An ecocritical analysis of human–others and nature–others in popular animated fantasy series

Abstract

This thesis examines the representations of human-Others and nature-Others in popular animated fantasy series from an ecocritical perspective, and with an ecofeminist approach. The five animated series this thesis investigates, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018-2020), Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (2020), Disenchantment (2018-), Wizards (2020), and The Dragon Prince (2018-), while all being fantasy texts, have environmentally conscious stories that revolve around characters who are framed as Others in most societies. These marginalized Others, as expected from the fantasy genre, are not always presented as Others we know from our reality, but as mythical creatures and humanoids. Through a close reading of the character designs, settings, and the narratives of these five animated fantasy series, this study aims to explore and uncover new territories where the voices of both human-Others and nature-Others are heard and made clear.