일본 고도경제성장기의 울트라맨 표상 - 방사능 괴물을 중심으로 -

Abstract

Representation of Ultraman during high growth of Japanese economy - Focusing on Radioactive monster - Lim, Sang-Min This paper aimed to analyze how the scientific perception of postwar radioactivity was expressed in the genre of special shooting, focusing on the initial Ultra Man series(『Ultra Man』 『Ultra Seven』 『Returned Ultra Man』) produced/aired in the period of advanced economic growth when Japan's national identity started to be rebuilt up after losing the war. Especially, it considered the formation process and problems of ‘atomic bomb literature’ formed in the same period when Ultra Man was aired, and also how the radioactive issue was handled/transformed in the postwar relation between Japan and the US, and the relation between Japan and Okinawa. In the results, the radioactive monster shown in Ultra Man was not only an assailant, sometimes, but also a victim exposed to radiation because of earthian(=Japanese). Especially, paying attention to the drama charged by Ginzo Tetsuo, a scenario writer from Okinawa(When the initial Ultra Man series was aired, Okinawa was occupied by the US.), the alien invading the earth to conquer it was not a simple invader. It could be re-interpreted as a work bringing up the 'good will' itself of Ultra Man(=US) unconditionally helping the earth(=Japan) in the absolute ties as an issue(understanding the Japan-US alliance). Therefore, the comparison/analysis of the representation of radioactivity and radioactive monster described by writers from the mainland and Okinawa would provide a chance to review the fixed perception of Japanese people as postwar 'victims' in the post-national /post-regional relations.