Ask John: Does Anime Reflect Japanese Society?

Question:
What’s the difference between anime and Japanese culture? Are they very similar, or are there significant diferences?

Answer:
This is a really loaded question, as anime encompasses such a broad variety of subject matter. It’s really similar to asking how closely Hollywood films reflect typical American culture. Certainly Japanese citizens are no more used to seeing aliens, monsters, ninjas, giant robots and psychics doing battle in the streets than we are. Other anime films are very down-to-earth and very representative of daily Japanese life. Some of the best examples I can name, of anime shows that are seeming reflections of Japanese society, are Whisper of the Heart, Card Captor Sakura (excepting the magic), and To Heart. If anything, To Heart presents a slightly too rose-colored view of daily Japanese life. For the most part, in the same way that American movies cover a wide spectrum in relation to American society, anime and manga likewise, I’d say, present a similar reflection of Japanese society, from virtually non-related in any way beside as a reflection of the society’s subconscious interests, to very authentic, slice-of-life realism.