Buzz
Recently, a manga enthusiast has uncovered 5 surprising reasons why main characters in Japanese manga often choose to sit by the window. Prepare to be amazed by what this audience has discovered!
If you're a Japanese anime/manga fan and have watched numerous school-themed works, you'll notice that main characters often occupy seats near the window. This isn't just a random detail! There are plenty of reasons behind this phenomenon. Recently, a fan has elucidated 5 reasons why this imagery frequently occurs. Let's take a look together!
Creating a charismatic and prominent vibe for the characters
We're all too familiar with the images of main characters looking contemplative, holding a book, and sitting by the window, aren't we? According to many readers, this is a common trope reminiscent of the suave schoolboy archetype often depicted in Chinese literature, where scholarly individuals would hold a book and stand by the window.
Reducing workload for the artists
When the main character sits near the window, it means the artists can limit the number of characters appearing in the frame to a minimum. Instead, they only need to draw the window frame and add cloud effects if desired. This method helps artists save drawing time. For manga with weekly deadlines, this can save quite a bit of time!
Expanding the space
In manga and anime set in school environments, confining characters to a small room can create a cramped and uncomfortable feeling for readers or viewers. To mitigate this, artists will try to create a wider frame by adding windows, expanding the space and adding depth. This approach also somewhat enhances the audience's comfort. Placing the main character near the window is also a way to easily achieve this. Additionally, the proximity to the window makes it easier to add lighting effects, making the imagery fresher and more suitable for teenage readers and viewers.
Psychologically suitable position for the character
According to common psychology, those who like to sit by the window are often people who value freedom, want spacious and unencumbered space, and dislike being crowded by too many people or disturbed by anyone. This also applies in the world of manga/anime. By having the character sit near the window, artists somewhat reveal the character's personality without needing any dialogue or explanatory scenes. This creates a distinctiveness for the main character compared to the rest.
Position of freedom and comfort
Similar to real life, sitting near the window in class often attracts less attention from teachers. Based on this, characters can freely operate without worrying about being called out by teachers. Being near the window also allows characters to observe events outside the classroom, making it easier for the main character to lead the story.
Here are 5 reasons why fans speculate on why main characters in Japanese manga often sit near the window. Is this accurate? Feel free to share your thoughts!
