Who would have thought that anime can help reinvent modern Filipino youth? Let’s find out how this influence took place.

Anime is a term that generally refers to Japanese animation. The word ‘anime’ is an abbreviation of “animation”, which is pronounced as ánnim?, though in English, it is commonly pronounced as ánni-mày.

Many youths do not know how “manga” differs from, or is related to anime. Manga (pronounced as máng-g?) is the Japanese term for comic book and its literal translation is “whimsical pictures”, because of its fanciful illustrations and at times humorous story. This genre covers different subjects from adventure, business, or comedy, to fantasy or sports. Japanese animators find it appeals to the general public. This is why most manga series are animated; and the terms “anime” and “manga” should not be used interchangeably, because in fact they differ in meaning.

In the early 20th century, Japanese filmmakers innovated Western techniques of animation; thus developing anime. The settings and visual styles of characters in anime are noticeably Japanese; hence, it is not just an art or style of animation that originated from Japan, but a significant form of storytelling that highlights Japanese culture. Stereotyping of styles makes the visual characteristics of anime more distinct. Exaggerated physical features of anime characters are large eyes, long arms and legs, big masses of hair, and tight fitting jeans. Anime also makes use of speech bubbles and texts in the background.

The ubiquitousness of life experiences in anime stories reflects everyday life. Characters hold regular jobs or study in school. Some kids are even rebuked by their parents. Since it deals with experiences of human beings, anime is now a global phenomenon even in the Philippines. Anime was first brought to our country in the 1970s, with Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka, a Japanese manga artist and animator who’s been called the “father of manga”, with Lupin III, Voltes V, and Mazinger Z among the earliest serialized anime. These exciting TV shows had a good following and the anime became well-known, but their fame became meteoric only in the 1990s. In the country today, serialized anime remains popular on Philippine TV. Some anime series that have really made a splash from the ‘90s until today and have found a place in the hearts of viewers are Dragon Ball, Naruto, Bleach, Aoi Blink, Beyblade, BTX, Zenki, Crush Gear, Digimon, Flame of Recca, Full Metal Alchemist, Fushigi Yuugi, Ghost Fighter, Hanayori Dango, Hunter X Hunter, Initial D, One Piece, Pokémon, Reborn, Samurai X, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.

The anime’s continuing popularity on Philippine television is strong evidence that the Filipino youths today are truly attracted to these serial Japanese animations. Partially–if not entirely–responsible for favorably influencing the youth culture, anime’s relevance comes from simulating real life situations. The distinctive characteristics of anime have greatly affected not only the physical appearance of some modern Filipino youth, but also their mindset and social behavior.

On youths’ physical appearance, the aesthetic appeal of anime characters encourages a fad. In Modeling under the Social Cognitive Theory of psychologist Albert Bandura, he states that people learn by observing what other people in the environment are doing. Whatever one sees in the young can be something they’ve picked up on television. Since anime is a part of the environment in which they grow up, youths also learn from it. To be regarded as up-to-date, dandies, and those who try to be, go along with fashion by imitating their favorite anime characters as far as clothing is concerned. And because of its popularity, anime fanatics, as well as those who are not, enjoy the emergence of the new fashion. Many are seen sporting tight fitting jeans. They also wear high-cut sneakers and the like, which are anime-inspired fashion, or otherwise readopted by the present generation. Most young boys stylize their hair to resemble those of Goku, Hisuka or Tamahome. Their hair styles actually started gaining popularity after the mid-90s. They also wear accessories that are similar to those of the anime characters, so that they appear like their favorite characters, i.e., Naruto, Ichigo and Takumi among others.

Of course, we have to exclude a number of anime series from this influence. The youths would never want to appear as Doraemon or Pikachu, would they? How about the likes of Kudo Shinichi of Gosho Aoyama’s Detective Conan? It’s quite impossible to be like them in real life; but, the immortality and extraordinary qualities of anime personalities like of Ghost Fighter, Full Metal Alchemist and Reborn, however, are not a reason for the Filipino youth to avoid these shows. The advent of available anime-related merchandise such as collectible trading cards and video games allow youths to become “animatic” heroes and heroines in the personae of characters in the games they play. Subsequently, many youth’s interest perked up. Much more when the Internet came. Anime continues its invasion in the Internet through anime-styled flash banners and interstitials with pop-ups, which seem to have followed a great number of youths to keep them interested.

One of the significant influences of the anime craze is the great change in youths’ emotional and intellectual responses to different things in their environment. Many youths’ devotion to anime as a hobby affects their attitude. This devotion akin to anime mania helps them to be more broadminded and to widen their horizon of creativity. Filipino youths can develop critical thinking, as these anime series offer them philosophical analyses of the stories, which are also applicable to real life situations. For example, in the serial anime Bleach, there are political issues where authority figures have a strong desire for power. In this situation, viewers are aided in critical thinking by trying to figure out a solution to the problem.

The main plot of anime revolves around the battle between good and evil. In Samurai X, for instance, Kenshin fights many old enemies to save the people from harm. In Bleach, on the other hand, Ichigo struggles to drive away evil spirits, to protect the living and to guide departed souls to eternal life. This is a very good observation that will guide the youth, especially adolescents, during their critical period of maturity. Moral values are easily taught. Young people may know what is right or wrong, but it is not an accurate gauge of whether their life is morally upright or not. Their moral performance counts more as we can only measure their moral standing through their behaviors that develop as they grow. Since anime is inevitably a part (especially) of the life of the modern Filipino youth, it is important that parents as well as teachers find a good way to impart values by making use of anime in a positive way. Leaving aside the violence in anime stories, it is important to make the young aware of what benefits anime can offer them, which includes, but is not limited to, the development of moral, intellectual and social skills. Guidelines young people live by are influenced by the environment they live in, and if parents allow the negative aspects of anime, like violence, to influence the minds of their youths, this might eventually produce undesirable behaviors.

While anime contributes to the mental development of the young, it also develops their social behavior, particularly personal relationships. They learn to socialize more with their companions, especially when they share the same interests. However, there are also some anime series on the Internet with sexual explicit scenes, which may not be appropriate. This is why, in the youth’s devotion to anime, proper parental guidance is necessary in shaping a young person’s personality. Naturally, there are always pros and cons to everything, and anime is not exempt. We just need to know how to deal with it properly so as not to be overwhelmed by its possible influence on Filipino youth.

Mark Gil C. Dao

Dragon Ball. This is an anime series that focuses on Son Goku and his journey in looking for the seven Dragon Balls that can command a dragon to grant the wish of whoever possesses it.

Naruto. Naruto is the name of the leading character of this anime series who dreams of becoming a Hokage (top ninja). On his way to achieving his dream, Naruto passes through dangerous undertakings, including emotional and psychological trials.

Bleach. Bleach is an animated television series about the exciting experiences of Ichigo Kurosaki, whose power of a shinigami (death spirit) has been unintentionally transferred to him from Rukia Kuchiki. Possessing the magnificent ability to guide departed souls to eternal life, Ichigo is compelled to assume the responsibility of a soul reaper, and he defends humankind from evil spirits.