The Moe Manifesto

June 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-The author of The Otaku Encyclopedia (Kodansha, 2014) returns with another look at the Japanese subculture that holds such a strong appeal to American audiences. The idea of moe goes even further than the general idea of fandom, specifically referring to the strong sense of emotional attachment that fans feel for their favorite characters. The book opens with an introduction that gives an overview of what moe means, the history of beautiful boys and cute girls in Japanese popular culture and how men in Japan became fans of melodramatic romance. The remainder is filled with a series of interviews with various experts on the topic of moe, including a professor of cultural sociology, those who work in the manga and anime industries, fans, critics, and even a psychiatrist. Readers will learn about extreme examples of Japanese fandom, from people dressing up as their favorite characters on the streets of Harajuku to those fighting for the right to marry fictional characters. This title is lavishly illustrated with colorful artwork and photographs and contains a glossary, which will help readers understand terms such as "bishojo," "cosplay," and "lolicon." Though there's no nudity, there are some questionable images that make the book more appropriate for a high school audience. This is an eye-opening, fascinating, and sometimes disturbing look at fandom that will resonate with anyone curious about Japanese culture.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

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