Understanding the Follies of a Craft: Why RWBY Should Learn from Hunter x Hunter's Magic System
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When looking back at RWBY's magic system AKA the Semblances, you would
think that the visual flair of these special abilities would be enough to differentiate
between them. But in reality is that no matter how bombastic they've portrayed
it, the Semblance system itself doesn't have much substance other than that.
Why do I say this you ask? It's because I can see
the potential in RWBY, but from time to time that potential is never fully
realized. From world building, characters, to the magic system of RWBY, there
is so much interesting ways to elevate the lore but from time to time the lore
never seem to be utilized to its fullest potential. That includes their magic
system.
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Of course in later seasons the show also showed that
the Semblances can evolve, but the thing is that it doesn't matter if your
magic system can evolve, the main problem to why the Semblances seem so sub-par
is because there was never any coherent consistency that makes the Semblances
feel more organic.
Which is why the Semblances should have benefited
from having proper principles and rules like that of a martial art or other
skill just like with Hunter x Hunter's Nen magic system. This is so that the
powers in the show will follow strict rules and become more concise and organic
in terms of execution.
The reasons why the Semblances in RWBY will benefit
tremendously from categorizing and enforce strict rules to its powers is so
that the fans have a better understanding on the mechanics of their powers and
in turn would make for interesting fights and scenarios if they were to
showcase the usage of these powers via the strengths and weaknesses of each
characters powers.
This is why the Nen magic system from Hunter x
Hunter is heralded as one of the best magic system there is in anime and manga.
Nen like the Semblances in RWBY also utilise the use of Aura (both work use
this term) which can be summarized as the key that activates someone’s
abilities. Aura in RWBY and Hunter x Hunter is like the life force of someone
that usually gives passive buffs to the user like defence, but if one would
take the time and effort to hone these skills they can manifest into powers
that are akin to supernatural abilities.
Just like RWBY, Hunter x Hunter's Aura differ in
properties from character to character. But unlike RWBY, these Aura even when
they're different from people to people there are still rules that bind them, and
that one must follow to activate and use their inner strength properly. These
rules categorized into four Major Principles, which are:
*Ten, the process of enveloping one's body with their
own aura flow,
*Zetsu, which allows the user to suppress their aura
so that their presence isn't easily detectable,
*Ren which makes one user enhance their aura and thus amplifying
one's strength, and also
*Hatsu that enable one to release their energy and
manifest their individual Nen abilities.
Other than the four basic principles there are
more advance Aura manipulation techniques that makes this magic system even
richer. As you can see the complexity of the Hunter x Hunter Aura as opposed to
RWBY Aura from just this list alone and from the mere fact that they are Aura principles
that one must first master before advancing into much more complex
techniques.
If the Aura and Semblances were also made into the
same image as a martial art, then the magic system itself would be more
organic. But as of now, the powers are only described as "unique" for
every individual in the show, but as evident of the complaints that the show
received from fans and critics alike this description alone will not make the
powers in itself interesting.
As is shown with Hunter x Hunter, because the
inherent importance of learning the basics, each character's abilities will
differentiate from their individual view of those basic principles, and with
that the characters utilization of their powers will differ from according to
their individual personality.
That is why the evolution of one's Nen will follow
accordingly to their character growth. This is why the Tower of Heaven arc is
very important in Hunter x Hunter, because in that arc besides introducing us
to Nen it also showcase the characters training and growth as well as their Nen
being manifested.
It is a pity that the Semblances in RWBY
didn't get the same treatment as Hunter x Hunter's Nen. Just imagining the possibilities
if the writers at RoosterTeeth would just follow what Hunter x Hunter did, then
maybe we would criticize it less and the fights would be even more engaging
that it ever were.
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