Mutant Punks: Punk, Garo Manga, and the Nuclear Politics of the Grotesque

• In Event: Genre, Subcultures, and Politics

Abstract

This paper explores the political theory of nuclear politics through the lens of Japanese punk rock and Garo, or alternative, manga. Examining the role of these countercultural forms, the study analyzes their analysis and perspective on the discourse on the societal and political implications of nuclear power. Focusing on the divergent perspectives presented in Japanese and American contexts, the research employs theoretical frameworks from political theory and cultural studies. The end result is an eclectic fusion of punk, anarchism, environmental political theory, and queer studies.
The study investigates how punk rock and Garo manga serve as potent mediums for dissent and critique against prevailing nuclear policies and power structures of their respective states. By concentrating on Japanese underground punk music and Garo manga, the paper highlights the divergent cultural responses to nuclear politics, reflecting the distinctive historical and sociopolitical contexts. Paying attention to the unique narrative elements of Japanese Garo manga, the paper explores this countercultural movement as a form of visual storytelling that grapples with the consequences of nuclear power. It encapsulates societal anxieties and fosters a subversive political discourse, offering a unique perspective on the issues at hand. The analysis underscores the DIY ethos of punk rock, emphasizing its capacity to foster grassroots movements and political activism. Japanese punk rock, and it is engagement with the nuclear holocausts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, is examined as a direct response to the perils of nuclear energy. It reflects a collective resistance against government narratives and policies, illustrating the potential of punk rock as a form of political mobilization. Additionally, the paper investigates how punk rock lyrics and Garo manga narratives construct alternative viewpoints that challenge the dominant discourse surrounding nuclear power. These countercultural expressions serve as platforms for dissent, offering alternative narratives that highlight the social and political implications of nuclear energy.

Author

• Sean Parson, Northern Arizona University