Japanamerica : How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.

Contemporary Japanese pop culture such as anime and manga (Japanese animation and comic books) is Asia's equivalent of the Harry Potter phenomenon--an overseas export that has taken America by storm. While Hollywood struggles to fill seats, Japanese anime releases are increasingly outpacing American movies in number and, more importantly, in the devotion they inspire in their fans. But just as Harry Potter is both ''universal'' and very English, anime is also deeply Japanese, making its popularity in the United States totally unexpected. Japanamerica is the first book that directly addresses the American experience with the Japanese pop phenomenon, covering everything from Hayao Miyazaki's epics, the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime, and Puffy Amiyumi, whose exploits are broadcast daily on the Cartoon Network, to literary novelist Haruki Murakami, and more. With insights from the artists, critics, readers and fans from both nations, this book is as literate as it is hip, highlighting the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures dramatically collide in the here and now. For more information visit http://www.japanamericabook.com/ Contemporary Japanese pop culture such as anime and manga (Japanese animation and comic books) is Asia's equivalent of the Harry Potter phenomenon--an overseas export that has taken America by storm. While Hollywood struggles to fill seats, Japanese anime releases are increasingly outpacing American movies in number and, more importantly, in the devotion they inspire in their fans. But just as Harry Potter is both "universal" and very English, anime is also deeply Japanese, making its popularity in the United States totally unexpected.

Japanamerica is the first book that directly addresses the American experience with the Japanese pop phenomenon, covering everything from Hayao Miyazaki's epics, the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime, and Puffy Amiyumi, whose exploits are broadcast daily on the Cartoon Network to literary novelist Haruki Murakami, and more. With insights from the artists, critics, readers and fans from both nations, this book is as literate as it his hip, highlighting the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures dramatically collide in the here and now.

Contemporary Japanese pop culture such as anime and manga (Japanese animation and comic books) is Asia's equivalent of the Harry Potter phenomenon--an overseas export that has taken America by storm. While Hollywood struggles to fill seats, Japanese anime releases are increasingly outpacing American movies in number and, more importantly, in the devotion they inspire in their fans. But just as Harry Potter is both "universal" and very English, anime is also deeply Japanese, making its popularity in the United States totally unexpected. Japanamerica is the first book that directly addresses the American experience with the Japanese pop phenomenon, covering everything from Hayao Miyazaki's epics, the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime, and Puffy Amiyumi, whose exploits are broadcast daily on the Cartoon Network, to literary novelist Haruki Murakami, and more. With insights from the artists, critics, readers and fans from both nations, this book is as literate as it is hip, highlighting the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures dramatically collide in the here and now.

Cover 1 Contents 10 Acknowledgments 12 Foreword 16 Chapter 1 May the G-Force Be with You 24 Chapter 2 Atom Boys 50 Chapter 3 The Business of Anime 82 Chapter 4 Toy Story 102 Chapter 5 Japan’s IP Problem 118 Chapter 6 Strange Transformations 138 Chapter 7 Cosplay and Otakudom: The Draw of DIY 160 Chapter 8 Future Shocks 192 Chapter 9 Anime Appeals 220 Index 240 A 240 B 242 C 242 D 243 E 243 F 243 G 244 H 244 I 244 J 245 K 247 L 247 M 247 N 248 O 249 P 249 R 250 S 250 T 250 U 251 V 252 W 252 Y 253 Z 253 "Japanamerica is the first book that directly addresses the American experience with the Japanese pop phenomenon. With insights from artists, critics, readers, and fans from both nations, this book is as literate as it is hip, highlighting the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures collide in the here and now."--Jacket Addresses our experience with anime and the Japanese pop phenomenon, covering everything from Hayao Miyazaki's epics, the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime, and Puffy Amiyumi, and more. This book highlights the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures dramatically intersect. Addresses the American experience with the Japanese pop culture craze, including anime from Hayao Miyazaki's epics to the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime to Haruki Murakami's fiction