Utilization of horror element in contemporary Japanese animations case of study: Mononoke (2007)

This thesis examines the role of horror elements in the usage of contemporary Japanese horror animations concerning the cultural heritage, folklore, Yokai, and the influence of Kabuki theatre and Ukiyo-e paintings on the selective horror Anime, Mononoke (2007), in the context of the present day. This study analyzes both traditional and modern horror elements and their motifs in contemporary Japanese movies and animations, which are associated with Yokai. While Yokai and their associated folklore are briefly acknowledged as symbolic manifestations of the unknown and reflections of social anxieties, the primary focus lies in examining how these horror motifs such as narration, visual symbolism, character types, and thematic constructs have evolved and been adapted in contemporary works like Mononoke (2007). The study investigates the transformation of traditional horror aesthetics, as influenced by cultural forms such as Kabuki theatre and Ukiyo-e art, into modern animation. Ultimately, this thesis aims to identify the role and techniques of horror in Japanese animations of the early 21st century, demonstrating how historical elements have been reshaped to resonate within a contemporary context. Keywords: Horror Elements, Folklore, Yokai, Anime, Mononoke (2007)