A Clash Of Cultures: Cultural Differences Within American And Japanese Animation
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Abstract
This research examines the Japanese cultural phenomenon of anime, and the cultural values that allow issues deemed more suitable for adults to be included in anime and viewed by all ages in Japan, but not in the United States. This study used five focus groups: two consisting of Non-Asian participants, one with Japanese participants, and two with Amerasian participants. Each focus group was shown clips from the anime films Spirited Away, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and Princess Mononoke. Geert Hofstede's intercultural value dimensions were used as a guide to find greater meaning of the impact of anime among the different groups and cultures. Analysis of the focus group discussions showed that cultural differences was an overarching theme with the categories of exposure, usage, parenting styles and teaching ideologies as dominant sub-themes.