Anime, Manga and Pop Culture (2)
They’ve found that learning the language helps them to better understand Japanese pop music, as well as find more authentic recipes for ramen using “tonkotsu” soup. It’s amazing.
What’s behind this craze for anime and manga? How have they come to represent Japanese culture?
Well, I guess one reason is that they’re very accessible to young, impressionable audiences who find them very cool.
I think manga and anime have a cross-cultural appeal. Any kid who’s into fantasy will find themselves drawn into their imaginary worlds.
Manga’s distinctive stye of graphic design has become an international language. It’s an art form that’s both intensely Japanese and infinitely adaptable around the world.
I recall that the British Museum in London held a manga exhibition several years ago. It was billed as the largest exhibition of manga ever to take place outside Japan.
Anime and manga have attracted a global fan base and serve as a gateway to Japanese culture. They’ve boosted interest in all things Japanese. Their striking artistic and thematic styles transcend cultural barriers.
Since the late 1980s, manga has taken the world by storm. It’s become Japan’s most popular cultural export. Japan’s Publishing industry is slumping-except for manga, which account for over 40% of all publications sold in Japan. They offer something for everyone.
