Are You Upset? I'm Not! - CIU110 #4
- Celeste Evans
- Mar 14, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 17, 2018
Intertextuality
My definition of intertextuality is when a film, TV show or piece of music references something outside of itself or is influenced by experiences that the creator or artist has had in the past. Another definition of intertextuality is "Best understood as the textual equivalent of cross-referencing, at a semiotic level intertextuality refers to the use of a given sign in other textual contexts." (Hartley, J. (2002). Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, The Key Concepts. 3rd ed. USA: Routledge, p.126).
In this blog post I will be discussing intertextuality within the animated series Pop Team Epic.
Pop Team Epic
Two high school girls, the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and much more calm Pipimi, do insane things and swear like sailors in this absurdist comedy filled with references and meta humour.
Intertextuality Within Pop Team Epic
As we read in the synopsis, Pop Team Epic is filled with references. The creators of the anime begin their referencing in the first episode, which is the episode we will focus on within this blog (if we tried to look at more in one post I fear we may be here a while).
Episode One: "You're the Only One I'm Telling!"
The first episode begins by stereotyping a typical "romance" anime opening. But it becomes very clear where Pop Team Epic actually begins. The first notable reference we see within this episode is when Pipimi and Popuko meet while the background turns into one of the main images seen throughout the anime Your Name.
The scene directly after this is another notable reference to Crono and Marle's Crash into Hello from classic RPG Chrono Trigger.
After these two scenes, we are launched into a barrage of references packed into short clips. Some of the more easily recognisable references within this barrage of clips are parodies of:
Animated film My Neighbour Totoro, where we can see Popuku running in the rain to reach a familiar busstop where she picks up an umbrella and interacts with another familiar, blurred out figure.
Popular animated series Pokemon, with Popuku is again seen interacting with some a familiar character, where she is asked to choose which Pipimi shaped pokemon she would like before setting out on her adventure.
Popular fantasy videogame, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, where the opening scene is briefly reenacted with Pipimi.
The final notable reference within this episode I would like to mention is a nod to Pop Team Epic's origin as a 4 cell manga strip.
Why So Many References?
Now the question is, why do the creators of Pop Team Epic use so many references? Well while I cannot find a direct answer, I can make some assumptions. It may be because all of the above references are relevant in modern pop-culture, and are very obvious parodies designed to entertain its audience.
Intertextuality Within the Audio Industry
Intertextuality doesn’t just consist of references, but influences too. And it is almost impossible for a musical artist to create a track without being influences by something or other in some way. For example, take famous soul musician Ray Charles. Ray was very heavily influenced by another famous artist, Nat King Cole, renowned for his Jazz performances.
What I Have Learnt About Intertextuality
I have learnt that intertextuality can be found pretty much anywhere something is created, be it film, music, games, art and more. Intertextuality can be found wherever there is an idea, because for something to be created, more often than not inspiration is taken from something, and therefore the artist who creates that piece is influenced by that something.
Bibliography
Hartley, J. (2002). Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, The Key Concepts. 3rd ed. USA: Routledge.
Comments