HOURENSOU (報連相) PADA ANIME SHIROBAKO KARYA KENJI SUGIHARA

Abstract

Communication is an important aspect of the working world, especially in Japanese culture where the
Hourensou (報連相) communication system is known. Hourensou is a communication method consisting of
Houkoku (reporting), Renraku (contacting), and Soudan (discussing). The system aims to improve work
effectiveness by minimizing misunderstandings. This research focuses on the application of Hourensou in the anime
Shirobako, which depicts professional life in the anime industry. This research uses descriptive qualitative method
with content analysis technique on episodes 1-10 of the anime Shirobako. The data were collected through note
taking technique, then analyzed based on Hourensou's communication theory. Of the 40 utterance data analyzed, 21
Houkoku utterances, 12 Renraku utterances, and 9 Soudan utterances were found. The results show that
communication in the anime Shirobako follows the Hourensou pattern in various work situations, such as reporting
project progress, coordinating tasks, and consulting to solve production problems. Shirobako anime clearly
represents how Hourensou is applied in the working world of the anime industry. Houkoku serves to report the
progress of tasks, Renraku ensures coordination between production teams, and Soudan is used to find solutions to
obstacles encountered. This shows that Hourensou is an effective communication system in supporting smooth
production and maintaining work efficiency in the anime industry.
Keywords: Hourensou, Shirobako, Communication, Content Analysis