What do a rubber man, doctor and monkey man signify? Manga and its comments on individuality.

Abstract

An analysis of the individual?s role in Japanese society using Manga (Japanese Comics). Specifically, how certain characters from several different series conform to or reject Japanese society?s expectations of what an individual should be. The presentation will also address individuality in Japanese society with particular consideration given to the period after the collapse of the "bubble economy" of the 1980s. In addition to analyzing the implications of the characters and situations they are placed in, the presentation will cover how visual and textual elements represent a larger set of signs and symbols found within Japanese society and culture.