Gojira, Hello Kitty, and other forms of Japanese culture have been incorporated into popular culture in areas such as films and toys. The aspects that can make these media fun and interesting can make them popular, which gives a lot of credence to the culture behind them. These two forms, although representative of popular culture, are no less capable of approaching representations of daily life and Japanese culture. Christine R Yano explains how Hello Kitty's consumerism shaped Hello Kitty, and it became something of an obsession. “Hello Kitty speaks through a disarming, benign muteness, while Godzilla is dark and oversized (Yano, 153).” The features of Gojira and Hello Kitty are important because Hello Kitty's cute features appeal to the senses of many people and may be the reason why Hello Kitty Goods made a hundred million from products and another four hundred million in licensing fees . This may be because Hello Kitty is described as being “irresistible” (Yano, 154). Japan shed elements like these and was able to show its culture to other parts of the world, which furthered integration, but its culture can still be closely derived from the elements depicted in these films, as well as from 'a representation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay By examining elements of media, such as Hello Kitty and Gojira, we can see Japanese culture integrated. Although Hello Kitty may be considered by most people as simply cute in a Japanese way, she also has aspects that help define the culture. The cat is small, has no mouth and seems to be looking into the distance. This may be related to the fact that women in Japanese culture are seen as passive. We were able to see this aspect when watching Gojira, in the character of Emiko. In the film, she appears to play a passive role, crying and appearing to have a fragile personality. Emiko's role was important in this film because rather than just creating a storyline, it was important to incorporate the culture so that as the film is passed between different people, they can get a feel for Japanese culture . Looking at the preview of Gojira we can also see it well. After the post-war period in which Gojira was filmed, it was a very destructive period and the entire city was ruined. The film depicts Japan during the post-war period, showing some of the suffering it endured. This helps show the Japanese's fear of nuclear attacks, which makes the film symbolic. Japan does a good job at this, but we can also see aspects of American culture through some of the media we've looked at. Them! shows the same relationship between popular culture and culture as Hello Kitty and Gojira. The film released in 1954 takes you on the path of monstrous ants who try to take over the world. They have also been considered an important medium in American popular culture as they have been incorporated into video games and television shows such as Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Invader Zim respectively (Them!). Thanks to the conquest of the ants which resolves the city is taken over. , and many aspects of American culture are derived and described from it. For example, near the end of the film, the firefighters want to burn the cave down because they believe everyone in there must be dead and it's not worth the risk.the whole city. The police tell them not to do it because they think there are two young boys inside and it's not worth risking their lives. This is an important part of the film because it demonstrates a part of American culture. This shows that in American culture, children are considered very important. The cops made sure to save their lives because even two people's lives were important to them and they wanted to make sure everything was okay. The police force was also shown to be very important in the film, which may be true in real life as well. They did a good job displaying the cultural elements of Godzilla and were able to do the same thing. They also do a good job of mentioning the atomic bomb that America was testing at this time and referencing the Cold War. This allows for a vivid picture of the time period in which this film was made, as factual events are used. Godzilla is derived from Gojira, as we have been told many times, but at the same time it has many special elements that exemplify American culture and popular culture. Through the many versions in which Godzilla has been modified, he has been able to have many interpretations, notably through the different roles played by Gojira. In some films we see Gojira destroying the Japanese nation, but in other cases we see the American version showing how Godzilla is a hero. This has significant significance because it was likely done to help display a positive image of American culture rather than being enemies. For this reason, Gojira was really important because it helped bridge the divide, and that was just one of the lasting impacts that cultures had on each other. Through the Pacific Century series, we are able to identify different parts of Japanese culture and see exactly how Japanese culture has evolved. Although not everyone was initially happy with the United States' occupation of Japan, it had some positive features. During their occupation, they credited America with being able to help them unify Japan and give them a strong sense of government. America had many intentions of creating positive standards for Japanese culture, whether it was clothing, music, or anime, but across the two cultures you can spot many differences. From an American perspective, there were initially many differences between Japanese culture and American culture. Americans believed that Japanese technology was different and far inferior. When Commodore Perry conquered America, he brought them many types of tools and toys that fascinated the Japanese. Along with tools, they also introduced the Japanese to Western culture by showing them new clothing, new education, and new forms of music. The Americans also did not approve of the system of government by which Japan was run and forced them to change it as well. The Japanese, on the other hand, considered the American people barbaric and did not approve of some of their practices. The Americans were surprised to learn that the Japanese took baths regularly (The Pacific Century). Through the ensuing close contact between the two cultures, we see how each was able to modernize and utilize the ideas of the other. Starting from modernization in Perry's era, we see that Japan and America would have many similarities that would endure for a long time. This would include Japan trading anime with America,as well as apparently all American electronics. Looking at the two cultures we see many aspects that Japan and America share, but if you look closer you can also see some of the differences they possess. Through Gojira, Godzilla, and Them, we can see the differences between Japanese and American culture. We see how in Gojira women like Emiko are given the role of scared submissive, but it's very different from them, when Joan Weldon is one of the lead scientists on the team and conducts the experiments that might be necessary to ultimately save humanity. . When you also look at Hello Kitty, you see it as primarily a cute, furry, fluffy creature that is irresistible. The focus on children is taken into great consideration when looking at American culture, but it differs depending on how you look at Japan. The hydrogen bomb that was used to kill Gojira was considered dangerous, but at the same time, many people were looking at the bigger picture, rather than the lives of just two people. As the cultures of America and Japan differed greatly, this may explain the paths they took to become more like each other and exchange cultures. This could explain the paths they took to modernize and become aware of other cultures. Modernity is the idea of ​​breaking with the past through a process of social and cultural change and, more importantly, it contributes to redefining tradition (crisis of modernity). Both Japan and America were able to modernize by adapting new forms of culture and envisioning ways of life. This may highlight the fact that the Meiji Reform had such significant importance because it was a way for Japan to see what the outside, western world was like rather than being closed-minded and not seeing everything what he had to offer. The reason modernization was so important to these two nations is because it could help them stand on their own two feet and learn new ideas. For example, when Japan came into conflict with America, it had to modernize to defeat modernity, an idea that was introduced to us in this course. If they did not modernize, they would be subject to attacks and other consequences that may have arisen. Modernization was popular for them in this view, and it was also important to Americans as they attempted to make contact with other parts of the world. By thinking back on the information I currently have, I would be able to revise my view on modernization. Modernization can be integrated into pop culture, but it cannot entirely define a culture, on its own. The reason this struck me is because a few weeks ago I would have thought that the knowledge Japan gained from the Meiji Restoration entirely defined their culture, and that's not true. Modernizing your culture serves to add layers to the foundations already established. Gojira was a film produced by the Japanese, for the Japanese, and it helped convey meaning and show Japanese culture. This is the same way they gave an image of American culture. This is very important to know, because when a country is modernized, as Japan was, and tends to embrace jazz, watch films, and watch certain films, its basic ideals are still the same. The way people think doesn't change just because of new things they've experienced, it just means they've experienced closer contact with other groups and with other people. Gojira was founded.