Communication
Vol 17, No 1 (2026): Communication

Analysis of Earthquake Mitigation Symbols in the Film Suzume using Roland Barthes’s semiotic approach

Henderson Suherman, Felix (Unknown)
Jiwanda DL, Jatayu (Unknown)
Budiwinarto, Arif (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Films serve as crucial mass communication media for conveying messages to audiences. Suzume is an anime film about the journey of Iwato Suzume and Munakata Souta in closing dimensional-gates and preventing Mimizu from causing disasters. This study analyzes earthquake disaster mitigation symbols in the Japanese anime film Suzume using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach by describing the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings of disaster symbols. This study employed a descriptive qualitative method, utilizing observation and documentation of key film scenes representing disaster mitigation through three layers of meaning: (1) Denotation as the act of closing and locking the dimensional gates, (2) Connotation as efforts to reduce disaster impact through structural and nonstructural mitigation, and (3) Myths related to Japanese cultural beliefs about gates, keys, gods, and Namazu. These symbols emphasize the importance of structural (physical preparation) and non-structural (knowledge-based) mitigation in earthquake management.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

comm

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

Jurnal Communication published by the Communication Studies Program, Univ. Budi Luhur, twice a year. The publication of this journal is intended as a medium of information exchange, knowledge based on development, and the study of Communication Sciences and its relation to various other scientific ...