Wiccan last names are a fascinating aspect of Wiccan culture and traditions. In Wicca, individuals often choose a magickal name to represent their spiritual identity. This name is typically kept private and used only within magical circles or rituals. However, some Wiccans also opt to adopt a Wiccan last name to further solidify their connection to the faith. Wiccan last names can be derived from a variety of sources. Some individuals choose to take on the name of a deity or mythological figure that holds personal significance to them.
Do you enjoy ninjas? Do you like stupid, stupid movies? How about demons and monsters and gratuitous cartoon violence? If any of this sounds appealing, then might I recommend like literally 50% of all anime movies made from the mid-’80s up until, I guess, right now? But specifically, for present purposes, might I recommend Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (aka Yoma: Curse of the Undead, aka Dumbest Pantless Ninja Demonfest [I may have made one of those titles up])?
But specifically, for present purposes, might I recommend Blood Reign Curse of the Yoma aka Yoma Curse of the Undead , aka Dumbest Pantless Ninja Demonfest I may have made one of those titles up. This, and the Sci Fi Channel before its inane SyFy rebranding running the same handful of films every week in its Saturday Anime block, pretty much guaranteed that a generation of impressionable young American nerds like me would waste even more of their precious youths.
Some individuals choose to take on the name of a deity or mythological figure that holds personal significance to them. For example, someone who connects deeply with the goddess Aphrodite may choose to take on the last name "Aphrodite" or a variation thereof. Others may choose a last name that reflects a specific element or natural force that resonates with them.
Retro Review: Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (1989)
Do you enjoy ninjas? Do you like stupid, stupid movies? How about demons and monsters and gratuitous cartoon violence? If any of this sounds appealing, then might I recommend like literally 50% of all anime movies made from the mid-’80s up until, I guess, right now? But specifically, for present purposes, might I recommend Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (aka Yoma: Curse of the Undead, aka Dumbest Pantless Ninja Demonfest [I may have made one of those titles up])?
I lost track of my punctuation for a second there. I think I’m okay, though. Onward.
Yoma is the story of Hikage, a young shinobi who wears a very short kimono and excels at killing things. Hikage’s childhood friend Marou (also a ninja), after participating in a horrible bloody battle, goes nuts and attacks Hikage and runs off. The famous Takeda Clan orders Hikage to pursue Marou, who apparently has turned traitor. When he catches up with his former friend, Hikage learns that Marou has somehow turned into a super-powerful demonic creature (yoma) who can control all the other super-powerful demonic creatures, like, ever. So pretty much there’s killing of said demons, some close calls, a couple of bitchin’ guy-gets-cut-but-doesn’t-realize-it-for-five-seconds/wicked blood-spray things, and, you know. It’s anime ninjas and demons.
The narrative is virtually nonexistent (I never get tired of typing that). Really, it’s a ninja who has to kill his buddy who’s now a demon, and also there’s a couple of love interests, and some giant spiders, and like a demon horse thing. There seem to be some broad allusions to Japanese folklore, but nothing really specific.
Let me be very clear: this movie sucks (actually it’s an OVA, or original video animation for you otaku out there–a two-part straight-to-video release). It was made in the late ’80s but looks much older: it has some sloppy animation work and bad color in places, and just doesn’t make a lot of sense. The skeletal narrative leaves much to be desired in terms of caring about any of the characters. There’s really not much here to like.
And yet I love this piece of crap.
It’s just one of those. It’s definitely so-bad-it’s-good. It defines so-bad-it’s-good. It has ninjas killing demons, for crap’s sake. There are gross disembowelments (disembowelings?) and corpse-monsters and claw-blades and it really makes the giddy little ninja fanboy in me want to live in feudal Japan (despite the rest of me knowing what a bullshit fictionalized pop culture conception I actually have of feudal Japan).
Yes, it is delicious. Shut up.
If you’re a child of the 1980s like myself, you may remember the gathering storm of anime marketed toward adult audiences that was percolating on the edges of mainstream US video-store awareness. Thanks in large part to companies like A.D. Vision and US Manga Corps, horror and dark sci-fi anime like the classics Vampire Hunter D, Demon City Shinjuku, and the less-than-classic Yoma were floating around the shelves of seedy video rental stores by the early ’90s. This, and the Sci Fi Channel (before its inane “SyFy” rebranding) running the same handful of films every week in its Saturday Anime block, pretty much guaranteed that a generation of impressionable young American nerds like me would waste even more of their precious youths. What was I talking about?
Yoma‘s one of those films that you might not appreciate if you don’t already remember hating it from your youth. If that doesn’t make sense, shut up, yes it does. Oddly, the crappy animation and character design, the gaping plot holes, and the gleeful, cartoonish gore fill me with a bizarre sense of nostalgia for that most neon and bowl-cut-y and nonsensical of decades, the 1990s. Remember animated GIFs and Geocities? Yeah, those were the days. Yoma is like that. It’s like Geocities. And bowl cuts.
COME HUMAN TO MY LAIR, WHERE WE SHALL PARTAKE OF DEL AMITRI AND THE FORBIDDEN GIN BLOSSOMS.
Yoma is the story of Hikage, a young shinobi who wears a very short kimono and excels at killing things. Hikage’s childhood friend Marou (also a ninja), after participating in a horrible bloody battle, goes nuts and attacks Hikage and runs off. The famous Takeda Clan orders Hikage to pursue Marou, who apparently has turned traitor. When he catches up with his former friend, Hikage learns that Marou has somehow turned into a super-powerful demonic creature (yoma) who can control all the other super-powerful demonic creatures, like, ever. So pretty much there’s killing of said demons, some close calls, a couple of bitchin’ guy-gets-cut-but-doesn’t-realize-it-for-five-seconds/wicked blood-spray things, and, you know. It’s anime ninjas and demons.
For instance, someone who feels a strong affinity for the ocean may select the last name "Sea" or "Waves." These nature-inspired last names serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness between the individual and the natural world. Additionally, Wiccans may create a last name based on their craft or magical practices. Those who specialize in herbology and healing may adopt a last name such as "Herbwise" or "Greenleaf," while individuals with a focus on divination may choose a last name like "Seer" or "Oracle." It is important to note that the adoption of a Wiccan last name is a personal choice and not a requirement of the faith. Some Wiccans may prefer to solely use their given last name, while others may choose to adopt a Wiccan last name as a way to further embrace their spiritual path. In conclusion, Wiccan last names are an intriguing aspect of Wiccan culture, allowing individuals to deepen their connection to the faith and express their spiritual identity. Whether derived from deities, natural elements, or magical practices, these names serve as a unique expression of one's Wiccan beliefs and practices..
Reviews for "Wiccan Last Names: Connecting with the Past, Embracing the Present"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Wiccan last names". The names provided were nothing more than a mixture of random words mashed together. They lacked any sense of connection or meaning, making them feel forced and contrived. I was hoping for names with a rich history and symbolism, but I found none of that in this book. It felt like a lazy attempt at capitalizing on the Wiccan trend without putting in the effort to provide meaningful content. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking authentic Wiccan last names.
2. Emily - 1/5 - "Wiccan last names" was a complete waste of my time and money. The names suggested in this book were unimaginative and uninspiring. I expected to find unique and mystical names that would evoke a sense of enchantment, but all I got were generic and forgettable options. The author seemed to prioritize quantity over quality in their selection, resulting in a list of names that felt hastily put together. If you're serious about finding meaningful Wiccan last names, I suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Samantha - 2/5 - As an avid practitioner of Wicca, I was excited to explore the realm of Wiccan last names. However, this book fell short of my expectations. While it did provide a decent number of names, the lack of research and accuracy was evident. Many of the names seemed to have no roots in Wiccan culture or traditions, which was disappointing. Furthermore, the organization of the book was confusing and made it difficult to navigate through the names. Overall, I found "Wiccan last names" to be a missed opportunity to provide meaningful and authentic options for Wiccans seeking suitable surnames.
4. Alex - 1/5 - I regret purchasing "Wiccan last names" as it failed to deliver on its promise. The names suggested were shallow and lacked any depth or significance. I was hoping for names that would align with the spirituality and beliefs of Wicca, but instead, I found generic names that could easily be found in any baby name book. The book felt like a cash grab, capitalizing on the popularity of Wicca without offering anything substantial or worthwhile. I would advise anyone interested in Wiccan last names to explore other resources that provide more thought-provoking and authentic options.