Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation

The problem with long-time otaku is they are fans beyond the scope of any introductory book on this topic and thus dismiss that which doesn't meet their standards for reasons that those new to the topic will neither be aware of nor care about. This book is a fine effort for the purposes of the author's goal -- explaining the topic in overview and then with detail using selected works. Its imperfections are simply no worse than any other general book on anime and it does offer a reasonable academic discussion on a very large subject with many facets.One-star reviews are rarely justified, and this is the case here. Expecting this book to be either encyclopedic or current is pointless. And the choices of films to analyze as examples is arbitrary at best. The complaints here about the author's choices are no more valid than those from fans who invariably write to entertainment magazines complaining about films and actors/directors being left out of best or top 25/50 lists. Such quibbling is best ignored given the wide range of tastes in anime, differences of opinion and limitations of space.The emphasis on sex is hardly out of place given the unique, frequent and varied manner in which it appears in an art form (animation) that usually has little or no such content outside of anime. The author attempts to bring all of this into perspective, and the repetitive use of certain words is hardly a valid issue given the circumstances. Her extensive notes and quotes make it obvious this book isn't simply a fabricated matrix of interpretation by her. One might not agree, but to dismiss her work as wrong is itself quite incorrect.All in all, this is a fine read for anyone curious about and interested in anime. Should it be the only book one reads on the topic? Probably not, but that doesn't mean there's not significant value in it. Ignore the negative reviews and enjoy this work for what it brings to the subject. If you want reviews of an extensive list of anime films and tv series, there are other books that do this -- with the caveat that reviews are personal opinion and not the last word or fact no matter how experienced the reviewer is.

No matter what these Ohioan legislators think this is a well thought out academic treatise on anime in today's society and not a smut filled screed. Any person that has an inkling of what anime, and also manga, is will understand that hentai and ecchi are subgenre of the overall culture and not the driving forces behind it.It is best to read this with an open mind and to remember this was written as an education tool in the insights of today's Japanese cultural leanings.

My review will consist of two parts: a review of the actual content first, followed by a review of the physical product.I chose to buy and read Anime From Akira to Howl's Moving Castle out of a desire to learn more and think critically about something I'm very passionate about, which is obviously anime. I, unlike many of the other reviewers, did not have to read this book for a college course. Despite this difference, I too share many of their concerns. Although I am ecstatic that whole critical books are being dedicated to anime, this particular one falls short of what it could and should be. I have not seen every anime discussed within the work and, due to reading it independently and lacking friends seriously interested in anime, have not discussed it with peers, so I have to take the other reviewers' word(s) that it misconstrues many facts to fit an argument. I noticed that this was true with some of the anime I am familiar with, such as Cowboy Bebop, and therefore am willing to accept that it is also true for a number of the other anime discussed in the book. That the author would get many basic facts about the anime examined wrong is unfortunate and brings into question her authority on the subject, however, I do not feel that it was done with a academically-corrosive intent. I believe it is evidence more of a lack of accurate analysis for certain anime and information regarding them than a lack of academic integrity, as suggested by some of the other reviewers. This is, of course, only my feeling regarding that matter and is based solely on intuition, not investigation. In any case, it is disappointing that one of the "definitive" critical texts on anime is plagued by arguments supported by faulty evidence.In addition to incorrect information, I felt that some of the chapters were too garbled and unclear about their topic. After finishing numerous chapters, I was left with a confused feeling of "what was the point of that?", which I believe is due to a lack of a clear, centralizing topic in some of the chapters (although, it may be due to a intellectual failing on my part). While it is understandable and even expected that the anime analyzed in a given chapter would contain differing viewpoints and commentary regarding the chapter's subject (given that the anime were made by different people, and different people have differing beliefs), I felt that her analysis was also contradictory in certain instances, contributing to my occasional confusion. There was a lack of various examinations crystallizing around a central idea in these chapters, which leads to (and is very likely due to) another of my complaints: the discussion tended to focus more on what the anime were saying in regard to various topics rather than how they were saying it. This is more of a personal complaint, as I am sure others will prefer that the majority of conversation be about what the messages are, but I wish that more of the book would have been dedicated to analyzing how anime utilizes its medium to convey the messages, emotions, etc., which can make it so incredibly deep. Of course, what anime are saying and why they are saying it is a crucial part of critically understanding anime, but more discussion on how would have been valued.There is also a huge focus on the sexual in the author's analysis. Some sort of sex-related discussion is found in virtually every examination. While this is to be expected in some anime, and can lead to very interesting insights in other, not necessarily "sexual" anime, many times it seems out of place and too far fetched. I am not sure if it was included to give the book "shock value" [to gain attention/attraction], but it seems detrimental to the book's overall quality in any case.Despite these complaints, the work is not completely bad. Indeed, there are some great and truly interesting sections, which provoke thought and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of the potential power and beauty of anime. The wide range of works discussed in the book has also piqued my interest in new shows, which I probably would not have watched otherwise. Although this is a benefit of reading the book, discovering new anime to experience, of course, does not require one to purchase and read this book. Also, it has introduced me to other critical works on anime, though this falls into the previously described condition of not being dependent on buying this book. The book is at its best in the introduction and opening chapters and the conclusion, where it makes rather broad statements about anime and its possibilities, which are accurate and well-thought out (not to mention heart-warming for anime fans desiring to see their love given its proper respect and credit). In general, it seems the main ideas contained within the book are not wrong or weak. In fact, they are quite the opposite. However, the book fails to powerfully and clearly connect many of these ideas to real examples from anime, leading to confusing and, perhaps, incorrect analysis. This said, I still enjoyed the conversation of the various anime. Although one (or, at least, I) would think that reading something wrong and flawed about something one is passionate about would be angering (and it definitely can be), the simple fact that the conversation was about anime made the chapters, however confusing, interesting to read.Overall, I recommend this book only to provoke deeper thought about anime and as an interesting discussion. I do not recommend it for one looking for an introduction to the world of anime as it is misleading, but for those already here and desiring to look deeper at anime, this book can serve that purpose in the sense that reading it can open one to new ways of considering the deeper meaning hidden in anime. Then again, other, better works can accomplish this same task. I would give Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle a 2.5/5 if I could, as it does have some redeeming factors, but I am rounding the score down to 2 instead of up to 3 because the flaws ultimately outweigh the positives, and, since this is supposed to be a critical text, the fact that it is interesting and, at parts, enjoyable to read cannot make up for its analytical and academic faults.As for the actual physical product, it is high quality. The pages are strong enough, the text large, and the margins provide ample space for annotations. The cover, though paperback, is sturdy enough. It is a well-made product except for one small fault: the series of pictures contained in the middle of the book, while printed on nice paper, are rather blurry. This is not a huge problem by any means, but many of the pictures (even of more recent anime) look unclear.

A great book dealing with more subtle agendas behind Japanese animations and the way it evolved into today's industry. This book is an analytical review in the author's eyes, depicting patterns and forms logical bridges behind certain anime's content and how it possibly could have come to that. Each chapter deals with a different genre of anime such as obsession of young girls, the "world is ending" theme, and giant robots. The chapters are written clearly and in a factual manner. One could assume this book is utilized for an Art or Film college class as textbook. However, if you like anime and care more about it than the "pretty picture" it's worth a read.

All good

Muy buen libro, da mucha información del anime, a quien le gusta le recomiendo leerlo

My bible when writing my dissertation at University. Bought a copy because of sentimental value from my times in the library.Susan Napier writes incredibly poignant and meaningful analysis of anime in the film world. Her studies on Miyazaki films were the foundation of my dissertation.Many thanks from me and many others who will benefit from your fine work. I cannot recommend this enough.

Good quality and arrived soon after orderingIt is better than some other books by Napier and goes to some deep discussion and analysis

I never would have guessed that anime can be actually taken seriously by the academic intellectuals! I mean, don't get me wrong, but weeaboos (so-called anime fanatics) have a bad tendency to ruin the reputation of anime. But this book? No weeaboos can handle the mind-blowing analysis made by Susan J. Napier!It's refreshing considering how I utterly despise college textbooks being dry as a desert. I'm so lucky that my professor created a class where we learn how anime can offer deeper depths of social commentary and reflecting on contemporary issues that influences modern Japanese and North American audience. So if you guys think that anime is just for kids and/or perverts, think again!