The Otaku : Popular Culture And Pop Culture

Throughout time, the objectification of women within pop culture has become an increasing issue, that not only degrades women, but also portrays negative stereotypes for younger generations of girls to see. Many theorists and writers have given their opinions throughout different academic articles, and with these, have examined how this issue is intertwined within society today. More specifically, it is evident that women are hypersexualized throughout commercials, are portrayed as “weak” and “powerless” within television shows, and lastly, are objectified in sexual and negative ways throughout song lyrics. Focusing on several well-known witters and theorists, such as, Joanne Hollows and Stuart Hall, we are able to analyze their work in

After concluding my remaining readings of chapters 7 through 10 from Cultural Theory and Popular Culture, I found my core understanding of the overall theoretical ideas posed by author, John Storey, had become clearer in the rounding up of the semester. Within chapter 7 of the book, popular culture is discussed in relation to issues connected to feminism, gender and sexuality. According to Storey, “Popular culture has been the object a great deal of feminist analysis” (pg. 136), and, as previously discussed in chapter 5, feminist psychoanalyst, Laura Mulvey shared her theory on the ‘male gaze’, which has been acknowledged and studied by many critics and other feminists. Presented in cinema, music, magazines, and other media outlets, it has been well documented how “popular culture plays a role in patriarchal society and that theoretical analysis of this role warrants a major position in ongoing discussions” (Storey, pg. 136), and, in many cases, “the male viewer’s regard for the publicized female body is often objectified and sexualized” (Inquiry 2). With my knowledge and understanding of hip-hop, the misogyny and sexism that culture glorifies is very noticeable. Misogyny has become a sign of authenticity for many rappers who exploit and sexually objectify women in their rap lyrics and videos to assert and prove their own masculinity. Derogatory words such as ‘bitches’ and ‘hoes’ in rap have become common references for women. I was mindful of how one of my favourite songs,

In the article, “What Is Popular Culture and Why Study It,” Deanna Sellnow describes to one the importance of pop culture in our world today, how it shapes people’s identities, and the reasons they should be aware of our culture today. Whether people realize it or not, Sellnow says that pop culture screams at them from every angle of their lives. Although pop culture can be the things seen and heard in one’s surroundings, it is most prevalent through media. Movies, magazines, and music are all examples of mediated popular culture that is cheap entertainment for the enjoyment of the mass population. Many people are influenced when they tune in to the messages these things are sending. Some of these messages may challenge

In Creighton 's Edutaining Children and in Allison 's Obento, they both discuss the important of married woman devoting their time toward making their children the best; however, in Kinsella 's Cuties in Japan, she discusses that Japanese uses kawaii to escape from conforming to Japanese culture. Children are considered very important to the Japanese society. There are many restriction as mother are suppose to make their children best. Women are conformed through making obento, a lunch box, for their children as they need to devote themselves into motherhood work. In Japanese culture, the society consists of needing to conform. A new trend Kawaii (cute) appeared to rebel against conforming to the society. Thus, Japanese women are heavily discriminated against through gender and employment where women are devoted into their own children, obento making, and the new style kawaii.

This word had be used in a girl killer event (2), thus public used this word to describe comic fans in an unfavorable tendency. When the time goes on, otaku was spreaded to Taiwan and China, and translated to a different word, which means one who staying at home and never showed up outside. It also related to people who don’t have a job and rely on their parents. This is how prejudice produced with people’s comprehension. In 21 century, Otaking Okada Toshio published Otaku, You already died! to correct the meaning of Otaku and to against discrimination for otaku, and it corrected the understanding of the public. As an otaku, first of all, it has a deeply understanding and fanaticism in a certain field. Secondly, it has flexibility for variety new informations, divergence for searching in different fields, and comprehension for analyzing informations. Finally, it has an insatiable heart and self

Chapter 10 presents a more politicized approach to cultural studies. Storey examines the ways in which popular culture and high culture are often presented in contrast with one another, drawing distinctions between ‘them’ and ‘us’. Again this can be related back to hip-hop, which was formerly or still held as a rebel culture, to now a unified one. It is the pipeline for effectively communicating to and with young people. The pipeline connects to the political, social, and cultural views of the vast majority of Western youths. My generation does not fondly find unity and/or enjoyment in higher art forms such as opera or ballet, but finds it more in the art of hip-hop. I feel like we need to have a view that culture has a value, not just in terms

Apart from subservience to the emperor, there are no set theological beliefs or moral standards in Shinto. Humans are thought to be naturally good with all worldly evil being attributed to bad kami. Worship and respect shown towards kami will bring purity and goodness to individuals. Shinto ‘worship’ is mainly conducted through ritualistic means. Some of these rituals are performed to gain the favor of specific kami. However, most rituals are performed for spiritual purification to ward off evil kami. Shrines are the primary location where rituals take place. Shrines are built to house one or more kami. It is here that Shintoists may pay respects to specific kami. These shrines can be found throughout the country and even in most Japanese homes. Dissimilarly to other religions, there is no set time to visit shrines. People set out on their own schedule or when festivals occur. These ventures, whether personal or

Hooks' term "white supremacist capitalist patriarchy" is an aspect of multicultural feminist theory because it is a central defining facet of the multicultural feminist theory. This term is crucial to her multicultural analysis of pop culture because, “upper-class White men and women have privileges [that are] denied to lower-class women and men of disadvantage racial and ethnic groups” (Lorber, 232). Furthermore, “white supremacy was that term that allow[s] one to acknowledge our collusion with the forces of racism and imperialism” (Hooks, Cultural Criticism & Transformation). Additionally, the analysis of pop culture by using the term “white supremacist capitalist patriarchy” explains the subliminally sexist, classist, and racist messages that are within the discourse of pop culture. This term is crucial in examining pop culture because it explain why certain sexes and races are depicted the way they are, and also why certain individuals have the privileges that they have. This term reveals the misogynistic, Eurocentric society that we live in, and it reinforces the messages that we are sent through pop culture every day.

Shinto’s origins lay deep in prehistory and yet, it has survived to the 21st century but being such an old religion it has lost touch with the younger generations.

Our iGeneration at times can be so self-absorbed and pop culture evidently seems to be the only thing that interest them, sadly enough. The notion that those who do not reflect on the history of the past are doomed to repeat it rings true. Humanity, family values, have dissipated throughout the years as our connection to people in the age of technology have been lost.

Similarly, as steady with social perspectives of sexual orientation are delineations of ladies as sex objects who are normally youthful, thin delightful, aloof, subordinate, and frequently clumsy and moronic. Female characters dedicate their essential energies to enhancing their appearances and dealing with homes and individuals. Since media infest our lives, the ways they distort sexes may contort how we see ourselves and what we see as ordinary and attractive for men and

Throughout the years, anime has seen a tremendous growth in it's reputation. Particularly popular in the United States, anime has been a great part of the Japanese culture and a large influence in the way adolescents see certain gender roles. The animation industry has quite a lot of control due to the fact that what is animated can be seen and taken to heart by young viewers who have yet to learn about gender roles and the affects they might have on individuals in the future. Japan is a country where the hierarchy still stands, because of this many individuals have a very concrete mindset of men being the head of the house and the women being shy and submissive. In certain shoujo and shonen anime you have the stereotypes that come from the

The similarity throughout all folk tales involving the oni is that they are villains of the humans. An Oni is a yokai which is a strange and supernatural being from Japanese folklore. yo means attractive, bewitching, and calamity. Kai means mystery and wonder. It can also be translated to be demon, goblin, spirit, or monster. The folklore of japan is a collaboration of different traditions from the isolated tribes that lived on Japan's isles who had different beliefs but could be alligned with the others. The traditions changed form with the arrival of Shinto and Buddhism which brought Chinese and Indian folklore into the mix. Today the yokai can be seen throughout most manga and anime even video games and on clothing.

What pops into your mind first when you think of popular culture in today’s day and age? The latest dirt on celebrities or the latest iPhone release? The latest controversial issue or the latest iTunes hit? Regardless, pop culture encompasses all four of these concepts and many more, which consume the world we live in each and every day. Think about education. At first thought, your mind may not make the connection between the newest Taylor Swift song and the highest ACT score, but the linkage between the two becomes undeniable when you dive deeper. Ponder this: each day millions of kids walk into school buildings across the United States, each of them glued to a little slice of pop culture, a.k.a. their phone. And each day these millions

Popular culture is a term that holds various meanings depending on where it 's being defined and the context of its use. It is usually recognized as the language or people’s culture that prevails in a society at a point in time. As social researcher Brummett explains in his book “Rhetorical Dimensions of Popular Culture”, pop culture reflects the characteristics of social life, where the publicly are most actively involved. Popular culture is known as the ‘culture of the people’. This culture is determined by the interactions between people within their daily activities, for instance, dressing styles, use of language, greeting rituals and the ways that people behave in public, etc. are all examples of popular culture. Popular culture is also diverted by the mass media (Abbott and Sapsford, 1987).