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Nov 14, 2013 7:47 PM
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In many battle manga, specifically shounen ones, characters tend to shout the name of their attack before they execute it. Sometimes they even just think it aloud in their head. But why does this happen? Is there actually any specific reason to be shouting out the name of your attack? Strategically, doesn't this just give the opponent a heads-up that you're about to attack them, thus eliminating all chances of a sneak attack?

One example that I want to bring up is the battle between Aokiji and Akainu from One Piece. These 2 admirals were fighting for 10 days straight. Now, I really can't imagine them shouting the name of every blow that they throw at each other for the entire 10 days, since that must be taxing on their voice.

Also, doesn't naming your attacks give you a far less variety of attacks? Because you associate a name with a specific attack, you can't think up as many combinations of techniques as you could if you attacks were to be nameless. For example, the benders from Avatar: Last Airbender (I know it's technically not an anime) don't have named attacks. They just do their bending in any way they see fit, which gives them far more creativity in what they can do with their element, since their techniques aren't limited to how many names they can think up.

Here's a related video that doesn't completely demonstrate the concept of attack names, but shows a potentially funny situation if attacks were shouted out loud all the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18xgq6cVe10
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Nov 14, 2013 7:48 PM
#2

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Just a way to identify things so readers interest gets piqued and they know what to expect.

It's not like people would be shouting shit in real life. That'd just be giving the enemies information needed in order to counter said move.
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mattbenz99 said:
Christians and Satanists are technically the same thing
Nov 14, 2013 7:49 PM
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avada kedavra!
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Nov 14, 2013 7:51 PM
#4

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That's not a kick!
Nov 14, 2013 7:51 PM
#5
lagom
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Giga Drill Breaker!!!

shouting the attack adds more emotion for the readers and acts as a signal for the readers that an attack will be made by the character
Nov 14, 2013 7:53 PM
#6

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I noticed that too. I think it's so the viewer can be like "yeah, awesome!" when the protag pulls out a rasengan or some shit.
Nov 14, 2013 7:54 PM
#7

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I personally don't like it unless it's a comedy.
Just need to find out how to quote this every time so I can dodge the stupid 30-character limit.
Nov 14, 2013 7:56 PM
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http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CallingYourAttacks

Incomplete list of character that doing this.
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Nov 14, 2013 8:03 PM
#9
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I like it when they yell the name of their opponent repeatedly. I chuckle each time.
Nov 14, 2013 8:07 PM

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I don't like it in most series, while it's great and necessary in a mon series like Pokemon, other shows like Yu-Gi-Oh is where it becomes unnecessary, just say whatever monster you're attacking with to attack whatever monster you're targeting or say direct attack or something of the sort if attacking your opponent directly, no move names necessary.


Nov 14, 2013 8:08 PM

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I think it's pretty stupid.
Nov 14, 2013 8:14 PM
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j0x said:
Giga Drill Breaker!!!

shouting the attack adds more emotion for the readers and acts as a signal for the readers that an attack will be made by the character


Yea, I see what you mean. But for example, take a look at Whitebeard from One Piece. He doesn't say the names of any of the attacks he does, but he is still highly popular within the fandom. I actually think it's pretty badass when a character as strong as him doesn't name his attacks. Dracule Mihawk also fits into this category.
Nov 14, 2013 8:16 PM

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So instead of saying "the G gundam just performed a sekiha tenkyoken and finished his opponent off with the God finger", we'd say "the G Gundam just did that move where he does a ton of shit and shoots a fireball or some crap and then stabbed his opponent with his orange arm."
That would make for great fan discussion.
Nov 14, 2013 9:01 PM

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Shouting attack names is one of the reasons a Shounen fight anime could never be 10/10 or be taken seriously. It's a plot break. Consider a villain, who instead of impaling the hero, goes on a rant a declares his attacks before he attacks. What's also distracting is when, for example in Kuroko no Basket, different characters simultaneously name another character's attack based on the same analogy and end up with the same name (e.g. Hawk's Eye).
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Nov 14, 2013 9:05 PM

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well screaming when you are doing something physically demanding can actually help. like in tennis or something. so its not impossible to imagine that there could be some crazy martial arts science behind screaming the name of the attack you are using.
I CELEBRATE myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
Nov 14, 2013 9:17 PM

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GIGA DRILL BREAK!!!!

LAGANN IMPACT!!!!!

..another shonen cliche I hate..
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Nov 14, 2013 9:23 PM

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PENISU THRUSTO!!!

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Nov 14, 2013 9:41 PM

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RASENGAN
Nov 14, 2013 9:54 PM

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I personally think that it's one of the dumbest fucking things ever.

It seriously makes me fucking cringe, and is quite honestly why anime is often looked down upon as fucking childish. It's just nerdy as all fuck, and makes me think of like, fucking 4 year olds playing in a sandbox.
Nov 14, 2013 9:55 PM
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Gomu Gomu no~~











BAAAAAAZOOOOOKA!!
Nov 14, 2013 9:57 PM

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Red_Keys said:
I personally think that it's one of the dumbest fucking things ever.

It seriously makes me fucking cringe, and is quite honestly why anime is often looked down upon as fucking childish. It's just nerdy as all fuck, and makes me think of like, fucking 4 year olds playing in a sandbox.


SUPER KAMEHA-MAHA PENIS JUTSU!
كنت تهدر وقتك عن طريق ترجمة هذه.


mattbenz99 said:
Christians and Satanists are technically the same thing
Nov 14, 2013 9:58 PM

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i think it's pretty awe, assuming that the names are as cool as penis extracto and stuff
Nov 14, 2013 9:58 PM

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Red_Keys said:
I personally think that it's one of the dumbest fucking things ever.

It seriously makes me fucking cringe, and is quite honestly why anime is often looked down upon as fucking childish. It's just nerdy as all fuck, and makes me think of like, fucking 4 year olds playing in a sandbox.
It doesn't help that the anime that have this trope is aimed towards children...
Nov 14, 2013 10:02 PM

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I don't have much of a problem when they shout attack names in battle shounen's as that is pretty much expected.. but if I'm ever watching a half-way mature anime and this happens I can't help but feel embarrassed.

But cmon who didn't shout KAMEHAMEHAAAA during some point in their childhood while watching DBZ?
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Nov 14, 2013 10:04 PM

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SharifEbeefE said:


But cmon who didn't shout KAMEHAMEHAAAA during some point in their childhood while watching DBZ?


i still shout it, while not watching dbz
Nov 14, 2013 10:06 PM
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It depends on the name of the attack. If it's something stupidly over-the-top, yeah, it can annoying. For the most part, though, I don't mind it. If I really didn't want to hear that stuff I would just watch a seinin anime.
Nov 14, 2013 10:09 PM

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MellowJello said:
Red_Keys said:
I personally think that it's one of the dumbest fucking things ever.

It seriously makes me fucking cringe, and is quite honestly why anime is often looked down upon as fucking childish. It's just nerdy as all fuck, and makes me think of like, fucking 4 year olds playing in a sandbox.
It doesn't help that the anime that have this trope is aimed towards children...
Date would probably be saying otherwise.

I mean, he is the authority of everything anime, right?
Nov 14, 2013 10:10 PM

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FORUM... POSTING!!!
yeah most of the time it sound stupid, but there are some times where i like it (like announcing the noble phantasms in the fate/ series...)
silverwallsNov 14, 2013 10:16 PM
Nov 14, 2013 10:15 PM
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I don't really like it. I mean just firing a Getsuga Tenshou is way more cooler than firing ti while shouting it's name.

One of the reasons i like Raildex because it doesn't have this trope.
Nov 14, 2013 10:18 PM

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Red_Keys said:
MellowJello said:
Red_Keys said:
I personally think that it's one of the dumbest fucking things ever.

It seriously makes me fucking cringe, and is quite honestly why anime is often looked down upon as fucking childish. It's just nerdy as all fuck, and makes me think of like, fucking 4 year olds playing in a sandbox.
It doesn't help that the anime that have this trope is aimed towards children...
Date would probably be saying otherwise.

I mean, he is the authority of everything anime, right?


Nobody can question his authority. He has spent 9 million dollars on anime after all.
كنت تهدر وقتك عن طريق ترجمة هذه.


mattbenz99 said:
Christians and Satanists are technically the same thing
Nov 14, 2013 10:19 PM

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Etzali said:
One of the reasons i like Raildex because it doesn't have this trope.
IMAGINE BREAKER!!!
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Nov 14, 2013 10:26 PM

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I honestly don't even notice it anymore, so it doesn't act a plot break like someone said here.

Battle manga and especially their anime adaptions are aimed mostly at kids and young teens and they love that, I don't see the problem. The name calling exists on super hero comics too, it's not exclusive to anime/manga.
Nov 14, 2013 10:46 PM

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They have an orgasm everytime they use their attacks is why.
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Nov 14, 2013 10:55 PM

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As long as the enemy doesn't take advantage of it, it's fine with me. Don't mind it at all. Making an attack name is defining the move and making it easier to recognize. Fights where no one talks and they are just fighting fast kicks and punches like in Dragonball Z would be boring.
Nov 14, 2013 11:08 PM

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Its like shouting "jab! jab! Cross! Low Kick!" when you fight irl. The only thing it might actually achieve is make your opponent think you're cray cray. Battle cry's on the other hand is a totally viable thing that boosts morale and scare your enemies and we have evidence that it was a big part in pre-modern battles.
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Nov 14, 2013 11:11 PM
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elite-sama said:
Etzali said:
One of the reasons i like Raildex because it doesn't have this trope.
IMAGINE BREAKER!!!


but he doesn't shout that every time he punch bitches
Nov 15, 2013 3:40 AM

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Calling your attacks only works in card games:
"Blue-eyes, attack his life points directly with white lightning!"

or maybe it could work in Pokemon, but that is for kids I don't watch it.
Nov 15, 2013 3:53 AM
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OnlyEpix said:
avada kedavra!


Good point.
Nov 15, 2013 3:56 AM

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This actually didn't stop bugging me until... Naruto..LoL!

DARKNESS SHINING SUPER ROCKET ULTIMATE SPINNING RASENGAN-INFUSED-CHIDORI SKY DRAGON DARKNESS 2ND FORM HEAVENLY SHURIKEN 420BLAZEIT SPACE-TIME ALTERING LIGHTNING FLASH PANTSU-STEALING JUTSU!.

Shit just gets ridiculous.
Nov 15, 2013 4:02 AM

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Well at least this one is great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2LCsOTZmy4

Immahnoob said:
Jizzy, I know you have no idea how to argue for shit,

tokiyashiro said:

Jizzy as you would call yourself because youre a dick The most butthurt award goes to you And clearly you havent watched that many shows thats why you cant determine if a show is unique or not Or maybe you're just a child who likes common stuffs where hero saves the day and guys gets all the girls. Sad taste you have there kid you came up to me in the first place making you look more like a kid who got slapped without me even knowing it and start crying about it to me

Nov 15, 2013 4:29 AM

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Starliiiiiight Breaaakeer!

I dunno if this has anything to do with attack calling, but in Kendo you have to shout out loud your target on opponent body or it wouldn't get a point when it hits.
azzuReNov 15, 2013 4:41 AM
The most important things in life is the people that you care about
Nov 15, 2013 5:02 AM

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Hangetsu, saying it how it is.

It's also both hilarious AND effective if you shout what you're going to do and then so something ELSE, as proven later in that manga.
Nov 15, 2013 5:14 AM

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The thing is if you know when to "shout" you get better breathing when you actually try to hit something, it doesn't have to be a name or a phrase though.

So yeah, it depends from the point of view, I don't see it as childish, sometimes when they name their attacks it actually sounds cool when it fits.

A certain hit accompanied by naming the attack either in your mind or aloud is awesome.




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Hitler was good, objectively.
Nov 15, 2013 5:16 AM

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SUPER PENIS BREAKER!
Nov 15, 2013 7:49 AM

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It just sounds stupid in English, that's all. Nobody does that in a real fight but it's pretty cool shit in the Asian culture. Even Bruce Lee did it in his movies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao8dVIFagzw
Nov 15, 2013 7:50 AM
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BAN KAI
Nov 15, 2013 9:37 AM

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Shouting attack names is stupid and exaggerated unless it is done to warn one's allies to dodge the attack, like "GRENAAAADE!!!!"
Nov 15, 2013 10:21 AM

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Why the fuck not? Voice actors in battle shounen also want to get paid, I bet it's their lobbyists at work.
I probably regret this post by now.
Nov 15, 2013 10:23 AM

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Amakakeru ryu no hirameki!!!
Nov 15, 2013 10:29 AM

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I can't say I love it but I don't hate it either(though it is kinda stupid ;P ).
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