Akrab Juara : Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Sosial
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2026): Mei

REPRESENTATION OF THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY IN THE ANIMATED FILM JUMBO: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS BY ROLAND BARTHES

Ahmad Hamzah (Unknown)
Arvin Hardian (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 May 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the representation of identity search in the Indonesian animated film Jumbo through the lens of Roland Barthes' semiotics. The research focuses on interpreting visual and narrative signs that reflect the dynamics of urban youth life in Jakarta. A qualitative descriptive-interpretative method with a single case study design was employed. Data were collected through repeated observations of the film and literature reviews, then analyzed using Barthes' three-layer semiotic framework: denotation, connotation, and myth. The findings reveal that the search for identity is represented in layered meanings. At the denotative level, signs such as the protagonist's giant body, Jakarta's traffic congestion, and bullying scenes depict physical isolation and social pressure. At the connotative level, these signs symbolize emotional alienation and identity crises caused by urban pressures. At the mythological level, the film naturalizes identity crises as an inevitable consequence of metropolitan life while reproducing the ideology of conformity as a solution to social pressure. This research contributes to the development of visual semiotics studies and communication within the context of local Indonesian animation

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Journal Info

Abbrev

akrabjuara

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemistry Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

URNAL AKRAB JUARA adalah sebuah jurnal pendidikan dan pengetahuan yang berkaitan dengan ilmu-ilmu sosial untuk para pendidik dan pendidikan yang ingin menungkan hasil karya ilmiahnya dengan nuangsa teknologi pembelajaran serta pengajaran dalam bidang masing-masing ...