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This work is the extended version of a paper presented at the conference HMM2021, about the history of mechanical engineering. First, the initial cultural and industrial steps in the robotic field in Japan are introduced, to display the beginning of this interlaced path, before WW2; then, in the context of the aftermaths of the war, some famous anime heroes are presented as ancestors of the coming mecha anime series. The rising research in the field of robotics and more generally the developments of contemporary Japanese automation industry are then drawn, as a technological substrate for mecha conception. In particular, Masahiro Mori studies are taken into consideration to identify an actual robot design pattern to apply to the following comparative description and examination of the different mecha; finally, thanks to this analysis, the common breeding ground whence robotics and mecha (and their reciprocal influences) arise, is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soundtracks and music are key elements of narrative and emotional expression in anime, which is a prominently popular animation genre. Nevertheless, the music used in the early decades of Japanese animation production does not have the same sonority and functionality that the music of contemporary anime. Thus, in this paper we analyze the music of the early years of Japanese animation, from the 30s to the 50s, focusing on its different functions, characteristics forms and techniques, the most representative composers, and the most remarkable animations works relative to their characteristic musical aspects. We will show how, in general, these soundtracks were highly influenced by the musical pieces of western animation that arrived in Japan during the period studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the harem genre of Japanese animation as a representative example of Japan's socio-cultural reality in terms of dating and marriage patters in the early 21st century. Animation and manga (comics) are an important part of the public sphere in Japan and one of the most widespread forms of popular culture. Three animated series are discussed in this paper namely: Zero no Tsukaima (Zero's Familiar), Ameinaideyo!! (Ah my Buddha!!), and Asu no Yoichi (High School Samurai). The main characters are a Japanese Knight, a Buddhist Monk, and a Samurai. The paper concludes that the harem genre in animation and comics represents a turning point in Japanese culture in terms of popular attitudes regarding romantic love and also embodies some of the inherent contradictions involved in the transition from arranged marriages to the Western ideal of chivalric romantic love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]