投稿類別 : 英文寫作 篇名 : Dream Journeys: Influences from Cartoons 作者 : 邱美禎 新竹高商 外語科三年 2 班陳靖 新竹高商 外語科三年 2 班羅玉惠 新竹高商 外語科三年 2 班 指導老師 : 葉健芬老師
Table of Contents I. Introduction... 1 II. Thesis... 1 A. Categorizing the Survey s Findings... 1 B. Cartoons Value... 3 C. The Infinite Beauty of Cartoons... 4 D. Connection: Cartoons and Reality... 6 E. Our Questionnaire... 8 III. Conclusion... 9 IV. References... 9
I. Introduction Have you ever reminisced about this? At the end of school day, you grab your backpack and rush home to turn on the TV. With your eyes focused on the tube, you watch and follow an exciting cartoon characters in order to take a journey with them into their fantasy world. Cartoons have a tendency to give audiences hope and zeal. Do cartoon fans hope that they can also be like the characters that they admire, or do they envy how the characters have the freedom to let go of everything and do whatever they please? Regardless of the answer, cartoons are not only for cartoon lovers. There are many people who watch cartoons for the purpose of relaxation. When these people watch cartoons, they are able to forget about their worries and submerge themselves in fantasy worlds. In discussing this topic, one should not only consider the influence of cartoons on their dreams, but how they allow individuals to return to the innocence of youth. II. Thesis A. Categorizing the Survey s Findings Through research, we have discovered that every genre of cartoon has its own fan base. Some categories of animation are more popular than others. Regardless of the genre, all cartoons are able to bring an abundant amount of imagination and creation to individuals. Below is a quote from the 因動漫而偉大. if one is unable to genuinely understand the innate characteristics and beauty of these creatures, then no matter if it is to comment on the happiness or gain from the cartoons, nothing becomes real. ( 傻呼嚕同盟, 2003) Individuals who are able to identify with cartoons characters are able to use them as personal motivation tools for their future. Companies that are able to reach a targeted audience through cartoon characters are similarly able to use these characters to increase profits. Cartoons help enlighten people, and they can be commercially profitable. We have 1
categorized cartoons into two sections: fantasy/adventure and amiable/affectionate. According to the data collected, 55.93% of the individuals preferred fantasy/adventure and 44.07% liked amiable/affectionate. Chart of Fantasy/Adventure Cartoons Saiyuki 3% Others 21% Slam Dunk 17% Prince of Tennis 27% Chart Ⅰ One Piece 32% As one is able to see by the chart displayed to the above, the most popular fantasy/adventure cartoon is One Piece. One Piece is an adventure of two characters, Straw Hat and Monkey D. Luffy, pursuit of becoming the pirate kings and capturing the legend of a secret treasure. With this goal in mind, they all board a gigantic ship with eight other compatriots, and they set off on a dangerous journey. The ship takes on a course filled with thrills, and it has an adventurous plot. The characters trust and rely one another. This allows a member of the audience to feel touched, especially if it is contrasted with today s modern world full of detachment. Luffy and the rest of the crew are persistent in achieving their dreams, and it can be felt emotionally easily. As a result, it has the ability to propel the audience to unconsciously let go of reality, and it can act as a motivator in helping one to achieve their own dreams. The plot is able to portray realistic human emotions, both good and bad, through its characters, and it is able to convey a sense of hope to its viewers. According to the survey of the population sample, Doraemon and ATASHIn'CHI are the most popular among amiable/affectionate type cartoons. This can be seen in the chart below. Chart of Amiable Cartoons Doraemon 25% Others 15% My Neighbor Totoro 19% ATASHIn'CHI 26% Cooking Master Boy 15% As can be seen in the above chart, Doraemon is preferred by 25% of those surveyed, and ATASHIn'CHI is liked by 26% of those surveyed. Chart II The main character in Doreamon is Nabita Nobi. He is an elementary school 2
student. In his daily difficulties, a robotic cat, Doraemon, will appear with his special gadgets and to help. Initially, it brings hope to Nabita, but the gadgets end up having a reverse effect and disappoint him. The author of Doreamon wants to express to the audience that although there is advancement in civilization, people are still the most important. (Wikipedia-Doraemon.) Regardless of the numerous advances in technology, it can become a threat if the user of it has a poor attitude. The gadgets inside Doraemon s bag create an infinite amount of imagination regarding our future, and they help audience members to use their own imagination envision their own futures. ATASHIn'CHI is about a family and its members lives. Even the most trivial matters are important to the mother. The father likes to come home after work and lie on the sofa. Tangerine is a senior high school student who likes to daydream. Pomelo is a junior high school student who likes to indulge in his own world. The plot is about matters one normally encounters on a daily basis. The plot is very realistic, and it can be related to audience members lives. It frequently uses humor within the storyline. This allows the audience to feel the realism embedded in the cartoon s characters. This can be seen in the character of the mother because she talks just like a local Taiwanese, which makes her very lovable among the fans in Taiwan. (Muse Communication. Co., Ltd. - ATASHIn'CHI) Fans can easily identify with this character and the humor behind it. The cartoon is very lifelike because it has no heroes, no spectacular animated images, and no overblown plot, all of which makes it feel close to real life. (Muse Communication. Co., Ltd. - ATASHIn'CHI) Consequently, the cartoon is adored by many people in Taiwan. B. Cartoons Value Cartoons can motivate individuals to pursue their own dreams. According to the survey, 20.34% of the survey populations imaginations have been motivated to ponder their own dreams through cartoon viewing. 54.04% of the population has 3
also created their own dreams from cartoons. The consideration of reality, however, has forced them to give up on their dreams. 25.42% are pure realists, and they believe dreams and reality are completely separate. These findings can be viewed against each other in the chart below. 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Chart of passion towards dreams by watching cartoons 20.34% Yes, I started to create my own dreams. 54.24% Partially, I would dream for that moment but would take reality 25.42% Never, because cartoons and dreams are two separate matters. Through the raw data, one can conclude that the majority of those surveyed have not only been driven to imagine through cartoons, but they have also added a touch of their own realism by pondering their own futures after viewing them. Chart III Individuals, however, use different approaches to demonstrate their passion in pursuit of their dreams. For instance, the purchase of cartoon character related merchandise: They surround themselves with products featuring their favorite characters, and some even act out their parts or repeat their catchphrases, create stories about them, or go all the way and simply become them. (Chang Shih-lun, 2006) Cartoon related products motivate some individuals become more persistent, strive for their dreams, conquer obstacles, and to never give up. A good example of this motivational success leading to profits can be seen in an investigation of a Japanese Cartoon called Naruto. According to the most current search statistics from Yahoo Japan, Naruto was the second most searched for topic in their animation category, and additionally to ACG (animation, comic and game) products, other types of products are sold. ( 小凜, 2009) Naruto has brought about many business opportunities for the company that created it through its copyright and for those that purchase the right to use the characters in their advertising. Taiwan s Postal Service introduced limited edition Naruto memorabilia tohelp sell its products. Furthermore, when the movie version Naruto Shippuden arrived in the box office, it brought a lot of fans movie theaters around the world. The movie ultimately brought in ten million dollars in revenue in Taiwan alone. C. The Infinite Beauty of Cartoons 4
In the book 1-100 Year Old Dreams, the author interviewed individuals about the influence cartoons had had on their lives. 1. Han Ling Wu (Seven years old): My dream is to become the creator of cartoons, because I will then be able to watch it before others; as well, it will give other children an exciting cartoon to watch. (Suncolor Culture Publishing Co.,Ltd, 2008) 2. Parisi Bartolomeo (Eight years old): I like to watch Naruto and Ninja Hattori Kun, so my dream is to become a ninja master. (Suncolor Culture Publishing Co.,Ltd, 2008) One can decipher from the above quotes that cartoons can motivate individuals to develop long-term goals. It is evident that individuals identify with the storyline and the characters from cartoons, and it can be deduced that cartoons are not only fun but help to inspire youth. Through the first question in the survey, it was found that 8.33% of those questioned will not make an effort to watch cartoons, 3.33% will only watch cartoon if there is nothing else to watch, and 86.67% have always loved to watch cartoons. This is 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% displayed in the chart below. As we can see, cartoons really do have a deep impact on the general public, especially children. The survey s data shows that the majority of people are Chart IV fascinated by cartoons. As a result, companies have had a great deal of commercial success. A good example is amusement parks which have added cartoons themes to their facilities. People are able to view and imagine these characters in physical reality. Children are able to adore these characters in person, and adults are able to reminisce when visiting these attractions. Chart of affection by cartoons 8.33% 3.33% Won t make the effort to watch it Will watch it if nothing else is on T.V. 86.67% Still enjoy watching Through the use of cartoon character themes in amusement parks, all people are able to come together enjoy the dream reality despite their differences. Consequently, an 5
amusement park s thematic representation can become a pathway that bridges different generations because everyone can experience characters in real life. These physical representations of cartoon characters can be very influential on children s imaginations because they are so lifelike. It is this effect which can help motivate people to enhance their imaginative powers and to create ideas about their futures. D. Connection: Cartoons and Reality Cartoons and real life have a connection that cannot be separated. ( 傻呼嚕同盟, 2003) People have hopes and desires. Only when a dream is created do we then have a desire to see it come true. The future holds unlimited possibilities because it allows people to dream the impossible. Cartoons merely portray what the future could hold. The amusement of animation isn t only entertainment; at times it is a type of exploration while in other times it is talking to us. A good animation is able to ignite numerous thoughts upon the audience, in addition to experiencing different lives and views. ( 陳仲偉, 2004) It can be concluded that good animation should have the ability to inspire viewers. This animation developing practice creates motivation for viewers, and allows them to understand that everyone can live an exciting life. The world that cartoonists have created can depict relationships that are more genuine than in real life. The emotional reaction from watching cartoons by viewers can be similar to what we experience in real life. Being inside the world of a cartoon can help individuals deal with difficulties that they may encounter in reality. The world that cartoons portray may not be entirely real, but it does represent an animated portrait of where some individuals aspire to live. Our dreams can be reflected on drawing paper by cartoonists putting all of their energy and focus into creating their masterpieces: The revelation of cartoons: imitation is more valuable than the real thing. (Max Ziang, 2009) This can be seen in individuals who participate in Cosplay and their recreation of popular cartoon characters in their daily life. 6
Cosplay is a trend that started in Japan that has become a celebrated amongst cartoons fans worldwide. Imitation can truly become more valuable than the actual animation in Cosplay: Cosplay, for example, is the trend from Japan to hit Taiwan. With costumes and the actions, participants get to escape from their everyday identities for a while and take on the personae of their idols---anime and manga characters. (Chang Shih-lun, 2006) This is an extreme example of how individuals can take dreams of cartoon characters into their daily lives and aspirations. These characters are so idolized for their animated realities and dreams that fans are more than willing to honor them through costumes in everyday life as a way to remember this influence in pursuit of their own dreams. 7
E. Our Questionnaire 1. How are you affected by cartoons or comics? They affect me like a child. Like: I still enjoy watching and reading them. Average: I won t make the effort to watch or read them. I will watch them if nothing else is on T.V. I feel they are unrealistic. Dislike: I feel they are too childish. I feel they are a waste of time. 2. Among the different styles of cartoons, the one I like the best is: Chinese Cartoons. Western Cartoons. Japanese Cartoons. 3. Which genre of cartoons do you like the most? fantasy and adventure. (Go to 5 th question) amiable and affectionate.(go to 4 th question) 4. In amiable/affectionate cartoons, I like: (you can choose more than one) ATASHIn'CHI. Cooking Master Boy. My Neighbor Totoro. Doraemon. Others. 5. In fantasy and adventure cartoons, I like: (you can choose more than one) One Piece. Prince of Tennis. Slam Dunk. Saiyuki. Others. 6. Has your passion towards dreams ever been fueled by watching cartoons? Yes, I started to create my own dreams. Partially, I would dream for a few moments, but I would return to reality. Never, cartoons and dreams are two separate matters mentally for me. ~Thanks for your cooperation~ 8
III. Conclusion Cartoon viewers are able to fill voids from their personal lives by receiving inspiration from characters that are viewed and idolized. Therefore, cartoons are something that should be part of our daily lives: The willpower from generation to generation, the ever changing of time, and our dreams are factors in this universe that cannot be altered as long as humans continue to chase the answer to freedom! (Eiichiro Oda, 1997) The above quote is from the cartoon One Piece. In the examination of its dialogue, one can see how the inspirational value can leave a deep impression on the audience through social interaction between animated characters. In conclusion, it can be seen from our research that cartoons influence people. They can influence people s dreams, and they can be used to increase sales. Furthermore, in our study, we found commonalities in both fantasy/adventure and amiable/affectionate categories of our research. In both categories, we found that there were certain cartoons that were more popular. The popularity percentage gap, however, between the choices given in the questionnaire was not large. Therefore, it can be concluded that, although there is a most popular cartoon for each animated category that we surveyed, cartoons likes and dislikes are completely up to one s individual personality type and personal realities. An area for further research could be an investigation of the influence of fantasy/adventure verse amiable/affectionate categories as an influential on individuals as it pertains on the attainment of long-term dreams. IV. References 1. 傻呼嚕同盟. (2003). 因動漫而偉大. Retrieved October 25 th, 2009 from http://www.books.com.tw/books/series/series9867600037-1.php 2. 陳仲偉. (2004). 日本動漫畫的全球化與迷的文化. Retrieved October 25 th, 2009 from http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/booksfile.php?item=0010274399 3. Chang Shih-lun. (2006). Everyone s a Star The Fantastic World of Cosplay. Taiwan Panorama, 31(12), 87-89. 4. Suncolor Culture Publishing Co.,Ltd. (2008). 1~100 歲的夢. Taipei: Suncolor Culture Publishing Co.,Ltd. 5. 小凜. (2009). Journal( 新竹青年 ), 241, 36. 6. Max Ziang. (2009). 酷日本. Retrieved October 25 th, 2009 from http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/booksfile.php?item=0010442467 7. Doraemon. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 31 st, 2009 from http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%e5%a4%9a%e5%95%a6a%e5%a4%a2#.e6.95.85.e4.b4.8 B.E6.A6.82.E8.A6.81 8. Muse Communication. Co., Ltd. - ATASHIn'CHI. Retrieved October 31 st, 2009 from http://www.e-muse.com.tw/property/ata_shin_chi/introduction/20061121_ova/about.html 9. Eiichiro Oda. (1997). Opening of One Piece. 9