Il delitto perfetto? Discriminazione razziale, di genere e il ruolo degli yokai nella comunicazione giapponese contemporanea

This chapter examines the role of yokai, mythical Japanese entities, in contemporary popular culture and the profound implications they carry. Starting from the premise that communication is never neutral and that cultural symbols can conceal latent meanings, we analyze how the transformation of yokai from mythical figures to icons of consumption has contributed to trivializing their original significance. The article focuses on the Japanese context, where popular culture, including manga, anime, and video games, blends traditions and folklore with hypermodern technology. Yokai, initially representations of legends and mysteries, have become an integral part of mass culture. However, behind these enigmatic stories lie narratives of violence and discrimination, particularly towards foreigners and women. Taking a discourse analysis perspective, and using the theories of Katsuhiko and Girard, we specifically examine the case of three yokai that carry a strong element of exclusion towards foreigners and women in their origins. Finally, we question whether increased awareness of these discriminatory dimensions can improve the condition of women in a society that is still, in some aspects, patriarchal, such as Japan.