The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan
by Patrick W. Galbraith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Patrick W. GalbraithForeword: Frederik Schodt
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-10-01
ISBN: 4770031017
Number of pages: 248
Publisher: Kodansha USA
Book Reviews of The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan
Book Review: moe-ru hon desu. A definitive book on Japanese subculture.
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I ever heard the word Otaku, or paid attention to it, was around 1999 or 2000, when there a were a series of muggings in the Akihabara area and the victims were all "otaku". The young punks picking on them called it "Otaku-gari" or Hunting Otaku. Apparently, teenagers and younger, would come to the area loaded with cash to buy dolls, games, and comic books and since they tended to be a little wimpy--they were easy pickings. Words like "moe" (affection for fantasy characters and 2-D objects etc) were things I never understood very well. This book does a fantastic job of explaining the mind of the Otaku, the various influential anime (Japanese animation) films and there are a number of stand alone pieces on Japanese authors and creators that are outstanding. I also enjoyed Patrick's personal stories and his explanation of his own experiences with the subculture. More than a reference book, it's a joy to read and eye-opening.
Summary of The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan
Otaku: Nerd; geek or fanboy. Originates from a polite second-person pronoun meaning "your home" in Japanese. Since the 1980s it's been used to refer to people who are really into Japanese pop-culture, such as anime, manga, and videogames. A whole generation, previously marginalized with labels such as geek and nerd, are now calling themselves otaku with pride.The Otaku Encyclopedia offers fascinating insight into the subculture of Cool Japan. With over 600 entries, including common expressions, people, places, and moments of otaku history, this is the essential A to Z of facts every Japanese pop-culture fan needs to know. Author Patrick W. Galbraith has spent several years researching deep into the otaku heartland and his intimate knowledge of the subject gives the reader an insider's guide to words such as mo�, doujinshi, cosplay and maid caf�s. In-depth interviews with such key players as Takashi Murakami, otaku expert Okada Toshio, and J-pop idol Shoko Nakagawa are interspersed with the entries, offering an even more penetrating look into the often misunderstood world of otaku. Dozens of lively, colorful images--from portraits of the interview subjects to manga illustrations, film stills and photos of places mentioned in the text--pop up throughout the book, making The Otaku Encyclopedia as entertaining to read as it is informative.
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