Transnational Kaiju: Exploitation, Globalisation and Cult Monster Movies

The kaij? eiga genre has developed from humble beginnings in a Japanese studio picture to a global genre, with the origins of giant kaij? remaining firmly rooted in Japan. This book explores how kaij? went global, from the adoption of Godzilla movies in translation to the appropriation of cultural material across borders, and examines how genres with deep national roots can become transnational phenomena.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The kaij? eiga, a genre that has evolved from its humble beginnings in a Japanese studio picture inspired by King Kong, has transcended national boundaries and become a global phenomenon. While the origins of giant kaij? the term often preferred to monster remain firmly rooted in Japan, the figure has transcended borders and become a transnational spectacle. This book delves into the journey of kaij? going global, examining how it has been adopted, translated, and appropriated across cultures. It explores the exploitative Western circulation of the genre and the labor of fans who have contributed to its transnational success. By examining the genre's global development, its impact on Western audiences, and the ways in which it has been embraced and transformed by fans worldwide, this book sheds light on the remarkable phenomenon of genres with deep national roots becoming transnational phenomena.

The kaij? eiga, a genre that has evolved from its humble beginnings in a Japanese studio picture inspired by King Kong, has transcended national boundaries and become a global phenomenon. While the origins of giant kaij? the term often preferred to monster remain firmly rooted in Japan, the figure has transcended borders and become a transnational spectacle. This book delves into the journey of kaij? going global, examining how it has been adopted, translated, and appropriated across cultures. It explores the exploitative Western circulation of the genre and the labor of fans who have contributed to its transnational success. By examining the genre's global development, its impact on Western audiences, and the ways in which it has been embraced and transformed by fans worldwide, this book sheds light on the remarkable phenomenon of genres with deep national roots becoming transnational phenomena.

Weight: 436g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474475815