Every November 3, International Anime Day is commemorated, a tribute to the impact of this Japanese phenomenon on the world and a tribute to the mangaka’s date of birth. Osamu Tezukacalled The God of Manga in their land and outside of it.
Osamu Tezuka is nothing less than the creator of Astroboy, Kimba the white lion, The knight princess, Hi no Tori, black jack… Considered a great mangaka for his influence on generations of authors and readers in his native Japan and the world. He died on February 9, 1989 from stomach cancer, at the age of 60.
But his legacy marked popular culture around the world, creating alternative styles in the way of creating and telling stories. And that contribution is usually remembered this November 3, on a special date.
In honor of Osamu Tezuka, International Anime Day is celebrated. Photo: Diffusion.
To know the significance of current anime, we consulted JJ Maldonadoauthor of the recently published book, Messianic narrative: animes to the rescue of fiction(UCV, 2024).
“The anime, like other apparently minor narratives, question the single discourse, the official discourse of fiction, what Sartre called ‘The father’s discourse’. Official speeches are always camouflaging and false. The anime attacks that and generates a contrary discourse with less outdated perspectives,” reflects Maldonado.
He believes that there is still a strong prejudice regarding not only anime, but also other much more contemporary narratives. “The majority are people from past generations who, paradoxically, preach liberation from that absurd debate between ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture. Their elitism does not allow them to read reality, see how the world has changed and understand that there are new forms of expression.”
J.J. affirms that there are works like One Piece, naruto, Neon Genesis Evangelion either Shingeki no Kyojinwhich question today’s world “with much more success than a contemporary novel or film.”
And he adds: “Anime is that third field of enunciation that Homi Bhaba talks about and that serves to talk about what is not talked about in the official field: what queerthe new masculinity, the new fatherhood, the politics of the body, etc. animes like Jojo Bizarre Adventure, One Piece either Evangelion “They are subversive because they define the 21st century better than conventional novels or cinema.”
Animes connected with new generations. Its impact still transcends. Photo: Diffusion.
“We can also think about the political impact of anime. The new generations have lost faith in institutional figures such as presidents, congressmen, police officers or prelates. That’s why at marches they always come out with banners of their favorite anime or cosplay dresses. Thus the figure of Luffyfrom One Piece or Tanjiro “Kimetsu no Yaiba has more moral weight than a being of flesh and blood.”
to your book Messianic narrative: animes to the rescue of fictiondefines it as “a love letter to my entire generation, especially because the vast majority of us grew up consuming animes, pirating mangas, and reading audiovisually. I am convinced that fictions like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon either Neon Genesis Evangelion “They have largely determined the moral and political configuration of at least the last three human generations.”
The title of the book is explained because it considers anime as a “messianic narrative” that restores faith in fiction among new generations.
This narrative, adds the young essayist, “revitalizes the great themes that seemed forgotten, connecting young people with values and concerns that transcend mere entertainment.”
“Anime has given us back the space for discussion on the great themes that modern fiction – or a certain postmodernism – had suppressed. The problem of wars, ideological fanaticism, the vice of power, the effects of genocides, existentialist dimensions, etc., are categories that anime constantly uses in its fiction,” he warns.
JJ Maldonado’s book is one of the most important contributions of the year to popular culture.
JJ Maldonado is convinced that “Japanese mangas like One Piece, Berserk, Hunter x Hunter, Jojo Bizarre Adventure either Evangelion They have nothing to envy of the novels written by Dickens, James Joyce or even William Faulkner. In my essay I demonstrate that the narrative techniques and human exploration of manga can be on the same level as great Western novels. You just have to give them one chance.”
Maldonado goes beyond all enthusiasm, in the pages of this essay there is an entire exploration “into the new ways of reading in the 21st century and how marginal narratives such as anime, manga, video games, creepypastas or memes have collaborated with the resignification of the hegemonic reading system that has not been the same since the appearance of the internet.”
Finally, Maldonado refers to some current titles, which he recommends for reading on this International Anime Day. “I recommend Rooster Fighterby Sh Sakuratani; Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu; Rainbow by George Abe and Masasumi Kakizaki, and, of course, Century by Tohru Kuramori.”
