Visual Media As Literature For A
Popped Culture: Japanese Animation
By: Matinee (May) Cheevasittirungruang
Big Question (大きな質問)
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How can anime be used to teach the elements
of literature?
Thesis (論文)
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There are many
ways to teach
the elements of
literature and
other subjects
to others by
using anime.
語彙!…Otaku Words!
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Anime n: Japanese animation
Manga n: Japanese comics
Otaku n: A person with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga, and video
games.
Bishounen n: Pretty boy
Bishoujo n: Beautiful girl. Sometimes shortened to "bijo"
Shoujo- Genre of anime target on girls
Shounen-Genre of anime target on boys
What is Anime?
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Anime, like manga, is extremely popular in Japan and well known throughout the
world. Distributors can release anime via television broadcasts, directly to video, or
theatrically, as well as online.
Both hand-drawn and computer animated anime exist. It is used in television series,
films, video, video games, commercials, and internet-based releases, and represents
most, if not all, genres of fiction.
Anime began at the start of the 20th century, when Japanese filmmakers
experimented with the animation techniques also pioneered in France, Germany, the
United States, and Russia. The oldest known anime in existence was screened in
1917 - a two minute clip of a samurai trying to test a new sword on his target, only
to suffer defeat.
Like all animation, the production processes of storyboarding, voice acting, character
design, cel production and so on still apply. With improvements in computer
technology, computer animation increased the efficiency of the whole production
process.
Anime can be used to teach
History
Art & Craft
Theatre & Acting
English
Literature
Cultures
Creative Writing
The Elements of Literature
Theme
Plot
Setting
Character
P.O.V
Foreshadowing
Conflict
What is the Elements of Literature?
Hey! Hey! England! What is
the Elements of Literature?
Haha! America is
such an idiot!
That is a Coronado
High School English’s
Textbook.
Remember that, you
git!
Sketched by: Hidekaz Himaruya
Captioned by: me
The Elements of Literature
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According to Buzzle.com, Literature is a
reflection of the society. A writer appeals to
our feelings, emotions through elements of
literature.
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Examples of the Elements of
Literature
"Structure" includes all the elements in a story. The final objective is to see the story as a whole and to become aware of how the parts are put together to produce a
unified effect.
ELEMENTS OF PLOT
All fiction is based on conflict and this conflict is presented in a structured format called PLOT. Exposition
The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the
story.
Foreshadowing
The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.Inciting Force
The event or character that triggers the conflict.
Conflict
The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or
Self)
Rising Action
A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.
Crisis
The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs
before or at the same time as the climax.
Climax
The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest
emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.
Falling Action
The events after the climax which close the story.
Resolution (Denouement)
Rounds out and concludes the action.
CHARACTERIZATION
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Almost always round or three-dimensional characters. They have good and bad qualities. Their goals, ambitions and values change. A round character
changes as a result of what happens to him or her. A character who changes inside as a result of what happens to him is referred to in literature as a
DYNAMIC character. A dynamic character grows or progresses to a higher level of understanding in the course of the story. Protagonist
The main character in the storyAntagonist
The character or force that opposes the protagonist.Foil
A character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.MINOR CHARACTERS
Almost always flat or two-dimensional characters. They have only one or two striking qualities. Their predominant quality is not balanced by an
opposite quality. They are usually all good or all bad. Such characters can be interesting or amusing in their own right, but they lack depth. Flat
characters are sometimes referred to as STATIC characters because they do not change in the course of the story. POINT OF VIEW
First Person
The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He
can’t tell us thoughts of other characters.
Third-Person Objective
The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us the
thoughts of the characters.
Third-Person Limited
The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters.
Omniscient
The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters.
Examples of the Elements of
Literature (continue)
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CONFLICT
Conflict is the essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. Man versus Man
Conflict that pits one person against another.
Man versus Nature
A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other
hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.
Man versus Society
The values and customs by which everyone else lives are being challenged. The character may come to an untimely end as a result of his or her own
convictions. The character may, on the other hand, bring others around to a sympathetic point of view, or it may be decided that society was right
after all.
Man versus Self
Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies. An internal conflict is a good test of a
character’s values. Does he give in to temptation or rise above it? Does he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? Does he even
bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength.
Often, more than one kind of conflict is taking place at the same time. In every case, however, the existence of conflict enhances the reader’s
understanding of a character and creates the suspense and interest that make you want to continue reading. FORESHADOWING
An author’s use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story. Not all foreshadowing is obvious. Frequently, future events are
merely hinted at through dialogue, description, or the attitudes and reactions of the characters.
Foreshadowing frequently serves two purposes. It builds suspense by raising questions that encourage the reader to go on and find out more about
the event that is being foreshadowed. Foreshadowing is also a means of making a narrative more believable by partially preparing the reader for
events which are to follow.IRONY
Irony is the contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what actually is. Verbal Irony
The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.
Irony of Situation
This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended.
Dramatic Irony
This occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know.
TONE/MOOD
Tone
The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness,
humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.
Mood
The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For
example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or
humorous tone
SYMBOLISM A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters and actions can be
symbols. Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious.
Some symbols are conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers.
For example: bright sunshine symbolizes goodness and water is a symbolic cleanser.
Examples of the Elements of
Literature (continue)
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THEME
The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in
that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea
the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to
time.
It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which
an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject
of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.
Four ways in which an author can express themes are as follows:
1. Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel.. By sharing feelings of the main character you also share the ideas
that go through his mind.
2. Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to
develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are much on their mind. Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.
3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at
this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?
4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors
think about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?
IMAGERY: Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Any language that goes beyond the literal
meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or fresh insights into an idea or a subject. The most common figures of speech are simile, metaphor,
and alliteration.
Simile
A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his
brawny arms are strong as iron bands.
Metaphor
A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by
like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.
Alliteration
Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention
to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.
Personification
A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show
something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: a
brave handsome brute fell with a creaking rending cry--the author is giving a tree human qualities.
Onomatopoeia
The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. A string of syllables the author has
made up to represent the way a sound really sounds. Example: Caarackle!
Hyperbole
An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several
million occasions
Examples of Elements of Literature
(My Version)
Can you give an
examples of the Elements
of Literature?
Would you stop giving him a wrong
examples?
I was just kidding…
Yeah sure!
Oh! World Literature…
American Literature…
Now! Let me explain!
Sketch By: May C.
According to www.buzzle.com , the elements of literature are used to
make up a work of literature. There are different types and form of
literatures for examples, novel, drama, poetry, biography, nonfictional prose, essay, epic and short story. To complete one piece of
literature, a writer or a novelist need to use certain elements such as
plot, character, theme, etc.
Elements of Fiction and Drama include:
•Plot
•Character
•Setting
•Theme
•Point of View
•Conflict
•Foreshadowing etc.
Thank you!
Sketch By: May C.
How can anime be used in teaching elements of
literacy?
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Anime is a medium for telling a story by using graphic or illustration to explained
visual media is simply easier than print.
With anime or film, one must merely show the subject matter, and all of the
background information is presented clear as language barriers, or intellectual
barriers are blend with images. This is a huge benefit to the storyteller.
According to Professor Levi and Professor Condry, the writers of “Anime:
Annotated Filmography for Use in the Classroom.” and “Teaching tool in Teaching
anime: Exploring a Transmedia Movement” Some teachers and those teaching
about drama or film often prefer to deal with anime less as cultural artifacts than
as works of art or literature, to have their students focus on the more universal
themes and story-telling devices that emerge in anime.
Anime are an indigenous product with their own literary history and traditions.
Teachers who use the hero’s journey model to discuss story-telling often find
anime a great tool because of universal elements they often contain and also the
smaller but culturally significant differences. Japanese heroes fulfill their quests
most often involve relationships, friends, family or other form of grouping.
Theme
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Theme: Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) By Hiromu
Arakawa
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“Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return.
To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first
law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be
the world's one, and only truth.”(Alphonse Elric, episode 2-41) The Elrics’
brother travel together to find the legendary philosopher stone to get
their body part back. At the end of the series, Edward sacrifices his body in
exchange for his younger brother body.
Plot
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Plot: Naruto By Masashi Kishimoto
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“I never give up... I never go back on my word... That’s the way of the
ninja!” (Naruto, Volume 1). A teenage ninja who want to be a chief of his
village, try to find the ways to bring his friend back from the dark side, and
protect his village. This anime shows a great plot and character. Each
characters had their own problems that impact their lives. The main
character go through hard time to get people to acknowledge him and
finally his own village recognize him.
Setting
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Setting: Amatsuki By Shinobu Takayama
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This series is take place in Modern day Japan, The Main Character fails his history
class, is sent to a high-tech history museum that virtually recreates the Edo period
to do make-up work. However, what was supposed to be a simple school project
becomes much more complicated when he's attacked by two supernatural beings
known as "the nue" and "the yakou" and loses the vision in his left eye. After he's
saved from the nue by a girl named Kuchiha, he realizes that he's no longer
wearing the simulation goggles, and is trapped in the virtual Edo.
Character
Character: Axis Power Hetalia By Hidekaz Himaruya
There are a lot of characters to meet in this short anime, and they each
have their own personalities and their characteristics of where they were
from. For Northern Italy, he loves pasta and pizza and gives love to
everyone. For Germany, he is serious guy who eat potato and wurst.
America loves hamburgers, England is a pirate who later become
gentleman and can see things that other cannot see, France can create
the best cuisine and is a lovable person, Russia loves Vodka and China
loves panda etc.
Point of View
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Point of view: Death Note By Tsugumi Ohba
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This anime is a great example of using point of view, because
everyone from this series often think about the tactics that
save them from being a victim of each other. The main
characters try to save himself from the polices, his family and
friends. The polices also try to save themselves from the main
characters.
Foreshadowing
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Foreshadowing: Detective Conan By Gosho Oyama
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Like in Sherlock Holmes story, the anime leave the evidences and clues for the
reader or the viewer to predict what will happen and who was the real culprit of
the case. The main character must find the way to turn him back to his original
self.
Conflicts
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Conflict: Naruto Hurricane Chronicle (Naruto Shippuuden) By Masashi Kishimoto
This series is full of conflicts in every episodes and chapters. The main character go
through hard time to find the way to make people recognize him as a human
being. His teammate who is also his rival, turn himself into a dark side for power to
get revenge. Two years passed from the first part and the hero of the story came
back with more power and will to save his friend.
“he's the person that, more than anyone else, accepted me and my existence.
Sasuke is my friend... and he represents bonds that I waited so long to receive…If
my arms get ripped off, I'll just kick him to death. If my legs get ripped off, I'll just
bite him to death. If my head gets ripped off, I'll just stare him to death, and if my
eyes get ripped out I'll just curse him to death. Even if it means getting torn into
pieces, I'm going to take Sasuke back from Orochimaru no matter what!“ (Naruto
Hurricane Chronicle).
Interview with my Topic Expert: Richard Krencius
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“Like many people in their mid twenties, I grew up watching the little scraps of anime that would play on the Sci-fi channel in
the middle of the night:
Iria: Zeiram the Animation
Galaxy Express 999
Vampire Hunter D...heavily censored, and so on.
While I was in high school, Cartoon Network started the programing block 'Toonami' and began running titles such as
Cowboy Bebop and Gundam Wing. I absorbed these, but was ultimately too poor to purchase anime, so there wasn't much
to do about it.
This all started changing in my freshman year of college, when peer-to-peer file transfer started gaining ground over the
much less convenient ftp, and audio/video compression became more efficient.
I was now able to download entire series of fansubs or even dvd-rips for my viewing pleasure. I continued doing this after
college, though I avoided and social links to the community, mainly do to the 'otaku' reputation which I won't go into here.
Eventually I gave in, and attended ‘Anizona 3’...though the convention itself wasn't spectacular, I met many fun people, and
joined a couple of local organizations. From there, I met the directors of other cons, and combined my interest in
conventions with my interests in cooking and using said food to make people happy.
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Though I still watch anime, it is less common now, and I'm much more selective of the subject matter, and (I'm ashamed to
say...) even the quality of the visuals. More often than not, I prefer to simply re-watch titles that I've viewed before, though
I'm not entirely sure why I have this instinct.”
Richard is a host from anime convention in Arizona. He is quite an expert on Japanese Animation.
“Richard Krencius in Hilton East: the
new location of Saboten-con that will be
held in October 2009”
Interview with Richard Krencius
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What do you think of word "Elements of Literature"?
Well, literature is a very broad subject. On face value, a person might think that the work refers only to print material, but I consider myself something of a film-buff,
and would tend to disagree with this assessment.
I think that literature can encompass any medium that is capable of telling a story. This brings me to the other aspect of the question; I would say that any story
contains the following elements:
Theme; Plot; Setting; Characters; Narrative; Discourse; Change.
These I would consider the Elements of Literature, though I feel I might be leaving one or two out, and am reasonably sure that I would have to explain 'change' to a
mere passerby.
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How can anime react with the elements of literature?
Well, anime is a medium for telling a story--no different in my mind than film, print, or even graphic novel. All of the elements must be present in the cartoon to
produce a coherent work.
The benefit of a visual medium is, of course, that since every person can see the same thing (rather than relying on imagination, which varies somewhat person to
person) one is able to show the non-story elements in a way that everyone can appreciate equally.
The presense of images, does not make the plot, theme, or character development aspects of a story any more coherent, though. Ultimately, this is probably a good
thing as I feel that the concept of 'literature' requires a mental leap...personal thought to attach all of the lines together in one's head for the final interpretation of a
story. I would not like to lose this aspect.
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How can anime be used to teach the elements of literature?
In a lot of ways, explaining visual media is simply easier than print. If you want to instruct someone on a passage in a novel, one must read it and hope that both
parties understanding of the content is on par. With anime or film, one must merely show the subject matter to the student, and all of the background information is
presented clear as day...language barriers, or intellectual barriers are moot with images. This is a huge benefit to the storyteller, obviously.
Regretfully, I feel that there really is no way to instruct someone in the art of interpreting content. Sure, there are classes on it, and books...Entire disciplines of
human thought based on the idea of teaching another to think. I choose to reject these concepts because I want to believe that each person will always see
everything in a unique light, irregardless of instruction. Anime cannot bridge this gap any more than print can, and frankly I'm glad for it.
Mini-Lesson
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Divide into four groups.
Based on your group imagination, you have
five to ten minute to sketch one of the
character from “The Maltese Falcon”:
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Sam Spade
Brigid O’Shaughnessy
Effie Perine
Joel Cairo
Presentation Website
 http://amnoirproject.blogspot.com/
Bibliography
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Sadatoshi. "Japan oldest animation films." Fresh Asian Pop Culture. 31 Mar. 2008. <http://imprinttalk.com/?p=1557>.
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<http://search.japantimes.co.jp>.
Aeschliman, Lesley. "What is Anime?" Bella Online: The Voice of Women. <http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4260.asp>.
OHARA, ATSUSHI. "5 missing manga pieces by Osamu Tezuka found in U.S." Asahi. 5 Nov. 2006.
<http://web.archive.org/web/20060520053910/http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200605110157.html>.
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<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118851157811713921.html?mod=googlenews_wsj>.
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2006. <http://comipress.com/article/2006/07/20/489>.
"Is it Anime?" Anime News Network. 26 June 2002. <http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/2002-07-26>.
Sharp, Jasper. "Beyond Anime." Midnight Eye. <http://www.midnighteye.com/features/beyond_anime.shtml>.
Borland, John. "Anxious times in the cartoon underground." CNET News. 1 Feb. 2005. <http://news.cnet.com/Anxious-times-in-the-cartoonunderground/2100-1026_3-5557177.html>.
Johnston-O'Neill, Tom. "Finding the International in Comic Con International." The San Diego Participant Observer. 27 July 2007.
<http://parobs.org/index.php?module=article&view=279&lay_quiet=1&8dced886a4bd24eb30fc46843fb4287a=23679635f7832235dae9949749a
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Book sources
Drazen, Patrick. Anime explosion! : the what? why? & wow! of Japanese animation. Berkeley, Calif.: Stone Bridge P, 2003.
Poitras, Gilles. The anime companion : what's Japanese in Japanese animation? Berkeley, Calif.: Stone Bridge P, 1999.
Ledoux, Trish. Anime interviews : the first five years of Animerica, Anime & Manga monthly (1992-97) / from the editors of Animerica. San
Francisco, Calif.: Cadence Books, 1997.