What Anime is Gaster From?
The simple, direct answer is: Gaster is not from any anime. Gaster, often referred to as W.D. Gaster, is a character from the popular indie video game Undertale, created by Toby Fox. He is not featured in any anime series. The confusion often arises from the character’s mysterious nature, fan theories, and his visual design, which some may find reminiscent of certain anime styles. However, it’s crucial to understand that Gaster is entirely a product of the Undertale universe and has no official connection to any anime franchise. His existence is shrouded in ambiguity and hinted at through cryptic clues within the game, making him one of the most fascinating and discussed characters in the Undertale fandom.
Understanding Gaster’s Origin in Undertale
To clarify, Gaster is a posthumous character in Undertale. He is not a physical presence that the player directly interacts with during a normal playthrough. Instead, his presence is felt through scattered references and hidden clues, making him an enigmatic figure. He was formerly the royal scientist in the Underground, preceding Alphys, and is said to have worked on a machine powered by the Core’s energy, combined with the power of a monster SOUL. His goal was to blast open the barrier that keeps monsters trapped within the Underground. Unfortunately, this experiment resulted in his apparent death, often described as falling into the “void.” This event is often cited as the “incident” that is occasionally alluded to by other characters. This tragedy resulted in Gaster being “scattered across time and space,” as stated by some sources. This is part of what makes him such a mysterious entity within the game.
Why the Confusion with Anime?
The perception that Gaster might be an anime character could stem from a few key factors:
Fan Interpretations and AUs (Alternative Universes)
The mystery surrounding Gaster has led to an explosion of fan-created content, including fan art, stories, and even entire AUs. Many of these AUs give Gaster more prominent roles and designs. Some of these fan-made interpretations of Gaster borrow heavily from anime aesthetics, leading those unfamiliar with the original game to mistakenly believe that he is from an anime. These AUs can range from portraying him as a sympathetic figure, a tragic villain, or even a powerful deity.
Character Design Similarities
While Gaster’s in-game sprite is very simple and mostly obscured, fan interpretations often portray him as a tall, skeletal character with a dark coat, sometimes adorned with unique features. This, combined with his often-portrayed powerful magic abilities, might remind some of the designs found in certain anime. His potential to summon bones as weapons and his manipulation of hands as a symbol resonate with magic-based characters often featured in anime.
The Overlap of Fanbases
Both anime and video games often have very enthusiastic and active fanbases. There is considerable overlap between these communities, with many fans who enjoy both types of media. This crossover can lead to the misattribution of characters across different mediums.
The Enigmatic Nature of the Character
Gaster’s mysterious and elusive background makes him easily malleable to fan creations. Many creators have taken his vague origins and run with their own interpretations, some of which are styled in an anime fashion, which helps to reinforce the idea that he could come from the medium.
Gaster’s Importance to Undertale
Despite his mysterious nature and non-physical presence in the game, Gaster is a crucial element to the overall lore of Undertale. He provides a sense of depth and history to the Underground and hints at the complex nature of the game world. He serves as an example of the potential dangers of tampering with powerful magic and the consequences of unforeseen accidents. The mystery surrounding him often encourages players to delve deeper into the lore, further cementing his importance. The fact that his story is never directly told makes his presence all the more impactful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Gaster a main character in Undertale?
No, Gaster is not a main character. He is a secret, posthumous figure whose existence is only hinted at through hidden clues and obscure references within the game’s code. He’s a crucial part of the lore, but not a character directly involved in the story’s main events.
2. How can I see Gaster in Undertale?
Gaster’s appearance is not part of the main gameplay experience. He can be found in a secret room that appears only if specific conditions are met (usually by manipulating game files). This secret room can appear in Waterfall, however, Gaster is only visible briefly before disappearing.
3. Is Gaster related to Sans and Papyrus?
There is no official confirmation of this in the game itself. However, the community widely accepts the theory that he is the father of Sans and Papyrus, due to the connections within the game’s code and fan theories. Many AUs portray him as their father or creator.
4. Is Gaster stronger than Sans?
Many believe that Gaster is more powerful than Sans. This is based on theories that Sans’ abilities are a derivative of Gaster’s and that Gaster could theoretically disable Sans’ magic. However, these power levels are never directly addressed within the game.
5. Does Sans remember Gaster?
Many theories suggest that Sans is one of the few characters that still remember Gaster after his “fall” into the void. This is part of the reason why he is often perceived as a mysterious character that knows more than he lets on.
6. Did Gaster create Sans?
While not directly stated in the game, the idea that Gaster created Sans and Papyrus is a popular theory. This notion comes from hints within the game’s code, coupled with the fact that Gaster was a royal scientist. In some AUs, Sans is explicitly revealed as a creation of Gaster’s work.
7. What does Gaster look like?
Gaster’s true appearance is never fully revealed in the main game. He is often depicted as a tall, skeletal figure with a cracked skull, a dark coat, and sometimes floating hands. These details are mostly derived from fan art and interpretations of his sprite.
8. Why does Gaster speak in hands?
Gaster’s speech is often associated with hand symbols in the game’s text, specifically in Entry Number Seventeen, which is believed to be about his disappearance. This association of hands with Gaster is part of the reason he is an enigmatic figure.
9. Is Gaster evil?
Whether Gaster is good or evil is up to interpretation. There is no clear indication of his moral alignment in the main game. In AUs, he is portrayed as everything from a villain to a misunderstood character.
10. Is Gaster a god?
The concept of Gaster being a god is purely a fan theory. There is no evidence of him being a divine being in the game. The idea probably stems from his vast powers in fan works and his supposed creation of the artificial SOULs of Sans and Papyrus.
11. What is Gaster’s personality?
Due to his limited presence in the game, Gaster’s personality is a mystery. He is often portrayed as being cold and calculating in fan works. Some theories also speculate that he was an impatient and busy individual.
12. Is there any official Gaster merchandise?
Due to his secret and ambiguous status, there is currently no official merchandise of Gaster directly available. Any related merchandise is usually fan-created or based on unofficial interpretations.
13. What is the ‘void’ that Gaster fell into?
The “void” is not a place that is specifically defined in the game’s lore. The void is theorized as the place outside of time and space in which Gaster is scattered. It is often interpreted as a dimension beyond the standard reality of Undertale.
14. Is Gaster in other Undertale games or media?
Gaster appears only in Undertale and does not appear in other official Undertale games or media. He is exclusively a part of the lore of the original title.
15. How old is Gaster?
The exact age of Gaster is never stated. As a skeletal monster, it’s difficult to interpret his age in the same way as a human character, leading to a lot of different interpretations of him in the fanbase.
In conclusion, while Gaster’s mysterious and compelling nature may lead to mistaken associations with anime, he remains a unique and intriguing character solely from the world of Undertale.