QuickLink:
Ghibli Tavern - When does Castle in the Sky take place
Home Register Frequently Asked Questions Search Members List Moderators and Administrators
Ghibli Tavern » - Anime » Ghibli Discussions » When does Castle in the Sky take place » Hello Guest [register|login]
« Previous Thread | Next Thread » Print Page | Recommend to Friend | Add Thread to Favorites
Post New Thread Post Reply
Author
Post
River Spirit
Tanuki




Registration Date: 06.24.17
Location: United States
Posts: 59
  When does Castle in the Sky take placePost Reply with Quote Edit/Delete Post Search for Posts by River Spirit Report Post to a Moderator        IP Address Go to the top of this page

When does Castle in the Sky take place? (A Theory)

Judging by the automobiles it seems obvious it's the 1910s or 1920s. But the idea that there are these massive airships is evidence that technology has evolved much, much farther than a simple Ford Model T.

There are theories that it does take place in the 1910s, but in an alternate universe where mankind had discovered aetherium and all that long ago. However, my theory is that the film takes place in this "universe", but a thousand years from now. The prologue (during the opening credits) explains that the people of Earth were experiencing a tremendous industrial revolution and technology was evolving at an incredible pace, culminating in the discovery and mining of aetherium. This crucial discovery, in accordance with the theory, would take place in the very near future (relative to today). As their aeronautical acumen developed, they found they could implement aetherium into their flying machines.

You can see the progression of these airships as time goes by. What starts out as little more than modified airplanes becomes enormous structures semi-dependent on propellers. Eventually, motors and engines are abandoned completely as the ships become entire landmasses dependent solely on the energy of aetherium. It's implied that thousands of people, perhaps entire populations, then moved as permanent residents onto these floating mountains and castles. And then, seemingly as a reminder that "man came from this earth and to the earth he must return", an apocalyptic hurricane knocks them all out of the sky and crashing to the earth. All except one (Laputa), which narrowly escaped destruction, but was now endlessly trapped within the hurricane which destroyed all the others. It's likely that all humans living on Laputa at that time abandoned it; either dying during the storm, or returning to the ground to help their friends rebuild civilization.

Now, once on the ground, the survivors would find that they had no idea how to adapt or live as ground dwellers. Essentially, the world's developmental timeline would then "reset" as people ventured to learn again what they learned in the past. But after the tragedy that happened with their floating islands, they promised to never again abuse the power of aetherium. Instead, they turned their attention to life on the surface, and civilization developed accordingly.

However, while the majority of the population agreed to forsake flying machines, some were still fascinated with the concept and used some of the existing technology in the wrecked castles to begin making advances in that direction. Hence, air travel gained a head start in the developmental race between the land and sky engineers. This is why, during the course of the movie, Pazu's mining town appeared markedly behind-the-times compared to Muska's airship.

I think it's reasonable to say the duration of time between the discovery of aetherium and the catastrophic hurricane was roughly 300 years. It's said in the film that Laputa has been abandoned for 700 years. So, you could say the movie proper takes place 1000 years in the future.

Sorry if the theory goes sort of off topic in some spots. I also wanted to work in my analysis of the opening credits sequence. I know there's probably a few holes in the theory, but it's one I've had for a long time and just thought I'd share.

Post last edited by River Spirit on 10.23.2017, 09:07 PM.

10.23.2017, 09:01 PM River Spirit is offline   Profile for River Spirit Add River Spirit to your buddy list
makc
Ohmu



Registration Date: 07.12.16
Location:
Posts: 437
  Post Reply with Quote Edit/Delete Post Search for Posts by makc Report Post to a Moderator        IP Address Go to the top of this page

Ha, I remember this:


__________________
It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so loving what - Stephen Fry.

10.23.2017, 10:37 PM makc is offline   Profile for makc Add makc to your buddy list
husky51
The Old Guy




Registration Date: 03.17.08
Location: Southern California
Posts: 12782
  Post Reply with Quote Edit/Delete Post Search for Posts by husky51 Report Post to a Moderator        IP Address Go to the top of this page

Fascinating theories.... Fun to read, if that is the correct phrasing...


__________________

10.24.2017, 01:50 AM husky51 is offline   Profile for husky51 Add husky51 to your buddy list Send an Email to husky51
Saddletank
Miyazaki's Best Friend




Registration Date: 09.28.06
Location: On your case
Posts: 10069
  Post Reply with Quote Edit/Delete Post Search for Posts by Saddletank Report Post to a Moderator        IP Address Go to the top of this page

My feeling is its just an alternative universe. A fantasy steampunk version of Europe which takes some fashions and technology from our world of approx the WWI era. Its a classic steampunk setting.


__________________
Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info

"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

10.24.2017, 06:49 AM Saddletank is offline   Profile for Saddletank Add Saddletank to your buddy list Send an Email to Saddletank
River Spirit
Tanuki




Registration Date: 06.24.17
Location: United States
Posts: 59
  Post Reply with Quote Edit/Delete Post Search for Posts by River Spirit Report Post to a Moderator        IP Address Go to the top of this page

Thanks for reading, husky.

quote:
Originally posted by Saddletank
My feeling is its just an alternative universe. A fantasy steampunk version of Europe which takes some fashions and technology from our world of approx the WWI era. Its a classic steampunk setting.


That's actually really interesting. I looked up steampunk and I never knew there was an official subgenre like that. CITS certainly seems to fall in that category.

10.24.2017, 07:27 PM River Spirit is offline   Profile for River Spirit Add River Spirit to your buddy list
  « Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Post New Thread Post Reply
Go to:


Online Ghibli
Ghibli Tavern is powered by WoltLab, hosted by Teragon Networks