Analysis Of Akira By Katsuhiro Otomo In Terms Of “Cyber Funk" And "Neo Humanism”
After “Akira” has been released, it attracted not only the cartoon community but also the attention of many different genres. Especially, the "Akira" as a "manga" in the West was shocking as animation was released worldwide as well as animation. "Akira, " wihch generated these various responses and various discourse, is analyzed in the "cyber funk" and "neo humanism" aspects.
First, the writer's attitude toward technology is critical. The author points out the human being living in an endless cycle of "technology for human desire, damage caused by the technology, and new technology for damage prevention and recovery. " It also portrays a human being's response to power and images of how power monitors and suppresses humans. I interpreted the theory of monitoring and punishment against Michel Foucault. However, if the work is interpreted only from the "cyber funk" aspect, there is a lacuna in the discussion of the subject. In other words, a deep interpretation of the story's subject, the human being, should be possible, and I want to summarize that part through "neo humanism. "
Neo-Humanism focuses not only on machines but also on attributes, human parts. In other words, they oppose the idea of becoming stronger by mechanizing humans, and instead highlight the weakness of humans and the vulnerability in the world. What is revealed in the work is the worship of a new absolute person, freedom and equality in political and economic pressure through him. It also portrays pain and pain as a property of human weakness. When we see separation and disintegration of identity as physical destruction and mutation, we express as suffering the limitations we have as humans.
It is impossible to interpret the work in depth only by remaining on the surface layer that Akira describes the machine civilization and the future world. In fact, the author talks about a new world, a new world through destructive aspects, a resurrection through resistance, harmony through resistance, and a human through mechanical civilization. There is another big influence in the animation field. It is Miyazaki Hayao. Female characters in Miyazaki Hayao's animation are expressed in two ways. First of all, one is the character of a heroic figure who is a warrior against disasters such as war weapons, the development of science and indiscriminate development of natural exchange. Another aspect is depicted as being flexible and sensitive because it possesses affection and warmth, has a strong will for purpose, and has a good relationship with others. However, each of these aspects does not appear to be independent, but they are expressed in complex and converged ways. This trend can be seen through the correlation between the character of the person embedded in the narratives and the visual text that appears externally. If you look at the types of women appearing under the analysis of personality indicators, Juddgin-J appears to be the type of will to express a strong will with clear purpose and action. And Introversion-I is a quiet, careful and deep-seated interpersonal character that shows a strong sense of self-esteem and a bond in interpersonal relationships.
In addition, on the basis of the definition of thinking and sensibility, Feeling-F is warm and kind, and tends to serve motherly instincts and their neighbors devotedly. By analyzing the visual text that expresses these sexual scents, Miyazaki puts a mixture of short skirts and hairstyles on the image of a cute and sexy girl and characters as a militant and warrior hero girl. Women who are exposed through structured ideologies based on the external and connotative meanings of women are women who seek to be a deviant social entity, women who act as women who pursue social affairs, and women who represent self-restraint. The special style of clothing, or visual texture, that utilizes the tone of colors that change with dress, jewelry, and mental changes, and the facial expressions and backgrounds of girls, is further maximizing the image of these women.
