Analysis of popular educational manga on World War II for students in Japan

Bibliographic Data

ID12875974
AuthorsGumiko Monobe (Kent State University, corresponding author), Jiening Ruan (0000-0002-6179-0320, University of Oklahoma)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue3
Pages241-262
Publication date2020-09-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Peace Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-0201 • E-ISSN: 1740-021X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17400201.2020.1819216
OpenAlexW3088574045
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited9

This paper critically examines how three educational manga texts render the history of World War II for upper elementary, middle, and high school students in Japan. Informed by critical theory, the authors analyzed both linguistic (words) and nonlinguistic texts (illustrations) related to two major World War II events in juxtaposition, namely, the Nanjing Massacre and U.S. attacks on Japan in each book due to their historical significance. We focused on whose perspective(s) and voice(s) are represented or silenced, which events were emphasized or minimized, and which information was dismissed or even possibly altered. The results suggest the constructed nature of the historical manga because each presents a different version of the two historical events. The creators of each manga employed several techniques including the use of different elements of texts and illustrations to convey their perspectives and point of view to their readers. This research calls for sound pedagogical practices for peace education when using books on the topic of war with young children and adolescents and offers recommendations

Art · Literature · Media studies · Pedagogy · Perspective (graphical · Point (geometry · Sociology · Visual arts · World War II · Educator Training and Historical Pedagogy · Global Education and Multiculturalism · History

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