魔法傀儡：《彩夢芭蕾》對於童話公主的重新想像

Abstract

本篇論文旨在探討日本動畫系列《彩夢芭蕾》（2002-2003）如何重新想像童話公主的原型角色。主張該作品藉由現代詮釋的方法來複雜化傳統公主的特徵，使其得以擺脫父權的操控及自身傀儡化的初始設定。故事中的兩位女主角透過西歐童話公主與日本動漫中魔法少女的雙重身份，形成文化混種的「魔法公主」形象，展現對於傳統童話公主角色的複雜想像。此外，本作品奠基於常規的童話慣例，並從芭蕾舞劇（特別是《天鵝湖》）汲取靈感，利用魔法和舞蹈的意象，對於公主身份的定位與呈現進行非典型詮釋。本論文之文本分析，主要探討動畫當中關於「魔法公主」的三個議題：首先是兩位女性主角之間亦敵亦友的複雜關係，及其在使用和放棄魔法所象徵的意義；其次是公主與「落難王子」的浪漫相遇，以及「幸福結局」的複雜多元意涵；最後，本作品提供兩個截然不同的例子，呈現公主如何抗拒挑戰父權制童話的操縱力，追求超越傳統特質的限制，成為具有強烈自主性與自我意識的「英雌」（heroine），抗拒故事框架、父權掌控，以及童話作家指派的角色定位。綜而觀之，《彩夢芭蕾》是一部深具意義的動畫作品，透過「魔法公主」的角色與情節塑造，以及「童話敘事」（fairy-telling）和「後設評述」（metacommentary），重新想像並複雜化童話公主的意象，鼓勵女性觀眾從童話傳統框架中解放自我，爭取自由及自主權，進而選擇自己的命運、創造屬於自己的幸福結局。

This thesis aims to explore the ways in which the Japanese anime series Princess Tutu (2002-2003) reimagines the archetypal role of the fairy-tale princess. The researcher argues that the anime creates an innovative interpretation by complicating the princess’ conventional characterization, allowing the two female protagonists to be free from the patriarchal fairy tale that seeks to puppet them like marionettes. Notably, the two heroines of Princess Tutu embody the dual identity of the princess and the mahō shōjo (“magical girl”) of Japanese ACG (anime, comics, games), dubbed the “magical princess,” to present a complex reimagining of the traditional fairy-tale princess. The anime series also employs magic and dance to present atypical interpretations of the princess’ identity by adopting the standard fairy-tale template and drawing inspiration from ballet, particularly Swan Lake. This thesis’ textual analysis of the anime focuses on three aspects: first, the unlikely friendship between two female characters cast as rivals, as well as the significance behind their use and abandonment of acquired magic; second, the princesses’ romantic encounters with the “prince in distress” and the notion of the “happy ending;” and third, the ways in which the two princesses defy and challenge the manipulative force of the patriarchal fairy tale, demonstrating two vastly differing examples of the princess’ quest to rise above her conventional characterization and become an active, self-aware heroine. The thesis concludes that Princess Tutu offers a complex interpretation of the characterization and story of the “magical princess” through fairy-telling and metacommentary, encouraging women to liberate themselves from the fairy-tale tradition and thus take back the freedom to choose their own fate and create their own happily-ever-after.