nekketsu
Nekketsu refers to a canvas and a genre used in manga (especially shōnen) and shōsetsu (novels). It is directly inspired by the concept of monomyth as described by Joseph Campbell. Osamu Tezuka is credited with having created the genre, through his manga New Treasure Island.
Some characteristics of nekketsus are recurrent:
- The hero is an orphan boy (or living apart from his parents); the father's search is a recurring theme;
- The hero often has a quest he absolutely wants to achieve and this, whatever the obstacles;
- Fundamentally honest and innocent, he is often naive;
- He is endowed with extraordinary abilities or powers, sometimes magical, whose extent is gradually revealed;
- In the company of friends he met during his quest, he fought against evil;
- His first adversaries generally become his most faithful companions;
- They participate in a tournament or something similar;
- When he is about to lose or die, the hero stands up stronger than ever, thanks in particular to his will, his "burning desire to win"
- There is usually an ellipse at some point in the adventure (most often between an initial traumatic event and the true beginning of the story).
- Honesty (justice), group spirit (friendship) and dedication to the general interest (will to win) are the main values conveyed by these mangas.
Some characteristics of nekketsus are recurrent:
- The hero is an orphan boy (or living apart from his parents); the father's search is a recurring theme;
- The hero often has a quest he absolutely wants to achieve and this, whatever the obstacles;
- Fundamentally honest and innocent, he is often naive;
- He is endowed with extraordinary abilities or powers, sometimes magical, whose extent is gradually revealed;
- In the company of friends he met during his quest, he fought against evil;
- His first adversaries generally become his most faithful companions;
- They participate in a tournament or something similar;
- When he is about to lose or die, the hero stands up stronger than ever, thanks in particular to his will, his "burning desire to win"
- There is usually an ellipse at some point in the adventure (most often between an initial traumatic event and the true beginning of the story).
- Honesty (justice), group spirit (friendship) and dedication to the general interest (will to win) are the main values conveyed by these mangas.