In the modern world, anime has gained widespread popularity among both teenagers and adults. Namakura Gatana, a Japanese animation, was the country’s first production. Since then, the formatting, sketching, and animation methods have changed to create the anime that is familiar to us today.
Anime has always been a sort of art that explores human emotions in their most unadulterated state. Unlike American animation, anime has utilized its plot to highlight various mental diseases like PTSD, Depression, etc.
The impact of anime on adolescent brain development has been debated for years. The deepest human emotions are frequently portrayed in anime stories, which are thought to exacerbate people’s tendency toward violence. Additionally, anime has over the years explored far darker and more violent themes including abuse, murder, and other heinous crimes.
Anime definition
Anime is a film genre that has its roots in Japan and is distinguished by its hand-drawn, animated characters. Manga, which are Japanese visual books that most closely resemble American comics, are the inspiration for many anime.
In Japan, the term “anime” broadly refers to any animated film. The characteristics of anime tend to be a little more complex outside of Japan.
Along with its cinematic presence, anime has developed more into an artistic form. One of the main psychological consequences of anime, in my opinion, is that it immediately conjures up images in your head when you think of it.
This demonstrates its cultural influence on the world, especially in the last 20–30 years. Depending on the location, different anime are popular.
The World of Imagination and Anime
It is hard to talk about how anime affects both children and teens without mentioning Studio Ghibli’s contributions. In 1985, Studio Ghibli was founded. Since then, it has consistently contributed to children’s minds having lovely imaginations.
Children’s imaginations and creativity can be sparked by anime. The majority of anime stories take place in a world that differs from our own in a variety of ways; some include supernatural beings or abilities, while others center on awe. Young children and teens may develop a highly positive sense of art and creativity as a result of such creative stimulation. Additionally, one of the central themes in practically all anime films or television shows has been anticipating a completely unexpected result. Children may have a more positive outlook on the future and a desire to improve their lot in life as a result of this.
Mental Health Awareness and Anime
Teenagers all throughout the world have been consuming more anime for years. Several anime studios and writers have written and produced stories that demonstrate the complexity of the human mind and mental health.
Another anime, Beautiful Bones: Sakurako’s Investigations, also addresses grief and the psychological walls people erect to cope with it. It demonstrates how even the brightest people can be suffering from undiagnosed mental diseases.
Deadman Wonderland is another anime that deals with personality disorders. Shiro, the protagonist, who is often a happy girl, turns aggressive and harmful to everyone around her. There are several anime films and television shows that center on such nuanced human figures.
Do Anime Have Positive Psychological Effects?
What then are anime’s psychological effects? Considering how popular this form of media is, can’t there be advantages to it? You could be reading this with doubts about its advantages since you have heard that “screens rot your brain” in conventional cultural beliefs.
As a mental health practitioner, I can tell you that anime may positively impact your mental health. Let’s expand on Iyashikei, the anime about healing, in the sext segment.
Healing Anime
Iyashikei is a term that approximately translates from Japanese to mean “healing type” or “healing genre”. It is a slice of life anime subgenre that focuses on commonplace elements of daily living.
The main goal of anime like Slice of Life and Iyashikei was to provide viewers with a “escape” from the stresses of everyday life.
Iyashikei was expressly developed for this purpose after Japan’s “lost decade.” Japan’s mental health issues soared during this period as a result of widespread socioeconomic distress.
Everyone is aware that when one component of life, such as one’s mental health, is threatened, other areas of that life are also threatened. Iyashikei had the ideal window of opportunity during the lost decade.
The screen treatment video goes into greater detail about this concept, including how suffering in Japan helped spark the country’s healing boom. Watch it, if you haven’t already!
Anime’s Darker Aspects
Although anime has a lot to offer the young mind, it also has drawbacks, just like everything else. The majority of anime stories, especially the series, feature a very compelling and drawn-out plot that may make viewers addicted. It might be incredibly challenging to stop viewing an anime mid-stream to complete other tasks. Children and teens may find it difficult to concentrate and complete their homework as a result.
Teenage years are a crucial time in the development of the human psyche. The kind of information that is provided to someone at this moment has the potential to have long-lasting effects. Children and teens will undoubtedly encounter the darker aspects of society sooner rather than later if we allow them to view whatever that is accessible in the world unattended.
Although exhilarating and fascinating, anime episodes like Death Note, which depict a perverted view of justice, can also have a negative effect on young minds.
One of the most important aspects of anime is how powerful and ideological the stories they portray are. The oppressed are primarily the focus of these anime storylines, albeit not always in the traditional sense of the actual world. They frequently have a rather grim theme.
Conclusion
On the one hand, anime stories may be a great gateway to a world of fantasy, fiction, and creativity. The dark, cruel elements of anime can also have an impact on a young audience member’s mental health.
The bottom truth is that anime is neither just a lighthearted pastime or one filled with gloom. It all relies on how the audience interprets the main idea of the narrative. And with teens, if not properly managed, it might rapidly lead to a darker side.
