In a message dated 12/17/98 10:48:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,
kaldar87@hotmail.com writes:

<< Ideally, perhaps, but since when is anything ideal? You may not need to 
 think about performing a standard martial arts move, but I would think 
 something like a ki blast is a different matter. Besides, where's the 
 drama in pulling an energy blast out of nowhere? You have to build up to 
 it, for dramatic emphasis if for no other reason. IMO, the purpose of 
 calling out the name of a technique is threefold. One, as Lurker said, 
 to act as a focus, a sort of Kiai, if you will. Second, for dramatic 
 emphasis, as stated above, and third, to let the audience know just what 
 the character is attempting to do. >>
	I accept the other two reasons.  I only have the problem with the first one
because it doesn't explain why one has to use the technique name.  (Why not
the all-purpose "Kiai!" or "Die!"?  Or do you want to have the plot
possibilities of the guy who's being attacked going off and learning the
counter, something significantly more easily done when you know what attack
you need the counter to?)
	I would be less likely to argue if the first reason was given for the yell
(Question: Does a focus *have* to be a vocalized yell?) and the other two
reasons were for what was being yelled.


		--Ryo Hoshi