Akane no Guilty Crown: Supplementary Material

Representative Qualities, Motifs, and References


Each individual character/group, specific Voids (not Voids in general/groups with similar weapons/accessories), and experimental monster (and that includes the Aragami, the antagonists' transformed states, and others such as the extinct animals for individual characters) represents a different quality (relating to how AnGC's experience is different unlike AnM (Akane no Mai) and Shin-YYGDM (Shin-YuYuGiDigiMoon), and even the old triad (DF-616 (Digimon Fusion Kai)/YYGDM-01 (YuYuGiDigiMoon)/XLR-8 (Digimon Accel Stream)/GCLK (Guilty Crown: The Lost Kingdoms))) of appearance and downplay repeated/carbon copy similar appearance in the story of AnGC, each different/quality appearance represents in parentheses ():

Voids: Heath & Akiko (Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and Suzuka Gozen) (Personas/Legions (Astral Chain)/Stands/Demi-Tennin (including Demi-Tennyo for Akiko)), Walter (Hunter Orthrus) (Blood Veils (Code Vein)/Orthrus/Revenants (Code Vein)), Irino (Key of Fate) (Keyblade), Yūki (Zero Tarots) (Cards/Tarot Cards), Kazama (Titan's Heart) (Kaijū/Attack Titan/Titan Shifter), Kana (Suit of Justice) (Tokusatsu), Hoshi (Aurvandil) (valkyries/stars/crossdressers/tomgirls/Buster Sword), Rika (Flight of Teratsutsuki) (hang gliders/kites/kite birds/harpies), Nanako (Amabie's Protection) (wetsuits/diving suits/swimsuits/mermaids/sirens), Ito (Tenka-Goken) (Minamoto no Yorimitsu (Raikō)/Dōjigiri), Yuko (Onmyōdō Harvest) (Abe no Seimei/Onmyōdō), Miyabi's Void combined with Ritsu's (Izanami/Shikome/Lightning Gods of Yomi), Mystery Oboroguruma (Oboroguruma/Mystery Machine), Ushiwakamaru Blade Dance (Tengus/Corvus/Minamoto no Yoshitsune), Avalon Saber (lightsaber)

Beasts of Eden: Fafnir rex (T. rex/Carcharodontosauridae/Spinosauridae/Allosauridae (due to the Giganotosaurus variant is also related to the group)), Mezuki (horses/centaurs/zebra/zorse/equine), Gozuki (bull/oxen/minotaurs/wildebeest/bovine), Yaoshikepu (spiders), Miss-danuki (wereanimals/raccoon dogs/tanuki/Bake-danuki/furries), Cryptical Nue (cryptids/Nue, gorillas/apes), Ouryu Kyōchō (Dromaeosauridae/Four Symbols/Ratite/Ornithomimidae/Terror Birds/Chocobos), Shokuin (snakes/false dragons, eastern dragon appearance), Sigrúndactyl (Proper Pterosaurs/Azhdarchidae/swans), Oni-Blade Slasher (Predator/Jason X/Shredder/beast hunters)

Maketa Ōkoku: Kamuysaurusand Yamatosaurus(Hadrosaurs), Albalophosaurusand the Siegceratops concept (Ceratopsians/Marginocephalia), Tambatitanis(Sauropods),Behemotops (Desmostylia/hippopotamus), Palaeoloxodon naumanni (elephants), Futabasaurus(Plesiosaurs), Japanese river otters (Otters/Mustelidae), Hokkaidornis (Plotopterid/seabirds/penguins/cormorants), Ainoceras (ammonite/cephalopod), Brygmophyseter and Orcinus paleorca (whales/orcas), Hokkaido wolves and Honshū wolves (wolves), Paralitherizinosaurus (Therizinosauridae), Toyotamaphimeia (alligators/crocodiles/gharial), Fukuipteryx (Avialae), Japanese sea lions (seals/sea lions), Timaeus (Behemoth/tapirs/rhinos/woolly animals/baku), Critias (Leviathan/eels/oarfish/anglerfish/sea serpent (as a template inspiration, since Critias is a fish/eel and not a reptile)), Hermocrates (Ziz/hoatzin/condors (and relations to Argentavis)/chickens/roc), Fides (catgirls/small cats/wild cats/magical girls)

Named animal characters: Regulus (lions/tigers/ligers/big cats), Yukinko (owls), Hayatarō (dogs)

Personalities, themes and motifs: Shu (knights/kings/maō/messiah), Inori (singers/Muses), Ayase (onna-musha (onna-bugeisha)/shield-maidens/virago/kickboxing/kangaroos), Heath (rōnin), Akiko (kunoichi), Yuu (wraiths/phantoms/Monad/Da'at), Spirit of Hare's white rabbit appearance (rabbits/Leporidae/Hare of Inaba), the Reigizan (Aneko/Yoshitsugu/Masaru/Subaru)'s attire elements (TMNT/turtles/tortoises/kappa), Miss Buchimaru (vigilantes/pandas/street fighters), Hifumi (AnGC)'s inspirations (Tennyo/Tengoku), Otoboshi's inspirations (Jinyo/Jigoku), Vertumnus (Mana's crystal red eyes and vines in Episode 12/Garden of Eden/carnivorous plants/Venus flytraps), the Void XIII (the Knights of the Round Table), Shinchū (butterflies/moths), the Chimaera's Conspiracy (Proper Greek Myths' Chimaera/Classical Chimera)

Transformations: Gai (real/genuine/actual dragons, western dragon appearance/wyverns/pterosaur elements), Mana (archangels/seraphs/dancers/Super Saiyans/Golden Freeza/Ascendancy/dark reprise counterpart of Shin-Io), Keido (Magician Type 0 (The House of the Dead)/archdemons/Caprinae/Baphomet/Demiurge - Saklas is another name for the being), Arisa (Jubileus the Creator (Bayonetta)/giant goddesses/Whore of Babylon/asuras/Kali Yuga/multiple arms, clothing design remind of qilin/giraffes), Segai (clowns/jesters/Slenderman), Sasaki (Ōtakemaru/Gungrave/cowboys/Justice (Afro Samurai, due to the third arm on his back)), Arima (Shuten-dōji/onis), Ryōko (Tamamo-no-Mae/foxes/kitsunes/Cerberus/multiple heads)

-Because its general individuals (and specific groups); certain concepts like the Apocalypse Virus, the term of Voids in general, Endlaves (being the main battle/war mecha of the Guilty Crown franchise), popular culture cosplayers, dinosaur pictures from Haruka's science conference, cognitive crossover characters in Hifumi's dream (Chapter XIV), and Maketa Ōkoku relations (like the holograms, western zodiacs, and shop accessories) are exempt (as in they don't/do not count) in representative qualities.

-The Apocalypse Virus, Voids, and Endlaves are the main canon terminology trinity as part of the Guilty Crown worldbuilding (both canon and AnGC).

-Technically, the term 'chimera' (while the Chimaera's Conspiracy solely represents the Classical Myth version) is used in various hybrids besides the Cryptical Nue due to DNA components counting as mixing up genes internally.


Japanese Mythology References
-Basically, it starts with Heath and Akiko are symbolized as Demi-Tennin/Tennyo as like half-human and half-Tennin/Tennyo. Their Caucasian father is human and their Japanese mother is a Tennyo from Tengoku. Skyler and Hifumi's third wheel, Otoboshi, is symbolized as a Jinyo from Jigoku, and also loosely Jigoku tayū since appropriately that Otoboshi lives in Sakai. A balance of light and dark (yin-yang) of Tennyo and Jinyo with their sole husband, and their threeway kiss fight as a force of nature. Heath and Akiko's Voids named Tamuramaro and Suzuka relate to Suzuka being a Tennyo, and Tamuramaro falling in love with Suzuka, though completely different/independent for the Jone siblings' Voids. Tamuramaro's katana with the name of Sohaya tributes the Sohayamaru sword from Nioh 2. Tennin means heavenly person. Tennyo means heavenly woman, while Jinyo means hellish woman.

-Ayase is like a human onna-musha who falls in love with a Demi-Tennin (Heath).

-The Reigizan's name means 'Spirit Turtle Mountain' and some loose references of kappas.

-Mezuki and Gozuki acting like guardians of the Leukocyte control systems is loosely related to the mythological figures being the guardians of the underworld.

-Yaoshikepu is based on a part-human-part-spider kami that haunts the town of Abuta Toyoura in Hokkaidō, Japan; and relates to the spider haunting the forest of Sayama Hills. She also has some loose references of Jorōgumos.

-Miss-danuki is an anthropomorphic tanuki and bake-danuki.

-Yukinko's name means snow child of being an offspring of a Yuki-onna.

-The Cryptical Nue (eastern variant) is loosely based on the mythological Nue, but composed with Japanese cryptids (a Hibagon, a Ningen, and a Tsuchinoko).

-Ouryu is based on the Yellow Dragon as the group center name part, while Kyōchō means Ferocious Bird/Ill-omen Birds, thus with the four based on the Four Gods and their surnames (Byakko's is Yosuzume, Genbu's is Itsumade, Suzaku's is Hinotori, and Seiryu's is Onmoraki) based on Japanese Myth birds.

-Yosuzume are night sparrows that are believed to bring bad luck. Itsumade are reptilian birds with humanoid faces that are connected to plagues and death. Hinotori means fire birds and in relation to phoenixes. Onmoraki are deathly birds.

-The Aragami's name means violent gods, so it makes sense that their transformed states are based on the three great Yōkai: Sasaki - Ōtakemaru (of why Heath and Akiko fight him due to their Void names have their conflict with the Yōkai, Sasaki's three gunblade-like katanas also reference Otakemaru's three swords in Nioh 2), Arima - Shuten-dōji (of why Ito fights him) as the ruler of the oni race, and Ryōko - Tamamo-no-Mae (of why Yuko fights them) as one of the most famous kitsunes.

-Yuko's Void named Onmyōdō Harvest is based on Abe no Seimei's legacy. Ito's Void named Tenka-Goken is based on Minamoto no Yorimitsu/Raikō's legacy.

-Hayatarō's name is based on a wild mountain dog of the Hayatarō Legend associated with Kōzen-ji, a Buddhist temple located in southern central Nagano prefecture.

-Eritategoromo's Robes is based on a Buddhist high priest's kimono that has transformed into a Yōkai worn by Sōjōbō, King of the Tengu. Mystery Oboroguruma is based on the oxcart Yōkai with a demon face. Takiyasha's Flashlight is based on the sorceress Takiyasha-hime that two sources mention her riding on a giant frog and summoning a Gashadokuro. Ōnamazu's Soundwave is based on a giant catfish.

-Spray Shout of Yama-orabi is based on mimic birds with oversized heads and mouths of sharp, pointy teeth. Jinja-hime's Comb is based on a sea-dwelling female creature and are servants of Ryūgū, the palace of the sea dragon king. Shoveling Dorotabō is based on transformed muddy ghosts of old men who toiled so hard on their rice fields, only to see them lie in waste by a neglectful owner after their death. Open Kijikui is based on big snails with speckled spiral shells. Nobusuma's Spoonful is based on large flying squirrels.

-The Pack's Voids: Nanba - Ongyo-ki's Knuckles, Ritsu - Fuu-ki's Zapper, Sudou - Kin-ki's Clacking, and Miyabi - Sui-ki's Reaping. This makes Arisa loosely play the role of Fujiwara no Chikata that she manipulates the four bullies, much like the sorcerer summons these four onis.

-Miyabi's combined Void with Ritsu that conjure eight underworld lightning bolts shaped like Yomotsu-hisame skulls is based on Izanami, the eight Lightning Gods of Yomi, and the Yomotsu-hisame (hellish hags that serve Izanami). Miyabi's scythe is loosely reminiscent of a shinigami that connects to this.

-Flight of Teratsutsuki is based on the onryō of a man that became a ghostly woodpecker. Amabie's Protection is based on merfolk with beaks that deal with illnesses.

-Repun Kamuy is based on an Ainu god of the seas that resembles a killer whale.

-Shokuin is a serpentine monster with an old man's head.

-Ushiwakamaru Blade Dance being tengu themed is based on Minamoto no Yoshitsune, in which he's a student of Sōjōbō.

-Miki's codename Shinchū is based on insect gods that are shaped like moths.

-Horkew's name is based on Horkew Kamuy, a Hokkaido worshiped by the Ainu.

-Hare's white rabbit appearance in Chapter XV also loosely references the Hare of Inaba, a hare that attempts to trick crocodiles (or sharks in another source material); and told Ōnamuchi, the lowest born in the family, that he would marry Princess Yakami. The Hare's benevolence and bond with Ōnamuchi can somewhat relate Hare being close to Shu, and likewise Inori can be loosely compared to Princess Yakami.

-The 108 combatants that are part of Shu's faction references the 108 symbolism meaning in Buddhism of Japan's New Year's Eve.

-Shu (especially as a tyrant of Tennouzu High) and Gai (revived as Adam) have elements of the maō relating to the kingships of the story, which the name means demon king that rules over the mazoku (demon) race. Gai even refers to himself as a demon king in Chapter XVII.

-One of the Paralitherizinosaurus is a male named Aosagibi, which is named from Japanese folklore about a black-crowned night heron that turned into a yōkai.

-One of the female Toyotamaphimeia is named Toyotama-hime, based on the daughter of the sea deity, Watatsumi.

-One of the Japanese river otters is named Kawauso, which was named after its Japanese name and based on folklore where otters were depicted as tricksters like foxes and tanuki.

Other Mythological/Religious/Fictional References
-In general, the references of Cocytus and Mana's slumber give loose connections of her and Lucifer's imprisonment in the Divine Comedy.

-Inori's inspiration and the Euterpe song relates to the Muses from Greek mythology. Euterpe is the muse of music, song, and lyric poetry; relating to Inori's songs.

-Part of the Fafnir rex is named after the great dragon slain by Sigurd in Nordic/Norse mythology. In this futuristic tale, Shu doubles as Sigurd slaying a great dragon.

-Da'ath's name relates to Da'at, the location (the mystical state) where all ten sefirot in the Tree of Life are united as one.

-Obviously the Adam and Eve symbolism of Christianity, likewise the Norse interpretation as Ask and Embla (mentioned in Chapter X).

-In Chinese mythology, Mezuki and Gozuki are based on the Ox-Head and Horse-Face guardian duo of the Underworld. They are the first beings a dead soul encounters before entering the underworld.

-Walter's Hunter Orthrus Void name references Orthrus, the two-headed dog from Greek mythology.

-The name of Vertumnus (used for Mana's garden in Chapter X) is based on the Roman god of seasons, change and plant growth, as well as gardens and fruit trees.

-The Ouryu Kyōchō's Four God names also originated in Chinese mythology.

-The Void XIII brings some inspirations from the Knights of the Round table, with Shu being loosely reminded of King Arthur.

-Arisa turning evil and sexual manipulations relates to the Whore of Babylon and her equally evil kingdom, only that Arisa is turning against Shu's tyrannical kingdom (though the kingdom is not evil).

-Hoshi's Void named Aurvandil is based on a Norse figure of the name meaning morning star. Hoshi's sword named Nothung is another name of Gram. Him reviving Kenji as an Einherji relates to the Valkyries and their Einherjar.

-Rika's Void of allowing to fly is loosely reminded of harpies from Greek mythology, while Nanako's Void brings loose elements of mermaids in various folklore and sirens from Greek mythology.

-The three Sigrúndactyls have Valkyrie names from Die Walküre: Rossweisse, Waltraute, and Helmwige. It shows lesser-known Valkyrie names to get the spotlight instead of overused ones like Sigrún, Skuld, and even the other two Norns.

-The Arondight Void used by Gai in Chapter XIII references Sir Lancelot's sword.

-The Bradamante's Uhlan Void is based on the fictional knight heroine in two epic poems of the Renaissance: Orlando Innamorato by Matteo Maria Boiardo and Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

-The western variant of the Cryptical Nue is composed of North American cryptids (a Loveland frog, a Hodag, and a Devil Monkey).

-Ryōko's three-headed fox form also references Cerberus from Greek mythology and the Samdugumi (a Korean three-headed kitsune that one source mentions has draconic elements).

-The names of the Reigizan's Voids: Aneko - Vaiśravaṇa's Protection (the shield), Yoshitsugu - Virūpākṣa's Swiftness (the sword), Masaru - Dhṛtarāṣṭra's Piercer (the spear), and Subaru - Virūḍhaka's Aim (the bow and arrows) references the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism.

-Kamoshida, Shido, and Owada's combined form as the Chimaera's Conspiracy is based on the Greek mythology's Chimera (also known as Chimaera).

-The Avalon Saber Void name in Chapter XVI references a legendary island featured in the Arthurian legend.

-The Ogmios Void name in Chapter XVI references the Celtic deity of eloquence.

-The name of Kriemhild's Parasol Void in Chapter XVI references another name of Gudrun from Norse mythology.

-The Beasts of Eden have code names relating to the Kabbalah/Sefirot (more connections to Sephirah Genomics and Da'ath being Da'at).

-Fafnir rex - Keter - "Crown"

-Shokuin - Chokhmah - "Wisdom"

-Yaoshikepu - Binah - "Understanding"

-Cryptical Nue - Chesed - "Kindness"

-Gozuki - Gevurah - "Discipline"

-Miss-danuki - Tiferet - "Beauty"

-Sigrúndactyl - Netzach - "Victory"

-Mezuki - Hod - "Splendour"

-Ouryu Kyōchō - Yesod - "Foundation"

-Oni-Blade Slasher - Malkuth - "Kingship"

-Exalted Yuga - the name of Arisa's transformed state alongside her multiple arms references the asuras and yuga (meaning an age in time) of Hindu mythology. The reference of Kali Yuga relates to the worst of the four yugas filled with discord, and relating to Arisa's evil heart.

-Saklas's Jealousy - the name of Keido's transformed state, is another name of the Demiurge (Yaldabaoth), and a fitting battle for the Phantom Remnants (especially Sophia's name of being based on the Gnosticism figure) to fight.

-The Endlave names of Iblis, Djibril, and Azrael from Chapter XVIII references the names of fallen angels.

-Yuu's transformed state is named the Monad of Da'ath, the Monad is the Supreme Being, divinity or the totality of all things, and the most primal aspect of God in Gnosticism.

-Fides is named after the goddess of trust and good faith from Roman mythology.

-The names of Timaeus, Critias, and Hermocrates came from Plato's dialogues in Atlantean culture. Their inspirations from the Behemoth, Leviathan, and Ziz are three biblical beasts.

Popular Culture/Shout-Out References
-Heath and Akiko's Voids are inspired by Personas, Stands (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) and Legions (Astral Chain). The Voids' psychokinesis abilities are inspired by Scarlet Nexus.

-Inspirations of the Reigizan are from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Rising of the Shield Hero.

-Being an AU (alternate timeline) sequel of Persona 5 feels like a spiritual successor of Persona 3's anime AU sequel Persona -trinity soul- as both are non-canon works to the Persona franchise.

-The cloning of dinosaurs and extinct animals besides the obvious Jurassic Park/World franchise, it also takes inspiration from the scientific accurate Prehistoric Kingdom video game.

-In Chapter I, Shu using Inori's sword in slicing the Fafnir rex's head in half horizontally pays tribute to Superman uses his hands to rip apart a robotic T. rex's head in Superman: The Animated Series Season 1 Episode 5 "A Little Piece of Home", only that the Fafnir rex is a real monster, and the results are bloody gory.

-In Chapter V, Ayase's flying kick with her Void against the Yaoshikepu tributes Kamen Rider, which has pitted Riders against spider monsters as their starter foes.

-The Aragami's name is also based on the monsters from the God Eater franchise.

-The Void name of Éclair Yoma references the anime Claymore.

-Tiro Equilibrium Void references Tomoe Mami from Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

-Kana's Void is named the Suit of Justice. Her battle suit had the combined traits of Super Sentai, Gridman, Kamen Rider, and Ultraman.

-Kazama's Void that turned into an Attack on Titan (based on Eren's Titan form) shout-out is named the Titan's Heart.

-Yūki's Void is named the Zero Tarots, being based on Final Fantasy Type-0.

-Irino's Void is called the Key of Fate, being obviously based on Kingdom Hearts.

-Segai's transformed state has some inspirations of Slenderman.

-The Oni-Blade Slasher is inspired by the Predator, Jason X, and Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

-Sasaki's transformed state in Chapter XVI gives inspirations of Beyond the Grave from Gungrave alongside having a third arm on his back similar to Justice from Afro Samurai.

-The Avalon Saber Void is based on a lightsaber from Star Wars.

-Keido's transformed state is based on the Magician Type 0 from The House of the Dead.

-The body structure of Gai's dragon form is shaped like a wyvern such as the dragons from Reign of Fire and Game of Thrones, alongside Mikhail from Drakengard 3. Gai as a dragon summoning portals in firing crystal swords reminds of Gilgamesh from the Fate series.

-Mana's ascended form takes inspiration from Super Saiyans and Golden Freeza from Dragon Ball. Ayase vs. Mana (alongside showing a beam struggle) also gives inspirations of Dragon Ball Z/Super battle choreographies.

-Ayase's taunting of Mana gives a reference of Terry McGinnis taunting the Joker from Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

-Makoto and Arisa's fists hitting each other many times references Asura vs. Chakravartin from Asura's Wrath.

-Fides takes cues from the magical girl genre.


Cosplays and related qualities (A selective approach in choosing which popular culture work)
Roster of past popular culture cosplays and related used in Akane no Guilty Crown: Jurassic World, Dead or Alive, Code Geass, God Eater, Code Vein, Psycho-Pass, Jujutsu Kaisen, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Cells at Work!, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Final Fantasy VII Remake, KonoSuba, Steins;Gate, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Tiger & Bunny, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Animated Universe, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Game of Thrones, Transformers: Prime, Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Codename: Kids Next Door, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy; Ed, Edd n Eddy; Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Super Smash Bros., Xenoblade Chronicles 2, DuckTales (2017 TV series), Invincible, Pokémon, Rebuild of Evangelion, the Fate Series (such as Fate/Zero), Future Diary, Darling in the Franxx, No Game No Life, Kakegurui, Nioh 2, Kamen Rider, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, Re:Creators, Dr. Stone, Vinland Saga, Overlord, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Genshin Impact, Arknights, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy XII, Sword Art Online, Attack on Titan, Cowboy Bebop, Digimon Adventure, Digimon Tamers, the Dragon Ball franchise, Sailor Moon, YuYu Hakusho, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Toonami, Hunter × Hunter, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, Gurren Lagann, One-Punch Man, My Hero Academia, 86 -Eighty Six-, Cross Ange, Tokyo Ghoul, Tekken, Tokyo Revengers, The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Blue Exorcist, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Noragami, The Seven Deadly Sins, Castlevania (TV series), Tales of Arise, Resident Evil, Lupin the III, Bayonetta, Seraph of the End, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Castlevania, Silent Hill, The House of the Dead, Highschool of the Dead, Chainsaw Man, Platinum End, takt op. Destiny, Moriarty the Patriot, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song, Fear Street, Spy x Family, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Shin Megami Tensei V, Black Myth: Wukong, Hell Girl, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon, Gargoyles, Fatal Fury/The King of Fighters, BlazBlue, Batman (1989 film), Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman: Arkham, the DC Extended Universe, The Batman (2022 Film), the Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy, the Amazing Spider-Man Duology, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Venom (2018 film), Spider-Man (Insomniac Games), X-Men: The Animated Series, Deadpool, Looney Tunes, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Freakazoid!, South Park, Megas XLR, Kill la Kill, Space Dandy, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Cobra Kai, The Matrix, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 and 2012 TV series), Accel World, Final Fantasy XIV, Super Sentai, Zatch Bell!, Invader Zim, Young Justice, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, RWBY, Hellboy, Spawn, Star Wars, Pacific Rim (mainstream film series), Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount Movie Series), Godzilla (Legendaryverse/the MonsterVerse), Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Pinhead, Leatherface, Chucky the Doll, Pennywise (It, 2017 film), Stephen King, NieR, and Devil May Cry.

Allfather-Ford's words, "When I reflect on rereading Ch IX of AnGC and the AnimeJapan chapter of AnM/Book II in comparisons (and what the versions of Thieves and friends the costumes they're wearing, proving outright that both AnM and AnGC are two separate universes); it shows the waitlist of which cosplays are chosen, and which ones are sent to the cutting room in AnGC's production as quality over quantity. Because understandably and let's face it, there's too many popular culture works (like over thousands) (such as too many anime done by many industries that it's hard to keep track of every anime relating to seasonal anime releases, and let's not face facts in remembering how Japanese artists/freelancer artists/animators have low paychecks of how they're sadly mistreated) me and Kanius have experienced/witnessed for decades, and having a lot mentioned in the narrative makes it overwhelming for a normal reader. Even understandably/realistically as people get older, depending on whether they have good memories or not relates to how many shows/games/movies/other works they remember worth experiencing. Not to mention since it's 2021 (instead of 2019 (time distorted) in AnM/Book II), we need some new works being mentioned in balancing the old ones."

-Anime first premiered/created in 2011 (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Steins;Gate, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Tiger & Bunny, Future Diary, Fate/Zero, Blue Exorcist) are used, coinciding with Guilty Crown's release in 2011 to better connect the 10 year anniversary (2011 - 2021).

-Code Geass (that Ren wore in AnimeJapan 2021) obviously being mentioned relates to the creators/writers of Guilty Crown involved back then in real-life.

-God Eater (that Ann wore in AnimeJapan 2021) being a representative quality of monster hunting relates to Monster Hunter not being mentioned.

-Initially, Devil May Cry would have been properly chosen till Bayonetta (that Sae wore back in Halloween 2021) is already chosen as a representative quality of Kamiya Hideki (besides the action/shooter of fighting demons/angels and being a spiritual successor) and also in contrast to Devil May Cry appear in Akane no Mai/Book II's AnimeJapan chapter. Devil May Cry's presence is still somewhat loosely and spiritually felt when Smash Bros is mentioned in Ch IX (due to Dante's costume is used) and Dante is a guest character in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (that Cognitive Ren dressed up as the Demi-fiend in Ch XIV). Likewise, Castlevania (TV series) has references of Devil May Cry at one point, which the creators announce a Netflix adaptation of Devil May Cry is in production. Another reason is that since Bayonetta 3 was announced on September Nintendo Direct 2021, it felt fresh to people's minds in waiting for the game's release of the franchise being mentioned in Halloween 2021. Thankfully, and with a lot of consideration, Devil May Cry as the final popular culture revealed has finally made it of being used in the final chapter's All There in the Manual section, where Ayase/Heath/Akiko/Walter's captain cosplay as Dante himself.

-Being the final cosplay revealed (and a bookend to Haruka and Kurachi's cosplays mentioned in Chapter VIII's All There in the Manual A/N as the first cosplays, followed by the photos of AnimeJapan, Shibuya Crossing's Halloween, and New York Comic Con), somewhat supports the series fauxnale's end with a jackpot bang. Why Dante was chosen such as his red attire, besides the Divine Comedy references of Guilty Crown: it relates to the red theme of 'Akane' (both Akane no Mai and Akane no Guilty Crown) and inspired many works since the first Devil May Cry's release back in 2001 (and had a 10th anniversary in 2011 when Guilty Crown premiered in that year).

-Lupin the III (that Sojiro wore back in Halloween 2021) chosen represents the famous detective manga/anime franchise and why Case Closed is not chosen.

-Moriarty the Patriot in is used in representing the historical detective inspired work instead of Sherlock (TV Series with Benedict Cumberbatch).

-Some people wonder about Gundam cosplayers and Gunpla figures, but the story already has the Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba as a sole representative quality, so no cosplays of the Gundam franchise for once.

-Platinum End is used for Halloween 2021 as a representative quality of Ohba Tsugumi instead of Death Note (another contrast of its appearance in Akane no Mai/Book II's AnimeJapan of Akechi (AnM) cosplayed as Light) despite being done by the same creator due to 2021 has the anime of Platinum End promoted at that time.

-With selective fighting games (Super Smash Bros. (Ch IX), Tekken (Ch IX), Dead or Alive (Ch VIII's All There in the Manual A/N), Fatal Fury/The King of Fighters (Ch XVIII), BlazBlue (Ch XVIII)) already selected during the story's run, it's looking back on Street Fighter (even though is still somewhat loosely and spiritually felt in Smash Bros since Ryu is in it) and even Mortal Kombat are not properly chosen.

-86 -Eighty Six-, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song, and takt op. Destiny allows some underrated animes to get their moment to shine.

-The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones being used celebrate their anniversaries of their adaptation in 2021 (The Lord of the Rings films as the 20th anniversary, and Game of Thrones show as the 10th anniversary).

-Only five Cartoon Network shows (Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Codename: Kids Next Door, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Ed, Edd n Eddy) are chosen in AnimeJapan 2021, alongside Megas XLR appearing in New York Comic Con 2021. Samurai Jack is the sole representative quality for Genndy Tartakovsky (that's why Dexter's Laboratory, Sym-Bionic Titan, and Primal are not used). The Powerpuff Girls is the sole representative quality for Craig McCracken (that's why Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends is not used).

-The Final Fantasy franchise: Akane no Guilty Crown specifically haven't used cosplays of the main FFVII (both original and Remake continuities) characters like Cloud, FFVI, FFVIII, and FFX in relation to their mainstream/overrated status. Jessie (as an Ensemble Darkhorse since FFVII Remake) that Futaba cosplayed, Vivi (despite being as popular, FFIX feels underrated compared to the previous two PS1 titles (FFVII and FFVIII)), FFXII with Ashe, and Strangers of Paradise are chosen in relation to the underrated setting/feeling of Guilty Crown's reboot story. One exception of FFXIV chosen in Chapter XVIII is due to the popularity rising in real life around the late 2010s-2020s.

-Only the Kingdom Key prop (alongside the Duck Hunt plush representing 'Donald & Goofy') by a Nintendo content creator is used back in Ch IX of why Kingdom Hearts cosplays/figures are not properly used, relating to the franchise being overused in too many fanfics/crossovers/mega crossovers. The Luigi and Yoshi cosplayers reference KingdomKey23's Kingdom Hearts: The Nintendo Version Remixed.

-Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai is selected relating to the author watching the anime and being a representative quality of choosing something from Dragon Quest, the main games are not chosen.

-With photos of Tokyo's Disney parks being used, it's no wonder why only DuckTales (2017 TV series) and Gargoyles are selected since Disney feels too much for various reasons (and relating to Kingdom Hearts since it's also a Disney property).

-Pacific Rim mentioned in Chapter XVIII, a reminder clarification that it's the mainstream film verse. Specifically Pacific Rim: The Black is not mentioned since this anime verse is set in an alternate timeline (such as the wikipedia page mentioned "Set in the same universe as the first movie and after an alternate version of events from Pacific Rim: Uprising").

-In choosing which of the two popular Netflix shows (Stranger Things and Cobra Kai) for this story, Cobra Kai is eventually chosen for Chapter XVIII.

-The mentions of Spawn (relating to Takeru Cage), Gargoyles, South Park, Megas XLR, Spider-Man, Batman (Nolan Trilogy), X-Men, Deadpool, Venom (with VenomMillenniummon and CarnageMillenniummon back in Shinnen), Halloween icons (except Pennywise since House of Madoka was written before It (2017)), Hellboy, Godzilla, Pacific Rim, Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, Yu Yu Hakusho, Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, God of War, Super Sentai (since Power Rangers was involved in Shinnen), Invader Zim (due to Zimmy), Star Wars (in also relation to the Corner tie-ins back in D-Reaper's Fury chapters), Marvel Cinematic Universe (in relation to the Cornerverse activities, House of Madoka, and Shinnen), Space Dandy, and Madoka Magica easter eggs references their involvements in two Cornerverse mega crossover fanfictions: House of Madoka and Shinnen:New Year (alongside remembering the Digimon Fusion Kai: D-Reaper's Fury corner tie-ins with the TMNT) being set in New York City.


A/N: Quite a laundry list of references and motifs spread over the stories that we've worked on that relates to Akane no Guilty Crown in any way.

Anyway, as I was writing AnGC, I did feel I was writing a novel draft than amateurish fanfic, and doing a non-multicrossover story was somewhat refreshing (even as much Persona 5 presence was in AnGC, it was minimal at best and didn't deter completely from Shu and his friends' story). As I was writing AnGC, there was a more thorough process that allowed us time to pick up on plot holes and errors.

In my view, the use of references and motifs in AnGC felt more like nods and callbacks to other series. Unlike in Shin-YYGDM and AnM, there's an obvious crossover with multiple series in those. With AnGC, it was just Person 5 and again that was a minimal crossover at best and P5 was only around for a handful of chapters and didn't take away from GC's narrative.

I was even allowed to experiment with POVs, including a few first-person POV scenes to immerse the reader and get into the characters' heads. Thankfully, the chapter lengths I wrote weren't ungodly lengths. Working on AnGC was a much less stressful experience than writing my YYGDM and Triad stories. Even compared to Shin-YuYuYuGiDigiMoon and Akane no Mai, this story was always intended to be a limited run and I'm glad for it. It was a one-and-done. It didn't overstay its welcome. Whatever else needs to be written will be updated under AnGC's Supplementary Material bible and be regarded as a 'DLC'.

Although, I did have to take a break before completing the epilogue (I won't go into detail but it was a panic attack induced by outside factors and I needed time to recover from that). Writing AnGC has helped me what I should look out for and what things I need to make privy to while I finish my first novel draft. Now, as I'm writing this, I'm nearly done with my draft and ready to move forward. So, thank you AnGC.