Semiotics for film analysis -- Introduction: what is semiotics? -- Reading film: the nature of interpretation -- Mythology in film: why study mythology in popular film and anime? -- Storytelling : what is in the story? -- Visual literacy: what do we get from watching film? -- Application: case studies of Japanese film analysis -- Taoism and Shinto symbolism: Onmyji I (2001) and Onmyji II -- Classic literature motifs in Spirited away (2001) and Princess Mononoke -- Motifs of Buddhism and folklore in Dororo (2007) and Departures (2008) -- Eclectic myths in Mushi-shi (2006) and Ghost in the shell 2: innocence -- Conclusion: social usage of mythology
Summary
This book introduces film semiotics and demonstrates its use as a theoretical tool for reading Japanese popular movies and anime