Week 5 – Anime

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

Literally translating to ‘little female’, shōjo refers to the anime sub-genre typically known for its focus on romance and relationships and is also a term assigned to young girls from 12-13 years old. Cavallaro describes shōjo as “nestled between adulthood and childhood” (2006), signifying the transitional period of girl to young woman. Depictions of shōjo highlight the complex and contrasting ideas between masculinity and femininity, innocence and budding eroticism, power and powerlessness (ibid., 2006). The concept of shōjo has developed over time in Japan, reflecting conflicting ideas, growing awareness and increased concern over female agency and portrayal in literature (Ogi, 2003).

The average shōjo is usually an attractive young girl, either depicted as a passive being ‘suspended in a timeless dreamland’ or as a prepubescent object of desire (Cavallaro, 2006). Miyazaki’s take on shōjo was and are paramount in the subversion of these common anime constructions and functions of shōjo. He achieved this by showing his female characters as strong-willed and powerful individuals, who were simultaneously compassionate and gentle (Mountfort, 2020). We see this in Princess Mononoke when the image of San’s blood smeared faced, appearing wholly savage, is contrasted with her efforts to suck a bullet out of the wolf.

Shōjo anime personifies the journey of self-discovery and development, embodying the potential all humans have to navigate and challenge the world we live in.

References

Cavallaro, D. (2006). Introduction. In The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki (pp.5-13). London: McFarland & Company.

Mountfort, P. (2020). Pop Genres – Week 5 Anime #2 Video Lecture, part 1. Retrieved from Blackboard.

Ogi, F. (2003). Female Subjectivity and Shoujo (Girls) Manga (Japanese Comics): Shoujo in Ladies Comics and Young Ladies Comics. The Journal of Popular Culture. (4), 780-803. doi:10.1111/1540-5931.00045