

I've seen lots of animes where a character is caught and interrogated by some
authority. The captive is usually depicted sitting on the chair in the
interrogation room. But instead of being handcuffed, their thumbs are tied
with a zip tie.

Why? Is there a meaning? It's so weird! Is it common to use zip ties to
restrain criminals in Japan? I'm confused.

No this is not some kinky anime; I don't watch that stuff, it's an action
based anime, more specifically, AICO incarnation or something like that.


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2019-02-05T17:41:35.990
50727
2020-10-25T05:06:15.710
2019-02-21T09:07:50.620
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question
tropes culture symbolism
Why do they tie their thumbs and don't use handcuffs?


"A normal zip or cable tie is borrowed. A participant firmly cables the
performers two thumbs together, making it impossible for the performer's hands
to separate" (wonderwizards.com).

So my understanding is that by pinning the thumbs together, separating the
hands becomes impossible and thus, minimal hand movements restrict leverage to
pull on the rest of the bindings

<https://www.wonderwizards.com/lesson/blacktie2018>


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2020-09-25T04:35:22.703
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2020-09-25T04:35:22.703
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answer