113 in Pop Culture and Media References

The number 113 appears in various forms across pop culture, most famously as "A113" (or "A-113"), an Easter egg in Pixar and Disney animated films referencing a classroom at the California Institute of the Arts. The number also appears in video games, TV shows, movies, music, and literature, sometimes as an intentional reference and other times as a coincidental appearance with plot significance.

A113: The Famous Animation Easter Egg

Perhaps the most well-known cultural reference related to 113 is the "A113" (sometimes written as "A-113") Easter egg that appears throughout animated films and television shows.

Origin of A113

The "A113" reference originated from a classroom at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts):

  • Classroom A113 was where many character animation students took their first classes
  • Notable CalArts alumni who studied in this room include John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter, and many other influential animators
  • These animators began incorporating "A113" into their work as a subtle nod to their educational roots
  • Over time, it evolved into an industry-wide inside joke and tradition

A113 in Pixar Films

The A113 reference appears in every Pixar film, often in creative and well-hidden ways:

  • Toy Story (1995): License plate on Andy's mom's minivan
  • A Bug's Life (1998): Code on a cereal box
  • Toy Story 2 (1999): Airport announcement for "LassetAir Flight A113"
  • Monsters, Inc. (2001): A room number during the door vault sequence
  • Finding Nemo (2003): Model code on the camera used by the scuba diver
  • The Incredibles (2004): Room number where Mirage debriefs Mr. Incredible
  • Cars (2006): Shown as Mater's license plate and a train number
  • Ratatouille (2007): A rat tag code and as a reference on a document
  • WALL-E (2008): Directive code and escape pod identification
  • Up (2009): Seen on the courtroom door
  • Toy Story 3 (2010): License plate on Andy's mother's car again, maintaining continuity
  • Cars 2 (2011): Appears on Siddeley's tail number
  • Brave (2012): Roman numerals ACXIII (113) carved into a witch's cottage
  • Monsters University (2013): Classroom number
  • Inside Out (2015): Graffiti in a background scene in San Francisco
  • The Good Dinosaur (2015): Appears in a fence design
  • Finding Dory (2016): License plate number on a truck
  • Coco (2017): Room number in the Land of the Dead's Bureau of Family Reunions
  • Incredibles 2 (2018): Appears on a computer screen
  • Toy Story 4 (2019): Easter egg appears on a calendar
  • Soul (2020): Appears as the number of a subway train
  • Luca (2021): Appears on a train ticket

A113 Beyond Pixar

The A113 reference has spread beyond Pixar to other animations and media:

  • The Simpsons: Prisoner number and various other appearances
  • American Dad: Appeared as a serial number
  • Lilo & Stitch: A113 appears as a credit card number
  • The Avengers (live action): A computer screen displays the reference
  • Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol: Ethan Hunt's unrestricted access code
  • The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Shown as the number of a room
  • Doctor Who: Shown on a door in one episode
  • BoJack Horseman: License plate contains the reference

Fun Fact: Brad Bird's Signature

Director Brad Bird, who studied at CalArts, is particularly known for incorporating A113 into all of his works, including "The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille," and even the live-action film "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol." Finding the A113 reference has become a game for viewers of his films.

113 in Video Games

The number 113 appears across various video games, sometimes as Easter eggs and other times as significant plot elements or level designs.

Notable 113 References in Gaming

Halo Series

While the main character Master Chief is John-117, not 113, there are several 113 references in the Halo universe:

  • Installation 04's service number in some documentation is 113
  • In Halo lore, some protocols and identification codes incorporate 113
  • Some fans note that 117 can be viewed as an anagram of 113 + 4

SCP Foundation

In the collaborative fiction project and related games of the SCP Foundation:

  • SCP-113 is "The Gender-Switching Stone," an object that can physically transform a person's biological sex
  • This particular SCP has become one of the more well-known entries and appears in several SCP-based games

Fallout Series

In the post-apocalyptic Fallout universe:

  • While Vault 113 doesn't officially appear in the games, it's mentioned in fan theories and some mods
  • Several terminal entries and location coordinates in the games occasionally reference 113

Pokémon

In the Pokémon games and wider franchise:

  • Chansey is Pokémon #113 in the National Pokédex
  • As a result, Chansey is sometimes associated with healing and luck, tying into the number 113
  • Base stats and certain move power levels occasionally use 113 as a value

Other Video Game Appearances

  • Call of Duty: Room 113 appears in several maps
  • Grand Theft Auto series: Building addresses, room numbers, and radio frequencies sometimes use 113
  • Resident Evil: Various key codes and laboratory identifiers
  • The Binding of Isaac: Seed codes and item IDs can include 113
  • Minecraft: Some players consider block coordinates with 113 to be special locations

Level 113 Phenomenon

In many games with level progressions that extend beyond 100, level 113 often marks a notable difficulty spike or reward tier:

  • In MMORPGs like "RuneScape," level 113 in certain skills offers unique abilities
  • In puzzle games with numerous stages, level 113 is sometimes designed as a particularly challenging or memorable puzzle
  • Game developers occasionally use level 113 to hide Easter eggs, potentially as a nod to the A113 animation tradition

113 in Movies and Television

Beyond animated films, the number 113 appears in various live-action movies and television shows:

Movies

  • Ocean's Eleven (2001): Room 113 in the Bellagio plays a role in the heist sequence
  • The Matrix (1999): Room 113 is mentioned in one scene
  • Transformers (2007): Sector 113 is referenced in government documents
  • District 9 (2009): Containment cell 113 appears briefly
  • The Shining (1980): While Room 237 is famous, room 113 appears in a hallway scene
  • Back to the Future (1985): The number appears on a license plate

Television

  • Breaking Bad: The number appears in several chemical formulas and addresses
  • Lost: Among the many significant numbers in the show, 113 appears in several equations
  • The X-Files: Case file #113 is referenced in an episode
  • House, M.D.: Patient room 113 appears in multiple episodes
  • Stranger Things: The number appears on documents and equipment in the laboratory
  • The Office: Referenced as a time code and form number

Police Procedural Connection

The number 113 frequently appears in police procedural shows like "Law & Order," "CSI," and "Criminal Minds" as case numbers, evidence tags, or police codes. This likely stems from actual police codes in some jurisdictions where "113" refers to specific types of incidents.

113 in Music and Literature

The number 113 makes appearances in both musical works and literary texts:

113 in Music

  • 113 (French Hip Hop Group): A notable French hip hop group named "113" formed in 1994, taking their name from the building number in their housing project in Vitry-sur-Seine
  • Track Listings: Song #113 on extended albums or compilations sometimes receives special attention from artists
  • Opus Numbers: Classical compositions with opus number 113 include works by several composers
  • Lyrical References: The number appears in lyrics across various genres:
    • Several hip hop songs reference "room 113" as a significant location
    • In some rock songs, 113 is mentioned as a highway number or address
    • Country music occasionally uses 113 in songs about highways and travel
  • Runtime: Songs that are exactly 1:13 (one minute, thirteen seconds) in length are sometimes created intentionally as short interludes or intros

113 in Literature

In literature, the number 113 occasionally serves as an important marker or symbolic element:

  • Moby Dick: In some editions, Chapter 113 titled "The Forge" contains a pivotal moment where Ahab has the blacksmith forge a special harpoon for the white whale
  • Ray Bradbury: In some of his works, the number 113 appears as a significant apartment or house number
  • Mystery and Thriller Novels: Room 113 is frequently used in hotel or apartment settings as the site of mysterious events
  • Science Fiction: Particularly in dystopian novels, Sector 113 or District 113 often appears as a designation for restricted or special areas
  • Page 113: Some authors place significant plot revelations or Easter eggs on page 113 of their books, especially those with connections to film or animation industries

Psalm 113

In religious literature, Psalm 113 has significant meaning:

  • It is one of the "Hallel" psalms (Psalms 113-118) recited on Jewish holidays
  • It focuses on praising God and speaks of God's care for the poor and needy
  • The psalm begins with "Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD."
  • It's often referenced in both religious and secular literature

Other Notable 113 References in Culture

Beyond mainstream entertainment, the number 113 appears in various other cultural contexts:

Architecture and Landmarks

  • Building 113 at various university campuses often houses arts or engineering departments
  • Highway 113 in California passes near the University of California, Davis
  • Room 113 in various historic buildings sometimes has preservation significance
  • 113th floor designations in some of the world's tallest buildings (even when the actual floor count is different)

Sports

  • Jersey #113 would be illegal in most major sports (which typically limit numbers to two digits), but appears in marathon and cycling events
  • The number sometimes appears in batting averages (.113) or other sports statistics
  • Seating section 113 in many stadiums offers particular viewing advantages
  • Record times of 1:13 (one minute, thirteen seconds) are significant milestones in certain races

Technology

  • HTTP Status Code 113 is not a standard code (standard codes range from 100-599), but appears in some custom server implementations
  • Many software version 1.13 releases have contained significant updates or features
  • IP addresses containing 113 (like 113.x.x.x) are assigned to specific regions and companies
  • Error 113 in various software systems typically relates to connectivity issues

Aviation and Transportation

  • Flight 113 designations across various airlines
  • Bus and train routes numbered 113 in cities worldwide
  • 113 appears in various model numbers for aircraft, trains, and automobiles
  • 113.0 MHz is used as a radio frequency in some aviation communications

Creating Your Own 113 Easter Eggs

Inspired by the tradition of A113 references in animation? Here are some creative ways you might incorporate the number 113 into your own creative projects:

Digital Art and Animation

  • Include 113 in background elements like street signs, clocks, or building numbers
  • Use it as a color code (#000113 is a very dark blue)
  • Hide it in texture patterns or background details
  • Include it in file names or metadata of your work

Writing and Storytelling

  • Assign room 113 special significance in your story
  • Make a character's age or birthday relate to 113
  • Use it as a significant time (1:13) for plot events
  • Work it into dialogue in natural ways

Game Design

  • Create level 113 with unique challenges or rewards
  • Use 113 as a secret code or password
  • Assign special item #113 unique properties
  • Hide the number in environmental details for observant players

Music and Audio

  • Place a special sound at 1:13 in your tracks
  • Use 113 BPM as a tempo for significant sections
  • Write lyrics that subtly reference the number
  • Name track #13 on your 11-track album as a hidden bonus (effectively making it track 11.3)

Easter Egg Etiquette

When including Easter eggs like 113 references in your work, remember that the best hidden messages are subtle and don't distract from the main content. They should be discoverable by attentive audience members but not obvious or distracting to casual viewers or users. The joy of Easter eggs lies in their subtlety and the satisfaction of discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is A113 so common in animated movies?

A113 (or A-113) is common in animated movies because it references classroom A113 at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where many influential animators studied character animation. Alumni like John Lasseter, Brad Bird, and Pete Docter began including this reference in their work as a nod to their educational roots and it evolved into an industry tradition. Many animators at Pixar, Disney, and other studios continue this practice as both an homage to their education and a fun Easter egg for observant viewers. It's now considered an inside joke in the animation industry and has spread beyond CalArts graduates to become a widely recognized animation Easter egg.

Does the number 113 have any special mathematical properties?

Yes, the number 113 has several interesting mathematical properties. It's a prime number (divisible only by 1 and itself), specifically the 30th prime number. It's also what's called an "emirp" - a prime number that yields a different prime number when its digits are reversed (311 is also prime). Additionally, 113 follows a pattern of being part of twin semi-primes: 113×2 = 226 and 113×3 = 339, where both 226 and 339 have exactly two prime factors. In recreational mathematics, 113 appears in several interesting sequences and patterns. While not as mathematically significant as numbers like 7, 12, or 100, it does possess enough interesting properties to make it notable to mathematicians and number enthusiasts.

Is there any cultural or religious significance to the number 113?

The number 113 doesn't have widespread religious or cultural significance like numbers such as 7, 12, or 666, but it does have some specific meanings in certain contexts. In religious literature, Psalm 113 is one of the "Hallel" psalms in Judaism, recited during major Jewish holidays. In numerology, 113 is sometimes interpreted as a blend of energies from numbers 1 (appearing twice, emphasizing new beginnings and leadership) and 3 (creativity and communication), suggesting creative manifestation. In some angel number interpretations, 113 is considered a message about using creativity and positive thinking to manifest desires. Unlike numbers with strong universal symbolism, 113's significance tends to be context-specific rather than broadly recognized across cultures or religions.

Are there any famous buildings or landmarks numbered 113?

While there aren't many globally famous landmarks specifically numbered 113, there are some notable buildings and locations with this designation. In Paris, 113 Rue de Rivoli is near several historic sites. In New York City, 113 West 57th Street is in a prestigious midtown location. On many university campuses, Building 113 often houses specific departments or research facilities (like Building 113 at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center). The Highway 113 in California is known for connecting Davis and Woodland. In many cities, addresses with 113 gain local significance based on what businesses or institutions occupy them. Unlike address numbers that have gained fame through film or literature (like 221B Baker Street), 113 hasn't become widely associated with a specific famous landmark recognized worldwide.

Has the number 113 ever been considered lucky or unlucky?

The number 113 doesn't have strong widespread associations with luck or misfortune in the way that numbers like 7 (lucky) or 13 (unlucky) do across many cultures. However, in some specific contexts, it has developed associations. In some parts of East Asia, 113 can be considered somewhat unlucky because the number 1 followed by 13 reminds people of the unlucky 13. Conversely, in angel number interpretations within New Age spirituality, 113 is often viewed as a positive sign associated with creativity and manifestation. In gambling, some individual players consider 113 their personal lucky number based on significant dates or events, but this isn't a widespread cultural pattern. Overall, 113 remains relatively neutral in terms of luck associations, without the strong cultural superstitions attached to certain other numbers.