Anime: Weeks 5-6

Is it a high or low cultural genre, according to Napier (2005)? What are some of its sub-genres?

The extract by Napier offers a very insightful and formative look into anime and how it has evolved over time from traditional Japanese works of art. The 1997 anime film, Princess Mononoke is a fantastic example of how successful this animated genre has become over the decades. This film broke box office records in Japan, making it a template for how anime films should be made. A much earlier anime film titled Akira went international in 1990. Other anime films later followed as a means to give Japanese animation an opportunity to be recognised by the western world. Throughout the 90’s, Japanese cartoons had been imported to a number of different countries worldwide.

Napier then goes on to compare anime with American cartoons such as Disney. It’s interesting how he makes this clash in his discussion between two different forms of animation derived from two separate cultures. Japanese animation in this case appears a lot more diverse as it can be targeted at many different audiences due to the content materiel in which it employs. Disney, however, have only been known to make child friendly and family appropriate films. Hayao Miyazaki, a highly acclaimed anime director, has even been looked upon as being the Japanese Walt Disney. Napier also included how anime will always be a highly valued genre in Japan but western countries will only have it deemed as a sub-genre. '..a "popular" or "mass" culture in Japan, and in America it exists as a "sub" culture.' (Napier, 2005, p.4)
What really makes anime unique in it's own right is the captivating imagery and illustrations. This particular art form was originally seen in Japanese graphic novels known as manga. 'Images from anime and it's related medium of manga are omnipresent throughout Japan.' (Napier, 2005, p.7) However, after anime took the world by storm, manga has only been viewed as a sub-genre.

Napier, S. (2005). Anime From Akira To Howl's Moving Castle. Hampshire: Palgrove/Macmillan.

Monique Porteous week 6 - Anime

Is it a high or low cultural genre, according to Napier (2005)? What are some of its subgenres?

According to Napier (2005) Anime is neither a low or a high cultural genre. Napier (2005) uses three modes/subgenres (apocalypse, festival and elegy) to examine Anime as a cultural genre. "Furthermore, the three modes used to examine anime are the ones that go beyond any distinction between "high" and "low" culture" Napier (2005, p.14).The 'modes' which Napier (2005) describes are essentially the subgenres. The first being 'apocalyps'e which in Napier's (2005) terms is a subgenre which has to do with destruction, chaos and the roles of characters within the Anime film/show itself. Secondly the festival subgenre becomes present, linking closely to the apocalyptic genre, according to Napier (2005). "For a brief moment norms are transgressed or actually inverted." Napier (2005, p.13) The festival subgenre is all about changing figures, space, shapes and working with and around the medium - even to a point of what some might find 'disgusting'. Lastly Napier (2005) explains the subgenre of elegy, a very emotive concept. The subgenre taps into the viewers mind, inspiring thoughts and emotions. "The elegiac mode, with its implications of loss, grief, and absence, may at first seem a less obvious mode to Western viewers, who are used to emotions being painted with broad brush in animation." Napier (2005, p.13). All of these subgenres paint a picture of what Napier seemed to be trying to show within the passage - that Anime is a complex and intricate genre with many aspects (such as these subgenres stated above) which make it the genre that we see it as today. 

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

Shojo (also referred to as Shoujo or Shōjo) is commonly found in Anime and Manga. According to Toku (2005) Shojo is a manga directed towards girls and women which was brought in soon after the manga directed to boys - Shonen came about. Shonen was found first in publishing in 1959 while Shojo was found first in publishing in 1963, Toku (2006). "unlike shojo manga, which concentrated on the process of finding true love." Toku (2006). Shojo is about human relationships, which is a stark contrast to Shonen - which focuses on action, Thorn (2008). Shojo has it's focus on girl power, with elements to it such as the process of finding true love as compared to obstacles and realities after marriage, Toku (2006). Even though Shojo is more commonly found in Manga, it does have a prominent presence within the Anime genre. An example of how Shojo often functions within the Anime genre would be in the film 'Princess Mononoke' Miyazaki (2006). Within the film the protagonist - if you will, which follows the same name as the title of the film is a female, that of a young age, who tries to defend  the state of the world around her - mother eath/nature, from the forces against her such as Lady Eboshi. The Shojo element comes in through Princess Mononoke's disgust for humans and her very damaged relationship with humans in general, especially Lady Eboshi. As the film progresses she meets a boy called Ashitaka, who helps her to regain her trust within humans slowly, Miyazaki (2006). Shojo is very prominent in the film 'Princess Mononoke' due to the human relationships which are developed and displayed throughout the film as well as it's 'girl power' feel to it, with a girl trying to save the world and all. 

References:

Miyazaki, H. (Director). (2006). Princess Mononoke. Toyko: Studio Ghibli Productions.

Napier, S. (2005). Anime: from Arika to Howl's Moving Castle. Hampshire: Palgrave/Macmillian.

Thorn, M. (2008, March 15). The Multi-Faceted Universe of Shoujo Manga. Retrieved from http://matt-thorn.com/shoujo_manga/colloque/index.php


Toku, M. (2006). Chico Statements: CSU, Chico - Shojo Manga: Girl Power! Retrieved from http://www.csuchico.edu/pub/cs/spring_06/feature_03.html

Week 5-6

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

From its creation in China around 1923 (Lent, 2000), anime has influenced Japanese society to the point where it seems to have become culturally engraved in Japanese society. Whether it’s being displayed through advertisements, cosplay, television, stores, etc. It’s become so prevalent that you simply can’t avoid it. No society has widely accepted anime as much as the Japanese. I was surprised to learn that it was created in China since whenever Anime is mentioned, people immediately assume Japan. Napier states that “The ‘culture’ to which anime belongs is at present a ‘popular’ or ‘mass’ culture in Japan, and in America it exists as a ‘sub’ culture” (Napier, 2005). Now contrasting this with America, I wouldn’t be shocked if there were a large number of people that have never seen or heard about Anime before as Japans influence only extends so far. As for China anime appears to exist as a sub culture also. I believe that in the west and China, anime lacks the popularity due to different cultural values. This is what leads me to form the opinion that worldwide, anime is culturally located in Japan and Japan alone. It is the centre of the universe for all things anime and I don’t see it changing any time soon.


“Given the dark events that have permeated Japan’s twentieth century, it is hardly suprising that many of anime’s most important texts, from Miyazaki Hayao’s 1985 Nausicaa to Anno Hideaki’s 1997 Evangelion, are not simply dystopian but deeply apocalyptic, suggesting a society with profound anxieties about the future” (Napier, 2005). Looking specifically at the film Princess Mononoke  (Miyazaki, 2006), it’s easy to compare the fighting, character values, and the destruction of the forest in the film to WW2 Japan and the consequences that their actions resulted in. Maybe the destruction created in the film isn’t on the same level as the destruction caused during WW2, but the harsh lessons learned are relatively similar. Even though the story line is rather cliché and predictable, it still remains an important lesson considering the mistakes from the past.

Napier, S. (2005). Anime: from Akira to Howl’s Moving Castle. Hampshire: Palgrave/Macmillian.

Miyazaki, H. (Director). (2006). Princess Mononoke. Tokyo: Studio Ghibli Productions.

Lent, J. A. (2000). Animation in Asia: appropriation, reinterpretation, and adoption or adaption.        

Week 3+4 - EarthSea

How is science fiction different from fantasy, according to Le Guin?

The Oxford dictionary defines science fiction as “fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets.”[i]  While fantasy is a genre of “fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting.”[ii]

According to Le Guin[iii], science fiction is a branch of realism. Most science fiction, or sci-fi, pretends that the future is the present or that past, and then tells us what happened in it. Most people question if science fiction does that. It does, because the future is a blank canvas, writers can write anything about the future as long as the audience can somehow believe it. 

Fantasy is more directed in fictionality than either realism or science fiction. Fantasy is shamelessly fictive meaning that it is able to engage in imaginative invention.

The tales of EarthSea, directed by Goro Miyazaki 2006, is classified as apart of the fantasy genre, and is an anime film based on the triology of novels written by Ursula K. Le Guin. The film focuses on a world of dragons and wizards. 

Something bizarre has come over the land, people are acting strange and seeing dragons. Due to these events a wandering wizard, Ged, is investing the cause. He meets Prince Arren, a young teenage boy, during his journey. Although Ged is helping Arren, a witch named Kumo would want to use the powers Arren has against Ged.

In Le Guin’s opinion, EarthSea would classify as a fantasy film, because it is not based in the future, like most science fiction films.  EarthSea includes primary elements of the magic and supernatural phenomena, the dragons, wizards and witches. It is focused more on the imaginative invention of the genre rather than if it is realistic. 

In EarthSea when Prince Arren changes from himself to the dark powers that are inside of him its adds to the genre of fantasy because fantasy consists of supernatural phenomena. It is almost as if a demon is inside of Arren, he becomes emotionless and does not care who he hurts including Therru.

Tolkien, J.R.R. wrote On Faerie Stories about the definitions of the Faerie story and of ‘faeries’; the Victorian versus the Celtic; children’s stories; fantasy. 

“In the supplement, fairy-tale is recorded since the year 1750, and its leading sense is said to be (a) a tale about fairies, or generally a fairy legend; with developed senses, (b) an unreal or incredible story, and (c) a falsehood. The last two senses would obviously make my topic hopelessly vast. But the first sense is too narrow. Not to narrow for an essay; it is wide enough for many books, but too narrow to cover actual usage. Especially so, if we accept the lexicographer’s definition of fairies: ‘supernatural beings of diminutive size, in popular belief supposed to posses magical powers and to have great influence for good or evil over the affairs of man. Supernatural is a dangerous and difficult word in any of its senses, looser, stricter. But to fairies it can hardly be applied, unless super is taken merely as a superlative prefix.”[iv]

EarthSea relates to the sense, (b), in the way that it is an unreal story and contains aspects of supernatural. This relates to Le Guin's opinion of the difference between fantasy and science fiction because fantasy contains the sense of supernatural and is more fictionality rather than realism in the science fiction. 

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[i]  Oxford Dictionary. Retrieved August 22, 2014 from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/

[ii]  Oxford Dictionary. Retrieved August 22, 2014 from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/

[iii] Ursulak Le Guin. Retrieved August 22, 2014 from http://www.ursulakleguin.com/ Plausibility Revisited.html

[iv] Tolkien, J.R.R. (1988; 1964). On Faerie Stories. In Tree and Leaf. London: Unwin Hyman.

Sye Week 3-4, Fantasy

How does Attebery define Fantasy? Find at least 5 examples.

Defining a genre like fantasy poses a real challenge, primarily due to the scope of the topic.  Fantasy encompasses such a vast range of sub-genres and themes that giving it a singular definition seems to be an insurmountable task.

Attebery expresses the same opinion however he tries to define fantasy through giving several examples and suggesting rules for the genre.  I will list some of them below.

1.  Any narrative which includes as a significant part of it's make-up some violation of what the Author clearly believes to be a natural law. (Attebery, 1980).

He goes on to give examples of ways the author can, to use his words, violate the natural laws such as using beasts like dragons, magical objects like the one ring in Lord of the Rings and through events such as two characters switching heads.

2.  Fantasy, though, needs consistency.  Reader and writer are committed to maintaining the illusion for the entire course of the fiction. (Attebery, 1980).

Through this he is explaining that Fantasy is genre which requires the participation of the reader and therefore can be more engaging than some other genres.

3.  Fantasy is a game of sorts, and it demands that one play whole-heartedly, accepting for the moment all the rules and turns of the game.  (Attebery, 1980).

This quote is an added expansion of the previous.  He goes on to elaborate further stating that the reward for the added involvement of the reader is an occasional beauty and strangeness.  This suggests that fantasy is a genre that offers the reader something beyond simply enjoyment.

4.  The single condition, that a story treat impossibility as if it were true.  (Attebery, 1980).

I feel this really speaks for itself.  Simply put in a fantasy novel everything and anything is possible.

5.  It can, in addition, take advantage of our curiosity.  When we read fantasy we explore the unknown, and that interest can carry an otherwise undistinguished work.  (Attebery, 1980).

I agree with this completely.  Personally I feel one of fantasy's greatest strengths as a genre is the writers capability to make anything happen.  This keeps the reader guessing and generates continual interest.

Attebery seems to have explained the true essence of fantasy effectively and there is little else that can be added to his explanation.

References:

Attebery, B. (1980). The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guinn. Bloomington: Indiana U P, 1980.

Week 3 & 4.Fantasy

3. How is science fiction different from fantasy, according to Le Guinn 
(http://www.ursulakleguin.com/PlausibilityRevisited.html)?

Science fiction and fantasy might be seen as a same genre, because they have many similarities and, both of them are based on unreliable facts, however, as it is quite clear, they are significantly different. (brendanmc, n.d.)

Science Fiction can be described as a story based on the scientific fact. Therefore, the facts in the science fiction probably could happen in the future. For example, the story about robotic lifeforms called The Transformers can be a science fiction. With shortening analysis this movie, machines can act like a human. So far it’s been only in science fiction that anyone has dared to turn over doing something to machines instead of human, but, nowadays, it is common to see robots or machines in everywhere. Such as cleaning robots in the shops.  

Otherwise, the facts in fantasy are never happen. Fantasy as an one of the juvenile literature genres, is a novel that makes something which is impossible in the real society to be possible. Fantasy is also based on unrealistic imagination with the background in time and space. My favorite fantasy is Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, which are the ultimate fantasy series. Do you believe in magic? Some people might think the magic in Harry Potter exists for real, but it can’t be. It is just a story with writer’s imagination.

 Additionally, I think science fiction and fantasy can give us many things to dream and hope for the future. So, these genres are very useful to extend our imagination and creative thinking ability. For sure, most of people who are enjoying fantasy and science fiction, dream of wonderful world full of magic. Maybe one day ..? !

5. What are some archetypes (e.g. common character types)of fantasy fiction?

There are numerous archetypes in fantasy fiction. 
  In summary, Vogler classified the most common archetypes who appear in stories in seven basic categories in The Writer’s Journey.

 1. Hero is the basic protagonist in the story. Most of stories, they shows hero as a role model. Therefore, this archetype can be seen full of positive things. It doesn’t, however, always have to be a main character on the story.

 2. Mentor, which is well known for a magician, can be described as an assistant for the other characters. It seems helpful to highlight the other indistinctive side of characters.

 3. Threshold Guardian: A typical Threshold Guardian is a literary neutral to the hero and this figure makes some obstacles to hero in the story. So, the challenge of hero and the process of overcome these obstacles is showing through this archetype.

 4. Herald is a bit ambiguous. It can be a positive, negative or neutral figure depending on writers. This archetype may come into play at almost any point in a story, but, it is mostly showing in the beginning to help bring the hero into the adventure.  

 5. Shapeshifter can changeable their identity even gender. According to Vogler, “

 6. Shadow can be a dark side in the story. It also provides the negative forces of fear to the story.

 7. Trickster can be described as a figure with entertainment, It is also neutral to the hero such as a Threshold Guardian.

 According to Tvtropes, we can consider some specific classes of fantasy characters depending on the their abilities and personalities. The classified characters are summarized in the table below. (“Genre Help,” n.d.)

 

Figure 1. Fantasy character archetypes : Common stereotypes

 Generally, there is a veritable hero, which has a strength or ability in the fantasy genre. The majority of fantasy stories also shows supernatural creatures with magical powers. The characters of the science fiction stories are most likely to have their superpowers, to have specific personalities. They are always willing to challenge, and always have found their weakness during their journey and will successfully beat it eventually.Most of them are from the real world and somehow got transferred to the fantasy world, for example, the Narina trilogy. The other types would be similar to Harry Potter, combining the real world and fantasy world.

In A Wizard of Earthsea, there are two aspects of person which is bad and good sides (spirit). Ged, who battles against the darkside of himself, is a main character as a hero archetype. This character tells us that we should fight the “villain” inside our mind, which inspires the readers to beat their internal enemy. In the end, Ged overcomes the darkness spirit by accepting that it is his own. After than that, they became the one.

References

 brendanmc. (n.d.). The difference between fantasy and science fiction. Now Novel. Retrieved Aug 20, 2014 from http://www.nownovel.com/blog/difference-fantasy-science-fiction/

 Genre Help: Fantasy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2014, from http://thewritershelpersdeactivated.tumblr.com/post/34887482809/genre-help-fantasy

 Ursula K. Le Guin: Plausibility Revisited -- Wha Hoppen and What Didn’t. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2014, from http://www.ursulakleguin.com/PlausibilityRevisited.html

 Vogler, Christopher (1992). The writer's journey: Mythic structure for storytellers and screenwriters. Studio City, CA.: Michael Wiese Productions

Blog #2

How is science fiction different from fantasy, according to Le Guinn?

This secondary source written by Ursula K. Le Guinn highlights four particular genres relating to fiction in a literate sense including fiction itself. The first one that she brings up in her article is realism. I found this to be quite an amusing read as the use of realism in a piece of creative writing opens the door to fantasy. Both realism and fantasy correspond with each other in some way. The writer’s world of realism is one that appears to be true but has the potential to contain imaginative features. This could be taking a completely thought up character and throwing them into a non-fictional world. “Most modern fiction doesn’t contradict fact.” (Le Guin, 2005) It’s crucial that when it comes to fantasy realism that the writer does not eliminate all factuality in the writing process.

Ursula then moves on to write a bit about fiction and how it ties in with realism. This is when a writer toys with reality by creating a story that is meant to seem as though based off of real life occurrences. “Fiction is what didn’t happen, but realistic fiction pretends that it did.” (Le Guin, 2005) Fiction realism could be a writer thinking up an imaginative and therefore non-existent being and chucking them into the midst of an historic event. This gives the writer a grand opportunity to write about how this fictional character perceives the world around them. Science fiction is looked upon as being a very highly influential genre. Going by what Le Guin had included in the piece of text, Science fiction differs from fantasy due to landscape. Science fiction is more strict when it boils down to rules and limitations whereas fantasy is mostly about being imaginative.

Le Guin, U. (2005). Plausibility Revisited: Wha Hoppen and What Didn't.

Week 3-4 Fantasy

How does Attebery (1980)define Fantasy? Find at least five definitions.

Attebery defines fantasy in a few ways. He believes it to be something that one must fully immerse in and accept that it can be different but also similar to real life. Also it’s something that pushes the boundaries of reality while creating something new and intriguing.

·        “Any narrative which includes as a significant part of its make-up some violation of what the author clearly believes to be natural law – that is fantasy”(Attebery, 1980).

·        “Fantasy is a game of sorts, and it demands that one play whole-heartedly, accepting for the moment all rules and turns of the game”(Attebery, 1980).

·        “Fantasy, then, presupposes a view of exterior reality which it goes on to contradict”(Attebery, 1980).

·        “There are various ways a story can proclaim its fantastic nature. It can involve beings whose existence we know to be impossible, like dragons, flying horses, or shape-shifting men. It can revolve around magical objects: rings, hats, or castles posessing wills, voices, mobility, and other attributes inanimate objects do not, in our experience, posess”(Attebery, 1980).

·        “Fantasy invokes wonder by making the impossible seem familiar and the familiar seem new and strange”(Attebery, 1980).

What are some archetypes (e.g. common character types)of fantasy fiction?

“Traditionally there are only four possible roles for women in this sort of book: absent beloved, evil witch, damsel in distress and girl warrior”(Tax, 2002).

I really find this to be interesting. I have never thought about the common types of female characters in any kind of media let alone fantasy fiction. Thinking about traditional roles makes me wonder if there are any fantasy novels that contain female characters that do not conform to these traditional standards. Also it makes me consider what the main kind of roles male characters traditionally play. The main ones that come to mind are wizards, warriors, and heroes. Specifically in fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings and The Wizard of Earthsea. The protagonist almost always seems to be a man in the form of a wizard or a warrior alongside single or multiple companions that must defeat the evil villain and save the people.

Attebery, B. (1980). The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guinn. Bloomington: Indiana U P, 1980.

Tax, M. (Jan 28, 2002). Year of Harry Potter, Enter the Dragon. In The Nation.

Week 1 & 2. COMICS

Do you think comics are a children's or adult genre/media?

Briefly, Comics might seem to be written to appeal to all aged people. But sometimes, there are some comics more likely for adults than children.

For example, Tin-tin is a famous comic for all aged audiences. The Tin-tin series shows the adventure stories with vivid images. So, it enhances and encourages the interests of children in reading, and also helps developing their imagination. The Blue Lotus Herge (Tin-tin) is based on real life stories. For that reason, adults can sympathize their experience and thoughts with this comic book as well. Most of the adults or mature people think realistically. Therefore, whenever they read comics, they tend to seek many more things than just text and images, such as the messages, concepts, ideals or thoughts behind the story itself. As everyone knows some films are originally made from comics, such as <Superman>, <Batman>, <X Man>, <Mask>, <Spiderman>, <Scooby-Doo>, <101 Dalmatians>, and <The Crow>. All these movies already had a good reputation before they are made, due to a huge fan-base from the comics. All those fans have read the comics since they were young, and when the time goes on, the plots of the comics have turned close to the reality. The comics always reflect the society or the politics…etc.

In Batman series stories described virtue and vice with appeal to people of all ages. The first series also made me look upon the world as a dichotomy between good and evil. However, when I saw the Dark Knight, it was not just a comic or a film. It was a kind of masterpiece. Ostensibly, in the Dark Knight, everyone agrees that evil is punished and good is rewarded. So it tells us the instructive lesson which is, to be a good person. But in my opinion, The Dark Knight is no way a kid's comic. It might be hard to understand the hidden subject for them. Joker is described as an interesting character on it, he was representing a deep message and what he did in the movie was provided human-beings can turn into evil because of their selfishness. Actually, we probably can think that there is a person who has two different egos (aspect), virtue and vice. I believe the Joker can be the icon of vice and Batman can be the other one.

The other example is the “Civil War” plots in <the Avengers>. For the kids, this storyline could be just a massive fight between the superheroes, but for the adults, it means a lot. The story was reflected to the Patriot Act after 9/11, and also the racism in the United States. I would say the comics are not just the graphic works nowadays. They have the same features as other literary works, reflected to the current issues or news in the society. Meanwhile, the kids do not have to understand the inspiration behind the comics or the stories, so they can just read them as an entertainment or leisure reading. To the question, the comics are for all aged audiences, but it only depends on the way you read them and the understanding of the messages or concepts behind them.

References

 Farr, M. (2001). Introduction, Tintin : an imaginary hero in the real world. In M. Farr, Tintin: the complete companion (p.9). London: John Murray. 

 Viram. (2007, November 15). The Blue Lotus. Retrieved Aug 8, 2014, from http://www.shvoong.com/books/1706168-blue-lotus/