From Self-Denial to Self-Realization: An Analysis of Women's Personal Growth Through Boxing in Film "100 Yen Love"

Abstract

With societal development, more people have come to recognize the injustice of women’s social status and the importance of empowering women. Modern societies have begun to support women’s self-determination even in male-dominated spaces. The Japanese film “100 Yen Love” depicts the personal growth of a young woman from self-denial to a confident amateur boxer. This study has three objectives: 1) to examine the process of the female protagonist’s growth in this film, from self-denial to self-realization; 2) to explore issues of gender discrimination and challenges to traditional gender roles that she faces; and 3) to analyze the development of her character’s attributes and symbolic imagery, reflecting women’s capacity to overcome social constraints. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a purposive online questionnaire survey of 192 Chinese audience members who watched the film, and qualitative analysis through content analysis, narrative analysis, and semiotic analysis under a feminist interpretive framework. The findings show that women’s participation in boxing can enhance their respect and recognition in society, with 57.3% of respondents agreeing, although 46.9% of respondents still perceive boxing as a male-dominated sport. Furthermore, a majority with 67.7% called for more media coverage of women’s boxing achievements. Qualitative analysis revealed that the protagonist’s boxing training and challenges bolstered her confidence and agency, reflecting resistance to social constraints and a positive attitude toward life. This study recommends gender-inclusive sports policies and support for women’s participation in boxing to build confidence and opportunities for self-determination. It contributes to women’s empowerment discourse by highlighting how sports narratives in film can foster women’s strength and potential.