FrankensteinFrankenstein, , AkiraAkira, and Beyond, and Beyond

The Ebb and Flow of Cultural ExchangeThe Ebb and Flow of Cultural Exchange

Presented By:

Jackie Bernstein

Jarreau Bowen

Scott Lanum

Kevin McLean

Tradition of Tradition of StorytellingStorytelling

Ancient folklore first Ancient folklore first recorded in early 8recorded in early 8thth century century

Poetry Poetry

Visual storytellingVisual storytelling

Meiji PeriodMeiji Period

Manga develops from Manga develops from newspaper comicsnewspaper comics

Emergence of AnimeEmergence of Anime

Cartoonists experiment with Cartoonists experiment with animation (1914)animation (1914)

First feature film First feature film MomotaroMomotaro (1918)(1918)

Various animation stylesVarious animation styles

Small industrySmall industry

Inspiration from American Inspiration from American marketmarket

World War IIWorld War II Western influenceWestern influence

Military theme develops (1930’s)Military theme develops (1930’s)

Propaganda films made during the warPropaganda films made during the war

U.S. bans media with military themesU.S. bans media with military themes

Comparison Between Mary Comparison Between Mary Shelley’s Shelley’s Frankenstein Frankenstein and and

AkiraAkiraThere was non among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies?  No: from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery. (Frankenstein, chapter 16)

Katsuhuro Otomo’s Akira, scene 23

What are the What are the Parallelisms?Parallelisms?

Central Conflicts

-- A battle between the monster and the humanity found within the monster, as well as a battle between the monster and society

Similar Conclusions

-- Both Frankenstein and the power of Akira are not meant for our current plane of existence

The Creation of a MonsterThe Creation of a Monster

-- In both -- In both Akira Akira and and FrankensteinFrankenstein, the monster created is the result , the monster created is the result of of a quest to harness the power of science to positively effect a quest to harness the power of science to positively effect mankindmankind

The Trinity of Transgression --The Creator, the Transgressor, and the Memory Bearer

Akira’s Influences in Akira’s Influences in the Westthe West

Natural Born KillersNatural Born Killers

The MatrixThe Matrix

Remakes of Akira (by WB) for Modern AudienceRemakes of Akira (by WB) for Modern Audience

Reflections on Reflections on SocietySociety

Message of the Dangers of TechnologyMessage of the Dangers of Technology

Reflections on Power and ControlReflections on Power and Control

In Other MediumIn Other Medium

Ghost in the ShellGhost in the Shell

Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (Marc Davis Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (Marc Davis

Lecture on Animation)Lecture on Animation)

Website: http://www.armchairempire.com/AnimeReviews/akira2001.htm, last updated on August 16, 2003.

 Website: http://www.houseofseoul.com/anime/anihist.html, last updated on 19 October 2003.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2124.html  Website: http://www.dnp.co.jp/museum/nmp/nmp_i/articles/manga/manga4-1.html, last updated on

26 November 2003. Website: http://az.essortment.com/historyjapanes_rdck.htm, last updated on 4 April 2003.  Website: http://www.ludd.luth.se/users/jingoo/oldanime/akira/bilder.html, last updated on 7 August 2003.    

Website: http://www.tapanime.com/info/history.html, last updated on 21 January 2003.

Website: http://www.kanzaki.com/jinfo/jliterature.html, last updated on 21 November 2003.

Website: http://ny.essortment.com/historymanga_rqyz.htm, last updated on 12 October 2003.

Website: http://www.dnp.co.jp/museum/nmp/nmp_i/articles/manga/manga1.html, last updated on 13 November 2003.

Works Consulted

Online Collection: http://orbita.starmedia.com/marionette_gallery/personajes/la_banda_de_Kaneda/kaneda/akira248.jpg, last updated on 30 October 2003.

Website: http://orbita.starmedia.com/marionette_gallery/personajes/la_banda_de_Kaneda/tetsuo/akira154.jpg, last updated on 17 November 2003.

Website: Scarum, Harum. "Preaching the Post-Enlightment Judgement Day to a Fictional Congregation: From Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner to AKIRA.“

http://members.tripod.com/~gila42/index- 12.html, last updated on 25 Nov 2003.

Napier, Susan J. "Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation." New York: Pelgrave 2000.

Sibbald, Vanessa. "'The Matrix' film history 101." The Mercury News. 9 May 2003.

Vallen, Mark. "A Night At The Academy-Anime Comes Of Age." The Black Moon. 18 Nov 2001.

Works Consulted, Continued

Website: http://orgs.unt.edu/sec6/gfx/motoko1.gif, last updated on 2 December 2002.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Puffin Publishing. New York. 1818.

Otomo, Kamaturo. Akira. Anitech. Tokyo. 1987.

Lee, Felicia. Consultant. November 2003.

Works Consulted,

Continued