The List
7 Pieces of Anime Technology We Wish We Had Right Now
by Lynzee Loveridge,
Technology is constantly moving in directions only thought possible in the likes of our favorite sci-fi shows. The launch of Google Glass brought comparisons to Vegeta's power visor or the glasses used in Dennō Coil. Sharon Apple now enthralls sold out shows in the form of Hatsune Miku. We have talking vacuum cleaners and robots that can deliver the news, direct you at a department store, or check you in at a hotel. Some technology remains firmly out of reach while other gadgets seem more and more possible. This week we're looking at seven technological advances seen in anime that would make our world an easier place to live, or at the very least, more fun.
7. Persocoms (Chobits) Anime has offered a lot of androids for a variety or purposes, including companionship. Few though are as adorable as the pocket-size Sumomo/Plum who is essentially the "laptop" version of the larger Chii. Her capabilities, like most Persocoms in the series, combine the best aspects of a personal assistant. The persocom Yuzuki has the ability to teach herself new abilities instead of through programming, showing the tech could be easily adaptable beyond personal use. Industries in Japan are pushing forward with this kind of technology, from talking vacuums to customer service, although none are as cute as Sumomo yet.
6. Eden of the East App (Eden of the East) The application seen in East of Eden allows individuals to take a picture with their phones and learn anything they'd want to know from the subject in the photo. The concept is feasible enough, it's almost surprising it doesn't already exist. It essentially works like Wikipedia. Imagine being on a trip in a foreign country where you could take a picture of a restaurant and immediately read their menu in your native language or get data on a historical landmark. Researching for college papers would be a breeze.
5. Capsule Corporation Capsules (Dragon Ball) The characters of Dragon Ball use Dr. Brief's capsules to transport large objects during adventures, but the "bag of holding" style technology would have a ton of real-world applications that would make life easier. The entire process of moving out of one home to another would be ridiculously simple. Shipping cargo would be less expensive and buying heavy items and having them mailed would be less of a logistical nightmare.
4. Anywhere Door (Doraemon) Teleportation, like the ability to fly, are popular super powers to assign characters because how much simpler they make everything. Having something like Doraemon's Anywhere Door removes the need for a traffic-clogged commute from work, expensive travel costs to anywhere as well as the time required to get there. There's never be an excuse for being late; ever. It does pose some political and financial concerns if the technology became widely accessible.
3. Memory Storage (Mardock Scramble) Okay, so memory storage was totally abused within the context of Mardock Scramble, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a ton of potential. People can create back-ups of their memories which can in turn be used to solve crimes after they're dead or too incapacitated to testify. It also creates the possibility for a sort of "immortality" as memories can be passed on. Perhaps more amazing would be creating a memory library comprised of important people through out history and the ability to learn from viewing their memories.
2. Angels (Angelic Layer) From a pure entertainment standpoint, the game of Angelic Layer would be awesome. It combines different hobbies like figure/gunpla customization, stat grinding, and fighting games into one mind-controlled battle arena. In 1999, the concept seemed like pure sci-fi but with the advances in Augmented Reality, a game like this is much more feasible.
1. Gundam Nucleus Drive (Gundam 00) The Gundam Nucleus Drive (GN Drive) is an energy source used in Gundam 00 to power mobile suits. When used reasonably, the generators could essentially run forever and its waste output is nearly undetectable. While many of its perks have weapons benefits, a scaled down version could solve the majority of Earth's energy problems and reliance on fossil fuels. Transportation vehicles, factories, anything could run off a GN Drive generator as long as possible.
The new poll: Which anime "ojisan" (middle-aged man) is the coolest?
The old poll: Last week we asked what anime character has the strangest name. Topping the list was Jugem Jugem from Gintama, whose full name is quite a mouthful. Side note: if your answer is something like "this poll is silly," you're throwing away your vote.
- Jugem Jugem (Gintama) 26.7%
- Welldone the Pussyhand (Mardock Scramble) 7.6%
- Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo) 6.3%
- Kiss-Shot-Acerola-Orion-Heart-Under-Blade (Monogatari Series) 5.4%
- Jacuzzi Splot (Baccano!) 5.4%
- Quatro Vagina (Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta) 4.5%
- Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gumbigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andry Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser III (Trigun) 4.5%
- Full Frontal (Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn) 4.3%
- Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV (Cowboy Bebop) 2.9%
- Lucy... Yamagami (Servant X Service) 2.0%
- Scar's Fullname (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) 1.5%
- Birthday (Hamatora) 1.3%
- Bra (Dragon Ball Z) 1.1%
- Pantyhose Taro (Ranma 1/2) 1.1%
When she isn't compiling lists of tropes, topics, and characters, Lynzee works as the Interest Editor for Anime News Network and posts pictures of her son on Twitter @ANN_Lynzee.
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