This paper is a semiotic study of Hayao Miyazaki’s anime Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. The purpose of thi s study is t o reveal the Japanese views on sea in the anime. This anime was selected because it is considered to represents the modern Japanese narrative related to the sea, and regarding that anime as a popular literary work is generally more acceptable at various age levels of audience than classical literary works. The results of semiotic reading on this anime are five Japanese views on sea, which are 1) sea as a source of life; 2) sea as a source of prosperity; 3) sea as a source of strength or energy; 4) sea as a source of beliefs; and 5) sea as a source of beauty.

This paper examines how the Javanese views the concept of water. Water is one of the natural elements whose existence is essential for humans. This study examines Javanese proverbs containing the word “water” or banyu in Javanese through a qualitative paradigm and a cognitive linguistic approach. Data were obtained from the Javanese Proverbs Dictionary by Darmasoetjipta. Proverbs are used as the object of study, considering that proverbs are one of the language products of a culture born based on the experience of human interaction with nature or the world and has been hereditary believed to be one of the guidelines or advice for life. The proverb contains metaphors so that in examining it, this research uses conceptual metaphor theory. Metaphor is not simply a language feature; it is also an embodiment of human nature. Metaphor is an effective cognitive tool to study how the human thinking mechanism is, how humans perceive reality in an image schema, map it in cognition, and express it through language. Based on the data analysis, it was found that water, according to the Javanese, is seen as a conceptualization of ideological values used as guidelines in social behaviour and social relationships.

Gender at root is a system of inequality that is founded on cultural beliefs about status differences between men and women. Women usually became the one who are disadvantaged in a relatively similar-situated men. This paper discusses the gender inequality upon women that can be found in Japanese fairy tales that have female main character entitled Kaguyahime and Tsuru no Ongaeshi. Fairy tales chosen as the object of this study because as a traditional story that is told from generation to generation, fairy tales are able to absorb aspects of life found in the supporting community groups, both in the form of social problems, ethics, and others. The results of feminist literary criticism on the object f this study are that both of the fairy tales has four forms of the gender inequality acts toward women, which are marginalization, subordination, stereotyping, and gender-related violence; and none of them has the double workload form. This could be due to the fact that when this fairy tale made, there were none of any women’s activities are performed in the public sphere, as well as being a housewife in their domestic sphere.

This research discusses the environmental issues and their relationship with the Japanese beliefs described in Japanese visual literature: anime Miyori no Mori. This animation story is full of messages about environmental preservation and environmental issues. The story Miyori no Mori teaches the audiences (especially children) the importance of protecting the forest and the impacts that will arise when the forest is destroyed and clearly illustrates how the forest is related to god’s spirits in Japanese belief. This research aims to reveal the elements of that belief through the existence of the forest depicted in the anime Miyori no Mori. Qualitative approaches and sociology literature study as research methods analyses forests’ critical role in Japanese people’s beliefs. The research examined includes the elements of faith depicted in the anime Miyori no Mori, such as the role of gods, the existence of ancestral spirits, and even monsters in that forest. As a result, it will be known how important the role of forests is as part of the Japanese people’s belief. It can be a solid reason for upholding environmental preservation, mainly to prevent their environment from covid-19 effects.

(Title: Representation of Hero’s Journey on Main Character Chihiro in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away Anime) This paper is the result of a qualitative descriptive type of literature study. The purpose of this study was to reveal the heroic journey process of main character of Spirited Away anime named Chihiro, based on the Hero’s Journey theory proposed by Vogler. Data about Chihiro's heroic journey are obtained from anime with note taking techniques. The method used in the analysis is the method of content analysis based on the theory of Hero's Journey. From the results of the analysis, it can be seen that the main character Chihiro has undergone a total of the twelve stages of the hero’s journey. Chihiro's adventure has succeeded in changing her personality which was initially timid, spoiled, and whiny to be brave, independent, calm and confident, and full of compassion. Chihiro's heroic journey proves the true definition of a hero according to Vogler, while also proving that to win a fight does not always use physical strength. There are times when thinking intelligence and emotional intelligence are much more needed. In addition, this anime also features a lot of kamisama which was once believed by the Japanese. Miyazaki might want to remind again about the existence of Japanese gods by displaying them in this anime, either those actually found in Japanese mythology or Miyazaki's own creations. Thus, the story of Spirited Away which has a mythical structure as stated by Vogler becomes much more alive and interesting.