In addition to Akira (1988) viewed in class, please watch another feature-length Japanese movie with an apocalypse theme to complete this assignment. You may choose one of the movies listed below. If you want to work w
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In addition to Akira (1988) viewed in class, please watch another feature-length Japanese movie with an apocalypse theme to complete this assignment. You may choose one of the movies listed below. If you want to work with the movie not listed, please consult with the instructor or your TA. The University library owns some of the movies. Casa Video, a local video store (2905 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716, http://www.casavideo.com), is a great resource, too. Of course, you are welcome to utilize your membership for online streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and etc.
After watching Akira and another movie of your choice, critically analyze the two movies and discuss the theme of apocalypse in Japanese pop cultural context.
You might want to address one of the following questions as you analyze the films.
• What does Apocalypse mean in Japanese (pop) culture? How is it different from/similar to the Judeo-Christian definition of the word?
• Why is the theme of apocalypse popular/ubiquitous in Japanese pop culture?
• How similar or different are the perspectives toward apocalypse in these two movies? Why?
• What do these movies reveal about Japanese culture and/or society? How?
This is NOT a research paper. However, you are required to use specific examples from the movies and course readings to support and strengthen your argument.
Your target audience is your classmates as well as your TAs and professor. Therefore, there is no need to summarize the movie Akira. However, you might need to briefly summarize the movie of your choice, as not everyone in the class has watched it.
Although students are encouraged to discuss the assignment with one another, please keep in mind that this is an independent writing assignment. This means that your work should be your own. Plagiarism will be dealt with strictly per the Code of Academic Integrity guidelines. Improper citations will be considered as plagiarism.
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