Hollywood, Japan, and the Question of Masculinity

By Selvir Katich

With the recent success of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, I thought it was a good time to revisit some anime, specifically Naruto, Black Clover, and Attack on Titan. Watching all three, it is clear that anime excels in portraying men and masculinity when compared to Hollywood.

Perhaps is not surprising that those struggling to define what a woman is may also encounter difficulties in crafting authentic depictions of men and masculinity. Recent Hollywood films often front weak, pathetic excuses for men, and masculinity is treated as a sickness to be cured, not utilised as an elixir that builds and sustains civilisations. The conspicuous lack of male role models is palpable. While toxic masculinity is wielded as another cudgel against boys for the sin of being born male, anime and manga cleverly capitalise on Hollywood’s shortcomings by building on a diverse and wide-ranging roster of male role models and utilising classic masculine virtues such as strength (both mental and physical) and stoicism.

This observation primarily pertains to Shonen anime. Shonen’s main target is young boys. Other than the recent One Piece adaptation, I have noticed a scarcity of genuine male mentor figures in major Western blockbusters. The few instances that come to mind are Tony Stark in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Jim Hopper in Stranger Things. Moving forward, we will delve into character details, so be prepared for spoilers as we explore all three shows.

The Three-Generational Framework in Anime

What sets anime apart is its exceptional handling of power-level scaling. I am not referring to the arbitrary power measurements seen in the early seasons of Dragon Ball Z, where the scouter was eventually discarded. Instead, I mean the nuanced level scaling concerning character development. Many Shonen revolve around a three-generational framework. The central character, typically from the middle generation (early to late teens), undergoes development influenced by the already established adult generation. Simultaneously, the middle generation's growth impacts the younger, subsequent generation. While it may seem like a mere sales tactic on its surface since three generations allow writers to create characters for everyone, this narrative structure is also incredibly potent. It allows for the simultaneous buildup of suspense and surprise, as even the most gifted heroes pale in comparison to the seasoned adults. This dynamic creates a Burkean narrative, a partnership involving the dead, the living, and the unborn.

Often, the hero must deal with the sins of the father. This is exemplified by Naruto. The eponymous protagonist navigates the Hidden Leaf Village, a ninja settlement, and faces widespread distrust stemming from his father's actions. Naruto's father, the Fourth Hokage, held a position akin to a village leader – a blend of mayor and military general. He sacrificed himself to seal Kurama, a colossal nine-tailed demon fox, within his newborn son to protect the village. Since his earliest memories, Naruto has endured the villagers' scepticism and mistrust, including that of fellow children.

In a quest for attention, Naruto adopts the archetype of the fool. Whether painting over village monuments or inventing custom Jutsus like his Sexy Jutsu, where he turns into a blonde pinup girl, all his actions are designed to provoke reactions from his elders, even when he does not understand why. However, what happens to a village that does not embrace its own child? To prevent the village from suffering due to Naruto's antics, several men intervene. Three men, in particular, play pivotal roles in shaping Naruto into the man destined to save the world.

This trio consists of Iruka Umino, Naruto's initial instructor at the ninja academy; Kakashi Hatake, his second mentor; and Jiraiya, a seasoned traveller and masterful ninja and martial artist. Jiraiya is part hermit, part professional erotica writer – an all-out pervert who spends his free time measuring the bosoms of unsuspecting women. Despite their contrasting personalities, these three mentors impart essential lessons to align Naruto with both the mundane and the divine. And since Naruto himself embodies the fool archetype, each teacher imparts wisdom contrary to their characteristics. Iruka, while not the most formidable ninja, instils in Naruto the values of forgiveness and compassion – qualities that ultimately enable Naruto to emerge as the strongest, often persuading adversaries away from their destructive paths.

Despite Kakashi's exceptional skills, his reputation is marred by chronic tardiness and a lack of interest in responsibility. Ironically, it is under Kakashi's guidance that Naruto learns crucial lessons of discipline and self-control. Jiraiya, infamous for his lascivious tendencies, equips Naruto with the tools necessary to align himself with the divine. With the combined wisdom of all three mentors, Naruto successfully integrates his shadow, Kurama, transforming the once malevolent fox into an ally crucial to saving the world. In Shonen, the common theme of integrating one's shadow often relies on the guidance of seasoned men. Boys will be boys until men mould them into men. The stark difference between Hollywood and anime is that one views the boy as a broken girl in need of remedy, while the other recognises boys as fountains of untapped potential requiring guidance.

Black Clover: Overcoming Limits and Integrating Shadows

Black Clover is set in a magical world where one's social status is determined by their mana capacity. Orphans Asta and Yuno, raised in an impoverished region with low mana, face off in a series of competitions with the ultimate goal of becoming the Wizard King, the leader of Magic Knights tasked with protecting the kingdom. Yuno, gifted with looks and abundant mana, contrasts sharply with Asta, a ‘manlet’ devoid of any mana. Despite lacking magical prowess, Asta compensates with sheer determination. The story takes a twist when Asta, seemingly left empty-handed during the grimoire ceremony due to his lack of mana, is possessed by a demon with anti-magic abilities. Born without mana, Asta's relentless physical training makes him compatible with the demon swords, turning him into a formidable force capable of nullifying any magic in the world. His journey exemplifies the power of surpassing limits through unwavering determination and intense physical training in a world where mana is deemed paramount.

The focal point of the show shifts to Asta's journey of integrating his shadow for the greater good. Julius Novachrono, the current Wizard King with time-based magic, and Yami Sukehiro, the sole Japanese foreigner leading a Magic Knights squad, equip Asta with the wisdom and skills needed for this task. Julius emphasises the importance of merit and competence in shaping the social order, while Yami instils in Asta the heart and spirit to repeatedly surpass his limits. This ethos of adaptation and genuine progress has a profound ripple effect, inspiring every squad member to confront and overcome their shadows. Whether grappling with issues like recidivism, delinquency, violent tendencies, sibling rivalry, borderline incestuous feelings (I am not making this one up either), or body dysmorphia, each character transforms these challenges into positive and healthy outcomes.

The widespread influence of this spillover effect in anime is a significant reason for its popularity, extending beyond male characters to empower women to become the best versions of themselves. The narrative does not just focus on overcoming flaws but also on surpassing limits, recognising that everyone has their own shadow to contend with. Shonen anime also deals with characters who fail to incorporate their shadow healthily. Attack on Titan exemplifies this, showing what happens to a young man when his shadow is not incorporated and is left unchecked. His shadow will create hell on earth. This is where anime excels. It understands that masculinity is not toxic: it is potential requiring guidance towards a healthy outlet. In this journey, men play a crucial role, surpassing the influence of women, psychologists, and social workers alike.