Ask John: Which Anime Espouse Japanese Conservatism?

Question:
What are some examples of anime that lean toward the right of Japanese society or politics. In your answer for “Does Anime Whitewash Japanese History?” question you mentioned that most anime tend to lean to the left of Japanese society and politics. I was wondering though if you could provide some examples of anime that tend lean toward the right side of the spectrum of Japanese society. I know that one point the 1988 manga “The Silent Service” was highly praised by Japanese conservatives, until it’s later story line appealed more towards Japanese leftist.

Answer:
I’m far more knowledgeable about Japanese animation than I am Japanese politics, so I’ll stand by my assertion that Japan’s anime industry largely consists of liberal-leaning individuals that create anime which espouses liberal attitudes. Far fewer anime seem to encourage a conservative philosophy of moderate militarism, conscious disregard of historical embarrassments, and ultra-nationalism. Japanese conservatism appears as a theme in numerous anime, including Guilty Crown, Higashi no Eden, Zipang, Gasaraki, and Final Approach, but in these shows conservative philosophy is established as something to be opposed or ridiculed, depicted as either narrow-minded and immoral, or out of touch with contemporary attitudes.

It’s very tentatively that I suggest titles which could possibly be interpreted as right-leaning.

The 2010 Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku: The Legend of Koizumi OVA stars conservative politician Junichiro Koizumi. While the OVA clearly satirizes Koizumi as a larger-than-life indomitable state representative able to intimidate rival world leaders, it’s just as much legitimately neoconservative as liberal. The OVA exaggerates the idea of Japan being an independent, dominant Asian and world power able to negotiate with foreign nations and defend its own interests. While the exaggeration is intended as liberal satire, the underlying principles are fundamentally right-wing and are not discredited.

Jin-roh, like Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku, is equal parts conservative and liberal critique. The film depicts a government at war with itself, filled with corruption and self-interest. Yet at the same time, the film contravenes expectations and ultimately reaffirms the established status quo that rejects individual happiness in the interest of social order and welfare.

The 1996 Sanctuary OVA concentrates more on drama than politics, but it revolves around the concept that Japan’s future can only be effectively controlled and guided by involvement in the established political arena or through the traditionally conservative yakuza organized crime syndicate. The OVA doesn’t entirely abandon the conventional anime encouragement of individualism and humanism, but it posits the idea that effective social evolution can only be implemented in Japan via conservative establishment, not by liberal revolution.

The 1981 Manga Mito Komon television series is an adaptation of the beloved 1969 live-action Mito Komon television series about a wandering vice-shogun who uses his authority to dispense justice wherever he finds corruption. The anime is distinctly a children’s adventure story, complete with a talking dog, but it also drives home the theme that authority figures with the backing of a central, national government are necessary and just in order to maintain a functional, fair society for all. The anime is founded on the concept that Libertarianism is a flawed philosophy that just doesn’t work in reality.

The 2008 Wolf & Spice TV anime isn’t overtly political. It emphasises interpersonal relationships and commerce foremost, and the influence of religion in society and law second. But the show also implies a conservative philosophy of free-market economics, financial advancement through savvy investment rather than subsidization, and the Japanese philosophy of separating public & personal business.

Anime including the 2011 Showa Monogatari movie & TV series and Kokuriko-zaka Kara movie could possibly be interpreted as pro-conservative because both are distinctly positive nostalgic stories. Showa Monogatari depicts a peaceful, prosperous Japanese society of the late 1960s, distinctly contrary to anime like Jarinko Chie that depict a much less rose-tinted image of the era. Ghibli’s Kokuriko-zaka Kara depicts a 1963 in which student unity is the key to social harmony and corporate executives are respected community leaders and proponents of community welfare instead of selfish, elitist fiscal aristocrats.

The 1991 Ippon Bocho Mantaro OVA series could possibly be interpreted as conservative because it subtly implies a valuation of traditionalism and male superiority. However, it also subtly undermines that philosophy, not outright rejecting it, but urging a degree of reconsideration.

Madhouse’s 1993 TV special Hiroshima ni Ichiban Densha ga Hashitta is overtly one of numerous patriotic post-atomic bombing anime that illustrate the indomitable Japanese spirit. However, unlike similar anime such as Futatsu no Kurumi that take a distinctly apolitical stance, the Hiroshima ni Ichiban Densha ga Hashitta special can be criticized as excessively conservative because it implies dignity, honor, and patriotism in teen girls eagerly sacrificing for the communal (national) welfare. Unlike the first episode of the current Muv-Luv: Total Eclipse anime, Hiroshima ni Ichiban Densha ga Hashitta depicts the public service without any trace of irony.