Influence of the Atomic Bombs on the Japanese Manga

Influence of the Atomic Bombs on the Japanese Manga

Each country has a culture that seems appealing to the world and portrays it uniquely. For Japan, such as the case for manga and anime, which offer a significant first impression to several non-Japanese around the globe. Manga refers to the comics or graphic novels crafted in Japan or by anyone using the Japanese language or employing some pre-specified techniques developed in the country during the late 19th century. In Japan, the manga is popular among individuals of varied ages, given that it comprises works from diverse genres, including action, business and commerce, horror, erotica, and sports. Therefore, the approach has become a significant part of the publishing industry, with its market amounting to billions of dollars in annual sales. In review, the history of the manga dates back to the 12th century during the Edo period. Regardless, most scholars contend that modern manga is widely attributable to the post-world-war period when Japan experienced an explosion in artistic creativity. Particularly, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings had noteworthy contributions to the development of the manga.

The bombings were highly destructive and had extensive effects on the Japanese. For decades, the Japanese remained traumatic and at the forefront of many victim’s consciences. Therefore, part of the healing process was manifested in literature, music, and art during the subsequent years (Edwards 51). In review, several films comprised apocalyptic imagery due to the bombing experiences. The movies depict atomic bomb references in both symbolic and literal forms. Moreover, an array of the devastating after-effects such as orphaned kids, the destruction of nature, and radiation sickness influenced the Japanese culture, leading to the rise of a distinctive and incomparable type of comics and animated films (Edwards 52). Notably, several directors and artists witnessed the devastation first-hand impacts of the attacks were at the forefront of the change. Regardless of their short-lived influence, the themes they propagated are still popular among their predecessors, even though many years have passed after the bombings.

In review, the influence of the atomic bombings on manga is significantly attributable to renowned filmmaker Osamu Tezuka. The images of the fire bombings are common in his work and those of his successor Hayao Mizaki (Edwards 55). Notably, both film directors saw the destruction caused by the bombings. Therefore, the attacks became an obsession for them, particularly Tezuka. Most of Tezuka’s productions entailed themes such as coping with grief and the notion that nature can be destructive, especially due to man’s desire to conquer it (Edwards 56). Observably, most of the writer’s stories comprise a young, orphaned character that must survive on independently. For instance, Little Wansa is about a lost puppy looking for his mother while Young Bear Cub, propagates a similar plotline. By consistently portraying the themes related to the atomic bombings or its victims, Tezuka made the topics famous in manga and anime productions.

Accordingly, the atomic bombs have had several influences on Japanese manga. First, the assaults brought up the subject of misuse of technology. In a review of Tezuka’s work and that of his predecessors, a tension of technology seems apparent (Edwards 54). For instance, in the Astro Boy, a scientist creates a robotic imitation for his dead son to replace him. However, he soon realizes that technology cannot supplant his boy, after which he rejects his creation, that is later adopted by another scientist who trains him to find his calling and become a superhero. Similar to Tezuka, renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki saw American air raids, and his films mention the likelihood of abuse of technology and urge for human restraint. In one of the works named The Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, the plotline is about a misuse of nuclear technology that results in the inhabitation of radioactive mutants on earth. Markedly, Japan transformed into one of the leading economic superpowers during the post-war period. The nation acquired a widespread fascination with technology and ended up being a leading electronics and automobiles producer. Regardless of such advances, technological tensions remained prevalent during the modern period with characters such as Astro Boy insinuating that technology cannot replace humans, and its destructive capacity is real (Edwards 56). Such manifestations are attributable to the atomic bombings.

Second, the atomic bombings reinforced the theme of orphans and mutants in Japanese manga. The bombs led to several deaths, leaving thousands of children without parents. In line with such impacts, manga productions developed a recurrent plotline in which an orphan survives through individual effort, with no help from an adult, most of whom are portrayed as incompetent (Shaughnessy 66). In the famous film The Grave of the Fireflies, filmmaker Akiyuni Nosaka shares his childhood experiences. In the plot, a young kid and his sister evade air bombings in their hometown and encounter severe food shortages due to the war. Observably, in movies where adults are in control, the end is almost invariably a disaster. For instance, in Katsuhiro’s production named Akira, the adults are in turmoil. They jockey for power and strive to contain the alien technology of Akira, something that leads to a destructive end akin to that afforded by the atomic bombing. However, the teenage characters in the film maintain their composure and seem to have common sense throughout (Shaughnessy 66). Such portrayals signify how the atomic bombings taught filmmakers that adults could be inconsiderate when their desire for power clouds their perceptions. On the other hand, children can remain untainted and maintain their humanity and rationality.

The widespread orphanage and alterations as a result of the war and the bombings were manifested in manga and anime mainly in the form of radioactive emissions, possession of extraordinary powers, and early adoption of adult responsibilities. Several productions feature personalities with exceptional abilities and powers that often derive from radiation. Moreover, a majority of them explore the notion of the occurrence of unusual happenings or experiments that end in young characters possessing unique attributes. Examples of these are Inazuman and El Cazor de la Bruja. In another production, in the manga series Barefoot, the plot bases on a young boy and his mother, who are sole survivors following an atomic bomb attack (Shaughnessy 68). This story loosely centers on Neil Keiji Nakazawa’s life since his sister died from radiation sickness while his mother became sick for a long time.

Lastly, the atomic bombing led to the theme of death, rebirth, and future hope in manga. Filmmakers such as Osami Tezuka believed the happenings were the epitome of man’s capability for destruction. Regardless of such a pessimistic outlook, Tezuka often insinuated that humanity could persevere and start afresh. This premise manifests in several of his works, where both the historical and futuristic versions of Japan are seen (Shaughnessy 77). On the one hand, death and rebirth dominate as one of the primary plot concepts that signify the country’s experiences after the attacks. On the other hand, Japan, according to Tezuka, transforms, something that reflects the country’s post-war dominance as a world superpower. One notable production with such a theme is the Phoenix, Tezuka’s most popular series. The work’s storyline centers on a man seeking immortality. Contrary to Tezuka, other filmmakers have reoriented the death, rebirth, and future hope premise. For instance, in Space Cruiser Yamato, a spacecraft tries to save the earth from the threat of radiation poisoning. Regardless of such variations, the keen viewer will still relate to the theme.

Apart from its influence on the prevalence of specific themes, the atomic bombing was instrumental as it afforded Japanese manga artists the needed freedom to develop the craft. Following World War II, the country’s citizens became devastated and indifferent to the country’s politics, given that they were uncertain of their future. For this reason, manga offered them much-needed entertainment and humor, something that enhanced its popularity (Shaughnessy 97). The manga became affordable and expansive, given that the newly emerging civil society needed a wide range of topics for satire. At that time, Japan was under an allied power comprising a seven-year US occupation. Accordingly, the rulers imposed manga censorship against General MacArthur, which ironically, resulted in more freedom for manga and political artists (Shaughnessy 97). Even though the United States restricted criticism against MacArthur, freedom of speech was allowed, meaning that manga artists could still devise content on a broader range of topics. Such liberty was new since the Japanese military regulated manga before and after the World War. Consequently, artists such as Tezuka were inspired and begun devising manga basing on several themes.

The atomic bombs had considerable influence on manga. Alongside the subsequent American occupation, the assaults had a substantial impact on the development and the nature of the modern Japanese manga. As discussed, the new rule afforded artists more freedom to devise content on a wide range of topics, and their productions received positive reception given that the public craved for entertainment and humor. Accordingly, several artists emerged, among them Tezuka, who set the foundation for a new variation of manga through works such as Astro Boy. In retrospect, the atomic bomb reinforced three main themes in manga production. First, the attacks brought up the subject of misuse of technology, whereby filmmakers portrayed its destructive ability in their creations. Secondly, the assaults reinforced the theme of orphans and mutants since several Japanese manga comprises a plotline in which an orphan survives through individual effort or with special alterations arising from unique happenings. Lastly, the atomic bombing led to the theme of death, rebirth, and future hope. In review, all these alterations would not have been manifested without the unfortunate events of World War II.