The literal definition of "shoujo" is "little female" around the age of 12. Colloquially it refers to the age of transition from innocence to puberty. Miyazaki hints that some anime producers (or at least some anime fans) have used shoujo characters as sex objects, but Miyazaki insists he uses these characters (such as Princess Mononoki) to explore the concept of innocence and the loss thereof.
Miyazaki also hints that anime tends to present shoujo characters as powerless, passive pawns caught up in the flow of life whereas he made a conscious effort to buck the trend and create active, empowered children who are already taking their destiny (and possibly the destiny of those around them) into their own hands.
Napier, S. (2005). Anime and
Local/Global Identity. In Anime:
from Akira to Howl’s Moving
Castle (p.11). Hampshire:
Palgrave/Macmillan.
This shoujo also relates to the wide audience of japanese people whom are lulled not only by the "cuteness" of characters but by also the persona of courage within the main character.
ReplyDeleteTo explore the concept of innoncence I can understand, but the loss? Do you think San is on the verge of losing her animal identity and coming into tune with her human side because of her suddenly feelings towards Ashitaka? Mind you I haven't watched many Anime so I wouldn't know if loss was a metaphor for something as literal as sexuality, or virginity.
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