Russian Animation Divided by Gender: Specific Shows for Big and Small Children
Covering the controversial stance of Metropolitan Bishop Eugene of Yekaterinburg and Verhotury, let's dive into the murky waters of Russian animation, specifically focusing on whether today's cartoons depict large, happy families that instill wholesome values.
As per the gripes of the clergy, popular shows like "Masha and the Bear" and "Nu, Pogodi!" allegedly propagate harmful messages. "The Nu, Pogodi!" series, for instance, shows a perpetual solo living situation for each character, except for Nu and Wolf, who explore a tentative relationship over several episodes.
"The Simpsons" gets a passing grade, yet it seems the landscape isn't much better. For example, the trend of childlessness is visible in the ultra-popular bogatyrs franchise, where none of the protagonists have children. Reproductive specialists might raise a red flag, especially if they aren't child-free by choice.
However, not all is lost. Some cartoons do showcase families with parents, siblings, and friends. "The Three Kittens" have a close-knit family, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows in shows like "The Barboinks," where the creators seem to discourage large families with puppies often engrossed in their own activities and a noticeably stuttering character feeling inferior to her older sister.
Then there's "Chick & Chickarina" with a well-off family of five, where the teenagers occasionally clash, but the popular older sister supports her troubled younger brother. Other cartoons, such as "Dinosity," "The Sheep Hotel," and "Fixies," feature fewer children but often explore diverse family dynamics.
So, is Russian animation devoid of strong, happy families as Metropolitan Bishop Eugene suggests? Not quite, as there are exceptions to the rule. It seems, however, that explicitly emphasizing large, happy families is not a widely dominant trend in the realm of contemporary Russian animated stories.
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News tip: Propaganda of childlessness is prohibited in RussiaCity: Yekaterinburg, Reporter: Ekaterina Norseeva
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Despite the clergy's concerns, Russian animation doesn't solely focus on propagating family-dynamics that lack childrearing, as shows like "The Three Kittens" and "Chick & Chickarina" depict family life with varying degrees of success. However, the trend of childlessness and family dynamicais often explored in a nuanced manner, raising questions about the portrayal of relationships and home-and-garden settings in today's Russian animated stories.
