Approaching Ranma 1/2 for the first time two years ago, I was both compelled and skeptical. The seemingly ridiculous plot of a cursed spring with the power to turn a 16 year old Japanese boy into an anamorphic redheaded girl had the potential to be either completely ludicrous, or just plain stereotypical. As it turns out, it was both. However, despite the absurdity of the plot, Ranma's very literal struggle with gender reflects the female sub characters internal struggles, who each represent different conventions of femininity. Now, as a viewer driven with the ongoing discourse of identity that we have been reflecting on in class, I will attempt to discover the underlying themes (whether or not intentional) not only with regards to gender, but nationality through the Japanese mindset, in this construction of both Chinese and Japanese identity.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Before I begin...
Approaching Ranma 1/2 for the first time two years ago, I was both compelled and skeptical. The seemingly ridiculous plot of a cursed spring with the power to turn a 16 year old Japanese boy into an anamorphic redheaded girl had the potential to be either completely ludicrous, or just plain stereotypical. As it turns out, it was both. However, despite the absurdity of the plot, Ranma's very literal struggle with gender reflects the female sub characters internal struggles, who each represent different conventions of femininity. Now, as a viewer driven with the ongoing discourse of identity that we have been reflecting on in class, I will attempt to discover the underlying themes (whether or not intentional) not only with regards to gender, but nationality through the Japanese mindset, in this construction of both Chinese and Japanese identity.
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