Comments on: Between 14 and 15, Balls Drop

By: Guy

Guy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:40:41 +0000

One last note, these characters may or may not have grown up in a bad/good neighborhood, which would explain why they’re so ‘childish’. Maybe the parents are doing a good job. lol

By: Guy

Guy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:27:13 +0000

Well, as a matter of fact, yes it does jump like that. But not at 14-15, more like 14-16. It does take a year or 2 for a 14 year old to realize what maturity is. Some teens get it by 15 and some by 17 even. Then you have weirdos who don’t get it til their late 30s… But the main age group of realizing that is 15 so maybe that’s why they chose that.

By: Kiriska

Kiriska — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:24:59 +0000

Yeah, quinceañeras. I’ve been to one. I suppose it’s not impossible for there to be a Japanese equivalent, but I don’t have any Japanese friends to confirm this with.

The Eva kids are fourteen and as far as Shinji and Asuka go, I’d say they fit the “less mature” pattern well enough, especially considering all the psychological themes around Shinji’s maturation. I’m not sure if Rei actually counts since she’s a freak?

By: TJF588

TJF588 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:15:29 +0000

The Spanish and/or Mexicans has a celebration of the fifteenth birthday, at least for girls.

Hm… What about the EVA pilots?

By: Kiriska

Kiriska — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:27:07 +0000

That a year passes between the beginning and end of the series (minus year jump) is not surprising. It would also contribute to Renton's theoretical maturation throughout Eureka seveN. That he starts the series at 14 is all that really matters though (Wikipedia says so), and like I said, Sora also goes through a year without much change and starts KH2 at 15.

By: Nosferatu

Nosferatu — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:55:03 +0000

You threw Renton’s name around a lot saying he was fourteen, but if you look at the end of the series his family registry says he is sixteen, subtract the one year jump and he no longer fits into your typical stereotype.

By: Kiriska

Kiriska — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:36:12 +0000

Hm, if such a big divide exists between the perception of 14 and 15 year olds, then I really wonder why Sora’s maturity level between KH and KH2 wasn’t more significant.

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:22:17 +0000

I remember when I was in high school, people in a certain grade always kind of looked down upon people in lower grades, thinking they are immature even though the difference in age is l~ a year. I’d imagine that this would be amplified if the school system had separate middle schools and high schools, so maybe that’s where this 14-15 year old gap comes from.

By: RP

RP — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:44:51 +0000

Yeah, I was thinking something similar to what gl mentioned, up to 14 would be around middle school, and after that comes big, bad high school. I imagine there is a cultural aspect to it, because what you’re saying makes sense from a US-perspective.

By: ghostlightning

ghostlightning — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:19:54 +0000

I just think that 14 and 15 are milestones in some way, but I’m not sure. If you know someone Japanese, or an expert on them do ask.