Description: With the popularity of Pokemon far from waning, Japanese animation, known as anime to its fans, has a firm hold on American pop culture. However, anime is much more than children's cartoons. It runs the gamut from historical epics to sci-fi sexual thrillers. Often dismissed as fanciful entertainment, anime is adept at portraying important social and cultural issues like alienation, gender inequality, and teenage angst. This book covers many of the greatest anime films and series from the past decade, beginning with Akira in 1989 and ending with the US release of Princess Mononoke in 1999. Susan J. Napier explores in-depth the ways that anime portrays these issues, uncovering identity conflicts, fears of rapid technological advancement, and other key themes present in much of Japanese animation. Not afraid of controversy, Napier offers an even-handed look at anime's darker side: its frequent displays of pornography and sexual violence.

Please Wait