Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Anime, or Japanese animation, has been prevalent not only Japan but also across the globe. Japanese has created their own unique styles that become popular in different countries. Mangaka is the artist that draws Anime into manga (comic) drafts. Then, these drafts are rearranged, colored, and synchronized by a hundred of employees. After arranging to chronological order, a Seiyuu (voice actor) will give life to the character (http://www.studymode.com/essays/Effects-Of-Watching-Anime-1557432.html).

Anime is a style of cartoon and animation in Japan. It is not just a simple cartoon but instead, it is mature, complex and broader one. It is really different with other types of animation in many ways in terms of artworks, themes, concepts and storytelling. This is the elaboration about why it is special among any other types of animation: A) Artwork- Anime art styles vary from the showy and extraordinary display to the unswerving, plain and basic. Yet, even the simplest artwork can still be very amazing; everything looks modern and contemporary. B) Storytelling- Anime can run through thousands of episodes within hundreds of series for many years without the story being boring and nonsense. C) Breadth of the material- The wide span and extent of Anime shows offer viewers most of any kind of television or movie Anime series of his/her interest (http://anime.about.com/od/animeprimer/a/What-Is-Anime.htm).

Anime is not a genre itself, but rather includes different kinds of genre within its storyline. Anime shows come about into any number of genres such as: action, adventure, comedy, supernatural, game, historical, horror, love/romance, kiddy, magic, music, science fiction, sports, hentai (Anime pornography), martial arts, ecchi (PG-13 anime includes implied sexual hints), mecca (Anime which includes robots), drama, samurai, slice of life, etc. (http://anirecs.com/facade/anime-genre-list-with-descriptions). All Anime shows have various unique stories and very popular in today's generation.

Filipinos are also hooked to different genres of Anime. Anime shows had dominated the media industry here in the Philippines for the past few years until now. Doraemon, Inu Yasha, Naruto, Fushigi Yuugi, Pokemon, Bleech, Samurai X, Lupin III, Bakugan, Dragon Ball Saga, Knockout, Ghost Fighter, Digimon, Card Captor Sakura and Sailor Moon are some Anime shows that had captivated Filipinos attention. But above all of these Anime shows, there's only one Anime that has stricken Anime fans in the Philippines- Detective Conan.

Detective Conan is a Japanese Anime based on a hit manga by Gosho Aoyama. The GMA Network started to air Detective Conan on September 10, 2001 and it really captured each and every Filipino Anime fans. It is not just an entertainment for all but indeed teaches each and every Filipino, who watches it, morals that are applicable in real life.

On the other hand, in spite of overwhelming number of fans of Anime worldwide, many say that Anime shows are bad for the society. For instance, as from the editorial article of Elon Glucklich posted in Daily Emerald, Glucklich pointed out the issue about the effects of Anime shows on youth and makes some alarming accusation as to the future of our society.

Since there are a lot of studies related to the effects of Anime shows to its viewers focusing into its negative side, this paper would want to clarify things about the effects of Anime particularly Detective Conan as the well-known Anime in the country. This study focuses on the positive effects of Detective Conan to the society outnumbering than its negative effects.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1. What are the effects of watching Detective Conan, a Japanese Anime, to the society?

C. Significance of the Study

This study was conducted to meet the needs of the following:

Viewers of Detective Conan. This research would be able to help the viewers of Anime to be aware of the benefits they can get through watching an Anime particularly Detective Conan. In addition, the researcher hopes that upon reading and analyzing this research paper would give them deeper understanding and appreciation about the aforementioned Anime.

Parents. As the main guardian of the viewer/s of Detective Conan, parents would also benefit from this study because they would be oriented on the nature of impacts of Detective Conan to their child. Parents would be knowledgeable and they can easily supervise their child’s reaction regarding anime they have watched. Moreover, the researcher hopes that in giving emphasis to the benefits of watching Detective Conan, parents will encourage their child to watch such Anime.

Otaku. As super fans of Anime, this study would really help them to be aware of both positive and negative effects of watching Anime specifically Detective Conan. In like manner, they would better appreciate the essence of every Anime they are passionately interested with.

Aspiring Filipino Animators. This paper would serve as a motivation for Filipinos who want to make their own Anime. This would aid them to produce an Anime which underscores social issues that would have positive contributions in different aspects of the society for its advancement.

Future Researchers. Knowledge of this study would be very critical and useful for the future researchers for this research paper would serve as their staring point and guide in making similar studies especially there still seems a need for developing ideas concerning both negative and positive effects of Anime such as Detective Conan. Furthermore, behind each Anime episodes of Detective Conan lies important messages to the viewers to understand and apply with their lives; the researcher believes that if future studies would be conducted, utilizing this paper as their source of valuable data and information which was also based on other studies and researches, there might be an increase in watching Anime such as Detective Conan. Likewise, this would also root Filipinos to produce their own-made Anime highlighting moral that yields positive contributions to the betterment of the society.

D. Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on the positive and negative effects of watching Detective Conan. The Japanese Anime Detective Conan have been considered since this specific Anime aired for many years in Philippine television until now.

Due to time constraints, this study will no longer discuss other Anime which aired in Philippine television such as Naruto, Doraemon, Fushigi Yuugi, Pokemon, Bleech, Samurai X, Lupin III, Bakugan, Dragon Ball Saga, Inu Yasha, Knockout, Ghost Fighter, Digimon, Card Captor Sakura, and a lot more. This is to give emphasis on what this paper is really trying to convey and to highlight Detective Conan as the major Anime known in the Philippines due to airing for many years. Moreover, this research paper would focus more on the benefits of Detective Conan rather on its negative effects although both sides are still presented. Besides, the researcher believes that Detective Conan has shaped and influenced its viewers particularly children positively.

E. Materials and Methods

Anime captured each and every people’s attention around the world. A lot of people, studies and articles stated that Anime shows are generally bad. And because of this certain perception, this research paper intends to clarify concepts about the effects of Anime particularly Detective Conan. This paper would discuss both positive and negative effects but would focus more on its benefits. The approach to be used by the researcher is evaluating and clarifying misconceptions. This method is suitable for this study since the researcher would want to explain that Detective Conan has more positive effects than negative.

Information that is relevant to this study was garnered from huge pile of sources such as blogs, dissertations and articles from different authors online. In considering these facts, it will undergo some comprehensive evaluation.

F. Definition of Terms

To further understand the content of this research paper, here are some of the words you may encounter as you read this study:

Animation. The process of creating and photographing successive drawings and computer graphics slightly different to each other to form movements and series of actions.

Anime. In Japan, refers to any and all animation style. Outside Japan, it is a word for all animation originated in Japan.

Cartoon. A two- dimensional art using animation techniques to photograph a sequence of drawings.

Character. A person depicted or portrayed in the flow of story.

Culture. A system of knowledge, traditions, beliefs, values, attitudes and symbols acquired and shared by group of people.

Effects. A result, outcome or consequence from actions or decisions made.

Society. A group or organization of people sharing one culture.

Otaku. A person who is passionately interested often to the point of being obsessive on Japanese comics, animated TV shows, movies, toys and video games.

Viewers. A person who watches or looks at something.