Like many forms of media anime is a product of the culture which created it. It is filled with religion, mythologically, and supernatural aspect that hold significance to the core aspects of Japan culture and often displays many of their values in the anime itself. 15Amy Plumb (2010) highlights recurring themes in anime which show how japanese culture and religion influence anime.
Religion is prominent in Japanese culture and it has incorporated itself in both the back ground and foreground of many popular anime and manga.
With two of the most prominent religions in Japan being Shintō and Buddhism it is expected to see man of their values represented in anime and manga.
It is very common to see monks or mikos in anime and often they are depicted preforming rituals. This type of character could have arose for a number of reasons, primary that the 'uniform' a monk or miko wore appeared traditional and could be recognized by the views allowing them to incorporate what they know about mikos and monks to the character.
It is so common to see characters visiting shrines, picking up lucky charms, or the incorporation of scared objects in the anime themselves.
2Brumbaugh (1934) also describes the importance of moral responsibility, cosmic attributes, and the sacredness of the family in Japanese religion and culture, all of these elements are often depicted in different anime and manga.
Traditional miko attire depicted in anime
Attending a shrine at new years
sacred tree
The use of incorporating Japanese culture into anime is not uncommon, as many manga and anime use mythical creatures, supernatural aspects which are easily recognizable to Japanese individuals.
The extremely popular manga and Anime Naruto the main character has a demon sealed inside of him knowns as the nine tailed fox. In popular Japanese culture a fox demon, or Kitsune, is often depicted as a trickster, knowing this added a layer of depth to the character as he to is depicted as a prankster. This is not the only time Japanese culture is incorporated in to the series, but all aspects allow for a short hand which gives the viewer added information without resorting to long exposition.
Amy Plumb (2010) also describes the influence religions such as Buddhism and Shintō play in anime, both religions have large connection to nature and gods.
There are many anime which use the idea of another world where the gods reside, as well as environmental messages.
Spirited away is a coming of age story and has been compared to stories such as Alice in wonderland, however being a product of Japan its cultures influences are really apparent. Here a young human girl is trapped in a world where the gods reside, and she takes up work in a bathhouse.
From the setting to many of its themes Spirited away shows them such as changes in traditional Japanese culture, western influences, and a strong environmental message showing that its creation was heavily influenced by the culture of Japan as well as religious ideologies of Buddhism and Shintō.
The use of religion in anime as 18 Thomas (2012) puts it is a form of "religious entertainment" or "playful religion". By using existing religious themes and stories anime can expand on concepts, innovate existing ideas, and otherwise play with the religious motifs for entertainment purposes.
Religion used for a device in story telling is not uncommon. Although not mentioned in Amy Plumb (2010) Deathn Note uses this method to give added information about it's characters without going into lengthy exposition or unnecessary dialogue.
In the case of Misa Amane we are shown her room surrounded with gothic and religious imagery. This provides enough information to know that she values religious symbols however there is still something unsettling about it. Instead of figures of angels she has skeleton dolls and the grim reaper in her room, instead of images of God or warm religious pictures she chose the immaculate heart of Mary.
Without saying anything the view quickly realizes that religion is important to this character, however the view also quickly recognizes that she is also dangerous.
Mello's character is also given an backstory through religious imagery. We are told that he grew up in an orphanage along with the other successors of L, and we know he joined the mafia at a young age. However, through images such as the rosary he caries, a bracelet with a cross, and even a cross chained to his gun we are left to interpret his faith.
Death Note also holds a relevant Buddhist message in the beginning of the series that all things are connected.
Early in the series Light tells Ryuk that he does not think that the Shinigami realm is irrelevant to humans, instead believe that they are connected and influence one and other.
Overall, anime like everything is influenced by the culture which created it, their beliefs, and society.
Death Note also takes an interesting point from a social perspective. Where characters have different views on what Kira is doing and whether they support his views or not. In 12 Kita et al. (2014) looking at how media frame death penalty cases in Japan we see common themes such as atonement (by dying or by living), avoidance, and ambivalence. This is interesting because it reflects the perspectives of the characters and the way the media in the anime represents Kira's killings.
An interesting things to look at is how different religions feel about the death penalty, deathpenalityinfo.org looks at this concept. From their findings it appears that those in flavory of the death penalty are not greatly influenced by their religious faith.
