Why Is Anime Obsessed With Power Lines?

[TorchWood]

From Atlas Obscura:

Why Is Anime Obsessed With Power Lines?

TUMBLR CAN BE A WILD and … fascinating place. If you can think of it, there is a probably a Tumblr blog dedicated to it. From Law & Order & Food to the classic Awkward Stock Photos to a Tumblr dedicated to other weird Tumblrs, there is something for everyone. But every so often, amid all the hyper-specific strangeness and absurdity, something emerges that shines a light on some previously unexplored facet of the world. We know what you’re thinking: Why are there so many shots of power lines in Japanese anime cartoons?

FULL ARTICLE HERE

[takenoko]

Ooh, thanks for the article!

The article mentioning Serial Experiments Lain pretty much encompasses it for me. Power Lines are this weird synthetic, technological thing that encroaches on nature and humanity. They make weird buzzing noises and are filled with strange energy that can kill you if you touch it.

Another anime thing that gets a lot of focus is railroads. They're a tradeoff that give you transportation power, but you have to put up with the noise. The clacks of the wheels on rail, the bells that go off when the guards lower and prevent people from crossing the track. The wail of the train horn just sounds really sad to me.

[Catastrophe]

Does Japan still have a lot of above power lines in major urban areas?

[Lunagel]

City centers not so much, but big residential areas yes

[Catastrophe]

So I guess that explains it then?