AnimeMethod and Meaning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

AnimeMethod and Meaning - Essay Example The substance of this prose will analyze the production and narrative of the anime in light of eminent feature Anime films and series. One of the greatest treasures in the world of Japanese anime is Studio Ghibli and their master creator, Hayao Miyazaki. His anime like spirited away, Nausicaa of the valley of the wind and Mononoke Hime are one of the great anime features that define almost every individual’s childhood. These anime consisted of fantastic animation, with vibrant color schemes and used computer graphics. Studio Ghibli even defied some of the norms set by their very own animation industry. The characters in Studio Ghibli anime had proportionate eyes as opposed to the extremely over-sized eyes in other mainstream anime and also the hair color of the characters was close to what was natural unless the character had a supernatural origin. The end result was that the animation style was smooth and had a very intense, life-like feel to it. One of the most recurring sub -genres in almost all of Miyazaki anime was the concept of steampunk. Steampunk is a cinematic concept that shows the use of steam-powered machines rather than the use of sophisticated technology. For Miyazaki, the use of Steampunk was meant to juxtapose east with west and man with nature, because steam power is generated using coal that is extracted from the earth. Moreover, it is a viable method of creating machinery but there are alternate power sources as well that the West had come up with and the anime tried to explore the aspect of Japan trying to catch up with their western counterparts. (Shaner 2011) All three of the aforementioned anime went on to gain critical acclaim, but it was not the production style that caught the audience’s but it was the amazing storyline that went with it. All three of these anime were metaphors for some important events and controversies that had grabbed the entire world. Mononoke Hime is about a girl Mononoke raised by wolves who fights to protect the forest, and another sub-plot involves Prince Ashitaka, who has been poisoned by possessed boar and then sets out to save the spirit of nature. The film was ranked high because of its deep message regarding environment preservation and has taken inspiration from many historical incidents. Most notably, the anime feature hits upon the use of Atomic bomb and other destructive weapons that not only destroy life but the world we live in as well. Moreover, the movie was also a metaphorical representation of the struggle by the Japanese government to have a more balanced approach for the environment and rapid modernization. The event gained media attention after the announcement regarding the construction of Narita Airport. There was a huge furor particularly from the agricultural sector and the farmer, who strongly opposed the construction project. (Selin & Kalland 2003, 178) Naturally, the biggest concern for the people and activists was the environment and even though, th e government had suppressed all sorts of rebellion from the farmers but the activists did try to sabotage the project all throughout the 70’s (Selin & kalland 2003, 178). Therefore, Princess Mononoke was a loose adaptation of the events that transpired during the 70’s and the forest creatures, and the titular character and Prince Ashitaka represented the farmers and activists