I was watching an anime and wondered...

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chris11246

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Jul 29, 2009
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Who started the sweeping laser then explosion? Anytime there's a laser that sweeps across something it causes a line of explosions that are delayed usually till after the laser stops. It doesn't make sense to me so I wondered how it got so prevalent.
 

Eclipse Dragon

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Jan 23, 2009
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Action.

Lasers explode for the same reason cars explode if somebody so much as gets fire anywhere near the gas tank.

Entertainment industry thinks anything made of fire or heat or light, or apparently anything that is redish in color can explode.
 

Raven's Nest

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Feb 19, 2009
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Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion? That show pretty much wrote the new rule book for psychological whiny mecha action cliches...

But I think I remember scenes like that in Ghibli's Nausicaa so it could have been much earlier than NGE... Though i've no doubt that show helped to popularise such things.
 

rayen020

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May 20, 2009
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gundam it oldest thing i can think of where it's prevalent. that or missle command. Don't care if it realistic it pretty cool.
 

Casual Shinji

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Raven said:
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion? That show pretty much wrote the new rule book for psychological whiny mecha action cliches...

But I think I remember scenes like that in Ghibli's Nausicaa so it could have been much earlier than NGE... Though i've no doubt that show helped to popularise such things.
Castle in the Sky also had it.

Remember the robot?

My explanation is that the slight delay before the explosion emphasizes the anticipation of the viewer. Hence more awesome when it actually occurs.
 

Raven's Nest

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Casual Shinji said:
Raven said:
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion? That show pretty much wrote the new rule book for psychological whiny mecha action cliches...

But I think I remember scenes like that in Ghibli's Nausicaa so it could have been much earlier than NGE... Though i've no doubt that show helped to popularise such things.
Castle in the Sky also had it.

Remember the robot?

My explanation is that the slight delay before the explosion emphasizes the anticipation of the viewer. Hence more awesome when it actually occurs.
True. I think Castle in the Sky was after Nausicaa though. It is a pretty cool effect so I don't mind seeing it...

Come to think of it the Death Star might have acted in the same way...
 

x EvilErmine x

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***Pseudo-science incoming!***

As the laser hits the target then the target area is superheated and flashes into plasma that is then forced into the interior of the target by the light pressure created by the coherent light beam. The internal structure of the target vaporises from the irresistible heat of the plasma and forms more gaseous plasma, which then overcomes the light pressure and rapidly expands (explodes). This happens after the laser has passed over the target because of time delay, i.e. the laser moves at light speed while the vaporisation is not instant as it takes a few microseconds for the target material to vaporise (dependent on density and thermal capacity).



Or like you know via space magic?
 

Casual Shinji

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Raven said:
Casual Shinji said:
Raven said:
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion? That show pretty much wrote the new rule book for psychological whiny mecha action cliches...

But I think I remember scenes like that in Ghibli's Nausicaa so it could have been much earlier than NGE... Though i've no doubt that show helped to popularise such things.
Castle in the Sky also had it.

Remember the robot?

My explanation is that the slight delay before the explosion emphasizes the anticipation of the viewer. Hence more awesome when it actually occurs.
True. I think Castle in the Sky was after Nausicaa though. It is a pretty cool effect so I don't mind seeing it...

Come to think of it the Death Star might have acted in the same way...
Even samurai have their own version, or maybe they were the first to even have it (in cinema); They'll swing their sword with such speed and grace that there's a delay before the opponent starts bleeding or his arm or head falls off.

Apparently delays make things cool. That's the idea, anyway...
 

DoPo

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x EvilErmine x said:
***Pseudo-science incoming!***

As the laser hits the target then the target area is superheated and flashes into plasma that is then forced into the interior of the target by the light pressure created by the coherent light beam. The internal structure of the target vaporises from the irresistible heat of the plasma and forms more gaseous plasma, which then overcomes the light pressure and rapidly expands (explodes). This happens after the laser has passed over the target because of time delay, i.e. the laser moves at light speed while the vaporisation is not instant as it takes a few microseconds for the target material to vaporise (dependent on density and thermal capacity).
For this to be true you had to have worn a lab coat and ether goggles while you typed it. Otherwise, I wouldn't believe that explanation.
 

Raven's Nest

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Casual Shinji said:
Even samurai have their own version, or maybe they were the first to even have it (in cinema); They'll swing their sword with such speed and grace that there's a delay before the opponent starts bleeding or his arm or head falls off.

Apparently delays make things cool. That's the idea, anyway...
There'd be many people that'll agree with you, Jeremy Clarkson, Game show hosts, U2's The Edge and every man who was fed up with premature ejaculation...

BTW I just checked out your DA page, some rather excellent doodles sir, you have some fine talent.
 

Amethyst Wind

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I'm reasonably sure there were black'n'white films that did it too. It definitely predates Evangelion.
 

hermes

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Gundam is the earliest example I have, but I don't think its the earliest.
 

Casual Shinji

Should've gone before we left.
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Raven said:
Casual Shinji said:
Even samurai have their own version, or maybe they were the first to even have it (in cinema); They'll swing their sword with such speed and grace that there's a delay before the opponent starts bleeding or his arm or head falls off.

Apparently delays make things cool. That's the idea, anyway...
There'd be many people that'll agree with you, Jeremy Clarkson, Game show hosts, U2's The Edge and every man who was fed up with premature ejaculation...

BTW I just checked out your DA page, some rather excellent doodles sir, you have some fine talent.
Oh thanks! I hardly ever go there anymore though, I'm kinda on hiatus.
 

bluesession

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Sep 8, 2008
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Raven said:
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion? That show pretty much wrote the new rule book for psychological whiny mecha action cliches...
I'm not a mecha expert but I am a mecha enthusiast so I have to tell you NO! Evangelion didn't start with tha laser sweeping explosion thing.
I'm pretty sure there was laser explosion in macross (or the first saga of robotech) and as far as my knowlege the laser thing is far older.

Back on topic, yeah mecha anime (and other kinds of anime) have the giant laser with delayed explosion just as action movies have exploting cars.
 

The Wykydtron

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Sep 23, 2010
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You're questioning science and/or physics in an anime? Well there's your first problem right there! XD

Also delays are cool. This is a well established fact within all media.
 

Raven's Nest

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bluesession said:
Raven said:
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion? That show pretty much wrote the new rule book for psychological whiny mecha action cliches...
I'm not a mecha expert but I am a mecha enthusiast so I have to tell you NO! Evangelion didn't start with tha laser sweeping explosion thing.
I'm pretty sure there was laser explosion in macross (or the first saga of robotech) and as far as my knowlege the laser thing is far older.

Back on topic, yeah mecha anime (and other kinds of anime) have the giant laser with delayed explosion just as action movies have exploting cars.
bolded the relevant part
 

x EvilErmine x

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Apr 5, 2010
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DoPo said:
x EvilErmine x said:
***Pseudo-science incoming!***

As the laser hits the target then the target area is superheated and flashes into plasma that is then forced into the interior of the target by the light pressure created by the coherent light beam. The internal structure of the target vaporises from the irresistible heat of the plasma and forms more gaseous plasma, which then overcomes the light pressure and rapidly expands (explodes). This happens after the laser has passed over the target because of time delay, i.e. the laser moves at light speed while the vaporisation is not instant as it takes a few microseconds for the target material to vaporise (dependent on density and thermal capacity).
For this to be true you had to have worn a lab coat and ether goggles while you typed it. Otherwise, I wouldn't believe that explanation.

Stand back boys and girls, it's time to try SCIENCE!
 

DoPo

"You're not cleared for that."
Jan 30, 2012
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x EvilErmine x said:
DoPo said:
x EvilErmine x said:
***Pseudo-science incoming!***

As the laser hits the target then the target area is superheated and flashes into plasma that is then forced into the interior of the target by the light pressure created by the coherent light beam. The internal structure of the target vaporises from the irresistible heat of the plasma and forms more gaseous plasma, which then overcomes the light pressure and rapidly expands (explodes). This happens after the laser has passed over the target because of time delay, i.e. the laser moves at light speed while the vaporisation is not instant as it takes a few microseconds for the target material to vaporise (dependent on density and thermal capacity).
For this to be true you had to have worn a lab coat and ether goggles while you typed it. Otherwise, I wouldn't believe that explanation.

Stand back boys and girls, it's time to try SCIENCE!
That's a lab coat a glasses not ether goggles. I know it now - you were spreading lies. It really was space magic.
 

Canadamus Prime

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Jun 17, 2009
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I don't know, but it sounds like the kind of thing you'd find on TVtropes, go look there. All I can say is it looks awesome and that's good enough for me.
 

MorganL4

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May 1, 2008
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DoPo said:
x EvilErmine x said:
***Pseudo-science incoming!***

As the laser hits the target then the target area is superheated and flashes into plasma that is then forced into the interior of the target by the light pressure created by the coherent light beam. The internal structure of the target vaporises from the irresistible heat of the plasma and forms more gaseous plasma, which then overcomes the light pressure and rapidly expands (explodes). This happens after the laser has passed over the target because of time delay, i.e. the laser moves at light speed while the vaporisation is not instant as it takes a few microseconds for the target material to vaporise (dependent on density and thermal capacity).
For this to be true you had to have worn a lab coat and ether goggles while you typed it. Otherwise, I wouldn't believe that explanation.
Or it come form someone in this uniform:





I'd believe it from that guy....