Abstract
The Tale of Mari is a mixed media animated documentary which follows the life of Mari Arakaki Gaskins. Shortly after moving to America in the 1970s, Mari began illustrating comic strips about a Japanese family, emulating the cartoons she saw in newspapers. She sent a letter to the creator of Garfield, Jim Davis, and included her comics. Davis sent her a response, and told her that her artwork was good. However, he believed that the strips were unlikely to be published, because comics about a young Japanese girl would not be relatable to American audiences. Mari grew up during a transitional period in Okinawa, Japan. Coming from a mixed Okinawan-Filipino family, she struggled to fit in as Japan promoted assimilation into mainland Japanese culture. Meanwhile, the USA was developing a strong military presence on the island. After getting a job at the Kadena Air Force base due to her English language skills, she married Randy Gaskins, and moved with him back to America to start a family. Though her comics were never published, her legacy is sustained by the impact she has on her family. With her free-spirited attitude and encouragement of creativity, many of her children and grandchildren continue to pursue music and arts.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Animation (Cinematography); Animated films--Themes, motives; Documentary films--Production and direction; Gaskins, Mari Arakaki
Publication Date
12-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Student Type
Graduate
Degree Name
Film and Animation (MFA)
Department, Program, or Center
Film and Animation, School of
College
College of Art and Design
Advisor
Vanessa Sweet
Advisor/Committee Member
Christine Banna
Advisor/Committee Member
Dave Sluberski
Recommended Citation
Vaughn, Anya, "The Tale of Mari" (2024). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/12025
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
Plan Codes
FILMAN-MFA
