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The Ningyo

Name: The Ningyo
Director: Miguel Ortega
Released: 2017
Duration: 26 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

2017

Director

Miguel Ortega

Runtime

26 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Ningyo functions as a conventional adventure film centered on a singular, traditionally structured protagonist. While it incorporates non-Western folklore, the narrative remains focused on a male academic's journey of scientific validation. The film lacks significant multi-layered depth, featuring no LGBTQ+ characters or women in positions of intellectual equality. The narrative focuses on a solitary quest rather than exploring diverse identities. Though the film uses Japanese mythology, its perspective seems rooted in a Western academic viewpoint. This results in a narrative that follows standard adventure clichés without disrupting social hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Ningyo have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or hints of queerness. The story revolves around a lone protagonist pursuing a mythical goal, emphasizing a traditional focus on personal discovery.

How does The Ningyo portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a male academic in a position of authority. Women are not shown in roles of equal intellectual standing or influence, reinforcing traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Ningyo?

Fair

The plot draws heavily from Japanese mythology. However, the main character, Dr. Marlowe, retains control over the narrative, possibly viewing the legend through a Western academic perspective.

How does The Ningyo represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores the tension between science and myth. It adheres to traditional adventure clichés without challenging established cultural norms.

Does The Ningyo include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or hidden disabilities depicted. None of the characters have storylines centered around neurodivergence or physical impairments.

Present on Screen

Incorporates non-Western Japanese mythology into the core storyline.
Explores the tension between scientific rigor and mythological beliefs.

Limited or Absent

Needs more gender diversity, with the narrative focusing almost entirely on a male protagonist.
Lacks LGBTQ+ representation or hints of queerness within character arcs.
Could benefit from a more nuanced, non-Western perspective on the Japanese folklore used.

Official Synopsis

Dr. Marlowe, a paleontologist and professor, finds a piece of a map pointing to the place where the Ningyo, the mythical Japanese creature, could be found. The legend claims whomever consumes its flesh will attain remarkable longevity. He presents the project to his peers, who mock and dismiss him as a fraud. He decides to risk everything and go after the Ningyo on his own in hopes to bring to light what could be one of the greatest contributions to science. What he could not anticipate is that, in his search, he is confronted with a choice that puts the very foundations of his morality to the test.

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