Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Hi there,


Recently, I was pondering one of my interests in regards to TF themes and sub-cultures; which after a while I decided to bring here to test the water amid similiar minds :o.


Though it seems infrequent and rare, I was wondering how others of the community may feel towards the sub-type of transformation, often conflated with possession, which we see in symbiotes and other, similiar bondings between entities and their hosts (as in The Mask thread from earlier this year).


For instance, there is the fairly popular following that the Marvel symbiotes have; particularly when it comes to female hosts - the "She-Venom" sub-type being notably celebrated http://fav.me/d41vxgp http://fav.me/d4hpxbf .


Also, there is the following that living armour, as in the "Witchblade" and its legacy, which continues to cultivate its own niche http://chan.sankakucomplex.com/ja/post/show/379696 http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&se...armour#/dm51xd .


There are, of course, numerous other imaginative interpretations of the concept, though I am curious as to how others may feel about the topic here too.


Thanks,


Alchemical Night.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Out of curiosity have you read the witchblade manga? It's basically pornography, and is unrelated to the anime.

Personally I'm disappointed that nothing ever became of Jackie's sister in the american Darkness comic. She had the power of the Barkness, but only used it once, off panel. If she ever got a chance to properly use it she probably would have gotten a living suit like Jackie's. Instead she just got written out of the story rather then work out how a woman could use the Darkness.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

That's hardly fair to call it "pornography" considering the Witchblade brings out some of the most carnal things inside of...Ok, so it's porn. The way I see it, everyone who's read the story or are somewhat familiar knows that "anyone who is chosen, DIES." Which may be the reason why it's discussed more than visualized by fan artists. I explained the concept to a female friend of mine who was saying, "Oh, that's so cool!" until I told her about the destiny, being chosen, and dying part. She quickly changed her opinion on the matter.

The Venom/Carnage symbiote doesn't have that fatal consequence (that I know of) allowing it more free range. Aside from the whole sound thing, it's a safer Witchblade.

ALSO (because I think this fits here) [Prototype]'s main character Alex Mercer. If you haven't heard of or played the game look into it. Yes, he's a guy, but there's SOOOO much broken potential that it's mind-numbing.

Buuuuuuut to answer your question, seeing as this is a process site, as long as something is happening, I'm sure it's all good. Personally, I love Witchblade, even going so far as to making a character who's armor/weaponry is an homage to the series.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

There's definitely an interest in the symbiotic theme. I did two sequences along those lines but with a TG twist:

http://cluedog.deviantart.com/art/Ne...-Job-168657325

http://cluedog.deviantart.com/art/Ge...e-16-150113042

I must confess, it's fun to draw all that goop and beautiful women.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

The Japanese version of the Witchblade Kills the user by slowly eating away there body, the original simply is destine to abandon it's user in her hour of need. In the original concept the user has at least a chance survive as it's not directly killing them. Also the Japanese version causes the user to enter a Battle Frenzy when it senses a strong opponent and gain sexual gratification from fighting and being injured.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Hm, so Witchblades are like bad abusive boyfriends?


Symbiotes are very interesting as a concept, but Venom always seems a bit too cosmetic for me; easy on, easy off, without the two really becoming one. At the other end of the scale are ones that play up the invasive and grotesque aspects too much and are therefore icky. There must something in between, but I can't think of anything right now.

Also, for this topic, do you mean only "suit" type symbiotes that don't cause any real physical change, or any type of organism/object that bonds with a host? For example here's something symbiotic-ish with physical tf, below from "Injudicacies" by Kentaro Yano.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

I don't remember the 'abandoning in their hour of need' thing being part of the witchblade's lore, although I suppose it did abandon Sarah a few times when Irons was around, and then it ended up failing Danielle at a bad time, but that all worked out in the end. The dying bit just goes with the territory when you're a hero: when you're fighting monsters, demons, and gods every weekend it kind of figures that eventually one of them is going to kill you.

Oh, and when I said the witchblade manga was pornographic I didn't mean figuratively. The witchblade straight up tentacle rapes the poor girl.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Imagine my surprise while catching back up on comics that Capris reappeared in The Darkness back in October, finally decked out in a full-body Darkness suit.

(That's the torso of Elle, Jackie's Darkness concubine who was dead, reappeared as alive, and is probably now dead again, flying off frame, by the way)

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

They explicitly added it in the TV Movie, before it was just implied (essentially it DID it but no one ever said so), and of course Sara is unusual because it keeps boomer ranging on her, leaving her to die then returning when she manages to survive.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Suddenly, an on-topic picture appears!

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Hi again,


Interesting, and a suprisingly popular subject too, amongst us :).


Sodacat, regarding the Witchblade manga (Witchblade Takeru), I have seen a few pages of the work and most of the art. Also, you do have a good point to make in its overall...artistic impression leaning to the ecchi and sometimes hentai side of things; though the story and its weight are generally quite compelling, seemingly :o.


Also, Mazoku, another good point. Actually, I mean any type of symbiotic entity; the suit sub-type simply being the most memorable and iconic in most genres which can be raised.


Additionally, to further extend the discussion, I have a few things that may perk interest and debate.


Firstly, I would like to raise the fairly obscure franchise "Agent" Aika http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Aika . In summary, Aika is a woman who bonded with a entity and can transform with it into a far more powerful, remarkable form. Of note, regarding symbiotes in anime, this work was one of the best examples, for me personally, of the subject, before the Witchblade anime/manga. It even touched upon the idea of replicating the symbiote/entity artificially - a concept echoed in the "Clone Blade" of the Japanese Witchblade franchise.


I have included some examples of Agent Aika too, for the curious.


Aika (prior to TF - entity triggered) http://www.animevice.com/aika-sumera...027/83-315718/


Aika (partial transformation) http://www.animevice.com/agent-aika-.../015/83-47738/


Aika (full transformation; also called "Shivie Aika") http://www.absoluteanime.com/aika/aika-ultranite.jpg


It is also of note that Aika's symbiote is quite particular in some ways. Mentally, their can be a merged consciousness when transformed, but also as opposed to shredding or simply assimilating her clothes, it actually disrobes her before bonding; and, in combat, can even assimilate some foreign objects into itself (admittedly on a small scale).



My second point is also a little obscure, though this may ring a few bells; as it has done for me. But, a little explanation is in order first :o.


Some may recall the late 90's series "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubbleg...sis_Tokyo_2040 . Essentially, before reloading and reworking a franchise became popular, this was a reimagining of the famous cyber-punk classic "Bubblegum Crisis 2032" - the exploits of female mercenaries in a dystopian Tokyo with powered armour (Hardsuits).


This newer series sticks close to the original material, though the final episode has something of note. As the Hardsuits in this series are techno-organic in nature, there is an incidence where a protagonist's (Priss Asagiri http://www.animevice.com/priss-asagi...110/83-147689/ ) armour begins to mutate; notably with her inside and against her will.


This process conflates the powered armour, symbiote and posession genres as the armour transforms into a more organic, bestial form and seemingly posesses her too; though due to the nature of the suits, it may just be a expression of her anger and rage during the episode.


The episode can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw9zTqe1KLI (unfortunately, this may be limited in where you can view it).


The first change begins around 01:35. The Possession continues about 03:55 and the reversion can be found around 06:30.


These times are approximations gained from another version, but the scenes can be seen if the episode is simply watched through as well :).


In all, this particular change was one that had escaped recollection for a few years, but recalling now, it is quite remarkable in the impression it leaves; especially the sense of struggle and physicallity.


Thanks,


Alchemical Night.

Re: Symbiotes and their ilk
 

Good stuff AK, but wow, you don't need to make it into whole essay about it. Take it easy dude.