Before I saw the ending, I always thought Waka was gonna be one of those Anti-hero type of characters. Pretty much throughout the game, you're given mixed signals of whether he's an ally or an enemy. He just seemed like someone who wasn't on anyone's side until at the very end we learn he was always on Ammy's side. I just love how the game makes you guess where his allegiance lies. And I fucking love his theme music. I could meditate to this shit.
I must say I completely agree with you; I especially loved the way the game portrayed him as being more or less outgoing, yet at the same time shrouded in mystery (which is to say, that is a difficult task to pull off, yet somehow Okami managed to do so fantastically). However, I never understood why so many bestow hatred upon his character... Perhaps you know the answer to my inquiry?
I have to disagree. I always thought he was serving the greater good the entire time and that's why I strongly objected to issun the entire time. He never willfully betrays the protagonist and offers insight into plot, provides driving force and directions to player actions, and offers a reminder of current status. My thoughts on the matter, not saying you're wrong.
That reminds me of Orpheus, you know the Greek hero whose music mesmerized even animals. I just looked him up to make sure it's the right name, and found out he also made prophecies. Like Waka, he made a mistake out of carelessness (looked back at his wife before she reached the Heavens, which sent her back to the underworld). And he worshiped the sun god (all other Celestials are dead in Okami). I hereby declare Ushiwaka the Japanese version of Orpheus.
Waka is really mysterious and remains so even after the game is completed. Does anyone think that he wasn't really angry at Amaterasu, and that he didn't think she was weak as he stated upon his first meeting with her, but rather thought those things of himself because of what happened with the Ark of Yamato? It seems that he could be avoiding his feelings of guilt over the whole thing and acting rudely to Amaterasu in order to forget.
Sorry for responding on such an old comment, however if I remember the story behind this story (which i believe is a mix of old japanese mythology stories), what you said is exactly correct. He was never angry at ammy, but was actually quite fond of her (seeing how after the end of this they got together and had children, hence okamiden, dont ask how :P)
@@Jenna_Talia I know this comment is 3 months old but I think Amaterasu is not a real wolf. It is also stated in the game, when the spirit of Yatsu, that can see the true form of everyone, says that Amaterasu is “a maiden most fair”.
Love the character, love the music. I do feel a bit sad our main character was a silent protagonist when everybody else, including other spirits and gods and such even the animal ones could talk. I would have loved to hear her own voice as she interacts with those around her. I would loved to know if she was kind or gentle or more fiesty or funny in how she speaks. Would she be wise, or a bit of an airhead? So much layers her character now misses because she is such a blank slate. And thats a pity. Because somebody as powerfull and importand as her, should at least be able to do what EVERYONE ELSE in the game, including some dogs, can do. Speak for herself.
Actually, remember how only Poncles could interpret animals, or gods (I forgot actually...) It occurs to me, we're seeing everything from Ammy's (and Issun's) perspective. Remember after defeating Crimson Helm, Princess Fuse doesn't see/hear Yatsu and asks who you're talking to. I also don't think we've seen any of the humans understanding spirits and Gods. I think Amaterasu is silent because her thoughts and dialogue are supposed to be your own. Well, except when Ammy's body language makes her thoughts amply clear. Panting at Sakuya's body, ogling Rao's... cantaloupes... and yapping after Issun when she boards the Ark. If she had more reactions and comments, they might've been too unrelatable to the players and ruined their immersion.
This is the reason why I like Waka so much. He has a burden that's deep inside him but at the same time, he can be fruity. But that's just his outer appearance. The Celestials were KILLED by the creatures that aboard the Ark of Yamato, and I think that he thinks it was his fault. He has a wall that's a facade, that's what I believed. He really isn't a half baked prophet as people would think. He bears a burden, he feels pain, he even fought Orochi, (I think or is it Yami) on the Celestial Plain.
He fought Yami. And I agree with Waka's layers of personality. They did a really good job of making Kurow like that in Okamiden, too. It's actually really sad. Kurow acts all funny and flirts with the adult women and all, but he's also incredibly lonely and feels like he can never have friends because he's a puppet only born to be a sacrifice. So sad, and he was my favorite :
I really Love this Theme. it's so calm. you can Imagine how you are Lying in the Grass, under a Tree on a warm Summer Day and only hear this song with closed eyes.
@netsaver, and not just what to say but when as well. Paying enough attention, one knows that Waka knows so much more than he'll let on and perhaps that is why issun refuses to trust Waka. You are so right about Waka being carefree, but there's a clarity of melody behind the flowing harmonies that betrays just how burdened Waka is by the knowledge of his ancestral home's destruction. He is only one of few humanoid characters aware of Ammy's divinity as well which is a fact he makes clear from the get go.
Have you even seen the game all the way through? The entire time Waka is carrying the guilt and pain for being the sole survivor of the moon tribe that was responsible for the deaths of many of the celestials and his goal throughout the entire game is to guide Amaterasu and find the Ark of Yamato, to destroy Yami, the evil being that his people created. He's my favorite character of the series.
if you want to know i know where to find his theme in a continuous loop go to sei-an city when you first come in take the first path to the right there's a small pond with a water pillar area make a water pillar and climb it make a semi hard jump and land on a platform in the sky walk forward in to the main control room get a continuous loop of this song for a reward
I like him too :D He's a very misunderstood character, but he's one of those characters that you either love or love to hate, I think. Glad to see someone shares my point of view!
To expand on that a bit, "Tengu-Geta" are called such because they are traditionally said to be worn by the Tengu, a sort of "trickster of the forest". Waka (based on the mythological figure Ushiwakamaru) was taught the ways of the sword by the Tengu, thus being one of the greatest swordsmen in Nippon. He wears the Tengu-Geta in honor of them, since they taught him his craft. :) Just a bit of a history lesson for ya. Don't mind me, it's my job to know these things after all.
i just got to hear this song again i know where to find an forever version of this song in sei-an city there's a pond to the path on the right make a pillar of water and jump to waka's airship you can hear his theme for hours on end just go inside and time won't pass so youtubers who make song video's and want to find where to get this song right from the game here's how to get and extended version as long as you've unlocked sei-an city ;) your welcome
What, his Geta? Far as I know, Its a very, very old rendition of Geta used mostly for festivities and in olden art and mythos of Japan, associated mostly with the Tengu, a divine spirit of Japan (as such, they are called Tengu Geta). It was meant to show one who was above humanity in a spiritual sense, such as in mythical divinity. It was also to show the unearthly nature of the being, as walking with such footwear would require unnatural dexterity. Basically, its to show his divinity.
he's not a half-baked prophet... he's actually aside Amaterasu, but he's very misunderstood by most players. If you play Okami again you will see that he's an ally of Amaterasu
When I first played through Okami, Waka kind of annoyed me, maybe because I thought he was a villian. But after I played through it again, I got so happy every time there was a scene with Waka, and it actually annoyed me when Issun made fun of him. I feel like he's a really misunderstood character, especially since he's from the Moon Tribe.
Do it! You won't regret it, trust me. :) Kurow is pretty fantastic in his own right. He has his quirks, just like his, erm, father (if you wanna put it that way). But seriously, play the game! Kurow is (in my humble opinion) one of the best characters from the series.
Until the ending I always thought Waka was one of the characters I would never care about but then after the ending I always just found him hilariously sassy and feminine, especially when arguing with Isuun.
Well, they said they'd make a 3rd game, ya know, hopefully revealing the father of chibi. But you know what happened last time they made another game to okami. Took them A FREAKING LONG TIME.
Ah yes, Ammy as Issun calls her is doing quite well, we have long since gotten done with restoring the celestial plane, and for all of you, I've done a little suprise and fixed up Kurow for you all!
