Zhuge Liang, Lu Bu, Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Liu Biu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Sima Quan, Sun Quan, Sun Ce, Guan Ping, Gan Ning, etc,. These are all famous not just from the Romance of The Three Kingdoms, because of Koei's video games made around the story, ROTK whch has 11 editions already and Dynasty Warriors which has 5 editions already. Not to mention new massive multiplayer online versions for this year. Thus these have a modern following among game players, especially among Japanese, who would not know any other Chinese general but somehow all these guys have some mythical status. Example: there is a ridiculous heavily fan service anime called Ikki Tousen (US: Battle Vixens), where students from warring schools somehow manage to acquire sacred magatama, or jewels which contains the powers and spirits of the legendary warriors from the Three Kingdoms. The lead heroine appears to have the spirit of Sun Ce.
Lu Bu has a particularly special place among fans of the Koei series, and even gets a crossover into the Japanese feudal period in one of the Samurai Warrior games. Literature describes Lu Bu not being that good a general for being tempestious, but as a warrior he was legendary, taking on Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Lui Bui to a stand still in the Battle of Hu Lao pass. He is traditionally portrayed with these two long feathers coming out from his headress, and this also gives him his signature appearance in the games. He is alluded in various anime under the Japanese name Ryofu.
But for all the generals in the 3 Kingdoms, Guan Yu is the one worshipped in Buddist temples as a protector and saint. He is the one often portrayed in Chinese buddist and taoist temples as a fearsome bearded warrior with dark red skin wearing a green robe and holding a halberd and this is the way he is also portrayed in Chinese opera. Guan Yu's unique status as a saint and deity sets him apart from all the Chinese generals. He is especially worshipped in Hong Kong, Taiwan and among overseas Chinese in South East Asia.
His quintessial image, that fearsome red skinned man with beard, armor with green robes and a swinging halberd, is alluded into various games, movies, and animes.
For this reason, Guan Yu is most unique in his place in modern Asian folklore and mythos, from history to religion and to modern Asian pop culture.
Lu Bu has a particularly special place among fans of the Koei series, and even gets a crossover into the Japanese feudal period in one of the Samurai Warrior games. Literature describes Lu Bu not being that good a general for being tempestious, but as a warrior he was legendary, taking on Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Lui Bui to a stand still in the Battle of Hu Lao pass. He is traditionally portrayed with these two long feathers coming out from his headress, and this also gives him his signature appearance in the games. He is alluded in various anime under the Japanese name Ryofu.
But for all the generals in the 3 Kingdoms, Guan Yu is the one worshipped in Buddist temples as a protector and saint. He is the one often portrayed in Chinese buddist and taoist temples as a fearsome bearded warrior with dark red skin wearing a green robe and holding a halberd and this is the way he is also portrayed in Chinese opera. Guan Yu's unique status as a saint and deity sets him apart from all the Chinese generals. He is especially worshipped in Hong Kong, Taiwan and among overseas Chinese in South East Asia.
His quintessial image, that fearsome red skinned man with beard, armor with green robes and a swinging halberd, is alluded into various games, movies, and animes.
For this reason, Guan Yu is most unique in his place in modern Asian folklore and mythos, from history to religion and to modern Asian pop culture.
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