The literature review for my critical report delves deeply into the complex history of race and ethnicity in animation. It was both enlightening and difficult to map out the scholarly environment for this topic. I traced major trends, from early prejudices in animated media to the current quest for actual diversity in mainstream films.
A big challenge was maintaining cohesion among the various materials I read, which spanned from cultural critiques to audience analysis. Another problem was the lack of academic work on representation in non-Western animation, which forced me to broaden my search and rely on linked media studies for history. Despite this, I clearly understood how historical prejudices affected the industry and discovered encouraging examples of development in global storytelling.
This step of the project emphasised the importance of critical thinking and synthesis, turning the literature review into more than just a summary—it became the foundation for my research. While difficult, it was a worthwhile exercise in providing clarity and direction for the remainder of the report.