How Mentor Characters in Anime Lost Their Impact

Summary

Overused mentor death trope: Killing off mentors weakens emotional impact.
Lack of mentor depth in modern anime: Mentors feel generic and lack complexity.
Overpowered mentor problem: Untouchable mentors lack relatability and overshadow protagonists.

Mentors have historically played a crucial role in human development, acting as wise advisors who influence the growth of their students. In anime, these characters often provide emotional depth to the story, such as Master Roshi from “Dragon Ball” or Kakashi Hatake from “Naruto”. These mentor figures have typically carried a substantial impact on the narrative.

Over time, the influence of anime mentors seems to have weakened, making their roles appear repetitive and less impactful. One reason for this decline could be the way contemporary anime subvert traditional power dynamics. This shift might explain why it feels like they’ve lost their initial appeal or significance.

The Mentor Death Trope Issue

Overused and Underwhelming Ideologies

As a storytelling aficionado, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern in mentor characters that often leaves me yearning for more depth: their predictability. Time and again, anime resorts to the trope of eliminating mentors to amp up the drama or spur the protagonist towards self-reliance. This device can be incredibly potent, but its overuse has seemingly drained it of its emotional punch.

In the anime series Naruto, Jiraiya’s death serves as a poignant illustration of the “mentor sacrifice” trope, where a mentor dies to spur on their student’s growth. However, compared to earlier instances like Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, Jiraiya’s demise may seem less innovative but still carries significant emotional weight.

If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine

In many popular series like My Hero Academia and Gurren Lagann, it’s almost always foreseeable that the mentor characters will meet their end. However, when this plot device is used repetitively without fresh ideas, it shifts from being an engaging narrative tool to simply a relied-upon crutch.

Instead, characters who deviate or skirt around this common trope tend to make a more lasting impact. For instance, Uncle Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender offers advice without meeting an untimely demise, enabling his bond with Zuko to develop naturally and gradually over time. By simply surviving, Iroh serves as a recurring inspiration and catalyst for growth rather than just a trigger for a single transformative event.

Lack of Mentor Depth & Need

From Complex to Super Generic

In contrast to contemporary guides, traditional mentors often possessed a layered complexity that modern ones seem to lack. These older figures frequently had intricate personal histories and character arcs that resonated or intersected with the hero’s journey. For example, Piccolo in Dragon Ball Z initially played an antagonistic role but later became a nurturing parental figure for Gohan. His decisions and guidance stemmed from his personal development, adding depth to his mentorship.

In contrast to many modern mentors, Gojo Satoru from “Jujutsu Kaisen” seems more like a stand-in. Despite being captivating and strong, his teaching role is eclipsed by his invincibility and mysterious personality. His mentorship doesn’t carry the same significance as Piccolo’s because he rarely forges deep emotional bonds with his students. Instead, his role primarily involves setting up challenges and offering occasional advice, allowing other characters to drive most of the character growth.

The complexity of this issue is heightened by the growing trend in anime to feature large ensembles, where mentors can end up being flat, underdeveloped characters instead of well-rounded individuals. In the series Demon Slayer, Urokodaki Sakonji and Rengoku Kyojuro offer insightful guidance but lack significant story arcs for themselves, resulting in their mentorship appearing brief and less emotionally resonant.

The Overpowered Mentor Problem

Why Does One Need a Main Character Then?

One challenge lies in the excessive power displayed by contemporary mentors, which is intended to evoke awe but frequently diminishes their relatability. Characters such as Silver Rayleigh from “One Piece” and Yami Sukehiro from “Black Clover,” who are shown as almost invincible, have struggles that appear insignificant compared to the main characters’. Their superhuman abilities can dominate the storyline, making it challenging for viewers to perceive them as fallible or vulnerable.

Surpass Your Limits. Right Here. Right Now.

Gojo Satoru embodies this concept exceptionally well. His immense power often gives the impression of aloofness as he seldom encounters situations that demand a test of his character or his bond with his pupils. In stark contrast, instructors like Jiraiya, whose personal weaknesses and hardships lent authenticity to their teachings, stand out in this regard.

A New Age of Protagonist Focus

Trends are Changing, For Better or For Worse

In more recent anime productions, the hero’s personal growth tends to take center stage, while the roles of mentors are often minimized or reduced. This is a shift from earlier series where the mentor-apprentice dynamic was given considerable focus on screen.

In the series “Attack on Titan”, Keith Shadis serves as an exemplary figure. At first, he significantly contributes to molding the new members of the Survey Corps. However, his character subsequently takes a backseat, allowing Eren, Mikasa, and Armin to take center stage.

I’ve noticed a pattern in contemporary anime storytelling, where mentor characters often serve primarily as vessels for exposition or plot development rather than being deeply woven into the narrative. Minimizing their roles can potentially diminish the emotional depth and intricacy they bring to the storyline.

Reinventing the Mentor Archetype

How Changes are Still Possible

Drawing from my own experiences as a creator in the anime industry, I firmly believe that revitalizing the influence of mentors requires embracing innovation and depth. Here are some strategies I suggest:

1. Infuse complex characters with realistic flaws and growth arcs to make them relatable and impactful.
2. Introduce mentor figures who embody wisdom, but also demonstrate vulnerability and personal struggles.
3. Explore the nuances of interpersonal relationships between mentors and their students, showcasing the organic evolution of these connections.
4. Incorporate contemporary themes that resonate with modern audiences while still honoring traditional storytelling techniques.
5. Experiment with diverse perspectives and backgrounds for both mentors and students, fostering a more inclusive and relatable narrative.
6. Collaborate with industry professionals who bring fresh ideas and unique insights to the table, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in anime.
7. Cultivate an environment that encourages open dialogue and learning between creators, allowing for a free exchange of innovative ideas and perspectives.

Subvert Expectations: Instead of killing off mentors, allow them to face personal failures or evolve alongside the protagonist. This creates a more dynamic relationship. For instance, imagine a mentor who retires but struggles to adapt to a life without purpose, paralleling the protagonist’s quest for identity.
Develop Their Backstories: Mentors should have their own arcs that enrich the main narrative. Characters like Jiraiya, whose personal tragedies inform his teachings, exemplify this approach. Giving mentors rich histories makes their guidance more authentic and impactful.
Highlight Vulnerability: Mentors who struggle with their limitations—whether physical, emotional, or moral—can create more compelling stories. Piccolo’s growth as a father figure is a testament to how vulnerability can deepen a mentor’s role.
Avoid Overpowered Tropes: Making mentors invincible can rob them of relatability. Instead, show their struggles and how they overcome them, demonstrating that even mentors are human (or fallible, depending on the setting).

Instead of limiting mentors to just one phase of the story, incorporate them as characters who develop alongside the main character, enhancing the plot with depth and complexity.

2024-12-29 06:12