Apocalypse in contemporary Japanese science fiction / by Motoko Tanaka.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tanaka, Motoko, 1971-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science fiction, Japanese--History and criticism.

Science fiction, Japanese.

Japanese fiction--20th century--History and criticism.

Japanese fiction.

Japanese fiction--21st century--History and criticism.

Apocalypse in literature.

Physical Description:

xii, 189 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

New York, N.Y. : Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Summary:

Starting with the history of apocalyptic tradition in the West and focusing on modern Japanese apocalyptic science fiction in manga, anime, and novels, Apocalypse in Contemporary-Japanese Science Fiction shows how science-fiction reflected and coped with the devastation in Japanese national identity after 1945. The structure of apocalyptic science fiction reveals what is at stake in Japanese society-cultural continuity, tradition, politics, ideology, reality, communities, and interpersonal relationships-and suggests ways to cope with these crises and visions for the future, both positive and negative. By looking at the postwar period, Motoko Tanaka observes how Japanese apocalyptic discourse has changed in its role as a tool according to the zeitgeists of various decades. Book jacket.

Contents:

Introduction

The trajectory of apocalyptic discourse

Apocalypse in Japan

Apocalyptic science fiction from 1945 to the 1970s

Apocalyptic science fiction in 1980s Japan

Apocalyptic science fiction after 1995: Sekaikei works

Apocalyptic imagination after 2011

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [175]-181) and index.

ISBN:

9781137373540

1137373547

OCLC:

857863198