Contrast between Japanese Ninja Anime and American Ninja Cartoon - Essay Example

Shinobi Report - Compare/Contrast: Japanese Anime Ninja (Naruto/Naru Shippuden) to American Cartoon Ninja (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 1990s movies) Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles or TMNT is a Japanese fictional film that portrays the story of four fictional characters. The characters are trained by anthropomorphic turtles to identify and eliminate criminals from New York City. Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is a Japanese action/ adventure movie that uses animated characters. The film was released in 2004, directed by Tensai Okumari. The movie is based on a famous Japanese comic book by Amine and Manga. The two movies are related yet very different in terms of presentation and use of cinematography techniques. Moreover, the films have different ways of creating and presentation of characters. Nevertheless, the movies have a similar audience and their plot developments are almost similar. This paper compares and contrast Japanese anime ninja to the American cartoon ninja. Characters The two films use different approaches character creation. Although both films use hypothetical characters, there was a tendency to create a sense of reality among the directors. The American Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle uses cartoons while Japanese Anime Ninja uses amines to develop its characters. Unlike cartoons, amines have distinct facial expressions that can be used to create a wide variety of physical characteristics. Thus, amines are closer to reality than cartoon (Eastman 123). On the other hand, cartoons have features that are far from being real (Wiater 98). Moreover, cartoons do not have proportional physical appearances. Amines can be used to tell real human stories while cartoons are used specifically for comic purposes. The attributes of cartoons and amine as described above create distinctive element between the two films. Moreover, the different approach to character development audience and plot. Indeed, plot and theme development in both movies was determined by the differences in character developments and creation. Plot Development The two movies share several factors in plot and thematic development. Both movies are action packed where the characters try to fight off bad guys. This is a significant characteristic for plot and thematic development. This is because if the movies lacked the bad people, then it would not have achieved the current audience level. The main difference between the two films is the level of engagement between characters. For instance in Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, the characters maintain a fair relationship without getting into extreme action. In the first scenes, Naruto and his accomplices are assigned the role of protecting an actor during a filming procession. At first, the characters have a fair relationship and there is not much to report in terms of action and conflicts. Real action begins soon after the characters reach the land of snow where they were attracted by bad guys. Unlike TMNT, the Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow has proactive action (Wiater 98). In this approach, the main characters only attract after they have been attacked. On the other hand, TMNT characters display active action. Through this approach, the characters go out in search of bad guys. The film is set in a crime-ravaged New York City where the ninja turtles are out to fight crime. Unlike the previous movie, the ninja turtles go out in search of criminals and engage them. The movie is more action packed than Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow. The action scenes in the film are fun to watch and they have a comic approach. Indeed, the action in the movie lacks a definite story of a purposeful theme (Rahimi 34). The turtles are involved in street fights to secure the place in the city and to curb lawlessness. However, the titles attack crime suspects even before confirming their involvement in crime. The films have striking artistic features. At the beginning, both movies have stunning colors. Unfortunately, things begin to fade as the film progresses and never regain their attractiveness. Consequently themes and aesthetic patterns applied at the initial stages of the film, fade, as soon as the main characters are attacked. For instance the fast half of Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is shiny (black and white), dramatic and very vibrant. However, the colors and actions fade as the film progresses. These changes are against the literal expectations of the mainstream audience. In particular, the audience expected the scenes to have different changes. Survival Aspect The film shares a survival aspect and the ability of the characters to withstand challenges. Surviving in the wild is a common theme between the two movies. The survival aspect is intentionally plugged into the films to improve on their themes, conflict, and suspense. For instance in the snow, the characters go through a long journey into to the wild. This journey is meant to strengthen them and prepare them for the upcoming challenges. Whether the movies involved going through difficulties, information, and insights displayed by the movies displays the actual making of a ninja worrier (Rahimi 34). The making process involves both the history and the techniques of developing hardened persons who can survive through difficulties as they try to accomplish their mission. Both films display some form of the Japanese culture and the ninja upbringing. The film displays the hardships that people went through before being accepted into the ninja or mafia squad. For instance in TMNT, teenage anthropomorphic turtles undergo intensive training under the leadership of rat sensei. This training is meant to harden them for the upcoming missions. On the other hand, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke are taken through the world to harden their spirits. The characters are also watch a film that prepares them for ninja life. According to Cummins and Yosie, the path of a true ninja is narrow and full of tribulations (68). Indeed, not everybody that chooses the path, live to see light the end of the tunnel. The sentiments made by the authors are evident throughout the two films. The main difference between the films and the books is that the book displays the hardships of becoming a warrior while the movies display the fun side of being a ninja. This is within the script limit since the movies are comic in nature. Audience The films share many particulars including setups and audience. However, there is a slight disparity between the audiences of both movies. Disparity in audiences depends on the movie content and the language that is used in the film (Bostrom 204). Moreover, the audiences of a film are dependent on the plot of the film and character development. Based on character development, Naruto attracts a young audience due to the nature of its story and language selection. The film also has a great selection of cool colors and structures that are attractive to young audience. On the other hand, TMNT is a reserve for order audience (Johnston 87). This is because the film has a complicated story that cannot be appreciated by the younger audience (Zoughari 54). The movies also has many violent scenes and hence not suitable for the younger audience. The film is also more inclined to comic fanatics than it is inclined to ordinary viewers. On the other hand, Naruto can be viewed by ordinary audience since it is based on a near real story. In conclusion, the movies have significant levels of similarity despite having different set up, themes and character selection. Both films tell ninja stories and elimination of crime and bad guys. The films also have disparities in their selection of colors and background structures. This makes them to attract different audiences and following. Works Cited Bostrom, Nick. “In Defence of Posthuman Dignity, Bioethics”. 19. 3 (2005): 202–214. Print. Cummins, Anthony and Yosie Minami. The True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoniki. Tuttle Press, 1992. Eastman, Kevin . Kevin Eastman's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Artobiography. Los Angeles: Heavy Metal, 2006. Johnston, Chris. Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow. New York: Newtype US, 2007. Rahimi, Sadeq. Identities without a Reference: Towards a Theory of Posthuman Identity, M/C: A Journal of Media and Culture.” 3. 3, (2000) 34-56. Print. Wiater, Stanley (1991). The Official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Treasury. New York: Villard. Zoughari, Kacem. The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan. Tuttle Press, 2010. Read More