Manga and Anime (Level 6)

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
• Convenor: Michael Tsang
• Assessment: a 2000-word essay (30%) and 3000-word essay (70%)

Manga and anime have been extremely popular media in Japan. This module will look at a wide spectrum of social, political, economic, and cultural issues through these media. The module also explores cultural production of these media and looks at how they have been represented in the Japanese as well as the global discourse. It further explores medium-specific aesthetics.

The module aims to build on the skills and knowledge you have gained through Level 4 and 5 modules, and to further develop your critical and analytical thinking.

Indicative module content

• History of Manga and Anime
• Japanese animation and Japanese culture
• Animating the city: Tōkyō capital of postmodernity
• War memory
• Representation of Otaku, Hikikomori and the Lost Decade
• The field of production
• The media mix: transmediality and Japanese entertainment
• Race in Anime
• Gender and sexuality in girls' Manga