Frankenstein, Akira, and Beyond The Ebb and Flow of Cultural Exchange Presented By: Jackie Bernstein Jarreau Bowen Scott Lanum Kevin McLean

Tradition of Storytelling Ancient folklore first recorded in early 8 th century Ancient folklore first recorded in early 8 th century Poetry Poetry Visual storytelling Visual storytelling Meiji Period Meiji Period Manga develops from newspaper comics Manga develops from newspaper comics

Emergence of Anime Cartoonists experiment with animation (1914) Cartoonists experiment with animation (1914) First feature film Momotaro (1918) First feature film Momotaro (1918) Various animation styles Various animation styles Small industry Small industry Inspiration from American market Inspiration from American market

World War II Western influence Western influence Military theme develops (1930’s) Military theme develops (1930’s) Propaganda films made during the war Propaganda films made during the war U.S. bans media with military themes U.S. bans media with military themes

Comparison Between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Akira There 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 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 Monster -- In both Akira and Frankenstein, the monster created is the result of a quest to harness the power of science to positively effect mankind -- In both Akira and Frankenstein, the monster created is the result of a quest to harness the power of science to positively effect mankind The Trinity of Transgression --The Creator, the Transgressor, and the Memory Bearer

Akira’s Influences in the West Natural Born Killers Natural Born Killers The Matrix The Matrix Remakes of Akira (by WB) for Modern Audience Remakes of Akira (by WB) for Modern Audience

Reflections on Society Message of the Dangers of Technology Message of the Dangers of Technology Reflections on Power and Control Reflections on Power and Control

In Other Medium Ghost in the Shell Ghost in the Shell Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics Miscellaneous Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (Marc Davis Lecture on Animation) Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (Marc Davis Lecture on Animation)

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Online Collection: last updated on 30 October Website: last updated on 17 November Website: Scarum, Harum. "Preaching the Post-Enlightment Judgement Day to a Fictional Congregation: From Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner to AKIRA.“ 12.htmlhttp://members.tripod.com/~gila42/index- 12.html, last updated on 25 Nov Napier, Susan J. "Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation." New York: Pelgrave Sibbald, Vanessa. "'The Matrix' film history 101." The Mercury News. 9 May Vallen, Mark. "A Night At The Academy-Anime Comes Of Age." The Black Moon. 18 Nov Works Consulted, Continued

Website: last updated on 2 December Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Puffin Publishing. New York Otomo, Kamaturo. Akira. Anitech. Tokyo Lee, Felicia. Consultant. November Works Consulted, Continued