Week 5 Question

 What is the ‘shōjo’ and how does it often function in anime?

 

Shōjo is a Japanese word that literally translates to “young girl” in English. However, it does convey more specific connotations inn Japanese pop culture. It carries the images of “female pureness, virginity, vulnerability, romanticism and nostalgia” (Berndt, Nagaiki, Ogi, 2019). Generally, shōjo in anime can be separated into two categories; over-sexualized and boy-crazy or the ‘innocent’ girl, protected by the male protagonist/s and conveyed as a role-model to other young girls. In the early 90s however, with the release of Sailor Moon, it offered an alternative to the stereotypical image of this submissive obedient woman, making them more empowered and strong, though they still kept other stereotypical shōjo traits (Berndt, Nagaiki, Ogi, 2019). However, strong female heroines did come before Sailor Moon. The most popular would be the maho shōjo, or the magical girl. Another typical example is the deadly “girl with guns” archetype (Toku, 2015)

 

Hayao Miyazaki was a anime director that revolutionised the shōjo character throughout his films. Cavallaro (2006) said that “while the average shōjo is portrayed as a passive being suspended in something of a timeless dreamland, Miyazaki’s heroines are active, independent, courageous and inquisitive – to the point that some commentators have described them as youths wearing shōjo masks” (Cavallaro, 2006). They are not traditionally portrayed in a ‘beautiful’ light as other animes portray woman, instead he lets the inner beauty speak for itself. For example, in Princess Mononoke, there is a scene in which San’s face is blood-stained as she looks at the protagonist, however this experience is actually a nurturing act, as she is sucking a bullet out of the Wolf God’s body (Cavallaro, 2006).

 

References

 

Berndt, J, Nagaiki, K, Ogi, F (2019). Shōjo Across Media: Exploring Girl Practices In Contemporary Japan. Springer International Publishing.

 

Cavallaro, D. (2006). The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki. McFarland & Company.

 

Toko, M (2015) International Perspectives on Shojo and Shojo Manga: The Influence of Girl Culture. Taylor & Francis Group.