1. Revise parts 1-3 one last time, paying careful attention to the feedback you have received. 2. Include a full bibliography listing every source that you cite. 3. Submit the assignment via GauchoSpa
Japanese Product – Anime Movie (Week 3)
Japanese Product
Animated Fantasy Film
Spirited Away
Week 1:
“Spirited away” is an animated fantasy film (2001), written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It revolves around a 10-year old girl Chihiro Ogino who is moving to a new neighborhood with her parents when they enter into the world of spirits (Kami) and a witch transforms her parents into pigs. Chihiro starts working in Yubaba's bathhouse to free her parents and return to the human world. This animation was done by the studio Ghibli.
Since the animation and the storyline is a very intriguing and accurate depiction of Japanese Shinto folklore, this animated movie was received with higher awards and praises. It went to be the highest-grossing film in Japanese history and received universal acclaim like one of the best-animated films for children, one of the best films of cinema world that is why it has a huge fan following not only in Japan but all over the world. Although Ghibli intended this animation for young teens it is highly popular among elders as well along with teens, both genders are equally attracted to it. It received many awards including Academy Awards for a best-animated movie in 2003 along with many others.
(word count = 195)
Reference:
Ewens, Hannah. “Why 'Spirited Away' Is the Best Animated Film of All Time.” VICE, 20 July 2016, www.vice.com/en_us/article/8geg4b/spirited-away-ghibli-miyazaki-15th-15-year-anniversary-best-animation-hannah-ewens
Week 2:
3-a: professional critics on spirited away.
When “spirited away” was released, it was intended by the director that children who don’t value their traditions and are lost in modern cultures. It was a sweet but important reminder by the director. This message was clear from the reviews that I picked from top-notched critics Kenneth Turan and Roger Ebert. Both have only positive words for the animated movie, focusing on its graphics, its drawings, emotions, and motions involved in the movie. Both highly praised the creativity and the director along with its team who were able to deliver us such a masterpiece.
I find that both critics were clear and honest with their opinions and these reviews are very helpful for those who are not familiar with this animated movie and wish to see it. the reviews were detailed, due to which this movie is regarded as one of the best children animated movies of all time.
3-b: discussion threads.
There are a variety of discussion threads available at "reddit.com" to understand what this animation means and why it is so famous. While I was going through them, I enjoy two in particular. 1 discussion thread was by an individual who watched the animation movie "spirited away" but he/she was unable to understand the movie like what is the story or the purpose behind it, therefore he was inquiring what was so special about it. I enjoyed the comments that follow on describing numerous points of excellence like the amazing graphics and outstanding story. I find it amusing that so many people answered back in support of the movie. (discussion from six years ago).
Another discussion that I enjoyed reading was again on the “reddit.com” in which the writer was inquiring about what was so special as he/she was unable to distinguish any difference or highlights. The 23,000 comments were made to point out the positive and uniqueness of spirited away. The response was so overwhelming that the initial post writer wrote that he will have to write again. I believe that in both discussions, the positive and amazing features were discussed and writers chipped in to describe what they liked most. I find the material of the discussions to be exactly like the critics that I mentioned above. (discussion from 4 years ago).
Word count: 378
Reference:
Ebert, R. (2012). A magical dot over in the corner. Retrieved on 3rd July 2020. Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-spirited-away-2002
Turan, K. (2002). Under the spell of ‘spirited away’. Retrieved on 3rd July 2020. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-20-et-turan20-story.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1o22fs/why_is_spirited_away_considered_a_masterpiece/
https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/3f434w/why_is_spirited_away_considered_to_be_one_of_the/
week 3:
Q3: the famous animation movie 'spirited away' was intended for teenagers to reconnect them with the Japanese culture that is slowly being forgotten in the wake of the western culture that is very slowly overpowering it. After watching the flick, it can be assumed that the Studio was intending to make the youngsters realize that western culture is a good influence as one can learn different things from it but forgetting one’s own culture is not okay and it should not be like this.
For instance, when Chihiro got lost in the woods while moving towards her new home along with her parents in their car, she witnessed that Shinto god’s statues were covered in moss, resembling that people are forgetting their folklore and culture because they are accepting western culture. (Kawamura, 2017). Then when the bathhouse was shown and the workers and their uniforms’ one cannot stop but assume that the studio was consciously trying to compare the Japanese culture and western culture. It can be seen in the movie that despite having a huge bathhouse which is a typical portrayal of Japanese folklore and culture in which the existence of spirits and bathhouses is common, the owner's attire was western-inspired, riddled with disgust, greed, and no respect. But then again, the witch's sister was too dressed in a typical Victorian style dress but she was calm and relax and away from all the hassle that the previous witch has in her life and business.
There is no denying that through spirited away movie, the director and his team was attempting to wake up the young blood so they should have a liking for western culture but forgetting or ignoring one's culture is not healthy. Japan is a country that has faced some of the most severe circumstances in the world but they recovered rapidly, more aggressively, and passionately. It is this passion that has made this nation world-famous for their hard work, love, and respect for cleanliness and education and will to follow and maintain the culture. But as modern technology was influencing our lives, youngsters of Japan are bound to get influenced too.
Through the development of such movies, it is suggesting that the time is here that one needs to wake up and accept the reality of modern culture that it has both sides, good and bad; moreover, it depends on how one gains information and influence from it. Whereas own culture is part of the blood that never leaves, just gets ignored. A good reminder like Spirited away an animated movie that not only captures the audience but flaunts the hidden societal, cultural, and social meanings that are intended for the betterment of the nation.
Words: 447
Reference:
Kawamura, H. (2017). Spirited Away. An exploration of Japanese Identity. Retrieved on 17th July 2020. Retrieved from https://vocal.media/geeks/spirited-away-an-exploration-of-japanese-identity
