Although in saying this anime's popularity is ever increasing and it's appeal is definitely being accepted by Western society. Napier (2006) goes on to confirm this by saying 'it is also a genuinely global phenomenon, both as a commercial and cultural force.'
Anime is gaining popularity due to the intricate and interesting way that ideas and stories are put across to the audience. Using modern technology of cinema as well as traditional Japanese art forms anime is the creation of a new literary experience. As in the example of 'Princess Mononoke' Miyazaki using the characters of ashitaka and san, teaches the values of courage, honour and loyalty as well as the pitfalls and hardships of war.
Napier (2006) sums up the appeal of anime perfectly when he states 'It is a unique artistic product, a local form of popular culture that shows clear indication of it's Japanese roots but at the same time exerts an increasingly wide influence beyond it's native shores.'
Another of it's appeals is the use of 'Shoujo' translated as either young girl or little female. The term is usually used for girls of pre-adolescent age around 12 or 13. The term is used metaphorically to characterise the change from infancy to maturity and in my opinion is effective as it also in a way characterises that change from a child's innocence to an awareness of self and an understanding of a persons place in the world.
Napier states; ' On the whole the world's depicted by 'shoujo' stories are serenely dreamy and bathed in an atmosphere of magic and wonder, in sharp contrast with the dark side of anime typically to be found in science fiction and wartime plots'. The use of 'shoujo' is significant as females spark more of an emotional appeal for both the male and female audience. Also due to the the 'dreamy' nature of 'shoujo' stories this can be more easily related to with a central female character.
Comments? :)
Hello Rizwana,
ReplyDeleteI would agree Japan must be the centre of anime's popularity, but that as you say the themes are universal, the technology modern and developing quickly, adding to it's appeal in other places as well.
I like the way you have backed up your points with references to the readings, and the primary text.
I'm curious about your point that the use of "shoujo" has more of an emotional appeal for both genders. Why do you think this is so?
I guess females are stereotyped as the 'dreamy' ones and this ties in with the whole 'shoujo' thing - how do you respond to this idea as a female?
Esther :)
I think the use of 'shoujo' has more of an emotional appeal for both genders as traditionally men expect women to be dreamers, unaware of the world and tied to hearth and kin. In the case of Priness Monokoke the fact that San is so fierce and in a way independant is in direct contrast to this and so keeps men guesing as to what will happen to her next. For a similar reason this appeals to women as we like to see ourselves as independant and being able to look after ourselves and if the need arose defend those that we care about.
ReplyDeleteAs a female I enjoy the 'shoujo' theme as that time of pre-adolescece can be both scary and wonderful and personally I think especially at the time of life a lot of our actions shape who we become as adults and how we decide to live our lives.
hey riz! i'm really into this anime genre! though i was anti about it before! umm what to add? just you reference is it Napier that states ' On the whole the world's depicted by 'shoujo'.... or Cavallaro? (though I may be wrong). lol. but I totally agree with 'shojo' being a stereotype of females, almost like their saying were not good enough, so they make up a cartoon/fantasy version of women/girls?
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