Bad Seed or Good Seed? A Content Analysis of the Main Antagonists in Walt Disney- and Studio Ghibli-Animated Films

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the cultural difference in the portrayal of main antagonists between Walt Disney-animated films and Studio Ghibli-animated films. We analyze whether main antagonists engage with both prosocial and aggressive behaviors (including physical, indirect, and verbal aggression). Moreover, we explore demographics of main antagonists and context of each aggressive and prosocial act initiated by a main antagonist. Results from a content analysis showed that main antagonists in Studio Ghibli-animated films tend to participate in both prosocial and aggressive behaviors, while those in Walt Disney-animated films tend to commit only aggressive behaviors to harm others. This study concludes that the difference in the portrayal of main antagonists between Walt Disney-animated films and Studio Ghibli-animated films may reflect the difference between analytic and holistic thinking style.