So I’m reading ‘Flame of Recca’ and it reminds me about how tournaments show up so often in animes and manga. Dragonball, Yu Yu Hakusho, Hunter x Hunter, Negima, and so many others have this tournament story arc. Not so much in American stuff, so it might be a cultural coming of age/proof of strength thing. Though, I do enjoy how it helps to introduce a ton of characters and abilities that would seem out of place if you simply run into them randomly. The tournament gives a reason for characters to interact and improve themselves. Many times, the reason for entering isn’t even to win, but to reach an other goal. Money to pay for something, revenge, rescuing someone, earning respect, hand in marriage, and the list keeps going.
So, where are the questions going to go with this?
- If you were a character who entered such a tournament, what would be your reason?
- What would be your fighting style/special move?
- How would you treat a defeated opponent?
To explain that last question: Some heroes win and move on while others adopt the goal of the defeated. Much like there are multiple reasons for being in the tournament, there are various ways for this go. Just have to flex the imagination and think beyond the basics.
Legends of Windemere 
1. If you were a character who entered such a tournament, what would be your reason?
To defend my honor.
2. What would be your fighting style/special move?
Depends on the world. If this is a world like Avatar where the fighting styles as based on elements, I would choose water attacks. If martial arts based, then I would do a leopard style of kung fu.
3. How would you treat a defeated opponent?
With respect and mercy. I love how Zuko refused to strike the final blow against Admiral Zhao in Avatar.
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1. I take it somebody insulted your honor. It is funny when a character is out to defend their honor, but there’s never any sign that such a thing was damaged prior to entering the tournament.
2. I’ll have to look up leopard style kung fu. The elemental stuff would be an interesting addition. Wind and earth would have the advantage unless there was a way to make sure fire and water were around.
3. Good choices. Just make sure nobody takes advantage of the mercy thing.
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I agree. Zhao tried to do that. But Iroh stopped him.
Protecting someone else would be the only reason for me to enter a tournament. The money thing is tempting, but money has seldom moved me to put everything I have on the line.
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Been a while, so I don’t remember the Zhao thing. Protecting someone tends to be the hero path. One thing I’m liking about ‘Flame of Recca’ is that there’s a little more variety. On one team, you have vengeance, protecting a loved one, proving one’s strength, justice, and wanting to get the truth from a former ally.
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If you were a character who entered such a tournament, what would be your reason? I would want to win over the princess with my prowess in the games.
What would be your fighting style/special move? My move would be the whirling dervish kick. I would look like the Tasmanian devil until one lone foot would emerge from the swirl and knock the opponent out.
How would you treat a defeated opponent? Stand on his chest and beat mine, of course
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1. Beats battling turtle dragons and sentient mushrooms in a sewer. 😀
2. I have to laugh because I have a comic where somebody has that style. His body was altered to spin like a top, so blows bounced off him. The flaw is that a direct blow to the center of the whirlwind will land without a problem. So, I suggest wearing a helmet.
3. Cocky hero or arrogant villain. Got it. 😛
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Thanks. Was fun.
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I would be there for street credit. My style would be to taunt and irritate my opponent until he implodes. I would parade my conquered enemies before me and listen to the lamentations of their women.
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Wonder if street cred is more valuable than regular cred. Both are probably more valuable than bitcoins. So, what happens if a defeated opponent doesn’t have a woman to lament for them? Will there be stand-in lamenters or would one have to rent beforehand?
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I’ll have to visit his high school reunion and parade him there.
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You’re right, Charles. Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, and many of the other translated series all feature these extended contests. I actually find them a bit tedious, as the contestants spent so much time talking about their “cards” and what each move means.
At my age (mid-fifties) I would be there as one of the umpires/judges/whatever you call it. My power would be super-concentration so I wouldn’t miss any of the nuances. I would treat all the contestants kindly and fairly, unless they act like jerks. Then I would be stern and fair.
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I found Pokemon to be a little faster in terms of pace than Yu-Gi-Oh and DBZ. I think part of it is simply drawing stuff out for the audience, which might be a big thing in Japan. To be honest, the tournaments seem to flow better in the mangas that many of the series are based off of.
I need to watch some of the tournaments in series and see what the judges do. Many of them seem to say ‘fight’ and ‘the winner is’ with nothing else in the middle.
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I suppose if there was actual cheating, they’d throw people out of matches?
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True. In the manga I’m reading, there are occasional disqualifications for physically interfering.
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