Even though its original run ended, Naruto remains one of the most popular Japanese animated TV series today. Naruto belongs to the Shonen genre, meaning the target demographic is young male audiences. However, it is clear that it was well received and widely enjoyed by all demographics. The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, an orphaned ninja with dreams of becoming Hokage (the leader of his village) to gain recognition and protect those he loves. Originally the series was broadcast on TV Tokyo in Japan. It was also distributed internationally through streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. The English dubbed version aired on Cartoon Network’s Toonami. I think it resonates with American audiences because it tells an underdog story with themes of perseverance, which are greatly cherished in American culture. Also the engaging fight scenes and unique powers appeal to fans of superhero stories. Additionally, the high-quality English dubs made the series accessible to non-Japanese-speaking audiences. Naruto was very popular during its initial run in Japan, consistently ranking among the top anime of its time.
Ally Ortiz
7 posts
TV Series : Adventure Time
I chose Adventure Time as the TV series I will be focusing on.
Adventure time has been my favorite show since I was a kid. I am drawn to it because of its unique characters, imaginative world building, and complex themes beneath the playful surface. It is one of the few shows I can rewatch over and over again without getting bored. It is truly timeless and not just because of its nostalgia, but because it builds on universal human experiences rather than relying on trends. I love the subtle philosophical exploration hidden within its whacky adventures and whimsical exterior. It is the first show that ever caused me to think deeply on certain subjects, yet still helped me feel better when I was sad.
Some elements I will be researching are:
- What made this show such a unique and successful animated series?
- What were the different types of animation techniques utilized in the series?
- What scene in the series was the most powerful?
- How does the series cater more to children, longtime fans, or both? How does it achieve this balance?
- How does the film balance continuity with accessibility for new viewers?
- What was the message the creators attempted to convey through this series?
- How does this series influence modern animation today?
The short film “The Hand” (1965) was seen as subversive by the communis government of Czech because it critiqued authoritarianism and the suppression of individual freedom. The hand, seen in the film is allegorical to the states oppressive power and control over the people. This is assumed as the hand controls every aspect on the protagonists life and destroys the flowerpots that the protagonist would make. The hand would decide what’s created or destroyed, turning the artist’s art into its own image, symbolizing how totalitarian regimes stifle free expression and individuality while censoring what would turn those against communism.
- The full feature film I will be focusing on for my short paper is Walt Disney’s Fantasia (1940).
- I am drawn to this film because of its musical integration. This was Walt Disney’s bold experiment in trying to popularize classical music by accompanying it with animation. It became a unique sensory experience, blending visual art and music in a way that had not been done before. As a music lover, there is a lot to appreciate in this film.
- Elements:
- Summary & Key Segments (e.g., Night on Bald Mountain/ Ave Maria)
- Structure & Format (e.g., Anthology)
- Musical Selection (e.g., Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring)
- Historical Context (e.g., ww2 impact on production & themes)
- Reception & Impact (e.g., Initial box office performance and critical reception)
- Artistic Techniques (e.g., Synthesia)
- Technological Innovations (e.g., Fantasound)
- Legacy & Remakes (e.g., Fantasia 2000)
- Personal Reflection (e.g., What do I think of this film?)
Early animated films in the U.S. often adapted comics because both relied on visual storytelling and simple, recognizable characters. Comics provided pre-established characters, making them popular and marketable. Their humor and episodic formats also suited short films. In addition, the simplified art styles of comics were also easier to animate. Both comics and animation embraced a playful and exaggerated approach to storytelling, making comics ideal for early animated adaptations.
I chose to answer prompt 1 and use The Magic Lantern (17th Century Europe) and the Praxinoscope (19th Century France) as notable examples.
The Magic Lantern was an early image projector that used light to project hand-painted slides onto a screen. The slides often depicted sequential images that could give the illusion of motion, such as a person moving or animals walking. This was one of the first devices to use light and lenses to animate still images, serving as a precursor to cinematic animation. It was developed in the late 1600s in Europe, often credited to Christiaan Huygens, a Dutch scientist and inventor.
The Praxinoscope was a 19th century optical toy designed to create the illusion of movement, improving on earlier devices like the zoetrope. It consists of a rotating cylindrical drum that holds a strip of sequential images. Around the center of the drum is an inner circle of mirrors, which reflects the images as the drum spins. It was invented in 1877 by Emile Reynaud, a French inventor and pioneer in animation.
The two are pre-cinema devices that share commonalities in their purpose, use of light, and sequential imagery. Part of the broader history of visual storytelling and early animation, both devices were developed to create the illusion of motion and to entertain audiences. They also utilized light in their operation. While The Magic Lantern used light to project images onto a screen, the Praxinoscope relied on reflected light from mirrors to view moving images. Lastly, both devices worked by presenting a series of sequential images, producing the illusion of movement when viewed in rapid succession. The Magic Lantern used painted slides, while the Praxinoscope used drawings placed on a rotating cylinder.
Both devices also contain many differences including their technology, mechanics, viewing experience, and cultural / technological impact. The Praxinoscope was a more sophisticated device in terms of technology and mechanics, creating a smoother and more natural animation. The Magic Lantern projected static images that were changed manually or using a mechanical slide changer, producing a more limited animation. However, The Magic Lantern allowed a larger audience by projecting images onto a wall or screen. It was often used for public shows or educational presentations. The Praxinoscope was more of a personal or small-group device, as viewers would look directly into it to see the animation. Finally, The Magic Lantern was a crucial device in the evolution of visual media, serving as both an educational tool and entertainment medium for centuries. The Praxinoscope was a major step forward in the development of true animation techniques, influencing the creation of longer animated sequences.
Hi, my name is Ally. I picked this course because I have a background in animation and thought it would be fun to take while still satisfying credits in world cultures & global issues. I am particularly interested in the more modern era of animation as technology is advancing at such a fast rate. Works like Arcane, Into the Spider-Verse, and Invincible are among my favorites. I am currently majoring in multimedia programming and design. My goals are to graduate by the end of next semester with my associates. Some fun facts about me are I indulge in a lot of creative hobbies. I play guitar, bass, piano, and produce music. I also create digital art and collect comics.
