Japan is an island nation replete with densely populated cities, the power of ancient Imperialism still looming large, thousands of temples and shrines, mountains, volcanoes, samurais and more. For some time, Japan was a powerful empire backed by her military and industrial strength.Like all things in the world, the empire withered over time and, for various reasons. But that did not stop the country from retaining its powers. The country simply shifted its gaze on the world horizon from military and industrialization to something far more potent than economics and arms; popular culture. Its territorial powers are now evident in almost living room through the television, and in everyone's ears through their headphones.Look at the way icons from popular Japanese culture have invaded the western world. Right from movies to manga to highly entertaining and popular cartoon characters to music to anime; Japanese pop culture has contributed significantly to the world pop culture, especially the western world.And it is not just western kids who are fascinated by the popular culture offered by Japan. Many of the anime series of Japanese pop culture are aimed as much at adults as at children. Gory, violent, and yet gripping, only Japan's creative minds can convert comics or manga written in their language into something that adults would get addicted to.This book traces the history of Japanese pop culture through the following elements: movies, TV shows, anime and manga; and their impact on the Western World.
