Week Five
Is anime a genre or a media? Is it a branch of film or another mode?
In my own opinion anime is a medium which covers many genres, such as history, romance and science fiction. I mention this because I have watched many anime such as “My Neighbors the Yamadas from Studio Ghibli which I found to be a delightful and amusing story about a Japanese family going about their everyday lives and then at the other end of the spectrum watching Barefoot Gen a story about the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 a film that would reduce many viewers to tears. I think (Napier, 2005, p. 12) sums up anime by saying “Indeed, anime may be the perfect MEDIUM to capture what is perhaps the overriding issue of our day, the shifting nature of identity in a constantly changing society”.
Anime: branch of film or another mode?
As to whether anime is a branch or mode of film, I think it comes down to personal opinion, which may be deeply influenced by one’s fondness for anime. I myself see anime as more than just a branch of film so maybe mode is a better description? (comments)
According to Lent (2000), what place does animation occupy in Asian societies?
Lent (2000), mentions how anime within Asian societies has occupied areas such as media, where the Government of the time has been able to rally together the support of the people through political campaigns using anime. Furthermore Lent (2000), also discusses how anime has also found its economic niche within certain parts of Asia through the enticement of foreign studios which bring in foreign money and technology all of which are advantageous to the economy.
In regards to the previous question: How different is this across Asia (ie comparing China and Japan)?
When looking at anime and its past history within China, the Chinese Government has viewed foreign animation with suspicion and according to Lent (2000), have now and again banned foreign anime in favor of their own anime, considered to be more in tune with China’s cultures and values. Lent (2000), also mentions how American animation has in the past been withdrawn from screens in response to trade wars between China and the USA. On the other hand Japan’s anime companies have, according to Lent (2000), gone into partnership with the USA so as to lessen the effects of the economic downturn of the 1990’s. Lent (2000), mentions the partnership of Walt Disney International (WDI) and Japan’s Tokuma Shoten Publishing Company.NB. I really enjoyed the screening of Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke however I found it weird hearing English voiceovers after watching all anime with English subtitles in the past. Does anyone feel the same or vice versa
I found the English voiceover a benefit as it allowed me the luxury of concentrating on the story and visual aspects of the anime itself. There was certainly a lot of action and changing of scenes and the plot was not simplistic. If it had been subtitled I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as I would have spent most of my time reading the subtitles, with only infrequent glances at the anime itself.
ReplyDeleteI can see your point.Perhaps i think i like the subtitles because for me it adds to the escapism feeling of bieng in another world or perhaps it is just somthing i have got used too. However i do find that reading the subtitles stops me from bieng distracted by other goings on around me.
ReplyDeleteHi Shayne,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion about anime is a genre or a media. However I think anime more like a branch of film but a special one. Of course, we can't consider it is a film because it is not real person to play.
Hello there,
ReplyDeleteI personally have never defined 'film' as needing people in it. I've always considered Anime and other forms of animated feature length stories, such as those made by Disney, to be film.
Interesting discussion re. subtitles - I always think they will annoy me but soon get used to them - I also read very fast so it's no problem for me. I agree you have to concentrat on the screen when there ar subtitles.
Voiceovers definitely fall into the good and bad category, but overall are improving with time, and in this case were not so bad, I thought.
I personally think 'Branch' or 'Mode' of film really say the same thing. They also seem to mean 'genre' to me anyway!
Do you think there are any 'political' components to this week's film?
I would like to see a bit more reference to the primary texts in your posts Shayne, but good job overall :)