Why Do You Always Kill Gods in JRPGs?
Moon Channel・69 minutes read
Japanese games often feature god-slaying tropes rooted in historical and cultural conflicts, using them as metaphors for societal critiques. These nuanced themes contrast with Western games, reflecting deeper cultural influences and historical contexts in storytelling.
Insights
- The prevalence of god fights in Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) reflects a complex social metaphor rooted in Japan's historical cycles of false gods and the blending of Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism, contrasting with Western games where killing gods signifies achievement.
- Japan's cultural rebellion against societal issues like overwork, stress, and political dynamics is mirrored in media through indirect metaphors and symbolism, with games like Final Fantasy VII critiquing capitalism and power struggles through villains like Shinra and Sephiroth.
- The nuanced use of metaphors in Japanese media, contrasting with Western direct critiques of capitalism, showcases a deeper cultural context and historical influences, shaping societal critiques in video games and reflecting Japan's struggles with economic stagnation, political control, and societal discontent.
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Recent questions
Why do Japanese role-playing games often feature god fights?
Japanese role-playing games frequently incorporate god fights as final or secret bosses due to historical cycles of false gods in Japan, Eastern philosophy's unique views on gods, and the influence of Chinese and Japanese religious beliefs. These battles serve as complex social metaphors rooted in history and culture, contrasting with Western games where killing gods signifies player achievement. The prevalence of god-slaying in JRPGs raises questions about their purpose, reflecting deeper societal critiques and historical influences that shape storytelling in Japanese media.
How does Japanese culture view gods differently from Western culture?
Japanese culture views gods differently from Western culture, with Eastern philosophy emphasizing a more nuanced and complex understanding of divinity. In Japanese games, god-slaying serves as a social metaphor rooted in historical conflicts and religious influences, contrasting with Western games where killing gods symbolizes player achievement. The nuanced use of metaphors in Japanese media reflects a deeper cultural context and historical influences, shaping storytelling and societal critiques in video games.
What historical events influenced the god-slaying trope in Japanese media?
The god-slaying trope in Japanese media is influenced by historical events such as the adoption of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism by Japanese Nobles, conflicts with traditional tribal hierarchy, and the rise of warrior monks known as Sohei. These events, along with the Heianjidai period's political upheaval and the Kamakurajidai period's Samurai rule, shaped the societal struggles and cultural context that are reflected in the god-slaying theme in Japanese games.
How do Japanese games critique modern society through the false god trope?
Japanese games critique modern society through the false god trope by using metaphors to reflect societal issues like capitalism, power struggles, and corruption. Games like Persona 5 and Final Fantasy VII present themes of wealth, control, and societal corruption through entities like the Holy Grail and villains like Shinra and Sephiroth. The prevalence of the false god trope in Japanese media serves as a critique of modern Japan, highlighting the impact of capitalism and societal corruption.
What societal issues in Japan are reflected in the fight against evil gods in video games?
The fight against evil gods in video games reflects societal issues in Japan such as overwork, stress, suicide, and cultural rebellion against the system. Japanese game developers use the god-slaying trope as a metaphor to critique societal problems like the social contract emphasizing lifelong dedication to the company, leading to stress and societal issues. These themes are reflected in media as a form of indirect societal critique, addressing the struggles and discontent present in Japanese society.
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Summary
00:00
God-Slaying in Japanese RPGs: A Cultural Analysis
- Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) often feature fighting gods as final or secret bosses.
- Even in games where gods are not central, players often end up fighting a god.
- Examples like Octopath Traveler show god fights that tie minimally to the plot.
- The prevalence of god fights in JRPGs raises questions about their purpose.
- Japanese games' god-slaying trope stems from historical cycles of false gods in Japan.
- Eastern philosophy views gods differently from Western culture.
- Sponsorship mention: NordPass Business offers secure password management.
- In Western games, killing gods signifies player achievement and worthiness.
- In Japanese games, god-slaying is a complex social metaphor rooted in history and culture.
- Chinese and Japanese religious influences shape the god-slaying trope in Japanese media and games.
15:49
Japanese Buddhism's Impact on Political History
- Japanese Nobles adopted Chinese Mahayana Buddhism, blending Taoism and Buddhism, causing conflict with traditional tribal hierarchy.
- In 760 A.D., Japanese monk Dokyo nearly overthrew the Imperial house through political manipulation but was stopped by existing political families like the Fujiwada clan.
- Monk Saicho founded the Tendai Buddhist School in Japan in 806, countering the Hosso School's political power.
- Warrior monks, known as Sohei, gained political power, leading to armed conflicts between temples and tribes in Japan.
- Heianjidai period saw Japan lose half its population to smallpox, facing political upheaval and civil war.
- Kamakurajidai marked the beginning of Samurai rule in Japan, with Buddhism expanding as the dominant religion.
- Kamakura period saw peasant uprisings due to Buddhism offering personal salvation contrary to noble beliefs.
- Muramachijidai period included the Sengoku Jidai Civil War, with the Ikko Ikki sect representing common people.
- Edojidai period brought peace but strict control over religion, leading to the suppression of Buddhism and Christianity.
- Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853 forced Japan to open its ports, ending the Sakoku policy and leading to economic collapse and social unrest.
31:47
"Japan's Transformation: From Feudalism to Modernization"
- The British Fleet opened fire, leading to the Satsuma giving in to British demands and issuing an apology and compensation.
- Western Powers bombarded Shimanoseki in response to Japanese aggression, highlighting Japan's inability to stand against Western military might.
- The shogunate briefly regained power, reinstating centralized control and brutally suppressing Imperial Rebels, sparking numerous rebellions.
- Shogun Tokugawa Iamochi and Emperor Comey passed away, replaced by Emperor Meiji, leading to a conflict between supporters of the new Progressive Emperor and the traditional shogunate system.
- The Boshin War ensued, resulting in the Emperor's victory and the summoning of all domain leaders to declare Imperial control over Japan's 280 domains, dividing them into 72 prefectures.
- The Meiji Restoration began with the Emperor's total control, leading to rapid modernization, including establishing a universal Japanese language and abolishing the old Samurai class.
- State Shinto emerged as a new religion, emphasizing the Emperor as a divine representative, aligning with Western monotheistic beliefs.
- Japan's rapid industrialization and modernization under the Meiji government led to significant achievements, culminating in the Russo-Japanese War and the Treaty of Portsmouth.
- Post-Meiji era saw Japan's transformation into a militaristic power, aligning with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy, resulting in brutal conquests and alliances.
- Post-World War II, Japan's economy experienced a miraculous recovery, transitioning into a capitalist society with the rise of conglomerates like the kairatsu, resembling the hierarchical structure of Mitsubishi Corporation.
49:01
Japan's Economic History and Cultural Rebellion
- Shinra Corporation exploits the people by promising a false Heaven, built on lies, to suppress and gain power.
- In 1973, the oil crisis caused Japan's industrial production to drop by 20% due to a significant increase in oil prices.
- Japan shifted its economy towards technology and services during the oil shocks of 1978 and 1979, less affected than other developed countries.
- The Plaza Accord in 1985 devalued the US dollar, impacting Japan's competitiveness negatively.
- The Japanese economy experienced a massive asset price bubble in the late 1980s, leading to a period of excessive consumption and economic growth.
- The bubble burst in 1989, causing the Japanese Yen to plummet, land prices to crash, and the stock market to decline.
- Japan's economy faced stagnation and recession, leading to the "Lost Decades" from the 1990s to the 2010s.
- The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has controlled Japan's government since 1949, seen as the party of business and the keiretsu.
- The social contract in Japan emphasizes lifelong dedication to the company, leading to overwork, stress, and societal issues like suicide and hikikomori.
- Japan's population decline, economic struggles, and political dynamics contribute to a cultural rebellion against the system, reflected in media and the fight against evil gods in video games.
01:06:06
Metaphors in Japanese Games Critique Society
- Game developers and anime directors in Japan often tell stories that reflect their experiences and societal observations indirectly, avoiding confrontation.
- Final Fantasy VII explores themes of capitalism, power, and corruption through its villains Shinra, Genova, and Sephiroth, symbolizing societal issues in Japan.
- Many JRPGs use the metaphor of a false god, often represented by an alien entity, corrupting society through capitalism and power struggles.
- Persona 5 presents a similar theme with the Holy Grail representing wealth and control, corrupting society and individuals like Masayoshi Shido.
- The prevalence of the false god trope in Japanese media reflects a critique of modern Japan, particularly the impact of capitalism and societal corruption.
- While some games like Kirby may not have overt political messages, many Japanese games use subtle metaphors to convey societal critiques.
- Japanese media often employs indirect metaphors and symbolism, contrasting with Western games like Stardew Valley or BioShock Infinite that directly critique capitalism.
- The comparison of the god-slaying trope in Eastern and Western games reveals differences in how societal critiques are presented, with Japanese games being more nuanced and layered.
- In Western culture, immortality and godhood are typically granted by a higher power, contrasting with Japanese and Norse mythology where individuals can ascend to godhood through their own actions.
- The nuanced use of metaphors in Japanese media reflects a deeper cultural context and historical influences, shaping the storytelling and societal critiques in video games.
01:22:57
"Cross-cultural mythology influences media themes"
- Norse mythology is made more accessible to a Japanese audience through various games like Final Fantasy VII, incorporating elements such as Midgar from Midgard and Nibelheim from Niflheim.
- Jewish mysticism and Christian gnosticism are depicted in Western media with alternative interpretations, offering unique paths to salvation or secret knowledge, resembling Eastern religious concepts.
- Japanese media often incorporates Western religious motifs for their cool and mysterious appeal, with Gnostic themes used extensively for this reason, requiring a nuanced interpretation.
- Japan's societal struggles, like the Lost Decade and broken social contracts, have heavily influenced its media, reflecting themes of godsling and societal discontent, which are now emerging in Western media as well due to similar societal issues.
