Why Do Cartoon Characters Defy Physics?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the humorous and exaggerated physical laws observed in cartoons and anime, exploring various "laws" that describe the fantastical behaviors of characters in these media. The scope includes theoretical interpretations of cartoon physics and comedic elements rather than serious scientific analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference "Cartoon Law I," which suggests that a character remains suspended in space until they realize their situation, exemplified by Daffy Duck's antics.
  • Others introduce various "laws of anime," such as the "Law of Sonic Amplification," which humorously states that sounds in space are louder due to the absence of air.
  • The "Law of Inherent Combustibility" is mentioned, claiming that everything explodes, with a corollary that large cities, particularly Tokyo, are especially prone to explosions.
  • Participants discuss the "Law of Melee Luminescence," which posits that characters with high martial arts skills emit a glowing aura, with color indicating their moral alignment.
  • The "Law of Nasal Sanguination" is presented, describing a humorous phenomenon where male characters experience nosebleeds instead of erections, with speculative theories about anatomical differences.
  • Another point raised is the "Law of Extradimensional Capacitance," suggesting that anime females can store and retrieve objects from an extradimensional space, often humorously referencing heavy mallets and weapons.
  • Some participants express a desire for characters with such abilities, reflecting on the absurdity of these laws.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a humorous appreciation for the absurdity of these laws, but there is no consensus on the validity or implications of these laws, as the discussion remains light-hearted and speculative.

Contextual Notes

The discussion relies heavily on comedic interpretations and does not engage with serious scientific principles, leaving many assumptions and definitions open to interpretation.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in humor related to cartoons and anime, as well as those exploring the intersection of physics and comedic storytelling.

Anttech
Messages
233
Reaction score
0
http://webpages.marshall.edu/~hartwel1/humor/MISC/CARTOON_PHYSICS.HTML

Cartoon Law I
Any body suspended in space will remain in space until made aware of its situation.

Daffy Duck steps off a cliff, expecting further pastureland. He loiters in midair, soliloquizing flippantly, until he chances to look down. At this point, the familiar principle of 32 feet per second takes over.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
I love that site.
 
Laws of anime:
http://www.abcb.com/laws/

Law of Sonic Amplification, First Law of Anime Acoustics

In space, loud sounds, like explosions, are even louder because there is no air to get in the way.

...

Law of Inherent Combustability

Everything explodes. Everything.

First Corollary - Anything that explodes bulges first.

Second Corollary - Large cities are the most explosive substances known to human science. Tokyo in particular seems to be the most unstable of these cities, sometimes referred to as "The Matchstick City".
 
This can be summed up in 1 word: rofl.
 
#

Law of Melee Luminescence

(from U. Williams)

Any being displaying extremely high levels of martial arts prowess and/or violent emotions emits light in the form of a glowing aura. This aura is usually blue for 'good guys' and red for 'bad guys'. This is attributed to Good being higher in the electromagnetic spectrum than Evil.

ahahahahahaha

Law of Nasal Sanguination

(from Ryan Pritchard and Jason Aylen)

When sexually aroused, males in Anime don't get erections, they get nosebleeds. No one's sure why this is, though... the current theory suggests that larger eyes means smaller sinuses and thinner sinus tissue (see Law #38 above). Females don't get nosebleeds, but invariably get one heck of a blush along the cheeks and across the nose, suggesting a lot of bloodflow to that region.


:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
Last edited:
Law of Extradimensional Capacitance

(from Jason Bustard)

All anime females have an extradimensional storage space of variable volume somewhere on their person from which they can instantly retrieve any object at a moment's notice.

First Corollary (The Hammer Rule) - The most common item stored is a heavy mallet, which can be used with unerring accuracy on any male who deserves it. Other common items include costumes/uniforms, power suits/armor, and large bazookas.
My favourite part.
 
haha oh man, i wish i had a girl who could spontaneously produce rocket launchers out of their shirts.
 
Great link, Anttech! Love it!

Pengwuino said:
i wish i had a girl who could spontaneously produce rocket launchers out of their shirts.
I know a few with some pretty nice torpedoes, but no rockets.
 
Law of Extradimensional Capacitance

(from Jason Bustard)

All anime females have an extradimensional storage space of variable volume somewhere on their person from which they can instantly retrieve any object at a moment's notice.

First Corollary (The Hammer Rule) - The most common item stored is a heavy mallet, which can be used with unerring accuracy on any male who deserves it. Other common items include costumes/uniforms, power suits/armor, and large bazookas.

Otherwise known as Hammerspace. It is possible that only females are able to access this extra dimension.
 
  • #10
Smurf said:
Law of Extradimensional Capacitance

(from Jason Bustard)

All anime females have an extradimensional storage space of variable volume somewhere on their person from which they can instantly retrieve any object at a moment's notice.

:smile: Well, we don't have much choice since they never put decent pockets in women's clothing. :smile:

Oh, and I like this one that Pengwuino listed:
aw of Nasal Sanguination

(from Ryan Pritchard and Jason Aylen)

When sexually aroused, males in Anime don't get erections, they get nosebleeds. No one's sure why this is, though... the current theory suggests that larger eyes means smaller sinuses and thinner sinus tissue (see Law #38 above).

:smile: :smile:
I suspect that's more likely a problem of a defective pressure-release valve in male cartoon characters forcing the blood flow to back up in the wrong direction and finally to break through at the weakest point.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 142 ·
5
Replies
142
Views
15K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
11K
  • Sticky
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
504K