The Universal Magic System You Didn't Know You Loved

What is it about Japanese and Eastern storytelling that stands out from Western cultural tales?

There are a handful of differences that English readers may find appealing, but today we are uncovering the spiritual side. Let's start with quizzing your vocabulary. Are you familiar with Shintoism? How about Hermetic Alchemy? Chinese Deification?



Would it surprise you if the following list of stories use the same magic system - or can you sense the narrative theme threading the connections of these diverse titles?
Final Fantasy VII

Legend of ZeldaFullmetal Alchemist
Chainsaw Man
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jiang Ziya
Princess Mononoke
Eclipse Era of the Beast
Bleach

The Main Idea: All Things Are Connected in a System of Balance and Exchange.

If you've watched video essays like that of Good Blood's OCARINA OF TIME - A Masterclass In Subtext - you may have already realized this shared theme.


In Japanese storytelling, there is a more intimate connection between the main character and all things. There is a sense of romantic whimsy not as deeply captured in American media. This "lightning in a bottle" is depicting the lightning of the soul - and how it interacts with the world of soul force around it.

At least, this is my theory on what allures us to this type of narrative. Something we crave that we are starving for. To be connected.



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