Leiden University Student Repository

Hoogerbrug, J.E. (2014)

Flashy Fighters and Iconic Identities - Reciprocity between local heroes on Japanese television and community identity

Bachelor thesis | Japanstudies (BA)

This thesis tries to combine characteristics of identity building in a community with the existence of gotōchi hīrō ご当地ヒーロー (local heroes) in Japan. Throughout Japan, almost every prefecture and/or city has its own hero that represents the specific traits of the region it belongs to. The heroes speak in dialect, visit famous locations and constantly use and refer to local products. One of the primary reasons for creating these heroes is to strengthen the regions community identity. Television plays an important role in the distribution of imagery surrounding the local heroes. Because of cultural proximity, local television programmes are often very popular and consequently, so are the local heroes. To exemplify this connection between identity construction and local heroes, this thesis analyses Ryūjin Mabuyā 琉神マブヤー, a local hero from Okinawa prefecture. By looking at the locations, language, cultural references used and the intentions of the creators of the programme, it becomes...Show moreThis thesis tries to combine characteristics of identity building in a community with the existence of gotōchi hīrō ご当地ヒーロー (local heroes) in Japan. Throughout Japan, almost every prefecture and/or city has its own hero that represents the specific traits of the region it belongs to. The heroes speak in dialect, visit famous locations and constantly use and refer to local products. One of the primary reasons for creating these heroes is to strengthen the regions community identity. Television plays an important role in the distribution of imagery surrounding the local heroes. Because of cultural proximity, local television programmes are often very popular and consequently, so are the local heroes. To exemplify this connection between identity construction and local heroes, this thesis analyses Ryūjin Mabuyā 琉神マブヤー, a local hero from Okinawa prefecture. By looking at the locations, language, cultural references used and the intentions of the creators of the programme, it becomes clear that Ryūjin Mabuyā was created to introduce and emphasize Okinawan community identity.Show less

Japan

community identity

television

hero

media studies

Okinawa

Author

Hoogerbrug, J.E.

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Japanstudies

Supervisors

Smits, I.B.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en