This article will discuss shamans and key elements of their role. While this article will primarily focus on providing a brief overview of events depicted in the series, some of the opinions may be subjective. I hope to share some of the appeal of the hit series, "Shaman King."
What is a Shaman?
Shamans are beings with spiritual powers who act as a bridge between this world and the spirit world. They have been found all over the world, and in the series, each one connects with spirits in their own way. Shamans have a personal spirit called a "retainer spirit," and by borrowing its power, they can create various phenomena beyond human comprehension. Depending on the individual's abilities, they can even have multiple spirits.
The Depth of Shamans
A shaman's power is measured by a "shaman's power," and in the story, this power is quantified to indicate the character's strength. However, the depth of this work lies in the fact that a higher number does not necessarily mean a person is stronger. A shaman's strength is based on their mental strength, and some lose their dignity as a shaman when their mind becomes disturbed.
What is Shaman King?
Shaman King refers to the king of the Earth who became omnipotent and omniscient by possessing the Great Spirits. In this work, it is said that Buddha became the Shaman King 2,500 years ago, and Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. The main character, Yoh, aims to become the Shaman King in order to create a world where everyone can live comfortably.
What is Shaman Fight?
This is a battle to determine the Shaman King. Highly skilled shamans from around the world will compete fiercely. In order to realize their ideal world, they will use all their intelligence, physical strength, and mental strength to reach the top.
What are spirits?
The existence of spirits is essential when discussing shamans. Various spirits appear in this work and act as the shaman's personal spirits. Spirit types are defined by their appearance in life. The three types identified in the work are "human spirits," "plant spirits," and "object spirits."
Transforming Spirits
Spirits exist as those who have regrets about this world and have not yet been able to attain enlightenment. While most spirits generally retain their original appearance, some are gripped by strong grudges and transformed into monstrous, grotesque forms. Furthermore, some spirits may forget their original appearance after remaining a spirit for a long time, evolving into spirits that embody the image of their soul.
What is Shamanic Power?
Shamanic power is the power required for a shaman to perform their techniques. This power can be quantified using a special machine as a "Shamanic Power Value." As mentioned above, this value does not necessarily indicate true ability, but the more spiritual power used, the more powerful the technique.
The Essence of Spiritual Power
Although the previous section mentioned a proportional relationship, the skill's perfection is determined by the spiritual power and the caster's mental state. If the caster's mental state is worn down, the technique will be weak. Buoyancy is a kind of talent, and generally remains constant from birth. However, it can increase as the caster approaches death.
What is Possession Fusion?
This is the shaman's most basic technique, appearing at the beginning of the story. By allowing a spirit to possess the shaman's body, the spirit's abilities and personality are reproduced. At this time, the shaman is merely a vessel for the spirit to manifest in this world, and the spirit remains in control. As a result, the shaman does not consume much spiritual power, but he or she cannot perform special techniques that utilize the power of the spirit, such as O.S.
What is an Oversoul?
When a shaman possesses a spirit, he or she uses a medium to materialize the power of the spirit into the world. The Oversoul's form changes depending on the user's abilities. There are different types of Oversouls, and they can gradually evolve as the user levels up.
Various Oversouls
Below are the types of Oversouls.
- Two-Stage Medium
You can possess the Oversoul through another medium.
- Double Oversoul
You can possess two spirits simultaneously.
- Bound Oversoul
This is the shaman's ultimate technique, in which the Oversoul becomes armor and becomes one with the caster.
Summary
What did you think? I believe that if you watch the main story while keeping the elements I've written about here in mind, you'll be able to enjoy the world of Shaman King on a deeper level. The story features many charming characters with a rich human touch. I highly recommend you check it out.
