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Derailing the capitalist engine: theorizing relations of mujō through Mugen Train.

Authors :
Itoh, Megu
Montgomery, Fielding
Hourigan, Taylor
Source :
Quarterly Journal of Speech. Feb2025, Vol. 111 Issue 1, p23-44. 22p.
Publication Year :
2025

Abstract

As one of the most successful pieces of transnational popular culture, we rhetorically analyze the compelling critique of neoliberal capitalism in the 2020 anime film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train. Alongside this criticism of neoliberal capitalism, we theorize relations of mujō (無常/impermanence) found in the film, foregrounding this Buddhist principle to advance ways of being that resist neoliberal capitalist impulses. We forward three tenets that emerge in our analysis of this film: (1) recognizing that all beings are embedded within shared entanglements; (2) holding all beings responsible to serve others; (3) transcending the bounds of death by passing the torch of omoi (想い/human feeling). We argue that Mugen Train's protagonists, the Demon Slayers, embody mujō that demonstrates how those under capitalist subjugation can only be liberated by recognizing human community grounded in such a relational ethic. We thus situate relations of mujō as a critical rhetorical theory that releases us from the neoliberal capitalist pursuit of mugen (無限/limitless). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00335630
Volume :
111
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Quarterly Journal of Speech
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
182506779
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/00335630.2024.2340036