The Shinto imagery and iconography in Shinkai Makoto's film Kimi no Na wa appears to be used to add to the portrayal of a furusato in order to aid the film’s aesthetical countryside town and...Show moreThe Shinto imagery and iconography in Shinkai Makoto's film Kimi no Na wa appears to be used to add to the portrayal of a furusato in order to aid the film’s aesthetical countryside town and ultimately aiming to evoke feelings of nostalgia for a “traditional” Japan. The film, which shows a definite two-split of the Japanese landscape, gives a very stereotypical view of urban Tokyo as a fast paced city, and with Itomori as the furusato poster child, playing into nationalist views of a traditional Japan as opposed to a western influenced Japan. This Thesis explores these topics as it aims to answer the question of; How are religious and spiritual beliefs of Japanese Shinto portrayed in the animated film Kimi no Na wa, how does this portrayal help shape the film’s story and how does this play a role in the discourse on the urban-rural divide in Japan?Show less
This thesis discusses how Paul Schrader visualised Mishima Yukio's distinct notions on beauty and death in the 1985 film 'Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters'.
"How can the onryō tradition help us interpret the contemporary phenomenon of cutesified onryō parodies?" Through analyzing the emergence and appeasement of three distinct historical types of onryō...Show more"How can the onryō tradition help us interpret the contemporary phenomenon of cutesified onryō parodies?" Through analyzing the emergence and appeasement of three distinct historical types of onryō, the context necessary for understanding the place of the 'cutesified onryō' will take shape. Next, some examples of this new onryō will be discussed to see what the recurring themes are. And lastly, a more in-depth case study of a manga centered around a cutesified onryō will be carried out. It will be argued that cutesification functions not only as a form of appeasement, but also as 'domestication'. The onryō’s history of empowerment and role-breaking is subverted as they are forced back into gendered societal roles.Show less
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...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
