Although products of a highly commercialised entertainment industry, Japan’s manga are still rooted in a tradition of refined figurative self-reflection. Especially theatrical practice with its multiple forms of expression affected manga in a way that it began to feature the human body as the most flexible symbol of both physical and psychical concerns. “In Japanese […] comics this protean transforming body is sometimes grotesque […], sometimes alluring […], but always memorable. […] In this fantastic mode, ranging from science fiction to occult pornography, the body interrogates the dominant constructions of identity in modern societybe they gender-based or even human species-based.” (Napier, 37) Under such a heading different subgenres of manga developed their own distinctive techniques of presenting bodies. Theshojo1genre, in the beginning exclusively aimed at adolescent girls, acquired its characteristic motifs and style in the seventies when conquered rapidly by draughtswomen who made it a successful domain on the Japanese comic market. Female protagonists were then alternated with so-calledbishonen,sensitive young men of feminine beauty deviating from sexual and social norms by entering into romanticised homoerotic relationships. Androgyny, nonconformity and role reversals, which went back particularly to Kabuki and Takarazuka theatre2, became omnipresent inshojomanga. Great emphasis was placed on physical beauty which did therefore not fall victim to stylisation as it was the case in other genres. Plot ceased to be the centre of interest and gave way to detailed illustrations of inner conflict and personal development for which the human body often constituted the visible equivalent. From this, manga critics also frequently drew conclusions about the inner life of the meanwhile grown main target group, actually girls and young women in their teens or early twenties.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Male Character Concepts
- A. Incestuous messiah: Setsuna
- B. “Am I beautiful?”: Rosiel
- C. Devoted from head to toe: Katan
- III. Female Character Concepts
- A. Adolescent concerns: Kurai
- B. 87-58-85 and a bleeding heart: Alexiel
- C. Veiled disgrace: Layla - Sevothtarte
- IV. Sexless Character Concepts
- A. Joys of motherhood: Seraphita (Adam Kadamon)
- B. Boundless transgression: Belial (“Mad Hatter”)
- V. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the relationship between characters' bodies and their inner lives in the shojo manga "Angel Sanctuary." The analysis focuses on how the physical appearance and the inner conflict of characters are intertwined, highlighting the symbolic significance of the body in the narrative.
- The role of the body as a reflection of inner conflict and personal development
- The interplay between physicality and social roles in shaping character identities
- The influence of traditional Japanese theatrical elements on the representation of bodies in shojo manga
- The exploration of themes like androgyny, nonconformity, and role reversals in the context of character relationships
- The impact of genre convergence between shojo and shonen manga on character development and narrative structure
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of the shojo manga genre and its development, focusing on the evolution of character portrayal and narrative structure. The paper examines how the body serves as a central symbol for both physical and psychological concerns in this genre.
Chapter II delves into the portrayal of male characters in "Angel Sanctuary." It analyzes the character of Setsuna, a typical shojo manga protagonist, highlighting his complex personality and the interplay between his inner conflicts and his physical appearance. The chapter explores how Setsuna's relationship with his sister Sara and his encounter with supernatural beings contribute to his personal growth and transformation.
Chapter III examines the portrayal of female characters, focusing on Kurai, Alexiel, and Layla-Sevothtarte. This chapter discusses the various roles and complexities associated with female identities in the narrative, exploring themes like adolescence, beauty standards, and the societal constraints imposed on women.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Shojo manga, Angel Sanctuary, body image, character development, inner conflict, physicality, social roles, androgyny, nonconformity, role reversals, Japanese theatrical elements, genre convergence, bishonen.
- Quote paper
- Heike Stindt (Author), 2004, Organic Mirrors - Reflections on and by Characters' Bodies in Shojo Manga Angel Sanctuary, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/59634
