Japanese animation, or anime, has transitioned from a niche cultural phenomenon to a globally mainstream art form over the past decade. Once perceived as a subculture for enthusiasts of Japanese culture, it now influences global media, appearing in international film festivals, fashion, and urban advertisements. This transformation stems from anime's blend of Japanese cultural elements with universal storytelling, digital distribution advancements, and engaged fan communities. These factors have elevated its status beyond children's entertainment, prompting a reassessment of its artistic and narrative depth. The 21st century has seen a proliferation of innovative anime directors, challenging the notion that Hayao Miyazaki was an exception in achieving cinematic acclaim. Directors like Shinkai Makoto and Hosoda Mamoru now lead the medium in the post-Miyazaki era, earning recognition for their work’s artistic and cultural significance. This evolution coincides with broader discussions about animation's legitimacy as a serious art form, positioning anime alongside traditional cinema and television. This proposed dissertation explores this transformation across five chapters, examining anime’s impact on global perceptions, its engagement with societal issues, and its narrative approaches to environmentalism, isolation, and alienation. It analyzes works addressing themes like hikikomori, suicide, and child abuse, alongside environmental storytelling from directors like Shinkai and Hosoda. Their works, including Suzume and Belle, are highlighted as reflective of modern life’s complexities. By exploring these dimensions, the study aims to illuminate anime’s role as a vital medium for artistic expression and social commentary in the 21st century.
L’animazione giapponese, o anime, si è trasformata nell’ultimo decennio da fenomeno culturale di nicchia a forma d’arte di rilevanza globale. Un tempo considerata una sottocultura riservata agli appassionati della cultura giapponese, oggi influenza i media di tutto il mondo, apparendo in festival cinematografici internazionali, nella moda e nella pubblicità urbana. Questa trasformazione deriva dalla combinazione degli elementi culturali giapponesi con una narrazione universale, dai progressi nella distribuzione digitale e dalle comunità di fan molto attive. Questi fattori hanno elevato lo status dell’anime oltre l’intrattenimento per bambini, spingendo a una rivalutazione della sua profondità artistica e narrativa. Il XXI secolo ha visto l’emergere di registi innovativi nel campo dell’anime, mettendo in discussione l’idea che Miyazaki Hayao fosse un’eccezione nell’ottenere riconoscimenti cinematografici. Registi come Shinkai Makoto e Hosoda Mamoru guidano oggi il medium nell’era post-Miyazaki, ricevendo riconoscimenti per il valore artistico e culturale delle loro opere. Questa evoluzione si inserisce in un più ampio dibattito sulla legittimità dell’animazione come forma d’arte seria, collocando l’anime accanto al cinema e alla televisione tradizionali. La tesi proposta esplora questa trasformazione in cinque capitoli, analizzando l’impatto dell’anime sulla percezione globale, il suo coinvolgimento con tematiche sociali e i suoi approcci narrativi all’ambientalismo, all’isolamento e all’alienazione. L’analisi include opere che affrontano temi come il fenomeno degli hikikomori, il suicidio e gli abusi sui minori, insieme alla narrazione ambientale di registi come Shinkai e Hosoda. Le loro opere, tra cui Suzume e Belle, vengono evidenziate come specchio delle complessità della vita moderna. Esplorando queste dimensioni, lo studio si propone di mettere in luce il ruolo dell’anime come mezzo vitale di espressione artistica e commento sociale nel XXI secolo
ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE ANIMATED FEATURE FILMS AND TV SERIES
Della Chiara, Mariapaola
2025
Abstract
Japanese animation, or anime, has transitioned from a niche cultural phenomenon to a globally mainstream art form over the past decade. Once perceived as a subculture for enthusiasts of Japanese culture, it now influences global media, appearing in international film festivals, fashion, and urban advertisements. This transformation stems from anime's blend of Japanese cultural elements with universal storytelling, digital distribution advancements, and engaged fan communities. These factors have elevated its status beyond children's entertainment, prompting a reassessment of its artistic and narrative depth. The 21st century has seen a proliferation of innovative anime directors, challenging the notion that Hayao Miyazaki was an exception in achieving cinematic acclaim. Directors like Shinkai Makoto and Hosoda Mamoru now lead the medium in the post-Miyazaki era, earning recognition for their work’s artistic and cultural significance. This evolution coincides with broader discussions about animation's legitimacy as a serious art form, positioning anime alongside traditional cinema and television. This proposed dissertation explores this transformation across five chapters, examining anime’s impact on global perceptions, its engagement with societal issues, and its narrative approaches to environmentalism, isolation, and alienation. It analyzes works addressing themes like hikikomori, suicide, and child abuse, alongside environmental storytelling from directors like Shinkai and Hosoda. Their works, including Suzume and Belle, are highlighted as reflective of modern life’s complexities. By exploring these dimensions, the study aims to illuminate anime’s role as a vital medium for artistic expression and social commentary in the 21st century.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/215273
URN:NBN:IT:UNICATT-215273