America has seen waves of feminism since the 20th Century, starting with the Women’s Liberation Movement and ending with the suffrage movements. As America became more egalitarian, it was necessary to have positive role models for females in films, especially those that are aimed at children. This call was met by Disney, who created more realistic female characters such as Pocahontas (an ecologist Indian princess) and Mulan (a cross-dressing soldier). Jack Zipes, who is an expert on fairytales and a professor, says that anyone trying to adapt a fairytale to the screen, through animation or any other means, must meet the Disney standard and attempt to surpass it. A statement such as this illustrates the deep association that fairy tales and Disney have over the years. Given the role of Disney’s heroines as role models, it is crucial to understand the didactic messages they are promoting.
Disney’s animated films don’t have to be the only ones that feature a hero. Hayao Mishazaki was born January 5, 1941. Hayao’s films are filled with vibrant animation and feature a strong female protagonist. Although Japan’s animation is a far more oppressive country than it used to be, Hayao Mizaki’s shows that Japan has some of its strongest female role model on the screen. Miyazaki’s films have heroines who can take on and hold high-ranking positions, which is a stark contrast to Disney’s where they are subject to the same restrictions as male power. Manuel Hernandez Perez in the “Animation, Branding and Authorship in the Construction of the ‘Anti Disney’ Ethos” explains that Miyazaki’s heroines are not eroticized and rarely engage in romantic relations. This is in contrast with Disney, which shows romantic interest as a simplified way to happiness. Comparing Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke (1997) and Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind (1984), it is clear that Miyazaki’s heroines are real women living in realistic situations. The future of feminism will be animated Japanese films. These four films share many similarities, including the fact that they all feature female protagonists. All three films, Nausicaa of Valley of Wind and Mononoke, have obvious ecological themes. All four films have their heroines in unique leadership positions in armed conflicts between opposing groups. San of Mononoke’s Nausicaa, Pocahontas, and Nausicaa are all royalty, so it is reasonable to expect that they will all be treated with respect. Nausicaa, the youngest and most powerful of the three heroines is also the strongest. She is competent using her gun and tools. Miyazaki shows off her feminine traits through her sweet laugh. She also shows that she is valorous when she rushes against an Ohmu to protect her mentor. Nausicaa’s independence and freedom is often illustrated. She doesn’t mind flying solo on her glider. She is strong, competent, and beautiful. Pocahontas was introduced to the audience much in the same manner as Nausicaa. Pocahontas introduces herself in a way that suggests immaturity. She performs a perfect dive from a steep cliff to the water below. Pocahontas is introduced as young and competent. However, the film becomes more complicated as Pocahontas develops her leadership potential. Pocahontas is shown pushing her tribe to war with the English colonists through her secret encounters and friendship with John Smith. Pocahontas takes no action to rescue her people unlike Nausicaa. Pocahontas, in order to save her tribe, needs to get the approval of her father as well as John Smith’s intervention. John Smith takes the bullet intended to be used for the Indian chief and ends the feud between the two groups. Disney’s Pocahontas is a weakling in her world. Nausicaa’s father makes her marry and settle down. Pocahontas needs the support of her family to fully integrate into her tribe. Pocahontas has been made to appear as a role model only for men. Pocahontas: The True Story of Pocahontas reveals how Pocahontas, who was only twelve years old when she met Captain John Smith. She was not in her 20s as Disney portrays. Miyazaki describes her as Princess Mononoke’s wild, strong woman with full body who can use spears to attack. Instead of praising Pocahontas’s intelligence and clear power, Disney decides to make her a sexualized and domesticized version of her legacy. Mulan, the hero who carried the swords of the enemy and the crests of the Emperor to her home, is similarly judged. Disney stresses the fact that her family will not be honored if she is a hero, but her family will if she is a bride. The Disney comparison shows Miyazaki is supportive of independent female characters. She believes that they aren’t bound by female stereotypes and beauty. The common theme in Disney princess films is the use of romance to provide closure, a resolution to conflicts, or to accept the heroine. Miyazaki doesn’t believe that a girl and boy can appear in the same movie. She wants to show a different type of relationship. One where they both inspire one another to live, and, if possible, to express true love. Hayao Miyazaki portrays strong female leads that are self-sufficient, brave girls who don’t mind fighting for their beliefs. But they won’t need a savior, because every woman can be a hero. Mulan and Pocahontas, however, are clearly male-dominated. Mulan says that it is important to strive for being a “man” in order not to reinforce masculine stereotypes or oppress feminine traits. Pocahontas does not make the story’s hero; it is the man she loves. While Disney’s princess films are dominated by men, even though they feature female characters as the protagonists, Miyazaki uses female characters to create strong heroes. Miyazaki depicts real women in a real-world setting with real consequences. Miyazaki films are not like Disney’s, which have happy endings that please the audience. His heroines and characters often linger on the losses and mistakes that they have made. This is evident in Princess Mononoke. It was common to expect that the Forest Spirit’s spirit would return to its rightful body upon San and Ashitaka returning the Forest Spirit’s head to its proper home. But it didn’t. Miyazaki’s films, unlike Disney’s, are not happy-ever-after films. Miyazaki’s heroines have to experience loss. They must face their fears. There is no miracle cure for all of the negative things. Miyazaki’s heroines have to find a way forward. This is a great role model as they continue to live their lives, even when it’s difficult. Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind exemplifies the potential consequences of people’s actions. Because of humanity’s mistakes, Princess Nausicaa is forced to confront a polluted world and must protect both people as well as the creatures who live in it. Nausicaa works to ensure that people and nature coexist. Nausicaa isn’t afraid to be feminine and doesn’t need to be ruled by a Prince Charming. Miyazaki’s heroines make use of their strength and compassion to understand the feelings of others. Miyazaki advocates for respecting and caring for all living beings. Because life isn’t guaranteed or permanent, people’s actions can have consequences. Disney’s Mulan doesn’t show Mulan experiencing any emotional hardship. Despite going to war, all of her bumps were physical. Pocahontas does not acknowledge emotional loss. Pocahontas indirectly caused Kocoum to die. Pocahontas is shocked by his death but quickly moves past it. Miyazaki doesn’t gloss over emotions and past experiences like Disney. Miyazaki, unlike Disney, does not use female characters. This is because they show women how to deal with loss and hardship. Miyazaki’s portrayal women can be seen to indicate post-patriarchal Japan. His heroines defy the patriarchal male models of the victorious protagonist that are prevalent in Western cinema. Miyazaki’s heroines are unifying agents of change and reject violence. They also challenge stereotypical gender roles. Disney still uses princesses as schizophrenic subjects. Disney reinforces heterosexual norms by portraying Mulan and Pocahontas in conservative and regressive roles in certain films, while others are progressive in others. These themes, which are based on ecology and feministism, are important and must be shared with everyone.
