Introduction to Anime As a Visual Medium And Global Cultural Product

3.00 credits · Undergraduate

This course presents a critical approach to anime as a visual medium, an industry, and a global cultural product. It focuses in particular on its distinct modes of representation for developing characters and visual storytelling, designing sets, reflecting socio-cultural reality, and captivating the viewer's imagination. Topics are selected from the following: the history of anime; the subgenres of anime; issues of identity, gender, and sexuality; anime as a creative arts industry with commercial objectives; anime and adaptation (manga, toys, etc.); the transcultural fandom of anime; anime as a global cultural product and international phenomenon (fan conventions, cosplay, the Pokémon franchise, Otaku culture, etc.); and the marketing of anime in the West (Studio Ghibli, Netflix, etc.). The course involves a critical understanding of anime as form and product, but it does not include instruction in the creation of anime or manga. (Format: Integrated Lecture/Laboratory 3 hours) (Exclusion: VMCS 2991 Introduction to Anime)