Dystopia in the Japanese Animation My Daemon

Abstract

The article aims to analyze dystopia found in the Japanese animation My Daemon (2023). Through the concept of dystopia based on two questions: how does the dystopian society created by the advancement of science and technology affect humans as well as nature and the environment and how does the animation text offer a solution to society. It was found that the animation is narrated through a journey of a Japanese boy who tries to make his dead mother alive again. In the animation, the Dystopian world is presented as the memory of the great trauma or scars caused by the nuclear war, which led to the destruction of Japan. The devastation left children parentless and homeless. The main character, Daemon, plays a vital role in the narrative in which symbolic meanings and diverse dimensions are created. Daemon is alien-looking and dirty, and viewed as a potential threat to human beings. It is shown to represent the lower class,  symbols of wild nature and environments of which balance is destroyed by modern science. Furthermore, Daemon symbolizes all humans’ hope in restoring the world of peace and the world without the grave danger from the nuclear war. The animation in question reflects the human-centered concept and lack of priority and appreciation of nature and environments. Studying the animation text through the concept of dystopia explains that the text does not only focus on presenting aesthetic entertainment but also presents an undesirable society that is waiting humans to heal for normalcy through awareness of the scientific dominance and creating ecological awareness for the world’s balance.