Unconventional magic and the exploration of otherworldly realms in media

Media analysis of unconventional magic explores the portrayal and representation of magical practices that deviate from the traditional norms and conventions. This analysis delves into how media platforms present alternative forms of magic, which often challenge the preconceived notions and expectations of popular culture. Unconventional magic may encompass various magical traditions, such as voodoo, chaos magic, or alternative healing practices like crystal therapy. In analyzing unconventional magic, it is important to consider the power dynamics at play. The media can either perpetuate stereotypes and misconceptions or provide a platform for nuanced representation and understanding. **One recurring theme that emerges from media analysis of unconventional magic is the subversion of mainstream magical tropes and archetypes**.

But doing the former properly would be interesting. I ended up starting to write the reverse, a Strategic and Socio-Economic Analysis of UAW#97.

One has to pretty much ignore a lot of times when magic is either nonlethal when it shouldn t be, or characters mentioning specifically KOing via magic damage as a thing, in order to make it lethal by nature. Defensive enchantments are very effective against direct kill weapons, so modern attack modes tend to be laser-focused on disrupting psyker energy and concentration.

**One recurring theme that emerges from media analysis of unconventional magic is the subversion of mainstream magical tropes and archetypes**. Instead of depicting wizards in long robes and casting spells with wands, unconventional magic may incorporate everyday objects or rely on personal belief systems. Furthermore, media analysis of unconventional magic often explores the ways in which these alternative practices intersect with cultural identity and social issues.

💀 Necro Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha General Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

A bunch of fans do seem to have gotten the idea that Midchildan magic can't kill, rather than Midchilda preferring magic because it *has* a non-lethal setting, and using it even at a handicap. Cropped up in the 2009 WIW threads, too.

I really doubt US Intelligence would have gotten a tour of Arc-en-ciel firing consoles; at that point the whole thing smacked less of "actual analysis" and more "fan ranting about what we see".

But doing the former properly would be interesting. I ended up starting to write the reverse, a Strategic and Socio-Economic Analysis of UAW#97.

Icarium

Validated User

Can't kill is weird. I doubt it's explicitly that. On the other hand, I've seen fans who argue the opposite, even in these threads. To which I point to Nanoha-mama blowing the BEJESUS out of whassherface. It blew the hell out of a ship, ripping through steel walls, but managed to be non-lethal to her. Definitely more than just 'low power' or other excuses.

Gojira

in a rubber monster suit

And then there's writer fiat. Maybe that blast should have killed her under "normal" circumstances, but she just happened to live, cause reasons. Or Nanoha knew that her defense would be enough to withstand the blast after it had been weakened by passing through several bulkheads, cause Nanoha.(*)

It's hard to say for certain.

EDIT: (*) What I mean here is 'cause Nanoha is "just that good." Don't try shooting your blasts at people, kids, someone will get hurt. (I was going to say "you'll put your eye out" but then I realized that had actually happened.)

Icarium

Validated User

Well, also, Nanoha specifically says she'll KO with magic damage a few times, meaning magic damage is special that way. Magic having a nonlethal setting is pretty explicitly baked into the setting. One has to pretty much ignore a /lot/ of times when magic is either nonlethal when it shouldn't be, or characters mentioning specifically KOing via magic damage as a thing, in order to make it lethal by nature.

Gojira

in a rubber monster suit

Well, it seems it must be lethal under some circumstances, even if it's normally safer. How else does one explain Vice Granscenic's reaction to his sister being shot?

Ikselam

exits, pursued by a bear

I think it's clear that magic can kill or injure people (and anthropomorphized dogs), but that the main characters refrain from using it that way because nonlethal is just as effective and they're not barbarians.

Icarium

Validated User

It hit her right in the eye. If magic were LETHAL, she'd be DEAD. A bullet - or equivalent - to the eye socket ain't pretty. Instead it just blinded her. I'm fine with even non-lethal magic being damaging in that way if it hits the wrong place.

Ikselam

exits, pursued by a bear

Something something magic resistance. I feel like any rationalization I can come up with for why Arf can tank a point blank shot will be less absurd than positing that using magic to kill someone is more difficult than using it to disintegrate whole city blocks.

What it really comes down to is that nobody dies in Nanoha because it's a feel-good franchise, and its setting is developed haphazardly enough that it's difficult to come up with a convincing in-character explanation for that.

s/LaSH

Member

Nanoha metaphysics are not as crunchy as other settings, leaving us to conclude that magic tends to leave combatants alive at the same time it knocks buildings in, and that's just the way it is.

But I think we have some clues.

Don't forget that most combatants are packing serious defensive mojo. The Barrier Jacket arrangement is there for a reason. Those things are partially a cosmetic wrapping over some kind of more serious protective enchantment layer; Nanoha configures her personal costume herself, but the basics of the Barrier Jacket are pre-programmed. Critically, the Jacket isn't a physically-constituted protective layer, which might be why it represents as cloth. We see evidence for this when Vita hits Nanoha in the chest with a straight-up warhammer, and the outer layer of Jacket just disintegrates and knocks bodily Nanoha into a wall. Graf Eisen is a magical weapon, but I really don't think that was a magic attack - it was a hunk of steel traveling at jet velocity.

Speculation: standard defences are enough to turn an artillery strike-level attack spell into a non-lethal impact. Possibly they distribute force evenly across the body - and I don't mean like a well-fitted flight suit, I mean a volumetric force field so every part of the body is accelerated at the same time. In theory, the impact becomes unnoticeable, save for the fact that now you're flying backwards (and had better use your verniers, uh, flight spells). A particularly heavy impact will blow a fuse in the defences and cause a layer to self-destruct. There's also some unavoidable physical trauma as the forcefield warps and strains, which might show up as deep tissue bruising later on and hurts like hell; and of course some energy overflow from magic attacks might sting like the dickens. A sustained beating will put a fighter down and keep them down, but there probably won't be any broken bones or internal bleeding - just some surface lacerations.

So when a combat cyborg takes a Starlight Breaker to the face, I assume the cyborg has just enough augmented toughness to survive without disintegrating. Plus I think Starlight Breaker isn't a blast, but a stream - you keep the firehose on the subject until the subject ceases resistance or you run out of recycled mana emissions. There was enough time to tune the effect while it was cutting through divine starship bulkheads.

In my grim future of the Warhammer 40K timeline (60K for short), they run on remarkably similar rules. However, the justification for non-lethal spell damage is very different. In 60K, most members of the galactic community are psykers. Defensive enchantments are very effective against direct kill weapons, so modern attack modes tend to be laser-focused on disrupting psyker energy and concentration. This happens to have the side-effect of jangling the nervous system and dropping the target in a non-lethal, lightly stunned heap. You don't bring a bolter to a wand fight, because the bolter won't get through modern combat robes, and the wand will be able to blow holes in powered armour and disable the user by adapting with the speed of thought (because it's brain powered).

Turns out the downfall of pure humanity and the slide into mutation looks a lot like a magical girl fight.

But I think we have some clues.

The inclusion of diverse magical traditions within media can serve to challenge dominant perspectives and provide a platform for marginalized voices. **The representation of unconventional magic can be empowering and validating for those who identify with often overlooked magical practices**. Another aspect of media analysis of unconventional magic is the exploration of the occult. Occult practices, such as divination, tarot reading, or astral projection, are often associated with unconventional magic. These practices are frequently presented in media as mysterious and esoteric, contributing to their allure and fascination. **Media analysis can critically examine the portrayal of the occult, shedding light on its historical context, cultural significance, and potential impact on viewers**. Media analysis of unconventional magic also raises questions about authenticity and commodification. Alternative magical practices are often framed as marketable goods, with books, workshops, and other commercial products catering to a growing demand. **The media can influence how unconventional magic is commodified and consumed, potentially causing distortions and misinterpretations**. Overall, media analysis of unconventional magic is a nuanced examination of how various forms of magical practices are represented and understood in popular culture. It challenges established norms and stereotypes, explores the intersections of social issues and cultural identity, and investigates the role of the media in shaping perceptions of unconventional magic..

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The use of unconventional magic as a narrative device in media