Western Culture in Manga & Anime
I think this is a really fascinating topic to talk about, and one that I wouldn't have thought to really explore myself if Mále hadn't brought it up in class.
This was the first time I had heard of the term "Occidentalism," and was pretty interested in how it related to the concept of Orientalism. The two terms imply that the harmful stereotyping of the East and West is a two-way street. While they are posed as terms with equal meaning, I believe there still happens to be a fundamental difference between the two. It's the matter of the power dynamic between the two cultures at play, which in the context of the terminology is the abstract notion of the "East" and "West" described in Western standards. The use of Orientalism in the past has very close ties with appropriation, and the exotification of Eastern culture as a more primitive society. Occidentalism argues the opposite is also true, that the East also views the West with derogatory stereotypes. While I agree that this can certainly be true in some media, the origins of these stereotypes come from very different point of views. Eastern stereotypes of the West often hold some basis in the history of colonialism and are an argument against the harm done to them.
Despite this, the importance of the cultural exchange between the East and the West is undeniable, and it's extremely clear in both of their media. Nowadays, manga and anime's influence on Western media is becoming ever more prominent, especially with cartoons often parodying anime and some of the tropes associated with it. Likewise, Western influences on manga and anime can be seen in the settings, the clothing, and sometimes the characters themselves.
The inclusion of Western culture within manga and anime has led to some really amazing creations, and allow different looks to be explored by artists. On the other hand, use of a vague knowledge of what can be considered "Western" can lead to some hilarious results. Let's take Soul Eater for example. What if I told you that it's set in the US. In Nevada. In a city called Death Vegas. Aside from the vast desert nothing surrounding it, that most certainly doesn't look like Las Vegas to me.
This was the first time I had heard of the term "Occidentalism," and was pretty interested in how it related to the concept of Orientalism. The two terms imply that the harmful stereotyping of the East and West is a two-way street. While they are posed as terms with equal meaning, I believe there still happens to be a fundamental difference between the two. It's the matter of the power dynamic between the two cultures at play, which in the context of the terminology is the abstract notion of the "East" and "West" described in Western standards. The use of Orientalism in the past has very close ties with appropriation, and the exotification of Eastern culture as a more primitive society. Occidentalism argues the opposite is also true, that the East also views the West with derogatory stereotypes. While I agree that this can certainly be true in some media, the origins of these stereotypes come from very different point of views. Eastern stereotypes of the West often hold some basis in the history of colonialism and are an argument against the harm done to them.
I haven't watched the anime this is from (Guilty Crown),
but learning that this character's name is Dan Eagleman just now was amazing
Despite this, the importance of the cultural exchange between the East and the West is undeniable, and it's extremely clear in both of their media. Nowadays, manga and anime's influence on Western media is becoming ever more prominent, especially with cartoons often parodying anime and some of the tropes associated with it. Likewise, Western influences on manga and anime can be seen in the settings, the clothing, and sometimes the characters themselves.
Town of Blytonbury in Little Witch Academia
The inclusion of Western culture within manga and anime has led to some really amazing creations, and allow different looks to be explored by artists. On the other hand, use of a vague knowledge of what can be considered "Western" can lead to some hilarious results. Let's take Soul Eater for example. What if I told you that it's set in the US. In Nevada. In a city called Death Vegas. Aside from the vast desert nothing surrounding it, that most certainly doesn't look like Las Vegas to me.
What happens in Death Vegas, stays in Death Vegas
Once you kind of think about it, it's true that a lot of manga and anime adopt Western-style settings and imagery, much more than you would initially think. I'm interested in seeing how this will continue in the future.
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