Leiden University Student Repository

Klaauw, Kirati van der (2020)

The Seinen Genre as an Arena for Hegemonic Struggle: The Case Study of ReLife

Bachelor thesis | Japanstudies (BA)

This thesis illustrates the close connection between relevant Japanese social problems within contemporary work of anime and manga from the seinen genre. Through the use of the popular culture theory and the concept of hegemony in conjunction with the integrated approach of genre studies, this thesis defines part of the seinen genre regarding its connection to the representation of social problems. Discussing the historical connection between the seinen genre and social turmoil in the Japanese society from the 1950s, and discussing the seinen manga and anime ReLife as a case study, this thesis aims to show that anime and manga, in particular the seinen genre, evolved dynamically. The connection between relevant social and political debate makes the seinen genre an important ideological arena for the Japanese society and is an important part of the evolution of the seinen genre. The continues interplay between the genre and society has enabled the seinen genre to provide us with...Show moreThis thesis illustrates the close connection between relevant Japanese social problems within contemporary work of anime and manga from the seinen genre. Through the use of the popular culture theory and the concept of hegemony in conjunction with the integrated approach of genre studies, this thesis defines part of the seinen genre regarding its connection to the representation of social problems. Discussing the historical connection between the seinen genre and social turmoil in the Japanese society from the 1950s, and discussing the seinen manga and anime ReLife as a case study, this thesis aims to show that anime and manga, in particular the seinen genre, evolved dynamically. The connection between relevant social and political debate makes the seinen genre an important ideological arena for the Japanese society and is an important part of the evolution of the seinen genre. The continues interplay between the genre and society has enabled the seinen genre to provide us with relevant views and criticism of contemporary Japanese society.Show less

Genre Theory

Anime and Manga

Hegemonic struggle

Social issues

Black company

Freeter

NEET

Popular Culture Theory

Author

Klaauw, Kirati van der

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Japanstudies

Supervisors

Crandol, M.E.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en