Nature vs. Culture in Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Abstract

The issue of environment/nature and women is often discussed because nature and women are still often marginalized in various sectors of life in almost every nation. Therefore, this article raises the environmental and gender issues theme in Hayao Miyazaki’s anime Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. This article results from literature research using a qualitative paradigm with feminist media studies and gender perspective design. This study aims to describe the depiction of women from the contemporary Japanese culture’s perspective concerning nature as visualized in this anime. The analysis found two things, namely (1) nature/women as modes of production and reproduction, and (2) nature/women are independent and empowered. In conclusion, this anime’s female characters are depicted as independent and empowered, although these characters are occasionally shown as women generally stereotyped, which shows humane. The relationship between the leading female and male characters in this anime symbolizes the binary opposition pairs of nature (female) vs. culture (male). In the real world, nature is considered inferior to culture and can be exploited at will. However, this exploit does not occur in this anime, nor does the domination of men over women. Maybe Miyazaki wanted to show that nature is not subordinate to culture, as women are not subordinates to men. Therefore, they can coexist harmoniously in this big world.