Many of the films we saw this week show stereotypical versions of the enemy. Watch “Bust the Axis”, made in the UK directed by an American and “Momotarō no Umiwashi”. How is the enemy portrayed in each of these films? What negative stereotypes are depicted? What means are used in terms of drawing style and movement? What are the behaviors demonstrated by the characters?
Both war cartoons rely on some pretty obvious enemy stereotypes. “Bust the Axis” makes fun of the Axis powers with over-the-top caricatures, the Germans with those pointy helmets, Italians with huge noses, and Japanese characters with really racist features like buck teeth and yellow skin. They move all jerky and clumsy, portrayed as cowardly losers. Meanwhile, “Momotarō no Umiwashi” does the same thing to Westerners, giving them massive noses and stiff movements, showing Americans and Brits as corrupt colonizers who get easily beaten by the graceful, honorable Japanese characters. The animation styles really hammer home these differences – with heavier lines and darker colors for villains in the American film, and sharp, angular features for the Western bad guys in the Japanese one. Classic propaganda techniques from both sides.
