Exploring the Impact of Anime on Muslim Teenagers’ Moral Behaviour

This research investigates the impact of anime on the four domains of Muslim morality among teenagers in Selangor, Malaysia. The study explores how anime consumption affects religious observance, life choices, reasoning, and property respect. Using a quantitative approach, 85 Muslim teenagers aged 13-16 were surveyed on their anime viewing habits and moral behaviour. The study utilized a Likert 5-scale questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89 for reliability. Findings indicate that the majority of respondents are drawn to anime for its magical characters, attractive graphics, and engaging storylines. However, the frequency of anime viewing among respondents is generally low, with most watching 1-3 hours per week. Correlation analysis revealed a weak negative relationship between anime viewing and moral misconduct, specifically in the religious domain (fasting and parental obedience) and property domain (wastage). Contrary to prevalent perceptions, the study concludes that anime consumption does not contribute to moral degradation among teenagers. Instead, certain positive influences were observed, suggesting that low-level exposure to anime, particularly 'Kodomo' and 'Shounen' genres, can have beneficial effects. These results challenge the notion that anime exacerbates social issues among youth, highlighting the need for parents to monitor and guide anime content consumption. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to fully understand the influence of anime on adolescent behaviour and morality.