Nihilism in Anime

Exercise 8 is an interesting one I find. It haves us looking at a treatise written by Marco Olivier about Nihilism.

Firstly Olivier starts by describing Nihilism as the realization that the universe has no great creator driven native. While quoting the work of Nietzsche and other great philosophers, Olivier makes the point that on the road to while young and insolent people live firmly in the "fact" that there is a greater purpose to the world but as time passes the illusion fades and people are left to cling to whatever comforting belief system they can find.


People that cling to these convenient pre-made metaphysical life rafts, i.e. archaic or pointless consumerism,  are what are described as passive nihilists, people desperately trying to hide from the fact that they're all alone in the universe.

While active nihilism is the act of creating ones own sense of meaning by dedication ones self to creating something of deep personal and inter-personal value. It boils down to purpose or purposelessness

He goes on the describe in depth the false hood of Western capitalism, consumer culture and religion do nothing to fulfil people on a personal level. The simple act of clinging to socially acceptable paradigms of being doesn't give people a sense of purpose but rather is a blanket of comfort that hides peoples existential insecurities and ultimatley holds people back.

He then goes on to discuss Japanese history and culture and describes that their theological pursuit of harmony with nature and strong work ethic allows them to craft their own sense of purpose and almost culturally makes them inclined to active nihilism.

He describes some of the themes of Japanese anime and that their cultural themes are perpetuated through this artist medium. That the give meaning to themselves by creating rich universes in which characters develop along meaningful plots that tie in with many of the aspects that represent problems that they as Japanese feel are important.

He concludes be saying that media is the expressive form of social discourse that is available to us as a people today and that by using intelligent forms of analysis we can properly understand the facts of culture, and by extension ourselves.

I really liked this paper, as I have felt quite,truth be told, hopeless from time to time in the pointless expected pursuits of our times. So calling to light that through the act of passionate creation one can define a great sense of purpose is a good, positive reminder that in a pointless universe it is still possible to create a point. I also am very fond of anime, even though it doesn't get a lot of respect in the graphic department here, so it is refreshing to have the positive aspects and deep storylines that Ive come to love intellectualized in such a positive light. Viva le Anime