Anthropomorphism and Self-Actualization of Kong in Adam Wingard’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Abstract

This article discusses about anthropomorphism and self-actualization process in a non human main character named Kong in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire directed by Adam Wingard. This research aims and focuses to determine the type of anthropomorphism, and hierarchy of needs based on Kong. To obtain a better comprehension about the anthropomorphic nature and motivation of Kong in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, this research employs John Andrew Fisher’s anthropomorphism and Abraham Harold Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model. Descriptive qualitative method is utilized to describe and explain the results of this research in detailed manner. The source data of this research is taken in the form of screenshots and character lines from the film. This research reveals the type of anthropomorphism displayed by Kong is imaginative anthropomorphism, as his character is treated as human through both his emotions and thoughts. Lastly, Kong fulfills every stage of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and achieves self-actualization. This article suggests that non-human in a film possess the means in achieving self actualization, albeit one of the ways to prove that is to apply anthropomorphism as hierarchy of needs are only applicable to humans.