It's a genre of science fiction where the primary source of energy is, well, steam. They're mostly set in the 19th century, with Victorian influences. But there a few times where it's seen in present time or as far back as the 16th century setting. I really enjoy this style of science fiction, mainly for the reason that I like to see how a lot of modern technology was altered to work on with steam power. Fullmetal Alchemist is a prime example of steampunk, as well as other anime like D.Gray-man and the steampunk adaptation of Seven Samurai, Samurai 7. The majority of the Final Fantasy games are in a steampunk setting as well. Movies like Hellboy, The Time Machine, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The League of Extraordinary Gentleman are also steampunk. But, to be perfectly honest, if you really wanna envelope yourself in the genre, check out the novel The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling; easily one of my favorite novels. Buy yeah, I was just curious to see if even anyone else liked or knew what it was.
I prefer not to center on merely steampunk; I generally like what I call "alternative technology". Thief (steampunk, actually), Dune (robots outlawed or something, so they went kinda mental), LEXX (no firepower, extensive biotech), and some scientific fantasy (like Technomagic, but I am pretty sure no one here even heard of the book; or the World of Tiers)... in this sense I also like StarCraft because it's a collision of different technology paths. I think Siberia was kind of steampunk? It was hard to follow, but they did have a talking robot and some strange machines; same goes for Myst, some strange technology there, too.
I am not too interested in the common science fiction per se, unless it's made to prove some points (like Asimov). Extension of the technology we have to day is not really fiction for me, more like, scientific prediction. And 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was more of that than steampunk - he invented the idea of submarines, and real submarines were made later. I don't think it's steampunk, I think it's just an old book (the movie is newer, of course) extending on that time's technology.
The original idea of submarines was invented in 1620.. I think there was one in the revolutionary war, and few tested in the civil war, all of which happened before 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was written. And actually come to think of it, I don't think he even made up the Nautilus, there was a french prototype submarine that went by the same name. And if you're wondering how I know all this, it's due to the fact that my grandfather is fascinated with them and often rambles off about them, and to be honest, they're very interesting to me as well.
D.Gray-man really isn't that steampunk, its just post-modern. Well, there is that episode with the fun house, I guess was kinda steampunk but more like gearpunk. Is there really a Seven Samurai remake? Is it anime? As you can see I'm quite fond of that particular movie
I'm not exactly sure, why there's a punk there. And of course Steamboy is steampunk, although to be honest, I didn't like that movie very much either.
@Murderface: Yeah, it's called Samurai 7. I think all of the episodes can be easily reached on youtube. I just started watching it recently myself, and I like it so far. It's steampunk, and it has all the same names from Seven Samurai.
@LinkX: Nautilus is a Cephalopod, not much science fiction there...
I am not too interested in the common science fiction per se, unless it's made to prove some points (like Asimov). Extension of the technology we have to day is not really fiction for me, more like, scientific prediction. And 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was more of that than steampunk - he invented the idea of submarines, and real submarines were made later. I don't think it's steampunk, I think it's just an old book (the movie is newer, of course) extending on that time's technology.
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Also: Today's science fiction is tommorrows science fact. - Old quote, cant remember who said it...
@Murderface: Yeah, it's called Samurai 7. I think all of the episodes can be easily reached on youtube. I just started watching it recently myself, and I like it so far. It's steampunk, and it has all the same names from Seven Samurai.
@LinkX: Nautilus is a Cephalopod, not much science fiction there...