Kid's Clothing and Background

[grey_the_angel]

When it comes to discovering any underlying meaning in Kid's clothes--no wisecracks, Zeppy--a good place to begin would be Radical Dreamers. Here is where Kid first appeared, and her incipient character development may shed some clues on this enigma. From our very own Encyclopedia Chronotica, here are a few Kid screenshots from RD:



Right away we can see that the short skirt was there from the beginning, but that her outfit featured rich greens with vibrant red accents rather than a heavy red dominance.

Kid's short skirt, if I were to guess, is short first and foremost because she's the female lead--and one of only two significant women in the entire game. That's just de rigueur in contemporary RPGs, I'm afraid. Japan's entertainment media have been as guilty as America's when it comes to salaciously underdressing women for the purpose of satisfying cultural norms, indulging the writers' imaginations, and boosting audience size. Showing off overly-skinny women's thighs is as Japanese as green tea and baseball. It doesn't matter if those women are surgeons, armored warriors, space cadets...

But is there an in character explanation for Kid's clothing style? Maybe. Look at Serge's and Magil's clothes. Both of their attires are ornate and elaborate, and yet quite conservative when it comes to showing off their bodies in a sexual sense. These males look concealed and powerful--you wouldn't want to fuck with them. Contrast that to Kid's much bawdier outfit, which makes her look spunky and striking. That's supposed to be attractive. That's a woman whom you--as a male--would like to get to know better. Consider that the playable character, Serge, has a crush on Kid throughout the game, and voila! Quod erat demonstrandum. To me it all suggests gender stereotypes in play. In this case the men are represented by their clothes, and Kid by hers. The gender stereotypes in question associate power with males, and beauty with females. Kid's bright colors and exposed thighs reinforce not only her beauty, but the (stereotypical) concept of feminine nature.

Of course there are many kinds of gender stereotypes. Kid's "bad girl" or "thief" attire is just one of many ways in which women are stereotyped. So let's focus on it in greater detail, to try and flesh it out. The "good girl in bad clothes" schtick is a common technique in Japan as well as in the United States. In Japanese culture in particular, depicting a nubile woman as tough-looking, hard-as-nails, and bawdy often implies that she conceals some deep pain in her past, or shoulders some other kind of burden that has inevitably forced her to develop that harsh exterior. This certainly fits Kid's description: She wears skimpy clothes, fights with a knife, steals things, disrespects authority, and uses crude language--and yet she is still good on the inside. We saw proof of that in all three Chrono games. Her predecessor, Schala, was a stereotypical "pure and virtuous female," and Kid's spirit is made out of the same stuff as Schala's--the difference being that Kid has lived a hard life and has mostly been "on her own." But in the end Kid is still a soft, sensual, vulnerable, and virtuous woman, which is in accordance with what I know of Japanese gender roles. (It isn't so foreign a concept to the American model, either.)

So Kid is harsh, and, with respect to our conversation in particular, she dresses bawdily. Does this imply she has a sex life? Maybe, but only if my speculation thus far has been wrong or incomplete. If Kid is a "good girl in bad clothes," then she has probably not been promiscuous. I say this from the perspective of those who designed the game, mindful of their cultural values. Personally, I find it sexist and derogatory to judge a woman's character on the basis of whether she has had sex. Nevertheless, many people do make that judgment, and in Japan these prejudices lead to feminine ideals not unlike our own. Taking the entirety of RD into consideration, I would therefore suppose that Kid's skimpy garb is ironic rather than literal. (It's been awhile since you saw "irony" used in the academic sense, hasn't it?)

That covers the Kid from Radical Dreamers. Now what about the Kid from Chrono Cross, whose skirt is even shorter and whose face is painted white, as aforementioned in this thread? I for one see little difference between the two. Her story is basically the same in both games, and her mannerisms are also quite similar. So in the end I would conclude that CC's Kid's bright red outfit with the short skirt is indicative of the troubled difference between Kid's ideal form and her present life.

so were in basic agreement: Kid's cloths are a complete anti to her views on sex.

[Lord J Esq]

This topic went to hell, and the premise was tenuous anyhow. I've moved it to Chrono / Gameplay to save myself some trouble when I have to read through all of these analysis topics made since March 2006.

Somebody has since moved this thread to the Analysis section. Wasn't me! (Whoever did should make a note when they move a topic.) But what's kinda cool is that it's been a while since one of my posts caused a thread to be moved into the Analysis section rather than out of it. =P

[Burning Zeppelin]

The "good girl in bad clothes" schtick is a common technique in Japan as well as in the United States.

I'm a nerd in non-nerd clothes

Just thought I'd say it, seeing as I have nothing more to add having never played CC or RD...

[grey_the_angel]

The "good girl in bad clothes" schtick is a common technique in Japan as well as in the United States.

I'm a nerd in non-nerd clothes

Just thought I'd say it, seeing as I have nothing more to add having never played CC or RD...

yeah well, Kid's rash at times, and she did crack a joke at serge, but for here, I think she's more of the "I'll settle down before I give you any." type of girl. apparently, its true for serge.

[Magus22]

Lord J, thanks for the feedback. I really do appreciate it.

ZeaLity moved the thread because of the whole nonsense other members posted about Kid being someone of a rather "free spirited" individual.

On to Kid, I think we've covered the basis as to her attire. I really never knew why she had that paint on her arms and face. Could anyone check if there were any white triangle like paint marks on her legs from the FMVs?

[grey_the_angel]

Lord J, thanks for the feedback. I really do appreciate it.

ZeaLity moved the thread because of the whole nonsense other members posted about Kid being someone of a rather "free spirited" individual.

On to Kid, I think we've covered the basis as to her attire. I really never knew why she had that paint on her arms and face. Could anyone check if there were any white triangle like paint marks on her legs from the FMVs?

no she doesnt have any on her legs. I think its war paint or something. that, or it was just something to help her uinque ness.

[yoshie]

it could of been a skirt/shorts combo a skort, i often see wemon and sadly even men in them from time to time around the city. but since iv never seen any kind of "panty" shot during to cut sceens it could always be jest a short skirt.


p.s. im glad this was added as an emotion icon

[grey_the_angel]

it could of been a skirt/shorts combo a skort, i often see wemon and sadly even men in them from time to time around the city. but since iv never seen any kind of "panty" shot during to cut sceens it could always be jest a short skirt.


p.s. im glad this was added as an emotion icon

  :lee:LEE! *raises thumb* TAKE'EM OFF!

[Magus22]

it could of been a skirt/shorts combo a skort, i often see wemon and sadly even men in them from time to time around the city. but since iv never seen any kind of "panty" shot during to cut sceens it could always be jest a short skirt.

p.s. im glad this was added as an emotion icon

I am sure Kid has underwear.

We were talking about what that symbolizes with Kid along with the random paint on her body.

[grey_the_angel]

it could of been a skirt/shorts combo a skort, i often see wemon and sadly even men in them from time to time around the city. but since iv never seen any kind of "panty" shot during to cut sceens it could always be jest a short skirt.

p.s. im glad this was added as an emotion icon

I am sure Kid has underwear.

We were talking about what that symbolizes with Kid along with the random paint on her body.

she does, and its actully a flap she uses as a skirt.

[grey_the_angel]

ladies and gentlemen of the conpendium: Kid wears matching  panties

[Burning Zeppelin]

A cold and rainy day suddenly made bright!

[grey_the_angel]

A cold and rainy day suddenly made bright!

huzzah?

[AuraTwilight]

O_O

>_>

<_<

>_>

*saves*

Ahem. I'll be in my study. Polygon counting and all. Serious business.

[Lord J Esq]

Once again proving that the invention of the holodeck would be more ruinous to society than ten Lavoses...