Miscellaneous: anime

I was first introduced to anime in high school, and have found it an intriguing cultural phenomenon ever since. Although I sometimes get taken in by a particularly well-told story, I try to take a removed, objective view of anime. On the one hand, I am always wary of the messages that it sends the audience. On the other hand, I have organized anime clubs where it provides a segue into discussion of world events, fosters appreciation for foreign cultures, and engenders student awareness of media techniques and aesthetics. Moreover, a well-operated anime club provides a safe social space.

In this space I hope to foster awareness of anime for both students and parents alike

What is Anime? (How is it different from cartoons? What are the major sub-genres? Why does it look so weird?)
What is Anime Culture? (What do fans do? What are anime conventions? How is American anime culture different from Japan's anime culture? What is cosplay? What is anime's relationship to j-pop? dorama? dolls?)
Watching Anime (What to watch for. Facts and questions that enhance the anime-watching experience.)

Exploring Further:
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Books: