Norse Thor vs. Anime Thor, Part III: Weapon

Original Norse Thor vs. Anime (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok) Thor, Part III: Weapon

Weapon

In the Norse myths, Thor's weapon is a hammer called Mjöllnir. The anime gives the weapon a more Japanese twist by making it a wooden sword instead. Mjöllnir was always important to Thor in the myths and in the anime, Thor often refers to it as his “trusted partner.”


Myth/Anime Storyline Parallels

At one point in the original myths, a giant steals the weapon Mjöllnir (mentioned above) from Thor. The giant then refuses to give it back unless Freyja (the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility) agrees to marry him. She refuses to go however, and the other gods form an alternate plan to get the hammer back. Thor, though vehemently opposed to the idea, was forced to put on a bridal gown and veil. He then goes to the giant, pretending to be Freyja, playing along until the opportunity arises to recover the hammer.

The anime pays homage to this story in one episode where a character is getting married, but winds up kidnapped by the antagonists. The bridesmaid, not wanting the guests to get impatient, convinces Thor to dress up in the white dress, veil, and make-up of the bride for the first part of the ceremony. (Not realizing the emergency, Thor and the bridesmaid hoped the real bride would still come.)

[Okay, this is the last subject I'm talking about on the Norse Mythology vein. With the Norns, Loki's children, Freyja and Freyr, Heimdall, the concept of 'Ragnarok,' not to mention all the monsters and deities that made cameo appearances in different episodes, I could probably go on about this forever...]

Project 1, Fanfiction Website

Here's the link to my completed website for Project 1 - Fanfiction: Looking at the Controversy.

The site deals with the arguments surrounding fanfiction, including its legality, its concerns, and its benefits.

(2-8-10, Note: now that the class is over, the site's been taken down.)

Norse Thor vs. Anime Thor, Part II: Personality

Original Norse Thor vs. Anime (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok) Thor

Personality

The original Norse-Thor was known for being quick-tempered and fierce, but also for being straight-forward and pleasant most of the time. The anime-Thor is similar to a certain extent, especially in being open and easy to get along with. He has a tendency to flare up when he sees injustice going on, but “hotheadedness” isn't really one of his defining personality traits.

Like in the Norse myths, anime-Thor is one of the “good guys,” and consistently helps Loki and his friends out, despite the fact that he was sent to earth as one of the assassins meant to kill Loki. He never gets around to it, not finding “a compelling enough reason.” (He attacked Loki once, but he was possessed by one of the Norns' spell.)

Although, anime-Thor tends to be somewhat bossy with Loki's son Jörmungandr (who goes by the name “Yamano” in the anime). It's possible this could hint at Thor's and Jörmungandr's status as mortal enemies who kill each other at Ragnarok in the original myths.

Norse-Thor vs. Anime-Thor, Part I: Overview

Original Norse Thor vs. Anime (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok) Thor

As with the Norse myths, anime-Thor is associated with thunder. Norse-Thor is also the son of Odin (the king of the gods). Odin is one of the main antagonists in the anime, and this is never brought up. Thor is one of the “main characters” in Norse mythology, and many of the myths center on him. He is often accompanied by Loki on he travels.

When living in the mortal world, Thor goes by the name “Narugami” in the anime. (Apparently it's a sort of pun on the Japanese words for 'god' and 'thunder.')

Norse Loki vs. Anime Loki, Part II

Norse Loki vs. Anime Loki (from Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok), Part II

Loki's Punishment

It's possible that Loki's banishment to the human world could be equated to the punishment (where he was chained to three rocks) that he received in the Norse legends for his part in the killing of Baldr, the god of light and beauty.

In the anime, Loki doesn't seem to know why he was banished, but anyone familiar with Norse myths might have guessed that to be the reason, as Norse Loki's hand in killing Baldr was probably his most serious offense and the act that eventually would lead to Ragnarok. (Although... I think the anime Loki is actually innocent of any wrongdoing, if I'm remembering right.)

Other bits

In the anime, Loki is sometimes referred to as a 'dark' or 'evil' god, and he gathers power from the evil in human's hearts. (However, despite this he is not really that evil.) This title probably comes more from the Norse Loki's reputations for deception and cruelty more than anything.

Interestingly, Norse Loki is not always reported in the myths to be a god (I think it changes with the source). In many accounts, he's the son of two giants, and a giant himself. Although I haven't read anything about whether he's that large in stature (perhaps his shape-shifting power makes it so it doesn't matter...). Though not a god himself, he does spend a lot of time among the gods, especially Thor and Odin.

I didn't find much reference in Norse canon to Loki's aversion to water (as in the anime). It may have been an idea drawn from the fact that Norse Loki is often connected with the element fire. (It's because he's a fire giant that he was able to wield the flaming sword Laevatein mentioned before.)