Sparkling Generation Valkyrie Yuuki
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| Sparkling Generation Valkyrie Yuuki | |
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| Author(s) | Kittyhawk |
| Website | http://www.sgvy.com/ |
| Current status / schedule | Ongoing |
| Genre(s) | Comedy / Fantasy / Magical girl |
| Rating(s) | PG13 |
Sparkling Generation Valkyrie Yuuki (SGVY) is a webcomic by Kittyhawk. It won a Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards for "Best Superhero Comic" in 2004[1] and was nominated in again in 2005[2] and 2006[3]. This category was eliminated in 2008 [4]. It is probably best known for its treatment of transgendered issues[5] and for its more traditional "print comic" format. It is a member of the Create a Comic Project.[6]
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[edit] Plot
The plot largely parodies typical magical girl anime. The protagonist is a high school student named Kanazuchi Yuuki who is chosen by a typical animal mentor to be the next valkyrie (superhero–little connection to the mythological valkyries). He is transformed into one before the mentor notices that he is, in fact, male. Valkyries are by definition always female. Mayhem ensues.
[edit] Kittyhawk
SGVY was created by an artist who calls herself Kittyhawk. She has written and drawn the comic since 2002. Previously, she worked on another online comic called The Jar.[7] She has been a frequent guest at Dragon Con, the southeast largest science fiction convention, and MomoCon, an anime convention held at Georgia Tech.[8][9] Kittyhawk has also attended Otakon.[10]
In interviews she has attributed her artistic style to influences from American cartoonists such as Tex Avery, along with influence from her childhood spent in Japan. She has also named the all female manga group Clamp as one of her primary influences.[11]
[edit] Cast
- Yuuki - The main character. Before being turned into a Valkyrie, Yuuki was a fan of the magical girl genre. In addition to showing persistent lack of interest in being a superhero, Yuuki faces the additional complications of having become a woman. Although the gods and giants both agree that Yuuki is perhaps the weakest Valkyrie, she does display numerous unprecedented powers, such as using her costume both offensively and defensively.
- Hermod - Messenger of the gods and responsible for turning Yuuki into a female and a magical Valkyrie. Currently takes the form of some unknown marmoset. The task of finding the valkyrie fell to him, but in desperation of finding a worthy candidate, he posed as the DVD of a new Mahou-Shojo anime "Sparkling Generation Valkyrie", subsequently purchased by Yuuki.
- Chiaki - Yuuki's friend who dreams of being the assistant to a magical girl. She has since displayed some confusion of feelings towards Yuuki: although she considers her a friend, it is heavily implied that she has a lingering crush from before Yuuki's transformation.
- Taki - Yuuki's main love interest as a female, Taki is well-versed in Norse legends. Although it's unclear how much he's already guessed about Yuuki's identity, he's shown considerable romantic interest in "her."
- Loki - The self-proclaimed "God of Awesome." Currently possessing the "body" of a white plush cat, as his real body was chained in the underworld following his murder of Balder. Early in the comic it was implied that he served Surt, but his true allegiance is currently unclear. Although initially outspoken about Yuuki's weakness, he also shows respect for Yuuki's ingenuity and unique power.
- Thor - The Norse God of Thunder, and Yuuki's trainer.
- Freya - The Goddess of War and Beauty, and leader of all Valkyries. She has conflicting feelings towards Yuuki, wanting to kill Yuuki for being a weak Valkyrie, yet desiring to engage in a physical relationship with her. Although Loki thwarted her initial attempts to the former, Freya has since resurrected two Valkyries from ancient times to find Yuuki.
- Freyr - Freya's twin brother and her complete opposite, Freyr opts for giving Yuuki a chance to become stronger. He allows Yuuki to stay in Alfheim where he can finish his training.
- Odin - The Allfather and King of the Gods. His role has been small thus far, limited to chiding Hermod for his failings and informing him that Thor will be Yuuki's trainer.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.ccawards.com/2004.htm
- ^ http://www.ccawards.com/2005.htm
- ^ http://ryanestrada.com/wcca/ceremony/superaction.htm
- ^ http://comixtalk.com/the_8th_annual_wccas_an_interview_with_wcca_chairman_frank_damonk_cormier
- ^ http://girl-wonder.org/4colorheroines/?p=10
- ^ Shepherd, Jeremy. "Otakon 2009: Manga, Literacy, and Children." http://anime.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=5565
- ^ http://comixtalk.com/index.php?q=al_schroeder_talks_to_the_sparking_generation_an_interview_with_kittyhawk
- ^ http://www.dragoncon.org/dc_past_guests.php#K
- ^ http://www.onegaistudios.com/momo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=226&Itemid=49
- ^ http://anime.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=5565
- ^ http://www.coloringdragons.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=602
