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