ABSTRACT
Jung was interested in the spiritual world and was sometimes involved in séances. He completed his doctoral thesis on this theme. He knew the importance of images of monsters, ghosts, and spirits for the human psyche. This chapter examines how images of monsters in Japanese anime affect the psyche. First, it takes up the history of Japanese manga, introducing important works, for example, picture scrolls, Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga (wildlife caricatures), Hyakki-yako-zu (The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), Hokusami-manga, and Gegege no Kitaro, as well as the Pocket Monsters of our own day. It argues that popular Japanese anime provides important archetypal images related to the collective consciousness and unconsciousness. Second, changes in the images of monsters, ghosts, and spirits in Japanese manga and anime have provided rich material to explore psychic changes as they relate to the Zeitgeist. These changes reflect adaptations to heal people in different situations. This helps explain the popularity of anime around the world now.
