Dinamika Maskulinitas dan Femininitas: Representasi Hubungan Amerika Serikat dan Jepang dalam Film Anime Banana Fish

Abstract

This research examines how Japan, USA, and the relations of both countries are represented in the
anime Banana Fish, also what is the ideology behind those representations. This research uses
descriptive analysis method and Hall’s representation theory, Kite’s gender concept, and the
implementation of masculine and feminine’s characteristics in USA-Japan relation by Dower. This
study shows that USA and Japan are represented as binary opposition. USA as the masculine,
represented as strong, superior and violent, while Japan as the feminine, represented as weak,

inferior and peaceful. It shows that USA and Japan’s relation works as interdependent relationship,
in which America tends to protect Japan and Japan provide support for America, as how the
femininity and masculinity work in gender relation. However, there is a shift on Japan’s femininity
which turned out that Japan slowly gained its masculinity, which refers to the idea to revise
constitution of Japan, a work USA left on their occupation period. From the research result, it can
be said that Banana Fish shows a reflection of the dynamic of USA-Japan relations and the
movement of US-Japan Security Treaty.