The Ideal Masculinity of Male Ninjas in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden Anime Series

Authors

  • Jennisa Mayang Deviani Petra Christian University, Jl. Siwalankerto No.121-131, Siwalankerto, Wonocolo, Surabaya
  • Jenny Mochtar Petra Christian University, Jl. Siwalankerto No.121-131, Siwalankerto, Wonocolo, Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9744/katakita.9.3.340-347

Keywords:

attitude toward reading behaviour, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, reading interests, purchase intention

Abstract

Shounen is one of the most popular genres of anime. Although Shounen is usually targeted at younger boys, it is often consumed by audiences of all ages, such as Naruto and its sequel, Naruto Shippuden. In this study, I will focus on identifying the masculinity within the male ninjas in the series and analyzing the motivations behind the exercise of masculinity to find the ideal masculinity. I will combine the masculinity theory with the Japanese’s manhood, to analyze the ideal masculinity in the text. Through my analysis, I find that the male ninjas of these anime series show different kinds of masculinity, which divides them into two roles, protagonist and antagonist. The protagonists are the ones who thrive to fight for others while the antagonists fight only to benefit themselves. As a result, the protagonists are able to possess the ideal masculinity as they can exercise their masculinity positively.

Keywords: anime, masculinity, male ninjas, protagonist, antagonist.

Author Biographies

  • Jennisa Mayang Deviani, Petra Christian University, Jl. Siwalankerto No.121-131, Siwalankerto, Wonocolo, Surabaya
    English Department
  • Jenny Mochtar, Petra Christian University, Jl. Siwalankerto No.121-131, Siwalankerto, Wonocolo, Surabaya
    English Department

References

Brannon, L. (2017). Gender: Psychological Perspective (7th ed) (pp. 48 - 49, 58, 222) New York: Routledge.

Brannon R., David, D. (1976). The forty-nine percent majority. (pp. 1 - 45) Mass.: Addison- Wesley.

Date, H. (Director). (2002). Naruto [Anime]. Japan: TV Tokyo.

Date, H. (Director). (2007). Naruto Shippuden [Anime]. Japan: TV Tokyo.

Fujimura, M. (2006). The ‘Masculinity’ of the Young Generation and It’s Future. Tokyo: Nihon

Keizai Hyōronsha.

Endure. (n.d.). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/endure

Henshall G. K. (1999). Dimensions of Japanese Society: Gender Margins and Mainstream (pp. 2-3). Great Britain: Macmillan Press LTD.

Minoura S. 2010. A record of changes in the customs of the province that I have seen and understand. (12th ed) (pp. 62–99). Kōchi: Kōchi Prefecture Library.

Naruto (series). (n.d.). https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Naruto_(series)

Owens M. (2020). Does Anime Have to Come From Japan to Be Called Anime? https://www.fandom.com/articles/anime-japanese-poll

Sealey C. (2021) Protagonist, deuteragonist, tritagonist.

http://carmelsealey.com/journal/articles/protagonist-deuteragonist-tritagonist/

Downloads

Published

2022-01-06

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021)

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
    2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. 
    3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).