Group-Contextualized Identity Politics and the Trolley Dilemma: The Failure of Kotoamatsukami and the Silent Struggles of Itachi and Shisui Uchiha in the Preindustrial Animation Naruto Shippuden

Abstract

The sequel anime Naruto: Shippuden (debuted 2007) continues to gain worldwide popularity since the early 2000s; it built upon the model of a fictional multinational configuration in a surreal, semi-modern world with a central focus on the Land of Fire or “Hidden Leaf Village”, and included a rich context of characters, romantic, and political tragedies which are threaded into a bitter story of personal growth and revelation. This article explores the story of Itachi and Shisui Uchiha, two complex characters of the story who struggled severely with group politics and identity, but who brought significant philosophical messages to us the audience. We aim to provide an analysis on the tragic failure of Kotoamatsukami, a fictional jutsu (ninja technique) to control people’s minds, and the silent struggles of the two in the preindustrial animation setting. We also propose a suggested analysis and solution to the parallel trolley dilemma as a conclusion.