The usual cliché is to say that (japanese) animation is just something kawaii, made for kids. Even Ghibli’s films are still receiving that kind of remarks. But one question remains: why animated stories are so popular these days?
An interesting answer would be to consider these stories as myth. The fact that, for example, Ghibli’s films are obviously dealing with mythology, that is to say, things that move us on a deep level – whether you’re a kid or an adult. Things that help us to understand our daily life.
The man who came up with this idea is named Crispin Freeman, he’s actually giving lectures (he’ll be at Nippon Connection). And as you can guess, his work is influenced by Joseph Campbell‘s work (George Lucas’ sensei).
Trailer & details:
1. Giant Robots & Superheroes
In Giant Robots and Superheroes I explore why Americans tend to write about Superheroes while the Japanese tend to write about Giant Robots. By looking at the mythological roots of these two archetypal heroes, I explain how the religious traditions of each culture percolate up into their animated storytelling and create different heroes East and West. I also catalogue the spiritual evolution of the Giant Robot from his manifestation in anime in the 60′s up until the present.2. Knights & Dragons
Knights and Dragons looks at the differences between Asian and European Dragons and how the Knight’s journey changes because of those differences. I also explore the psychological implications of Dragon and Knight imagery and how this seemingly external battle is actually occurring inside each one of us. The end of the presentation focuses on how these different archetypes manifest and are subverted in the anime, “The Vision of Escaflowne”.3. Mystics, Priestesses & Warrior Women
Mystics, Priestesses and Warrior Women is about the hero journey from a woman’s perspective. Specifically, it looks at the different types of female hero journeys in American and Japanese animation and how there are avenues for exploring the female hero journey in the East that are unavailable in the West. These different types of female hero journeys have their basis in the different mystical religious traditions of each country. These different concepts of mysticism East and West give rise either to Magical Girl or the Princess archetypes in animation. To wrap it all up, I explore how these different archetypes manifest and are subverted in the anime, “Revolutionary Girl Utena”.4. Sentai Teams: “We Five are One”
The Sentai Team presentation focuses on the different superhero team structures in America and Japan, and shows how they have their roots in the different elemental systems East and West. Through exploring the notion of the elements, and applying concepts from alchemy, we discover what makes a combining robot so powerful. I conclude the presentation with a look at one of the most mythologically sophisticated sentai anime shows of all time, “Wolf’s Rain”.*NEW*
5. Evangelion: The Artist’s Psyche as Myth (in production)
I’m currently working on the next in my series of Anime Mythology presentations. I will be premiering this newest presentation at Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits, an Academic Conference that takes place annually at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I’m really looking forward to it!
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Will there be a book ?
Campbell’s A Hero with a Thousand Faces book is such a great read. I love when people talk about mythology and draw parallels between stories.
Glad to read that! In case some people are still wondering who is Campbell;
It may be easier to begin with ‘The Power of Myth’ (I haven’t find any clips online!)
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