Dementia for Disney

What's up with the Japanese and Disney? People of all ages are more than eager to go to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. They love the characters, the rides, the cheesy themed hotels, and especially the parade. On select holidays such as Christmas or Halloween, there is always some kind of special event featuring Disney characters doing even more inanely childish things.

Nonetheless, Japanese adults flock to the Disney amusement park not for their children, but for themselves. They come back with photos and tales of how they almost got to meet Donald Duck as if it was some international (human) celebrity, not just an underpaid part-time employee on his weekend shift.

There must be some sort of psychological reasoning behind why there is such enchantment and motivation behind visiting Disneyland, aside from the movies and characters that even American adults tire of before reaching puberty.

Of course, Japan is a culture that loves all things cute. Things, animals or people can be covered in fur, miniaturized, doe-eyed, or have an inviting color composition that would look good hanging from any accessory. The cutesy factor is prevalent in any icon of Japanese culture, which certainly diminishes the hardened, often cold exterior of the Japanese people. It is hard to strike up a conversation with a stranger and often uninviting. Yet, with a sweet, little Snoopy, Mickey Mouse or Tottoro dangling from your cellphone, it makes a certain social sterility bearable--at least on the exterior.

Still, the question goes unanswered as to why Disney is king. I guess American children grew up with it, and because of it's global prevalence, children from other countries are accustomed to the same fairy tales and characters. Even so, why not let loose a childhood reverence for a dressed up mouse with batty eyelashes? Perhaps comprehending the reality of Disneyland isn't necessary for Japanese, and it could be rightfully so. Maybe growing out of a Disney phase is unnecessary, and those Americans who are collectors or fanatics shouldn't be judged as a stunted member of adult society. Maybe Japanese have it right and it should just be a wonderful weekend away completely void of any notion of reality. It could be for a sense of sanity or a fresh breath of freedom from staunch societal shackles that Japanese adults would wish for such a sensation.

Even still, Disney could represent one overarching metaphor for the suppression of emotion. Only in a place of non-sensical fantasy can Japanese feel a zeal for life. That, or there is a pervasive obsession with American culture, thus the most iconic of American characters, would be revered as a mecca of all things wonderful--a chance to get just a little bit closer to the real thing. If only there were answers to such questions in life.