Cyber Team in Akihabara - Symbolism and Quick Facts

Symbolism and Quick Facts

Like Neon Genesis Evangelion, there are a handful of mythological references available, should one find the wherewithal to dig. The themes of the anime are similar to that of Saber Marionette J (considering that Tsukasa Kotobuki was involved in SMJ greatly) so people who watched SMJ will roughly know how the story of CTiA will flow.

A quick look at what Washuu Ryuugasaki and Takashi Ryuugasaki mentions in certain episodes:

• In episode 2, Takashi mentions that the 'source of Diva's power is Ate'. Ate is a goddess in Greek Mythology, the eldest daughter of Zeus. At the end of the episode, Washuu talks about which girl would be the next to 'hold the Holy Grail'. The Holy Grail in this context refers to the Anima Mundi and he is expecting the next girl (Tsugumi) to appear soon.

• In episode 5, Takashi commends the Divas for their resourceful knowledge in defeating Cockatrice. Washuu relates it to the eating of the Forbidden Fruit from the Garden of Eden (from Genesis) and wonders what the Divas have exchanged in return for that knowledge. In Genesis, Adam and Eve ate the Forbidden Fruit and was banished from the garden with mortal bodies in exchange for that knowledge received.

• Washuu also mentions that the Sword of Damocles is hanging above their heads. In Greek Mythology, Damocles had the chance to be king for one day and after eating a meal, noticed a sword hanging above him by a single piece of horsehair. It implies imminent danger.

• In episode 6, Washuu and Takashi discuss the implications of science and technology being taken away from Man who is extremely dependent on them. This gives hints on what would happen much later in the series (episode 24 and 26). They also discuss what man lost in exchange for the knowledge he gained. "Because of heliocentric theory, earth is no longer the center of the universe. Because of evolution theory, man is no longer the son of God. And because of the finding of the subconscious, man can no longer look into his own heart."

• In episode 11, Hibari is taken captive by Takashi when she wears the red shoes he offers. Takashi mentions that the red shoes are the Red Shoes of Karen, from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The person who wears the shoes will be unable to stop dancing. In the context, it is a form of hypnotism that Takashi used on Hibari.

• In episode 12, Cigogne describes Akihabara as a town with lots of traffic and lights. Then Washuu compares it to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities destroyed by God for their sins in the Bible. Later on in the series, Akihabara would face a similar fate as the abovementioned cities when the Primum Mobile descends.

• Takashi also relates the Apostolus as the Forbidden Power. The Apostolus (or Apostles) here refer to that under the Devil given their demonic names while the Forbidden Power could be an analogy of the Devil himself. Takashi himself owns an Apostolus called Lucifer, the Devil himself.

• In episode 18, Washuu mentions that only the Anima Mundi that have been baptised by God could ultimately lead them to Metatron and since Takashi has touched the Forbidden Power, he is like a consequence of Lilith. Metatron refers to Crane and describes him as a being that is similar to God, hence he is given the 'authority' to locate the Anima Mundi. Takashi, being a clone and disobeying the rules of Rosenkreuz by touching the Apostolus, is likened to the offspring of Lilith, a Succubus, despised and spit upon, who will never be able to partake in the glory of immortality once Crane comes to Earth. It is further emphasised by Washuu's remark that 'a hawk can never become an eagle', since the 'taka' in Takashi's name means hawk, and it is regarded that the eagle is more grandiose than the hawk (e.g. the symbols used in the United States of America include the eagle).