The GeoPolitical Metaphor of FF8
Intro
As a fanfic writer, it is unlikley that I would take an aspect of the game that is not a relationship/charachter matter seriously. However, I have long been of the opinion that much of FF8 is a metaphor for Japan's view of the world. The complex politics of FF8, though not fully developed, potentially express a deeper meaning. Brief, and I'm not actually expecting any reviews, though I'd like them.
First, take Galbaldia.
It, like America, weilds massive power and weapons.
It's politics seem rather corrupted, at least to an outsider.
Deling City looks very much like an outsider's view of NYC- dirty, smoggy, and rather gross.
Fashion the primary concern of some of the inhabitants.
Cowboys, only found in America.
The only prison in the entire game.
The Galbaldian Garden's atmosphere reminiscant of a military barrack- all in perfect uniform and dicipline.
Irvine is a college found in Southern California, and Laguna Beach is a town there (however, the Loire is a river in France).
Vizner Deling, 'President' not supported by his people is quite reminscant of... well, many American presidents.
The continent is even shaped rather like America- just take a look at the World Map!
Winhill, also, seems to me to be a small Southern American town.
All in sight must be described as "quaint".
The areas of Trabia, to the north.
With no clear politics and no clear ruler or leader, the cold and snowy country of Trabia looks rather like Northern Euroupe, the Scandinavian countries.
The happy environment of Trabia Garden but few details overall would seem to be like how Japan might view the Scandinavian countries- happy, cold, and THERE.
Estar, perhaps, is Japan itself.
Advanced future world of technology, Estar fights with Galbaldia, possibly symbolizing the technological war between Japan and the US- the war for custormers, and their dollars.
Estar, substantially larger than Japan, might be questionable, however I believe in a certain nationo-centricism that Japan exaggerated their size to be possibly as large as Galbalida.
Also note how everything of interest is in Estar- the Lunar Base, etc.
Balamb seems to have the feeling to it of Southern Euroupe, like Italy's Amalfi coast.
There is a lack of strict order in Balamb, a relaxed-ness that the other places do not posess, which Italy does.
In shape and size it is similar to Italy, and during WWII some fighting took place in Italy- with the Americans.
Centra can only be the Middle East, what with the Centra Ruins looking like an oil rig, Edea's house seeming like a religous landmark, and very, very little else.
So in conclusion, FF8 is a geo-political metaphor.
Intro
As a fanfic writer, it is unlikley that I would take an aspect of the game that is not a relationship/charachter matter seriously. However, I have long been of the opinion that much of FF8 is a metaphor for Japan's view of the world. The complex politics of FF8, though not fully developed, potentially express a deeper meaning. Brief, and I'm not actually expecting any reviews, though I'd like them.
First, take Galbaldia.
It, like America, weilds massive power and weapons.
It's politics seem rather corrupted, at least to an outsider.
Deling City looks very much like an outsider's view of NYC- dirty, smoggy, and rather gross.
Fashion the primary concern of some of the inhabitants.
Cowboys, only found in America.
The only prison in the entire game.
The Galbaldian Garden's atmosphere reminiscant of a military barrack- all in perfect uniform and dicipline.
Irvine is a college found in Southern California, and Laguna Beach is a town there (however, the Loire is a river in France).
Vizner Deling, 'President' not supported by his people is quite reminscant of... well, many American presidents.
The continent is even shaped rather like America- just take a look at the World Map!
Winhill, also, seems to me to be a small Southern American town.
All in sight must be described as "quaint".
The areas of Trabia, to the north.
With no clear politics and no clear ruler or leader, the cold and snowy country of Trabia looks rather like Northern Euroupe, the Scandinavian countries.
The happy environment of Trabia Garden but few details overall would seem to be like how Japan might view the Scandinavian countries- happy, cold, and THERE.
Estar, perhaps, is Japan itself.
Advanced future world of technology, Estar fights with Galbaldia, possibly symbolizing the technological war between Japan and the US- the war for custormers, and their dollars.
Estar, substantially larger than Japan, might be questionable, however I believe in a certain nationo-centricism that Japan exaggerated their size to be possibly as large as Galbalida.
Also note how everything of interest is in Estar- the Lunar Base, etc.
Balamb seems to have the feeling to it of Southern Euroupe, like Italy's Amalfi coast.
There is a lack of strict order in Balamb, a relaxed-ness that the other places do not posess, which Italy does.
In shape and size it is similar to Italy, and during WWII some fighting took place in Italy- with the Americans.
Centra can only be the Middle East, what with the Centra Ruins looking like an oil rig, Edea's house seeming like a religous landmark, and very, very little else.
So in conclusion, FF8 is a geo-political metaphor.