|
The '''Count's of Falkenstein''', were German nobility named after the [[Burg Falkenstein (Donnersberg)|'''Burg Falkenstein''']] at [[Donnersbergkreis|Donnersberg]] in what is now the [[Rhineland-Palatinate]].
{{dated prod|concern = {{{concern|[[WP:N|Importance]] concern has not been addressed. No [[WP:V|refs]]}}}|month = December|day = 2|year = 2006|time = 16:19|timestamp = 20061202161933}}
<!-- Do not use the "dated prod" template directly; the above line is generated by "subst:prod|reason" -->
{{importance|date=July 2006}}
==Origin of the term==
In 1255 the family inherited by marriage land from the Count's of '''Hagen-Münzenberg'''. In this manner they came to be established in the [[Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region]]. At '''[[Königstein im Taunus]]''' they built their new Castle '''[[Burg Falkenstein (Taunus)|Burg (Neu-)Falkenstein]]'''.
The term "'''monstrous adolescent'''" is often used in discussing Japanese anime and the subjects involved. Anime in its contemporary form is known to explore society's fears of ever-growing technology, the rebellious actions of children, and the apocalyptic scenarios that are suggested by combining these two themes. A "monstrous adolescent" is often a quick-tempered or psychologically disturbed child with remarkable and world-changing powers, which were usually a result of scientific experiments, revolutionary technology, or human-caused pollution. These children have the power to improve or alter the world , but because of their personality the child is often on the verge of destroying it completely. The source of this create/destroy idea is usually traced back to the effects of [[Hiroshima]] and the capabilities of nuclear power and atomic bombs. The term itself can be credited to Susan J. Napier, who discusses the character type at length in an essay in her book ''Anime: From Akira to Princess Mononoke''.<ref>Susan J. Napier, 'Akira and Ranma 1/2: The Monstrous Adolescent,' pp. 39-62 in Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation, Palgrave, 2001</ref>
The theme of the "monstrous adolescent" is one that is often discussed in the Japanese art world; many consider it to be one of the many subtle repercussions of the bombing of Japan, similar to [[Godzilla]] and the [[Superflat]] art movement led by [[Takashi Murakami]].
The Falkenstein's als inherited the town of [[Offenbach am Main]] from the Count of Münzenberg. They leased the town to the neighbouring town of [[Frankfurt am Main]] for 1,000 [[Gulden]].
==Well-known or often cited examples==
Count [[Werner von Falkenstein|Werner III. von Falkenstein]] († 1418) was [[Archbishop of Trier]] from 1388 until his death in 1418. He is remembered for his provokation against the people of Frankfurt by developing rivalry with that town and Offenbach.
[[Image:Akira0005.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Tetsuo Shima, prototype of the now common character]]
Arguably the most well known examples of this character type appear in [[Katsuhiro Otomo]]'s epic graphic novel and film ''[[Akira (manga)|Akira]]''. The story describes a bizarre group of superpowered (yet docile) children bred by the government in a future Tokyo, which falls into chaos when a psychotic teenager with remarkable abilities, [[Tetsuo Shima]] runs rampant throughout the city in search of another powerful child named Akira, whose power supposedly triggered WWIII.
The Falkenstein male line died out with the death of Werner III. in 1418. Their landed estates were inherited by '''[[Herren von Eppstein]]''' family as well as the Counts von Solms.
Tetsuo proved to be a prototype for many later anime villains or antiheroes who would have similar decastating powers. Several notable examples are:
* The teenage pilots in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'': [[Shinji Ikari]], [[Rei Ayanami]], and [[Asuka Langley Soryu]] - all three possess the ability to control giant [[mecha]] of enormous power; like wise their mental state is questionable.
*[[Hotaru Tomoe]], in the manga and anime ''[[Sailor Moon]]''. As Sailor Saturn, she possesses the power to destroy the world.
==References==
[[Category:German_Nobility]]
<div class="references-small">
[[Category:Taunus]]
<references />
</div>
| 