Week-6According to Napier, how does this anime problematise traditional (or conservative) constructions of gender, class and race?

According to Napier, how does this anime problematise traditional (or conservative) constructions of gender, class and race?

As stated by Napier (2005), traditional construction of female characters in a Japanese anime most often demonstrations attributes of cuteness and sweetness, however in Princess Monono ke adaption, none of the three female characters showed any sign of these contemporary Japanese culture. Furthermore, Miyazaki’s female characters display gender-neutral and a vague interpretation the more traditional stereotypes. However, it does not take away the human emotions of caring as when Ashikata was injured in the forest; this appeared to show softness from San. There is no perception of any male ‘hero’s’ as Miyazaki’s strategy of destabilising the traditional Japanese anime.

According to Napier (2005), Princess Mononoke overthrows the “traditional history, aesthetics and gender relationships of Japanese Society (p.246)”. The female characters show perceived to claim their own rights and independence, away from male dominance and break the chain of women usually becoming second class citizens; for example the romantic comedies of American tradition, there are no happy endings and marriage as they have and need all they want from living a “fulfilling lives’ (P.246, Napier, 2005).

In terms of race, Princess Mononoke portrays to the Japanese traditional society to embrace difference and promote multi-culturalism in order to acknowledge mutual understanding of one another so the society can be in harmony together. Being conscious of difference and accepting the diverse identity of the individual is vital as it increases awareness and it empowers the minority just as some of the Princess Mononoke characters did.

I believe anime’s like Princess Mononoke should be adapted more as it decreases arrogance and increases open mind for change. It may be just another anime to some, but for many, the themes were strong enough to impact change in peoples mind, and suggests that that there is no need to choose between two identities, one can certainly still remain one of the other with balance.

Reference:

Napier, S. (2005). Anime: from Akira to Howl’s Moving Castle. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.