audiobook Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. by Roland Kelts in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. So-soBy jmchale1959I guess perhaps I was expecting more? To begin with; I should probably note that this is not actually abook about anime. You are not going to find much in here about your favorite series or genre. Indeed;only a few are actually given mention; to emphasize Kelts' narrative on the development of anime orthe supposed psychology behind that. It isn't that this is a poorly done work. Kelts' monologue readseasily and is well constructed. As perhaps a necessary intro; he does provide a basic history of theemergence of the medium in the post-war era; and the key figures involved in that. There's a good bitof theorizing on the effect on the Japanese psyche of the atomic bombings and the American occupation.Kelts also provides a look into the workings of the Japanese animation industry and its relations withUS business. He also engages in a somewhat involved look at the hentai(porn) market; in part toillustrate his emphasis on the sort of dual-nature lives Japanese live; with each individual keeping upan outer/public image that is detached from the inner/personal self. This idea forms one of themainstays of Kelts' narrative; but somehow I doubt that every Japanese is perfectly comfortablewith the often gruesome imaginings expressed in manga/anime porn.The irony here(and supposedly the western sense of irony is a handicap) is that this book was published in2006; the year now regarded by many as the high-point of anime popularity in the US; after which themedium began to suffer a steady loss of the mainstream acceptance it had been attracting.Especially indicative of this are Kelts' mention of upcoming Hollywood "blockbuster" adaptations ofvarious anime properties; none of which ever actually materialized.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. superb discussion of Japan and the US; beyond anime and mangaBy Jazz fanAs an American who is fascinated with Japan; but frustrated with books about the relationship between the two countries; I found Roland Kelts' "Japanamerica" to be a welcome breath of fresh air. Kelts focuses on the growing popularity of manga and anime among Americans; and the "mobius strip" of give and take between the two cultures; but his focus inevitably widens to address the broader mutual fascination between these two worlds. I love the fact that; as an American with a Japanese mother; Kelts avoids the two hazards of Japanophilia and Japanophobia. There is a refreshingly grounded and sensible middle ground in his analysis; a realism that seems to lighten things up and make it all more accessible and welcoming. Perhaps best of all - and this is a miracle in the world of cultural analysis - Kelts is delightfully unpretentious and his prose is as clear and comprehensible as it is filled with fascinating ideas and observations. Never for a moment do we doubt that Kelts knows what he's talking about it - and he brings it all across with infectious enthusiasm.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Anecdotes and a bit of dataBy ygnitionI used this for a term paper on the Cultural Invasion of Japanese themes to the west.It was interesting; but due to the nature of pop culture; it is a little out of date already. The internet obsoletes pop culture fast than sushi in a gas station on Miami.