Japanese Animation: Its Effect on Malaysian Undergraduates’ Students

Authors: Rokiah Paee (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia)
Roswati Abdul Rashid (Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia)
Roslina Mamat (Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia)
Speaker: Rokiah Paee
Topic: Language, Community, Ethnicity
The (SCOPUS / ISI) SOAS GLOCAL CALA 2020 General Session

Abstract

Japanese animation or anime is one of the most popular and well-received items of Japanese pop culture, translated to various languages, rendering these globally renowned. A plethora of research has been conducted on its’ influence towards the growth of children. However, to date, studies examining the influence of anime among undergraduates’ students are scarce.

The present study aims to identify the influence of watching anime on Malaysian undergraduate students. The respondents consisted of 150 undergraduate students who are interested in anime, and who enrolled in beginner Japanese language courses at three public universities in Malaysia. The data were collected using an online survey. Data collected were coded and categorized by themes.

The data revealed that a majority of the students were influenced by the characters, setting, and storylines from the anime. The main positive effects are broadening their knowledge on Japan and its culture, deepening their interest and knowledge on Japanese language, strengthening relationships with family members and friends, releasing stress, instilling positive moral values, and enhancing imagination and creativity. However, wasting time, vulgar language, yellow culture, escapism, anime addiction, negative moral values and antisocial behavior were mentioned as negative effects. These findings indicate the significance of anime in Japanese language student lives.

Keywords: Anime, effect, Japanese language learners, undergraduate