Animetic Potentiality and

the Boundaries of the

Narrative
An Attempt at Involving Bergson, Simondon and Deleuze in Anime Studies

Alba G. Torrents
albagtorrents@gmail.com
(Japan Foundation Fellowship / Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona )

1. Introduction: anime, narrativity and

temporality
Temporality in certain anime
Extra-narrative / narrative
Bergson (dure and virtuality), Simondon (individuation, transduction and
apeiron) and Deleuze (difference)

1. Introduction: anime, narrativity and

temporality
Extra-narrative elements: the ones that resist absorption
into the narrative. (But they are not extra-narrative
elements per se!!)
Relation between narrativity and extra-narrative in
connection to temporality:
Narrativity: follow certain order, divisible in parts, closed set,
something of the order of the individual (already interpreted)
Extra-narrative: defy-temporal logic of narrative, break the
closure of the narrative order.

2. The philosophy of Bergson, Simondon and

Deleuze on potentiality and temporality
Individuation
Difference
Dure

Virtual

Potentiality
Temporality

2.1. Bergson: Dure and Virtual

Dure

2.1. Bergson: Dure and Virtual

Dure =
Heterogeneity in
continuity

Virtual =
Memory

Qualitative multiplicity

That which is real and

possible at once

Asymmetry

Real possible

Production of novelty

Opposed to actual
(but not the real)

2.2. Simondon: Individuation, apeiron

and potentiality

Ontogenesis
(phasic being)

Being as a
permanent
process of
problem-solving

Processes of
individuation

2.2. Simondon: Individuation, apeiron

and potentiality
Process of transduction = Process of individuation
Potentiality

Physic
level

Vital level

Psychic
level

Collective
level

Apeiron / Indetermination / Pre-individual

2.3. Deleuze: difference

2. The philosophy of Bergson, Simondon and

Deleuze on potentiality and temporality

Identity
Individuality

Two different forms

of temporality

Product-time

Abstract spatiality
Creative process of
self-differentation
Dure

Process-time

3. Analysis on Revolutionary Girl Utena, Serial

Experiments Lain and Puella Magi Madoka
Magica

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena: linear

temporality
Chapter
1

Chapter
3

Chapter
2

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena: circular

temporality

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena: static

temporality

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena: Time of

the promised revolution

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Four different forms of temporality
Linear temporality
Circular temporality

Product time

Static form of temporality

Time of the promised revolution
(potentiality / virtuality)

Process time

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Extra-narrativity and
precariousness of the
narrativity

Self-conscious
narrative

Simulacra of
the main story

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Revolution begins
(I promise Itll be
a revolution)

I promised a
revolution!

Revolution is
done

3.1. Revolutionary Girl Utena: This is

(not) the end of the world
No possibility for
identity

Pure event

3.2. Serial experiments Lain

3.3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

3.3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Quotidian World

Magical World

3.3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Conclusions
Philosophies of Bergson, Simondon and Deleuze
as the proper tools to decipher temporality in
anime.

Anime as Thinking
Devices