Abstract
Memes have unpredictable and diverse interpretations because of their tendencies to be parodies, remixes, or mashups. This study aims to examine the possible meanings which memes may express and the interpretations of memes by young adults within the affinity space of Attack on Titan anime memes. The two-phase methodology involves analysing the memes using Shifman’s analytical dimensions of content, form, and stance, before conducting in-depth interviews with ten young adults who represent insiders and outsiders of the affinity space. The findings discuss how Attack on Titan memes normalise sexualisation, violence, and struggles such as suicidal intentions in young adults. The influences of Attack on Titan memes are shown to reach beyond their immediate affinity space and implications for media literacy education are discussed.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Teo, Y., Lee, S., & Lim, X. (2024). Attack on Titan anime memes: Possible meanings and interpretations by young adults.. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 16(3), 16-29. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2024-16-3-2
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