Bishojo senshi sera mun : where shinto, feminism, and animation intersect
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon is a popular Japanese manga (graphic novel) and anime (animated series) created by Naoko Takeuchi. It features a teenage girl named Usagi, who transforms into the superhero, Sailor Moon, to fight various evil forces that attack the planet. This manga/anime sensation has seen such success in Japan that it has been dubbed and exported to a variety of countries, notably America, where its fan-base has eagerly devoured its eighteen manga volumes, two hundred original episodes, and three full-length movies. One of the reasons this show is so popular among girls is its portrayal of strong and relatable female protagonists. Much of these protagonists' strength is rooted in elements of the Shinto myth and philosophy that remains a key part of Japanese history and cultural consciousness. Sailor Moon also reveals anti-feminist sentiments present in the Japanese consciousness, sentiments rooted in the patriarchal history of Japan that has followed the pre-historical development of Shinto, conflicting with much of Shinto's beliefs in peace, benevolence, and the strength of women
Thesis, Dissertation, English, 2016