|
Post by lucathia on May 27, 2015 23:24:25 GMT -8
Like the subject says, this is a general discussion thread for No Hero.
Use spoiler tags for anything past the translations. Please clearly mark any spoilers.
[spoiler=insert description here][/spoiler] (If anyone wants a spoilerific No Hero thread, feel free to start one~)
|
|
|
Post by Trespasserby on May 31, 2015 12:40:03 GMT -8
As we all know, there was definitely some irony in No Hero over what Charles didn't know that readers of Eclipse Hunter did. But here's one that everyone likely missed at the time. (I only noticed it recently when I went back to reread No Hero again for fun.) Using Eclipse Hunter terminology here since I'm mostly accustomed to that. Quote from No Hero V1C1 In No Hero V1C1, Charles narrates, "I have to say that I was very much at a loss. The person in power is the eldest son and not the father. This I could understand, for the authority of those in rich and powerful families have always been tangled and complicated. However… Bàba is not Gēge’s papa? Might the young master and his elder brother be brothers from the same mother but different fathers?" Contains Content from Eclipse Hunter V5 Tangled and complicated is definitely a good way to describe their family relationships... It seems like a major goal in V5 was to see just how convoluted a family tree could become. First it was Daren actually being a half-brother to Devon by the same mother but different fathers. Then we find out that Lance stole Luo Ye's fiancée. Then his wife went and had an affair with her original lover to punish Lance for forcing her to marry him. And therefore, Lance was more upset that Daren was someone else's child than he was that Daren's mother died during childbirth. (That last claim wasn't directly stated in Eclipse Hunter, as far as I've read, but it's strongly implied by how Lance claims that he will not love Daren because Daren isn't his child, his reaction to seeing how similar Daren looks to his mother, and possibly by how coolly Devon's father states, "My whole life I have dearly loved your mother. But he killed her." back in V1C1. It's almost like an excuse he tells Devon. Whether or not Lance truly ever did love his wife is a debate for another day, though...) Continued with V5C9 Content I'm only halfway through the translation for the chapter, but things get more tangled and complicated from there. We find out the results of the DNA test Daren ran between himself, Devon, and Lance. Those results contradict a lot of "truths" from the story of Luo Ye, Lance, and the woman they loved. (Lance adds a little bit more to the story we learned from the letter that Yue Baylian found.) But Daren affirms himself that the DNA test cannot be mistaken. It's really a head-scratcher. And the only way I could think of how both the story and the test results could hold true is that Daren and Devon's mother was actually an insect. (Search up how queen bees/ants reproduce for clarification.)
Unless I'm mistaken, there's only half a chapter and an epilogue left of the story to read. But it doesn't seem to be slowing down at all! It almost seems impossible to neatly wrap everything up quickly.
And... The first post of this thread was really not related much to No Hero at all.
|
|
|
Post by jasaebushae on May 31, 2015 18:13:39 GMT -8
Im seriously baffled by how this world works. If it is a world ruled by corporations, then political power should belong to those corporations. Thus, it would be reasonable to assume that goverment positions like mayors and police chiefs would simply be corporate positions publically owned by specific companies.
Instead, the setting seems pretty much the same as our world, with governments in place that manage themselves, companies having lots of power because money, and high ranking officials who are able to get away with quite alot.
If this was a world where governments were ruled by corporations, I have trouble believing that the solaris emperor would forego simply buying every government official in the city his brother is staying in and mandate the police to work with the heroes to assist his brother.
|
|
|
Post by dinoj on May 31, 2015 23:37:22 GMT -8
LOl I actually gave up trying to figure out how the world works. Not much is mentioned other than the big corporations running the place, but then you read about the police and it's like wait? Is there a government? So yeah maybe when everything is translated, i go back to trying to understand it. Maybe it'll be explained? Much like how I also gave up on the whole age thing. I'm not sure if my math is just bad but the age gap between Devon and Dar just never added up.
I also find it kind of weird how in No Hero, Dar's close friends don't visit him or call him out to hang out. Like I think Elian, Eli, and Ezart made an appearance but there wasn't much interaction.
|
|
|
Post by Trespasserby on Jun 1, 2015 0:21:03 GMT -8
jasaebushae About the government thing: Here's how I view it.
Certainly, the Solaris Emperor has the buying power to do whatever he feels like, but you have to remember, he runs a company, not a kingdom.
If the Solaris Emperor truly did do whatever he wanted to on an unreasonable scale, like trying to control the police force of an entire major city, there would be a lot of dissention. The police are supposed to take care of people, but if people feel more like they're under the watch of a corporate magnate instead, they will feel unsafe. This would be especially so because of the police's power to invade their homes and lives under the pretense of justice. Violence against the police and against anything associated with the Solaris Emperor could break out. And if he openly told the police to support Dark Sun, Dark Sun would be a target of this as well.
True, the Solaris Federation easily has to power to repress an outbreak like that, but think of it in terms of the costs. In riots, things ranging from property to people to trust are smashed to pieces. Not only will the costs of damaged property and loss of employees (whether temporary or permanent) be pricey, but with instability in one of the world's most powerful cities, the world economy will likely take a dip as well.
It's within his best interests to keep things as stable as possible. The same goes for the other alliances.
dinoj I'm a little sad that Dar's friends haven't shown up much either! I also found it very strange how Elian was guarding the Solaris Emperor without all of his team. Even if we assume the silent bodyguard was Eli, it would make sense to have Eloise there as well. Even if Eloise isn't the most valuable fighter, with only her immense strength as her key trait, the silent cooperation between the three of them is hard to replace.
The only slightly convincing excuse I could think of as to why Dar wouldn't see his friends as frequently (Aside from allowing new characters to be introduced instead.) is that he's trying to grow more independent. He might be distancing himself from his brother (by living in his own apartment) and his friends so he won't rely on them as much. But they also have been busy with their lives, and since they don't go to the same school anymore, there just might be fewer chances to meet up.
At least Dar gets to meet new people and interact with the outside world...
|
|
|
Post by dinoj on Jun 1, 2015 15:18:18 GMT -8
Trespasserby Ah your reasoning makes a lot of sense and I think that's actually a good thing. It's not like they don't communicate at all since we know that Elian owes Ezart money via Dar (if I'm remembering correctly). Also with Dar being so behind in social aspects, it's good that he's socializing and meeting lots of new people. It's most likely just that they have fewer chances for them to meet up and with them being busy with their own lives and all. Well since PR is translated up to the very start of V3 we still have about 6 volumes, so maybe they'll makes some more appearances later on^-^ And yeah I was actually getting really worried about Eloise when the whole opera thing happened in EH since there was no mention of her and she's not mentioned in No Hero either:/ Hopefully EH ends well. I love the Elian Trio and I agree, it's weird for them not to be together. I think together they make up for whatever they each lack and since they know each other so well, their cooperation is really great and like you said it's hard to replace.
|
|
|
Post by jasaebushae on Jun 1, 2015 19:09:33 GMT -8
While there is a certain logic to the Solaris empreror not going overboard least it cause a panic, its important to remember that this setting established that locations like Korea, China and the United States are 'names in a history book' With the nations no longer existing at all. So if there is no longer a government body, who exactly is paying for the city? Police, the mayor, public works. Someone has to actually be paying these people and if goverments no longer exists that either means everybody is working for free (which we know is not the case) Or these cities and regions are being funded and mannaged by either one corporation or an alliance of various corporations. The setting has established that the world is controlled by corporations and that goverments and countries are no longer a thing, so companies owning whole cities is the only explanation for how the world even functions. Its not even that far out there, as the United States has had its history of corporate towns. Places where every business was an outlet of the company, and one was paid in company credits which were only good for thoe company stores with the company also supplying ones housing which was deducted from their paycheck. Following that train of thought would make the most sense for a world owned by corporations, as if there is no longer a goverment, then the company would have to be funding the city, and if a company is funding a city, then they will want it to operate in a manner in the best interest of the company.
|
|
|
Post by Trespasserby on Jun 1, 2015 21:48:55 GMT -8
jasaebushaeNations may have fallen into decline and their names are only used as geographical denominations, but I don't think it says all forms of government have been abolished. Instead of large countries, the world is probably broken up into a series of city-states with smaller forms of government. Sunset City seems to have rigidly defined boundaries, whether it's between sectors controlled by heroes, territories of non-humans, or even in the Church. (Although if Sunset City is the same city from Eclipse Hunter, it might be an island...) I also thought that it would be a lot more likely for trade cartels to control cities, but just because it seems like Devon does not play a major role in controlling the police force, I decided to discount that theory for Sunset City at least. Also, (again going with the assumption that Daren's home city has not changed from the time between Eclipse Hunter and No Hero) the city seems like a hub for influential people in the world. Sunset City might be considered somewhat "neutral ground" for them to conduct business.
|
|
|
Post by lucathia on Jun 1, 2015 22:35:44 GMT -8
Ooo, fascinating discussion here. From my terrible memory, I assume that Sunset City is not the city featured in Eclipse Hunter. Since, Ah Ye moved, and it seems to take some effort for visits. Might be another reason why Ah Ye doesn't see his friends as much.
I think there'll be more to add to the discussion after we see more of V3. :D
I'm sad not to see more of Ah Ye's friends, but at least Ezart made an appearance. He's fun.
|
|
|
Post by jasaebushae on Jun 2, 2015 19:28:15 GMT -8
The problem with the city state theory is that it still requires someone to pay the bills and leaves the question of who is funding the city. Taxation is the logical method, except that if the businesses are in charge, there is no way they would let themselves be taxed for a service they could buy outright. Especially when it would be more cost effective for them to form a private police force and charge citizens a fee to remain safe.
Lucathia certainly brings up a possibility I had not considered however. It is indeed true that this might not in fact be the city his brother lives in. And it would make sense for Ah Ye to distance himself more from his brother. With that in mind and following my theory of cities and territories under the control of corporations, it is plausible that the city might be under the thumb of another alliance that his brother couldn't justify buying outright. (Unlike his insane spending sprees in Eclipse Hunter that allowed him to do whatever he wished.)
|
|
|
Post by Trespasserby on Jun 8, 2015 15:59:29 GMT -8
Between that teaser and the No Hero terminology list, I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for new places!
jasaebushae Oh. I just assumed the citizens would pay the taxes for the police force that takes care of them. (The trade cartels seem to clearly have their own investigative and punishment administering squads, and wouldn't pay taxes because of that.) It sounds like hiring bodyguards is extremely expensive, so regular citizens might not have been able to afford hiring private police forces from corporations and had to resort to a publicly funded, understaffed police force instead.
I couldn't tell if Sunset City was the same city as the one from Eclipse Hunter or not, so I previously just assumed that Ah Ye moved to the side of the city closer to his college, rather than stay at home and take a long commute every day. (If he could walk/jog to school everyday, it would be a lot more low-key than flying or driving to school on a fancy motorbike like DSII.) And as for why Ah Ye wouldn't visit his brother, I thought it was Ah Ye stubbornly staying away from home to become independent (and also maybe because he was peeved at his brother for sending bodyguards to constantly watch him).
|
|
|
Post by blaquestarr on Jun 23, 2015 8:28:35 GMT -8
I think we are just assuming that the Solarias Federation doesn't have some control over the Sunset City. Remember, when the police were talking bad about DS and Dar threatened his brother not to take action. Sunset may be ruled by a company part of the Solarias Fed (I can't imagine Dev letting Dar live ANYWHERE where he didn't have some say), but he may be taking deliberate actions NOT to move his pieces just for Dar. Like an actual distant God who has the control, but lets people do their own thing unless they royally screw it all up.
What I want to know is who funds the Church...
|
|
nimue
Staff
I ship too many boy pairings.
Posts: 190
|
Post by nimue on Jul 16, 2015 23:51:01 GMT -8
No, I assume Devon would have bought another company under another name in order to have some form of control, or wanting to keep Dar safe. The governing powers fascinates me because the corporations seem to have enormous power, yet are not exempt entirely from the law. I get the sense that it's sort of like a kingdom-esque form of power? With the government having the symbol of whatever corporation that is doing the main funding or support for government of location? Sunset City...I'm not entirely sure if it's because eh! I've only read up to vol 4 chapt 5 of EH and up to vol 2 of NH, the world fascinates me greatly though. It presents a state where money genuinely does rule all, not just presiding like the grim reaper in the background. Even now, people aren't acknowledging the fact that a very small minority are essentially the players of a board, our world in both NH's world and ours. What fascinates me even more, is how unjustly the scales are tipped, and in what way it could be reversed, with a little bit of tinkering, a few deaths, utilization of certain information...ah, I'm getting off track.
What I really want to know however, is how the chain of power works in the underworld. How Charles matches up against powerful beings, how he's somehow less powerful than Melody, an eighth generation vampire, and how X fully is that powerful...hum...I'm very curious about it all. I hope Yu Wo creates a more comprehensive explanation for it. There are dozens of other things I want to say...but this is long enough.
|
|
|
Post by jasaebushae on Sept 13, 2015 5:37:18 GMT -8
Hmm...A recent thing that occurred to me, Charles makes mention of how the church tried to take him away, but his families position and power was enough that the church did not dare do more than polity ask. This actually reinforces the idea that money and corporations have a fair amount of the power in this setting.
As for the police force and taxation...While its not unreasonable to theorize that, it just seems a little over simple. The fact that the police are forced to use their money to buy their own equipment would suggest their not being financed by a larger power in retrospect, though how a city can even mannage has me a bit puzzled.
As for the underworld, they made it pretty clear that any vampire in the single digit is considered a big deal. Though Charles is extraordinarily weak due to his lack of experience and disinterest in fighting. You can be born with as much talent and gift as you like, powers to do anything. But if you have spent your entire life learning to smile and bow, and not learn even basic fighting tecnique, your not going to win against someone who has spent years training to fight dangerous adversaries.
The reason X is so powerful seems to be due to experience, generational number, and resourcefulness. His fight showed he fights smart. Though his loss also shows that someone with power AND experience trumps just one of the two.
|
|
|
Post by EliSan on Jan 16, 2016 6:13:34 GMT -8
While browsing through the list of “no hero” novels I’ve noticed that the original name of 3 volume was “Killer no Men”. PR! thou changed it into “Non-human killer”. After noticing that I started having this annoying thought that English translators might not have grasped the idea. I’m not a native English speaker thus I might be wrong about it thou. If that is the case than let me apologise in advance. In my language there is a little pun that can be roughly translated as “kill no mercy”. Depending on where we put the coma the meaning changes to the opposite one (“kill him, no mercy” and “don’t kill him, have mercy”). I believe that this volumes name is the same. It is as if author is asking us a question... Is he a murderer or just a human? Because of this I think that “Murderer or human” would be a more accurate name for the 3 volume.
|
|