New Trend of Violence Animation Reflected to Kids through Manga Series

Abstract

This presentation explores the intersection between animated media aesthetics and their psychosocial impact on children, with a specific focus on Japanese manga-based television series such as Naruto, Hunter × Hunter, and similar productions dubbed and broadcast in the Arab world. Framed by theoretical lenses from the sociology of cinema (Morin; Bourdieu), media influence models (Gerbner’s cultivation theory; Bandura’s social learning theory), and psychological research on media violence (Berkowitz; Anderson), the study examines how stylized depictions of violence may a􀆯ect young viewers’ empathy, aggression, and cognitive- emotional development. A comparative content analysis of Arabic-dubbed series highlights the narrative framing of conflict and its potential role in shaping moral judgments and behavioral imitation. The inquiry integrates pediatric and pedopsychiatric perspectives, raising concerns about the rise in diagnoses of autism spectrum traits, ADHD, and anxiety in regions with high unsupervised digital media exposure. The presentation calls for a re- evaluation of children's screen time policies, advocating for culturally informed media literacy and active parental mediation in the Arab region.