The Raki discussion

[Weird D]

Without Raki, Clare would be the stereotype "avenger" character that almost every series is now bound to have. And I don't personally see the interest of yet another lobotomised autist who can only say "Must gain power... Must kill Ita - err, sorry, Priscilla"

Besides, there are other subplots and characters that could be developped in that case, like Helen and Deneve (those two appear to be only REAL friends among Claymores, the others seem more like comrades in arms), or Miria's rebellion against the Organization.

Even weak as he is, Raki provides the sole reliable human perspective in the Claymore world. He 's the only one who took the time to know one of them, and respects them more than just tools with an expiration date, mercenaries or half-breeds that are no better than the monsters they fight (though the end of the Rabona arc might give the hint of a possible change). There was a reference to DBZ earlier, but honestly, the human characters in DBZ had an even more minor role than Raki has in Claymore, even when they could fight somewhat. They gave no perspective, no hindsights, and were relegated to mere plot devices and comic relief. Compared to some characters in other mangas, Raki was given a huge development in episode 21.

The authors are aware of his importance in the plot. The fact that we haven't seen him after the time skip is proof of that. First we saw the new supposed weakest Claymore, then the survivors, then Clare. We heard some rumors about Galatea and Raphaela, and then filler chapters. I really think this could lead to something big about him. The path they make take is possibly the most important turn in the current arc
- badass male AB or still the human perspective, or both, meaning an male AB who struggles to keep his humanity
- aware / unaware of Easley and Priscilla's identities, and his reactions

Spoiler for What his purpose will be:

Save the survivors when they fight Alicia by killing Beth who is a sitting duck, since humans don't register as threats to Claymore and Yomas, severing the soul link and leaving Alicia a vegetable and the Organization in deep shit

What would Clare be without Raki?
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Clare : Hello, my name is name is Clare and I must gain revenge by killing someone
Agnes (Zero no Tsukima), Shinn (GSD), Suzaku (CG) : Hello Clare
Sasuke (Naruto) : As president of the Emo Avengers Anonymous, I declare the session open... I sadly announce the departure of Guts who betrayed our holy cause since he found another reason to live - restoring his girlfriend's sanity... asshole... who needs love or frienship when you have revenge... *goes into full emo rant*
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(Sorry, couldn't resist that one)

[Matrim]

Without Raki, Clare would be the stereotype "avenger" character that almost every series is now bound to have.

You are aware that proper character development can actually be achieved without the help of plot device characters like Raki? They could have developed Claire by using Raki or another human being with a totally different personality (the plot device character approach), or make her meet and interact with a lot of different people changing her in the process, make her socialise more with other Claymores, etc.

Even weak as he is, Raki provides the sole reliable human perspective in the Claymore world.

I see this as a problem with the narration and worldbuilding in the anime, which doesn't by itself make the character better or worse.

Compared to some characters in other mangas, Raki was given a huge development in episode 21.

And compared to properly developed characters Raki is paper-thin and horribly two-dimensional. Why not discuss the actual character instead of saying the obvious truth that there are worse characters in other anime/manga?

[Hamstadini]

Originally Posted by Matrim

And compared to properly developed characters Raki is paper-thin and horribly two-dimensional. Why not discuss the actual character instead of saying the obvious truth that there are worse characters in other anime/manga?

To be completely fair to Raki, he's what, twelve or thirteen years old? And most of the time he probably spent at his home village. It's not exactly an environment conductive to making tough choices or character building. "Development," if you're talking in the Claire or Deneve sense, comes from emotional pain and then growing out of it. The only thing that Raki has experienced so far is his departure from Claire (and naturally, his family, though it seems that between the time his parents were killed and Claire's arrival he recovered)

It saddens me to read through this thread and discover how many people have declared, "I'll like Raki if he becomes half-yoma." As someone said earlier, Raki won't have charm anymore if he gains power through augmentation. He'd just be like Weiss in Claymore Zero (ref: fanfiction.net), saving Claire's behind and cracking one-liners. Honestly, where's the fun in that?

Risking Matrim's ire, let's compare Raki to, say, Shinji Ikari of Evangelion. To recap for those of you who don't know Evangelion, Shinji has a purple biomech that can take over one quarter of the world. He is charged with saving it from destruction from beings known as Angels. He has the means to effect change in his environment... and yet he doesn't. Most of the time he stumbles around listening to is SDAT and saying "I'm useless." (An exaggeration, I know, but I hope I get my point across.)

Compared to this and after writing for Shinji for a couple of years now, Raki is a breath of fresh air. He is realistic in his impotence to affect change, yet admirable in his will to do so. Yes, he does stumble on his path to protect Claire, but he never wavers from that path and is rather creative in his means of doing so (i.e. stopping her awakening and standing up to Ophelia [I include this last part even though I acknowledge her 'toying' with him because if he ran or simply did nothing, she would have killed him anyway - plus, his slashing at Ophelia's arm while she was grappling with Claire forced Ophelia to release Claire]). In other words, the flesh may be weak but the spirit is strong - and flesh can always be made stronger.

I for one admire Raki for his embodiment of the human spirit - weak and struggling to be sure, but forever reaching.

[Negativedark]

You forgot Shinji also lives with two beautiful women, and works with several others. Oh and when he does finally grow a spine, it dissappears soon after.

[Hamstadini]

I have no idea how the first statement helps my case, but thank you for the contribution nevertheless.

[stormy001_M1A2]

You know, for his age, Raki is quite an epic dude. I doubt that 99 percent or more people here or anywhere which also includes me will able to do things that he did in the story. As I said before, observers can criticize since it is they are not involved, but when they in the exact situation, it will be very different story.

[Anh_Minh]

Epic? He's just a character. He's as "epic" as the author wants him to be. If he was real, then his imbecilic courage and unhealthy obsession would conceivably be something to admire.

But as an anime character... Well, I grew up watching people break planets with their bare hands, or cheerfully go against mobs of heavily armed people, dodging bullets while cracking one-liners. Just being a bit brave isn't going to impress me.

The real questions are: is he well written? Is he likable?

In the case of anime-Raki, to me, the answers to both these questions is "no".

[Defiled one]

Manga Raki is more rational and not so screamy. Decent guy once we get to know him. Anime Raki is just...Annoying.

[Hamstadini]

Which is why I only read, and continue to only read, mangas. Better storylines and no annoying voices.

[Davidj]

Originally Posted by stormy001_M1A2

You know, for his age, Raki is quite an epic dude. I doubt that 99 percent or more people here or anywhere which also includes me will able to do things that he did in the story.

That's because we don't have script immunity.

[stormy001_M1A2]

I did not talk only about the anime, I was talking about Raki as character in all medium.

[Anh_Minh]

Manga-Raki hasn't done any of the things that made me dislike anime-Raki.

[superzombie23]

I uploaded the whole "lion" fight from episodes 21-22 combined with no Raki interruptions!!! I'm posting it in here too since it has to do with deleting Raki's crap scenes Someone requested I do some fight scenes with no Raki, so I just got this idea to combine them all... and I'll combine future scenes with it. THe quality is not too bad, but you do not want to download over 200 MBs... I'll youtube it once the fight is complete.

Here is the link. Link. OMG XD... I just realized I accidentally added a little scene in a wrong spot... oh well. I'll fix it in the final complete version.

[Hamstadini]

...

I believe you have the wrong page, Superzombie.

[superzombie23]

Originally Posted by Hamstadini

...

I believe you have the wrong page, Superzombie.

It's related to seeing how CLaymore is like w/o Raki scenes not in the manga, so it's more than welcome in this thread I think.

[Hamstadini]

But did you have to sound so... gleeful? >.>

[superzombie23]

Originally Posted by Hamstadini

But did you have to sound so... gleeful? >.>

I sounded gleeful?

[emu777]

Actually I dont mind.....the reason being that claymores getting dismemebered makes my day, need I remind you of the CLAYMORE BUSTER 4.0





....doesent it just make you feel good watching?

The point is I see raki as "nessicary" to the development of the plot in the seris but I do agree the scene timing could have been better.

[Green²]

Hmm...

Sometimes it's best to let the AMV do the talking.

[stormy001_M1A2]

Bear this in mind too, Raki character is designed for long story like the manga so....in the way Madhouse is too faithful to the manga that Raki end up a very rushed character, especially in the late arc. Strange as it sounds but it illustrates dangers of adapting an unfinished work and trying to be too faithful to it.

Since the anime did not have the luxury of the manga does in time development department so Raki make quite a jump in his decisions and ideas about compassion torwards Priscillia or his long loyalty to Claire. I can understand why some viewers expressed disgust at how his character was developed, it is a bit unrealistic considering the time factor that Raki took in making some of the choices.

For example, the scene where Raki discovered true nature of Prisciliia in anime and his subsequent decision of not kill her will only make sense if they have been traveling together for long time, at least 6 months on the road where they get to know each other better and some bonding have actually developed. But the anime, since they in hurry to finish the story, tack in this scene and make Raki look rather a bit too whimsical in his decision.

That's how I see it, the problem of Raki's rushed development in anime to the point of almost "jumping the shark" phenomenon. Perhaps manga will do more justice to him, Raki in anime is simply a victim of anime limited airing time so his character development a bit disjointed.