Impacts of Cartoon Animals on Human–Alloanimal Relations

ABSTRACT

A majority of animated films incorporate alloanimal characters to some extent, either as primary or secondary protagonists. These characters generate interest in the alloanimals they represent, which have been shown to have a variety of effects such as increased visits to zoos, conservation donations, pet buying, and even animal trafficking. This research seeks to establish a general framework for understanding the potential effects these characters can have on human–alloanimal relations. By employing qualitative analyses, we first explore the affective design factors behind these characters. From there, we examine the sign function of these characters using Paul Wells’ schemata of bestial ambivalence and Dagmar Shmauks’ typology of artificial animals. The associated sign-process of these characters and the consideration for alloanimal Umwelten result in what we introduce as the “Expected Animal.” We then go on to explain how “Expected Animals” create imagined human–alloanimal relations which can impact real-world interactions between humans and other animals. This research offers insights into understanding the ecosemiotic impacts of cartoon animals, which can be used by animation studios to better mediate positive human–animal interactions with the release of their films.

KEYWORDS:

• Alloanimal characters
• human–alloanimal relationships
• human–animal interaction
• semiotics

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Accessed at: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls000021718/.

2 Movies portraying real or CGI animals may also lead to a rise in the purchasing of pets, such as an increase in the interest of pet owls brought on by the Harry Potter movies (Nijman & Nekaris, 2017).

3 While media coverage reported an increase in the purchasing of Clownfish and Blue Tang, there is no confirmed evidence of this trend (Veríssimo et al., 2020).

4 Accessed at: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/06/wildlife-wednesday-celebrate-speak-like-a-whale-day-at-the-seas-with-nemo-friends-june-11/.

5 This term is used to describe a genre of fiction where alloanimal characters “act like humans.” The genre is not inclusive of only those instances of comedic intent.

6 Also referred to as the “Bambi complex,” “Bambi factor,” or “Bambi syndrome,” but this usage is often used derogatorily (Lutts, 1992).

7 These inputs may come from books, (plush) toys, nature documentaries, etc.

8 Accessed at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rats-idUSL2850144620071028.

9 Which is a further development of Hediger’s (1969, pp. 75–95) and Sebeok’s (1990, p. 107) lists of what a human means to other animals.

10 Accessed at: https://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/rat-fad-activists-fear-ratatouille-will-spawn-rodent-craze-a-517080.html.

11 Accessed at: https://www.lemurconservationnetwork.org/madagascar-a-guide-to-using-the-film-as-an-educational-tool-for-lemur-conservation-education/.

12 Accessed at: https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/world-sensation-the-spix-s-macaw-is-back-872013636.html.

Additional information

Funding

This study received funding from the Estonian Research Council (PUT1363 “Semiotics of multispecies environments: agencies, meaning making and communication conflicts”).