Why is 20th and 21st century Japanese royalty hardly mentioned in any anime?

[Stelok]

Why is 21st century Japanese royalty hardly mentioned in any anime?

Royalty still exists today in Japan but, every anime which is set in 20th or 21st century that I watched doesn't make a mention of the Japanese royalty

The Japanese royalty were mentioned as history lessons in the anime or included in feudal era anime like Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai Deeper Kyo, etc but those mentions of Japanese royalty were all set before 20th century. Besides I recall they were referred to shoguns or daimyos.

I find it strange that in most anime I've watched, no character has said anything about the current emperor and empress or princes and princesses.

[Flopsy]

I think that there are two reasons why the Japanese "modern royalty" aren't mentioned in anime: because they lost their political influence and mystique after the post-war occupation, and because the current princess and her extended family just want to be left alone by the mainstream media. Also, the state of the royal family is uncertain; the next heir may be an empress for the first time in centuries, which might make any inclusion of a modern emperor in anime inaccurate. :unsure:

[Scandiadream]

When I first read this question, I was thinking more of the Borbones, the Windsors, and the Bernadottes.

Actually, the Grimaldis are so scandalous, one could write a manga about them alone.

[Vaikyuko]

I'd suppose it's similar to how Britain's royalty functions nowadays - as pretty much a symbol and nothing more. Last I checked, neither royalty got to do much, if anything. I don't see the point of mentioning royalty in this era unless it's integral to the storyline somehow.

[Stelok]

^ But I recall the British royalty is mentioned a few times in James Bond movies as well as some Hollywood movies in which the British Royal family and other nobles have a role in.

Movies:
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)- which has Queen Elizabeth II in it.

[Tama83]

Yes, but we are talking about Japanese royalty in Japanese anime.

[Emil Scherbe]

(modern)Japanese royalty is too formal compared to British.
It's tiresome to mentions in anime.

[Suiko Eiji]

I think Emil has sort of a point. I mean, the Windsors are full of scandal from cheating in the 80s, divorces in the 90s and Prince Harry dressing as a Nazi last year. The most recent scandal with the Yamato Dynasty? Oh, terms of succession under the Meiji Constitution (and subsequent Shouwa Constitution) and whether or not to modify them so a woman can ascend the throne. Yeah, big scandal.

Not to mention, the last emporer to have any effective say in government - the Shouwa Emporer - presided over the Second World War, which isn't a largely popular chord to strike with the Japanese people. Even to this day in Japan, Shouwa-heika's exact role in the war is debated.

The previous two emporers, Taisho-heika and Meiji-heika (in reverse order), while receiving credit for many things, effectively did nothing during their reigns. Koumei-heika, Meiji-heika's father, presided over interesting times, but also effectively did nothing in the face of a revolution for his own restoration to power, not wanting to upset the balance between the Kyoto Imperial Court and the Shogunate in Edo.

I've taken this back to the 1850s and 60s and only went back to the ~120th ruler in the Imperial line; I am sure some of the Yamato Dysnasty had personally done notable things during their rule, but those members of the line exist in between and before the developmet of Shogunate governments and the modern Constitutions, hence why there is very little concerning the last five emporers covering the middle 19th to present 21st centuries.

[CrossboneGundam]

What relevance does the Japanese royal family have to giant robots fighting aliens or a girl falling in love with a bunch of guys who turn into animals or a harry potter ripoff who lives with a horde of teenage girls?

And England still tends to cling to their traditions, they still have knights and nobles.

Japan doesn't have Samurai and Daimyo running around anymore, so I fail to see what real relevance they would have in the late 20th and 21st century.

[Bernard_Monsha]

^ But I recall the British royalty is mentioned a few times in James Bond movies as well as some Hollywood movies in which the British Royal family and other nobles have a role in.

Movies:
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)- which has Queen Elizabeth II in it.


It may have something to do with the fact the British Royals are not associated with or have any skeletons in the closet tieing them to Fascist militaristic regimes. Hirohito and his progeny is viewed with a great deal loatheing in some areas of the world.

[Vaikyuko]

What relevance does the Japanese royal family have to giant robots fighting aliens or a girl falling in love with a bunch of guys who turn into animals or a harry potter ripoff who lives with a horde of teenage girls?

And England still tends to cling to their traditions, they still have knights and nobles.

Japan doesn't have Samurai and Daimyo running around anymore, so I fail to see what real relevance they would have in the late 20th and 21st century.

Wham. Bam. And shazam. Damn.

[sfried]

What relevance does the Japanese royal family have to giant robots fighting aliens or a girl falling in love with a bunch of guys who turn into animals or a harry potter ripoff who lives with a horde of teenage girls?

They could make a story like that based on modern day Japanese royalty. Anime is fiction after all.

But reality maybe stranger than fiction.

[Suiko Eiji]

They could make a story like that based on modern day Japanese royalty. Anime is fiction after all.

But reality maybe stranger than fiction.

Yeah, I can't wait for Teikoku Mecha Heiki Robohito (Imperial Mecha Weapon Robohito) ...

[sfried]

Yeah, I can't wait for Teikoku Mecha Heiki Robohito (Imperial Mecha Weapon Robohito) ...
Doesn't have to have mecha. Just take a look at Kamisama Kazoku, only replace them with the Japanese royal family.

[Vaikyuko]

Yeah, I can't wait for Teikoku Mecha Heiki Robohito (Imperial Mecha Weapon Robohito) ...

I'd watch it. :P

[Stelok]

Not to mention, the last emporer to have any effective say in government - the Shouwa Emporer - presided over the Second World War, which isn't a largely popular chord to strike with the Japanese people. Even to this day in Japan, Shouwa-heika's exact role in the war is debated.

The previous two emporers, Taisho-heika and Meiji-heika (in reverse order), while receiving credit for many things, effectively did nothing during their reigns. Koumei-heika, Meiji-heika's father, presided over interesting times, but also effectively did nothing in the face of a revolution for his own restoration to power, not wanting to upset the balance between the Kyoto Imperial Court and the Shogunate in Edo.

I've taken this back to the 1850s and 60s and only went back to the ~120th ruler in the Imperial line; I am sure some of the Yamato Dysnasty had personally done notable things during their rule, but those members of the line exist in between and before the developmet of Shogunate governments and the modern Constitutions, hence why there is very little concerning the last five emporers covering the middle 19th to present 21st centuries.

Ah, that explains why neither emperor Hirohito nor other royals are mentioned in Grave of the Fireflies anime. I would have thought those characters would at least mention their national leader's name in a question regarding the Allied bombings of their cities.

Also, Sakura Taisen clearly specifies that Ogami Ichiro is an officer of Imperial Japanese Navy and that Yoneda is a general in Imperial Japanese Army. Furthermore, the main antagonist/villain of Sakura Taisen 2 game is the Minister of Imperial Japanese Army.

So the IJN and IJA which had lots to do with World War II atrocities are mentioned in the Sakura Taisen games but no Japanese emperor, nor prince nor princess is mentioned in Sakura Taisen, however there are Japanese royals who were seen and had a role in it. Hanabi Kitaoji's father is a baron, so she must be Japanese royalty. And one of the major allies of Ogami's Team Hanagumi in the government is also a Japanese royal named Count Hanakoji or Hanakoji-Hakushaku (Hakushaku - 'Count' or 'earl.)

[Stelok]

Also, I thought that the Japanese emperor would have a minor role in Sakura Taisen since he is head of state and head of government until World War II. I've seen Ogami's superiors Yoneda and Fujieda often consult with government officials but never with the emperor or any of the princes.

I also read the first volume of a political manga called "President of Japan" which is about an newly-elected upstart prime minister who is trying to wrest control of the government from the preceding incumbent prime minister and attempting to solve the probem with North Koreans at the same time. And I don't see any sign of the Japanese royals in the manga.

I understand that the emperor/empress are considered to be titular rulers or, as one can say, figureheads like the current British royalty but at least their presence in manga would be ceremonial, no? Don't the Japanese government consult with the royals anymore?

[Philemon]

I also read the first volume of a political manga called "President of Japan" which is about an newly-elected upstart prime minister who is trying to wrest control of the government from the preceding incumbent prime minister and attempting to solve the probem with North Koreans at the same time. And I don't see any sign of the Japanese royals in the manga.


I find the title deceptive, as it implies that Japan is a republic. Monarchies, do not have "presidents," but prime ministers/premiers. The title "president" can refer to a powerful head of state/government as the president of the United States (said to be the "most powerful man in the world"), or a head of state/figurehead as the president of Israel.

I understand that the emperor/empress are considered to be titular rulers or, as one can say, figureheads like the current British royalty but at least their presence in manga would be ceremonial, no? Don't the Japanese government consult with the royals anymore?

I believe that the emperor, as do Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britian, have a role in approving the prime minister. They also have the power to veto any laws, even though British monarchs since the time of Queen Anne have not veto any, because it was believed to be "unconstitutional" (against English unwritten legal custom) which I find interesting as I was told many years ago that the divorce between Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana was also "unconstitutional."

Since I am aware that in some countries (Thailand in particular), that depicting the monarch or the royal family in unflattered ways is very taboo, I wonder whether depicting the emperor or empress in anime is taboo as well.

[Suiko Eiji]

Ah, that explains why neither emperor Hirohito nor other royals are mentioned in Grave of the Fireflies anime. I would have thought those characters would at least mention their national leader's name in a question regarding the Allied bombings of their cities.

Well, couple that with the sociopolitical blasphemy that would cause, it would have been quite an accusation. Again, even now, to exactly what extent the Shouwa emporer was involved in the planning and execution of the war is up for debate. What is given universal credit was his decision to end it.

So the IJN and IJA which had lots to do with World War II atrocities are mentioned in the Sakura Taisen games but no Japanese emperor, nor prince nor princess is mentioned in Sakura Taisen, however there are Japanese royals who were seen and had a role in it. Hanabi Kitaoji's father is a baron, so she must be Japanese royalty. And one of the major allies of Ogami's Team Hanagumi in the government is also a Japanese royal named Count Hanakoji or Hanakoji-Hakushaku (Hakushaku - 'Count' or 'earl.)

I've never played the games nor seen the anime, so I am operating on a lot of assumptions at the moment. I suppose that unless the mentioning of a royal member of the household is required, they leave it out. Again, since the Emporer's exact role in the war is still kinda suspect, leaving him out entirely prevents calls of slander and libel from the Imperial Household.

Also, I thought that the Japanese emperor would have a minor role in Sakura Taisen since he is head of state and head of government until World War II. I've seen Ogami's superiors Yoneda and Fujieda often consult with government officials but never with the emperor or any of the princes.

While the Prime Minister was typically a civilian, most of the Imperial Cabinet were either active duty or retired military officials, many associated with the militarist party. According to one historical theory concerning the Shouwa emporer's role in the war, the Imperial cabinet was provided a lot of autonomy and were able to either get a lot of their activities past the Imperial Household or get them approved by the Household when the war was going well. Even though the Constitution listed the Emporer as the final say-so on all policies, much of what actually occured and was designed was all the work of politicians.

I believe that the emperor, as do Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britian, have a role in approving the prime minister.

There are three political functions of the current Emporer: he approves the Prime Minister, approves the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan (all others are nomiated by the PM's cabinet), and "provdes advice and approval" on political matters to the PM's cabinet, such as when PM Koizumi asked for the House of Councillors to be dissolved last year for general elections in September 2005.

[Philemon]

While the Prime Minister was typically a civilian, most of the Imperial Cabinet were either active duty or retired military officials, many associated with the militarist party. According to one historical theory concerning the Shouwa emporer's role in the war, the Imperial cabinet was provided a lot of autonomy and were able to either get a lot of their activities past the Imperial Household or get them approved by the Household when the war was going well. Even though the Constitution listed the Emporer as the final say-so on all policies, much of what actually occured and was designed was all the work of politicians.

I do not know if this is true, but I was told that it is considered "unclean" for the Emperor to be engaged in political affairs, as it will tarnish his divine status as a descendant of the Sun Goddess. However, the 1946 Constitution gave the Emperor authority in approving the prime minister, an action which is political, as it involves the government.

[Suiko Eiji]

I do not know if this is true, but I was told that it is considered "unclean" for the Emperor to be engaged in political affairs, as it will tarnish his divine status as a descendant of the Sun Goddess. However, the 1946 Constitution gave the Emperor authority in approving the prime minister, an action which is political, as it involves the government.

Considering that the Yamato Dynasty has a strong history of "hand-off" micromanagement (through various shogunates, the Council of Ministers, and the genrou), I think to involve them in everyday politics may be to what they are referring to; however, as the soverign/Head of State, they are responsible for the "big changes", such as approval of the head of government and judiciary, creating emergency or dissolving sessions of the Diet, etc.

According to the 1889 Meiji Constitution, the emporer was declared an active ruling soverign who shared power with the Diet. The 1947 Shouwa Constitution limited Imperial power severely in comparison, while keeping the (immediate) imperial family as figures of State, tradition, and maintained the emporer as head of the Shinto religion while at the same time accepting the renounciation of Imperial divinity made by the Shouwa emporer in 1945.

[Ken-Ohki]

There is royalty in anime, just not earth human ones. Tenchi Muyo comes to mind. So it's something they're familiar with and a government they're comfortable with. I dated a Japanese girl some 5 years ago. She told me once that the Japanese revere their emporer, say what they want about the Prime Minister but nobody suggests wrongdoing with the royal family. So it may be a case of reverence that keeps royalty out of anime.

However there was an episode of Iron Chef where the Emporer's personal chef kicked the ever living crap out of the Iron Chef (and I mean like 12 points to 20)

[Matsu'o Tsurayaba]

Why is 21st century Japanese royalty hardly mentioned in any anime?

I find it strange that in most anime I've watched, no character has said anything about the current emperor and empress or princes and princesses.

I have not actually given that much thought,but that is a good question.From what i hear in Japan,there is much debate about the Princess and how some Japanese people want a male heir.Im not going to say its shameful,but talking about Japanese warlords of times gone by does appeal more than what is going on today.

[sailornyanko]

Interesting topic. Funnily anime shows shaddy European princesses from who knows what country all of the time.

It would be fun if they showed the Mexican royal family in anime as Iturbide called himself Emperor.. and the title stuck for just 2 years before he suddenly made the country a Republic. Despite that, the National anthem that praises him so much still stays the same to this day.

[Sharp-kun]

Why is 21st century Japanese royalty hardly mentioned in any anime?
Probably the same reason British programs rarely mention the royal family. It happens, but not that often.

[ransom]

Probably the same reason British programs rarely mention the royal family. It happens, but not that often.

The papers on the other hand ...

[Mr. sickVisionz]

Isn't Japanese royalty the same as british royalty:

They're little more than rich celebrities with zero political power?

[Suiko Eiji]

^See post #21 above.

[Lankard]

this is a very good question, i have never read a manga or watched an anime which included modern Japanese royalty. I think that they may not need to mention the royal family because they dont really fit into the story. No where in Azumangadaioh, Ai Yori Aoshi, Lillim Kiss, Eureka 7(sp?), Excel Saga, etc is there a possibility that the royal family would be apart of anything except for maybe a joke or two. Or maybe the Japanese hold their royal family with high respect and wouldnt include them in a story which could be nothing more than political satire playing on certain aspects of culture(like Excel Saga)

[Ninja337]

I think it's for political correctness. I thinksome older Japanese men are still loyal to the throne so including the Emperor and making him look silly would be kinda insulting. It's kinda like insulting the pope or the queen or something.