Summer Wars

Summer Wars Film Analysis

Summer Wars is an animation directed by Mamoru Hosoda caught my attention to the tradition of Japan. The story start from a high school student, Kenji Koiso get a part time job as his senior, Natsuki boyfriend. They went back to Ueda for her great-grandmother birthday. Kenji is a gifted talent on mathematic and also before Natsuki invite him to work with her, he is a part time moderator in the computer system named OZ. First day of his part time job as Natsuki boyfriend, on the night, he receive a weird message with codes. He solve the codes till morning and send back to the sender. The next day big things happens around the world. OZ system break down, and many more chaos happen in the country.

Natsuki uncle, Wabisuke actually is the one who break the OZ system. He used Kanji to solve the codes and use his account to control the whole system. As the system break down, Natsuki grandmother sickness is unable to detect and inform the doctor to take consciousness. Therefore, she pass away on her birthday. On the other hand, the system, Love Machine is getting strong and strong which Kenji and Kazuma, King Kazma can’t defeat. Later on, the whole family of Natsuki helps and defeat the Love Machine and succeeded to save the family and the world.

  Obviously, Summer Wars genres was around myth and fantasy which also shows many technology that people taking for granted to relay them in life nowadays. Summer Wars also bring awareness for the people who only see the good side of technology but didn’t not concern on the bad side of technology. Thus, technology can be scary or harmful towards human and society need to be more careful on technology.

Tradition of Japan such as games can be seen in Summer Wars. Koi-Koi which is a traditional games that popular among the Japanese. Also, their transform the battlefield from fighting to Koi-Koi games. Natsuki avatar also wearing Kimono during the final battle.

Out of traditions, cultural hybridity are also found in Summer Wars. Through OZ system, many foreigner seem to be involve by give Natsuki their avatars to fight for the battle, many languages pop up the screen for cheering Natsuki in the battle and show shots of different people in the foreign country. However, Japan animator still make this foreign characters “ Japanese-ed” and the languages also translated immediately to make their Japanese audiences understand.

Last but not least, along the setting of Summer Wars, future are unpredictable which things that are unexpected will may happen in our life. Such as the OZ system brings convenience to the peoples and everyone using the same system to manage the things in life. In real life, Facebook is kind of a OZ system, however Facebook have not that much function as OZ, but I believe things can possible happens and technology will bring us to the stage like how Summer Wars imagined.