A glomp or glomping, sometimes referred to as a tackle hug, is a form of aggressive hugging in which the initiating party dives or lunges at the receiving party in the manner of a tackle. Glomping is frequently associated with anime and manga, where it is depicted as a form of slapstick or physical comedy. Glomping is also practiced by members of the anime and manga fandom, particularly attendees of anime and manga conventions.
Description and history
editA glomp is an aggressive or highly enthusiastic form of hugging wherein the active partner dives or lunges at the receiving partner, as akin to a tackle or bear hug. It is often taken from a running start and with the receiving partner unaware of the active partner's approach. The active partner aims to wrap their arms and occasionally their legs completely around the receiving partner, which frequently results in both individuals being knocked to the ground.[1][2]
In fictional media, glomping is typically rendered as a form of slapstick or physical comedy to indicate feelings of affection or attraction by one character towards another.[3] Though tackling hugs appeared in media such as comics and animation prior to the emergence of "glomp" as a proper term in the early 1990s,[4] glomping is primarily associated with manga and anime.[3]
The precise etymology of "glomp" is unclear,[5] though the term has been associated with early English-language translations of manga by American publisher Viz Media, particularly Ranma ½ by Rumiko Takahashi.[2][5] "Glomp" was used in these translations as an onomatopoeia for tackling hugs, possibly as a synthesis from the word "glom".[2][5] Later, "grab, latch on, maintain pressure" emerged as a backronym for the term.[6]
Glomping occurs as a real-life practice among members of the anime and manga fandom, particularly attendees of anime and manga conventions. Though glomping in this context is ostensibly performed as a friendly or affectionate gesture,[1] the possibility of glomping resulting in injury, harassment, or damage to cosplay costumes has resulted in the discouragement of the practice unless consent is obtained from both parties,[6] and the implementation by some conventions of policies that prohibit glomping.[5] At some conventions, attendees participate in so-called "glomping circles" akin to a mass group hug; one such glomping circle at the anime convention Anime Expo in 2008 reportedly lasted for seven hours.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Kemner, Louis (February 5, 2023). "Tomo-chan Is a Girl! and the Bizarre Art of Glomping, Anime's Fiercest Hug". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c Maggs, Sam (2015). The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks. Quirk Books. pp. 29–30. ISBN 9781594747908.
- ^ a b Brenner, Robin (2007). Understanding Manga and Anime. ABC-Clio. p. 57. ISBN 9780313094484.
- ^ "Glomp". Dictionary.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Straughan, Elizabeth (2016). Geographical Aesthetics: Imagining Space, Staging Encounters. Taylor & Francis. pp. 65–66. ISBN 9781317129288.
- ^ a b Tung, Angela (October 7, 2015). "The Origin Stories of 10 Cool Cosplay Terms". Mental Floss. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
External links
edit
The dictionary definition of glomp at Wiktionary
