Japanese Cultural Communication In Role-Playing Games From China

Abstract

 The research on "Japanese Cultural Communication in Role-Playing Games from China" is a qualitative research work focusing on content analysis and media analysis. It involves analyzing role-playing video games from Chinese developers that communicate Japanese culture through characters, key content, and the essence of the storyline. This includes incorporating Japanese culture elements such as legends, attire, and the lifestyle of Japanese people as central themes in the content, following theoretical frameworks related to cultural diffusion theory, cultural transmission theory, language-focused communication theory, and semiotic communication theory. The data analysis is based on a review of literature related to the aforementioned theories and relevant research works. Data collection relies on video game sources in the role-playing genre that prominently feature Japanese cultural communication, including games like Naraka: Bladepoint by Tencent, Onmyoji by NetEase Games, and Genshin Impact by Hoyoverse, totaling three games. The study finds that the characteristics and patterns of Japanese cultural communication in various aspects through role-playing video games from China span across 13 dimensions, referencing Japanese culture concepts (Damrong, 2549:47-51). The study also notes that the portrayal of Japanese culture through these games is intricately woven into the ten important components of video games, referencing narrative storytelling theory (Phawadee, 2540), with Chinese game developers making efforts to communicate Japanese culture positively through elements such as costumes, language, food, and even lifestyle. The artistry and intricacy of Japanese culture presented to players are crafted to immerse and entertain them. Additionally, the overall portrayal of Japanese NPC (non-player characters) traits in these three games indicates a positive view of Japanese culture by Chinese game developers, despite historical tensions between the two nations. The research suggests that Chinese individuals, or at least Chinese video game developers, do not let past conflicts influence the significant role of Japanese culture in their communication efforts. Instead, they showcase a global admiration for Japanese culture through their video games, reaching audiences worldwide and not limited to any specific country. The popularity of these games further confirms the success of communicating Japanese culture from the perspective of these Chinese game developers, demonstrating the broad impact of their cultural communication efforts.