ASIA 2512: Explorations of Japanese Animation

RESPONSE WRITING #3 Name ASIA 2512: Explorations of Japanese Animation Date Contextualization and history of the Japanese anime provides insights on how the anime industry emerged and the importance of the technical aspects of animation and science fiction in the Japanese cultural industry, and especially in animation. In “Akira” Katsuhiro Otomo’s “Akira” set in 2019 focuses on Shōtarō Kaneda the bike gang leader is on a mission to save Tetsuo from a government experiment, and Tetsuo uses his new gained powers trying to take over New Tokyo. In Oshii Mamoru‘s “Patlabor 2” a rebellion led by Yukihito Tsuge a rebel and terrorist threatens to destroy the fragile society when the Yokohama Bay Bridge is blown. To combat the problem will be Goto and Shinobu to restore balance and stability and arrest Tsuge. The need for the human element in advanced technology is emphasized in Patlabor 2, while Akira warns against pursuing power through technology without fully understanding the risks involved. Patlabor 2 is innovative film where people in that world are accustomed to these technological advances, which is usually not the case in many sci-fi works. Even the conflicts that arise are normal in all and have their logical explanation, as would be the problems that cause uncontrolled labors. Technology including robots, have a futuristic aspect futuristic tinge, and the characters and people interact with technology in daily life. The Japanese police unit use Labors patrol robots, and one of the recurring theme is how humans rely on technology to achieve their desired outcome to fight the enemy or cause destruction. The advance of technology show there is transformation in how humans rely on technology to facilitate movement and their actions. Technological mobilization of everyday life is mostly in the urban environments, futuristic world and imagined universes (Lamarre, 2009). Oshii Mamoru supports invention or experimentation to evaluate how technology could be used to improve animation and blend technology and human worlds. The use of detailed storyboards and vivid color in the animation captures in the audience’s attention in Patlabor 2 since they are elaborate and emphasize the link between humans and technology in a futuristic world. Oshii uses a detached viewpoint in Patlabor without forcing too much on deep human relationships, but rather war and technology. The relationship between Nagumo and Tsuge is not deep even as Nagumo is also on a personal mission to stop the terrorist act because she was previously in love with Tsuge (Oshii et al., 1993). People’s connection to technology shows that humans are depend on tech, but also connected to technology that humans no longer value real and deep connections the more they become like the machines. The reconnaissance monitoring systems pay an important role in Patlabor anime since they allow the humans to watch over others and monitor activities. The virtual reality of war is depicted where the technology allows the police and soldiers to launch attacks using the best targeting systems and accessories. The simulated and the real life in the film are closely intertwined he compared to Akira, making it difficult to evaluate what was fact (Anderson, 2009). The technology used in the film also highlights the Japanese identity as there is focus on Japanese people’s lives before and during the war. Patlabor 2 highlights huma...