Post by Evie ❤✿ on Dec 11, 2019 7:36:58 GMT -5
(Warning: This gets heavy at parts)
Particular it feels, in the 90s and 00s; this trope was quite common in Nintendo games including ones the media would regard family friendly. "The shadow" as popularised by psychologist Carl Jung; represents contrasting Tao inspired elements that form the self; another contrasting division (these of which are also referred to as "polarities") includes things like anima/animus (often understood in terms of gender; but everyone brought up to be self-sufficient/dominating has a suppressed passive/open side and vice versa); good-will and malevolent will - because these people may assert - the only way these can be understood is through understanding their opposites, which lead to the yin/yang idea; and it may be implied that a lot of Nintendo characters do have a suppressed shadow; everything they are worried about, which manifests as someone else.
Discuss.
Examples:
Mario series:
Mario and Shadow Mario: Shadow Mario appeared in Super Mario Sunshine. Mario wanted to take a well-deserved relaxing break. But Shadow Mario came and attempted to discredit him, leaving him in prison. The ink could also represent it ruining the holiday because the picturesque Isle Delfino is being vandalised?
I seem to remember reading that Super Mario Sunshine was in fact meant to contrast with Luigi's Mansion (sun and moon) in an interview, but can no longer find it?
Luigi's final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl: An analogy of Luigi's own shadow; he is very moon-like - dark, can appear 'strange', feels he may be disliked?
The Legend of Zelda series:
Link and Shadow Link: Is this an inverse manifestation of Link's pride, foreshadowing Majora's Mask
Link and Majora: A follow-up to Shadow Link; Majora has power (in the manga there is apparently a backstory involving his origin from a dragon - in symbolism; dragons are immensely powerful, have lots of stamina moreso than even a horse (Epona)) and Link struggles, more so apparent than against Ganon. Majora represents fear (contrasting Link's bravery), loneliness (Link too was lonely; wanting to reunite with "his childhood friend"), ill-will, and raw power from the mask. The mask themselves may represent masking. Link is acting against what he really feels; but he borrows the masks, understanding the needs of all the other residents who suffer along the way - before he eventually can understand himself? (that Majora may view him as a "fierce" deity Link).
The Happy Mask salesman: He seems happy and good, but some liken it to him as subtlely malevolent. I think he may have been inspired by "The Laughing Salesman"; a Japanese anime about a businessman who helps you but at a cost - if you betray him bad things happen.
Tatl and Tael - I believe these are actually Navi in spirit; but Link may have been suppressing Navi is not perfect; as Tatl is light (tattle as in advice), Tael is dark (tael as in dark; a tale a falsehood, but also the spirit of believing in it). Some fans also theorise if Termina is like a dream world; not real.
Other Zelda villains? Wind Fish as contrast to Nightmare?
Kirby series:
Kirby and Meta-Knight; villains such as Nightmare, Marx.
Pokémon series:
Lots.
Archie and Maxie: Not in the exact sense of others - but complementary opposites and exclusive truths? Do we want land? Do we want water? (land/fire and water/air clash)
Cyrus and Lysandre: Cool, introverted, collected, cunning vs. Fiery, extroverted. Both are misunderstood.
N and Ghetsis: Logical (truths), stereotypically feminine, martyr vs Ki (ideals), stereotypically masculine, megalovania, arrogance. Both are enthusiastic; subtly similar but appear different.
Ghetsis and The Shadow Triad: Ghetsis after losing power, may have grew in doubts. He used to wear elegant clothing and take care of himself, but this eventually turned to dark clothing, self-neglect in Black 2/White 2. The Shadow Triad are Ghetsis' projections of perhaps what he fears; that he is ill, and broken hearted.
Zekrom and Reshiram (and Kyurem): Truth vs. Ideal (yin and yang) - Zekrom and Reshiram were once an original dragon; who split because the ancients argued whether which of truths or ideals was right. Kyurem is an empty shell; representing wuji (the absence of yin/yang and stillness) - until it is filled with truth or ideals.
AZ's shadow: AZ is a tall, gentle giant who conquered death. But originally he lost his best friend; his Floette (flower Pokémon) because he grew resentful of the war of his time, and created the ultimate weapon.
Guzma and Lusamine: Extreme animus vs extreme anima
F-Zero series:
Captain Falcon and Black Shadow: Captain Falcon is very fast, determined, strong willed, and good. Black Shadow is the stereotypical devil; always one step ahead and evil.
Star Fox series:
Fox and Wolf: Foxes are cunning, and so are wolves(?). But foxes came from wolves who are seen in the media as more aggressive.
Doshin the Giant series:
Doshin is the giant of love. Jashin is the giant of hate. But some may argue; (like AZ) for every giant is internal hatred.
Densetsu no Stafy series:
Starfy is passive. Starly (his younger sister) is his spine, but can come across rude.
Moe appears arrogant and vain, but "is actually a really nice guy" (Herman from Densetsu no Stafy 1). Now there are two sides to him; his deceased mother who appeared gentle/sweet, and his father who eventually passed too; who was supportive but stereotypically could be seen as 'masculine'; who played golf and drank liquor and got angry a lot. Perhaps one was romantic in personality; as Moe has a crush on Ruby (HadeHirari).
Evil/Iburu is a symbolism of Ogura's shadow; compared with Evil - Ogura is ruled over; consumed by his own fears. In the ending, Ogura sacrifices himself to defeat Evil for the sake of Starfy, Starly, Moe.
Degil is like complementary anima to Ogura; 'witch', envious archetype.
Tomato Adventure:
DeMille's shadow in the REM and Non-REM Labyrinth, which chases him up a ladder. REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM (sleep but less deep) are real terms in biology/the neuroscience of sleep. Spiritually in this case, they may represent the bridging of conscious and unconscious mind. There are lots of other themes here too; one of the versions of the labyrinth sounds a lot more ominous; has more ominous characters.
