The main purpose of this thesis is the analysis of fictional characters, their role in Japanese visual culture and society in general. For a better understanding of the argumentation that follows in chapters 2 to 4, I first introduce the reader to the world of postwar Japanese visual culture, its most iconic works and characters. In the following chapter I observe fictional characters from a psychological and sociological standpoint, and highlight their significance for contemporary society. Chapters 3 and 4 are dedicated to some of the most significant subcultures in postwar Japan - the shojo and otaku. In each of these chapters I first offer a synopsis of their respective histories and proceed to analyze some of the main trends associated with these subcultures; trends that have subsequently led to a major shift in consumer culture and a significant popularization of characters, the character business and its products. I argue that the most significant phenomenon associated with shojo culture is kawaii, the aesthetic of cuteness. Kawaii is arguably one of the defining aesthetic categories of contemporary Japan and is closely linked to postwar visual culture and the character goods industry. In the case of otaku, passionate consumers and fans of visual culture and modern media, I have focused on...

Dans un contexte généralisé où les cultures générationnelles otaku et geek multiplient leurs influences autant sur le plan du contenu culturel que sur les nouveaux médias qu’elles génèrent, nous nous sommes intéressés à sa propension à pénétrer les champs des arts dont la pratique contemporaine. La convergence des médias inhérents à ces deux cultures produit de nouveaux moyens d’expression donnant naissance à plusieurs types de pratiques expérimentales. Il s’est agi pour nous d’interroger nos référents autant que notre pratique sous ce nouvel angle. Une émergence de nouveaux systèmes technologiques se démocratise et intervient de plus en plus fréquemment dans le quotidien des usagers. Sur la base de ces nouvelles connaissances se développent de nouveaux rapports aux objets à partir desquels se forment de nouveaux espaces de fiction.La thèse « Expérimentations artistiques des espaces de fiction générés par les nouveaux médias issus des cultures générationnelles otaku et geek » est transdisciplinaire. Elle mêle études étymologiques, anthropologiques et sociologiques à l’étude des arts. En plus de s'appuyer sur des études réalisées par des chercheurs, la méthodologie appliquée se fonde sur l’expérimentation des œuvres présentées qui touchent à la fois à l’art contemporain, aux livres, aux bandes dessinées, aux films, aux jeux vidéo, aux jeux à réalité alternée, etc., mais aussi à la convergence de tous ces médias. L’expérimentation par une pratique nous semble dans le domaine présenté une donnée très importante du bien-fondé de la recherche qui est basée sur l’étude d’un terrain culturel en constante évolution. / In a widespread background in which the influences of Otaku and Geek Generational Cultures have increased as regards both their cultural content and the new media created by them, we undertook to study their propensity to penetrate into the art sphere, whether within or outside contemporary art. The convergence of the media inherent to both cultures has produced new means of expression which have given rise to several types of experimental practices. In the light of these new aspects, we strove to review our referents as well as our practice. Emerging new IT systems are becoming more and more popular and they are increasingly affecting their users' daily lives. With such new items of knowledge, new relations to things have developed and they provide a foundation on which new Fantasy Realms are being built."Artistic Testings of Fantasy Realms Created by New Media derived from the Otaku and Geek Generational Cultures" is a transdisciplinary thesis. It blends art research with etymological, anthropological and sociological studies. The methodology applied relies on studies carried out by researchers and is based on the testing of the works presented which are related to contemporary art, books, comics, video games, alternate reality games etc., as well as to the convergence of all such media. As regards the domain referred to herein, we believe that testing through practising is a paramount aspect of the relevance of this thesis which is based on the study of an ever evolving cultural territory.