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The Name

Name: The Name
Director: Akihiro Toda
Released: 2018
Duration: 114 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2018

Director

Akihiro Toda

Runtime

114 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Name is a character study focusing on a man's social and professional decline. While it challenges the archetype of the successful provider, it remains within a culturally specific, homogeneous framework. The film disrupts social expectations through an unconventional relationship but lacks explicit multi-layered markers or diverse demographic breadth for a higher progressive rating. Ultimately, the narrative leans more toward personal moral relativism than systemic social critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Name have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film centers on a relationship between a middle-aged man and a high school girl, without showing queer identities or non-straight relationships.

How does The Name portray gender?

Fair

Masao's vulnerability and Emiko's influence suggest a shift away from traditional male dominance. However, the film doesn't clearly show a breakdown of gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Name?

Fair

Set in Ibaraki, the story reflects a homogeneous Japanese population. It doesn't use multicultural casting or non-Western themes to broaden its scope.

How does The Name represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative criticizes traditional family stability and capitalist success through Masao's personal failures. It lacks clear anti-institutional or secularist messages to deepen this critique.

Does The Name include disability representation?

Minimal

The available information does not mention any visible or invisible disabilities. No neurodivergent traits or mental health conditions are central to the character arcs.

Present on Screen

Challenges the traditional 'stable provider' archetype through Masao's professional and marital failures.
Positions a female character as a source of influence and disruption, shifting away from conventional male dominance.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
Maintains a homogeneous demographic that misses opportunities for multicultural or storytelling that reflects multiple aspects of identity.
Does not provide clear evidence of systemic subversion regarding gender hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Having failed with his business and gone absolutely penniless, Masao (45) divorced with his wife, and is currently leading a hopeless life in Ibaraki. One day, a mysterious high school girl, going by the name Emiko, showed up before Masao. Every now and then, Masao would be toyed around by Emiko, but little by little he started taking a liking to her loveliness. As days went by, Masao started opening up to Emiko – something that he rarely did to others. However, there was just something about Emiko – something that bothered Masao - that wouldn’t go away.

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