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Oni (myth): Difference between revisions
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:''This is about the Japanese demon. For the game, see [[Oni]]. For the [[Halo]] entity, see [ | :''This is about the Japanese demon. For the game, see [[Oni]]. For the [[Halo]] entity, see [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/ONI ONI].'' | ||
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This should summarize the factual part of [http://oni.bungie.org/forums/index.php?threadid=39 Oni Name Translations, kanji and other Japanese stuff] (a thread on {{OCF}}) | This should summarize the factual part of [http://oni.bungie.org/forums/index.php?threadid=39 Oni Name Translations, kanji and other Japanese stuff] (a thread on {{OCF}}) | ||
Unless mentioned otherwise, | Unless mentioned otherwise, informal comments belong to [[User:Geyser|geyser]]. Occasional quotes of reference material are in '''''bold italics'''''. | ||
==Meaning of Oni== | ==Meaning of Oni== | ||
===Russian Oni : Them=== | ===Russian Oni : Them=== | ||
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===Contemporary culture : West and East=== | ===Contemporary culture : West and East=== | ||
On the whole, it can be seen that an ONI is always some kind of minor evil ''in flesh''. | On the whole, it can be seen that an ONI is always some kind of minor evil ''in flesh''. This is in contrast to the usual use of the word "demon" in English, which refers to the fallen angels in the Bible, who are immaterial. In fact, a much closer translation, looking at the Eastern depictions of an ONI, would be "ogre", "beast" or "monster", but not "demon", which more closely corresponds to the Japanese word "akuma" ("evil being"). However, if one is to go along with the usual translation and think of Oni as meaning "demon": | ||
Imps and fallen angels are both demons, though very different. | |||
Stuff like possession and exorcism also fall under the thematic of "demons". | Stuff like possession and exorcism also fall under the thematic of "demons". | ||
And, you could throw in any material manifestation of evil, from Stephen King's "IT" to Freddy Krueger to God Knows What. | And, you could throw in any material manifestation of evil, from Stephen King's "IT" to Freddy Krueger to God Knows What. | ||
Any "thing" you could refer to as "it" or "them". Something real enough for you to fear it. | Any "thing" you could refer to as "it" or "them". Something real enough for you to fear it. | ||
As far as the East goes, well, in contemporary anime, you can have a milder interpretation : | |||
Somewhat selfish beings, superior to humans but with no clear intentions about them. | Somewhat selfish beings, superior to humans but with no clear intentions about them. | ||
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== | ==Speculative meanings of "oni" in Bungie's Oni== | ||
That is, who or what is the "demon" in Bungie's Oni? There are a few more or less trivial explanations | That is, who or what is the "demon" in Bungie's Oni? There are a few more or less trivial explanations that can work within the world of the game. There is also the [[Oni (demon)#Real origin of name|real-world explanation]], if you hate ambiguity. | ||
===Miscellany=== | ===Miscellany=== | ||
*The [[Iron Demon]] is an oni by definition. It would be a bit absurd, though, if Oni was named after a boss that didn't make the final cut... | *The [[Iron Demon]] is an oni by definition. It would be a bit absurd, though, if Oni was named after a boss that didn't make the final cut... | ||
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Would look like [[Konoko|Mai]] is an AO-ONI and [[Muro]] is an AKA-ONI :) | Would look like [[Konoko|Mai]] is an AO-ONI and [[Muro]] is an AKA-ONI :) | ||
==Real origin of name== | |||
-- | As first explained [http://oni.bungie.org/special/part1/brent.html here], "Oni" was originally going to be the game's codename during development. Brent Pease, who first formulated the idea for the game, was told that it meant "ghost", which was the word he wanted for the project, being inspired by [[wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell|Ghost in the Shell]] as it was. As later explained by Hardy LeBel (the story lead) [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=19851 here], in writing the story he tried to incorporate the meanings of "ghost" and "demon" to justify the name, now that it had ended up being the title under which they would actually release the game. (Of course, if you read the rest of this page, you know that neither of those words are good translations for the "oni", but give the man credit, he tried. --[[User:Iritscen|Iritscen]]). | ||
==Related== | ==Related== | ||