Perception and Construction of Children’s Perspectives on Japanese Superheroes: A Comparative Study on the Ways Children in Singapore and Malaysia Appropriate Media Cultures

Abstract

Japan has emerged as one of the global players in media content, and many of Japanese media artifacts enjoy immense popularity in many Asian countries, including Malaysia and Singapore. A study was designed to understand and document the perception and construction of children's perspectives on Japanese superheroes that will reveal the ways children understand their own media cultures, the difficulties, and pleasures that they encounter in their desires to engage with the superhero narratives. Furthermore, the study provides insights on how Japanese media plays a significant role in our children’s lives, shaping their values and developing their awareness of the outside world. The study adopts a cross-sectional, comparative approach, looking across different media in two geographical locations: Singapore and Malaysia. These two countries have experienced significant impacts in terms of cultural and economic power with Japan. Arising from diverse cultural contexts in terms of religious and ethnic orientations, it will be interesting to note the trends in children's engagement with the Japanese superhero narrative in these neighboring countries. In this paper, we present a comparative understanding on the ways children in Singapore and Malaysia appropriate media cultures related to Japan in their everyday lives. The study reveals that the Singaporean and Malaysian children converged on several points; nevertheless, there were notable differences between the two groups. They identify with these characters and believe these series have helped them develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

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Author Information
Prasad Nunna Venkata, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates
Shanthi Balraj, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Ambigapathy Pandian, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

• Category: EuroMedia2017, Oral Presentation
• Tag: Broadcast Media & Globalization

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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