In the 19th century, the industrial age revolutionized society with the invention of steam engines. But what if this technology had evolved exponentially? Steampunk explores this idea, creating stories where Victorian aesthetics mix with mechanical engineering, creating a new and fantastic universe.
The steampunk aesthetic has already stood out in several works of popular culture, such as films, series, video games, comics and anime. In this article we will explore what this fascinating genre is.
Steampunk: discover the science fiction subgenre
Airships sailing across the skies, cities full of gears, copper pipes and gigantic steam engines: this is the heart of steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction. It combines steam engines, retro technologies, clocks and gears with a Victorian-inspired aesthetic, set in an alternative vision of the 19th century, where steam technology is the main source of energy.
The style has its roots in the literary works of authors such as HG Wells, Jules Verne and Mary Shelley. Although his works were not initially classified as steampunk, many of the elements that define the genre today, such as flying cars, robots and steam-powered cities, were already present in his stories.
Additionally, steampunk can incorporate elements from other genres, such as fantasy, adventure, and horror. Two countries stand out in the cultural production of this style: England, which serves as the setting and inspiration for many steampunk worlds, and Japan, with an emphasis on anime, manga, and games. A notable example is the anime Fullmetal Alchemist.
The word steampunk it began to be used in the 1970s. It is a variant of another popular subgenre of science fiction, the cyberpunk. In English, “steam” means steam and “punk” refers to counterculture cultural movements. The genre is also known as Vaporpunk OR Tecnavapor (short for “Steam Technology”).
THE steampunk presents several types of common scenarios, including:
Steampunk cultural productions
Some works from different types of media:
Literature
Games:
Music:
TV series:
Comic books:
Souls:
Movies:
The post What is Steampunk? appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
