11/15/08 - Vote on This Week's Theme Submissions: Gar

[cameronanimeangel]

I went with Number 2 because of Archers personality, he is the dark side of Shiro's personality so he is cool. I was also for Renji but I just like #2.

[al2551]

#3 Gankutsuou's for me.

[foureyedalice]

Tough choice between #1 and #3. They're both extremely well done and while 3 is beautiful, 1 looks more badass. Since I think "gar" means "tough badass," more or less, I'm going w/ #1. On a side note- there have been a lot of great Bleach sigs in recent weeks. Good job everyone!

[VivisQueen]

I'll go with foureyedalice's 'tough badass' definition.

Both 1, 2, and 6 are good examples of badass in the machismo, testosterone, shounen sense. Now, individually assessed (and this is the bit where I love the sound of my own voice)...

1) Brilliant pose. In my opinion characters in the sig are all about the pose they have - if it's striking, I'll like it regardless of whether or not I know the character. Well, I don't know this guy (I could tell instantly what anime he was from), but his pose screamed 'DON'T MESS WITH ME!'. Also, considering that it's very unlikely the creator found a ready-made image with 'GAR' writting in it, I'm betting they put all that together themselves. I also thoroughly enjoy the way it all fits into the sig with no wasted space or boring spots in the background. Good effort with making the text stylised as well. Problem is, I generally don't like redundant text in sigs. Like having a drawing of a table with letters in bold red spelling 'table' next to it.

2) The character definitely is badass, and they captured him in a trademark pose with the trademark swords. Moreover, to my untrained eye it looks like some personal effort was put into this sig, with the background and stuff. Very attractive sig for any fan of the anime (or indeed anyone who likes this specific character e.g. me). Only thing is, the image isn't particularly eye-catching because his pose and facial expression aren't that dramatic.

6) Great pose to the left. Conveyed somewhat comedic 'gar' to me, which I enjoy. Again, even though I don't know the character, I immediately get what stereotype he fits into. Generally well put together. However, similarly to #1, he has that redundant text. If I don't know the anime, simply labelling him as 'Ryu' isn't going to reveal much about the character's personality/gar-ness.

All things considered, I choose (1). Redundant text usually disqualifies a sig in my view. But this one had everything else perfect so it wasn't that big a deal.

And for anyone who cares about my opinions of the rest...

3) The colours are pretty but a little disorganised. Furthermore, I don't think the Count is particularly 'gar' (he's poetic, intelligent, suave, and possesses a dark elegance) and the simple head/shoulder shot doesn't actually help to convey the theme.

4) Unique, haunting, quite eye-catching in its simplicity, but for someone who doesn't know whether or not the character is 'gar', the pose really doesn't do much to convince.

5) I don't even bother to look at the images without the frame anymore. So if it doesn't fit the sig, instant dismissal. More specifically, while the character is undoubtedly 'gar', the pose itself is not eye-catching. And unless the background Japanese script translates to 'I AM GAR!' I don't see it's relevance to the theme, the character, or even the anime.

7) Great choice of character. Alas, it's stretched.

[Dex Luther]

Originally Posted by VivisQueen

Before I vote, what does gar actually mean?

I've gotten the impression it means like super-cool hardcore lead male or something, but I need confirmation, just so I can vote properly. And if it does mean 'super-gool hardcore male' then, WHERE BE GUTS??

Anyway, based purely on how they look in the sigs, it's a toss up between 1, 2, and 6 for me. No 5 really should have thought about sig dimensions, bless them.

Basically Gar is a retarded - er I mean 4chan - no, never mind it's pretty much the same thing anyways - way of saying "Super cool males." The way I understood it is that any anime character that you think is awesome would fit the "gar" bill. As long as they were male of course.

[kainbloodheart]

Originally Posted by Dex Luther

Basically Gar is a retarded - er I mean 4chan - no, never mind it's pretty much the same thing anyways - way of saying "Super cool males." The way I understood it is that any anime character that you think is awesome would fit the "gar" bill. As long as they were male of course.

gar character dosn't have to be male, revy and clare (and prety much most claymores) are considered gar.

[Dex Luther]

Originally Posted by kainbloodheart

gar character dosn't have to be male, revy and clare (and prety much most claymores) are considered gar.

The definition that was provided for the contest was that gar was awesome males.

If it applies to females too, then it's even more retarded than I thought.

[wanryavka]

nobody beats Archer in garness... nobody

[Kenikki]

Oh please, Guts could beat him with his little finger. There is NOBODY more GAR than Guts!

[Elminster]

Gatsu is a savage. Although the definition of gar apparently originated from Archer according to urbandictionary.