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Normally on StackExchange sites, discussions are not permitted. However, for the Anime & Manga forum, would it be permitted to ask a question such as "In Naruto, given the direction Sasuke is currently taking, is he going to continue seeking power until he is killed?"?

I appreciate that's probably not the best example of a possible question, but it should give the idea of what I mean.

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From experience on Science Fiction & Fantasy: such questions wouldn't work well, because:

  • they are highly subjective: if there are no strong clues in the work then the answers are purely a product of the answerer's imagination and not particularly relevant for other people;
  • they are too localized, if they become moot after a future episode/issue provides a canonical answer.

There can be good questions on plot analysis, but I think a good rule of thumb is that if you know that there aren't at least hints in the work itself, then it's not a good question. Answers should be required to say not just “I think X will happen”, but “this documented event suggests that X will happen, while this other event seems contrary, …”

Going on a different tangent, it's too early to ask this question. Area 51 generally establishes what's on-topic and what's off-topic to a certain extent, but doesn't do a good job of setting guidelines for question quality. That's best done during the beta, from actual examples.

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I think the most appropriate way to ask this question would be

Is there any evidence to support the idea that _

In this manner, it's an entirely answerable question. This makes it very clear that you are not interested in opinion, but are only interested in evidence in the media available, and perhaps public interviews with those involved with the production.

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    That's an interesting take on the question wording - I shall remember that. Jan 27, 2012 at 8:22
  • Sometimes a little bit or rephrasing can make a huge difference. This answer makes my day!
    – MozenRath
    Oct 31, 2012 at 7:32
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Definitely not, since it is not a question that can have a definite answer, only speculation.

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