Suddenly anime is exploding! But where did Japanese animation come from, and what does it all mean? Written for fans, culture watchers, and perplexed outsiders, this is an engaging tour of the anime universe, from its roots in traditional Japanese culture and art, its major themes (war and reincarnation, yaoi/yuri/fanboy love, giant robots, samurai) and contemporary expressions.

Contents:
A Page Right Out of History
Conventions versus Clichis
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
Windaria
Wings and 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 Pokemon Scare
Plastic Little: Not What You Think
The Old and New Testaments of Masamune Shirow
Key the Metal Idol