Is anime a high or low cultural genre?

Is anime a high or low cultural genre, according to Napier (2005)? What are some of its sub genres?

The question whether or not Anime is a high or low cultural genre in part comes down to how we define high and low culture. In lectures we discussed the idea of popular culture as a genre being defined by class and wealth. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall (1981) suggest the choice of speaking style and word choice will translate into a culture that will cater to a specific group, that being a group that has similar experiences and expectations, from which inferences are drawn.  Hall (1981) suggests in a higher context culture, many things are left unsaid, letting the culture to explain, suggesting fewer words can be used to communicate complex messages more effectively, while in a lower context culture, communication is more explicit and the value of a single word is less important.

How does this definition reflect with our question? Napier (2005, p. 5) suggest Japan has been known for such “high cultural” products as haiku, Zen, and the martial arts, anime as a genre has become so popular in Japanese culture it now sits with these products locally and more significantly globally. It is even suggested that anime has become Japan’s chief cultural export. In saying this Napier (2000, p. 7) says “though extremely popular anime is looked down upon by conservative Japanese society,” in consideration of this and Hall’s interpretation of ‘High Culture’ it might be said anime isn’t a high culture product. However the value Anime has in Japanese culture is significant, Napier (2000, p. 7) comments “anime in Japan is truly a mainstream pop cultural phenomenon.” In light of its significant contribution to Japanese culture we could argue it as a high cultural genre.

Napier (2000, p. 12) suggests that Japanese anime can be categorized in to “three major expressive modes – apocalyptic, the festival, and the elegiac. ” He is suggesting that these three modes can be found to fit within Japanese culture, whether that by external expression or by way of something internal, something more “spiritual or pathological” (Napier, 2000, p. 13).  Princess Mononoke is a great example of anime being used to express in-part these three categorise. We find within this story the issue of “shifting identity within an ever changing society” (Napier, 2000, p. 12), the story is set in an atmosphere of change, a spiritual and physical war is fought between tradition and industrialisation.       

Reference

·      Hall, E. (1981). Beyond culture. Yarmouth, Me.: Intercultural Press.

·      Napier, S. (2005). Why? In Anime: from Akira to Howl's moving castle (pp. 3-14). Hampshire: Palgrave/ Macmillan.