According to Napier, how does this anime problematize traditional (or conservative) constructions of gender, class and race?
This anime is such a great example of how Miyazaki has challenged traditional or conservative ideas of gender, class and race. The three leads (San, Moro and Eboshi) are all female and have the qualities that are not usually associated with the traditional female leads of Japanese anime. Although there are some qualities that are typical of the shojo, such as the sweetness and cuteness, they are more aggressive, independent and active. According to Napier, females are typically used as a “vehicle for tradition” which is not the case in this anime, especially with Eboshi who governs the city of Tatara (traditionally a man’s job). Even San is depicted in her warrior image with blood and paint on her face.
The construct of class is also touched upon in this anime for example the ‘un-touchability’ of the emperor and Tatara which is a sort of utopia for the outcasts of society where whores and lepers are held in higher regard than they would in traditional society.
References:
Napier, S. (2005). Anime: from Akira to Howl’s Moving Castle. Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Hey Nazia,
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your assessments etc! I wish you had gone into more detail with your response although you have discussed the female leads. Did you get the sense that the movie was feminist driven as well? I think I read on another blog that Miyazaki himself was a feminist.