A.Magik
03-10-2006, 06:11 PM
As two of Adult Swim’s present leading anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Full Metal Alchemist reach their conclusions, I feel it the perfect time to consider one major similarity both shows had: in Maes Hughes and Kaji Ryoji, both shows killed off a likeable whiskered character. Granted, Kaji was killed long before Hughes even was created, but the similarities are just so clear (especially the present effect Hughes’ death has had with anime fans- myself included-, something akin to the death of Gwen Stacy), it deserves notice.
-Early years The anime mentions little of Kaji’s origin before his college escapades with Misato. On the other hand, the manga tells a lot: orphaned during the disasters of the Second Impact, Kaji and his brother were forced to thieve with other kids to survive. One night, Kaji tried to rob a compound and was captured by its security guards. With a gun to his head, Kaji cowardly told the guards his gang's hideout. The guards subsequently killed the gang and Kaji’s brother. According to the manga, his guilt forced Kaji to dig for the truth about the Second Impact and its causes.
We know very little of Hughes’ origins besides that he went to the academy with Mustang. Whether he had a family or was an orphan, a rich kid or a poor kid, this one doesn’t know. Is there any information from the FMA manga?
-Occupation Both are investigators, though this job is Hughes’ public profession but a secret for Kaji.
-Behavior Both characters have hid their serious side with a mask. Kaji as the cool, smooth-talking flirt. Hughes as the ‘doting daddy.’
-Loyalties Hughes is loyal to his friends (especially Mustang). Kaji appears to be loyal to no one but himself.
-Abilities Both characters appear adept in research and espionage. Though we never see him in combat, Kaji appears handy with a gun. We know about Hughes and spikes…
-Relationships Hughes has a wife Gracia and a daughter he cherishes. Kaji hasn’t got such ties, the closest person to him being his ex-lover Misato. Nevertheless, it appears both characters are content in what they got. In the manga, Kaji once told Misato that he isn’t afraid of dying, because of the time he had with her. I’m sure Hughes felt the same way.
Both Hughes and Kaji have used their facades to bug the hell out of their closest friends.
-Relationship toward children Both Kaji and Hughes are affectionate to children.
-Mental and Emotional Health Hughes has the upper hand. Although Hughes had a very serious side behind the ‘doting daddy’, I doubt it was anywhere near the angst the Elric Brothers and Mustang had. Kaji? It’s unknown in the anime, but the manga, as well as a Japanese book called 2015: The Last Year of Ryoji Kaji, written by EVA scriptwriter Hiroshi Yamaguchi, portrays the vaunted ‘least screwed up’ EVA character as being just as personally wretched as his colleagues.
-Cause of Death Both characters fell victim to the governments they served; Hughes discovered certain things in the government and attempted to reveal the truth. Kaji had outlived his usefulness. However, it is possible to assume that like Hughes, Kaji was also condemned for knowing too much.
-Death Both were shot to death. I could believe Kaji and Hughes had a foreboding feeling that death was coming for them soon, but accepted it once their job was done (I doubt Hughes would have tried seeing his family one last time even if he avoided Envy; wouldn't want to endanger them). That said, who had the better death? Kaji accepted his fate, greeting his killer, while Hughes went off fighting and got killed. But Kaji succeeded in his work before getting killed, giving Misato the information. Hughes failed to give Mustang his information. Kaji died content. Hughes died in shock.
(It should be added that there is a fan rumor that Misato might have pulled the trigger on Kaji, which brings up a possible similarity, although Hughes’ murderer was definitely not Gracia).
-Legacy Hughes’ death has inspired many to continue searching for the truth. Interestingly, in the anime, it’s the data Hughes gathered that gave Scieszka and Mustang the clues that something unnatural was happening at the source of the government. In the anime, the loss of his best friend has given Mustang the resolve to fight the Fuhrer.
Kaji’s legacy? We do see that Misato will now look for the truth in honor of her love. Hughes’ death may change a nation. Not to give out any spoilers (which I know, though everyone is free to give their comments), I will just say who knows what impact Kaji’s death will have?
A.Magik
-Early years The anime mentions little of Kaji’s origin before his college escapades with Misato. On the other hand, the manga tells a lot: orphaned during the disasters of the Second Impact, Kaji and his brother were forced to thieve with other kids to survive. One night, Kaji tried to rob a compound and was captured by its security guards. With a gun to his head, Kaji cowardly told the guards his gang's hideout. The guards subsequently killed the gang and Kaji’s brother. According to the manga, his guilt forced Kaji to dig for the truth about the Second Impact and its causes.
We know very little of Hughes’ origins besides that he went to the academy with Mustang. Whether he had a family or was an orphan, a rich kid or a poor kid, this one doesn’t know. Is there any information from the FMA manga?
-Occupation Both are investigators, though this job is Hughes’ public profession but a secret for Kaji.
-Behavior Both characters have hid their serious side with a mask. Kaji as the cool, smooth-talking flirt. Hughes as the ‘doting daddy.’
-Loyalties Hughes is loyal to his friends (especially Mustang). Kaji appears to be loyal to no one but himself.
-Abilities Both characters appear adept in research and espionage. Though we never see him in combat, Kaji appears handy with a gun. We know about Hughes and spikes…
-Relationships Hughes has a wife Gracia and a daughter he cherishes. Kaji hasn’t got such ties, the closest person to him being his ex-lover Misato. Nevertheless, it appears both characters are content in what they got. In the manga, Kaji once told Misato that he isn’t afraid of dying, because of the time he had with her. I’m sure Hughes felt the same way.
Both Hughes and Kaji have used their facades to bug the hell out of their closest friends.
-Relationship toward children Both Kaji and Hughes are affectionate to children.
-Mental and Emotional Health Hughes has the upper hand. Although Hughes had a very serious side behind the ‘doting daddy’, I doubt it was anywhere near the angst the Elric Brothers and Mustang had. Kaji? It’s unknown in the anime, but the manga, as well as a Japanese book called 2015: The Last Year of Ryoji Kaji, written by EVA scriptwriter Hiroshi Yamaguchi, portrays the vaunted ‘least screwed up’ EVA character as being just as personally wretched as his colleagues.
-Cause of Death Both characters fell victim to the governments they served; Hughes discovered certain things in the government and attempted to reveal the truth. Kaji had outlived his usefulness. However, it is possible to assume that like Hughes, Kaji was also condemned for knowing too much.
-Death Both were shot to death. I could believe Kaji and Hughes had a foreboding feeling that death was coming for them soon, but accepted it once their job was done (I doubt Hughes would have tried seeing his family one last time even if he avoided Envy; wouldn't want to endanger them). That said, who had the better death? Kaji accepted his fate, greeting his killer, while Hughes went off fighting and got killed. But Kaji succeeded in his work before getting killed, giving Misato the information. Hughes failed to give Mustang his information. Kaji died content. Hughes died in shock.
(It should be added that there is a fan rumor that Misato might have pulled the trigger on Kaji, which brings up a possible similarity, although Hughes’ murderer was definitely not Gracia).
-Legacy Hughes’ death has inspired many to continue searching for the truth. Interestingly, in the anime, it’s the data Hughes gathered that gave Scieszka and Mustang the clues that something unnatural was happening at the source of the government. In the anime, the loss of his best friend has given Mustang the resolve to fight the Fuhrer.
Kaji’s legacy? We do see that Misato will now look for the truth in honor of her love. Hughes’ death may change a nation. Not to give out any spoilers (which I know, though everyone is free to give their comments), I will just say who knows what impact Kaji’s death will have?
A.Magik