Original works and Derivative works
We have just seen how Japanese practice of “derivative works” can be linked to the idea of postmodernism. So our next question would be–is there any feature of “derivative works” …
Course: An Introduction to Japanese Subcultures
Otaku and derivative works
Now that we have briefly reviewed what a “derivative work” is, we will consider this practice in a historical and theoretical context. How is it related to the concept of …
Interview: Mari Kotani, Pioneer of Japanese Cosplay – Global Phenomenon
Continued from the video in the previous step, Ms. Kotani talks about why and how the Cosplay cultures has gone global and become a popular phenomenon around the world.
Interview: Mari Kotani, Pioneer of Japanese Cosplay – Origins
In this video, Ms. Mari Kotani introduces the origins of Cosplay in Japan, the relationship between Sci-Fi and Anime, and talks about her own experiences of practice and pleasure in …
Japanese Cosplay
Cosplay may be the most famous facet of Japanese fan culture in the world today. Combining and abbreviating two English words — costume and play —, the practice has become …
The Narrative of Youth Battle Stories from Japan
Wars and battles, regrettably, have not been eradicated from the surface of the earth yet, and we may encounter such fierce combats as those faced by the heroes of the …
School club activities and sports in Japanese culture
This article discusses the considerable significance that ‘school club activities’ play in Japanese culture. School Club Activities With the extremely high percentage of students enrolling in high schools (more than …
Japanese Subculture: High School Baseball
Magical agents have been even given to baseball players in Japanese manga. The Magic Ball and Ninjutsu The representatives are HOSHI Hyuma’s ‘Major League Balls’ in Kyojin no Hoshi (Star …
Vladimir Propp’s Analysis of Functions in Folktales
Propp’s ‘Functions’ As is too plain in the case of ninjutsu, the function of the devices can be described as ‘magical’ in a sense. To understand their function more deeply, …
Male protagonists in manga: Beating their opponents
We would feel a greater catharsis than in other cases when we see a young protagonist beat an elder and therefore bigger, stronger, and more cunning opponent, precisely because it …
Prehistory: The ‘Battle’ Narrative in Early Modern Japanese Popular Culture
When we think about the ‘origin’ of popular battle narratives in Japan, it is inevitable to find the establishment of the archetypal image of the ninja in the Japanese cultural …
Yaoi Manga: The Meaning of Love for Yaoi Readers
Here is the English translation of excerpts from “Adults Don’t Understand”(1) (“Otona wa wakatte kurenai” in Japanese) by Nobita Nobi (Nihon Hyoronsha, 2003). Nobi starts her creative carreer as …
Yaoi Manga: A Form of Expression of Female Desire
Here is the English translation of excerpts from “Adults Don’t Understand”(1) (“Otona wa wakatte kurenai” in Japanese) by Nobita Nobi (Nihon Hyoronsha, 2003). Nobi started her creative career as a …
Japanese subculture: Yaoi
What is Yaoi? What kind of social background created this culture? Please read the following article excerpted from my own article; “Only Women Know: Possibilities of Male Homosexual Preferences and …
Kawaii-ness: How It Has Changed Throughout the Years
Let’s take a look at Kawaii-ness in some shōjo manga, then think about Kawaii-ness in the 21st Century. Chibi-neko of The Star of Cottonland A few years after Kitty’s debut, …