Osiris

Tethys 13 wrote:

That being said, the first counter-proposal to come to mind is the Zanpakutō from Bleach. Like lightsabres, they have a fairly standard-looking deactivated form with comparatively little visual difference, though I would say the Zanpakutō ornamentations better convey character than lightsabre fittings do. However, the activated forms are worlds apart. Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Zanpakutō shows you he is deranged even sealed, with its strange arrangement of bandages and needles, but the shikai leaves you under no illusions about how twisted he is, yet also how pure he is in that evil, devoted entirely to what interests him. Renji's shows his wildness, Ikkaku's his pragmatism and skill belied by his appearance, and of course Ichigo's shows his single-mindedness of purpose and philosophy that puts him always on the offensive. The bankais, of course, then take that to extremes.

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Tethys 13 wrote:

Lightsabres are often considered the 'coolest' variety of weapon in all of fiction. Do you agree, and/or what other varieties of fictional weapon might you put forward for consideration?

All Mummified Things wrote:

I must have come across dozens of magic swords when reading fantasy, though none of them stick in my memory, except I remember Bilbo's sword glowed when goblins were near. Excalibur is the obvious sword I guess for western medieval style weapons. Oddly the next most memorable item for me is not a weapon, but the shield in Dragonslayer that the hero had to make out of discarded dragon scales.

Japanese style medieval weapons always look cool, whether it's samurai, ninjas (including turtles), anime or The Walking Dead's Michone.

Ninja Turtles, like in Walking Dead, characters were partly defined by their weapons. In Walking Dead, I felt Rick's sheriff's pistol helped symbolise him as the ultimate authority in any situation. Daryl's crossbow portrayed his background as hunter whilst ditching guns for a more unconventional presence. Morgan's staff tied him back to "non-violent" violence and eastern philosophy - and I felt also tapped into the history of black Americans learning Kung Fu. Lucille, Negan's barbwire-wrapped baseball bat was a physical representation of a twisted and violent mind. In terms of 'cool', I'd go with the crossbow there.

Another crossbow user was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I can't remember if she dusted more vamps with that or with stakes. The other cool item which appears at the end of the story is the axe/scythe. (I briefly debated buying a replica at a comic-con, but couldn't justify spending the cash).

For guns, there was the Colt in Supernatural, and Peacemaker in Wynona Earp, but I was never that excited by them. I liked that Stormtroopers could set their blasters to stun in Star Wars. But while very definitely not cool, the gun that stuck with me the most was Private Pyle's in Full Metal Jacket.

This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen.

Still haunted.

Tethys 13 wrote:

Lightsabres are often considered the 'coolest' variety of weapon in all of fiction. Do you agree, and/or what other varieties of fictional weapon might you put forward for consideration?

Tethys 13 wrote:

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