"A readable, informative introduction to the many faces of Japanese animation, ... the ideal gift for the fan who thinks he knows it all, or perhaps the parent who knows nothing. The world of Japanese animation is laden with so-called beginner's guides, but in my opinion, this is the first that has been truly worth picking up. Go on, reading books won't kill you."
UK SCI FI CHANNEL

Suddenly the anime explosion is everywhere: in theaters and video stores and on TV. But where did it come from and what does it all mean? Writing for fans, culture watchers, and perplexed outsiders, Patrick Drazen looks at Japanese animation from the inside, from its roots in ancient Japanese culture to its major themes and motifs—war, anti-war, religion, ghosts, and reincarnation • giant robots and mecha • cute gay/girl/ fanboy love • samurai, folk heroes, athletes, and mothers • diligence, duty, and love of nature. He also probes the influence of manga and the works of leading directors like Hayao Miyazaki and Masamune Shirow, providing detailed commentaries on some of fandom’s favorite films, including Escaflowne, Sailor Moon, Ghost in the Shell, and Evangelion. With over 100 illustrations, a bibliography, and index.

Patrick Drazen has lectured on Japanese popular culture at the University of Chicago and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he earned a Masters of Arts degree and worked as an announcer for WSIU-FM. He has been published in Channels of Communication and the Journal of Popular Culture. He and his wife live in Chicago.

C O N T E N T S

Preface
PART ONE: INTERPRETING ANIME

A Page Right Out of History
Conventions versus Clichés
The Social Web and the Lone Wolf
Mukashi Mukashi: From Folktales to Anime
The Naked Truth
Rated H: Hardcore Anime
A Very Pure Thing: Gay and Pseudo-Gay Themes in Anime
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior
Shojodo: The Way of the Teenage Girl
Enter the Mamagon: The Japanese Mother
Faith-Based: Christianity, Shinto, and Other Religions in Anime
Who Ya Gonna Call?: The Spirit World in Anime
The Starmaker Machinery: Anime and Idol
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Nature in Anime
War Is Stupid: War and Anti-War Themes in Anime
Birth and Death and Rebirth: Reincarnation in Anime

PART TWO: FILMS AND DIRECTORS

Windaria
Wings of Honneamise: Tora-san in Space
Utena: Giri/Ninjo and the Triumph of Conservatism in Pop Culture
Giant Robo: Anime as Wagnerian Opera
Flying with Ghibli: The Animation of Hayao Miyazaki and Company
The Sailor Moon Phenomenon: Love! Valor! Compassion! Middie Blouses!
Escaflowne
Evangelion
Please Save My Earth
The Big Pokémon Scare
Plastic Little: Not What You Think
The Old and New Testaments of Masamune Shirow
Key the Metal Idol

Afterword: The Future of Anime
Bibliography
Index of Names and Titles

382 pp, 6 x 9", paper,
100+ b&w images
ISBN 1-880656-72-8

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