Function over form in contemporary media: The animated family as case

Chan, Ella Chingyi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132438 Copy

Description

Title

Function over form in contemporary media: The animated family as case

Author(s)

Chan, Ella Chingyi

Issue Date

2025-12-16

Keyword(s)

• Animation
• Family Dynamics
• Functional Family
• Social Constructionism
• Spy X Family

Abstract

Family is increasingly defined by what it does, not how it looks. It is less about biological ties and more about bonds and roles. This paper tests that claim with the anime SPY×FAMILY, which portrays a “fake” household made by necessity. Using the Olson Circumplex Model, I assess cohesion, flexibility, and communication across key scenes and arcs. The findings show how the Forgers move from cover to care. It transforms from a facade into a loving, functional unit that coordinates roles, manages conflict, and the most importantly basic act, talks more openly. On functional grounds, they meet the criteria for “family.” Social Constructionism frames this shift. Shared meanings and cultural scripts build family over time. Animation’s imaginative space helps norm‑breaking legible and safe, inviting viewers to rethink kinship and embrace diversity. When function is present, non-traditional families can thrive. This is a theory‑driven case that links on‑screen practice to public acceptance, showing how popular media model inclusive family forms and contributing to the discussion on modern family forms.

Series/Report Name or Number

The Journal of Anime and Manga Studies, volume 6 issue 2

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

Articles

Language

eng

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21900/j.jams.v6.1886

Copyright and License Information

• Copyright 2025 Ella Chingyi Chan
• This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).

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