#amdrag

What’s meant to be a fairly standard fantasy sequence (from what I remember) has a lot more symbolism going for it than you’d initially expect. I’m gunna go full the-author-is-dead on this one INCOHERENT TANGENT WITH A LACK OF A CLEAR THESIS GO

To me the arcade setting is symbolic of innocence, youth and escapism. This childlike mise en scene is being utilised to explore the dynamic of Jake and Roses relationship. The use of a two-sided tabletop arcade machine as a central prop is clearly emblematic of their (more specifically Jake’s) innocence and childhood as a whole being lost to their rivalry. Video game iconography represents competitiveness, specifically how Jake and Rose are destined to continue playing the same game of cat and mouse. Moreover, arcades being a place for leisure and escape exemplifies their desire to break loose from their circumstances.

The concept of a rite of passage is only reinforced with Rose’s activation of the jukebox, a device often associated with the rise in teen culture in America. With this connotation in mind, the initiation of the music evinces Rose’s maturity greatly surpassing Jake’s. Rose inserting the coin before Jake even enters the building also shows how her innocence was long gone before Jake’s involvement in her life. Moreover the fact neither of them activate the game on the table they’re occupied at indicates that this ‘game’ they’re playing is completely out of their control. I also like to think this scene is foreshadowing how she is literally going to change her tune on dragons (ba dum tss🥁)

Despite their maturity, their status or identity, they are both equal and see eye to eye - unlike their ancestors before them. While games are designed to have the same form and structure every single time you play it, only the players can change the outcome.

Though the specific use of anachronism with the retro arcade cabinets is lost on me. Okay now that I think about it, this stylistic device only further accentuates the centuries long conflict between the huntsman and the dragon race.

When viewing the motif of a fan through an anachronist lens, the fans serve more as a western and modern translation of a traditional fan. This appliance clearly represents the interplay of the status of a Huntsclan member and being a Dragon in their relationship. Not only do fans connote sophistication, social status and romance - all those traits relating to Rose but also their relationship as a whole. Furthermore, in a Japanese context (yes I'm aware that Jake is Chinese jus let me yap) fans are associated with cross-cultural exchange which the highlights the star-crossed forbidden aspect of their love. Additionally in Victorian era fans were used to non verbally communicate romantic interest. While idk much about each movements specific meaning I choose to believe its just to visually indicate that Rose is romantically interested in Jake wow who would've known XD.

I want to say the glass of water could symbolise how

Rose's longs to control her destiny much like how water is used to control our bodies temperature. Also accentuated with the way she doesn't drink the water but only applies it against her skin

She's out of her element/ doesn't belong. Water also connotes adaptability and survival. Maybe reflecting her survival against odds (odds being a Dragon hunter bein with her half human half dragon lover) (if that wasn't obvious haha)

Or if we continue with the rite of passage stuff, seeing as water is associated with rebirth, the interaction with water but not direct contact can be foreshadowing how her life is about to change seeing as well .. well you know dragon hunter.. half huma-

Okay I just realised these interpretations are the same thing just in different fonts nevermidn SDFJHSAHHAS

You mean Zutara fanfic, if it was greenlit by Disney Channel?

Rose from American Dragon: Jake Long Season 1 and Season 2 reverse style draw!

Some very quick screenshot re-draws, Rose’s outfits in the 2 season’s separate styles! Just some other style studies besides my usual :)