The Melancholic Princess: Difference between revisions

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Eventually, the painting somehow became the subject of an online urban legend. Chang himself caught wind of the legend a few years prior to 2006, when he received an email about it from someone in China (which therefore is where it is most strongly suspected to have originated). During this period, the legend was textually transmitted through online forums. Eventually, even English speakers sent emails to Chang as well, indicating that the legend had spread into the western hemisphere. Chang recounted this experience in a blog he posted on May 31, 2006.  
Eventually, the painting somehow became the subject of an online urban legend. Chang himself caught wind of the legend a few years prior to 2006, when he received an email about it from someone in China (which therefore is where it is most strongly suspected to have originated). During this period, the legend was textually transmitted through online forums. Eventually, even English speakers sent emails to Chang as well, indicating that the legend had spread into the western hemisphere. Chang recounted this experience in a blog he posted on May 31, 2006.  


Only less than one month later, the urban legend truly exploded. On June 11, 2006, Youtuber '''sonee''' uploaded a video<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTmwBhLMlFg</ref> titled "SONEE: Scary Clip". The video features a line of text which had to do with the lore and the picture changing. The video then prompts the viewer to stare at the painting for 5 minutes, accompanied by creepy music. At the end, the video then asks, "Did you see it?", before fading to black. This video gave major exposure to the urban legend, which many took to calling "Sonee". The template of Sonee provided the perfect conditions for a jumpscare, an opportunity which many internet users took advantage of. Numerous variations of the above video/legend were soon uploaded to YouTube, with jumpscares included at the end. Examples include "SONEE: (The Real Story)", "[[The True Story of the Melancholic Princess]]", and "[[Scariest Screamer]]".
Only less than one month later, the urban legend truly exploded. On June 11, 2006, Youtuber '''sonee''' uploaded a video<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTmwBhLMlFg</ref> titled "SONEE: Scary Clip". The video features a line of text which had to do with the lore and the picture changing. The video then prompts the viewer to stare at the painting for 5 minutes, accompanied by creepy music. At the end, the video then asks, "Did you see it?", before fading to black. This video gave major exposure to the urban legend, which many took to calling "Sonee". The template of Sonee provided the perfect conditions for a jumpscare, an opportunity which many internet users took advantage of. Numerous variations of the above video/legend were soon uploaded to YouTube, with jumpscares included at the end. Examples include "SONEE: (The Real Story)", "[[The True Story of the Melancholic Princess]]", "Scary Japanese Girl Illusion", and "[[Scariest Screamer]]".
==Explanation==
==Explanation==
While the urban legend is obviously false, many have still reported seeing the painting warp itself when staring at it. Many people, especially fellow artists, have offered several explanations for this. Most of the painting is blurry, except for the eyes, which pronounces Ruu's piercing gaze. Additionally, the art style is a blend between anime and real-life, causing an Uncanny Valley effect. And due to the rest of the painting besides the eyes being blurry, the viewer's brain may "automatically" adjust the image to slight degrees on its own, making the image seem as if it has moved or warped.
While the urban legend is obviously false, many have still reported seeing the painting warp itself when staring at it. Many people, especially fellow artists, have offered several explanations for this. Most of the painting is blurry, except for the eyes, which pronounces Ruu's piercing gaze. Additionally, the art style is a blend between anime and real-life, causing an Uncanny Valley effect. And due to the rest of the painting besides the eyes being blurry, the viewer's brain may "automatically" adjust the image to slight degrees on its own, making the image seem as if it has moved or warped.