Fiender i verdensrommet og andre framstillinger av krig i japansk populærfilm

Abstract

For decades, Japanese animation (anime) has been suffused with images of apocalypse and attacks by alien invaders. This article explores the relationship between these popular films and Japan’s experiences during the final phase of the Second World War. What images of war, the article asks, does Japanese animation create? Don’t these films run the risk of casting Japan solely in the role of victim of war, and of overlooking its role as principal perpetrator? Or perhaps anime provides a forum where the complicated relationship between the dual roles of victim and aggressor can be addressed?

Keywords

• Anime
• Japan
• SecondWorldWar
• Popularculture