AnimeInfo.org - Anime University - PHYS 101: Physics of Anime (original) (raw)
Just as with any science, the physics of anime are a continually evolving field. There are many things that are no doubt being discovered or have yet to be explained by anime fans. Now that we've looked at some established physics trends in anime, we're going to look at something unexplained in the science of anime - that of a phenomenon called "Hammerspace", so named after Ranma 1/2's Akane Tendo and her ability to summon hammers and mallets - kind of like the ladies in the picture on the left. Hammerspace is an interesting occurrence that spans many anime, mostly comedic ones and has yet to be explained in any conclusive way as to the cause behind it. The Hammerspace phenomenon is basically the ability for anime characters to be able to pull objects out of thin air, without any evidence of having said objects anywhere on their person. As the namesake says, this was first observed as a regular occurrence with Akane Tendo, who had an uncanny ability to have a mallet or hammer appear in her hand whenever she wanted to beat up her fiance, Ranma. The hammers appearing in the ladies' hands above are also similarly summoned. Hammerspace is the designated name for the mysterious place or dimension where these hidden objects reside. And hammers aren't the only things present in this invisible pocket dimension. Personal belongings, common objects such as tables, tea kettles and even weapons have been known to be pulled from this mysterious and still unknown space. Anime fans have been for years at a loss as to how Hammerspace has happened. And close observations of this strange occurrence have yielded no results as to what is behind it or what causes it to happen. Try watching your favorite anime next time and see how many times objects seem to be pulled into existence from thin air by your favorite characters. You'd be surprised at how many times it happens. Let's look at a typical example. Here is the process of Katsuhito from Tenchi Muyo pulling a sword out from seemingly nowhere (there was no evidence of a large wooden sword in his clothes before this scene, either). Sure, your first reaction might be "he had it hidden down his back or in a sheath somewhere", but this isn't the case. Katsuhito is wearing clothing that would definitely show if he had a sword tucked away on his back somewhere. Moreover, in the next scene, you see his grandson Tenchi pull out a sword as well - from a school uniform that is definitely not loose enough to hide a weapon without visible evidence. The fact that Katsuhito was able to pull a sword out means that he had it somewhere. But where? This is the mystery that is Hammerspace. Somehow, he accessed a hidden dimension somewhere and got what he needed. How this is, or why it happens are still mysteries left unexplained. Even more maddening is the fact that anime characters don't seem to make such a big deal out of this - and in fact, many of them access Hammerspace unknowingly, merely concentrating on what they need to get at the time. Maybe you have an explanation, but I sure as hell don't. Now we've looked at the way physics works in anime, from the explainable to the mysterious, let's take a look behind the physics of anime and see some of the real reasons for the things that happen. We'll end the class with a more realistic look at the scientific wonders of anime and see why things are as they are. It's most definitely a lot easier to explain than in the real world, that's for sure. >>Go to Lesson 5 - Behind the Physics and Beyond
Just as with any science, the physics of anime are a continually evolving field. There are many things that are no doubt being discovered or have yet to be explained by anime fans. Now that we've looked at some established physics trends in anime, we're going to look at something unexplained in the science of anime - that of a phenomenon called "Hammerspace", so named after Ranma 1/2's Akane Tendo and her ability to summon hammers and mallets - kind of like the ladies in the picture on the left. Hammerspace is an interesting occurrence that spans many anime, mostly comedic ones and has yet to be explained in any conclusive way as to the cause behind it. The Hammerspace phenomenon is basically the ability for anime characters to be able to pull objects out of thin air, without any evidence of having said objects anywhere on their person. As the namesake says, this was first observed as a regular occurrence with Akane Tendo, who had an uncanny ability to have a mallet or hammer appear in her hand whenever she wanted to beat up her fiance, Ranma. The hammers appearing in the ladies' hands above are also similarly summoned. Hammerspace is the designated name for the mysterious place or dimension where these hidden objects reside. And hammers aren't the only things present in this invisible pocket dimension. Personal belongings, common objects such as tables, tea kettles and even weapons have been known to be pulled from this mysterious and still unknown space. Anime fans have been for years at a loss as to how Hammerspace has happened. And close observations of this strange occurrence have yielded no results as to what is behind it or what causes it to happen. Try watching your favorite anime next time and see how many times objects seem to be pulled into existence from thin air by your favorite characters. You'd be surprised at how many times it happens. Let's look at a typical example. Here is the process of Katsuhito from Tenchi Muyo pulling a sword out from seemingly nowhere (there was no evidence of a large wooden sword in his clothes before this scene, either). 
Sure, your first reaction might be "he had it hidden down his back or in a sheath somewhere", but this isn't the case. Katsuhito is wearing clothing that would definitely show if he had a sword tucked away on his back somewhere. Moreover, in the next scene, you see his grandson Tenchi pull out a sword as well - from a school uniform that is definitely not loose enough to hide a weapon without visible evidence. The fact that Katsuhito was able to pull a sword out means that he had it somewhere. But where? This is the mystery that is Hammerspace. Somehow, he accessed a hidden dimension somewhere and got what he needed. How this is, or why it happens are still mysteries left unexplained. Even more maddening is the fact that anime characters don't seem to make such a big deal out of this - and in fact, many of them access Hammerspace unknowingly, merely concentrating on what they need to get at the time. Maybe you have an explanation, but I sure as hell don't. Now we've looked at the way physics works in anime, from the explainable to the mysterious, let's take a look behind the physics of anime and see some of the real reasons for the things that happen. We'll end the class with a more realistic look at the scientific wonders of anime and see why things are as they are. It's most definitely a lot easier to explain than in the real world, that's for sure. >>Go to Lesson 5 - Behind the Physics and Beyond