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Throughout the production of a series, a lot goes on behind the scenes in regard to planning and design, which often go through multiple stages before resulting in the final version that is seen on screen. Some concepts and ideas can have an effect on the show and characters, and unexpected occurrences during production can also lead to changes and additions to the plans for the show.

Character Basis[]

Raven Branwen alludes to Huginn,[1] a raven who flies around the world gathering information for Odin. Specifically, she alludes to the poem Grímnismál. This allusion has had the following influences on the character and show:

  • Raven is named after the type of bird that Huginn is.
  • In the scene in "Burning the Candle" where Yang Xiao Long tells Blake Belladonna about her search for Raven, lines from Grímnismál that talk about Huginn and Muninn are written across the top of the chalkboard.[2]
    • "Hugin and Munin fly each day over the spacious earth. I fear for Hugin, that he come not back, yet more anxious am I for Munin."
  • Prior to the events of the series proper, Raven left her team behind. This connects with the line "I fear for Hugin, that he come not back" in the poem.
  • Ozpin granted Raven the ability to transform into a raven. This is similar to how Odin granted Huginn and Muninn the ability to speak.
    • The reason that Ozpin gave Raven and Qrow Branwen this ability was so that they could gather information on Salem's plans and track down Maidens. This is similar to how Huginn and Muninn were tasked with traveling the world to gather information for Odin.

Emblem[]

Rave emblem

Raven's emblem is a winged eye with a clock inside of it. This emblem has not appeared on any of her possessions so far.

Pre-Production[]

  • In Vol. 5: Shine, Ein Lee comments on her various contributions to the series. There, she mentions Raven is heavily based on her own original samurai character of the same name. She also comments that, originally, the original character and the Raven seen in the show were supposed to be the same characters.
  • In her DeviantArt account featuring art of the original character, she mentions this about Raven:
    • Her weapon was called Benigumo, and the scabbard changed colors
    • She'd have been well acquainted with everyone.
    • She crawled out of hell to live a normal life, but one day she must confront the destiny that lies whence she cometh.
    • Benigumo has its own pillow and blanket next to raven's spot on the bed.
    • She acts all tough and stuff but is really just a big dork.

Image Gallery[]

Production[]

  • In the "Yellow" Trailer, Yang shows a picture of Raven to Junior. The image used as a placeholder for Raven is Monty Oum's artwork called Transient Princess, which depicts the character Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII with "hair that transitions into the threads of a feather".
  • Raven's face was first seen in the Volume 2 after credits scene. Due to time constraints, she had Yang's hair model with her scarf and feathery ponytail added to it, and her face closely resembled Yang's with slight adjustments to the shape of her eyes. In her next physical appearance in Volume 4, she has her own model with distinct hair and eyes.
  • Originally, they were going to do more with Raven Branwen and Yang Xiao Long in Volume 3, but weren't able to due to time restraints.[3]
  • Though the theme that plays during Raven's appearance in "No Brakes" is similar to the song Sacrifice, the score is not intended to be reminiscent of the song, as Sacrifice had not yet been made and Raven's motif was composed in Volume 4.[4]

Image Gallery[]

References[]

Characters
BRIR
RWBY/Justice League
Super Heroes and Huntsmen
Other
Minor Characters
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