The mythical origins of popular gaming culture.
If nothing else, 2016 has demonstrated the unexpected power of a popular mythology to capture people’s hearts, minds, and wallets. Among the more lighthearted demonstrations of this fanaticism is Pokémon Go, a GPS-based, augmented reality smartphone game that rebooted the global pop culture phenomenon of Pokémon. Even before it was released in its home country, Japan, Pokémon Go had become the most downloaded phone application in a single week – in history. Reports of its enthralled players exploring their city for the first time, entering churches and graveyards in pursuit of Pokémon, and even becoming seriously injured whilst playing the game, caused equal bemusement and moral panic.
Since the 1990s, Japanese popular culture franchises like Pokémon, Power Rangers, Hello Kitty, and Sailor Moon have captivated audiences around the world. They have also been the vehicle for Japanese religious mythology to go global. Just as 6th-century Buddhism spread to Japan from Baekje (modern Korea) via icons and sutra texts, in the modern day, Japanese animism has spread to the West – perhaps in a more subtle form – via trading cards, animated films, and iPhone applications.
Pokémon owes much of its conception to creator Taijiri Satoshi’s childhood love of bug collecting. But like other Japanese games, manga (comics), and anime (animation), it also draws heavily upon the animist mythology and religious history of Japan.
この記事は ASIAN Geographic の AG 122, 2016 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は ASIAN Geographic の AG 122, 2016 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
A Spectrum Of Scarlet: The Symbolic Red Of Asian Flags
A common thread that unites many Asian flags is the prominent use of red, a colour rich with symbolism
Curry: A World of Flavour, Tradition, and Culture
From its humble beginnings in India, the concept of "curry" has evolved into a culinary language understood around the world
The Power Of Asian Red Fruits - Discover 10 Nutrient-Rich Gems Of The East
In the vast tapestry of Nature, Asia has gifted the world an array of unique and vibrant fruits, particularly those in shades of red. These scarlet-hued gems, packed with flavour and nutrients, not only add a burst of colour to your plate but also carry valuable health benefits. From antioxidant-rich goji berries to the exotic dragon fruit, let's explore some of the most popular red fruits from Asia and discover why they should be part of your diet.
Bhutan: A World Of Its Own
With its majestic monasteries, red-robed monks, charming rural villages, and vibrant festivals, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a Himalayan paradise that promises an enriching travel experience like no other
Take The Red Pill
From the vermilion torii gates of Japan to the famed rust-hued walls of India's Agra Fort, the burgundy robes of Burmese monks to scarlet chillies drying in the Bangladeshi sun, red is the quintessential colour of Asia.
70 Days for Our Land Animals
Raising awareness about conservation, the environment, and the land-dwelling species of the world
The Red Panda
Meet the elusive guardian of the Eastern Himalayas
Revealed Doctor Yellow
Japan Railways' special lemony Shinkansen is a rare sight to behold
The Mighty Yellow
Over 5,000 kilometres long and flowing through nine provinces and autonomous regions, the Yellow River is China's second largest, after the Yangtze, while its basin is deemed the cradle of Chinese civilisation
Wildlife Big Yellow Beauty
The popular "amelanistic" form of the Burmese python is considered among the most beautiful snakes - if that's your sort of thing