Reconstructing the Grand Narrative: The Pure Land of Madoka Magica
Since its premiere, the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica has been widely regarded by both critics and consumers as a groundbreaking work. While contemporary otaku culture typically eschews the notion of a grand narrative, this does not mean that otaku lack a longing for the transcendent,...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Nanzan Institute
2022
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| In: |
Japanese journal of religious studies
Year: 2022, Volume: 49, Issue: 1, Pages: 21-44 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Japan
/ Otaku
/ Magic
/ Shōjo manga
/ Pure Land Buddhism
/ Transcendence
/ Karma
/ The Postmodern
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| RelBib Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy AE Psychology of religion AG Religious life; material religion BL Buddhism KBM Asia TK Recent history ZG Media studies; Digital media; Communication studies |
| Further subjects: | B
Pure Land
B Postmodernism B nijigen B Otaku B Puella Magi Madoka Magica B Transcendent |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | Since its premiere, the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica has been widely regarded by both critics and consumers as a groundbreaking work. While contemporary otaku culture typically eschews the notion of a grand narrative, this does not mean that otaku lack a longing for the transcendent, which is often projected onto a young girl whose limitless potential triggers an intense reaction with otaku who have an affinity for the fictional over the mundane. However, Madoka Magica harkens back to an even older model of the transcendent. Within the series, through powers gained from multiple, self-sacrificial incarnations, the lead character Madoka is able to break free from her reality and into a paradise in which her fellow magical girls can attain absolute peace. This article explores the ways in which the discourse of Pure Land Buddhism have been integrated into Madoka Magica and, thereby, offers otaku a postmodern Pure Land. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Japanese journal of religious studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.18874/jjrs.49.1.2022.21-44 |