Japanese-Like Character in Star Wars? Where are the Japanese-like people anyways?

[Coffeeccubus]

This topic is going to be about two things but all equate into one central thing that I don't get. And to warn you, there MAY be spoilers, so, I'll put this in a spoiler tag. In addition, some large images. In addition, I'm sorry if I sound stupid and borderline SJW about this, but it's just what I think.

Spoiler

The first of which is namely, well... I'm sure you all know by now, that Saber Combat closely resembles Japanese Samurai Combat... I mean, I don't know if anyone else actually notices this but, look at these two pictures,

(art by Ashurii Adokoku of DeviantART)

Looking at some of the similarities to them, I've noticed that there are several samurai forms that look very close to these forms, especially the naming of them. They sound very Japanese-like and well, this got me to the second question,

Why is there absolutely no presence of any person who looks like a Japanese human in the Star Wars Universe?

I mean all I see when I search up Japanese Star Wars Character are either sterotypes of Chinese characters in Star Wars or something like that. I don't get why Lucas didn't included any Japanese-like Humans in the Jedi Order. I mean, it just seems VERY weird to me, considering the naming of the forms just don't really sound distinctively what the Humans in the Jedi Council would name. I mean, I'm SURE that out of those thousands of Jedi that were in the Order before Order 66 and in Luke's New Jedi Order before Kylo Ren mercilessly kills them all (spoilers), there might be some, but I haven't seen or found stories about characters whom look Japanese and had a master experience of the force or used a lightsaber. I mean sure, stuff like Vaapad (r Juyo) were made later on by different Jedi hence the naming being a little different, but I just can't really help but to notice the names. It's just weird to me that I don't see any character like this.

But that's what I just think. I mean, it might not confuse you, and you might find SOMETHING that has a Japanese-like character. But outside from Asian-looking characters, it just still has me bothered for some reason. I know, I sound like a SJW for this entire topic, but I just really can't help it. I honestly think Yoda would be more badass if he was a old man with a Samurai attire to him, and real mastered in the ways of the force. THAT would make me really love Yoda.

What do you guys think? Should there be a Japanese-like character in Star Wars in some point in the future as a Jedi Master?

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

Atrisians

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Atrisian_Empire

 

[Gavin XIII]

[member="Sereniama"]

Tbh, Obi-Wan is probably as close as we're gonna get to a samurai in the movies. Props to Ewan MacGregor for that, and to Christopher Lee for his sabre experience. Out of current canon, we have Rahm Kota and the majority of the Jedi Council members we ever see.

As for here... Raijin is as close to a samurai as I can write.

 

[Akio Diachi]

[member="Sereniama"]

This character is basically a Shoulin monk. Before that he was basically an NFU ninja. Now I am going a different route with him, emphasising the unarmed combat. Cheers.

 

[Julius Sedaire]

We've had several. But to be honest? It's a very tight line to toe to keep the two universes balanced. A lot of people (myself on the fence on this) fell Atrisians and other such obviously 'samurai' or 'ninja' like characters can blur the line between settings/universes and break immersion. So that may be one reason why you don't see many - It is a hard character to pull off correctly and believably without being campy or such.

[member="Sereniama"]

Also, arguments could be made for some of the forms and maneuvers resembling european longsword techniques. Particularly the defensive forms. So, while your parallel you draw is sound, I think it's less totality than you are banking on.

 

[Dune Rhur]

There are Epicanthix who are basically humans with a the fold in the eye and God-Mode mental resistances which nullify all mental Force attacks because...magic! There's actually lots of them here, although for some reason, many choose not to have the fold. I can't understand whats wrong with it myself.

As far as the samurai, are you talking Akira Kurosawa Samurai-western types or are you talking about a real samurai who is a morally ambiguous person much closer to an Imperial Knight of the Fel-ruled Empire. Basically, they do what they have to do for their Lord because their code of honour demands it. Whether it be rescuing stray kittens or burning down a peasant hovel with said peasants inside, they do it.

Historical samurai were no different than European knights in that regard. However, I could certainly see the appeal of a romanticized view like the Samurai-westerns. I love Seven Samurai, it being one of the best movies ever made.

 

[Coffeeccubus]

[member="Sereniama"]

Tbh, Obi-Wan is probably as close as we're gonna get to a samurai in the movies. Props to Ewan MacGregor for that, and to Christopher Lee for his sabre experience. Out of current canon, we have Rahm Kota and the majority of the Jedi Council members we ever see.

As for here... Raijin is as close to a samurai as I can write.

Obi-Wan, though European-looking, gets an exception. I LOVE Ewan's portrayal of him. So I do give majour props to him, and I think Lee had some. There was a double for him because remember, Lee was old when he did Star Wars and he had a few problems with stunts because of his back. His double would do the flips that he couldn't normally do, but he DID do the ones that didnt really require crazy maneuvering like flips.

[member="Ijaat Mereel"] You got a point honestly, I mean, to me, the saber techniques look very Samurai looking. I just can't help but to notice how some of the poses appear. But yeah.

 

[Coffeeccubus]

There are Epicanthix who are basically humans with a the fold in the eye and God-Mode mental resistances which nullify all mental Force attacks because...magic! There's actually lots of them here, although for some reason, many choose not to have the fold. I can't understand whats wrong with it myself.

As far as the samurai, are you talking Akira Kurosawa Samurai-western types or are you talking about a real samurai who is a morally ambiguous person much closer to an Imperial Knight of the Fel-ruled Empire. Basically, they do what they have to do for their Lord because their code of honour demands it. Whether it be rescuing stray kittens or burning down a peasant hovel with said peasants inside, they do it.

Historical samurai were no different than European knights in that regard. However, I could certainly see the appeal of a romanticized view like the Samurai-westerns. I love Seven Samurai, it being one of the best movies ever made.

More or less, I'm probably talking about the Fei-ruled Empire ones and maybe a fusion between them and the Akira Kurosawa western type ones, because the Jedi do have a resemblance to them. They do anything for the Republic and their code reminds me of the Fei-ruled Empire ones a bit. I mean, they serve the Republic (Their lord), and will do anything except dark things. I mean, they HAD done some pretty messed up things, but more or less, the Jedi Order in a whole reminds me of the Samurai. Maybe they ARE probably more or less based off of the Western portrayed Samurai because well, we see the Samurai as honourable, with a code and well... yeah.

But overall, they do act like how we portray Samurai. I mean think about it. The only difference is, Samurai are just warriors. The Jedi are like a Galactic Religious Police Force.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

How are you supposed to protect your gubbins from criminals?

Hire a Samurai~

[member="Darth Adekos"]

 

[Jeron Verity]

[member="Matsu Ike"]

... And all of her other characters (or most). I always felt they were asian-related

 

[Ellie Mors]

More or less, I'm probably talking about the Fei-ruled Empire ones and maybe a fusion between them and the Akira Kurosawa western type ones, because the Jedi do have a resemblance to them. They do anything for the Republic and their code reminds me of the Fei-ruled Empire ones a bit. I mean, they serve the Republic (Their lord), and will do anything except dark things. I mean, they HAD done some pretty messed up things, but more or less, the Jedi Order in a whole reminds me of the Samurai. Maybe they ARE probably more or less based off of the Western portrayed Samurai because well, we see the Samurai as honourable, with a code and well... yeah.

But overall, they do act like how we portray Samurai. I mean think about it. The only difference is, Samurai are just warriors. The Jedi are like a Galactic Religious Police Force.

I agree with the sentiment that saber-play was based on Samurai-inspired swordplay originally (because it was), but the Jedi are not. The entire code, the way they act, etc, is more similar to a feudal lord/knight parallel than Samurai/Shogun or what have you. They are similar in the real world, too, but it's a similarity, that's about it.

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

Any credit for the lightsaber combat on display should go to Nick Gillard, who was the stunt coordinator and fencing director etc. and also came up with the various styles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCWOsOsdvSs

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Sereniama"]
This might interest you. Here's what the Jedi looked like around 36,000BBY
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Force-imbued_blade

 

[Dune Rhur]

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Force-imbued_blade

Unnnngggh I cringed. Why are they all using katanas, wearing kimonos and top-knots? Then they all looks white. What's with this magical appeal about Japan and, of course, cultural appropriation.

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

cultural appropriation

Lol

 

[Cyrus Tregessar]

Kendo is to actual samurai fighting what fencing is to actual western medieval swordfighting.

Its a sport, more an art form than anything, and while possibly useful in a duel piss fucking worthless in a proper 'modern' battlefield.

 

[Connor Harrison]

I look forward to seeing what style Donnie Yen brings to the 'SW' universe with his combat.

Probably not saber related, but still will be great to see.

 

[Jsc]

[member="Sereniama"]

If you dive into George Lucas' mind you will find a great many things worth asking questions about...

You
have
been
warned

 

[Coffeeccubus]

[member="Jay Scott Clark"] I think I saw stripper aliens in his head.

I think I don't wanna go deeper to know whatelse hes thinking.

 

[Asemir]

The OOC reason why there are no Asians in SW is that Lucas took inspiration from a RL thing and put it into his movies. You can ask the same question about why there isn't a RL World War 2 in Star Wars. The way naval combat works in SW follows the same tactics and strategies used in RL WW2, even when those tactics make no sense in a three dimensional, space environment. (Too many broadsides, no rolling to present fresh armor/shields, dogfights don't work that way, etc.) It's simply a case of inspiration from RL influencing fiction.

I don't know the IC reason. But that's also assuming Humans came from the same genetic stock as RL Humans.