The image of the "demon Lord" in Japanese fantasy: traditions, formality, originality

Abstract

Modern Japanese fantasy is based on a limited set of characters. One of them is “demon lord” or "Maou" (jap. 魔王). Given the growing popularity of novels implementing the character during composition, as well as growing popularity of manga and anime adaptations, it seems relevant to study the key characters of Japanese fantasy. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to determine the role of the demon lord character. Subject of the study pertains to modern Japanese fantasy. To achieve research goals, methods of comparative historical analysis, J. G. Kavelty's literary formula approach, and content analysis were used. The main result of the work was identification of the characteristic features and the role of the demon lord as character in its diachronic and synchronic aspects. The fields of application of the research results are literary studies, Oriental studies, the study of modern Japanese mass literature. It is concluded that the demon lord as a concept dates back to traditional Buddhist origins, but nowadays returns to its roots in a new capacity after adapting Japanese popular culture, in response to the needs of modern man. In the context of modern mass literature, the demon lord holds value as a type of standard of Japanese fantasy and as an important element of the conventional structure of the literary formula.