Americanizing Anime: Is Disney’s Reinterpretation of Miyazaki Movies Removing the “Japan” from Japanese Anime?

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session and Reception
  In Interactive Paper Session: Intercultural Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This research hopes to understand how the messages in Miyazaki movies are affected by translation choices made by Disney. Such translations are what are consumed by American audiences, particularly children. Despite being a Japanese film, the exposure to Japanese culture through these films is severely diluted because of the translations. Three recent Miyazaki movies, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo, are critically analyzed through a textual analysis, to gain a better understanding of how the messages of the films have been altered (1) for the children-audience and (2) to reinforce American beliefs, rather than to promote Japanese culture.

Author

• Josephine Lukito, Syracuse University