Yaka: A Type of Vampire?

Do you think that yaka could be classified as a type of vampire?

Mar 13, 2010 6:34 AM

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Jun 2008

759

So, are yaka from sola a type of vampire to you. Before or after you vote, please post why you think they are or are not.

Mar 13, 2010 7:39 AM

Yemi_Hikari

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Jun 2008

759

According to this list... List of Vampires in Folklore and Mythology... Dala-Kumara Yaka, Kalu-Kamara Yaka, Riri Yaka and the Yaka are all listed as vampires from different mythology, from Sri Lanka. I had problems finding information on these particular ones, but I found a tale of another so called vampire, called the yaksha. The reason this one is listed as vampire, is because of this The Sacrifice for a Stanza.
Yaka translates to mean, in Japanese, "night evil". While some argue that because it is called something else, that means something else, I say, a "rose by any other name, is still a rose". I also argue that vampires aren't simply refered to as blood suckers, and I have heard some refer to vampires as a "calamity of the night", though not in those exact words.
Combining points one and two, if the author did some research, found the word yaka to mean vampire, and then went and put it to japanese kanji, and found that it translated the way it did, that would be genius on the part of the author, in my opinion.
Why would the Japanese from old times, call vampire kyuuketsuki. Truth of the matter is, they wouldn't, unless they were involved with the Western culture, or knew of the yaka to be a blood sucker, which they didn't necisarily know. Thus, they would give a name to the creature, based on what they know. Yaka. Another genius on the part of the author here.
There is the fact, mythology is not set in stone. That is why we have the Chinese chi vampire. If one looks at Our Vampires are Different : Tv Tropes, one will find tons of vampires that are not at all the same, some of which are actually called vampire, and others that are off shoots to vampires. While sola isn't listed on the main page of this trope, it is listed under sola's main page for Tv Tropes. Any good fanfic writer will tell you, simply crossing something over because they both have vampires are not enough, vampires vary that much, from fandom to fandom.
Under the first Tv Troupes page, they list the things that vampires commonly have, but don't necisarily have. Sola falls under the following in the first list, and doesn't fall under the following in the second list. (Actually, the list that they don't fall under, tends to be the ones that get broken the most.)

Viral - Yaka can change humans into yaka
Bad Ass - Yaka are strong
Achilles Heels - They have the sword, but they also have a problem with sunlight
Immortality - They have it. (Immortality in this case, means that they live for ever, not that they are unkillable.)

The need for blood - They could possibly be placed under the catagory of possibly, 'Friendly Neighborhood Vampires', but I also get the idea, not all yaka are good like the three we were introduced to in the anime.
Mandatory tell-tale - None, but there are some vampire storylines that the vampires have no real true tell tale signs, so this one is rather minor
They are evil - Not all vampires now are evil

So, I believe that while yaka don't fall under the classic vampire, they are still a form of vampire.

Yemi_HikariMar 13, 2010 7:43 AM

Aug 15, 2010 6:00 AM

BlueYoshi

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Feb 2007

2910

I voted for the second option.

I've been struggling to write a good fanfic for sola ever since the anime finished, initially because I wanted to explore the mysteries of the sola universe that will never be answered. The history of the yaka, and it's possible connection to the vampire, is probably the biggest one. I think in general the yaka would be a type of vampire (and any fanfic writer could make it so x_x), but the powers they share with vampires probably depend on the individual.

For example, the viral ability, I think only Matsuri has that power. And you don't see Mayuko doing much, so it's a mystery if she has any enhanced strength or speed.

Nov 27, 2010 10:10 PM

Yemi_Hikari

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Jun 2008

759

That would be so cool, that fanfic that is. Also, I think in 'Our Vamprires are Different', sola pawns Twilight big time, which is basically what this is discussing.

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Yaka: A Type of Vampire?

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