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Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Theme

Humanities, Arts and Education

Research Advisor

Nathaniel Rey D. Ferrer

Abstract

Anime has emerged not only as a form of entertainment but also as a cultural and philosophical medium exploring concepts such as identity, decision-making, and existential dilemmas. Despite its growing influence in both global and Filipino contexts, little scholarly attention has been given to how philosophical frameworks like Deleuze and Guattari’s can be applied to analyze such narratives. The study analyzed To Every You I’ve Loved Before (2022) and To Me The One Who Loved You (2022) while applying Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophical approach to understand how decisions, with identity formation and social norms, affect character development. The research applies qualitative textual analysis to analyze both films, applying core concepts from A Thousand Plateaus, which include rhizomatic thinking, becoming, smooth and striated space, assemblage, deterritorialization, reterritorialization, and line of flight. The analysis relied on Herman’s Narrative Framework (2009) to examine how Koyomi’s choices develop because of his previous experiences. Through his travels between parallel realms, Koyomi illustrates the constant battle between the forces of free choice and the unavoidable effects of actions. Through his choices, Koyomi demonstrates the fluidity of identity and the complexity of self-determination via loss and external factors, together with feelings of regret. The study emphasizes that Anime functions as a philosophical platform that presents existential problems that connect with people, especially those in the exploration phase of their lives. The study adds valuable insights to research about philosophical film analysis, animated narrative structures, and individuals’ development based on their environment and decisions.

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