Sociology Essay about Pokemon

[The Dude]

For my sociology class, I've been tasked with writing an essay analyzing a form of media which I am familiar with, and coming up with a thesis relevant to sociology. I did some talking with my teacher, and I realized I could use Pokemon
for the essay. I also realized there are parallels between Pokemon society and the samurai culture. Does anyone have any insights that might help regarding social hierarchy and the Pokemon games?

 

[NutriSweet]

:lol:Holy cow! I hardly understood a word you said. I really have no idea how they would really have true parallels, but I'd probably mention the Hitmons' form of fighting.

 

[Mozz]

Maybe you should learn a trade or become a cop

 

[Roses Ablaze]

An emphasis on loyalty and honor in a master-servant relationship? I dunno that much about feudal Japanese culture...

 

[TTEchidna]

Ummm, well, Ash has a Kingler, so there's the giant enemy crab.

...what? What! I had to do it!



Er, well, for most of it, in seriousness, I'd look back at the storyline of GSC. Sprout Tower, Tin Tower, and all the stuff in between sort of relates... After all, Ecruteak is the parallel of Kyoto, Japan's old capital, like how Saffron is the parallel of Tokyo.

 

[NutriSweet]

Ummm, well, Ash has a Kingler, so there's the giant enemy crab.

...what? What! I had to do it!



Er, well, for most of it, in seriousness, I'd look back at the storyline of GSC. Sprout Tower, Tin Tower, and all the stuff in between sort of relates... After all, Ecruteak is the parallel of Kyoto, Japan's old capital, like how Saffron is the parallel of Tokyo.

You forgot the Burnt Tower.

 

[TTEchidna]

Well, yeah, Brass Tower, too... But that's kinda a package deal with Tin Tower...

 

[RC Right Back At Ya]

Don't waste your sociology choice on fucking pokemon.
Pick another topic. Because this isn't the conversation you want
"So what did you do your essay on"
"Pokemon ^___^"
".....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

 

[NutriSweet]

Um... I see your native language is Garbage.... Oh well. He can pick whatever he wants...

 

[Bird of Ice]

I can't believe how many people are reacting negetively to this topic! Childrens' and youth media often has more to it than meets the eye. Through TV shows, video games, books, manga and comics, young people can be taught the values of their society and culture, and (whether they know it or not) can learn a thing or to about history, science, math and other topics. As it influences the thinking of young people around the world, I think that Pokemon is a great topic for a sociology paper.

I remember when I was little, watching and playing Pokemon helped spark my interest in Japan, its culture and history. As for how Pokemon reflects the Samurai period and culture of Japan, here's what I can think of (in addition to what has allready been mentioned.) Trainers could be compared to renegade Samurai, traveling the land and Challenging powerful local lords (Gym Leaders) to gain honor. Trainers in Gyms could be looked at as Samurai who are loyal to their lords. What is really interesting is that the highest rank of Trainer/Gym Leaders, the elite four, are known in Japan as the Four Emperors. The heirarchy amoung trainers reminds me very much of Japan in the time of the Samurai.

Good luck on your paper, Infinite Sceptile! I'd love to read it when it's finished, do you think you could post it when you're done writing?

 

[Zeta]

A friend of a friend where I live is doing his Sociology Thesis about World of Warcraft, to the acclaim of his professors, surprisingly.

 

[A Concerned Solomon]

Great, now I have visions of the South Park episode haunting me.

I can't really help too much...um, there's something to be said for the series taking place in a very meritocratic environment...except for pretty much every Kanto Gym Leader, they did stuff like run hotels in disguise.

 

[Chaka's Fire]

Bird of Ice, I completely agree with you. At school, and in other places, everyone asks where I got such a large vocabulary and an intrest in science. And I can't tell them where because they'd probably think I'm nuts.