Reviews
"Embrace the world ofotakuin Roland Kelts' comprehensive study of how Japanese pop culture enchanted the West, fromSpeed RacerandPokémonto cosplay andhentaimanga." --Wiredmagazine "Japanamericaoffers an intriguing picture of anime's import..." --TheBostonGlobe "Like aWiredmagazine article on steroids,Japanamericasegues between street-cred observation and bullish corporate discourse. Kelts's analysis is more nuanced than that of a typical otaku ... [and]Japanamericais a broad primer; if you're seeking investment opportunities, it's practically a prospectus." --The Village Voice "Kelts has a sharp grasp of his subject and is on sure ground..." --Publisher's Weekly "Japanamericais the book I have been waiting for. It tells the incredible story of the way the colorful and eccentric world of Japanese entertainment and popular art has enriched our lives in the West. But it also deals with why it has a poetry that has taken Americans many years to understand and feel able to echo. Japan's holocaust was equally traumatic to the ones experienced by many Americans, and perhaps more sudden, more extreme and more focused. This story shows how today we all use movies, comics, music, art and advertising to face our past and its traumas, rather than to escape. The Japanese methods of facing the past are restrained and unusual, but ultimately glorious, and mean more to us in our post-9/11 era than ever they could before. Roland Kelts, part American, part Japanese, brings real insight to the way this union of hearts and souls through entertainment will continue to grow and draw two very different worlds together.¿ --Pete Townshend, The Who "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture." --Daniel Bergner, author ofIn the Land of Magic SoldiersandGod of the Rodeo "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author ofBright Angel Time "The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place." --Matthew Sharpe, author ofthe NBC book club selection,The Sleeping Father, andNothing is Terrible,Stories from the Tube,and the forthcomingJamestown: A Novel "As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I readJapanamericacurious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience." --Adrienne Brodeur, author ofMan Camp, Founding Editor ofZoetrope: All-Story "Japanamericaprovides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime." --Joe Hahn, Linkin Park , "Embrace the world of "otaku" in Roland Kelts' comprehensive study of how Japanese pop culture enchanted the West, from "Speed Racer" and "Poke mon" to cosplay and "hentai" manga." --"Wired" magazine ""Japanamerica" offers an intriguing picture of anime's import..." "--The ""Boston"" Globe" "Like a "Wired" magazine article on steroids, "Japanamerica" segues between street-cred observation and bullish corporate discourse. Kelts's analysis is more nuanced than that of a typical otaku ... [and] "Japanamerica" is a broad primer; if you're seeking investment opportunities, it's practically a prospectus." --"The Village Voice" "Kelts has a sharp grasp of his subject and is on sure ground..." "--Publisher's Weekly""" ""Japanamerica" is the book I have been waiting for. It tells the incredible story of the way the colorful and eccentric world of Japanese entertainment and popular art has enriched our lives in the West. But it also deals with why it has a poetry that has taken Americans many years to understand and feel able to echo. Japan's holocaust was equally traumatic to the ones experienced by many Americans, and perhaps more sudden, more extreme and more focused. This story shows how today we all use movies, comics, music, art and advertising to face our past and its traumas, rather than to escape. The Japanese methods of facing the past are restrained and unusual, but ultimately glorious, and mean more to us in our post-9/11 era than ever they could before. Roland Kelts, part American, part Japanese, brings real insight to the way this union of hearts and souls through entertainment will continue togrow and draw two very different worlds together. --Pete Townshend, The Who "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture."--Daniel Bergner, author of "In the Land of Magic Soldiers" and "God of the Rodeo""" "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author of "Bright Angel Time""" "The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place."--Matthew Sharpe, author of" "the NBC book club selection, "The Sleeping Father," and "Nothing is Terrible," "Stories from the Tube,"" "and the forthcoming" Jamestown: A Novel""" "As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I read "Japanamerica "curious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience."--Adrienne Brodeur, author of "Man Camp," Founding Editor of "Zoetrope: All-Story""" ""Japanamerica "provides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime."--Joe Hahn, Linkin Park, "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture."--Daniel Bergner, author of "In the Land of Magic Soldiers" and "God of the Rodeo" "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author of "Bright Angel Time""The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place."--Matthew Sharpe, author of" "the NBC book club selection, "The Sleeping Father," and "Nothing is Terrible," "Stories from the Tube,"" "and the forthcoming" Schmelding: An Authorized Biography""As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I read "Japanamerica "curious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience."--Adrienne Brodeur, author of "Man Camp," Founding Editor of "Zoetrope: All-Story"""Japanamerica "provides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime."--Joe Hahn, Linkin Park, "Japanamericais the book I have been waiting for. It tells the incredible story of the way the colorful and eccentric world of Japanese entertainment and popular art has enriched our lives in the West. But it also deals with why it has a poetry that has taken Americans many years to understand and feel able to echo. Japan's holocaust was equally traumatic to the ones experienced by many Americans, and perhaps more sudden, more extreme and more focused. This story shows how today we all use movies, comics, music, art and advertising to face our past and its traumas, rather than to escape. The Japanese methods of facing the past are restrained and unusual, but ultimately glorious, and mean more to us in our post-9/11 era than ever they could before. Roland Kelts, part American, part Japanese, brings real insight to the way this union of hearts and souls through entertainment will continue to grow and draw two very different worlds together." --Pete Townshend, The Who "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture." --Daniel Bergner, author ofIn the Land of Magic SoldiersandGod of the Rodeo "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author ofBright Angel Time "The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place." --Matthew Sharpe, author ofthe NBC book club selection,The Sleeping Father, andNothing is Terrible,Stories from the Tube,and the forthcomingJamestown: A Novel "As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I readJapanamericacurious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience." --Adrienne Brodeur, author ofMan Camp, Founding Editor ofZoetrope: All-Story "Japanamericaprovides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime." --Joe Hahn, Linkin Park , "Embrace the world of otaku in Roland Kelts' comprehensive study of how Japanese pop culture enchanted the West, from Speed Racer and Pokemon to cosplay and hentai manga." -- Wired magazine " Japanamerica offers an intriguing picture of anime's import..." --The Boston Globe "Like a Wired magazine article on steroids, Japanamerica segues between street-cred observation and bullish corporate discourse. Kelts's analysis is more nuanced than that of a typical otaku ... [and] Japanamerica is a broad primer; if you're seeking investment opportunities, it's practically a prospectus." -- The Village Voice "Kelts has a sharp grasp of his subject and is on sure ground..." --Publisher's Weekly " Japanamerica is the book I have been waiting for. It tells the incredible story of the way the colorful and eccentric world of Japanese entertainment and popular art has enriched our lives in the West. But it also deals with why it has a poetry that has taken Americans many years to understand and feel able to echo. Japan's holocaust was equally traumatic to the ones experienced by many Americans, and perhaps more sudden, more extreme and more focused. This story shows how today we all use movies, comics, music, art and advertising to face our past and its traumas, rather than to escape. The Japanese methods of facing the past are restrained and unusual, but ultimately glorious, and mean more to us in our post-9/11 era than ever they could before. Roland Kelts, part American, part Japanese, brings real insight to the way this union of hearts and souls through entertainment will continue to grow and draw two very different worlds together." --Pete Townshend, The Who "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture." --Daniel Bergner, author of In the Land of Magic Soldiers and God of the Rodeo "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author of Bright Angel Time "The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place." --Matthew Sharpe, author ofthe NBC book club selection, The Sleeping Father , and Nothing is Terrible , Stories from the Tube ,and the forthcoming Jamestown: A Novel "As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I read Japanamerica curious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience." --Adrienne Brodeur, author of Man Camp , Founding Editor of Zoetrope: All-Story " Japanamerica provides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime." --Joe Hahn, Linkin Park, "Embrace the world ofotakuin Roland Kelts' comprehensive study of how Japanese pop culture enchanted the West, fromSpeed RacerandPokémonto cosplay andhentaimanga." --Wiredmagazine "Japanamericaoffers an intriguing picture of anime's import..." --TheBostonGlobe "Like aWiredmagazine article on steroids,Japanamericasegues between street-cred observation and bullish corporate discourse. Kelts's analysis is more nuanced than that of a typical otaku ... [and]Japanamericais a broad primer; if you're seeking investment opportunities, it's practically a prospectus." --The Village Voice "Kelts has a sharp grasp of his subject and is on sure ground..." --Publisher's Weekly "Japanamericais the book I have been waiting for. It tells the incredible story of the way the colorful and eccentric world of Japanese entertainment and popular art has enriched our lives in the West. But it also deals with why it has a poetry that has taken Americans many years to understand and feel able to echo. Japan's holocaust was equally traumatic to the ones experienced by many Americans, and perhaps more sudden, more extreme and more focused. This story shows how today we all use movies, comics, music, art and advertising to face our past and its traumas, rather than to escape. The Japanese methods of facing the past are restrained and unusual, but ultimately glorious, and mean more to us in our post-9/11 era than ever they could before. Roland Kelts, part American, part Japanese, brings real insight to the way this union of hearts and souls through entertainment will continue to grow and draw two very different worlds together." --Pete Townshend, The Who "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture." --Daniel Bergner, author ofIn the Land of Magic SoldiersandGod of the Rodeo "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author ofBright Angel Time "The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place." --Matthew Sharpe, author ofthe NBC book club selection,The Sleeping Father, andNothing is Terrible,Stories from the Tube,and the forthcomingJamestown: A Novel "As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I readJapanamericacurious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience." --Adrienne Brodeur, author ofMan Camp, Founding Editor ofZoetrope: All-Story "Japanamericaprovides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime." --Joe Hahn, Linkin Park , "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture."-- Daniel Bergner, author of In the Land of Magic Soldiersand God of the Rodeo "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." -- Martha McPhee, author of Bright Angel Time, ""Japanamerica" is the book I have been waiting for. It tells the incredible story of the way the colorful and eccentric world of Japanese entertainment and popular art has enriched our lives in the West. But it also deals with why it has a poetry that has taken Americans many years to understand and feel able to echo. Japan's holocaust was equally traumatic to the ones experienced by many Americans, and perhaps more sudden, more extreme and more focused. This story shows how today we all use movies, comics, music, art and advertising to face our past and its traumas, rather than to escape. The Japanese methods of facing the past are restrained and unusual, but ultimately glorious, and mean more to us in our post-9/11 era than ever they could before. Roland Kelts, part American, part Japanese, brings real insight to the way this union of hearts and souls through entertainment will continue to grow and draw two very different worlds together." --Pete Townshend, The Who "Roland Kelts sees deeply and writes elegantly; he gives us a unique and powerful vision of Japanese and Western culture."--Daniel Bergner, author of "In the Land of Magic Soldiers" and "God of the Rodeo""" "Roland Kelts is a keen observer of both American and Japanese pop culture, placing him in a unique position to discuss the rise of anime in America and the West." --Martha McPhee, author of "Bright Angel Time""" "The brain of Roland Kelts is not only a brilliant interpreter of places where Japanese and American culture meet, it is also one such important place."--Matthew Sharpe, author of" "the NBC book club selection, "The Sleeping Father," and "Nothing isTerrible," "Stories from the Tube,"" "and the forthcoming" Jamestown: A Novel""" "As the step-mother of an anime-crazed teen, I read "Japanamerica "curious to understand the obsession. What I didn't expect was that Roland Kelts's intelligent and precise observations would shed so much light on my own cultural experience."--Adrienne Brodeur, author of "Man Camp," Founding Editor of "Zoetrope: All-Story""" ""Japanamerica "provides insight into the collision of Eastern and Western pop culture, and the aftermath that is this cutting edge phenomenom known as Anime."--Joe Hahn, Linkin Park "Embrace the world of "otaku" in Roland Kelts' comprehensive study of how Japanese pop culture enchanted the West, from "Speed Racer" and "Poke mon" to cosplay and "hentai" manga."--"Wired" magazine "Like a "Wired" magazine article on steroids, "Japanamerica" segues between street-cred observation and bullish corporate discourse. Kelts's analysis is more nuanced than that of a typical otaku ... [and] "Japanamerica" is a broad primer; if you're seeking investment opportunities, it's practically a prospectus." --"The Village Voice"
