Politics and Propaganda

Since the increase in popularity of animation, it has began to be used in a variety of subjects. During the war times, it was so popular to be used as a tool of propaganda and as a persuasion to influence children mostly adults. Every country has their own way of story telling and have different messages that urger to be spread to the citizens. The animation at that time usually worship own country or colonies and against the enemy countries which could be usually clearly observed.

The Sinking of the Lusitania 1918 by Winsor McCay

The animation is a 'news report' of the crisis of the sinking of the Lusitania. The details of the event was shown clearly through the screen to the audience with music and text for description. In my view, this might probably be the most sincere method to deliver the whole event to the people who is interested in. The music is very effective in manipulating emotions and realistic drawings persuaded the audience to believe in the event. However, in my view, it is getting a bit boring at the end. The music is making me sleepy and the pace of the animation is slow. This might be something they could not control at that time or maybe this was what audience enjoyed in the past.

Momotaro Vs Mickey Mouse 1936

This is a Japanese animation created during war time. Momotaro is a hero of the Japanese fables and there are a lot of fantasy characters of some traditional Japanese tales fight together with Momotaro  to against Mickey mouse who represents the Americans. I can see that the animation is influenced by Europe and the style is quite similar to the Walt Disney Studio which is interesting to watch a Disney-styled Japanese animation against America. Nevertheless, the whole animation is full of Japanese culture for examples traditional music, dance and environment like sakura trees. I think this animation was effective in Japan to spread the message especially in the form of moving image as it was a country which admire new technology and power.