Japanese Body Language

[MantisShadow]

There's this pose I've seen in numerous comedy films and in anime and I'm wondering if anyone knows its exact meaning and the history of it. It's bizarre enough that it can't have an entirely natural origin.

http://www.picturevillage.com/photo/data/5c843bd82838f70b8321b95e2f1a84ef/11373_p150365.jpg

If the link doesn't work a rough description of it would be that after a punchline is delivered the person raises both palms so they face outwards, there is a slight shrug to the shoulders and the right knee is raised so it crosses the body.

[p3psi]

I dont know the japanese history, but that just looks like an ordinary "i dont know" or "whatever" or "oh well" shrug too me.

[MantisShadow]

I dont know the japanese history, but that just looks like an ordinary "i dont know" or "whatever" or "oh well" shrug too me.

No it isn't, you don't generally raise the leg like that when you shrug in the west. There is a very stylised aspect to the whole motion.

[uglypigs]

looks like a shrug to me, and the raising of the leg looks like it's for protection or a fast getaway.

[p3psi]

looks like a shrug to me, and the raising of the leg looks like it's for protection or a fast getaway.

yeah, i thought the leg was like for self defense, and the shurg is says like "oh well, sorry", or its just like a normal shrug.

[[Titan]]

self defence? Erm.. Guu doesn't need any self defence :D But seriously, I've never seen anyone but Guu do that pose...

[uglypigs]

good point, that pic is the only time i remember seeing it.

[gravitation]

lol i havent seen it before either but yeah what others have said...looks like a "i dunno" with the leg up for protection. ^__^ bye xxx

[ZGMF-10A]

it looks like a i not telling you what you going to do about it....... thing....... she proabbyl saying come kick my ass and i'm still not going to tell kinda thing....

[Silent Spring]

Wow she looks so crazy, it looks like she's about to flip out and kill everyone in the scene. That's definately a kill pose, so I guess the body language is saying... run

[MantisShadow]

Wow she looks so crazy, it looks like she's about to flip out and kill everyone in the scene. That's definately a kill pose, so I guess the body language is saying... run

Actually on this one occasion she doesn't flip out but that's probably because shes spent the last 4 minutes winding Hale up so she is in a good mood.

I'll try and dredge my memory for the last live action Japanese comedy film I saw it in but that may take a while. Personally I think it has a theatrical background.

[Sukato]

Wow she looks so crazy, it looks like she's about to flip out and kill everyone in the scene. That's definately a kill pose, so I guess the body language is saying... run

lol, this phrase reminds me so much of something your avatar would say Silent Spring ;) (btw great avatar 10/10 if this was the rate your avatars thread! :) )

Actually, I'm sure I've seen the raised leg somewhere before, and I'm beginning to wonder what it means myself..