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Denpa

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For the publishing company, see Denpa (company).

Denpa (電波), also denpa-kei (電波系) or denpa-san (電波さん), is a Japanese term for individuals or persons who may feel disconnected from reality or dissociated from the people around them. They may entertain wild fantasies and persecutory delusions or other strong beliefs, and their speech or actions may seem strange or incoherent to outside observers. It could also be described as Japanese society's view on Otaku who have schizophrenic disorders, maladaptative daydreaming disorder or paranoia.[1][2]

Background

"Denpa" literally means "electromagnetic wave", and the original sense of denpa-kei and denpa-san was of someone who thought they were receiving voices, thoughts, or instructions directly to their mind via electromagnetic radiation.[3] The term was originally tied to the Fukagawa series of killings in 1981, in which a man killed four people (women and children) due to paranoia and resentment of his employers. The man later claimed to be influenced by radio waves, saying that they caused him to commit the murders.

Philosophy

Those who are into Denpa are described as people detached from society and reality, and who are absorbed on their daydreams and delusions, often losing their grip on reality. In Japan, the term Denpa was used to designate insane and quirky people who were thought to be controlled by electromagnetic radiation which can be found in pretty much any electronics. Existentialist theories are common among Denpa, wondering if the people around them are real or even themselves. Some similar philosophical subcultures of Japan are Chūnibyōs (young Japanese teenagers who are delusional and attention seeking, and believe they might be superior beings with superior knowledge or magical powers), Hikikomoris (loners who are nearly or fully withdrawn from social interaction) and Jouhatsus (a Japanese social phenomenon of people who completely disappear from their social lives without leaving any sort of trace).

Denpa media

Denpa media, such as manga, anime and games are characterized by socially disconnected individuals featured in mundane environments, which often leads to odd or unfamiliar attitudes. The genre typically features common imagery of technology that use electromagnetic or radio waves to function, such as antennas and telephone poles, and often features themes of paranoia, anxiety, delusion, madness, trauma, stress, depression, suicide and urban or suburban living. Denpa Moe is mainly associated with Denpa music and Japanese Doujin circles, often incorporating with Moe and Kawaii aesthetic.[4]

The genre heavily associated with otaku cultural influence, with works referencing otaku media. Although mostly associated with horror fiction with psychological elements, the genre can exist in drama, action or thriller stories that share characteristics with this term, often credited as popularizing the genre in anime, manga, Japanese light novels and visual novels.

Examples

See also

References

  1. ^ Kyarakutā Sekkei Kyōshitsu [Characterization Classroom] (in Japanese). Light Novel Etiquette Research Center, Shūwa Systems. 2009. pp. 247–248. ISBN 9784798023397. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  2. ^ "Jisho.org: Japanese Dictionary". jisho.org. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  3. ^ Kazuhisa Fujie; Sian Carr (15 March 2007). Fruits Basket Uncovered: The Secrets of the Sohmas. DH Publishing Inc. pp. 80–81. ISBN 978-1-932897-21-0. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  4. ^ Toadette (2019-06-29). "On Denpa: A Guest Article by Kenji the Engi". on the ones. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
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