2017 年 91 巻 p. 103-121
In this paper, we discuss the relationship between the identity of audiences
and their experiences of manga. Firstly, from a theoretical perspective, we discuss
the outcomes and problems of the constructivist view of audience research.
Secondly, we point out that the notion of narrative identity and the idea of
media as a resource is effective. In addition, we argue that the process of positioning
manga experiences as an element of audience’s narratives while they
talk about their life stories is effective. We analyzed the data by using the life
story method of dialogical constructionism. As a result of our analysis, we found
following findings: first, in the narration of manga experience related to identity,
manga experience was positioned in a certain role in an individual’s life story.
Secondly, the construction of the identity using the manga experience as a
resource was not done by an individual alone, but was carried out in participation
with others. Thirdly, the characteristics of manga as media were involved
in the construction of the narratives, specifically the fact that characters in
shonen manga are often shown in their growth into adults, that shojo manga
often includes transgender characters and that manga is made up of“ pictures
and words” so that it is easy to share and has a high level of communicability.
In contemporary society, media such as comics occupy an important position as
a resource for audience’s identities, and an accumulation of research on the subject
is required in the future.