I seem to explore two themes often: a love for anime and an interest in disability representation. While I'm currently fascinated by Japanese culture and even dream of living there someday, there's a curious contrast within Japan itself. This comes to mind because my two favourite recent anime films feature disabled protagonists. Japan's public stance on disability can be quite different from the actual experiences of people with disabilities. This creates a fascinating tension worth exploring further.
Japan's image often screams "futuristic" and boasts impressive advancements. While city design and architecture deserve a mention, that's not our main topic here. Interestingly, major Japanese cities are known for being pedestrian-friendly compared to Western cities like mine in Canada. This accessibility is crucial for characters like Josee, who uses a wheelchair. However, the real challenges for disabled characters might not lie in the physical environment, but rather in societal attitudes.
Societies function in fascinatingly different ways. Japan, for example, leans heavily towards collectivism, where people see themselves as part of a larger whole. Canada, on the other hand, prioritizes individualism with a sprinkle of collectivism. This cultural difference significantly impacts how each country approaches disability on a personal level. A collectivist society might be viewed as "moving at the speed of the slowest individual." When someone stands out or can't keep pace, it can create a social divide. This is further amplified by Japan's emphasis on politeness and introversion. Stepping outside your immediate circle and embracing difference can be inherently challenging. However, there's a positive side. Government and organizations are actively pushing for acceptance and inclusion. The real challenge lies in bridging the gap between societal efforts and individual mindsets to create a truly inclusive reality.
It's fascinating, isn't it? Here's a society that seems to struggle with disability integration in real life, yet their media portrays the emotional and social complexities so poignantly. This disconnect between reality and artistic expression is truly intriguing.
To delve deeper into the themes of disability representation in anime, let's dissect two films and a contrasting series that hold special significance for me. By exploring their narratives, I hope to showcase the incredible stories they tell and their impact on my understanding of this topic.
This film explores themes of attempted suicide. While I highly recommend "Koe no Katachi," its content is heavy. To avoid spoilers, I'll provide a brief synopsis and then delve into a personal analysis that avoids plot specifics.
The story hinges on two characters: Shoya Ishida, a boisterous young boy, and Shouko Nishimiya, a new student in his class with severe hearing loss. Shoko introduces herself by writing on a notepad, highlighting her disability. Fueled by peer pressure and his own impulsiveness, Shoya leads the class in bullying Shouko. This culminates in Shoya ripping her hearing aids out that ultimately results in her leaving the school. However, the repercussions for Shoya are equally devastating. Ostracized by his classmates, he becomes the target of bullying himself. The film chronicles his journey of growth in high school. We see a stark transformation from the energetic boy to a quiet, reserved teenager carrying the burden of his past actions.
Our story takes a turn when Shoya finds himself at a sign language study club. There, he spots a young woman and a jolt of recognition runs through him – it's Shouko. Hesitantly, he approaches her using his newfound signing skills, asking a question that carries the weight of years: "Can we be friends?" A devastating realization washes over him. This simple request, once a silent plea from Shouko in grade school, had gone completely unnoticed by him back then.
Their reunion sparks a fragile connection as they navigate the complexities of getting to know each other. However, their journey is far from smooth, facing friction from various sources. "Koe no Katachi" masterfully unfolds this beautiful yet challenging story, one that warrants a heartfelt recommendation. Every scene resonates with the characters' growth and the power of redemption.
As an aside, the Japanese Dub of the movie uses a voice actress for the role that is not deaf, but the English Dub does, which is very neat I found.
Shifting gears from disability for a moment, let's explore the portrayal of Josee. Her presence in her mid-twenties and her frail physique was a breath of fresh air. In anime, female characters often conform to a limited body type regardless of age. Here, Josee's need for a wheelchair due to an unspecified but severe disability feels authentic. Her physical limitations perfectly mesh with her character, a welcome departure from the stereotypical depictions so prevalent in anime.
Delving into Josee's story presents a different perspective. Unlike "Koe no Katachi," this film throws us directly into the present lives of Josee and Tsuneo, offering no prior context. Tsuneo, a college student, finds himself with an unusual part-time job: caring for Josee, a young woman in her twenties who uses a wheelchair due to an unspecified but significant disability. The catalyst for their unusual arrangement is a dramatic one – Tsuneo literally catches Josee when her wheelchair careens down a hill after her grandmother loses control. This initial encounter sets the stage for their unconventional yet poignant relationship.
The narrative unfolds around Josee and Tsuneo's shared experiences. Their adventures, tailored to Josee's limitations, resonate with the activities young adults enjoy. These outings offer Josee a taste of freedom her grandmother, likely lacking the energy for such adventures, couldn't provide. While revealing too much more would delve into spoiler territory, suffice it to say the film's initial slice-of-life charm seamlessly transitions into a poignant and impactful final act.
Highly recommended.
Finally, let's talk about Komi Can't Communicate. Unlike the other two, this series explores mental health challenges rather than physical ones. While some may not readily consider Komi Shouko disabled, watching her initial interactions paints a clear picture. Her severe social anxiety and inability to communicate effectively suggest a strong case for autism. As the show's title implies, Komi primarily relies on written communication, similar to Shouko Nishimiya in Koe no Katachi. However, in Komi's case, silence stems from paralyzing fear rather than deafness. "Komi Can't Communicate" wears its comedic heart on its sleeve, but beneath the laughs, the show's narration delves into a deeper truth: the silence of some stems not from choice, but from internal anxieties.
I, again, highly recommend this show.
Starting with the shortest analysis, Komi, it's interesting to see how this comedic anime about social misfits uses her communication disability for humor. However, in the manga, Komi eventually overcomes her shyness and can talk freely with others.
While both Shouko and Josee have disabilities, the anime portrays their experiences very differently. Despite Josee's arguably more severe condition, Shouko's deafness hinders her daily life more due to communication barriers. This resonates with the title "Komi Can't Communicate," as Shouko's inability to hear and the resulting speech difficulties lead to constant misunderstandings and isolation. The pressure to be "normal" creates a double bind: society avoids her to maintain their routine, yet she blames herself for the communication issues and pushes herself to unrealistic lengths to fit in.
Despite her confinement due to a readily apparent disability, Josee's strong personality and fierce independence keep her from succumbing to self-pity. Unlike Shouko, whose disability is less obvious but creates communication barriers, Josee's physical limitations force the world to accommodate her. Ironically, this clarity about her needs might create less friction in social interactions, as everyone understands what to expect and communication remains unimpeded. Perhaps it's the very nature of Josee's disability – visible and requiring adaptation – that allows for smoother social engagement. Digging deeper, the film only portrays one instance of pity towards Josee. A social worker coldly assesses her future, assuming her limitations will confine her to a menial office job with extensive accommodations.
