TTGL: Brothers to the End.
Omake Issue 7: Intellectual Debate.
A/N: Hey fellow brothers and sisters of Team Dai-Gurren. For this week's omake I'm going to try something new. A lot of you ask me to include certain things or expand upon topics for this story. Many of these things I am unsure of though. I may suck at detail but I like to be able to explain what I write.
So with this in mind, I would like to open this omake up as a type of forum. I'll include some questions or thoughts that have been troubling me then all of you lovely readers can offer up your thoughts and answers in reviews. This will hopefully spark some debate and the answers given will be put toward the main story.
As I aim for debate, I would like you readers to be able to assess each others opinions so I might add an answer section at the bottom and update this chapter every time any suggestions come in so if others feel inclined they can comment upon it. I don't know if this idea will work but it would be interesting to find out one way or the other.
If people wanted the usual funny segment then I'm sorry to disappoint. There will be more funny omakes though so never fear. With that out of the way here it goes:
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1.) On the topic of Beastmen - I have been asked what happened to the four generals after their deaths. My problem with answering this is I'm not sure whether they would go to the Soul Society. Beastmen where created by Lordgenome (with Mayuri's help through gigai experimentation in my story). This in effect makes them artificial souls. They do not have spiral energy, which is also reitsu in this story, so would not take form outside of their physical bodies. At the same time though, Kon is shown to be in the Soul Society yet he too is an artificial soul.
Would beastmen come to the Soul Society? What do you all think? P.S. Disinclined Guam as he is Lordgenome's equivalent to Boota.
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2.) Lordgenome's soul - Lordgenome was killed by Simon at the battle for Tepplin. Fact. Then his genes were used to create the Lordgenome super computer. This computer then became the full Lordgenome again during the showdown with the Anti-Spiral.
Lots of people have asked how Lordgenome fits into this story. I have no idea. He dies at Tepplin so would he go straight to the Soul Society at that point? Is his soul actually trapped within the super computer which would explain how he could regenerate himself at the end?
Does the Lordgenome super computer still exist? It did control most of Arc Gurren after all so could the space fairing humans manage without it? Was it completely destroyed along with Lordgenome's regenerated body?
Would he even go to the Soul Society or would he be sent straight to hell because of his numerous crimes?
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3.) Kamina's relationships - This isn't so much to do with any plot element but my own understanding of the character. Kamina made his 'promise' to Yoko before his death. Would he stay loyal to her despite being dead and gone for a very long time?
We all know that Kamina is a womanizer, as I've portrayed him in this story. But at the same time he is very loyal and will keep his word no matter what. He does love Yoko, but over fifty years unable to see her, would he have had other relationships?
If yes then it plays down his feelings for Yoko, but if no then he has essentially gone his entire life/death being celibate, something that doesn't really fit his image. But is that image just for show, covering up a gentle and caring person deep down?
4.) Inner Hollow - Could Kamina really deal with his inner hollow? Yes, he is badass, takes shit from nobody and will never let himself lose but can he win against himself? Inner hollows play off of the person's own doubts and fears, playing a soul against itself. Kamina must have regrets and his talks with Yoko show that much of his bluster was a simple act to drive Simon forward.
Is he really as in control of himself as we think? Here is an example from a fanfic that I want to write after this series is finished. What would have happened if Simon had been the one who died at the Battle for Dai-Gunzan? Would his brother's death really only push him forward? I personally believe that he would become consumed by rage. Simon got depressed and tried to step into Kamina's shoes but Kamina wouldn't act like that. Nor would he just continue on stoically as though it didn't effect him. He could easily be consumed by rage, at the world for taking everything away from him and at himself for letting it all happen.
His inner hollow is an amplified version of that side of his personality, constantly trying to put him into that state. Could Kamina really keep up the act, even to himself?
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5.) Balance - this is more down to my own writing style and your thoughts on it. My question is: slow and more developed or quick paced action but less development. Obviously a balance between the two would be best but that is pretty tricky to get right.
My example for this is personified in TTGL So this is the Heavens and TTGL Brothers to the End. STITH was slow to get going but had lots of side characters and took the time to set the seen, for example the academy training took several chapters and introduced loads of characters but nothing really happened. BTTE gets into the action pretty quick with Kamina going full hollow and being imprisoned quiet early on but has barely any mention of the shinigami side characters.
So what are your opinions on this? Should I go with straight to the point and get on with the action or would you prefer extra side chapters to focus on other characters?
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6.) Bankai - In my last story the Dai-Gurren members all used their gunmen as their bankai. I'm not really happy with that and want to develop upon them more. The gunmen bankai have been explained as a soul resonance since they entered the Soul Society and were given the powers for bankai more or less instantly. Hence I can replace them.
This means I need Bankai ideas. All ideas welcome.
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7.) Nia's Role - We all love the character Nia, her cute derpiness combined with her well developed character making her a likeable person. What is her role though in this story. In the show Gurren Lagann, she takes Kamina's role as a motivator for Simon and an obvious romantic partner for him. She doesn't actually fight though. So in my story, where Simon is not particularly present, what role does she serve. As of yet I've only really used her for some light hearted relief. I want her to be important to the story but until Simon and her can see each other, there isn't much she can do.
Would she fight, after all, she is 3rd seat in the First Division? She hangs out with the other Dai-Gurren members as they are her 'family' but would she have other groups among the shinigami? Would she side with Simon whatever path he went down or would she be willing to oppose him? Would she side with Kamina or the Shinigami if given the choice?
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A/N: That's it for now. If I think of anything more or if there are any questions that readers would like to raise then I will either update this omake or post a second similar one. It depends how this is received.
So now I leave it to you. Run with it friends.
P.S. If anyone is a TvTroper, fancy making a page for this series? I can't work the internets well so all contributions to spread my work is encouraged. If it happens, I'll do something special. Don't know what but I'll come up with something.
-FWF