Simms - Chihiro's Strength

Haku the River Spirit

One of the reasons I enjoyed Miyazaki's films is that he shows the different types of heroines that can be seen in anime and how they may differ from those in Western animation. Chihiro is a female protagonist who differs from the ones that we saw in previous films mainly because Spirited Away focuses on her development as a character. I think that what makes Chihiro different from San and Nausicaa initially is that when her character is first introduced she doesn't really have any responsibility. She's only ten years old and is still dependent on her parents. One of the themes that is seen in Spirited Away is how important responsibility and hard work is to developing one's character. Chihiro is put into a situation where she does not have her parents to help her and must depend on getting a job from Yubaba if she hopes to save them. At first, Chihiro is not use to the hard work, but as the story continues she not only takes on the responsibility of her work, but she also saves the bathhouse from No Face.

She also takes on a mission to help the person who took care of her when she was first brought into the spirit world - Haku. When Haku is cursed after stealing from Zeniba, Chihiro is not responsible for saving him, but she still takes on the task on setting things right with the witch because she believes Haku is a good person. Chihiro's strength and compassion saves Haku from Zeniba's curse, but also breaks the one that was put on him by Yubaba and Haku is able to remember his name.

Spirited Away also shows the importance of respecting the older traditions in one's culture. At the beginning of the film, Chihiro doesn't know what a Shinto shrine is and she is unaware of the importance of the spirit world. Furthermore, even her parents are shown to disrespect the gods by eating the food that was meant for them, and this results in them being turned into animals. It was interesting to see the Shinto elements that were at work throughout the animation and how Spirited Away shows that anything can have a kami and a place in the spirit world.  

Simms - Nausicaa's Stance Against Violence

Nausicaa

San and Nausicaa are both heroines that are tasked with the mission of ending a battle between humanity and nature. Though both of them have a stronger connection with nature than the people around them, San and Nausicaa differ in their opinions about humanity and how they choose to fight against the forces of hatred and destruction. While San wants revenge against humans and wants to drive them away, Nausicaa just wants to find a way for the humans and the creatures of the Toxic Jungle to live in harmony. Nausicaa doesn’t try to deny her humanity like San does, as seen with her connection to the people of the Valley of the Wind and by the fact that she saved Asbel. Nausicaa is trying to save her people and the Toxic Jungle from being destroyed. Also, unlike San, Nausicaa does not really use hatred and violence to try to reach her goal of protecting the things that are important to her. She is able to separate herself from the various power struggles going on between neighboring cities. After the death of her father, the princess preferred to use nonviolent means to try to stop the Tolmekians, Ohmu, and Pejites from causing further harm to the Valley of the Wind. Throughout the film, there is not one scene where she uses violence to try to stop and enraged Ohmu. Nausicaa does not encourage her people to engage in a fight against the Tolmekians, claiming that she did not want any more killing. Even when she is trying to stop the team of Pejites that are carrying the baby Ohmu towards the Valley, her action of flying calmly towards the ship with her arms outstretched is able to make the young man with the gun hesitate over shooting.  It is shown that Nausicaa’s kindness and courage makes the people of the Valley care for and look up to her. Nausicaa is the type of leader who is willing to go through any lengths to protect her people, as seen when she makes the ultimate sacrifice for the people of the Valley of the Wind and allows the Omhus to trample her. This sacrifice eventually leads to the Ohmus and the Tolmekians leaving the Valley in peace.

Simms - Fantasy in Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle

I thought that Sophie was an exciting heroine for the film because even though she didn’t start out having much confidence in herself, throughout the movie she started to become a stronger character with a determination to help those that she had become close to. The time she spent in the castle gave her a freedom she was probably craving and a chance to show that she can overcome many obstacles. It was also interesting to see how love started to affect her life. She was able to see through many of Howl’s flaws and realize that he is a caring and powerful wizard. It was interesting that each time she seemed to have confidence in herself and her love for Howl, the curse that was put on her would start to reverse. It’s interesting how Sophie’s presence is able to make Howl a better person throughout the film. He starts out as a vain wizard who usually runs away from his problems, sometimes with horrible consequences. However, Sophie isn't afraid to call him out on those flaws and show that she can be there for him. She gave him something worth fighting for. I think that both characters grew throughout the movie. Howl learned that he couldn’t always be selfish and run away from his troubles (hurting others in the progress), and Sophie became more strong-willed and gained confidence in both her actions and her appearance.

While part of this film dealt with the character development and love between the two main characters, much of the film dealt with the instability and danger magic presented. Much of Howl’s Moving Castle was focused on the curses and spells put on many of the characters. It mainly affected their appearance, but the magic also had an effect on their personalities as well, like how The Witch of the Waste was consumed by greed because of her magic. The whole war was fueled mainly by destructive powers. However, magic was eventually able to reverse many of the problems that it had caused. Miyazaki is able to bring out many different elements of magic and fantasy in all of his movies, and it’s seen in the beautiful artwork and story. Howl’s Moving Castle is another example of power and love in the fantasy genre. 

Simms - Hate and Redemption in Princess Mononoke

Lady Eboshi vs. San

Lady Eboshi wasn’t a one dimensional villain that can be seen in many films. She’s the one that is leading the destruction of the forest and its spirit creatures, but she isn’t doing it for her own personal gain. Eboshi was trying to great a society where the outcasts of society could feel safe and take control of their own lives. However, Eboshi ignores the dangerous prices that would have to be paid to create this utopia. She’s fueled by a hatred and determination to destroy the spirit creatures she feels are preventing her people from truly succeeding. Eboshi could protect her people and create a safe haven for the outcasts, but it’s difficult when her means of doing this are to destroy everything around the island.

San is another character who displays qualities that could be considered good and evil. All her actions are the result of a hatred of humanity that has built up throughout her life in the forest. She almost kills Ashitaka because she feels as if she can never be a part of human civilization because of all the evils that humans have done that harm her home. At the same time, though, San is very protective of her family and it’s obvious that she loves them. She feels the need to protect those in the forest that are suffering, even if it may bring harm to herself. San is a balance of hatred and a fierce protectiveness and love for her home and family.

I think that the ending for both of the characters was very ambiguous. Eboshi claims that she will start over and make their village better, but there is no guarantee that she has learned her lesson or will not go back to her old ways eventually. Also, though San has learned that there is at least one human that she knows who is not evil or set out to harm the forest, she still states that she can never forgive humans for what they have done. However, if the people on the island decide to try to live in harmony with nature, there is a possibility that her mind will change. It’s really up to the viewer’s judgment. 

Simms - The Choice to Rebel

Ah My Goddess

The issue of free will is shown in how Belldandy and Keiichi really don’t want to be involved in Celestine’s plan of a utopia, but they keep finding themselves involved without really having a choice in the matter. Belldandy felt a certain obligation to Celestine because he was her mentor and that also gave him the opportunity to involve her in his plans and erase her memories of the person she loved. The virus that she was infected with also forced her into a situation where the higher up gods would have to perform a dangerous vaccination. I really think that Keiichi was a puppet to Celestine’s plans also. Keiichi is possessed by Celestine because the god knows that Belldandy wouldn’t harm him.  Under this possession, Keiichi was also made to release the virus that executed Celestine’s plans. To a degree, Celestine probably felt that his choice to destroy the world and start a new one was the only thing that could be done to eliminate suffering. The Gate of Judgment is also an example of how gods don’t really have the choice to be with the humans that they love, they are forced to go through the task of the Gate.

Celestine’s rebellion was very interesting because it wasn’t really a plot that was directed for his personal gain. He looked at the Gate of Judgment as it hurt so many people and he witnessed the suffering that the humans from lower worlds were going through and felt as if the other gods had no desire to aid them. He truly believed that if he started the Earth anew, it would lead to the end to all the suffering that took place on it. Celestine was also motivated by the idea of a world where Belldandy would not have to witness the atrocities that took place. He had good intentions, but I feel as if his plans could possibly lead to the suffering that he was trying to avoid. Furthermore, I felt that Celestine was behaving in the same manipulative manner that he accused the other gods of displaying. He was using those around him (Belldandy, Keiichi) to put them in the position where they did not have a choice, and his actions caused them suffering. However, from Celestine’s perspective, I believe that he felt that the end justifies the means. 

Simms - Children Without Support

Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies definitely shows how important family and survival can become during times of struggle. Seita is the older brother to four year old Setsuko and must take on the responsibilities that have been placed on him due to the indifference of adults for the children outside their family. His love for his sister is shown in the way that he not only cares about her survival, but also wants to make sure that she is enjoying her childhood. During this horrifying ordeal he still takes the time to play with his little sister, comfort her, and try to give her the chance to be a child. He loves her enough to encourage her to play and be happy even though they are not in a difficult situation. The indifference that is directed towards himself and his sister is shown as soon as he arrives at his aunt’s house. Overall, she sees them as a burden and puts her own family’s wellbeing over theirs . She makes them feel as unwelcome as possible during their stay and that is what eventually drives Seita to try to survive somewhere else. The other adults in the film, like the farmer and the police officer, notice that these children are suffering, but in the end do nothing to help them. The film makes these children as ephemeral as the fireflies because they were given only a short time of happiness before their lives ended because of malnutrition. In Samuri from Outer Space it was discussed how even loved main characters can die unnecessarily. What makes Seita and Setsuko immortal is the existence of the film itself and how this portrayal of death could affect how others view war and its effects on the citizens. In both the animated film and in Nosaka’s narrative Hotaru no haka, the children are portrayed as victims of both the war and society’s indifference. They are both sorrowful tales that are done in a Kansai dialect. The differences in these two stories come from Nosaka’s own experiences, which the narrative is based off of. He put more blame on himself for his younger sister’s death than he did on society.  

Simms - Life and Death in Anime

Harp of Burma

Mizushima’s journey is an example of how anime will look at the universe from an amoral point of view. The young soldier was someone who helped keep the spirits of comrades up and was obviously important to the rest of the men. However, the story ends with Mizushima taking on a somewhat morbid task that will take over the rest of his life. This highlights, though, the nobility of his character and the sacrifices that he is willing to make. It could also probably be an example of mono no aware, that having this constant reminder of death is giving Mizushima a greater appreciation of life.

It’s interesting how the movie is more focused on the aftermath of the war compared to the fighting that took place. The main Japanese division that the film was focused on had more of a desire to return home that to continue fighting against their enemies. Many of their comrades’ remains were left to decay in a land away from their loved ones. It even showed how one Japanese troop did not want to accept that there was surrender. This was also highlighted in Letters to Iwo Jima, also, when it portrayed Japanese soldiers chose to end their lives instead of risking capture by their enemies. I think it is good to look at how different films portray different cultures motivations during war times.

I think that it’s interesting that anime takes a different approach to the subject of suicide than American television does. In anime, sometimes suicide is looked at as a noble sacrifice in some cases or an honorable act. It is sometimes see as selfish or as a form of protest.  The most important point is that anime will actually confront this topic. The subject of death and suicide is not downplayed or ignored in a way that some American shows handle it. In American television is may be seen as an act of cowardice or mental instability, and most of the time it is a taboo subject. I think that Japanese anime deals with the fact that tragic deaths and bad things happening to good people is a part of life that cannot be ignored.