When we think about how scholars typically approach Japanese animation, the approaches that come to mind right away are those that use anime as a text to analyze. Just some noteworthy recent examples include journal articles such as Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008): A cli-fi reading of Japanese anime, in Japanese Studies, and Monstrous and uncanny ecologies: The politics of anamnesis in Ergo Proxy, in Configurations, and chapters in edited essay collections like Reaffirming Japanese identity through the multiverse: A response to post-3.11 uncertainties from Your Name, in the essay collection Entering the Multiverse: Perspectives on Alternate Universes and Parallel Worlds. These kinds of approaches usually also imply connecting particular anime texts to particular critical theories – this is what Christopher Bolton does when he highlights several different such approaches in the monograph Interpreting Anime (2018). Of course, these are also the kinds of approaches that Thomas Lamarre, one of the field’s leading scholars, has called out as examples of “analysis [that is] relegated to re-presenting anime narratives, almost in the manner of book reports or movie reviews” – while at the same time failing to engage with what he terms “the materiality of animation”.
Granted, increasingly, scholars are also viewing anime as an educational tool – with the warning, that Sally McLaren and Alvin Spies present, in their chapter on “Risk and Potential: Establishing Critical Pedagogy in Japanese Popular Culture Courses”, in the Association for Asian Studies handbook Teaching Japanese Popular Culture, that “[s]tudents studying popular culture use Japan to explain the text, rather than using the text to explain Japan.” But, even beyond these, there are other ways to talk about Japanese animation that may not be immediately obvious. And one such way is to consider how anime can be used as a tool in professional psychotherapy and counseling.
This idea is actually not brand-new – already in 2008, Lawrence C. Rubin contributed a Big heroes on the small screen: Naruto and the struggle within chapter to an essay collection on popular culture in counseling, psychotherapy, and play-based interventions. And now, Francheska M. Gonzalez Castro is exploring this topic further – in a Doctor of Education dissertation that she just recently completed at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.
The dissertation (in Spanish) is entitled Opinión que el consejero profesional tiene sobre la pertinencia del manga y el anime en la Consejería Profesional – with the parallel English title Opinion of Professional Counselors Regarding the Relevance of Manga and Anime in Professional Counseling, and this English-language abstract:
Manga is the general term used for all comic strips, comics, or graphic novels created in Japan (Brenner, 2007; García, 2019; Nakaya, 2022) yet characterized for having a visual narrative with a recognizable sensibility (Johnson-Woods, 2010). Anime, on many occasions, evolves from Japanese manga or comics, but they are not synonymous (Johnson-Woods, 2010). Nakaya (2022) defines anime as Japanese animation or animated Japanese visual media. Manga or anime-related themes are new within research in Counseling and human development areas (Migliorino-Reyes, 2020). There is a lack of research related to these media (Zhao, 2019). González (2020) explains that its efficacy, significance, or potential as supporting tools (i.e., bibliotherapy or cinematherapy) in help professions is unknown.
This research was conducted using Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. Bandura postulated that social learning theory addresses the explanation of human behavior regarding a continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental determinants (Bandura,1977). Qualitative methodology with a focus group design was used. Information on the characteristics of this sample was also gathered through a demographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed through content analysis. The purposes of this research were to find out the opinions of Professional Counselors in Puerto Rico regarding the relevance of manga and anime in Professional Counseling practices and interventions, and to establish their knowledge of manga and anime.
This research provided findings that confirm the relevance of manga and anime in Professional Counseling. Findings that must be underscored are that there is a lack of knowledge of manga and anime, that these media are a natural connection that facilitates the therapeutic relationship, and that their integration in therapeutic interventions could have positive effects. Additionally, the imperative need to develop these subjects and educate these professionals, specifically, was identified. Above all, it was established that having knowledge of manga and anime is relevant and necessary for the profession.
And I am now pleased to have the opportunity to have a conversation with the author and find out more about her research, and especially, the process of preparing and submitting this dissertation.
MK: To start, can you quickly summarize the research question that you explored in your dissertations?
Francheska M. Gonzalez Castro: To be able to understand the Opinion of professional counselors regarding the relevance of manga and anime in professional counseling I had four research questions: (1) What knowledge do Professional Counselors in Puerto Rico have about manga?, (2) What knowledge do Professional Counselors in Puerto Rico have about anime?, (3) What do Professional Counselors in Puerto Rico think about the relevance of manga in the practice of Professional Counseling? and (4) What do Professional Counselors in Puerto Rico think about the relevance of anime in the practice of Professional Counseling? Two questions for each, manga and anime.
MK: How did you first become interested in looking at the potentials of using anime and manga in professional counseling?
FGK: First of all, I love manga and anime. Second, I love Counseling. Third, I notice in my personal and professional life how quickly connections can be accomplished if people share an interest or if you show curiosity, more so, knowledge in that interest. Either making new friends or building a therapeutic relationship, knowing/liking manga and anime helped me build stronger and faster bonds with people that like them too. I could see the spark in my students (clients) eyes when they noticed a Counselor knew about manga and anime. They kept visiting me, even if they were not required to do so. Eventually, we got to talk about other things, personal stuff, problems, relationships, family, etc. Lastly, fourth, if I was going to do research, a grueling process, I had to do something I cared about and believed in. Manga and anime are relevant to Counseling and other mental health professions.
MK: Were you able to find a lot of other previous research on uses of popular culture for counseling?
Mental health professionals do implement some popular culture. Like superheroes, with superhero therapy or comic book therapy and graphic medicine. But these superheroes and comics were not manga or anime related.
FGK: Yes, some. Mental health professionals do implement some popular culture. Like superheroes, with superhero therapy or comic book therapy and graphic medicine. But these superheroes and comics were not manga or anime related. More Superman, X-Men and so on. Also, music therapy, art therapy, bibliotherapy and cinema therapy can use popular culture. Nevertheless, it was difficult to find research either in English or Spanish about manga or anime in mental health.
MK: Can you give us any examples, even if hypothetical, of how a counselor could use anime or manga?
FGK: As I previously mentioned, bonding with a client that likes manga and anime can be easier. So, just by showing interest, even if you have no knowledge about it, it can be useful.
Also, you don’t need a whole book, episode or show. Just the moments that show what you need to put forward. As an example, with my colleagues and fellow dissertation students (all adults and Counselors) when we felt overwhelmed, I used the Fruits Basket laundry / Thoru and Shigure scene (this one: https://x.com/ProZD/status/1802807875850609130). Just three manga pages or less than two minutes (https://www.facebook.com/100028607447592/videos/i-can-totally-relate-to-this-lifelesson-heres-a-video-clip-from-fruitsbasket-reb/310319436902677/). Basically, one step at a time.
…you don’t need a whole book, episode or show. Just the moments that show what you need to put forward. As an example, with my colleagues and fellow dissertation students (all adults and Counselors) when we felt overwhelmed, I used the Fruits Basket laundry / Thoru and Shigure scene
MK: Do you have any particular titles that you think are especially appropriate for use?
FGK: I believe that research about that needs to be done. I can’t say use this manga for this problem or this anime for that reason. What I can say is “this part or this event in that manga/anime can be helpful to explore such and such. For example, there is some research about Naruto, but it is too long to be used in its entirety. Even so, I can use the Kakashi bells episodes to teach or talk about teamwork. Keeping in mind that it contains violence and blood (mostly in the manga), the target audience should be appropriate. Everything depends on the situation, time, audience, etc.
MK: As you have been exploring this topic, both in your publications, and in your dissertation, what kind of reactions have you received from your colleagues?
It is mostly well received, after explaining what it is and what can be accomplished. For my dissertation, I did not meet my preferred number of subjects, and it was nine Counselors. That shows there is not enough knowledge or interest in manga and anime. In the process they got to know and understand manga and anime better and how it can help. So, basically, the ones that knew about it were excited and the ones that did not were hesitant. Once I explain they do find it interesting, not necessarily something they want to know about but they can recognize the pertinence it has.
[ed. note: Dr. Gonzalez Castro published some of her research in 2020 as Pertinencia de la cultura popular con enfoque en anime y manga como herramienta para la consejería profesional / Relevance of popular culture with a focus on anime and manga as a tool for professional counseling in Griot Journal, 13(1)]
MK: What were the overall responses to your dissertation?
FGK: It was a small research to be able to graduate while working with things I love, but the ones that know about it agree with the results and the importance.
MK: Now that you have successfully defended your dissertation, what are your plans for the future?
FGK: I would like to educate fellow Counselor and mental health professionals. If life lets me, I would love to create a guide for them to help navigate the manga and anime world through a mental health approach. Maybe a publication here and there. Also, I have my eye on the Anime Expo 2026 Academic Program.
MK: And, do you have any advice to anyone who is looking to pursue similar research, or to expand on it?
There is not a lot of research about manga and anime in mental health, don’t be discouraged. It is evidence about the need for these types of research.
FGK: Yes, to start, get yourself a research committee that understands (or are open to listening) and values what you are doing. There is not a lot of research about manga and anime in mental health, don’t be discouraged. It is evidence about the need for these types of research. Any small contribution helps the cause. And my favorite, reading manga and watching anime is considered research, at least it is to me. Enjoy the parts you can.
