AN INVESTIGATION OF THE APPLICABILITY OF SUSAN NAPIER’S JAPANESE ANIMATION (ANIME) ‘GENRE CLASSIFICATION MODEL’ IN KENYAN ANIMATION FAITHSANDRA NEKHONGA MASIBO (BA) M66/28937/2013 A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (FILM STUDIES) IN THE SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS, FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY. MAY, 20TH 2019. DECLARATION I declare that this Research Project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree or award in any other University. Faithsandra Nekhonga Masibo, BA. M66/28937/2013 Signature: ………………….…… Date: ……………….……… SUPERVISOR This Research Project is submitted for review with our approval as university supervisor(s). Prof. John Mugubi Signature: ………………………. Date: ………………………. ii DEDICATION To Elizabeth and Protus Masibo, Lilian, Francis and Wilma. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENT First and foremost, I acknowledge my supervisor Prof. John Mugubi for his tireless effort in shaping this report through insightful readings, positive criticism and encouragement. I will forever be deeply indebted to him. I also recognize Sara Masese and all my friends and colleagues at the Department of Film and Theatre Arts and the larger School of Creative Arts, Film and Media Studies, Kenyatta University, with whom we walked this journey. I appreciate you. I also benefitted immensely from the following and who I shall always remain obliged to: Dr. Rosemary Nyaole and Mr. Norman Shitote for your scholarly insight; Mark Njoroge, Ng’endo Mukii and Andrew Kaggia for the animation productions studied in this report and availed personal insight on Kenyan Animation films as a whole. Special mention also goes to Francis Welle, Kevin Arianda, Elisabeth Shabouk and Hellen Musira and her family for the support offered throughout this program. Finally, I express my appreciation and affection to my parents, Elizabeth and Protus Masibo, my siblings; Lilian, Francis and Wilma who stood by me in countless ways. God bless you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGMENT ............................................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. v ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................................. viii OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ........................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the Study....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Purpose of the Project ........................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Objectives of the Project ....................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Significance of the Project ..................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Delimitations of the Project .................................................................................................. 7 1.8 Limitations ............................................................................................................................. 7 1.9 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ................................................. 9 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Related Literature ................................................................................................................ 10 2.2.1. Anime and the Kenyan Animation Industry .................................................................. 10 2.2.1.1 Anime and Kenyan Animation Industry Genre Development .................................... 10 2.2.2.2 Anime and Kenyan Animation Character Design and The West ............................... 14 2.2.2.3 Religion and Culture in Anime and Kenyan Animations ............................................ 15 2.2.2.4 Anime and Manga Culture in Kenya ............................................................................ 18 2.2.2 Kenyan Animation ............................................................................................................ 20 2.2.2.1 Genre Trends Practiced in The Kenya Animation Industry? ..................................... 22 2.2.2.2 Genre in Kenyan Animation Projected Growth Considering the Anime Industry. .. 25 2.3 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 29 2.3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 29 2.3.2 Formalism Theory ............................................................................................................. 29 2.3.3 Genre theory; Contemporary Genre Theory. ................................................................. 31 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 35 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 35 v 3.2 Research Location ................................................................................................................ 35 3.4 Research Design ................................................................................................................... 35 3.5 Target Population ................................................................................................................ 36 3.6 Sampling Techniques ........................................................................................................... 36 3.7 Sample size............................................................................................................................ 37 3.8 Research Instruments .......................................................................................................... 38 3.9 Data Collection Techniques ................................................................................................. 38 3.10 Validity and Reliability ...................................................................................................... 39 3.11 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 39 3.12 Logistics and Ethical Considerations ................................................................................ 40 3.13 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 40 CHAPTER FOUR: UNCONVENTIONAL GENRE PRACTICES ILLUSTRATED IN THE KENYAN ANIMATION INDUSTRY ...................................................................................... 41 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 41 4.2 Iconography .......................................................................................................................... 41 4.3 Unconventional Genre Practices Illustrated in The Kenya Animation Industry ............ 43 4.3.1 Background ....................................................................................................................... 43 4.3.2 Researcher’s Understanding of the Animations’ Genre Classification ......................... 45 4.3.3 Filmmakers Interviews On Appraisals of Their Own Films and Genre ....................... 48 4.3.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 48 4.3.3.2 Responding to the Research Questions ......................................................................... 49 4.3.3.3 Interview Schedule Methodology .................................................................................. 50 4.3.3.4 Data Analysis of Interviews ........................................................................................... 50 4.3.4 Focus Group Discussion.................................................................................................... 53 4.3.4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.4.2 Key Findings ................................................................................................................... 56 4.4 Summary .............................................................................................................................