Question about Manta

[Rapid]

I just got Vol. 3 back from my friend, and I remembered-

Does the manga (or anime) ever explain how Manta was suddenly able to see ghosts? If so, how come?

Before reading Vol. 3, I never thought about it much. I just sorta assumed he always could, but never saw any before... ^^;

[TakinawaTonfa]

Well I know that at one point before the chapter where Ryu gets posessed by Tokagero and uses Manta as a hostage, Amidamaru says that only good people can see ghosts or something like that.

Unfortuanetly, thats all I really know, guess I have to wait...

[Rapid]

Yeah... Manta also questions as to whether he's a 'decent person'. He seems to doubt it...

[Gus]

Maybe he's a shaman....

Then again, maybe he's just a freak.

Who can see ghosts, that is.

[Lovely]

I don't know if the manga ever really answers the question on why exactly Manta could see ghosts when he met Yoh and not before. Though, I suppose I have a theory...

Manta started seeing ghosts when he met Yoh. But even at that time Yoh had to sort of encourage Manta too see it a bit. It's when Yoh pointed out "all of us" (refering to the ghosts in the graveyard.) Up to that point, Manta didn't actually see the ghosts.

In the begining of the series it often IS Yoh or Anna that point out to Manta that ghosts are around and it is only THEN when Manta notices them.
Examples: Yoh had to point out Mosuke to Manta, and the ghosts in that first graveyard. He also pointed out Amidamaru and he encourage Manta "to watch" when Yoh first intergrated.
Anna pointed out the ghosts at Anna's and Yoh's house (the En Inn) and she pointed out the ghosts at the Sun Sunshine building.

I think that Manta's spiritual power is so low and so ... never used, that having people point ghosts out to him at those points was sort of "excercise" for Manta's sixth sense. Sort of a little push if you will.
As time went on, Manta didn't really need encouragement to see ghosts anymore as it came more naturally.

This is all just a theory of course.

[TakinawaTonfa]

That's a pretty good theory though. I never really payed attention to the fact that alot of what Manta sees in the beginning is pointed out.

Heres another thought though: You think anyone else in Manta's family has any sort of spiritual power?

[Jr.]

Oh yeah, the whole kind of running gag thing where Amidamaru would pop in and scare the heck out of Manta!! XD

Manta: I'm still not used to instant spirits!! ;_;

[Gus]

TakinawaTonfa said:

That's a pretty good theory though. I never really payed attention to the fact that alot of what Manta sees in the beginning is pointed out.

Heres another thought though: You think anyone else in Manta's family has any sort of spiritual power?

Heh, heh, his dad doesn't look the type to even believe in ghosts, let alone see them...

Such childish thoughs would disgrace a man of his position XD

[Joji]

Well, Yoh did say that only good people can see ghosts, and that's one of the resons why he became his friend, but this just seems like one of those things where the creator(s) didn't think of the "why?" anywhere past "just because". I mean, if he couldn't see ghosts, he wouldn't play a very big part in the story.

[Gus]

Joji said:

Well, Yoh did say that only good people can see ghosts, and that's one of the resons why he became his friend, but this just seems like one of those things where the creator(s) didn't think of the "why?" anywhere past "just because". I mean, if he couldn't see ghosts, he wouldn't play a very big part in the story.

Well, that could be it...

But maybe he's really Opacho with a mask on!