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A Socio-cultural Analysis of Romantic Love in Japanese Harem Animation: A Buddhist Monk, a Japanese Knight, and a Samurai

2010; RELX Group (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

1556-5068

von Feigenblatt,

Asian Culture and Media Studies

The present paper deals with the harem genre of J animation as a representative example of Japan's so cio-cultural reality in terms of dating and marriage patters in the early 2 1 st century. Animation and manga (comics) are an important part of the pub lic sphere in Japan and one of the most widespread forms of popular cul ture. Three animated series are discussed in this paper namely: Zero no Tsukaima (Zero's Familiar), Ameinaideyo!! (Ah my Buddha!!), and Asu no Yoichi (High School Samurai). The main characters are a Japanese Knight, a Buddhist Monk, and a Samurai. The paper concludes that the hgenre in animation and comics represents a turning point in Japanese culture in terms of popular attitudes regarding romantic love and also embodies some of the inherent contradictions involved in the transition from arranged marriages to the Western ideal of chivalri c romantic love.