Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang

This study investigates the visual functions and symbolic meanings embedded in the character design of Hero Kadita (Ocean Goddess) in the mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang. It aims to understand how cultural values and symbolic messages are communicated through visual character design. Utilizin...

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Main Authors: Benny Muhdaliha, I Gede Mugi Raharja, Alit Kumala Dewi, I Made Pande Artadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nilay ÖZSAVAŞ ULUÇAY 2025-06-01
Series:IDA: International Design and Art Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.idajournal.com/index.php/ida/article/view/267
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author Benny Muhdaliha
I Gede Mugi Raharja
Alit Kumala Dewi
I Made Pande Artadi
author_facet Benny Muhdaliha
I Gede Mugi Raharja
Alit Kumala Dewi
I Made Pande Artadi
author_sort Benny Muhdaliha
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the visual functions and symbolic meanings embedded in the character design of Hero Kadita (Ocean Goddess) in the mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang. It aims to understand how cultural values and symbolic messages are communicated through visual character design. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive approach, the study employs visual analysis as the primary method of data collection, supported by a design anthropology framework and the manga matrix theory developed by Hiroyoshi Tsukamoto. The analysis focuses on three key visual matrices form, costume, and personality, to deconstruct the character’s design elements. The findings reveal that Hero Kadita’s design is aesthetically compelling and symbolically reflects the identity of Nyi Roro Kidul, a mythical sea goddess from Javanese folklore. The character conveys cultural values and spiritual meanings that resonate with Indonesian audiences through its visual narrative. The study concludes that incorporating anthropological insights into character design can enhance cultural relevance and emotional engagement, offering valuable guidance for game designers in embedding local identity within global entertainment media.
format Article
id doaj-art-bcc5f9980ef1433ab3fece3754a2977e
institution OA Journals
issn 2687-5373
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Nilay ÖZSAVAŞ ULUÇAY
record_format Article
series IDA: International Design and Art Journal
spelling doaj-art-bcc5f9980ef1433ab3fece3754a2977e2025-08-20T01:59:00ZengNilay ÖZSAVAŞ ULUÇAYIDA: International Design and Art Journal2687-53732025-06-0171Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-BangBenny Muhdaliha0I Gede Mugi Raharja1Alit Kumala Dewi2I Made Pande Artadi3Budi Luhur UniversityIndonesia Institut of Arts BaliIndonesia Institut of Arts BaliIndonesia Institut of Arts Bali This study investigates the visual functions and symbolic meanings embedded in the character design of Hero Kadita (Ocean Goddess) in the mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang. It aims to understand how cultural values and symbolic messages are communicated through visual character design. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive approach, the study employs visual analysis as the primary method of data collection, supported by a design anthropology framework and the manga matrix theory developed by Hiroyoshi Tsukamoto. The analysis focuses on three key visual matrices form, costume, and personality, to deconstruct the character’s design elements. The findings reveal that Hero Kadita’s design is aesthetically compelling and symbolically reflects the identity of Nyi Roro Kidul, a mythical sea goddess from Javanese folklore. The character conveys cultural values and spiritual meanings that resonate with Indonesian audiences through its visual narrative. The study concludes that incorporating anthropological insights into character design can enhance cultural relevance and emotional engagement, offering valuable guidance for game designers in embedding local identity within global entertainment media. https://www.idajournal.com/index.php/ida/article/view/267Design anthropologyManga matrixCharacter designMobile legendsSymbolic meaning
spellingShingle Benny Muhdaliha
I Gede Mugi Raharja
Alit Kumala Dewi
I Made Pande Artadi
Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang
IDA: International Design and Art Journal
Design anthropology
Manga matrix
Character design
Mobile legends
Symbolic meaning
title Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang
title_full Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang
title_fullStr Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang
title_short Understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in Hero Kadita’s design in Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang
title_sort understanding the visual functions and symbolic meanings in hero kadita s design in mobile legends bang bang
topic Design anthropology
Manga matrix
Character design
Mobile legends
Symbolic meaning
url https://www.idajournal.com/index.php/ida/article/view/267
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AT alitkumaladewi understandingthevisualfunctionsandsymbolicmeaningsinherokaditasdesigninmobilelegendsbangbang
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