Reframing human–AI relations in Japanese robot anime: a sociopolitical and thematic analysis.
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| Title: | Reframing human–AI relations in Japanese robot anime: a sociopolitical and thematic analysis. |
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| Authors: | Li, Zixuan1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Digital Scholarship in the Humanities. Apr2026, Vol. 41 Issue 1, p223-235. 13p. |
| Subjects: | Human-machine relationship, Anime, Thematic analysis, Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984, Artificial intelligence & ethics, Power (Social sciences), Digital humanities, Transhumanism, Ideology |
| Geographic Terms: | Japan |
| Abstract: | Japan's enduring fascination with robots has become a pivotal cultural lens for examining technology, society, and identity. Among various art forms, Japanese robot anime offers invaluable material for exploring these intersecting domains. This study examines representative robot anime works from the 1960s to the present through thematic analysis and case studies, engaging in dialogue with Foucault's theories of power alongside contemporary artificial intelligence ethics and theories of subjectivity. Adopting a digital humanities approach, this study treats Japanese anime as cultural data revealing the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent machines within Japan's sociohistorical context. Findings indicate a three-stage transformation in human–machine relations: from "tool and other" to "subject and companion," ultimately progressing to "symbiosis and kin." This trajectory demonstrates the significance of cultural narratives in reshaping power dynamics, biopolitics, and posthuman subjectivity. Through the interdisciplinary integration of critical theory, media studies, and digital humanities, this research emphasizes that Japanese robot anime serves both as a mirror reflecting societal anxieties and as a creative framework for envisioning future models of human–machine symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Digital Scholarship in the Humanities is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 192763879 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1093/llc/fqaf136 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 13 StartPage: 223 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Human-machine relationship Type: general – SubjectFull: Anime Type: general – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis Type: general – SubjectFull: Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984 Type: general – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence & ethics Type: general – SubjectFull: Power (Social sciences) Type: general – SubjectFull: Digital humanities Type: general – SubjectFull: Transhumanism Type: general – SubjectFull: Ideology Type: general – SubjectFull: Japan Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Reframing human–AI relations in Japanese robot anime: a sociopolitical and thematic analysis. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Li, Zixuan IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 04 Text: Apr2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 2055768X Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 41 – Type: issue Value: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: Digital Scholarship in the Humanities Type: main |
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