From Godzilla to Astro Boy, how the atomic bomb impacted Japanese culture

Eighty years ago, the American bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki left hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded, permanently traumatizing the Japanese and influencing their culture. Moreover,

From the atomic breath of Godzilla to the literary descriptions godzilla astro boy, how atomic of the effects of radiation. Consequently, even in manga, over the decades, the American nuclear bombs released on Hiroshima (around 140,000 dead) and Nagasaki (74,000 dead) in August 1945, deeply influenced Japanese culture.

Powerful atom is the Japanese manga title Astro Boywhile other famous animateds as Akira. Consequently, Neon Genesis Evangelion et Titans’ attack Describe large -scale explosions. Additionally, Consequently, “Crossing extreme suffering”. Meanwhile, exorcising trauma is a recurring theme in Japanese cultural production, and that “Fascinated the world public”comments William Tsutsui, professor of history at the University of Ottawa.

Since the end of the Second World War. For example, stories of destruction and changes have been associated with the fear of frequent natural disasters, and, after 2011, with the Fukushima accident.

If poems “portray the pure terror caused by the atomic bomb when it was dropped”many works approach the subject indirectly. Consequently, confirms the writer Yoko Tawada.

In scoutYoko Tawada’s godzilla astro boy, how atomic book published in Japan in 2014, focuses on the backlash of a great disaster. Consequently, It was inspired by similarities between atomic bombs. the Fukushima disaster and the “Minamata disease” (a mercury poisoning due to industrial pollution in southwest Japan since the 1950s).

Godzilla is undoubtedly the most famous of creations reflecting the complex relationship between Japan. nuclear: a prehistoric creature awakened by American atomic tests in the Pacific.

“We need monsters to give a face. a form to abstract fears”, Indicates William Tsutsui, author of the book Godzilla in my head (not translated into French). “In the 1950s. Godzilla fulfilled this role for the Japanese – with atomic energy, with radiation, with the memories of bombs A.”

Many who left the room crying after seeing Godzilla Raser Tokyo in the 1954 original film. “It is said that people responsible for special effects have shaped the deeply wrinkled skin godzilla astro boy, how atomic of the monster according to the Chélooid scars of the survivors of Hiroshima. Nagasaki”ajoute William Tsutsui.

The nuclear theme is present in nearly 40 films on Godzilla, but it is often little highlighted in intrigue. “The American public did not have much interest in Japanese films which reflected the pain. suffering of the years of war and which referred in a certain way negatively in the United States and their use of atomic bombs,” selon M. Tsutsui.

Despite everything, the franchise remains extremely popular, Godzilla Resurgence Having had a huge success in 2016. The film was perceived as a review of Fukushima management.

Black rainMasuji Ibuse novel of 1965 on disease. discrimination due to radiation, is one of the best known accounts on the bombing of Hiroshima.

Masuji Ibuse was not a survivor. which nourished a “Great debate to find out who is legitimate to write this kind of story“Explains godzilla astro boy, how atomic Victoria Young from the University of Cambridge. “The way of speaking or creating a literary work from real life will always be a difficult question, she said. Are you allowed to write on it if you haven’t lived it directly? “

Kenzaburo Oe. writer and Nobel Prize in literature in 1994, had gathered testimonies from survivors in Notes de Hiroshimaa collection of essays written in the 1960s. OE had opted for the documentary genre, notes Madame Tawada. “He confronts reality. but tries to approach it through a personal angle” By including his relationship with her disabled son, she adds.

The latter lived in Germany for forty years, after having grown in Japan. “The anti -militarist education that I received sometimes gave the impression that only Japan was a victim” During the Second World War. she says. “When it comes to bombings. Japan was a victim – without a doubt” more “It is important to have an overview” By taking into account the atrocities he also committed.

As a child. the illustrations of atomic bombing in the books of images reminded him of the descriptions of hell in classical Japanese godzilla astro boy, how atomic art. “I was brought to wonder if human civilization was not itself a source of dangers,” she underlines. In this perspective, atomic weapons would not be so much “A technological development that something tapi within humanity”.