Anime Explo Summary
Anime Explo Summary
This show set the basis for the mecha subgenre, as it portrayed “a boy and his robot”.
Lack of ethnicity specificity: One of the conventions of anime was to draw characters as if
they were American, or at least white. Even if the characters were supposed to be
Japanese, they seldom looked Japanese. This allowed changes in names, relationships and
plot.
However, this became a major consideration later, when Japanese plots and pictures went
far beyond what was permitted by American broadcast standards. For example, Robotech
(1985) was the result of mixing and editing 3 Japanese series. It was a hit in the Western,
some watched for the space battles, others for the romance. One nude scene in a shower
was cut from the American series.
During the 80’s, the videocassette was created, allowing the series to detach a bit from the
TV broadcast, and such was the case of anime. Original Animation Videos allowed the
audience to see unedited and unadulterated Japanese animation.
Apparition of big anime series like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and Pokemon.
At first, American animations had their origins in books and comics, however, later they
began to create series from other sources (like films, sitcoms, toys, etc.).
This is different from Japanese animation, which always had their origin in manga or in
classic stories. In this way, the animations had a solid audience since their beginning, and
allowed the animator to glide from details as it was assumed that the audience knew the
story.
In terms of marketing, anime always had the “road show”. In these , studios would promote
their products through shows (someone singing the main theme), meeting the team in
charge of the animation, meeting the writer of the original story, and even a trailer or sample
of the animation.
Dato: The discipline of a continuing story is something that Western television animation has
chosen for the most part not to explore until the early twenty-first century, when anime
proved it was possible. The major recent exception in the West has been the three-year run
of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The point of this digression is to recognize that the word “convention” has positive
connotations and the word “cliché” has negative connotations, but not everyone who uses
the words understands why. A gesture, a plot-point, a speech, or a bit of business—these
are not necessarily clichés simply because they are used a lot. In some circumstances,
these often-used devices still have the power to thrill and amuse and move an audience.
● A cliché takes the place of creativity. Clichés are used by lazy and untalented artists
to finish off a work, rather than finding fresh uses for the conventions that inform the
work at its best.
Example: The typical choreography of fights in anime: the opponents start separated by
some distance. They run full-tilt at each other, pass by each other in such a way that you
can’t tell if anyone was even hit, and then stand dead still in a dramatic pause. It takes
another second or two to reveal the damage.
When used creatively, or sincerely, this does not become a cliché.
These things communicate to an audience in the know, and baffle those who don’t know.
For example, an exterior shot of the boarding house often has a weird horn sounding in the
background. A Japanese audience recognizes not only what it is (the horn traditionally blown
by a tofu-maker at close of business) but when it is (late afternoon) and where it is (the
Nakano neighborhood of Tokyo, where Takahashi lived as a college student and the location
of the building that inspired the series). 1But the viewer never sees the tofu-maker; we just
hear the horn. Through sheer repetition, a Western viewer may only pick up the fact that the
scene with a horn takes place in the afternoon.
sound convention in naruto: there is a specific soundtrack that is played when, even though
the fight hasn’t come to an end yet, naruto is going to win the battle for sure.
This character focus is linked in part to a storytelling element of both anime and manga: the
preference for long story-arcs. This kind of story-telling not only allows for elaborate plot
development, but for character development as well. In anime, the latter is usually the more
important. People who watch anime expect to see characters grow and change and react to
stress. The reactions can be subtle or raving, but in any event the focus is on the character.
When the background vanishes, that focus becomes literal.
➔ LOOSE LIPS
The second example of an anime convention is the apparent lack of naturalness in the
movement of a speaking character’s mouth. The staccato up-and-down mouth movements
of anime characters are fake-looking.
In Japanese anime, pictures are done first and then the voices are recorded afterwards.
Generally only three pictures are used [of mouth movements] for when the character is
talking.
Anime voice actress and pop singer Megumi Hayashibara tells in her autobiography “The
most important thing for a voice actor is not to try and match the voice [to the mouth
movements], but to get as close as possible to the way the character feels.”
https://youtube.com/shorts/YFrMbq-hDzs?si=Xu2fovNTfFdsn40z
➔ GET REAL
Manga fans who grew up to be the next generation of artists began to choose either to keep
to the older style or to surpass them and work in a more realistic style. The new style even
rated its own name—gekiga (drama pictures)—to distinguish it from manga. In recent years,
a trend has arisen to take realistic, even serious, characters, and submit them to caricature
as “little kid” versions of themselves. These are sometimes called SD (for “super-deformed”)
or CB (which means either “child body” or chibi—“shorty,” “runt”). These letters in a title
usually mean comedy ahead
➔ BODY TALK
Other manga/anime conventions are more culturally specific to Japan. These include:
All of these conventional gestures cue the audience not only as to what is happening (or
about to happen), but also how to feel about it, by invoking similar situations in previous
anime. Far from being “spoilers” about the plot, they are in their own way reassuring.
Our presentation
Options:
● Cyberpunk (uno q no vimos)
● Jojos (uno que conocemos los 2)
● Naruto (ir a lo seguro)
● Jujutsu kaisen (lo tengo q ver a)
● AOT (tendríamos que volver a ver un episodio)
SMODEL N°1
● Step 3: Detailed Scene Analysis Students must select two scenes from the anime.
They should address the following codes to analyze how the anime constructs
meaning:
1. Narrative Codes:
● How does the sequence progress the story? Is it a battle scene, character
development moment, or an emotional turning point?
● Does the scene use typical anime narrative techniques such as flashbacks, inner
monologues, or slow-motion moments to add depth?
2. Technical Codes:
● Camera angles: Anime often uses dynamic angles (e.g., wide shots, extreme close-
ups) to emphasize action or emotion. How are angles used to amplify a fight scene or
dramatic confrontation?
● Lighting: Anime can manipulate lighting dramatically, especially for emotional or
action scenes. Are there sudden light changes to reflect mood shifts or magical
elements?
● Editing: How is the pacing of cuts handled, especially during action sequences? Do
fast cuts heighten intensity or build suspense?
3. Representational Codes:
● Setting: How does the fantasy world, school, or futuristic city contribute to the
anime’s meaning? Does the background art reflect the show’s tone (e.g., vibrant for
optimistic, dark for dystopian)?
● Costumes/Props: Anime characters’ costumes or objects (like swords, magical items)
often have symbolic value. How do these represent their personalities or roles in the
story?
● Character Design: How do the visual features of characters (exaggerated eyes, hair
colors, or expressions) help express their emotions or roles in the scene?
4. Audio Codes:
● Dialogue: Anime often uses heightened or exaggerated dialogue, especially during
confrontations. How does the tone of voice or style of speaking contribute to the
scene’s impact?
● Sound Effects: Anime relies on impactful sound effects, especially in battle scenes
(e.g., sword clashes, magic spells). How do these sound effects enhance the
intensity of the scene?
● Music: Anime soundtracks are known for their emotional range. Is the background
music building tension, creating excitement, or highlighting sadness? How does the
music interact with the action or dialogue?
MODEL N°2
● Step 1: Identify the Genre and Context What you need to do:
● Identify the genre of the anime you’ve chosen. Is it action, fantasy, slice of life, or
mecha?
● Mention when the anime first aired or if it’s still airing (a long-running anime like One
Piece or a newer one like Demon Slayer).
● Audience Profile: Describe who the anime is aimed at. Is it for children, teens, or
adults? Does it target specific demographics, like shonen (young boys) or seinen
(adults)?
1. Narrative Codes
What you need to do:
● Explain how the scene advances the plot. Does it build tension, lead to an important
battle, or reveal something about the characters’ motivations?
● Is this scene a key moment for a character’s development, or does it showcase an
important decision or revelation?
2. Technical Codes
What you need to do:
● Look at the camera angles: Does the anime use wide shots to show action or close-
ups to focus on emotional moments? How do the angles make the scene more
dramatic or exciting?
● Discuss the lighting: Is the scene bright or dark? Does it use shadows or flashes to
create atmosphere, especially during battles or emotional moments?
● Talk about the editing: Is the scene fast-paced with quick cuts, or is it slow and drawn
out? How does the editing enhance the action or drama?
3. Representational Codes
What you need to do:
● Consider the setting: How does the background (e.g., a futuristic city, magical forest)
add to the mood of the scene?
● Discuss the costumes and props: Do the characters’ outfits or weapons have
symbolic meaning? For example, is a hero’s costume important to their identity, or
does a magical object drive the story forward?
● Look at the character design: How do the characters' features (e.g., large eyes,
exaggerated expressions) reflect their emotions or personality in the scene?
4. Audio Codes
What you need to do:
● Analyze the dialogue: How do the characters speak to each other? Does the
dialogue reveal something important about their relationship or goals?
● Consider any sound effects: How are sounds (like explosions or magic spells) used
to create excitement or tension in the scene?
● Discuss the music: How does the background music add to the scene’s tone? Is it
fast-paced to heighten action, or soft and emotional for dramatic moments?
EXAMPLES:
OTRAS CONVENTIONS Q NO ESTABAN EN EL BOOK:
- Personality: there is a character who is like the clown in the group of friends, the
tsundere is always with a poker face and is the most mature/serious one.
- Enfoque de camará al cielo cuando alguien siente dolor/esta muy enojado. Por lo
general se escuchan los gritos de fondo.
**Genre**
*JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* falls under the **action** and **adventure** genres, with a heavy
focus on **supernatural** and **fantasy** elements. It can also be classified as a **shonen**
anime, targeting a younger male demographic, though it appeals to a broad audience due to
its unique blend of humor, action, and eccentricity.
- **Subgenre**: The series also draws from **horror** and **mystery**, especially in certain
arcs, and its artistic style and storytelling make it a standout in the **bizarre** adventure
genre.
**Air Date**
The first season of *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* aired in **2012**, but the original manga,
written by Hirohiko Araki, began serialization in **1987**. This makes it both a classic and a
contemporary series, with its influence growing significantly over time.
**Audience Profile**
Primarily, *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* is aimed at the **shonen** demographic (younger
males), but its evolving narrative complexity and mature themes appeal to a broader age
range, including older teens and adults. The blend of intense action, humor, and deep
philosophical undertones caters to those interested in both **supernatural battles** and
**explorations of human nature**.
---
**Premise**
The story follows different generations of the Joestar family, who battle powerful
supernatural enemies. Each arc focuses on a new protagonist with the "JoJo" nickname,
often facing bizarre and dangerous opponents using supernatural abilities, such as
**Stands** in later arcs, which are physical manifestations of their fighting spirit.
- *Phantom Blood* focuses on Jonathan Joestar and his battle against Dio Brando.
- *Stardust Crusaders* centers on Jotaro Kujo's journey to defeat the resurrected Dio, this
time using **Stands**.
**Main Themes**
- **Fate vs. Free Will**: Many characters are driven by destiny, whether they fight to change
or embrace it.
- **Family and Legacy**: The Joestar family’s struggle against evil spans generations.
- **Power and Honor**: Characters often wrestle with how they wield power and whether
they do so for honorable purposes.
- **Good vs. Evil**: The battles are epic and clear-cut, with Dio representing malevolent
ambition and the Joestars embodying courage and justice.
---
**Narrative Codes**
- **Story Progression**: This scene is pivotal as it transforms Dio from a cunning antagonist
into an immortal, nearly invincible vampire. It sets the stage for the ultimate conflict between
Dio and Jonathan.
- **Anime Techniques**: The scene uses a flashback to show Dio’s troubled past, explaining
his motives, while also using inner monologues to emphasize his ambition and malice.
**Technical Codes**
- **Camera Angles**: The wide shots show Dio’s dominance over Jonathan, while close-ups
on Dio’s face capture his increasing malevolence and confidence.
- **Lighting**: The lighting becomes dark and sinister as Dio drinks the vampire potion,
visually reflecting his descent into evil.
- **Editing**: Slow-motion is used when Dio’s transformation begins, adding dramatic weight
to his rebirth as a villain.
**Representational Codes**
- **Setting**: The dark, gothic backdrop of the Joestar mansion reflects the eerie,
supernatural tone of the scene.
- **Costumes/Props**: Dio’s aristocratic clothing symbolizes his ambition and desire for
power, while the stone mask is a crucial prop that drives the story forward.
- **Character Design**: Dio’s transformation is visually exaggerated, with sharp, menacing
features representing his shift into a monstrous being.
**Audio Codes**
- **Dialogue**: Dio’s speech becomes more commanding, filled with arrogance. His lines
underscore his desire for dominance over both humanity and Jonathan.
- **Sound Effects**: The sound of breaking bones and the ominous clinking of the mask
create a chilling effect.
- **Music**: The music shifts to a tense, foreboding tune, enhancing the gravity of Dio’s
transformation.
---
**Narrative Codes**
- **Story Progression**: This climactic battle serves as the final confrontation in *Stardust
Crusaders*, where Jotaro confronts his family’s longtime enemy, Dio. It’s an emotional
turning point where Jotaro embodies the strength of the Joestar legacy.
- **Anime Techniques**: Inner monologues from Jotaro provide insight into his thoughts and
strategies as he faces the powerful and unpredictable Dio.
**Technical Codes**
- **Camera Angles**: The fight is filled with extreme close-ups, especially on the characters'
faces and **Stands**, emphasizing the intensity of their standoff. Dynamic camera
movement heightens the fast-paced action.
- **Lighting**: There are dramatic shifts in lighting, from flashes of light to emphasize attacks
to the darkening skies as the battle nears its end, mirroring the characters' emotional states.
- **Editing**: Rapid cuts during the battle add urgency and speed, while slower moments
emphasize the characters' growing tension and focus.
**Representational Codes**
- **Setting**: The final battle takes place in a deserted city, reinforcing the isolation and
grand scale of their duel. The empty streets also symbolize the personal, fateful nature of
their conflict.
- **Costumes/Props**: Jotaro’s iconic school uniform contrasts with Dio’s flashy, regal
costume, symbolizing Jotaro’s humble determination and Dio’s extravagant arrogance.
- **Character Design**: Both Jotaro and Dio’s exaggerated designs, with sharp features and
defined musculature, enhance the sense of them being larger-than-life figures.
**Audio Codes**
- **Dialogue**: The dialogue is intense, with Dio taunting Jotaro and Jotaro’s few words
showing his stoic determination. The contrast between Dio’s verbosity and Jotaro’s silence
adds to the tension.
- **Sound Effects**: Every punch from their **Stands** is accompanied by dramatic sound
effects, heightening the impact of each hit.
- **Music**: The intense, fast-paced music in the background builds suspense and
excitement. As the battle nears its climax, the music slows down momentarily before
returning with a powerful crescendo.
**Genre**
*Attack on Titan* falls under the **action** and **dark fantasy** genres with heavy **post-
apocalyptic** themes. It also touches on **horror**, as the Titans themselves are terrifying,
and their attacks create an atmosphere of dread. It's also classified as **shonen**, but the
intense themes often appeal to a more mature audience.
- **Subgenre**: The series incorporates **military** and **political thriller** elements, with
later seasons delving deep into issues of governance, control, and war.
**Air Date**
*Attack on Titan* premiered in **2013** and has since become one of the most iconic anime
in modern times. The manga, written by Hajime Isayama, started in **2009** and concluded
in **2021**.
**Audience Profile**
While marketed towards the **shonen** demographic, it gained a broad, cross-generational
audience due to its intense action sequences, complex characters, and deep philosophical
undertones. Themes of war, trauma, and survival resonate with both teens and adults.
---
**Premise**
In a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to giant humanoid creatures
called Titans, the story follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they join the military to protect
the remnants of humanity and uncover the truth about the Titans.
**Main Themes**
- **Freedom and Oppression**: The desire for freedom versus the forces that keep humanity
trapped is a core theme.
- **Survival**: The constant threat of Titans puts survival at the forefront of the characters'
motivations.
- **Trauma and War**: The impact of loss, war, and PTSD is explored deeply, especially as
the characters face constant battles and losses.
- **Morality in War**: The series delves into the gray areas of morality, particularly in war,
questioning who the real enemy is and what justifies violence.
---
**Narrative Codes**
- **Story Progression**: This scene is a key emotional turning point for Eren. Witnessing his
mother’s brutal death at the hands of a Titan motivates him to dedicate his life to eradicating
Titans.
- **Anime Techniques**: Flashbacks of Eren’s peaceful life before the Titan attack highlight
the stark contrast between the world before and after the tragedy, emphasizing how his
innocence is shattered.
**Technical Codes**
- **Camera Angles**: Close-ups on Eren’s face capture his terror and helplessness, while
wide shots of the Titan devouring his mother emphasize the sheer scale of the threat.
- **Lighting**: The bright, peaceful lighting before the attack gives way to shadowy, chaotic
visuals, symbolizing the end of Eren’s normal life.
- **Editing**: The scene uses slow motion when the Titan picks up Eren’s mother,
emphasizing the horrific, drawn-out nature of her death and Eren's powerlessness.
**Representational Codes**
- **Setting**: The attack takes place in the relatively peaceful town of Shiganshina, creating
a striking contrast between the serene, everyday life before the Titan attack and the chaos
that follows.
- **Costumes/Props**: Eren, Mikasa, and Armin wear simple civilian clothing, emphasizing
their innocence and unpreparedness for the devastation they witness.
- **Character Design**: The Titan that kills Eren’s mother is grotesquely human in
appearance, creating a disturbing juxtaposition of familiarity and horror.
**Audio Codes**
- **Dialogue**: Eren’s screams are raw and emotional, emphasizing his helplessness and
grief. His mother’s final words, telling him to run, are heart-wrenching and leave a lasting
impact.
- **Sound Effects**: The sound of the Titan’s footsteps and the destruction of buildings
create a sense of impending doom. The crunching sound as the Titan bites into Eren’s
mother is especially horrifying.
- **Music**: The background music is slow and melancholic, building up to a powerful
crescendo when the Titan strikes, intensifying the emotional weight of the scene.
---
**Narrative Codes**
- **Story Progression**: This scene is a major battle that demonstrates Levi’s incredible skill
and determination as he takes on the Beast Titan. The outcome of this fight has serious
implications for the future of humanity and their military strategy.
- **Anime Techniques**: The fight uses fast-paced action sequences with rapid cuts to build
tension. Levi’s inner monologue reveals his tactical thinking and his personal motivation for
fighting.
**Technical Codes**
- **Camera Angles**: The battle uses a series of dynamic camera movements, from extreme
wide shots showing the Beast Titan’s size to tight close-ups on Levi as he skillfully
maneuvers through the air.
- **Lighting**: The lighting during the battle shifts between blinding sunlight and dark
shadows, representing the contrast between hope and despair as Levi fights to turn the tide
of battle.
- **Editing**: The scene features rapid cuts during the fight, heightening the intensity and
giving the audience little time to breathe as Levi closes in on the Beast Titan.
**Representational Codes**
- **Setting**: The battle takes place in an open field, with the desolate landscape reflecting
the hopelessness of the situation before Levi intervenes.
- **Costumes/Props**: Levi’s use of the ODM (Omni-Directional Mobility) gear is central to
the fight, with his precise, skilled movements underscoring his experience and
determination.
- **Character Design**: The Beast Titan’s massive, apelike appearance contrasts sharply
with Levi’s small, human form, emphasizing the David-and-Goliath dynamic in the battle.
**Audio Codes**
- **Dialogue**: Levi’s internal dialogue reveals his focus and tactical genius, while the Beast
Titan’s overconfidence adds tension, as he underestimates Levi’s abilities.
- **Sound Effects**: The rapid swishing of Levi’s ODM gear, combined with the heavy thuds
of the Beast Titan’s movements, creates a visceral soundscape that enhances the intensity
of the fight.
- **Music**: The background music is fast-paced and orchestral, building suspense and
excitement as Levi outmaneuvers the Beast Titan. The music swells to a triumphant climax
as Levi delivers the final blow.
- **Synopsis**: *Naruto Shippuden* follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who returns to
his village after two years of training. His ultimate goal is to become the strongest ninja
(Hokage) and protect his friends while facing external threats like the Akatsuki, an
organization seeking to capture powerful tailed beasts, and internal struggles like the loss of
his friend Sasuke Uchiha, who has abandoned the village for revenge.
- **Themes**:
1. **Friendship and Bonds**: The relationship between Naruto and his friends, particularly
Sasuke, is central to the story. Their bond drives Naruto's journey and the decisions he
makes throughout the series.
2. **Personal Growth**: Naruto’s journey is about more than becoming the strongest ninja;
it’s about learning to overcome his insecurities, understanding the complexities of war and
peace, and growing as a leader.
3. **Resilience and Bravery**: Throughout the series, Naruto demonstrates an unyielding
determination to protect his village and friends, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
2. **Sasuke vs. Itachi**: This long-awaited fight between Sasuke and his brother Itachi is
critical because it leads to a dramatic revelation about Itachi’s true motives, fundamentally
altering Sasuke’s character arc. This battle is not only physically intense but emotionally
charged, symbolizing Sasuke’s quest for revenge and the tragic nature of his family’s story.
- **Sasuke vs. Itachi**: This scene reveals the truth about Itachi’s actions and Sasuke’s
misunderstanding of his brother’s role. It serves as a turning point for Sasuke, shifting his
motivations from revenge against Itachi to a new hatred directed toward the village that
manipulated his brother. It deepens Sasuke’s character and drives the narrative toward his
eventual clash with Naruto.
SAMPLE:
I shortened Naruto Shippuden's 1st episode down to about one minute
When characters see something considered “sexy” or they feel sexually aroused, they tend
to exhale steam or bleed from their nose.
Sometimes when characters think about another character (usually someone admired or
liked by them), they blush.
In this case, we see the deformation of Naruto’s face indicating that he is shouting. We can
also see how the background banishes, focusing on the character. There are also some rays
to ensure the depiction of Naruto’s emotions.
In this still we get to see how movement lines appear, indicating the direction of the hit. In
this case, Sakura’s face is disfigured to show how angry she is at Naruto.
The X mark on Sakura’s forehead indicates that the character is really angry. (Something
that I have just noticed by looking at the kids in the background is that whenever a character
is feeling something, their eyes turn white. However, this only happens when the scene is
intended to be fun, look at the last screenshot).
*1
Once again, the way in which Sakura’s teeth were drawn (in a spiky shape) indicate her
emotions. On the other hand, Naruto’s face is turning blue, indicating that he has fainted.
Long shot: this helps to contextualize the beginning of this scene, which is located at the
Hidden Leaf Village. Pan-down: In this case, this camera movement gives the audience an
idea of how massive the gate of the village is.
Pan-up: accompanies the character climbing the column. This gives us an idea of how tall
this structure is, as Naruto’s master is left out of the camera.
Long shot: gives the audience a clearer look at the setting. At the same time, the camera
dollies in (supongo q asi se escribirá) towards Naruto to show us how happy he is to return
to his hometown after 2 years of training.
1* Full shot of the characters at the back. It shows how the kids look for protection in (the
sensei).
Pan up and show the sky: the scene is about to change through a sudden cut.
In this close-up of Naruto's face, he looks surprised. However, this scene was more serious,
and perhaps that’s the reason why he wasn’t drawn with white eyes as in the previous
screenshots.
https://www.facebook.com/100065545957430/videos/naruto-returns-to-the-hidden-leaf-
village/1549665228572407/ Acá encontré la escena completa u.u
Drawing techniques.
Tsundere: these are the “hot and cold” characters. Usually, they act aggressively and cold
towards a person they like or admire because they are shy or insecure. However, over time,
these characters will show their true nature and kindness. Example: Aisaka Taiga
(Toradora!) o sakura.
Kuudere: They are known to be a bit cold and blunt to others and have a tendency to show
little or no emotion at all, which is indicated by their monotonous tone of voice. SASUKE
Deredere: These characters are energetic and sweet, and they openly express their
affection for their love interests in a healthy way. (Historia en las primeras seasons).
Bakadere: a character that is clumsy and often thinks with their heart as opposed to their
head. Naruto
Kamidere: These characters are proud about themselves and their "god-like" talents.
Sometimes this manifests in them thinking they are a deity or superior being. (Dio, Light
Yagami de Death Note)