Japanamerica : How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.

Anime, or Japanese animation, is Asia's equivalent of the Harry Potter phenomenon in the rest of the world.

While Hollywood struggles to fill seats, Japanese anime releases are increasingly outpacing American movies in sheer numbers and, more importantly, in the devotion they inspire in their fans.

But just as Harry Potter is both "universal" and very English, anime is also deeply Japanese, making its popularity in the rest of the world surprising. "Japanamerica" is the first book that directly addresses our experience with anime and the Japanese pop phenomenon, covering everything from Hayao Miyazaki's epics, the burgeoning world of hentai, or violent pornographic anime, and Puffy Amiyumi, whose exploits are broadcast daily on the Cartoon Network to literary novelist Haruki Murakami, and more.

With expert insight regarding both nations, this book highlights the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures dramatically intersect.