REPRESENTATION JAPAN AND AMERICA IN BIG HERO 6 (2014) FILM

By:

ALIA AUDINA KASIH S

NIM. 1112026000027

ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT

LETTER AND HUMANITIES FACULTY

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

“SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH” JAKARTA

2019

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ABSTRACT

Alia Audina Kasih Saleha, Representation Japan and America in Big Hero 6.

Thesis: Letters and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University “Syarif

Hidayatullah” Jakarta. 2019.

Big Hero 6 (2014) film directed by Don Hall by Walt Disney Animation Studios is

the unit analysis of this research. The writer uses the film to reveal the representation

of Japan and America. The purpose of this research is to know and understand

character, then setting/props that represent Japan and America from the concept

representation by Stuart Hall. The writer uses qualitative method to analyze the

findings. All data are collected from the dialogue and screencapture in the film.

The result shows that Japan and America the two different culture are mixed in the

film. Eventhough, the two countries was blend but in mixed of culture, there is still

have more dominant. The dominant is America. In the film Japanese traditional

culture represented in different ways and used not as should be. It conclude that

eventhouh, there are many elements of Japan such as cultures, characters, buildings,

are portrayed in this film but still America more dominant. It seems America

describing Japan inproper. It can be seen from the elements character and

setting/props.

Keywords: Japan and America, Big Hero 6, character, setting, props, mise en scene,

representation

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, do the best of my

knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published and written by

another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the

award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institution of higher

learning, except where due acknowledgement has made in the text.

Jakarta, 24 April 2019

Alia Audina Kasih S

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Bismillahirrahmaninrrahim.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praises be to Allah SWT, the lord of universe. With his blessings and

guidance, the writer would to be grateful to Allah, because finally the writer finishing

this thesis. Peace and blessing be upon to the most honorable our prophet Muhammad

SAW, his families, friends, and followers.

The writer would like to express a very special thanks to her parents,

Sutaryadi Saleh and Widyaningsih. Because of their prayers, love and support, the

writer has strength for finishing this thesis. Also, not forget to thanks her big brother

and little brother who has given the writer love and spirit.

A deeply thanks is also dedicated to Mrs. Pita Merdeka, M.A as her advisor

for her great patients, advices, support, times, and many helps until the writer

finishing this thesis. The writer very grateful for her hardwork to everything. May

Allah SWT bless her and her family.

This paper presented to the English Letters Department, Letters and

Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, as a part of

requirements for the Degree of Strata One.

The writer would like to express her sincere gratitude the following people:

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1. Saiful Umam, Ph.D. as the Dean of Adab and Humanity Faculty of State

Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

2. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M.Pd. as the Head of English Letters Department and

Ms. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum. as the Secretary of English Letters Department.

3. All the lecturers in English Letters Department that the writer cannot mention

one by one who have taught her many things and educated her during her

study.

4. A special person Juansyah Rinaldy S who always accompany until this time,

many thanks for his times, support, love, and always be the writer’s a source

of happiness. Thanks love!

5. Her best friends that felt like my family since Junior High School: Miranny

Seren and Siti Masitoh. Love you guys!

6. Her sista from another mother who have shared memories together since

entered the university, Ivony Irma Romadhona, Ricca Rahmawati, Pakerti Nur

Utami. A distance never remove our precious time, babes.

7. Eceu gang who always share laughed anywhere, anytime: Fadhilla

Fatihatullaily, Sri Mulyani, Rismayanti Putri. Keep going crazy, guys.

8. Her good listener friends: Muhammad Fadli, M. Fauzier, thanks for the shared

stories and always have heard my stories.

9. Her thesis struggle gang: Aditia Prana Setiadji, Rizki Ananda, Fajar

Nurrahman, Mita Eka Sari.

10. Her classmate in FASELL 2012, my beloved class Literature 2012.

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Thanks for the all supported, the writer wishes and prays that Allah SWT will

repay for the kindness to them.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT…………………………………………………… ....................... i

APPROVAL SHEET ........................................................................................ ii

LEGALIZATION ............................................................................................. iii

DECLARATION ............................................................................................... iv

AKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................................... viii

CHAPTER I – Introduction ............................................................................. 1

A. Background of Study..................................................................................... 1

B. Focuses of the Study ..................................................................................... 5

C. Research Question ......................................................................................... 5

D. The Objective of The Research ..................................................................... 5

E. Signifiance of the Study ................................................................................ 6

F. Research Methodology.................................................................................. 6

1. Research Methodology............................................................................ 6

2. The Tehnique of Analysis ....................................................................... 6

3. The Instrument of The Research ............................................................. 7

4. The Unit of Analysis ............................................................................... 7

5. Place and Time of The Researh .............................................................. 7

CHAPTER II – Theoritical Framework ......................................................... 8

A. Previous Research ......................................................................................... 8

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B. Element of Narrative ..................................................................................... 9

1. Character and Characterization ............................................................... 9

a. Characterization Through Appearance ............................................. 10

b. Characterization through Dialogue ................................................... 10

2. Setting ..................................................................................................... 11

3. The Concept of Ideology by Stuart Hall ................................................. 13

CHAPTER III – Research Finding ................................................................. 17

A. Representation Japan and America through Character and Characterization 17

a. Hiro Hamada ........................................................................................... 17

b. Tadashi Hamada ...................................................................................... 18

c. Professor Robert Callaghan..................................................................... 19

d. Alistar Krei .............................................................................................. 20

B. Representation Japan and America through Setting/Place............................ 21

a. Golden Gate Bridge................................................................................. 22

b. Port of San Fransisco .............................................................................. 23

c. Transamerica Pyramid ............................................................................ 24

d. Japanese Hairpin (Kanzashi) ................................................................... 25

e. Wagasa .................................................................................................... 26

f. Maneki Neko ........................................................................................... 27

g. Victorian Mission Duplexes .................................................................... 28

h. A picture of Robot Gundam .................................................................... 29

i. Kabuki Mask ........................................................................................... 30

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j. A picture family who wear Kimono........................................................ 31

k. Karate ...................................................................................................... 32

CHAPTHER IV – Conclusion and Suggestion ............................................... 34

A. Conclusion..................................................................................................... 34

B. Suggestion ..................................................................................................... 35

WORK CITTED ............................................................................................... 36

APPENDIX ........................................................................................................ 38

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Japan and America are the two leading countries in the world that has

become a lot of attention in various ways. In the beginning of the 19th century the

two countries had a bad relationship with a diplomatic mission by US ship captain

James Glynn and Matthew C. Perry to the Keshogunan Tokugawa (Aipassa). The

two countries established fairly good relations after that, and many of the Japanese

people immigrated to the United States until before World War II. The tragedy of the

atomic bomb dropped by the United States in Hiroshima and Nagasaki triggered the

end of the war and led to the Japanese military occupation by the United States. But

because the United States is in the process of rebuilding and wants to share

technology with Japan, the relationship between them can prosper again. The

exchange of technology coupled with the cultural exchange between the two

countries resulted in a strong alliance. Since then Japan-United States relations have

been going well, especially in the trade sector, with increasing consumer goods of

electronics and Japanese-produced cars in the United States.

Not only in the fields of trade, Japan and America are interconnected, but

also in the film industry. Initially in America, during World War II a prominent Walt

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Disney filmmaker made short cartoons containing propaganda against Japan

(QUINN). However, after World War II American and Japanese popular culture had

cross pollinated, shared, and sometimes stole each other's ideas even though they

seemed to be dishonorable. An example of this case is the Bambi film from Disney

which is loved by Osamu Tezuka, a Japanese cartoonist, known as the "manga god,"

who drew, published, and sold the version of his own illustrated story in 1950. But

Disney was later accused of plagiarizing Tezuka Kimba the White Lion because of

the large multimedia results The Lion King. (Tezuka Productions have never sued,

and Disney has never formally admitted to a mistake.) (Kelts). Japanese pop culture is

indeed an attraction in a film industry in America and other countries. Previously,

Japan and America only shared ideas in film, especially in cartoons.

It's been a lot of cooperation, but Japan and America relations not always

run smoothly. For example, nowadays there are many hollywood films that combine

the two countries together. By represent the cultures that exist in the characteristics of

the country. However, in Hollywood films, it is still seen in America, which is more

dominant in every film. One example is the battleship film. The film combines the

America and Asian countries, namely Japan. In this film shows a image of Japan

through the asian character, the main character named Nagata. Indeed, in Battleship

portrays Asian well, but Hollywood still shows some negative images from Asian.

For example, this film says that the main character Nagata is sneaky (Jamal).

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Likewise, in the Big Hero 6, this film is made from Walt Disney, which of

course is a Hollywood film production. The film also combines the two countries into

one by represent the culture that exists in both countries through the character’s name

that is a image of Japan and settings that exist in the film. so that, it becomes a

beautiful and harmonious new world. Big Hero 6 is a film about Hiro Hamada, a 14-

year-old Japan American child who is an expert in making robots. He lives in the

San-Fransokyo metropolitan city set in the city of San Francisco and Tokyo. Hiro

spends his daily life joining an illegal robot fight. He has an older brother named

Tadashi. Because Tadashi is worried about Hiro's genius abilities that would be in

vain. So, he takes him to the university where he studies, the San-Fransokyo Institute

of Technology (SFIT), where Hiro meets with Tadashi's friends. They are Go Go

Tomago, Fred, Wasabi No-Ginger, Honey Lemon and Baymax, a personal health

guard robot created by Tadashi. In Hiro's efforts to enter the university, Hiro must

make a project that must be launched, namely Microbots. Microbots are a group of

small robots that can join together to form anything in each setting shadow. A

president of the company from Tech company Alistar Krei was interested in buying a

work from Hiro's work. After the moment end, there was a fire at the University and

Hiro's older brother, Tadashi died because he wanted to help Professor Callaghan. For

that matter the climax of the problem happened. Someone makes copies of Hiro's

microbots and used them to attack and do damage. The villain uses the Kabuki

mask in carrying out the action. Kabuki was a classical theater from Japan in the 17th

century that uses facial makeup to accentuate the character of the character portrayed

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(RM 81). Hiro and his friends finally work together to capture the villain. When he

was caught and his mask opened, he turned out to be a professor of Callaghan,

president of the San Fransokyo University. He committed a crime for revenge against

Alistar Krei, because there had been an experimental incident in a project involving

Callaghan's daughter, Abigail, so that his daughter was lost. It ended with a fight

between Callaghan, Hiro, Baymax, Honey Lemon, Go Go Tomago, Fred, and Wasabi

No-Ginger and finally won by Hiro and his friends.

In this film, it is very clear how the film portrays the two nations that are

united in a film such as the Shibuya Skyscraper embracing an American icon,

Transamerica Pyramid. Then line up a typical San Fransico housing style, namely

Victorian Mission duplexes. Along the way the Japanese cherry blossoms are

blooming. There is a train from Yamanote and Chuo lines, two of the most popular

central trains in Tokyo. In this film, Yokohama Bay Bridge connects the financial

district to the San Francisco East Bay.

Eventhough, in the film portray the mixture of cultures but America still

more dominant. It can be seen in the film, for example, two main characters from

Japan, Hiro and Tadashi, must be troubled by two evil characters from America,

Professor Callaghan and Alistar Krei. And then from settings / props that portray

Japan and America culture such as buildings, traditional items, and so on. In film,

Japanese cultural uses are not displayed properly. It even looks negatively depicted in

the film.

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This analysis will use the Representation Theory by Stuart Hall. Judging

from the analysis, where representatives of Japan and America are clearly described

in this film. According to Stuart Hall in a cultural study explain that images have

many different meanings and there is no guarantee that the image will work in the

way we think, they will work when we create them. In this research, it will discuss

how the film represents Japan and America and also to show how America more

dominant in the film. This research will also explore the elements of narrative that

will describe Japan and America (Hall 3).

B. Focus of The Study

According to the background above, the writer will focus to Japan and

America as represented in Big Hero 6 Film. It can be found in the Aspect narration,

story of the film by using representation theory by Stuart Hall.

C. Research Question

From the focus of the study that the writer explained, the question of the

research is;

1. How are Japan and America representated in Big Hero 6 Film?

D. The Objective of The Research

The objective of the research is the writer wants to explain representation

Japan and America in Big Hero 6 Film.

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E. Significance of The Study

The significance of this research is to give knowledge and explain about

the culture and relation of Japan and America through the narration aspect of the

Film. The writer also hopes that this research will useful to the student English

Literature and also for other people who interest in the future.

F. Research Methodology

1. The Method of the Research

The method of the research, the writer uses qualitative method of the

research in describing and analyzing internal and external of literary works. The

qualitative method is to interpret something in the form of a description. This

research makes description to give the meaning and delivering messages about

representation Japan and America in Big Hero 6 Film (Ratna 46).

To make sure this research, the writer learning and collecting the data from

books, journals, online journals and article online.

2. The Technique of Data Analysis

The technique of data analysis, in this research the writer uses qualitative

descriptive technique, the writer will give an explain about how the Japan and

America represented based on aspect narration of the film, there are characteristics

and setting/place. To support this, the first step that the writer does is watches the

film.

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3. The Instrument of The Research

The instrument of the research is the writer itself, I. By watching the film,

identify, and analyzed anything can relate to Japan and America from the aspect

narration, that is, from characters, characterization, setting/place, or anything that

portrays of Japan and America.

4. The Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis of this research is Big Hero 6 movie an animation film

that produced by Walt Disney which was directed by Don Hall. The movie out was in

2014.

5. Time and Place

The research begins in the last semesters, which was in 2016-2018 at UIN

Syarifhidayatullah Jakarta, Faculty Adab and Humanity. This research also conducted

in the house the writer’s, the main library Campus 1 UIN Syarifhidayatullah Jakarta,

and the library of Faculty Adab and Humanity.

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CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. Previous Research

In this chapter provides the previous research that related to the research,

theories and concept of representation. The theories are used to expose the

representation Japan and America in Big Hero 6 film. After collecting data, it has

found some previous research there are few previous research that analyzing about

Big Hero 6 film but in different analyzing and theories. The first reseacher that the

writer found is Rani Meilia Pratiwi with the title thesis “Heroism as Seen in Big Hero

6 Movie”, a graduate student of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta who analyzed about

how heroism as seen in Big Hero 6, this researcher used theory of Joseph Campbell’s

to knows the hero’s journey and also used the film theory by Amy Villarejo as well to

support and to improve the analysis.

The second researcher is Putri Karyani with an undergraduate thesis title

“THE REPRESENTATION OF HIRO HAMADA AS A JAPANESE AMERICAN

SUPERHERO IN BIG HERO 6 MOVIE”, a graduate student of Universitas Airlangga

Surabaya 2016 from english department faculty of humanity. This researcher

examines the portrayal of Liam Burke’s theory superhero archetype in Big Hero 6

film in order to see how a Japanese American superhero character is represented in

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this film and to identify what the impact of portrayal toward the superhero character

and the other characters are.

Based on the previous research above, the writer thinks that this research

different from the previous research has been done. The writer will explain about the

theory that will be used in this research. The first is identifying will be more explain

spesific on some element of narrative; character and characterization, setting(set and

props) that represent Japan and America. The next is identifying the concept of

representation by Stuart Hall.

B. Element of Narrative

1. Character and Characterization

The essential part of in the making film, definitely always connected to

character and characterization. Character in the film is important aspect because

considered as a place where events and problems meet to make the film clearly and

more alive. Richard Barsam also explained that character is one of the element of

narrative, play functional roles within the plot. Either acting or being acted on. Stories

cannot exist without plot and characters (Barsam 134).

In order to know what is the film want to be represented or delivered. As

Barsam (72-74) explained character in the film can be round and flat, major and

minor, protagonist and antagonist, then marginal character.

Not only character the important part of the film but also characterization.”

Characterization is the process of the actor’s interpreting in a film. Characterization

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different according to the actor, the character the screenplay and the director”

(Barsam 74). To understand the characterization will be more clear if it explains,

according to Boggs and Petrie The Art of Watching Films, Seventh Edition (60-67)

characterization is divided into several things, there are:

a. Characterization Through Appearance

Every detail of the character that audience see on the screen can influence

them about how the characterization is revealed which is can make the definition

characters on film. In this way, characterization can not only be determined by the

way actors speak, their physical build, facial features, and mannerism. But it can also

be seen from the role of the environment, the surroundings, and tools picked up are

taking part in characterization.

b. Characterization through Dialogue

In the film, some words will describes someone’s personality. To reveal

the character’s personality not only by seen the conversation or what they say words.

Because to reveal the characterization through the how they say words. Literally, the

choices of words, how the use patterns of words are said, the pitch, the vocal stress,

how the pause on the sentences reveal the thoughts of actor, emotion and the attitudes

of the character. In other hand, to reveal the characterization the actor use such as

sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, and particular dialects (if any) reveals a

great deal about their characters social and economic level, educational background,

and mental process.

c. Characterization through Choice of Name

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One essential method of characterization is the use of names possessing

appropriate qualities of sound, meaning, or connotation. This technique is known as

name typing. A screenwriter usually thinks out his characters' names very carefully

because great deal of thought goes into the choice of names, they should not be taken

for granted but should be carefully examined for the connotations they communicate.

2. Setting (Set and Props)

The Setting of film is the time and place in the story that often happened.

Setting film not only to shows the date, the city and country but also can provides the

character’s educational, social, cultural backgrounds and then can identifying the

factors vital for to know and understand them, such as what they wear, eat, and drink.

From the setting will also provides an implicit explanation for actions or traits that we

otherwise consider eccentric, because cultural norms differ from place to place and at

all times. Certain genres are related with specific settings. For example, westerners

with a wide open country, noir films with dark city streets, and horror films with

creepy houses.

In addition to providing us with important contextual information that

helps us understand story events and character motivations, arrangements to add

textures to film diegesis, enrich our sense of the film world as a whole (Barsam 76).

According to Sikov’s book Film Studies An Introduction, mise en scene is

cinematic elements are often seen in the film, to understanding and reflect the film

itself. The word Mise en scene comes from France and the meaning is that which has

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been put into the scene or put on stage. In the mise en scene there are part of element

in the film, namely: settings, props, lighting, costumes, make up, and figure

behaviour just like meaning of actors, gestures, facial expressions (Sikov 5). The

writer just want to explain about setting from the mise en scene. Setting in the Mise

en scene have the important and active role. The part of setting is property, property

is also can identify acting on the character, for an example a long hair of Rapunzel in

Tangled film who had a power, if someone has cutting a long hair of Rapunzel, the

power will gone.

In Amy Villarejo’s book, also explained about mise en scene in its initial

use it meant the theatrical process of staging. In the study of auteurs, you will recall,

it was in mise-en-scène that the French intellectuals found the evidence for authorial

signatures and individual genius, but it is also in mise-en-scène that we often find a

palpable manifestation of what we might call in the vernacular the “world of the

film,” its feel, its attitude toward detail, its sense of its own reality against which we

can measure its representations. It thus provides a useful starting point for describing

what you’re seeing. There are six components to mise en scene: settings (set and

props), lighting, costume, hair, make-up, and figure behaviour. Because this film

represent cultures that two countries; Japan and America in the film, this research use

the main element that portray the mixed of cultures, that is setting.

Setting should not be constructed eventhough it is often. Shooting on

location that is, using settings found in the world rather than constructed in the studio

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sdoes not mean that the world of the film thus created is not constructed or is simply

“realistic.” Location shooting relies on deliberate choices to enlist the help of

alreadyconstructed locales in the production of the film’s setting. Sets are not

confined to measurable interiors, such as dwellings or workplaces, but can extend

literally into the new worlds of galaxies and universes beyond our own. If settings

often blend found and constructed elements, props (it means “properties”) help to

amplify a mood, give further definition to a setting, or call attention to detail within

the larger scene. Props can serve an overt narrative function. Props can also serve less

overt narrative functions, condensing meaning without declaring it baldly (Villarejo

29-32).

C. The Concept of Representation by Stuart Hall

Representation relates to a meaning and language to culture. Thus,

representation can be interpreted as an important part of a process to produce

meaning and can be exchanged with members of the cultural community. In short,

representation produce meaning through language, according to The Shorter Oxford

English Dictionary (Hall 16), there are two purposes of the representation itself,

namely:

1. To Represent something is to describe or depict it, to call it up in the mind by

description or portrayal or imagination; to place a likeness of it before us in our

mind or in the senses; as, for example, in the sentence, ‘ This picture represents the

murder of Abel by Cain.’

2. To represents also means to symbolize, stand for, to be specimen of, or to substitute

for; as in the sentence. ‘In Christianity, the cross represents the suffering and

crucifixion of Christ.

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Representation works through a representation system. Where this

representation system has two important concepts in it, namely concepts in mind and

language. Both of these concepts are interconnected with each other. We have a

concept in our mind that we already know its own meaning. However, a meaning will

not be known if it is not communicated with the language. For example: we know the

concept of a pen and certainly know its meaning, we cannot tell the meaning of a pen

if we do not communicate it through language so that others can understand it.

Language is therefore the second system of representation involved in the overall

process of constructing meaning.

The point of the meaning process in culture, are two related systems of

representation, the first enables us to give meaning to the world by constructing a set

of correspondences or a chain of equivalences between things; people, objects,

events, abstract ideas, etc. The second depends on constructing a set of

correspondences between our conceptual map and a set of signs, arranged, or

organized into various languages which stand for or represent those concept. The

relation between ‘things;, concepts, and signs lies at the heart of the production of

meaning language (Hall 19).

In his book Stuart Hall explained that there are three types of approaches in

representation systems, there are reflective approach, intentional approach,

contructionist approach. First, reflective approach, Where language as a mirror,

which reflects the true meaning of everything in the world. In this approach, a

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meaning depends on an object, person, idea, or event in the real world, and language

as a mirror to reflect the true meaning as it already exists in the world. Second,

intentional approach, In this approach we use language to communicate something

according to our way of looking at things. This approach explained that speakers,

writers, anyone who expresses their unique understanding into the world through

language.

And the third, contsructionist approach, in this third approach, we believe

that we can construct meaning through language to recognize the public, the social

character of language. According to this third approach, we must not confuse the

material world, where things and people exist, and the symbolic practices and

processes through which representation, meaning and language operate. Based on

these theories, the writer will use the contsructionist approach to construct the

meaning. Because constuctionist approach suitable for this approach to identify and

to show Japan and America representation in Big Hero 6 film, then because this

approach that does not represent the real world but construct the new world with the

part neccessity from the representation maker. The representation is meaning; it

explains who made the representation. Constructionist approach is suitable to be used

anylzing film. Because the film is system which designed by its creator to show

through the screenplay. This film construct two countries involved in the story there

are; Japan and America.

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH FINDINGS

In the previous chapter, the writer discussed about what representation

is. Representation is produce meaning through the language, and it will use the

constructionist approach which is we believe that we can construct meaning

through language to recognize the public, the social character of language, just

like the writer want to describe in this chapter. So, in this chapter the writer will

describe the research findings what it found from the film through the some of

element narrative; character and characterization, setting, the writer will look

from screen capture the scenes in the film. Because of that, the writer will show

Japan and America are represented in the film from the character’s name, setting

that happened in the film. Setting in the film not only just a shows the date, the

city and country but also can provides the character’s educational, social, cultural

backgrounds and then can identifying the factors vital for to know and

understand them. Setting in the mise en scene have the important and active role.

The part of setting is property, property is also can identify the culture as the

writer explained in the previous chapter.

From that way the writer will found out how Japan and America

depicted in the film from the some elements, then the writer also want to show

how America dominates in the whole Big Hero 6 film.

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A. Representation Japan and America through Character and

Characterization

The writer would like to explain representation Japan and America

through the character and characterization to determine in which part of the film

that show Japan and America. So, the writer will identify each character to show

it how Japan and America are represented. It will be taken from the screen

capture in the film. There are four major characters that always appeared in the

film. The two characters are from Japan and two others characters are from

America, namely:

a. Hiro Hamada

Picture 1 (00:02:51)

In the film Big Hero 6 shows Japanese characters that can be known

from the choice of names. One of them is Hiro Hamada. From the name already

described, he must have come from Japan. In the film, Hiro is a protagonist who

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getproblems from the antagonist role. He is a genius kid, who can make robots

with his own abilities.

In picture 1, it happened when Hiro wanted to join in a robot fight. The

screencapture typing of name emphasizes that he is a person from Japan. The

name Hiro in Japanese has a meaning that is generous, the name Hiro is also

usually used for unisex.

Not only from choice of name, Hiro Hamada also represents Japanese

characterization through his appearance. From his appearance, he has black hair,

black eyes, which represents the characteristics of Asians.

b. Tadashi Hamada

Picture 2 (01:13:37)

In picture 2, emphasizes that from the characterization choice of name

represents that Tadashi Hamada comes from Japan. In Japanese the meaning of

the name of Tadashi is a loyal, and the name Tadashi is usually used for boys.

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In this film, Tadashi is also a protagonist. He is the older brother of Hiro

Hamada, who is also proficient in making health detection robots. He was

troubled by the antagonist selfishness, he died in his action to help the villain

figure.

Not only from choice of names that emphasized that he was from Japan.

But it can also be seen from characterization through his appearance. In the

picture, it is shown that Tadashi Hamada has black eyes, black hair, which are

characteristics of Asians.

c. Professor Robert Callaghan

Picture 3 (00:13:54) Picture 4 (00:09:41)

Picture 5 (00:09:54)

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In picture 3, in this film it is depicted that villain figures are from

America. He is an antagonist, which makes the protagonist in trouble. Based on

picture 4 and 5 the American villain here is also described as being selfish, he lets

Tadashi died during a fire incident, and considers it to be Tadashi's own fault.

From the selection of name characterization can represent that Robert Callaghan

is an American.

Not only in the selection of name characterization, but also the

appearance characteristics of Professor Callaghan also represented that he was

from America. He has gray eyes, gray hair.

d. Alistar Krei

Picture 6 (00:20:05) Picture 7 (00:20:13)

Picture 8 (00:20:49)

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In picture 6, it is depicted that from the characterization of the selection

of the name Alistar Krei is an American. He is another villain in the film. He is an

ambitious person, who always does anything with money for his own sake, can be

seen based on pictures 7 and 8.

Other villain characters from America, in this film are also portrayed by

their appearance. Alistar Krei has blonde hair and brown eyes.

From the representation above, it explain that from characters Japan are

represented as superior, it can be seen from the character from Japan are portray

protagonist in the film, and character from Japan are represented in the choice of

name that in Japan has meaning and from their apprearance, their black eyes and

black hair. While character from America are represented as a villain. It can be

seen from the how selfish, and ambitious they are that always doing anything for

their interest. Character from America are also represented from their

appearances, they have blonde and grey hair, then brown eyes and grey eyes.

B. Representation Japan and America through Setting/Place

In this film, it is not only based on character and characterization that

displays Japan and America again. The mix of cultures that represent Japan and

America in the Big Hero 6 film so that it becomes a distinctive city, is also

illustrated through the settings and properties of this film.

According to Stuart Hall constructionist approach that we believe that

we can construct meaning through language to recognize the public, the social

22

character of language. According to this third approach, we must not confuse the

material world, where things and people exist, and the symbolic practices and

processes through which representation, meaning and language operate. Because

of that, the writer will identify Japan and America using constructionist approach

through the setting in the film. So, the writer will construct the meaning to

produce the new meaning with the shared ideas what we think from compares

setting/place to determines and will portray Japan and America in Big Hero 6

film. Some settings and properties that represent Japan and America, there are:

a. Golden Gate Bridge

Picture 9 (00:00:56)

In picture 9, in the film Big Hero 6 there is a very iconic building with

the city of New York, the Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Bridge is a

suspension bridge along the Golden Gate, an opening from the Pacific Ocean to

23

San Francisco Bay. This bridge connects the city of San Francisco, California on

the San Francisco Peninsula and Marin District, California.

At the start, the film highlighted the Golden Gate Bridge which was

represents again with the same building characteristics. The Golden Gate Bridge

building is red, where there are lights from vehicles passing by. The Golden Gate

Bridge in the film, depicted in the night, is filled with fog and doesn't look bright

that night.

b. Port of San Fransokyo

Picture 10 (00:01:07)

In picture 10, it is depicted a typical building from New York, namely

Port of San Francisco. Port of San Francisco is a semi-independent organization

that oversees port facilities in San Francisco, California, United States. In the

film, Port of San Francisco is represented again with a different name being a

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distinctive place. The mixing of the names of the two cities combined became

San Francisco and Tokyo, which were named as the Port of San Fransokyo.

In the film, Port of San Fransokyo is represented again with the same

condition surrounded by high-rise buildings. There is the big clock that stands in

the middle. Films highlighting the Port of San Fransokyo setting at night. Where

the glare of the lights shows the glitter of the city.

c. Transamerica Pyramid

Picture 11 (00:01:15)

In picture 11, it is described as an iconic place originating from America,

namely Transamerica Pyramid. Transamerica Pyramid is a skyscraper in

America.. Transamerica Pyramid is a skyscraper in America. And become a

unique culture for San Francisco. The Transamerica Pyramid at 600

Montgomery Street between Clay and Washington Streets in the Financial

District of San Francisco, California, United States, is a 48-story futurist building

and the second tallest skyscraper on the San Francisco skyline.

25

In the film, Transamerica Pyramid is represented again in a different

way, the two cultures are combined into one. Where Japanese and American

cultures combine to become one in the Transamerica Pyramid building

surrounded by tall buildings bearing Japanese letters. It can be seen that the

setting in the movie shows the place as a unique icon. From the colors green,

purple, and blue that reveal a new side.

d. Japenese Hairpin (Kanzashi)

Picture 12 (00:02:40)

In figure 12, a woman uses Japanese hairpin property, traditional from

Japan. The scene is during an illegal robot fight. The woman is the command

giver in the event.

The Japanese Hairpin used by the woman is named Kanzashi. Kanzashi

is a hair decoration used in traditional Japanese hairstyles. Kanzashi was first

used in Japan during the Jomon period. At that time, thin sticks or sticks that

26

were considered to have mystical powers that could drive away evil spirits, so

people use them in their hair.

In the film, Kanzashi is represented in a different way. Elements of

modern culture and tradition are mixed in the use of these properties. Usually

Kanzashi is used for a tradition with an elegant Japanese style of clothing. Even

if Kanzashi's film is used improperly, the woman uses modern clothes rather

than in a graceful manner.

This shows that America made Japanese tradition depicted with

negativity and not as it should.

e. Wagasa (Japanese Traditional Umbrella)

Picture 13 (00:03:14)

In picture 13, it portrays elements of Japanese culture from property.

The property used is a typical Japanese wooden umbrella, namely Wagasa.

Wagasa is a traditional Japanese umbrellas was made of bamboo and washi

27

(Japanese paper), wagasa famous not only for their subtle beauty, but also for

their precise open/close mechanism. Folding umbrellas first appeared in Japan

around 1550 (before that, the only defense against rain was straw hats and robes)

and their initial umbrellas were luxury items.

In the film, Wagasa is represented in a different matter. The film is

used as a sign of the begin for. While the Wagasa in Japan is a luxury traditional

item. This shows that America looks Japanese culture improperly.

f. Maneki Neko

Picture 14 (00:23:58)

In picture 14, it is portray property from Japan culture that is Maneki

Neko. Maneki Neko is a movement of a cat who is washing his face. Some

believe that Maneki Neko comes from Osaka, while some say it comes from

28

Tokyo (which was then called Edo). Maneki Neko first appeared in 1876 in the

Meiji era. Maneki Neko is a symbol that people will come.

In the film, Maneki Neko is represented different meaning. If usually

Maneki Neko is used by people to bring luck. But in the film described, that is

the opposite of luck, which brings sadness. In the scene that highlights Maneki

Neko is a symbol that people will come. That happened when Tadashi Hamada

died of a fire incident. The scene in the picture above looks dark, the weather is

cloudy, even like gloomy. It represent the situation that occurred at that time.

g. Victorian Mission Duplexes

Picture 15 (00:24:34)

In picture 15, this film represented the two cultures are combined

into one. On the screen, that is typical housing of New York, namely,

Victorian Misssion Duplexes. It should be the icon of New York.

29

In film, Victorian Mission Duplexes represented differently.

There is combine the two culture, Victorian Mission Duplexes and Cherry

Blossoms. Actually in New York, there are no cherry blossoms that bloom.

But in the film, it looks to be a unique unity and becomes a distinctive

place that represents Japanese and American culture.

h. A Picture of Robot Gundam

Picture 16 (00:14:53)

In picture 16, its is depicted in the room setting of Hiro. There is a

property that represents Japan, which is a display of the Gundam robot. In the

scene above Gundam at the Hio’s room is shown as a decoration on the wall of

the room, not as an original toy robot, so that the views of Japanese culture are

in the room.

Gundam is the name of the science fiction series created by Sunrise

studio which features a giant robot (mecha) named "Gundam" (same as the first

mecha name). The series began on April 7, 1979 with Mobile Suit Gundam, a

30

TV series that defined the anime genre "real robot" by displaying giant robots

called mobile suits in a military setting.

i. Kabuki Mask

Picture 17 (00:34:34) Picture 18 (00:49:36)

Based on pictures 17 and 18 portray that a villain who wear

Kabuki Mask. In the film Kabuki Mask represented to villain America

that carrying out his evil intention. Actually, Kabuki is a classical form

of theater that evolved in the early 17th century in Japanese. His

trademark is the sentence-by-sentence rhythm spoken by the actors,

super-fancy costumes, striking make-up (kumadori), and the use of

mechanical equipment to achieve special effects on the stage. Make-up

highlights the nature and mood of the character brought by the actor.

Most plays take on the themes of the medieval or Edo period, and all

actors, even those who play a role as women, are men.

31

The property used as not it should. Actually, a person who

wear Kabuki Mask is for playing theatrical from Japanase traditional

Culture. But in the film, it used for the crime.

j. A picture of Family who wear Kimono

Picture 19 (00:38:10)

The picture 19, there is a family photo using Japanese clothes,

Kimono. In the scene above, this film is shown again by America's modern

culture and traditional Japanese culture. In the family photo, use a Kimono. This

illustrates that even though there are now many photos with more modern

clothes, Hiro's family continues to preserve traditional Japanese clothing to show

that he is a person who has Japanese cultural traditions.

Kimono first appeared during the Heian period (794-1192). The picture

of 39 is the real of people who wear the Kimono. Kimono is a culture of Japan.

32

k. Karate

Picture 20 (00:41:44)

Picture 21 (00:43:13)

In the picture 20 and 21, it is portray the traditional culture from

Japan. Hiro makes Baymax will be upgrades with the use power of Karate.

He makes Baymax can uses Karate for make him a real superhero. Karate

is a martial arts originating from Japan. This martial art was slightly

influenced by the Chinese martial arts kenpō. Karate was brought into

Japan via Okinawa and began to develop in the Ryukyu Islands. This

martial art was first called "Tote" which means like "Chinese Boxing".

33

In the film, Karate represented in the mixed of culture modern

and it can be seen from the Baymax upgrade his power into martial arts,

namely Karate. Usually, Karate is just can be followed by human. But in

the film Big Hero 6, its represent that robot can learn and use power of

Karate.

From the representation through setting above, it conclude that

this film want to show how the two culture combined into one, it can be

seen from the element of culture that portray in setting/properties, there are

America buildings that combine with culture of Japan, the cherry blossoms.

The name of city that represent the two cities, San Fransokyo. And there

are properties that represent traditional culture from Japan, eventhough its

portray in different way, it means culture of Japan in the film are depicted

as negatively.

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CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

A. Conclusion

Big Hero 6 film is animated film produced by Walt Disney and

directed by Don Hall and Chris William. Big Hero 6 tells about the story

of Hiro Hamada, a genius robotics prodigy who forms a superhero team to

combat a masked villain. This animated film is portrayed Japan and America

in the whole story. Through this research, the writer aims to explain how

Japan and America are represented in the whole story of film. The writer

used representation theory to construct new ideas how Japan and America

portrays in Big Hero 6 film. It answers the research question through the

dialogue and the pictures in the film.

The result from this research is this film show that Japan and America

from the two different cultures are mixed into one. By combining existing

cultural elements modern and traditional, through the characters, and

setting/props. The point is eventhough, there are a mixed of culture, but

there is still more dominant in the film, the dominant is America.. It can be

seen from the character villain America that want to have power, he uses

money for his interested. In the film, there are many setting and properties

that portrays the culture of traditional Japan, but used is as not should be,

35

the Japan traditional cultures represented in different way in the film. It

conclude that eventhough from the character the protagonist are from Japan

and there are a element of Japan just like the name of city, the buildings,

culture, but in the film Japan does not represent proper and America still

more dominant in the film. It seems like Amerika describing Japan

negatively.

B. Suggestion

The writer thinks that film is an interesting object to analyze. After

conducting this research, it will be more known about how the film works or

literary works, what is essential film and the theory, because film is can be

more complex. There is audio and visual that can give message or the

audience about life. To analyzing film, there are theories that used for

making more complete and undestanding. This research, the writer uses

theory of representation, then uses constructionist approach to shared the

new ideas. The other researchers can still analyze this film use the different

theory. At least, the writer hopes that this research can be useful for student

English Literature who want to analyze about representation.

36

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Appendix