Week6

According to Napier,how does this anime problematise traditional (or conservative) constructions of gender, class and race? 

Princess Monaoke seems to be set in 1500's in Japan, the fantasy that delves, despite the literal nature "god" and magic. This film is complex mixture of tradition Japanese spiritualism, class concern and the prospect of change is on offer in Japan. Princess Monoake appears brilliant on social concerns and progressive at that time (still the most concern today) of men domination of nature, technology and the increasing loss of spiritualism to the touch.  In contrast to the mythical ideal of harmony, progress and the non homogeneous problem, the government elite patriarchal, this vision of culture dissonance, loss of spiritual and environmental apocalypse offers.(Cavallaro, 2006). For example some films such as Samurai and Aristocratic classes focus on more common people who ignores in Japanese history. Although it is strange that the director chose to portray the Japanese society is divided head strong female character in way that almost seemed to be responsible for the cooapse of society, this is open to interpretation. Furthermore the character of lady "Eboshi" (militaristic strong material) definitely seems to be responsible for some of the major atrocities carried out in this film, to achieve a form of demonisation regardless on intention.

References:

Cavallaro, D. (2006). The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki. London: Macfarland and Company

Napier, S. (2005). Anime: From Akira to Howl's Moving Castle. Hampshire: Plgrave Macmillan