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Post by Les on Jun 26, 2004 4:07:06 GMT -5
There's an interesting development in chapter 188. In this chapter Kosuke Fujishima introduces the concept of goddess sigils which are apparently the equivalent to the human handwritten signature. A sigil is a seal or signet, but the term is most commonly encountered in relation to magic or astrology wherein such seals or signs have power. In this chapter, Urd is being asked to write her personal sigil using a lightning bolt spell. As Peorth explains, a goddess sigil not just represents name but also personality, power level, domain and even hobbies. As the second test for promotion to Goddess First Class, Urd needs to write her sigil on the ground. Apparently sigils need to be drawn precisely since, as Peorth explains, even if the angle is off even slightly the whole meaning would be changed. Here's a scan from chapter 188 showing Peorth's sigil. I've removed the original japanese text and replaced it with the English translation courtesy of Jimmy C: g2g.iverse.com/link/c188p16-sigil.jpgHere's a scan showing Urd's sigil. g2g.iverse.com/link/c188p24-sigil.jpg
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Post by Timotheus on Jun 28, 2004 15:47:54 GMT -5
Cool, I envy you people with future connections.
Obviously this is related in some way to the Japanese custom of using a seal/stamp for business transactions. Each seal/stamp is registered to its user and is considered better than a signature, because its bonded and makes a better promise of payment.
So Urd's trying for her first class license again? That should be interesting. So, have they revealed anything new about the licensing system itself?
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Post by TheMisfitDragon on Jun 29, 2004 20:00:16 GMT -5
Yes, I also definitely envy future connections. Well, I've bought quite a few of the Japanese volumes but I don't know any of the language. Certainly if it isn't romanized. Oh but it looks like it would be fun to learn... if only I had the time and the money and weren't already enamored with another language.
But thanks so much for posting it! It was very interesting.^^ Buena suerte, Urd.^^;;; She almost reminds me of The House of Mirth. Has anyone read that? She kinda keeps screwing herself over for that first class license.
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Post by Vegemoon on Jul 6, 2004 16:49:38 GMT -5
=o! Peorth applying for first class goddess?? I hope she's accepted. Although she screw some thing up, she has a lot of knowledge in order to be one! I like the design of both Peorth and Urd's sigil... but what about Bell and Skuld? I would love to see their sigils' design too ^-^.
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Post by Timotheus on Jul 6, 2004 18:09:27 GMT -5
I'm sure it was a typo, but it's Urd who may be going for her first class license. Peorth already has one.
And I'm sure we'll see the other goddess's sigils before too long. Did you notice how much more complicated Urd's was than Peorth's? Maybe that Norn business again.
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Post by Aragon on Jul 7, 2004 19:57:21 GMT -5
Thank You, my mouth is watering in wait, even more because of this!
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Post by Les on Jul 10, 2004 21:28:58 GMT -5
Okay, here's a more complete version: First of all, Peorth's long vacation on Earth was not a vacation. Apparently it was to assess if Urd was fit for the First Class Goddess exam. In a flashback within the chapter, we know that Urd previously took the exam (before Belldandy) but failed though the exact reason was not specified. The second time around, Urd is hesitant although she was eventually convinced to take it. It is quite an honor to qualify for the First Class exam since not all goddesses are given the chance. Thus it is unheard of to refuse to take the exam. The exam itself has no fixed format or set of questions. Any First Class Goddess can be the examiner, whose task is to give the questions/challenges. In the case of Urd, Peorth picked Belldandy because she knew Urd best. We all know that Urd favors fire and lightning magic. With this in mind, Belldandy's first challenge was: given a cup of water, boil it using only wind spirits. Urd eventually realized that by using wind to lower the atmospheric pressure, you can make the boiling point of water low (a matter of simple physics). The second challenge was quite harder. In this test, Belldandy first unlocked Urd's powers so that she became a First Class Goddess temporarily. The test was to use the First Class Spell Skysplitting Thunder Blast to write Urd's sigil. Urd realized that Belldandy was pointing at the essence of being a First Class Goddess: the ability to control that power. This exam was particularly hard because the First Class Spell by itself would flatten the entire temple area by it's sheer strength. Second, writing a sigil is an exacting process since it must be done perfectly or the meaning would change. However Urd managed to shrink the searing lightning bolt and write her sigil successfully. In this chapter, Peorth realized that Urd always had the power to be a First Class Goddess from the very start. When Urd's power was unlocked, Urd was amazed by the amount of power she could tap as it could cleave mountains, boil oceans, or even split Earth in two. Later Urd tapped Peorth lightly on the shoulder and it inadvertently left a painful mark. Peorth then realized that this power was the reason why Heaven was so wary of Urd. If you look back at the early part of the manga, Urd was described to be more powerful than Belldandy in sheer power. I guess Kosuke Fujishima didn't forget this and stayed true to this idea. Along this line, one might even speculate that the source of Urd's greater power might be her demon bloodline (after all, she is Hild's daughter). Regarding the third challenge, Peorth took over and suprisingly brought out a ball with a smiley face. This is the end of chapter 188; I'll try to keep you posted when I get 189.
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Post by TheMisfitDragon on Jul 10, 2004 22:19:42 GMT -5
Thanks again for the update with what's happening in the manga. : )
I can't remember... but didn't in the DH version, Belldandy say something about Urd being able to level the area if she wanted to? And something similar was said about Hild when Hild made her entrance in Volume 21.
I dunno if I'm looking too much into things and it's rather off topic (sorry sorry)... but that also makes me think of when Urd arrives and she says something about not raising Skuld to be like that... and then Skuld says that Urd "didn't raise her at all". I believe the same thing happens again but with Urd in Skuld's place and Urd in Hild's place... ok.. now I'm really off topic.
But yes, thanks again.^^ I certainly am interested in the latest Japanese releases because I'm to the point where the next DH release I have the Japanese version of.
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Post by Timotheus on Jul 10, 2004 23:27:09 GMT -5
All right, one idea down, one idea right!
And actually I might still be right about Belldandy being more powerful than Urd. But I'm quite sure Urd's power is a reflection of her mother (and her daddy).
And this fits with the movie too. In the final conflict Urd summons a giant madela in the sky just as quickly and easily as her mother does, which she couldn't do before.
More, I must know more! Aaaaargh!
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Post by TheMisfitDragon on Jul 10, 2004 23:41:31 GMT -5
Yes, I believe it was stated that Urd was more powerful... but Belldandy's the one with the precision.
So a simple summary (that probably leaves lots of room for argument 9_9; ).... you could go with someone who's more likely to blow things to bits... but maybe not the things that you wanted... or go with someone with attacks that aren't quite as large scale but can still get the job done. I still think Urd's pretty reliable... when she needs to be. Except for that time as the Lord of Terror... and the 100% demon clone... Despite what Belldandy said about her being Urd on the inside, I think that if Demon Urd's body could've handled the high power spells, she would have taken them all out.
I dunno... it's all still up for debate.^^ Belldandy's the only one we've seen with her seal undone and as Les said about Peorth's realization.. I doubt Heaven's about to allow Urd to take advantage of that much power even if she has the capacity for it. But now I think I'm making an assumption... when you said Belldandy unlocked Urd's powers... was that the equivalent of when Belldandy's powers were unlocked in the Lord of Terror arc?
(this nitpicking over technicalities sometimes annoys me... but at the same time... sometimes it's interesting and fun... but maybe I'm just doing it so I cover my rear from others nitpicking... even though me nitpicking probably makes my statements even more questionable... man, it was a long day at work... and I'm sure you're all wishing it was a longer day and that I was still there^^;;;; )
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Post by Les on Jul 11, 2004 14:43:15 GMT -5
Just got the raws of 189 and it's very interesting. From context clues (no trans yet), it appears that the ball changes appearance, reflecting what a person really thinks. However I can't figure out the exact nature of the test. On a very interesting note, this chapter contains a long flashback on Urd's first time to take the First Class exam. As a bonus, we're shown many goddesses here - around 4 or 5 kids plus an adult, all with full forehead markings. I'll keep you updated once I get the trans
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Post by keiichichan on Jul 12, 2004 2:25:23 GMT -5
is the trans available on the mirc room yet? Oh and I think this is very interesting! I doubt this arc will end with Urd simply not going through any change and her failing the test again. However, I doubt she will become a goddess first class and have all that raw power. Maybe Urd will be too powerful and become a villain. If you ask me this sounds like preperation for Urd to become the ruler of hell and take over for Hild. It seems this story will reveal more about Urd than we have ever seen so far,including the Another me story when Urd got World Of Elegance. Very interesting...
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Post by Timotheus on Jul 12, 2004 15:09:48 GMT -5
Uh, Les,
You've read my blurb speculating on Urd's background (it's in your articles section). If you get a chance could you let me know how well you think it's holding up compared to all this new information? At your convenience, of course.
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Post by Aragon on Jul 13, 2004 11:13:32 GMT -5
That was a really good sample!
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Post by PerentieFan on Jul 13, 2004 19:51:02 GMT -5
when you said Belldandy unlocked Urd's powers... was that the equivalent of when Belldandy's powers were unlocked in the Lord of Terror arc? According to what was posted it sounded like Beldlandy only unlocked Urd's powers to the point of her becoming a 1st Class Goddess, nothing more. In contrast, when Bell's powers were unsealed all restrictions on her powers were released. This apparently can usually only be done with the help of another deity. However, it also happened to the clone Demon Urd, which unfortunately caused her to lose control due to her weaker cloned body. The interesting thing is, it seems that with a 1st Class license, Urd would be almost as powerful as Belldandy was completely unsealed. The thought of Urd's power level completely unsealed almost boggles the mind. As for me, I think Urd's extreme power has just as much to do with what she is as much as it does with who her parents are. I've read a convincing argument that Urd's being half Demon/Goddess allows her to access the best of both being's strengths, and as such she is unusually powerful, especially considering she isn't very old and hasn't trained a great deal. I doubt this arc will end with Urd simply not going through any change and her failing the test again. However, I doubt she will become a goddess first class and have all that raw power. Maybe Urd will be too powerful and become a villain. If you ask me this sounds like preperation for Urd to become the ruler of hell and take over for Hild. It seems this story will reveal more about Urd than we have ever seen so far,including the Another me story when Urd got World Of Elegance. Very interesting... I'm interested as to what made you say these things. Your assertions about Urd failing the test may turn out true, as I think Urd may actually enjoy the different kind of freedom being a 2nd class allows and not really want to be 1st Class, although Peorth proves that someone wild and fun-loving like Urd can get a 1st Class license and be happy. However, your remarks about Urd becoming and villain and taking over as ruler of Hell are totally out of character for her and there is no reason to think she would ever do such a thing. There's a reason Hild tries resorting to possession and mind control. Urd is far too good-hearted, and she values her status as a Goddess very highly, to the point that she will refuse to do anything that betrays her pride as a goddess, even for the sake of a friend, even saying that she has any love for her mother. If Urd does become a 1st Class goddess it will definately change her character. No one will be able to insult her regarding her class and her self-image and self-confidence will likely rise greatly. Perhaps she'll be more at peace with herself if she, a half Demon, proves she is worthy of a 1st Class license. *raises cup for toast* To Urd's happiness!
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