Anime: A History

Japanese animation is a global multimedia industry worth over $23.6 billion, with a rich history dating back to the 1910s. Jonathan Clements' Anime: A History chronicles the production and reception history of the medium, covering its cultural and technological developments, and addressing previously neglected topics. Updated and revised with full color illustrations and three new chapters, the book illuminates the anime business from the inside, investigating its innovators, unsung heroes, and controversies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Japanese animation, a vibrant and dynamic industry, is a significant part of the global multimedia landscape, valued at over $23.6 billion annually. It encompasses a wide range of creative expressions, including manga, computer games, Pokémon, and plushies. In this comprehensive guide, Jonathan Clements delves into the rich history and reception of Japanese animation, tracing its evolution from its humble beginnings in the 1910s to the Oscar-winning masterpiece Spirited Away and beyond. Clements explores the cultural and technological developments that have shaped the anime industry over the past century, shedding light on previously overlooked topics such as wartime instructional animation and work-for-hire for American clients. Drawing on the testimonies of industry professionals and a wealth of Japanese-language documents, memoirs, and books, Anime: A History provides a comprehensive and insightful look into the anime business. The new edition of the book has been updated and revised, featuring full-color illustrations and three new chapters on the anime's fortunes among Chinese audiences and subcontractors, 21st-century trends in 'otaku economics, and the profound transformations brought about by the rise of global streaming technology.

Weight: 1260g
Dimension: 250 x 190 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839025129
Edition number: 2 ed