Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 594

Proceedings of the 2021 3rd International Conference on Literature, Art and

Human Development (ICLAHD 2021)

The Development and Influence of Japanese Animated

Film Style
Zhu Zhiyi1, *
1
HUACE academy of CUZ, Cummunication University of Zhejiang, Jiaxing Zhejiang China , 314399
*Corresponding author. Email:[email protected]

ABSTRACT
Japanese animated films have a history of more than 100 years since 1917. From 1973, Belladonna was shortlisted in
the main competition unit of the Berlin Film Festival to 2002, the Ghibli animation Spirited Away won the Golden
Bear award of the Berlin Film Festival. Japanese animated films have entered the public view and gradually gained a
place in the world film industry.The reason why Japanese animation film can achieve today's achievements is that it
has produced its own personality in the process of continuous development. This paper hopes that through a more in-
depth understanding of the history of Japanese animation films, and through some classic Japanese animation films, it
can summarize the commonalities that they can stand out from the world films. The paper intends to explore a variety
of factors that affect the development of Japanese animation films from live action films and the impact of Japanese
animation films on world films.

Keywords: Animated movies, Japanese cartoons, live-action movies

1. INTRODUCTION explore the development direction of both sides in the

future.
Throughout the development history of Japanese
animated films, it can be found that, like the 2. DEVELOPMENT OF JAPANESE
development process of all films in the world, Japanese ANIMATED FILMS
animated films can be traced back to the guidance of
world classic films from the aspects of narrative style, 2.1 Narrative style
audio-visual style and soundtrack. By going deep into
the history of Japanese animation films and comparing 2.1.1 introduction of "adult" realistic theme and
the early Japanese animation films and other national realistic style
animation films and live action films in the same
period, this paper explores what different aspects of Japanese animated films originated in the 1920s. At
films from other countries have influenced the that time, Japanese filmmakers introduced the most
development stage of Japanese animation films. Later, advanced animation production technology into Japan.
in the process of continuous development of Japanese Many cartoonists began to try to make "comic films"
animation films, they learn from and innovate on the and began to create by imitating the works of foreign
carrier of animation, and develop a unique style animation companies. [1]But at that time, because
different from live action films and even other animation technology had just started, people had not
animation films in the world. And what benefits did the made a more in-depth exploration in terms of
Japanese animated films entering the golden age bring production process and purpose. Therefore, the
to the development of live action films after 1980, and Japanese animated films at that time were short in
what kind of relationship they complement each other, volume and simple in plot. [2]In character design, they
which brought many high-quality works to the world still imitated European and American animated films to
films. By exploring the above problems, we can get the personify animals to increase interest. Such animated
development trend of Japanese animated films and live films were mostly used in war propaganda at that time.
action films in the future, as well as help to better The limitations of their themes and the lack of
technology led to the narrative style of Japanese

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 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 594

animated films being limited to interest and considering the production of the next animated film,
fragmentation at that time. they fell in love with Tezuka's cartoon MY SON-GO-
KU and decided to adapt it into an animated film.
Until after World War II, Japanese Animation
However, due to the different dimensions of image and
Company, an animation studio, was acquired by Toei
cartoon, although Tezuka's cartoon has the
Tokyo and TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD. was
characteristics of film segmentation, it still serves the
established. At that time, Toei Tokyo hoped to create
plane cartoon format, but the film is a vertical space-
"Oriental Disney" through the development of the
time art. Therefore, it is obviously unrealistic to directly
animation industry, so it shot the first color long
copy the cartoon segmentation as a film segmentation.
animated film The White Snake Enchantress in the
Therefore, in the creation process of Journey to the
history of Japanese film in 1958. The film length of The
West, the second animated film work of Toei
White Snake Enchantress is 70 minutes. Compared with
Animation, the animators made cinematic modifications
the previous Japanese animation films, The White
to MY SON-GO-KU, so that the "cinematic
Snake Enchantress has not completely separated from
segmentation" of the original cartoon was transformed
the impression of the previous European and American
into a real animated film segmentation with a sense of
animation films, but it has been greatly improved in the
film.[2]
narrative structure. Firstly, it refers to the narrative
content and setting of the live action film Madame
White Snake, and has the idea of making The White
2.2.2. Animated films with cinematic features
Snake Enchantress into an "adult emotional drama after 1980
represented by love drama The White Snake
After the Journey to the West was highly praised,
Enchantress not only opened the long era of Japanese
Toei Animation continued to produce the next animated
animated films, but also provided new ideas for the
film Anju to Zushio Maru, but it was a pity that this
choice of narrative style of animated films.[2]
work did not set off a new upsurge because of its theme.
But on the other side, the Omasu Production founded by
2.1.2 transcendence of Japanese animated films Tezuka was established and produced Japan's first TV
Film is the art of narration. How to break and animation Mighty Atom in 1963. The success of Mighty
reorganize the narrative time and space is the eternal Atom has gathered the upsurge of TV animation,
motif of film. Animated films are no exception. In the making the animated film enter an embarrassing period
long development process of Japanese animated films, of nearly ten years. It was not until 1984 that Nausicaä
although there are innovations in theme, setting and so of the Valley of the Wind
on. However, its core is still inseparable from the was released and entered the top 10 of The Movie
"adventure story of boys and girls", but Kon Satoshi's Times. The "cinematicism" of Japanese animated films
works break this tradition. Almost all of Kon Satoshi's is really recognized. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
works break away from the most classic linear narration not only broke away from the shackles of "children's
and reorganize the space-time of the film in different orientation" in the subject matter of the story, but also
dimensions in a more cinematic way. The attempt of took the lead in the camera consciousness and light and
complex and diverse camera language makes the shadow change consciousness in the lens design of the
narrative level of Kon Satoshi's works exceed that of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in Europe and
live action films and become a model for many live America, which also laid a foundation for the lens use
action films after the 21st century.[3] of grammar and the sense of space of virtual reality in
Japanese animation films.
2.2 Image style
2.3 Soundtrack style
2.2.1 Tezuka and the birth of cinematic
storyboard 2.3.1 the product of the combination of eastern
and Western cultures
Back in 1942, a 14-year-old boy named Osamu
Tezuka began his animation career after watching When the sound live action film was born, the
spider and tulip and the early Chinese animation The animated film had been born for nearly a decade.
Princess of Iron Fan. Tezuka is an indispensable figure Therefore, in the development of film sound, animated
in the history of Japanese animated films. He first films and live action films can be said to be
introduced the concept of cinematic storyboarding in synchronized. The pattern of early Japanese animated
comics. This novel technique made Tezuka become the films followed that of European and American animated
most famous cartoonist in Japan at that time. At this films, and both were greatly influenced by musicals in
time, Toei Animation has also completed the production film soundtrack, especially film songs. For example, in
and distribution of The White Snake Enchantress. When the film Spider and Tulip, the song sung by the role of

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spider not only adds auditory interest to the film, but them, Darren Arenovsky is the most obvious one who
also plays an auxiliary narrative role through the lyrics can see the shadow of Kon Satoshi in his works. In his
of the song. This was a popular usage of animation Requiem of a Dreams, the protagonist Marian curls up
music in the world at that time. Even today, many in the bathtub. She buries her head in the water, quite
Disney films still use this form of musical performance. like a baby in the womb. Suddenly, she starts shouting
[4]However, when Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind crazy in the water. This series of storyboard highly
came out in the 1960s, the partner of Joe Hisaishi and coincided with the scene of the protagonist Mima in the
Hayao Miyazaki made the Japanese animation bathroom in Kon Satoshi's work Perfect Blue. Later,
soundtrack enter the golden age. At this time, the Darren himself admitted that this group of lenses paid
Japanese animation film broke away from the imitation tribute to Kon Satoshi. In addition to the Requiem of a
of the western film soundtrack and formed a unique Dream, Darren's Black Swan is called the real-life
music style by combining the characteristics of version of the Perfect Blue. They are similar in lens
Japanese and Western Music. And began to prefer to language, narrative structure and character setting. It
emphasize the overall theme music of animation, which can be seen that Perfect Blue, as an animated film
is gradually different from the characteristics of director, has a profound influence on the creation of
European and American film soundtrack, which later live action films.
emphasizes the theme music of characters.
3.2. Expression of ideas
2.3.2. Exploration and achievements of
electronic music After the 1980s, Japanese animated films began to
be no longer satisfied with the traditional narrative
Japan has the best audio equipment manufacturer in mode and ideological expression, and began to explore
the world, which provides a high-quality sound source the deeper connotation that animation can express. The
for the development of Japanese electronic soundtrack. Ghost in the Shell is such a work that breaks away from
Japan is the first country in the world to use electronic the tradition. It has a profound philosophical discussion
musical instruments to dub animation, which also on the significance of mankind and cyborg on the basis
makes Japanese animation have a more unique timbre of science fiction works. Such a story core passed on a
charm. After the 1980s, the use of electronic music in new impression to the audience at that time through the
Japanese animated films has been perfect.[5] They do extremely realistic painting style, and also brought new
not simply use electronic synthesizers, but match many inspiration to many live action film directors. The
national musical instruments according to the film on Matrix (1998) is a work inspired by the Ghost in the
the basis of electronic musical instruments, such as the Shell. Its story expression and art design refer to the
Erhu element of the soundtrack of Princess Mononoke. Ghost in the Shell to a certain extent. However,
While catering to the preferences of the audience, they compared with the Ghost in the Shell, the Matrix adopts
do not forget the sad tone of the imported film. For a more Hollywood style plot structure. This makes the
another example, Akira, which was later called the Matrix and Ghost in the shell both discuss philosophy in
monument of Japanese animation film, used the the context of science fiction, but the style of the former
combination of Indonesian traditional percussion is not so obscure and gloomy. In addition, the
instrument Gamelan and electronic music to form one advancement of shooting techniques of "matrix" itself
of the most unique sci-fi soundtracks in film history. makes it another science fiction classic in film
history.[6]
3. THE INFLUENCE OF JAPANESE
ANIMATED FILMS ON WORLD LIVE 3.3. Aesthetic style
ACTION FILMS AFTER 1980 "A power boy stands on the ruins of Tokyo.
Everyone will say it's Otomo Katsuhiro." This is Hayao
3.1. Lens language Miyazaki's comment on the classic Japanese cyberpunk
When talking about Japanese animated films after animation film Akira. Akira was selected as one of the
1980, the works of animation director Kon Satoshi are a best 20 science fiction films in film history by the world
part that can never be skipped. Kon Satoshi's grasp of authoritative film publication Wired in 2002. It is the
lens language, especially the application of montage only Asian Film and the only animated film in the list.
techniques, is very important in the history of animation Akira introduces the elements of the world science
films in the world. From the beginning of Kon Satoshi's fiction classics 2001 Space Odyssey and Blade Runner
first animated film “Perfect Blue" in 1989, his mastery into animation, creating a new wave of Japanese
of film audio-visual language can be seen. Coupled with cyberpunk animated films. At the same time, Akira, as
his own detached story theme and extremely mature and the first Japanese animation film to land in the U.S. and
advanced narrative mode, he played an enlightening European markets, made many North American and
role for many later live action film directors. Among European fans see serious animation different from

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Disney animation for the first time, and also became an work is considered to be remade as a live action
opportunity for Western audiences to contact Japanese version, it should be considered particularly. How to
animation on a large scale. Therefore, Akira not only balance the core of animation itself and the visual effect
inspired Japanese animated films, but also had a far- after adaptation is a problem worthy of discussion in the
reaching impact on world films and even other cultures reality of Japanese animation films.
outside the film. The authors of Hollywood science
fiction films such as Looper, Chronicle and some game ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
works almost mentioned the inspiration brought to them
by Akira, not to mention the flashing red motorcycle in After three years of study in film production, I have
Spielberg's number Ready Player One. Until today, been able to do some research on Japanese animation
even those who have never seen Akira will have a films from the perspective of non animation lovers. This
certain impression of the elements and pictures in is inseparable from the help of many people. First of all,
Akira, because Akira, as a classic of a generation of the teachers who led me into the film field brought Kon
animated films, has long penetrated into all aspects of Satoshi's works into my world, which let me see the
people's life through its unique aesthetic style. charm of many serious animation after breaking away
from ACG culture. Secondly, my family. Their support
4. CONCLUSION for my art study enables me to pursue what I really like
more freely, as well as my classmates. Thank them for
To sum up, Japanese animated films started from
their tolerance and understanding and constructive
learning the narrative style, image style and soundtrack
opinions on my paper.
of western films. In the process of development, they
broke away from children's narrative and simplified
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and apply each other's advantages to their own works.
Such development has a benign effect on both live
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are still essential differences between live action films
and Japanese animation films. An excellent animation
work can be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. It
must have its irreplaceable advantages. When such a

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