Leiden University Student Repository

Chen, Thalia (2024)

Adulthood in Childlike Wonders: Maturity perceived through storytelling and stylisation in The Legend of Zelda

Bachelor thesis | Kunstgeschiedenis (BA)

What is noticeable in our entertainment consumption is that stylised media is seen as childish. Neither does it help that play and childlike behaviour is frowned upon in our society. This thesis examines why stylisation is stigmatised as childish and, despite it, still evokes maturity. Through an autoethnographic visual analysis, it will examine how maturity is evoked through storytelling and stylisation from various titles from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. By analysing the case studies, it argues that the issue does not depend on stylisation but on how we perceive atmosphere and immersion. The more colourful, exaggerated and humorous the medium is, the more likely it is to be seen as childish. Meanwhile, anything more grounded in reality is rather seen as mature. However, this does not mean that stylised media should be confined to a more serious tone to be taken seriously. Rather, there should be a change in attitude in how we perceive different kinds of stylisation.

stylisation, animation, video games, immersion, maturity

Author

Chen, Thalia

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Walter Crist III

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en