Exaggerated Sentiments in Japanese Anime 

Rasa’s Foundation is laid upon a particular view of psychology that holds our personality. A few primary emotions live in the conscious and subconscious states of our being. These emotions are vast, amusing, pathetic, heroic, passionate, fearful, disgusting and wonderful. Later on, peaceful, intellectual and devotional were also added. The realisation of Rasa is said to result from the union of three interrelated elements-Vibhava, Anubhava and Vyabicharibhava and also the permanent mood called Sthayibhava. Let’s take a look at the nine Rasas and their Sthayibhavas:

Rasa	Sthayibhava
Sringara (Erotic)	Rati
Hasya (Comic)	Hasa
Karuna (Pathos)	Soka
Raudra (Furious)	Krodha
Vira (Heroic)	Utsaha
Bhayanaka (Terrific)	Bhaya
Bibhatsa (Odious)	Jugupsa
Adbhuta (Marvellous)	Vismaya
Santha (Tranquil)	Nirveda

 

According to the Rasa theory of the Natya Shastra, entertainment is the desired effect of performance arts but not the primary goal, and the primary goal is to transport the audience into another parallel reality, full of wonder and bliss, where they experience the essence of their consciousness, and reflect on spiritual and moral questions. It evokes emotions in the reader and audience and implies an Indian artistic notion of an aesthetic sense of visual, literary, or musical work that cannot be explained.

Evidently, Rasa theory is not limited to Indian aesthetics. Since these emotions apply to every human being, we can find them in different realms. For example, let’s check how Japanese anime portrays these nine sentiments and how they’re different from normal Rasa.

1.  Sringara (Erotic)

The Erotic sentiment arises from the dominant state of love. The mutual affection of love is found not only between individuals but also between birds, animals and the other entire creature. Erotic Sentiment in union arises from determinants like the pleasure of the season, enjoyment of garlands, the company of beloved persons, objects, etc. Its consequences are the clever movement of eyes, eyebrows, the soft and delicate movement of the body, sweet words, and other things.

When it comes to Japanese anime, we can identify this sentiment by the blush that spreads through the character’s face. The blush is either shown as red lines or as a red complexion.  The intensity of emotion increases when this blush covers the face complete and travels through the neck. We can see them touching the two index fingers together to indicate shyness while talking. When they see their love interest in a sexy outfit, the excitement is portrayed as them getting starry eyes and a nose bleed.

                

2.  Hasya (Comic)

Humour arises from the grotesque and custom of others, shameless characters who craze for sensual; pleasure, mischief, and foul words. Laughter is related to his/her/ their own self-centred laughter. There are six types: Slight smile, Smile, Gentle Laughter, Laughter of Ridicule, Vulgar Laughter, Excessive laughter.

The anime smiles are pretty similar to ordinary human smiles, but their laugh is exaggerated and humanly impossible. The broad open-mouthed laughter, laughing while rolling on the floor, cat-mouth laugh etc., are comical.

         

3.  Karuna (Pathos)

The pathetic sentiment arises from the dominant state of sorrow, and its cause is presented through the separation from a dear one, loss of wealth, death, accident or any type of misfortune. Pathos is the very delicate Rasa; during its experience, the heart melts a great deal. 

 There are numerous anime moments which made us shed tears of pain, joy and sorrow. The large eyes of anime characters play a significant role in conveying these emotions. That is the realistic part. When it comes to the comical part, we can see large balls of teardrops and waterfalls from their eyes.

 

4.  Raudra (Furious)

It is related to Furious Sentiment and is created by striking blows, cutting, mutilation and piercing swords in wars and fights and tumult of the battle and the like. Many critics say that the furious sentiment is full of conflict of arms, words, movements and deeds that are terrible and tearful. Transitory states connected with the furious sentiment are the presence of mind determinations energy indignation perception.

The element used in anime to indicate anger is fire. We can see the character burning in rage, and even fire comes from their mouth. Another indicator is the red popping vein in the forehead. Fast movements of the body are represented through speed lines. We can see the face of these characters turning into a demon (Oni) when they get angry.

          

 

         

5.  Vira (Heroic)

Special conditions are high energy, perseverance, optimising absence of surprise and presence of mind. The heroic sentiment reflects the special type of person, and has energy or enthusiasm has its basis.

As stated above, heroes and heroines exhibit good manners and are energetic. They have significant character development and mostly have a sad backstory. They know how to talk effectively and can bring out the best results. Excellent leadership, a loving family and trustable friends and a kind smile of assurance etc. are their other qualities. Never giving up in any circumstances is the life motto.

 

              

6.  Bhayanana (Terrific)

The Terrific sentiment has its dominant state of fear. It is usually created by a fearful atmosphere like Hideous, Noise, side of ghost panic and anxiety due to a timely cry of a Jackal or hyena. Fear is not natural to noble character and on the contrary, what excites fear in ordinary people excites anger in violence.

The violet colour on the face indicates fear in anime. We can also see a ghost coming out of their mouth as they fall in fear, beady eyes of fear, confusion, etc. Trembling legs and running while wailing are other examples.

  

7.  Bibhatsa (Odious)

Odious sentiments have their basic dominant state of disgust. Determinants create it by hearing unpleasant, offensive, impure and harmful things or singing them or discussing them. Consequences include stopping the movement of all kinds and narrowing down of the mouth vomiting. The emotion evoked by anything that nauseating. It generates revolt or sickens us when something comes to our notice that is coarse and graceless, beneath human dignity.

 Disgust can be shown by the twitching of the mouth and eyes, vomiting rainbow liquid, making a scary dark face, spitting, etc.

 

            

 

 

8.  Adbhuta (Marvellous)

The marvellous sentiment has its basic occurs only in the dominant state of atonement. Consequences are ‘wide opening of eyes, looking with fixed horripilation and tears with joy.

Exaggeration of this sentiment in anime can be shown with sparkling eyes with moving backgrounds, trembling goosebumps, jaw dropped to the ground etc.

 

 

9.Santha (Tranquil)

Santa connotes tranquillity, repose, serenity, the "peace that passes understanding." The Santa rasa is the Maharasa. All feelings in aesthetic experience merge out of the Santa and are, in the end, submerged in it. All rasas are relished in a state of perfect tranquillity born out of the withdrawal of our ego from our practical interests.

This sentiment plays a significant role in anime. Before a crisis happens, we can see the characters looking to the sky and, after everything settles down, looking at the sea in tranquillity. Meditation is another example. Sitting calm and drinking Japanese green tea is another famous scene. Closed eyes with hair rustling in the wind can also be considered the portrayal of Santa Rasa in anime.

 

Anime also has an extensive range of facial expressions. Although generally, facial expressions are easier to understand than visual shorthand like speed lines. Anime is famous for its enormous eyes. These both play a part in facial expressions and audience expectations. Looks from the face and personality of the character. Serious characters have realistically sized eyes. More outgoing, young, or personable characters have more exaggerated and noticeable expressions. Large eyes, in general, allow the artist to convey expression and a character’s thoughts more easily. These exaggerations in sentiments are enjoyable and can touch our hearts more deeply than watching a performance by people. As per Aristotle, watching anime arises pity and fear and all other emotions on a greater level and able us to relate and sympathise with them. This explains the sudden rise in the number of the audience during the pandemic time. Watching anime helped them heal mentally and gave them hope for the future.