About

Ship in a Bottle is a fantasy magical girl saga that takes place in contemporary times. It revolves around two central characters: the genie, Shiphrah, and her new master, Alan Parker. Included in the tale are Alan’s friends and associates who each fulfill a set of classic anime tropes, however with twists. (usually) It’s an “ecchi” (Japanese word for ‘perverted’) romantic comedy with lots of nudity, bad language, adult themes, comedic/slapstick violence and sexual innuendo, but no hardcore sex. Basically, the kind of stuff you’d find in the 17+ area of the anime aisle at the video store or in your average R-Rated movie. So get ready for some serious cheese, folks.

More to come as we get character drawings and bios in place!

Fun Facts FAQ:

Q: “What does Ship’s name mean/where is it from?”

A: For this one, I shall go to Wikipedia:

Shiphrah (Hebrew: שִׁפְרָה‎ šiᵽrâ) was one of two midwives who helped prevent the genocide of Hebrew children by the Egyptians, according to Exodus 1:15-21. The name is found in a list of slaves in Egypt during the reign of Sobekhotep III. This list is on Brooklyn 35.1446, a papyrus scroll kept in the Brooklyn Museum.

Other Interpretations

If the Shiphrah on the Brooklyn document is the same as the one in the Bible, or a close contemporary, then the Pharaoh of the Exodus must be the one named Dudimose or Tutimaios. However, Shiphrah is described in the Bible and Jewish traditions as not being enslaved, rather hired by Pharaoh, and then was saved from slavery the entire time in Egypt. If this interpretation is correct, then the Shiphrah in the list may be another woman of the same name, but the chronological connection remains in place. Other possibilities are that Shiphrah may have been first a slave, then freed; or that the Jewish traditions may not go back in time far enough to be authentic.

Francine Klagsbrun said that the refusal of Shiphrah and her colleague Puah to follow the Pharaoh’s genocidal instructions “may be the first known incident of civil disobedience in history.” (Voices of Wisdom, ISBN 0-394-40159-X)

Meaning: ‘improved’ or ‘beautiful’ (in modern Hebrew, leshaper means “to improve.”)

Now, me personally, I favor the idea that her name means “beautiful”. As a friend pointed out: “I don’t see what she could be improved from.” What indeed, eh?