Esper
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- For other uses, see Espers.
The term and concept esper has existed in the field of parapsychology, and in the mainstream of science fiction, for some time, since at least 1950. Properly used, the term refers to an individual born capable of using telepathy and similar paranormal mental abilities; it apparently derives from extra-sensory perception ("ESP") via the English occupational suffix, thus being literally "ESP-er" with different capitalization.
[edit] Science fiction and espers
The concept of the esper appears often in science fiction, much less often in fantasy, and is actually used by name much less frequently than it is referred to. Especially salient appearances of psychic abilities, although never attended by the usual name for them, are in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, especially Second Foundation, where psychological research turns up a means of direct mental contact between humans which was lost with the development of language;[citation needed] in George Lucas' Star Wars films, where The Force, theological explanations to the contrary notwithstanding, is essentially esperism plus telekinesis (Jedi could practically be called a religious order of espers); and in Jean Auel's The Clan of the Cave Bear, which although not science fiction in a strict sense does contain the same view of the mental processes as Asimov described in the Foundation novels.
In fact, the idea of esperism is fairly common in all science fiction, almost certainly due to the high reverence in which Isaac Asimov was held by most other science-fiction authors.[citation needed][original research?]
In Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, there is scene featuring a device called an "ESPER" which is used to manipulate photographs. The scene and features of the "ESPER" have influenced many films.
[edit] Esper in games
Esperism has appeared sporadically in science-fiction games from fairly early on, more often given its actual name in these than in most other SF sources. One especially remarkable case is the Avalon Hill board game (later adapted to computer systems) Star Command, in which characters formally called Espers are available as support troops in infantry squads, and have abilities more or less matching the psychological theories of what an esper would be capable of.
However, in certain circles, the word Esper is most familiar via the Square Co., Ltd. Super Famicom RPG Final Fantasy VI (originally released as Final Fantasy III in North America), in which beings called "Espers" are essentially demigods who wield Dungeons and Dragons-esque magical abilities, and can be killed to allow these abilities to be transferred to humans. In the original Japanese version of the game, these creatures were known as 幻獣, (げんじゅう,genjū) which translates roughly into English as "phantom beast." The English translator of the game, Ted Woolsey, sought to find a word which he felt conveyed the same meaning with as few letters as possible; the English text files for the game were essentially expanded versions of the Japanese text files, taking up far more memory space than was available. In the end, he chose the word Esper. This word is also used in Final Fantasy XII to refer summonable monsters. For more information regarding Espers in Final Fantasy VI, see Summon Magic.
Espers have also been a recurring race in Sega's Phantasy Star series; Part 1, 2 and 4 all featured important, sometimes playable Esper characters; the most notable being the character Lutz.
[edit] Esper in Anime
Chaozu from Dragon Ball Z.
Tsukamoto Yakumo from School Rumble.
Itsuki Koizumi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. (his abilities only manifested in distorted areas named "closed spaces", where the common laws of physics do not apply).
In Witch Hunter Robin, espers are labeled as witches and hunted down by a secret organization.
Espers also appear in the anime series, Mahoromatic.
Asuna Kagurazaka accuses Negi Springfield of being an esper in Negima, episode 2, when he is, in fact, a mage.
The Kasuga children from Kimagure Orange Road.
