1. Is anime a genre or a media? Is it a branch of film or another mode?
2. According to Lent (2000), what place does animation occupy in Asian societies? How different is this across Asia (ie comparing Japan, Korea, China)?
3. Is it a high or low cultural genre/media, according to Napier (2005)?
4. What are some of its subgenres?
5. Looking at Napier and Cavallaro (2006), discuss how anime is culturally ‘located’ – in the East or West, or somewhere else?
6. What is the ‘shojo’ (also spelt 'shoujo' or 'syojyo' in English) and how does it often function in anime? How does Miyazaki challenge the stereotype?
7. What genres/subgenres of anime can you identify?
8. After viewing Howl's Movinng Castle, what are your impressions of the film? Any surprises?
Feel free to widen the discussion to talk about works of anime you have viewed and enjoyed (or not, as the case may be!).
Hello all, I'm answering Question 1 "Is anime a genre or a media?" According to Nepier (2005), anime can be a romance, comedy, or sci-fi. So I think anime is a media because it can't be specified if it's a genre. "Is it a branch of film or another mode?" Nepier (2005) mentions that anime is on TV, so it's a branch of TV series, I think.
I agree to your view that anime is a media. After doing some online research, I have known that anime is from the word “animation” which is popular in America from long ago, and the word “anime” just means the animation. I also know about the Japanese word of anime is “アニメ”, am I right? But I do not know how to pronounce:)
Hi guys, I would like to answer number 2. According to Lent(2000) Japan has been known for such "high culture" products as Haiku, Zen, and the martial arts, the Japan of the 1990s began to develop a new export, animated films and videos-anime, a Japanese abbreviation of the English word "animation". Anime has now entered the American vocabulary as well, to the extent that it has appeared in the recent years in a New York Times crossword puzzle. Japanese anime, has been translated into many different languages and broadcastin in different countries including Brazil, Korea, Thailand, China, Taiwan, France, Germany, Mexico, Italy, and many more. In the USA, Japanese anime is a small market not as big as the market in Asia countries but still growing and there were many popularities among USA market such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Rurouni Kenshin, Naruto, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Fullmetal Alchemist,Bleach.(Wikipedia, 2008)
Anime from Japan has played an important role in the global cultural economy since early 1990s and by the year 1997 one scholar has labelled anime Japan's "chief cultural export". Japanese anime has become very popular around Asia countries including Korea, Taiwan and big hit in Thailand.(Lent, 2000)
In Thailand in early 1990, "Doraemon" series had the big impact on children and young generations in Thailand and not long after that "Saint Seiya" and "Dragon Ball Z"also became very popular but "Sailor Moon" and "Pokemon" were not as popular as the previous and lastly the most popular anime which has been very popular long time ago and still popular nowadays is "Detective Conan". Many parents in Thai society are not supportive of manga or anime.
In October 2005, there was a television programme broadcasted about the dark side of manga with exaggerated details, resulted in many manga being banned. The programme received many complaints and issued an apology to the audience.(Wikipedia, 2008)
I'm not so sure about how different is this across the Asia countries.... but It is so true according to Wikipedia that Thai parents will not allow their kids to watch anime. It happened to me as well when I was young, I had to secretly save money to buy a Japanese manga and hid them under the bed.....and secretly read them when my parents were not at home.
Hi Jan, The experience of your childhood makes me surprise. When I was young, my parents bought many anime books for me, and if I was on holiday, I stayed at home and searched the TV program that played anime on each channel. So to myself, I like anime, and I think some anime can make child bright or fanciful. Maybe the anime is good for opening up children’s intelligence, too.
Next, I am going to answer the question 3. Is it a high or low cultural genre/media? According to Nepier (2005), nowadays, anime as a form of culture that belongs is a popular or mass culture in Japan. Moreover, anime is “a popular cultural form that clearly builds on previous high cultural traditions”. Nepier also said that through anime Japan has become an increasingly significant player in the global cultural economy. So in my opinion, anime is a high cultural media in Japan now because it makes many significant contributions to the society of Japan.
HI guys ^-^ I like the topic of this week! I like anime very much because of my boyfriend keens on anime and we often watch anime works together. Lots of Chinese children like anime, I think the most common one is called 《dragonball》, Almost every Chinese schoolboy have the books of “dragonball” and watched it on TV. Nowadays, anime is very popular in China and the whole world. For example: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds and Final Fantasy. And “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children” is my favorite! The image of Final Fantasy’s hero called “Cloud” is so handsome and exquisite! The charming face and fashion hair style makes lots of female fans of Cloud.
Anime influences the whole world. It brings high standard of graphics and technology, the anime is also released on the PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, CGI films, animated series, books, and different types of merchandise. The variety forms of anime extend its power to different fields.
Hi Jan, Your answer of Question 2, I agree with you. But your quotation is not Lent's. It's Napier's. I'm looking at the text from K Drive, but I can't find the article of Lent (2000). Is that different from the "real" (I mean, hard copy) textbook? And, I read your experience interestingly. Could you tell me the issue of Japanese manga in Thailand if you don't mind?
Jocelyn, I agree with your opinion that anime is a high cultural media. Napier (2005) also states that "As a 1997 cover story in the Japanese version of Newsweek makes clear, anime's reach extends around the world." I think anime spread across the world because it is evaluated a high cultural media.
Hello. I'm answering Question 6, "What is the 'shojo' and how does it often function in anime?" 'Shojo' means 'a young girl' in Japanese, and 'shojo' is the most important character in anime, according to Napier (2005).
"How does Miyazaki challenge the stereotype?" One of Miyazaki's films "Princess Mononoke" shows "fantasy and fact" (Napier, 2005). I think Miyazaki tries to portray 'shojo' as a hero, although the stereotype of 'shojo' (girl) is weak or helpless. The plot of "Princess Mononoke" is that a girl fights against people who try to destroy the nature. Destroying nature is obviously immoral, but that's what people are doing right now (it's happening around the world). So Miyazaki made a girl stronger and fight them. That makes girls' stereotypes change.
Hi Hisako, as I have discussed with you about the confusion of the page yes you were right that my previous is supposed to be from Napier(2005) Now I have discover from the Week 6 contents that we need to open the website to find Lent(2000). I copy and paste it here so it's easier for you to find the article http://www.latrobe.edu.au/screeningthepast/firstrelease/fr1100/jlfr11c.htm
It's interesting that Wan pointed out about China Anime that "in a Chinese film, one ought to have a story based purely on real Chinese traditions and stories, consistent with our sensibility and sense of humour....Also, our films must not only bring pleasure, but also be educational." And Bendazzi wrote, Indian animation always:"betrays the ethnic heritage of local animators and almost always borrows from Western productions. The few films referring to the extremely rich figurative, pictorial and colourist tradition of the country can be counted on the fingers of one hand and to quote a young Indian animator and journalist (Kireet Khurana) - "Animation in India is still waiting for a prince." as cited in (Lent, 2000)
I would like to answer 3,4 and 7 at the same time because i think they are related.
As we all know that anime is a popular culture in japan, but it doesn't mean that it is also popular culture in the other part of the world such as in USA, anime is a "sub" culture or you can say "sub genre" but this can change over time as in Japan anime has been increasingly seen as an intellectually challenging art form(Napier, 2005). Napier also pointed out that "anime is a popular cultural form that clearly builds on previous high cultural traditions." Anime has not only shown the influence of japanese culture but also spread the art form through out the world. The audiences around the world have watched the anime at the basic level but what is far more important than just a basic level of anime is that many audiences actually occupying anime by exchanging the culture. (Napier,2005)
Genrer of anime are 1.Action - such as fighting, sometimes adventure is also included.
2.Drama - such as romantic, growing up and self discovery.
3.Science Fiction - such as technology, futuristic and robots
4.Horror - such as horror, supernaturals.
5.Game-Based - such as in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Subgenre is the genre that has been created within another genre such as "Doraemon" is actually a drama which showing how Nobita is growing up with Doraemon which they both had a lot of adventures together and also subgenre in romantic, love story because Nobita loves Shisuka so much.
Within these main genres are sub-genres or "themes": Subgenres are 1.Mecha - robot anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam and The Transformers. 2.Magical Girlfriend -relationship between a normal human guy and a not-so-normal girl. She might be an alien, witch, goddess, demon or some other supernatural or superhuman being. 3.Post-Apocalyptic - Deals with futuristic worlds after an apocalypse. 4.Harem - A common theme where one guy is pursued by many females, as in Love Hina and Shuffle!. Incidentally, a Reverse Harem theme would be the genders reversed with one female pursued by many guys. 5.Maho Shojo - Also called "Magical Girl," this type of anime features main female characters who possess supernatural powers of some sort. 6.Maho Shonen - The male version of "magical girl" anime. 7.Samurai - Japanese warriors known as samurai. 8.Shojo-ai - Also called "girl love," romantic relationships between girls without delving into explicit sexual content. 9.Yuri - describe girl/girl anime containing more mature content. 10.Shonen-ai - romantic relationships between male characters. 11.Yaoi - mature version of Shonen-ai and often contains mature sexual content. 12.Hentai - anime pornography and contains explicit sexual content.(Luther,2002)
Hello Jan, Thank you for pasting the address. It's very convenient for me to have a look. In addition to your opinion, Lent (2000) also points out that because of Japanese colonisation and "the fear of Japanese cultural imperialism", anime was prohibited in Korea and Taiwan for many years. But these countries didn't have a strict system of preventing duplicate products. Later on commissions were established in these countries and they existed till the 1990s.
Hello all, I'm trying to answer Question 5, "Looking at Napier and Cavallaro (2006), discuss how anime is culturally 'located' - in the East or West, or somewhere else?"
Cavallaro (2006) states that “One of the most distinctively Japanese aspects of Miyazaki’s films arguably lies with the emphasis they place on the importance of developing, from a relatively early age, a keen sense of personal responsibility, as well as individual identity and privacy.” I think it means that Japanese people think about anime seriously, just like a part of their growth. However, people in the Western culture think about anime insignificantly, as Napier (2005) mentions that “Animated films are far more important in Japan than in the West.”
Hey guys, I agree with your answers to question 1 that anime is more a form of media than a genre and a branch of animated films. But its distinctive style in content and in animation style makes it seem like a stand alone genre. Kinda like a movie musical. It's still a film, but distinctive in a obvious way. Hope that makes sense.
Looking at question 2, I think Jan is right when she mentions anime's importance to Japan's economy and also anime's popularity in those Asian countries. I was somewhat surprised to hear Jan's comment that Thai kids were not allowed to read anime as a kid. But maybe its not surprising considering how far behind most South East Asian countries are in terms of their animation industries. I'm from Malaysia myself, and when I was younger anime and animated shows in general definitely did not carry the same prestige as it does in Japan and Korea. But that is rapidly changing. Strict censorship laws in countries like Malaysia and Singapore also stop a lot of violent and sexually orientated from getting into the country though, but luckily we can still access the pirated versions easily :)
I agree with Hisako's answer on question 6. Hayao Miyazaki is well known for challenging the 'shojo' stereotype and uses many female leads in his anime films. In an interview, Miyazaki was asked why the protagnoists in his films are always females. His reply- Miyazaki: I don't logically plan it that way. When we compare a man in action and a girl in action, I feel girls are more gallant. If a boy is walking with a long stride, I don't think anything particular, but if a girl is walking gallantly, I feel "that's cool." Maybe that's because I'm a man, and women may think it's cool when they see a young man striding. At first, I thought "this is no longer the era of men. This is no longer the era of taigimeibun (justice?)." But after ten years, I grew tired of saying that. I just say "cause I like women." That has more reality.
Thought you guys might be interested. http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/interviews/heroines.html
It's interesting to see that he uses words like 'gallant' to describe women, again challenging the Shojo stereotype.
Hi Jason, I do not know why the website you have introduced to us can not be found. But I am also interested in the works of Hayao Miyazaki. For example, “Spirited Away”, “Howl's Moving Castle”, and “Princess Mononoke” are my favor anime. Hayao Miyazaki is considered to a great director in the anime history in Japan. So, I think if there is no the Hayao Miyazaki’s contribution to the anime in Japan, maybe the development of the anime will be in the shade. In other words, Hayao Miyazaki plays an so so so important role in the anime history：）
I do like answer the question 1: Is anime a genre or a media? Is it a branch of film or another mode?
In my mind, I think anime can be considered either a genre or a media becase these two term always related to each other. genre can be explained as kind, category, or sort, esp of literary or artistic work and anime as well, it is also can seen as the writing style or the style of painting style. The media can be considered as in way way does anime can be spreaded.Anime can be broadcast either through television or released directly to video, which are often called OVAs or OAV . It is a branch of film area. So that ,in this point, I have agreement with Hisako and Deng Jie.
8. After viewing Howl's Movinng Castle, what are your impressions of the film? Any surprises?
Well, After watching the movie, it's not surprise me so much. I do believe that some plot of the story compare with Mizayaki's the other work" Spirted away. But there is no doubt that this is such a meaningful, insideful, educational and sorrow movie. I do like some special character Mizayaki created in the story and interested me.
Re; Jan
Thank you for your expericed share with us which focus on the anime in Tailand. Well, it's undoubtedly true that it's really surprised me as well. I always thought that Tailand is kind of country can easily accepted the other countries's cutural or the others. I think the reason why Tailand not allow kids to watch anime basing on the plot of story. There is no doubt that some animes really contain the negative things inside and not good for kids growing such as the fighting context and magical inside. Also that the monster or ghost kind of things also maybe scary the kids and not good for them. However, In CHina, when in my childhood, the Chinese tv channle brought some good anime into Chinese , such as the Dragonball as you guys mentioned before. And another famous anime which is Doraemon brought into China and it's my favourite one.
Moreover, I do agree with Shirley said anime not only influnce the whole world, but also in driving of the development of computer, ps2 games and so on.
I undoubtly agree with you that Miyazaki is one of my most favourite Japanese anime director. There is no doubt that all his anime works are remarkable in Japanese anime history so far. He also can be considered as the father and leader of the Japanese anime in the history and no one can deny how much contribution he contribute for Japanese anime.
I have a dissagreement with you that Japanese anime is not popular in USA. I do have a friend who is currently studying in Boston Uni, and he told me that it is popular to see that some American TV broadcast some Japaese anime or catoon in kids show time. And they do have some more fanz have cosplay meeting and dress like characters from the movie. In this point, it is so clear to see that things are changing. The Japanese anime have already standed out in the world and accepted by more and more audiences not only the Japanese, but also the fanz from the other countries. Moreover, the international famous Japanese anime suck as Miyazaki's works have won couples of awards and generally recognised by international audiences.
22 comments:
Hey guys - some more questions to discuss:
1. Is anime a genre or a media? Is it a branch of film or another mode?
2. According to Lent (2000), what place does animation occupy in Asian societies? How different is this across Asia (ie comparing Japan, Korea, China)?
3. Is it a high or low cultural genre/media, according to Napier (2005)?
4. What are some of its subgenres?
5. Looking at Napier and Cavallaro (2006), discuss how anime is culturally ‘located’ – in the East or West, or somewhere else?
6. What is the ‘shojo’ (also spelt 'shoujo' or 'syojyo' in English) and how does it often function in anime? How does Miyazaki challenge the stereotype?
7. What genres/subgenres of anime can you identify?
8. After viewing Howl's Movinng Castle, what are your impressions of the film? Any surprises?
Feel free to widen the discussion to talk about works of anime you have viewed and enjoyed (or not, as the case may be!).
Look forward to reading yr comments ^_^
Hello all,
I'm answering Question 1 "Is anime a genre or a media?"
According to Nepier (2005), anime can be a romance, comedy, or sci-fi. So I think anime is a media because it can't be specified if it's a genre.
"Is it a branch of film or another mode?"
Nepier (2005) mentions that anime is on TV, so it's a branch of TV series, I think.
Hi Hisako,
I agree to your view that anime is a media. After doing some online research, I have known that anime is from the word “animation” which is popular in America from long ago, and the word “anime” just means the animation. I also know about the Japanese word of anime is “アニメ”, am I right? But I do not know how to pronounce:)
Hi guys, I would like to answer number 2. According to Lent(2000) Japan has been known for such "high culture" products as Haiku, Zen, and the martial arts, the Japan of the 1990s began to develop a new export, animated films and videos-anime, a Japanese abbreviation of the English word "animation". Anime has now entered the American vocabulary as well, to the extent that it has appeared in the recent years in a New York Times crossword puzzle. Japanese anime, has been translated into many different languages and broadcastin in different countries including Brazil, Korea, Thailand, China, Taiwan, France, Germany, Mexico, Italy, and many more. In the USA, Japanese anime is a small market not as big as the market in Asia countries but still growing and there were many popularities among USA market such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Rurouni Kenshin, Naruto, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Fullmetal Alchemist,Bleach.(Wikipedia, 2008)
Anime from Japan has played an important role in the global cultural economy since early 1990s and by the year 1997 one scholar has labelled anime Japan's "chief cultural export". Japanese anime has become very popular around Asia countries including Korea, Taiwan and big hit in Thailand.(Lent, 2000)
In Thailand in early 1990, "Doraemon" series had the big impact on children and young generations in Thailand and not long after that "Saint Seiya" and "Dragon Ball Z"also became very popular but "Sailor Moon" and "Pokemon" were not as popular as the previous and lastly the most popular anime which has been very popular long time ago and still popular nowadays is "Detective Conan". Many parents in Thai society are not supportive of manga or anime.
In October 2005, there was a television programme broadcasted about the dark side of manga with exaggerated details, resulted in many manga being banned. The programme received many complaints and issued an apology to the audience.(Wikipedia, 2008)
I'm not so sure about how different is this across the Asia countries.... but It is so true according to Wikipedia that Thai parents will not allow their kids to watch anime. It happened to me as well when I was young, I had to secretly save money to buy a Japanese manga and hid them under the bed.....and secretly read them when my parents were not at home.
Hi Jan,
The experience of your childhood makes me surprise. When I was young, my parents bought many anime books for me, and if I was on holiday, I stayed at home and searched the TV program that played anime on each channel. So to myself, I like anime, and I think some anime can make child bright or fanciful. Maybe the anime is good for opening up children’s intelligence, too.
Next, I am going to answer the question 3. Is it a high or low cultural genre/media?
According to Nepier (2005), nowadays, anime as a form of culture that belongs is a popular or mass culture in Japan. Moreover, anime is “a popular cultural form that clearly builds on previous high cultural traditions”. Nepier also said that through anime Japan has become an increasingly significant player in the global cultural economy. So in my opinion, anime is a high cultural media in Japan now because it makes many significant contributions to the society of Japan.
HI guys ^-^
I like the topic of this week! I like anime very much because of my boyfriend keens on anime and we often watch anime works together. Lots of Chinese children like anime, I think the most common one is called 《dragonball》, Almost every Chinese schoolboy have the books of “dragonball” and watched it on TV. Nowadays, anime is very popular in China and the whole world. For example: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds and Final Fantasy. And “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children” is my favorite! The image of Final Fantasy’s hero called “Cloud” is so handsome and exquisite! The charming face and fashion hair style makes lots of female fans of Cloud.
Anime influences the whole world. It brings high standard of graphics and technology, the anime is also released on the PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, CGI films, animated series, books, and different types of merchandise. The variety forms of anime extend its power to different fields.
Hi Jan,
Your answer of Question 2, I agree with you. But your quotation is not Lent's. It's Napier's.
I'm looking at the text from K Drive, but I can't find the article of Lent (2000). Is that different from the "real" (I mean, hard copy) textbook?
And, I read your experience interestingly. Could you tell me the issue of Japanese manga in Thailand if you don't mind?
Jocelyn, I agree with your opinion that anime is a high cultural media. Napier (2005) also states that "As a 1997 cover story in the Japanese version of Newsweek makes clear, anime's reach extends around the world." I think anime spread across the world because it is evaluated a high cultural media.
Hello. I'm answering Question 6, "What is the 'shojo' and how does it often function in anime?"
'Shojo' means 'a young girl' in Japanese, and 'shojo' is the most important character in anime, according to Napier (2005).
"How does Miyazaki challenge the stereotype?"
One of Miyazaki's films "Princess Mononoke" shows "fantasy and fact" (Napier, 2005). I think Miyazaki tries to portray 'shojo' as a hero, although the stereotype of 'shojo' (girl) is weak or helpless. The plot of "Princess Mononoke" is that a girl fights against people who try to destroy the nature. Destroying nature is obviously immoral, but that's what people are doing right now (it's happening around the world). So Miyazaki made a girl stronger and fight them. That makes girls' stereotypes change.
Hi Hisako, as I have discussed with you about the confusion of the page yes you were right that my previous is supposed to be from Napier(2005) Now I have discover from the Week 6 contents that we need to open the website to find Lent(2000). I copy and paste it here so it's easier for you to find the article http://www.latrobe.edu.au/screeningthepast/firstrelease/fr1100/jlfr11c.htm
It's interesting that Wan pointed out about China Anime that "in a Chinese film, one ought to have a story based purely on real Chinese traditions and stories, consistent with our sensibility and sense of humour....Also, our films must not only bring pleasure, but also be educational." And Bendazzi wrote, Indian animation always:"betrays the ethnic heritage of local animators and almost always borrows from Western productions. The few films referring to the extremely rich figurative, pictorial and colourist tradition of the country can be counted on the fingers of one hand and to quote a young Indian animator and journalist (Kireet Khurana) - "Animation in India is still waiting for a prince." as cited in (Lent, 2000)
I would like to answer 3,4 and 7 at the same time because i think they are related.
As we all know that anime is a popular culture in japan, but it doesn't mean that it is also popular culture in the other part of the world such as in USA, anime is a "sub" culture or you can say "sub genre" but this can change over time as in Japan anime has been increasingly seen as an intellectually challenging art form(Napier, 2005). Napier also pointed out that "anime is a popular cultural form that clearly builds on previous high cultural traditions." Anime has not only shown the influence of japanese culture but also spread the art form through out the world. The audiences around the world have watched the anime at the basic level but what is far more important than just a basic level of anime is that many audiences actually occupying anime by exchanging the culture. (Napier,2005)
Genrer of anime are
1.Action - such as fighting, sometimes adventure is also included.
2.Drama - such as romantic, growing up and self discovery.
3.Science Fiction - such as technology, futuristic and robots
4.Horror - such as horror, supernaturals.
5.Game-Based - such as in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Subgenre is the genre that has been created within another genre such as "Doraemon" is actually a drama which showing how Nobita is growing up with Doraemon which they both had a lot of adventures together and also subgenre in romantic, love story because Nobita loves Shisuka so much.
Within these main genres are sub-genres or "themes":
Subgenres are
1.Mecha - robot anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam and The Transformers.
2.Magical Girlfriend -relationship between a normal human guy and a not-so-normal girl. She might be an alien, witch, goddess, demon or some other supernatural or superhuman being.
3.Post-Apocalyptic - Deals with futuristic worlds after an apocalypse.
4.Harem - A common theme where one guy is pursued by many females, as in Love Hina and Shuffle!. Incidentally, a Reverse Harem theme would be the genders reversed with one female pursued by many guys.
5.Maho Shojo - Also called "Magical Girl," this type of anime features main female characters who possess supernatural powers of some sort.
6.Maho Shonen - The male version of "magical girl" anime.
7.Samurai - Japanese warriors known as samurai.
8.Shojo-ai - Also called "girl love," romantic relationships between girls without delving into explicit sexual content.
9.Yuri - describe girl/girl anime containing more mature content.
10.Shonen-ai - romantic relationships between male characters.
11.Yaoi - mature version of Shonen-ai and often contains mature sexual content.
12.Hentai - anime pornography and contains explicit sexual content.(Luther,2002)
Hello Jan,
Thank you for pasting the address. It's very convenient for me to have a look.
In addition to your opinion, Lent (2000) also points out that because of Japanese colonisation and "the fear of Japanese cultural imperialism", anime was prohibited in Korea and Taiwan for many years. But these countries didn't have a strict system of preventing duplicate products. Later on commissions were established in these countries and they existed till the 1990s.
Hello all,
I'm trying to answer Question 5, "Looking at Napier and Cavallaro (2006), discuss how anime is culturally 'located' - in the East or West, or somewhere else?"
Cavallaro (2006) states that “One of the most distinctively Japanese aspects of Miyazaki’s films arguably lies with the emphasis they place on the importance of developing, from a relatively early age, a keen sense of personal responsibility, as well as individual identity and privacy.”
I think it means that Japanese people think about anime seriously, just like a part of their growth. However, people in the Western culture think about anime insignificantly, as Napier (2005) mentions that “Animated films are far more important in Japan than in the West.”
Hey guys, I agree with your answers to question 1 that anime is more a form of media than a genre and a branch of animated films. But its distinctive style in content and in animation style makes it seem like a stand alone genre. Kinda like a movie musical. It's still a film, but distinctive in a obvious way. Hope that makes sense.
Looking at question 2, I think Jan is right when she mentions anime's importance to Japan's economy and also anime's popularity in those Asian countries.
I was somewhat surprised to hear Jan's comment that Thai kids were not allowed to read anime as a kid. But maybe its not surprising considering how far behind most South East Asian countries are in terms of their animation industries. I'm from Malaysia myself, and when I was younger anime and animated shows in general definitely did not carry the same prestige as it does in Japan and Korea. But that is rapidly changing.
Strict censorship laws in countries like Malaysia and Singapore also stop a lot of violent and sexually orientated from getting into the country though, but luckily we can still access the pirated versions easily :)
I agree with Hisako's answer on question 6. Hayao Miyazaki is well known for challenging the 'shojo' stereotype and uses many female leads in his anime films. In an interview, Miyazaki was asked why the protagnoists in his films are always females.
His reply-
Miyazaki: I don't logically plan it that way. When we compare a man in action and a girl in action, I feel girls are more gallant. If a boy is walking with a long stride, I don't think anything particular, but if a girl is walking gallantly, I feel "that's cool." Maybe that's because I'm a man, and women may think it's cool when they see a young man striding. At first, I thought "this is no longer the era of men. This is no longer the era of taigimeibun (justice?)." But after ten years, I grew tired of saying that. I just say "cause I like women." That has more reality.
Thought you guys might be interested.
http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/interviews/heroines.html
It's interesting to see that he uses words like 'gallant' to describe women, again challenging the Shojo stereotype.
Hi Jason,
I do not know why the website you have introduced to us can not be found. But I am also interested in the works of Hayao Miyazaki. For example, “Spirited Away”, “Howl's Moving Castle”, and “Princess Mononoke” are my favor anime. Hayao Miyazaki is considered to a great director in the anime history in Japan. So, I think if there is no the Hayao Miyazaki’s contribution to the anime in Japan, maybe the development of the anime will be in the shade. In other words, Hayao Miyazaki plays an so so so important role in the anime history：）
Hi, guys
I do like answer the question 1: Is anime a genre or a media? Is it a branch of film or another mode?
In my mind, I think anime can be considered either a genre or a media becase these two term always related to each other. genre can be explained as kind, category, or sort, esp of literary or artistic work and anime as well, it is also can seen as the writing style or the style of painting style. The media can be considered as in way way does anime can be spreaded.Anime can be broadcast either through television or released directly to video, which are often called OVAs or OAV . It is a branch of film area. So that ,in this point, I have agreement with Hisako and Deng Jie.
8. After viewing Howl's Movinng Castle, what are your impressions of the film? Any surprises?
Well, After watching the movie, it's not surprise me so much. I do believe that some plot of the story compare with Mizayaki's the other work" Spirted away. But there is no doubt that this is such a meaningful, insideful, educational and sorrow movie. I do like some special character Mizayaki created in the story and interested me.
Re; Jan
Thank you for your expericed share with us which focus on the anime in Tailand. Well, it's undoubtedly true that it's really surprised me as well. I always thought that Tailand is kind of country can easily accepted the other countries's cutural or the others. I think the reason why Tailand not allow kids to watch anime basing on the plot of story. There is no doubt that some animes really contain the negative things inside and not good for kids growing such as the fighting context and magical inside. Also that the monster or ghost kind of things also maybe scary the kids and not good for them. However, In CHina, when in my childhood, the Chinese tv channle brought some good anime into Chinese , such as the Dragonball as you guys mentioned before. And another famous anime which is Doraemon brought into China and it's my favourite one.
Moreover, I do agree with Shirley said anime not only influnce the whole world, but also in driving of the development of computer, ps2 games and so on.
Re:Jocelyn
I undoubtly agree with you that Miyazaki is one of my most favourite Japanese anime director. There is no doubt that all his anime works are remarkable in Japanese anime history so far. He also can be considered as the father and leader of the Japanese anime in the history and no one can deny how much contribution he contribute for Japanese anime.
Re: Jan
I have a dissagreement with you that Japanese anime is not popular in USA. I do have a friend who is currently studying in Boston Uni, and he told me that it is popular to see that some American TV broadcast some Japaese anime or catoon in kids show time. And they do have some more fanz have cosplay meeting and dress like characters from the movie. In this point, it is so clear to see that things are changing. The Japanese anime have already standed out in the world and accepted by more and more audiences not only the Japanese, but also the fanz from the other countries. Moreover, the international famous Japanese anime suck as Miyazaki's works have won couples of awards and generally recognised by international audiences.
Post a Comment