The 'shojo'..

What is the ‘shojo’ and how does it often function in anime?

The shojo in Japanese culture is the definition of 'little girl' and is a character portrayed in anime that is targeted to females between the age of 10-18 years of age. The term 'shojo' first came out around 1903 with Japanese magazines targeting young females, the term became more popular as the 'shojo' was a female character that predominantly was focused on relationships. This therefore influenced many story lines of anime to include a 'shojo' representing character as it was popular at the time and could cross into different genres.  In many films the 'shojo' character conveys themes that can be brought out to be emotionally relatable. For example in 'Princess Mononoke' the 'shojo' was San or the wolf girl who had an implied love relationship between Ashitaka and also a relationship with nature and animals. Lady Aboshi was also a character that identifies with the 'shojo' audience as she challenged the sexual position of power as a woman and helped empower other women, who previously had worked in brothels, to run a town. This shows the empowerment of women that the 'shojo' portrays.

As cited by Susan J Napier (2005) she mentions that 'Timae Prindle says "surely the nations gaze is more and more focused on girls. Girls occupy a distinctive place in Japan's mass media, including film and literature. What fascinates the Japanese is that the shojo nestle in a shallow lacuna between adulthood and childhood, power and powerlessness, awareness and innocence as well as masculinity and femininity." (p.149) this quote explains why the 'shojo' is so important in anime. The 'shojo' can be seen as an independent girl who is growing up and coming of age, the target audience will like watching it as they too can relate to wanting to feel independent and maturing, as well as feeling just as capable as man.

In many ways I can't help but think that the term 'shojo' is also similar to the term 'final girl' who is normally in a horror genre film. I feel that the two go together as they portray a conservative, surviving and fighting character. They each take the audience on a journey of growth or maturity as they set out to conquer or overcome something. I feel that it is good to have such character archetypes in such genres as they are inspiring and somewhat good role models even if it is 'just a movie'. They represent true strength within women and may help us in our own lives by mirroring possible actions that lead to different consequences.


References:

Napier SJ. (2005). Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese.  New York, United States of America: Urban Media Comics.

Miyazaki, H. (Director). (2006). Princess Mononoke. Tokyo: Studio Ghibli Productions.