Anime Narratives: Grand vs. Database

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Questions and Answers

Explain how Otsuka Eiji’s concept of "grand narratives with small narratives" applies to a specific anime series. Give an example of the grand narrative and at least one supporting small narrative within the series.

In Attack on Titan, the grand narrative involves the mystery of the Titans and humanity's fight for survival. A small narrative is Mikasa's personal struggle to protect Eren and come to terms with her past.

How does Azuma Hiroki's "database narrative" differ from traditional storytelling? Provide an example of an anime that exemplifies the database narrative structure.

Azuma's database narrative relies on pre-existing tropes and archetypes rather than original, overarching plots. Isekai Quartet exemplifies this, featuring characters from different isekai anime interacting in humorous ways.

According to Paul Price, how do many modern isekai anime utilize database elements, and what does this imply about the depth of their storytelling?

Price notes isekai anime often use database elements like overpowered protagonists in fantasy worlds, focusing on wish fulfillment over complex plotting. This can lead to shallower, less substantive storytelling.

In what ways does Fushigi Yūgi differ from more contemporary isekai anime, according to Price’s description of early isekai?

<p><em>Fushigi Yūgi</em> emphasizes romance, relationships, and emotional struggles, differing from modern isekai's focus on power fantasy and wish fulfillment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key development occurred in shōjo manga during the 1970s, and who were some of the key figures behind this change?

<p>The 1970s saw the rise of psychologically complex shōjo manga, largely due to the Year 24 Group, including Keiko Takemiya and Moto Hagio.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of the "love trap" in shōjo manga/anime. Provide an example of a series that uses this trope and describe how it manifests.

<p>The &quot;love trap&quot; involves creating intense romantic tension through obstacles, misunderstandings, or power imbalances. <em>Fruits Basket</em> uses this with Tohru and the Sohma family, as their relationships face the curse-related obstacles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the relationship between Oscar and André in Rose of Versailles reflect the concept of a "heterosexual but homogender" relationship?

<p>Oscar, a woman raised as a man, has a romantic relationship with André, appearing homogender (same-gender in appearance) but being fundamentally heterosexual.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some criticisms of BL's portrayal of gay male characters, as argued by scholars like Satō Masaki and Akiko Hori?

<p>Criticisms include the idealized depiction of gay relationships and the reinforcement of seme/uke tropes, which may not reflect real gay men's lives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to early psychoanalytic studies, why was BL seen as a safe space for women to explore romance and sexuality?

<p>BL allowed women to explore romance and sexuality in a male-male space without the social constraints of heterosexual gender roles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define the core concept of isekai anime and provide an example of a characteristic commonly found in this genre.

<p>Isekai anime involves characters being transported to another world. A common characteristic is gaining new abilities or unique status in that world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe the typical focus and themes of both shōnen and shōjo anime/manga.

<p>Shōnen focuses on action, adventure, friendship, and perseverance, while shōjo centers on romance, emotions, and personal relationships.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Paul Price's study, identify two common findings in isekai anime and provide an example for each.

<p>Protagonists often start as ordinary but gain special abilities (<em>That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime</em>), and stories focus on wish fulfillment rather than deep plots (<em>Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody</em>).</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which decade did isekai solidify as a recognized genre, and what earlier series contributed to its formation?

<p>The 1990s-2000s cemented isekai as a genre, with earlier works like <em>Aura Battler Dunbine</em> laying the groundwork.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did prewar girls’ culture influence the depiction of relationships in postwar BL?

<p>Prewar girls’ magazines featured idealized same-gender friendships, shaping postwar BL’s romanticized and emotional male relationships.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between "Boy’s Country" and "Girl’s Country" narratives in anime/manga, providing an example for each.

<p>&quot;Boy’s Country&quot; emphasizes adventure, independence, and loyalty (<em>One Piece</em>), while &quot;Girl’s Country&quot; focuses on relationships and emotion-driven stories (<em>Cardcaptor Sakura</em>).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why were Ricca Dolls more popular than Barbie in Japan during their introduction?

<p>Ricca Dolls were more modest, culturally relatable, and appealed to Japanese beauty standards better than Barbie.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two significant anime/manga texts from the 1960s that exemplify gendered genres.

<p><em>Ashita no Joe</em> (shōnen) and <em>Ribbon no Kishi</em> (shōjo).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the evolution of magical girl anime across three distinct eras.

<p>1960s-70s: Light-hearted comedy &amp; slice-of-life; 1980s-90s: Action-focused &amp; team-based; 2000s-present: Dark &amp; subversive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Kumiko Saito, what are two major functions of magic in magical girl anime?

<p>Empowerment and consumerism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways does Yuri!!! On Ice both follow and subvert conventions associated with the BL genre?

<p>It uses BL tropes like intense male relationships but portrays them with emotional depth and mutual love, moving away from typical power imbalances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

"Grand Narratives with Small Narratives"

Anime and manga narratives with a larger world supported by individual character stories, creating continuity and flexible storytelling.

Database Narrative

Modern anime that draws from a collection of familiar character types, tropes, and settings rather than following overarching stories.

Isekai Anime & Database Structure

Isekai anime relies on familiar elements, allowing fans to engage with pre-existing worldbuilding and character archetypes without a deep story.

Early Isekai

Early isekai conventions involve a protagonist transported to a different world, discovering a hidden destiny, and undergoing personal growth.

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Shōjo Manga's Psychological Complexity

Manga aimed at young girls with deep psychological themes, complex emotions, and gender exploration.

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"Love Trap"

Love stories that create intense tension through obstacles, misunderstandings, or power imbalances.

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"Heterosexual but Homogender" Relationship

Romantic relationship between a woman raised as a man and a man. This reflects all-female stage performances, where women played male roles.

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Criticism of BL

BL often portrays idealized gay relationships that do not reflect real gay men’s lives and reinforces dominant/submissive stereotypes.

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Psychoanalytic Approach to BL

BL allows women to explore romance & sexuality in a male-male space without the constraints of heterosexual gender roles.

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Isekai

Anime featuring characters transported to another world where they gain new abilities or a unique status.

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Shōnen

Anime aimed at young boys, often featuring action, adventure, friendship, and perseverance.

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Shōjo

Anime aimed at young girls, focusing more on romance, emotions, and personal relationships.

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Isekai Finding 1

Isekai protagonists often start as ordinary people but gain special abilities.

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Isekai Finding 2

Isekai stories often focus on wish fulfillment rather than deep plots.

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Prewar Girls’ Culture

Prewar girls’ magazines featured idealized same-gender friendships, shaping postwar BL’s aesthetic of romanticized male relationships.

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Boy’s Country

Boy’s Country narratives focus on adventure, independence, and loyalty.

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Girl’s Country

Girl’s Country narratives emphasize relationships, emotion-driven stories, and cooperation.

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Magic in Magical Girl Anime

Magical girl anime where magic represents agency & strength.

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Shōjo

A genre aimed at young girls, focusing on romance, emotions, and personal growth.

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Yuri!!! On Ice

More realistic, emotional depth, and mutual love rather than the typical BL power imbalance.

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Study Notes

  • Anime and manga narratives often utilize a "grand narrative" supported by "small narratives," where the former provides a broad mythos and the latter offers individual character-driven stories.
  • Modern anime often abandons grand narratives, drawing instead from a "database" of familiar character types, tropes, and settings.
  • Isekai anime relies heavily on database elements, allowing engagement through pre-existing worldbuilding and character archetypes.
  • Early isekai anime like Fushigi Yūgi focus on romance, relationships, and emotional struggles, distinguishing them from modern power fantasy trends.

Shōjo & BL Studies

  • Shōjo manga became more psychologically complex in the 1970s, led by the Year 24 Group who explored deep emotions and gender themes.
  • The "love trap" in shōjo manga/anime creates romantic tension by manipulating emotions through obstacles, misunderstandings, or power imbalances.
  • Rose of Versailles features a "heterosexual but homogender" relationship, influenced by the Takarazuka Revue's all-female casts playing male roles.
  • Some scholars critique BL for portraying idealized gay relationships from a female perspective, often reinforcing limiting seme/uke tropes.
  • Early BL studies used psychoanalysis to suggest that BL allows women to explore romance and sexuality in a safe, male-male context.

Isekai & Shōnen Genres

  • Isekai anime involves characters transported to another world, often gaining new abilities or unique status.
  • Shōnen anime/manga is aimed at young boys, typically featuring action, adventure, friendship, and perseverance.
  • Isekai protagonists often start as ordinary individuals but gain special abilities in a new world.
  • Isekai stories frequently prioritize wish fulfillment over deep, complex plots.
  • The 1980s saw the emergence of structured isekai stories, with the genre solidifying from the 1990s to 2000s.

Historical & Cultural Influences

  • Prewar girls’ magazines influenced postwar BL with idealized, emotional same-gender friendships.
  • "Boy’s Country" narratives focus on adventure, independence, and loyalty, while "Girl’s Country" narratives emphasize relationships, emotions, and cooperation.
  • Ricca Dolls were favored over Barbie in Japan because they were more modest, culturally relatable, and aligned with Japanese beauty standards.
  • Two 1960s texts representing gendered genres include the shōnen manga Ashita no Joe (fighting, perseverance) and the shōjo manga Ribbon no Kishi (romance, gender fluidity).

Magical Girl Genre

  • The magical girl genre evolved through distinct eras: 1960s-70s (light-hearted comedy), 1980s-90s (action-focused & team-based), and 2000s-present (dark & subversive).
  • Magic in magical girl anime represents both empowerment and consumerism, with ties to merchandise.
  • "Shōjo" is a genre aimed at young girls, focusing on romance, emotions, and personal growth.
  • Sailor Moon was initially unpopular in the U.S. due to censorship and Americanization, which removed LGBTQ+ elements and romantic complexity.

Yuri!!! On Ice & BL Conventions

  • Yuri!!! On Ice presents a more complex male romance, emphasizing realistic, emotional depth and mutual love, but still uses common BL tropes.

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