I watched Demon Lord 2099, an anime a couple of vanquished Demon Lord who revives in a magitech cyberpunk future. This former ruler, Veltol Velvet Velsvalt, discovers that one in all his generals heads the biggest company on the planet and by extension the best way magic is used and managed in society. Not lengthy after their reunion, it’s revealed that this common, Marcus, would quite not cede his place on the prime of the world, and betrays his former grasp. Marcus prides himself on being the strongest, and due to this fact the true Demon Lord of the fashionable day.
WARNING: Demon Lord 2099 spoilers.
However there’s a recurring concept within the anime that springs forth from Marcus’s want: Simply since you’re the most effective round doesn’t imply you’re the best and even endowed with greatness. That is an concept that happens on a regular basis in aggressive environments, reminiscent of sports activities, video video games, and music. Is Michael Jordan the GOAT of basketball, or is it Lebron James? RTS followers used to debate what makes somebody a Starcraft bonjwa, a fan title reserved for a choose pantheon of gamers, of which there are arguably solely 5 or so. Heck, the very first thing that got here to thoughts after I noticed Demon Lord 2099 spotlight the distinction between “greatest” and “best” is F.D Signifier’s hours-long video about Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar, the place he describes the reluctance amongst many followers of rap in direction of accepting Drake because the king of his period, and the keenness with which they embraced Kendrick upon his return.
Being the best appears to require not merely a listing of accomplishments, however to even have an aura that comes out in a single’s actions and habits. In Demon Lord 2099, this notion sees its end result in a rematch, the place Veltol reveals to his betrayer that he has a second and extra highly effective type, as per the basic online game ultimate boss trope. On this new guise (unknown to all however the hero who bested him way back), Veltol neutralizes all of the technological benefits Marcus created for himself and humiliates the traitor. The Demon Lord additionally reveals the supply of his energy: He can’t obtain this second type until he has sufficient worshippers, which he has frolicked regaining by turning into a well-liked streamer. Marcus tried to dress himself in greatness with out embodying any of the qualities that make for greatness, be it inherent capacity or the acknowledgement of the individuals.
“Greatness” is, after all, subjective by nature. Completely different individuals will worth various things, and second boss types aren’t a factor in actuality until you perhaps depend rivals being extremely clutch in key conditions. However I believe the distinction between “greatest” and “best” appears to be within the phrases themselves: whether or not you’re merely higher than these round you, otherwise you wish to carry your craft to greater heights and presumably even use it for a extra profound goal.
