What Makes Good Anime Great: Theme

In this article, I'd like to introduce the literary concept of theme and how it is used in anime. I think it's important to know what theme is because once you do, you'll be able to understand and appreciate the anime you watch better. Ever wonder why you find certain anime people claim to be good boring? Maybe you missed its central theme. Or why you find certain anime good but can't exactly point out the reason why? Maybe it's because its theme has left an impact and you don't know it. Let's dive into the concept of theme.

A theme is an idea that recurs within a piece of art or literature, and the idea is something that we as humans can universally relate to such as love, revenge, despair etc. It's not enough to describe theme as an idea that repeats in the story, but instead it is the idea that ties the entire story together. The various aspects of a story such as its characters, symbolism, and plot are all used to convey the theme. Stories are not limited to a single theme- there can be multiple within a story, though usually a central theme is present.

A theme is explored- meaning that it is discussed into further detail by the author. For example the theme of a story may be war, and the author may choose to explore that theme by discussing the horrors of war, or how war may be justified in certain cases. The exploration of a theme sometimes leads to the message of the story- a discussion of the horrors of war shows that the author thinks war to be a senseless and cruel act.

While theme is a literary device present in all sorts of art and literature, this is an anime blog, so I'd like to explore three different anime in terms of their central theme, how they convey it, and how it is explored.

Warning: Spoilers for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5, Gunslinger Girl, and Happy Sugar Life.

JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: GOLDEN WIND

While JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is hailed for its creative fights, lovable characters and bizarre plot elements, I do feel from time to time it does pull off a great theme- especially Part 5's theme of Fate. In short, the show uses symbolism and its characters to show how all of them are bound by fate, and explores how the characters react to their fates.

The statue in "Fighting Gold"

Fate is symbolized in the "Fighting Gold" opening through the stone statue (representing things which are "set in stone") and the chains that surround all the characters (representing something binding and inescapable). Fate is manifested in the show's characters by showing how they were all were put into unfortunate circumstances in the past- Bruno's father is killed by drug dealers, Mista was jailed for a crime he did not commit, Narancia was framed by his friends, etc. In the present, when choosing to rebel against the boss, the characters knowingly assign themselves to the fate of death- Fugo, the most intelligent of the group, says that they won't even make it out alive of Venice. However, they choose to accept their fate if it meant doing what they believed was right. Contrasted with them is the villain Diavolo, who also has an unfortunate past (has an unwanted daughter) and instead of accepting the possibility or "fate" that his daughter will expose his identity, he tries to deny it and kill his daughter instead. Even his stand power is fitting with his character. King Crimson has the ability to erase undesirable future events- basically the ability to change fate! Finally "Sleeping Slaves", the final arc of Part 5, really solidifies the theme of Fate in the show. However, as the arc has yet to air in the anime, I've chosen to not talk about it. That said, there is a great analysis on Reddit of the arc here.


GUNSLINGER GIRL

I had first thought Gunslinger Girl to be a show about grey morality- which is still somewhat true, but beneath that was the theme that truly tied together the show, suffering. In short, Gunslinger Girl uses its premise and characters to showcase suffering, and explores reasons for suffering and how there can be joy despite suffering.

"We're all going to die! We're going to die not knowing anything!" - Angelica, Episode 12

The girls in Gunslinger Girl live lives that are suffering, and the show uses its premise and characters to evoke this. Their unconsenting transformation into cyborgs has shortened their lifespans and they are forced into killing others- this is part of the premise. Even worse is their unreciprocated affection for their handlers- and turns out most of the handler characters are cruel or apathetic. We even see the suffering on the faces of the girls- like how Rico wakes up in tears in Episode 3, and Elsa's face of dejection after disappointing her handler in episode 10.

So now that we've established that there is a central theme of suffering, how does the show explore it? The show explores it in two ways: why there is suffering and how do the characters deal with it. In terms of the why, it's difficult to assign blame. The handlers could treat the girls better, but they wouldn't be there if the Social Welfare Agency didn't exist. The Social Welfare Agency shouldn't be turning girls into cyborgs, but they would've never did if they weren't given broken girls. Then who is accountable for the broken girls? Who is accountable for the murder and rape of Henrietta, the disease of Rico, or the human trafficking of Triela? Not anyone in particular. It's as if there's just something wrong with our world, a world which creates broken people.

The final scene of Gunslinger Girl transcends the suffering in the series

Despite their position, the girls deal with their suffering surprisingly well, which is cemented by the final episode. Despite Angela's passing a reminder that the girls will die early, the final episode chooses to end with the glorious song "Ode to Joy". There is joy! There is hope! Even though there is nothing that can save the girls. This is the mystery of Gunslinger Girl. How can one find joy in a world filled with suffering? Is it through the companionship of others just like how the girls enjoy being around each other? Is it enjoying simple pleasures in life like the reading, tea parties and stargazing in the show? Is it just being content and accepting your situation? Is it through spirituality and faith as the religious "Ode to Joy" may suggest? The show never tells you outright.


HAPPY SUGAR LIFE

For something that I had low expectations for going in, but it surprised me with great thematic writing. In short, Happy Sugar Life uses its characters to express the theme of love and explores different kinds of love. 

 
Satou is established as a character whose upbringing with her masochistic whore aunt leaves her unsure about what love is. Modelling after her by being promiscuous with boys has brought her no joy. Only when she meets Shio she finds the true, pure love she's been looking for. While it does seem she may be romantically attracted to Shio, such as the pretend marriage vows and kiss on the lips, I'd argue this is more because she is confused with what love is. Satou's love for Shio is actually motherly, as demonstrated by her taking good care of Shio by bathing her, feeding her, playing with her etc. Even her final act of sacrifice in order to save Shio at the end is an act of motherly love, instead of choosing a "romantic" double suicide.

Another form of love brought up in the show is friendship love, as embodied by Shouko. Shouko shows great concern for Satou when her behavior changes after meeting Shio. She goes outside her comfort zone in order to try and help Satou, even though by doing so she gets killed. It is similar to Satou's sacrifice at the end, where both are selfless acts of love.

Contrasted with the love displayed by Satou and Shouko, Happy Sugar Life also has love that is obsessive or warped. Nearly every character is obsessive over something- Satou is obsessed over Shio to the extent she is willing to kill for her. Asahi is obsessed with retrieving Shio, even though he can't take care of her as well as Satou could. Mitsuboshi is obsessed with Shio "purifying him". There is also a lot of "warped" love- the rapist cafe manager who wants all her employees to love only her, the masochistic teacher who targets his students, or Satou's aunt who accepts all kinds of abuse and calls it "love".

Conclusion: The Effect of a Great Theme

Theme is that key idea which brings together all elements of a story, and its what makes good anime great. Sure a show can be entertaining to watch, but its the theme(s) that make it compelling and worth returning to. That is the power of thematic writing. I'm sure if I would've never loved the shows I mentioned above as much if it not were for their themes. I hope this guide and the aforementioned examples have informed you what theme is, and hence will help you better appreciate and understand works of fiction, in this case anime, better.

-GaryMuffuginOak