Harri - Week Five

 What is the ‘shojo’ and how does it often function in anime?

I understand that anime is Japanese movie and television animation of different genres and themes. So how is ‘shojo’ linked to anime? Cavallaro (2006), simply states that ‘shojo’ is a subgenre of anime, and literally means “little female”. It is used metaphorically to suggest the changeover from infacy to maturity, as is it almost like a stepping-stone of become a women. What does this ‘shojo’ look like? They are fusions of Baywatch extras, Barbie dolls and Care Bears. (Brophy, 1995 cited in Cavallaro, 2006). Or in other words, wide eyed, sometimes lipless, long haired, Barbie, cartoon looking girls. Examples? Think of Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Sakura, Yu Gi Oh? But to be clear, I talking about the “little female” (girl) characters.

Cavallaro (2006), then goes on the explain that ‘shojo’ stories are “serenely dreamy and bathed in an atmosphere of magic”. Sounds like an attractive way that suggests a passionate nature! Nevertheless,  Cavallaro (2006), talks of how Miyazaki uses ‘shojo’. He describes that Miyazaki’s heroine are active, independent, courageous and inquisitive. Many traits which Princess Mononoke portrayed in her quest of reuniting the gods with her people.

Looking at Napier and Cavallaro (2006), discuss how anime is culturally ‘located’ – in the East or West, or somewhere else?

Although I have read through and through and after much consideration, I can’t decide where anime is culturally located. It seems that Napier and Cavallaro have avoided saying where, as it may cause commotion. (or I have just read the whole thing and seemed to have missed the point, lol). So for now, I’m just going to stick with my gut and say the EAST!  It is obvious that the West has definitely influenced the Japanese with their technique and approach into the media of animation.

Japanese animation wasn’t always perceived as part of the Japanese cultural, as it took awhile for this to be acknowledged by society, not only as a children’s genre. However, the message or themes are very heavy, in a sense that is it adult orientated and that storylines are complex? (though I may be wrong).

Napier (2006), suggests unlike cartons in the West, anime is mainstream pop culture phenomenon. Westerners were unexpected to see that an artistic form (anime), known commonly as children’s entertainment could deal with so many varieties. The intricate and interesting ways that anime project its stories, is the key element of its popularity. Not only do we see anime, on our tv screens, videos or dvds, it is now common and accepted to been seen in a cinema.