Opening our hearts to the magic of other kingdoms : cultural sharing between Japan and the United States in kingdom hearts

Abstract

For the past decade and even earlier, globalization has been a popular buzzword in academia and has provoked a number of intellectual discussions concerning its nature and effects. In these discussions concepts such as cultural imperialism, cultural homogenization, and indigenization appear which are perceived by-products of globalization in many cases. While some debate the moral implications of globalization and these related phenomena few prefer to take a more neutral stance and simply investigate the objects that are born from the combination two distinct cultural traditions. My research investigates the cultural flow between the United States and Japan which can be considered 'cultural sharing'. In this context, globalization is a phenomenon that can happen on equal footing and can support the exchange of distinct cultural ideas as a beneficial and voluntary process. In the last century, both Japan and the United States have borrowed cultural items from one another and localized them. The step after borrowing and localization occurs when parties from each country work together with the intent of creating a joint project. Kingdom Hearts stands as a prime example of this because the Japanese company Square and the American company Disney collaborated in order to create a product which represents a hybridization of both cultures.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2009

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Matejowsky, Ty

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Degree Program

Anthropology

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences;Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0022328

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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