) - Fulfills the role of strong female warrior and team medic. One of the flaws in teams like the Justice League, IMO, is their lack of a field medic who can heal team members if they're injured in battle. Tsunade would be able to keep the team moving (while Edward keeps them supplied), but also has enough power to be reckoned with in combat and wouldn't "get in the way" as medics sometimes do on fighting squads.
Ms Deep (RoD OVA) - Team espionage specialist. Combat mostly limited to close-range, with intangibility allowing strikes against opponents that other members of the team can't approach.
Robin (WHR) - No truly defined role for this character, serves as a flexible position within the squad. Has experience with espionage and her tenure with an investigative organization would make her the best suited as eyes and ears on the ground for "L". Pyrokinetic abilities can be used for both offense and defense, allowing a fair amount of versatility in battle.
Violator, that list is made of win and badassery. Althought they remind me more of a Justice League Elite than the regular Justice League.
My league choices:
Goku (DB/Z/GT) - He's the Superman of anime, able to do just about anything and immensely strong. Plus he's kind hearted, although more willing to kill an opponent if necessary than Superman. Wait, why do we need anyone else? J/k.
Eikichi Onizuka (GTO) - Here's a guy who has no powers other than sheer willpower and determination. He also thinks completely outside the box and comes up with interesting solutions to problems.
Mokoto Kusanagi (GitS) - What can I say about the Major, she's your stealth, computer, and military expert.
Roy Mustang (FMA) - The Flame Alchemist gets my vote for the magic side of things. While Ed maybe more versatile, Mustang is a soldier and isn't as likely to loose his head in the middle of a fight or start a fight when it isn't necessary. He's also very calculating and charismatic.
Amuro Ray (MSG) - If anyone's going to be emo on the team, let it be one with the potential to turn out to be pretty cool. Plus there's the whole Newtype thing. Throw in Nu Gundam and its all set.
Washu (Tenchi Muyo!) - Super Genius with untold powers, lots of crazy inventions, and adding a spark of comedy to the mix.
Demon Eyes Kyo - Badass swordsman who's power is incredible. Plus he looks damn cool.
More importantly, who would be the Anime Legion of Doom? My picks as followed.
Johann (Monster) - The ultimate in manipulation and evil. He didn't just outright kill people, he destroyed them to the point they died to please him.
Light Yagami (Death Note) - Lets face it, Light isn't as righteous as he claims and has proven himself willing to kill those in his way. In a lot of ways he reminds me of Luthor.
Nosferatu Zodd (Berserk) - An immortal beast of incredible strength that can reattach his limbs and heal from any wound. Zodd has no problem killing and enjoys a good fight.
Karla the Grey Witch (Record of Lodoss War) - She's a witch! A nigh immortal witch with the power to awaken half-dead ancient gods.
Kaneda (Akira) - Out of control teenager with mad powers, like mind bullets and flight.
Gihren Zabi (MSG) - You gotta have at least one genocidal bad guy.
Orochimaru (Naruto) - Micheal Jackson level creepy mad scientist with world domination plans.
Pain or damage don't end the world, or despair or beatings.
The world ends when you're dead. Until then you've got more punishment in store.
Stand it like a man, and give some back.
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