Those quirky, shy kids : comparison of Hikikomori in four types of Japanese media

Since the term was first created in 1998, Hikikomori has been a fascinating aspect in the discussion of Japanese culture. This mental disorder describing those who shut themselves away from humanity for extended periods of time has been frequently used as a trait among characters in various forms of Japanese media. The analysis of four different characters, one each from film, literature, graphic novels, and animated television shows, begins to display how Hikikomori is portrayed within Japanese culture. I compare these four characters to discover any comparisons and contrasts as well as similarities among them and then relate the characters to real-life studies about Hikikomori.Thesis (B.?.)Honors Colleg