Steampunk

I used to be big into cyberpunk culture, and to a degree, still find some joy in thinking about cyberpunk, but I've found in recent years that I love, love, the realm of Steampunk.
I don't know what it is about it; maybe just so many themes that are prevalent, and strong emotional attachments from my youth (Final Fantasy, 3 especially).

For those of you not in the know, I'll let wikipedia get you up to speed:

"Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction which came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often set in Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. It is often associated with cyberpunk and shares a similar fanbase and theme of rebellion, but developed as a separate movement (though both have considerable influence on each other)."

Steampunk culture produces things like this:


I don't know, it just IS cool. Rust, steam, analog technical abominations ... post apocalyptic types of settings, rebellion.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Final Fantasy series has always had a strong steampunk vein, especially in the likes of Final Fantasy 6, and 7. Both games feature the "little guy rebelling against the big, bad guy", all the while with cool steampunk themes.. moreso in 6, but still in 7.. I mean, guys fighting with swords, mako reactors which look not entirely futuristic.. trains, etc.
Chrono trigger definately had the same kind of feel to it.


While this may not have directly to do with modern punk .. the punk scene has definately influenced writers, and genres such as steampunk and cyberpunk can do a lot to add interesting or original spins on the scenes which we now take part in. I 'd love to write a steampunk work myself, or incorporate more steampunk elements in my artwork. Definately going to make a "steam amp" at some point.

Amano's art always gives me chills