JAPN 213 - Manga, Anime & Modern Japan
This course uses Japanese manga (comics) and anime (animated films) as mirrors that reflect the Japanese experience of rapid economic and social transformation over the past 150 years. Starting with the examination of ancient Japanese style of visual expression, we will trace how manga and anime sketch out a parallel world that is linked both historically and culturally to the imagined community of the Japanese nation-state. Taught in English.
Meets MLO 2
Meets MLO 2
Course Reflective Narrative
In JAPN 213, we used manga and anime as a reflection of important cultural aspects of Japanese society and dissected the possible social commentary the directors and/or authors may have been trying to convey about problems within Japanese society. For half of our course term, we focused on science fiction anime and manga such as the comparison between different eras of Astroboy, and how they reflected different social issues in Japan during each time period. Another focus point within the course was the importance of spirituality in Japan by viewing works by Hayao Miyazaki and the original and remake of Gegege no Kitaro. At the end of this unit, we were required to write a short two to three page essay reflecting how these films conveyed the importance of spirituality in a modern Japan that no longer places an emphasis on religious beliefs.
At the end of the course, we were given two options for our final project: an in-depth analysis of an anime of our choice and its connection to Japanese society, or creating our own manga that reflects a societal issue in Japan. I decided to go with Option One, which required a slideshow presentation about my topic and a research paper on the issue. I chose to study how the movie "A Silent Voice" reflects Japan's unique perspective on bullying culture and the impacts it has on all parties involved, including the bullies, victims, and bystanders. This final allowed me to discuss Japanese social issues I was passionate about that had not yet been discussed in class, as well as analyze more modern anime that I was interested in. It also helped me understand the expectation of research and writing skills required as a college student, which I was able to develop more.
The Importance of Spirituality Essay
Final Project Essay
At the end of the course, we were given two options for our final project: an in-depth analysis of an anime of our choice and its connection to Japanese society, or creating our own manga that reflects a societal issue in Japan. I decided to go with Option One, which required a slideshow presentation about my topic and a research paper on the issue. I chose to study how the movie "A Silent Voice" reflects Japan's unique perspective on bullying culture and the impacts it has on all parties involved, including the bullies, victims, and bystanders. This final allowed me to discuss Japanese social issues I was passionate about that had not yet been discussed in class, as well as analyze more modern anime that I was interested in. It also helped me understand the expectation of research and writing skills required as a college student, which I was able to develop more.
The Importance of Spirituality Essay
Final Project Essay