A mascot is a powerful symbol that can personify a community. It is more than just a character in a costume; it represents the values, history, and identity of a group of people. The main idea is that a mascot serves as a unifying force and a source of pride for the community it represents. A mascot can be found in various settings, such as sports teams, schools, or even companies. For example, the Olympic Games have mascots that embody the spirit of the host city and country. These mascots typically have unique names, colors, and characteristics that reflect the culture and heritage of the community.
The most simple reaction to this is that Ichiro Okouchi should have written the script with its limitations in mind. But that can be a difficult mold to break out of when you're working on a franchise where 50 episode runtimes are the norm. There's a part of me that wants to give WFM a generous reading because I think it deserves one. It's a thoughtful show with immensely likeable characters. It has fascinating things to say about structures of power, the societal role of the ritual, and how laws and social norms often exist to enforce preexisting hierarchies. I think every time the story alludes to these concepts, it feels like the deft touch of someone who knows they don't have enough time to fully explore them, yet understands how vital their existence is to the narrative.
You ve decided to emotionally invest in an extremely inconsistent franchise, locked in an eternal struggle between reinventing itself and paying homage to its legacy. Gundam ends up having some of the most gripping stories ever written about the ways in which technology, ideology, and politics intersect; often in violent upsetting ways.
These mascots typically have unique names, colors, and characteristics that reflect the culture and heritage of the community. The role of a mascot goes beyond just being a symbol. It serves as a bridge between the community and its members.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury will haunt me for years
Being a Gundam fan can be a trying experience. You've decided to emotionally invest in an extremely inconsistent franchise, locked in an eternal struggle between reinventing itself and paying homage to its legacy. Gundam ends up having some of the most gripping stories ever written about the ways in which technology, ideology, and politics intersect; often in violent upsetting ways. And when you make big swings like that, you miss a lot too. I don't think it's an understatement to say even the best entries in the franchise are considered good with multiple caveats or compromises.
Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is no different. It's a compelling story from start to finish, and never loses sight of the emotional core that anchors it. Suletta and Miorine's relationship captivated me the whole way through, even as the structural issues of the overarching narrative became impossible to ignore. Broadly, I'd say all of the show's writing says and does the right things. In a lot of ways, this makes my criticisms of the story even more bittersweet. I don't think WFM is poorly written, I think it's desperately trying to breath and never found the time.
The most simple reaction to this is that Ichiro Okouchi should have written the script with its limitations in mind. But that can be a difficult mold to break out of when you're working on a franchise where 50 episode runtimes are the norm. There's a part of me that wants to give WFM a generous reading because I think it deserves one. It's a thoughtful show with immensely likeable characters. It has fascinating things to say about structures of power, the societal role of the ritual, and how laws and social norms often exist to enforce preexisting hierarchies. I think every time the story alludes to these concepts, it feels like the deft touch of someone who knows they don't have enough time to fully explore them, yet understands how vital their existence is to the narrative.
It's important that we understand that Mercury is an under represented backwater like Earth. It communicates that even within the space-earth dichotomy of the Ad Stella setting, there are layers to its power structure. Do we ever actually see Mercury? No and we really should have, but WFM touches on it just enough to make you understand its relevance.
What WFM lost is texture. Every bullet point of Suletta and Miorine's relationship and growing self actualization is captivating. The issue is that it arrives at those points at a breakneck pace. Barely have we had time for Suletta and Miorine's affections to grow before they're separated again to up the stakes. And this is one of the more fully fleshed out plot points. The secondary ones almost feel like footnotes, such as the specifics of Earth's economic and social disenfranchisement. Losing that texture hurts because of how well they've fleshed out the cast.
I want more Earth House shenanigans. I want to meet Chuchu's 5 dads. I want the corporations to show how they suck in specific and personal ways. I want to see how valid are the Dawn of the Fold's grievances. I'd like to see Gundam Schwarzette piloted by literally anyone else. I wish the final form of Gundam Caliban got to do anything. The story does a great job of gesturing towards these ideas, but at the end that's all it is. I could spend hours thinking about all the potential ways in which the story could have explored various plot lines and character arcs had it been given the traditional 50 episode runtime.
And yet it's because of that love that I still come away from Witch from Mercury largely positive. I love that Suletta and Miorine made it in this messed up world. I love that only Suletta and Eri's bond as siblings could make a literal miracle happen. I love Guel's redemptive journey. I love that Felsi swoops in at the last second to prevent hackneyed drama. I love that Secilia shows up for 20-30 seconds every episode to steal the show.
I love everything Gundam The Witch from Mercury represents, which is what makes it hurt that I merely like the anime itself. It's a great one. It has some cool robots, talks about how war is bad, and weaves it all into something pretty compelling. I just wish it had been given the time to bloom into something truly special.
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A mascot can engage with people of all ages and backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Whether it's performing at sporting events or visiting schools and local events, a mascot has the power to bring people together and create a shared experience. Furthermore, a mascot can instill a sense of pride in the community. When people see their mascot, they are reminded of the positive aspects of their community and the accomplishments they have achieved together. This pride can foster a strong sense of unity and motivate individuals to strive for greater achievements. In addition, a mascot can act as an ambassador for the community. It can represent the community at various events and occasions and promote its values and goals. By doing so, a mascot can attract positive attention and support from outsiders, creating a positive image for the community. Overall, a mascot personifies the community by representing its values, history, and identity. It serves as a unifying force, bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging. A mascot instills pride in the community and acts as an ambassador promoting its values and goals. Therefore, a mascot is much more than just a character in a costume; it plays a vital role in personifying and strengthening the community it represents..
Reviews for "The Symbolism Behind a Mascot in Representing a Community"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found the mascot personifying the community to be quite overwhelming and out of touch with the actual spirit of the community. The costume was poorly designed and lacked any creativity. It felt like a cheap attempt at marketing rather than an authentic representation of the community. Overall, I was disappointed and felt like the mascot was more of a distraction than anything else.
2. Mark - 2 stars
While I understand the intention behind having a mascot personifying the community, I believe it missed the mark completely. The mascot lacked any real connection to the community's values and traditions. It seemed forced and artificial. Additionally, the costume was uncomfortable to look at, and the mascot's behavior was borderline obnoxious. Overall, it was a miss for me, and I think the community would have been better off without the mascot.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
As someone who has been part of this community for years, I was quite disappointed with the mascot personifying the community. It felt cheesy and insincere. The costume design was lackluster, and the mascot's behavior was irritating rather than endearing. It felt like a marketing ploy rather than a genuine effort to represent the community. I hope they reconsider this approach and find a more authentic way to showcase the spirit of our community.