Informace o publikaci
Hey, I Remember This One: The Influence of Japanese Animated Shows in Socialist Czechoslovakia
| Autoři | |
|---|---|
| Rok publikování | 2025 |
| Druh | Další prezentace na konferencích |
| Citace | |
| Popis | From the late 70s, up until the dissolution of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic at the end of the 80s, a whole generation of young people was exposed to Japanese animated shows and movies, often lacking the awareness where the content originated from. Being adapted mostly from East German channels, frequently not translated to either Slovak or Czech, children of all ages were glued to their TV screens following the convoluted adventures of their favorite characters. In stark contrast to the more traditional fairy tales oriented towards a younger audience, that were produced by the local animation studios, Japanese animation opened a new world of fiction, fantasy and often unexpected levels of mature themes and depictions. In topics ranging from nature, history, social relations, through supernatural events, to existential questions and psychological trauma, the Czechoslovak audience was exposed to aesthetics and narrative that was unprecedented in that environment. Overlooked by the parents as mere “childish animations”, for many children these series became a first insight into topics like the depth of friendship, love, sexuality, violence, social injustice, or death. Even today, through message boards and forums, people, now in their 40s, are still discussing various series, or even particular episodes, from their youth. Interestingly, a repeated theme is the astonishment upon the realization that the shows were of Japanese production, as for many they became synonymous with local entertainment. In this presentation, on chosen case studies, I will analyze the content as well as the impact anime was having on the life of young people in socialist Czechoslovakia, how they still recall it, and how it changed the perspective of their immediate environment. |
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