1. What is the "Shojo" and how does it function in Anime?
The Shoujo or Shojo is a subgenre of anime which has more of a feminine psyche. Princess Mononoke is an example of a Shojo. The words Shoujo literally means "little female" and is also a description for girls aged 12 or 13. From another point of view, it represents the stages of life from infancy to adulthood which is mostly portrayed my Miyazakis characters. As stated "what fascinates the Japanese is that the Shoujo nestle in a shallow lacuna between adult"(Prindle 1998, p. 35). Like in Miyazakis stories the Shoujos have motive they have a point and they lead, they represent a sense of masculinity in ways without taking men out of context.
2. Is Anime a genre or a media?
Coming from an asian background, Anime is more regarded as a genre rather than media. Anime is found more in depth rather than just entertainment. For the most part Anime doesn't possess much commercial or political agendas which the normal media is bombarded with. I guess it also differs from another cultures point of view, as in the west, Anime is more of a cult genre althought its popularity is catching up sincee the transtion of the west or should I say Americans from traditional cartoons to 3D left them with little imagination. Anime on the otherhand although not as competitive it is consistent and becomes more interesting.
Interestingly Miazaki provides a more critical representation of the Shojo character in his films - see my earlier comments to others in your group on this area. The genre/media question is a bit problematic (as I mentioned elsewhere)- yes, it is defintiely a genre -what do you think are its specific generic characteristics?
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