Japanese Popular Culture Essay
In both the novels “Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization” by Tsutsui and “Riding the Black Ship” by Raz, the theme of culture and transnational flows are discussed. In “Riding the Black Ship”, Tokyo Disneyland (TDL) is described as a merge of American and Japanese culture, as the very American concept of Disney is adopted by Japan in a very Japanese fashion. The service, attractions, and appeal found in TDL stay true to the American standards while being executed in a manner which blatantly displays a Japanese mentality. Likewise, in “Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization”, Tsutsui raises the examples of international adaptations of popular Japanese culture, such as Godzilla, being altered to fit …show more content…
The three rides range from being almost identical to its American counterpart, to being an attraction which would only be successful within a Japanese context. The Jungle Cruise, despite being the most American of the three, still identifiably possesses small changes which transform the ride into being more Japanese friendly. For example, the line “Gentlemen, if your mother-in-law is still aboard, you’ve missed a golden opportunity” (Sklar 1975-76: 28) often used as comic relief in the American versions of the Jungle Cruise was retired in the Japanese rendition of the ride. The joke, which is often a success with many Americans, is considered “too offensive for a Japanese audience” (Raz 1999: 36) and thus was replaced with a more favourable and respectful form of comic relief. The Jungle Cruise, while retaining its very American concept of “cute colonial racism” (Fjellman 1992: 225) also exhibits attributes of Japanese tradition and respect, proving TDL attractions to be a combination of American and Japanese …show more content…
Though many of these internationally influences may be through indirect actions, such as triggering the mass theme of post apocalyptic worlds within Japan’s animate realm with the dropping of the atomic bombs, some beloved Japanese character are simply Japanese renditions of American mascots. For example, the internationally acclaimed character of Hello Kitty was “inspired loosely by the American cartoon character Snoopy” (Tsutsui 2010: 14) showing American influence in one of the most iconic Japanese developments. Another example is the creation of Godzilla, which initially began as a low budget film with a deep and tragic message of anti-nuclear activity. The Japanese franchise of Godzilla began as an after effect of World War II, when the nation suffered detrimental aftereffects from the radiation of the atomic bombings. Thus, the birth of Godzilla, a mutated monster born from extreme exposure to radiation, also heavily relies on international influence, albeit a negative one. Finally, another important example of Japanese culture which has been heavily impacted by American interference is the creation of Tetsuwan atomu, better known in English as Astro Boy. The creation of Astro Boy was based heavily on the western story of Pinocchio, with a robotic boy being
In both the novels “Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization” by Tsutsui and “Riding the Black Ship” by Raz, the theme of culture and transnational flows are discussed. In “Riding the Black Ship”, Tokyo Disneyland (TDL) is described as a merge of American and Japanese culture, as the very American concept of Disney is adopted by Japan in a very Japanese fashion. The service, attractions, and appeal found in TDL stay true to the American standards while being executed in a manner which blatantly displays a Japanese mentality. Likewise, in “Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization”, Tsutsui raises the examples of international adaptations of popular Japanese culture, such as Godzilla, being altered to fit …show more content…
The three rides range from being almost identical to its American counterpart, to being an attraction which would only be successful within a Japanese context. The Jungle Cruise, despite being the most American of the three, still identifiably possesses small changes which transform the ride into being more Japanese friendly. For example, the line “Gentlemen, if your mother-in-law is still aboard, you’ve missed a golden opportunity” (Sklar 1975-76: 28) often used as comic relief in the American versions of the Jungle Cruise was retired in the Japanese rendition of the ride. The joke, which is often a success with many Americans, is considered “too offensive for a Japanese audience” (Raz 1999: 36) and thus was replaced with a more favourable and respectful form of comic relief. The Jungle Cruise, while retaining its very American concept of “cute colonial racism” (Fjellman 1992: 225) also exhibits attributes of Japanese tradition and respect, proving TDL attractions to be a combination of American and Japanese …show more content…
Though many of these internationally influences may be through indirect actions, such as triggering the mass theme of post apocalyptic worlds within Japan’s animate realm with the dropping of the atomic bombs, some beloved Japanese character are simply Japanese renditions of American mascots. For example, the internationally acclaimed character of Hello Kitty was “inspired loosely by the American cartoon character Snoopy” (Tsutsui 2010: 14) showing American influence in one of the most iconic Japanese developments. Another example is the creation of Godzilla, which initially began as a low budget film with a deep and tragic message of anti-nuclear activity. The Japanese franchise of Godzilla began as an after effect of World War II, when the nation suffered detrimental aftereffects from the radiation of the atomic bombings. Thus, the birth of Godzilla, a mutated monster born from extreme exposure to radiation, also heavily relies on international influence, albeit a negative one. Finally, another important example of Japanese culture which has been heavily impacted by American interference is the creation of Tetsuwan atomu, better known in English as Astro Boy. The creation of Astro Boy was based heavily on the western story of Pinocchio, with a robotic boy being