Anime explosion! : the what? why? & wow! of Japanese animation / Patrick Drazen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Drazen, Patrick.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Animated films--Japan.

Animated films.

Japan.

Physical Description:

xvi, 369 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, Calif. : Stone Bridge Press, [2003]

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Part 1 Interpreting Anime

1. A Page Right Out of History 3

2. Conventions versus Cliches 16

3. The Social Web and the Lone Wolf 27

4. Mukashi Mukashi: From Folktales to Anime 37

5. The Naked Truth 48

6. Rated H: Hardcore Anime 59

7. "A Very Pure Thing": Gay and Pseudo-Gay Themes in Anime 78

8. Bushido: The Way of the Warrior 104

9. Shojodo: The Way of the Teenage Girl 117

10. Enter the Mamagon: The Japanese Mother 130

11. Faith-Based: Christianity, Shinto, and Other Religions in Anime 142

12. Who Ya Gonna Call?: The Spirit World in Anime 155

13. The Starmaker Machinery: Anime and Idol 169

14. It's Not Easy Being Green: Nature in Anime 183

15. War Is Stupid: War and Anti-War Themes in Anime 192

16. Birth and Death and Rebirth: Reincarnation in Anime 208

Part 2 Films and Directors

1. Windaria 223

2. Wings of Honneamise: Tora-san in Space 230

3. Utena: Giri/Ninjo and the Triumph of Conservatism in Pop Culture 237

4. Giant Robo: Anime as Wagnerian Opera 246

5. Flying with Ghibli: The Animation of Hayao Miyazaki and Company 253

6. The Sailor Moon Phenomenon: Love! Valor! Compassion! Middie Blouses! 280

7. Escaflowne 288

8. Evangelion 298

9. Please Save My Earth 310

10. The Big Pokemon Scare 317

11. Plastic Little: Not What You Think 327

12. The Old and New Testaments of Masamune Shirow 333

13. Key the Metal Idol 342

Afterword: The Future of Anime 349.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-362) and index.

ISBN:

1880656728

OCLC:

50898281