Asst. Prof. Nathaniel P. Candelaria recently published an article entitled “Using Anime in Teaching and Understanding Major International Relations (IR) Theories: A Case Study of How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom” in the Journal of Anime and Manga Studies.
The abstract reads:
The literature on Political Science education has already established the use of popular culture in teaching International Relations (IR) theories. However, the same recognition does not extend to anime despite its documented potential as an educational tool in the literature. This paper argues that anime contributes to IR and Political Science literature both as an object of study and as a tool in teaching and understanding major IR theories. Using the case of How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom (Realist Hero), this paper demonstrates how major IR theories can also be illustrated through this series. Though earlier analyses of the series focused on realism, this paper builds on those analyses and, at the same time, utilizes other major theories, such as liberalism and constructivism. These three major IR theories were then used to analyze the international politics of the Realist Hero series by focusing on the significant events that transpired in the two-season anime series by J.C. Staff, Co., Ltd., as well as the continuation of its story in the light novel format, written by Dojyamaru.
Access it here: https://iopn.library.illinois.edu/journals/jams/article/view/1566