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Manga! Manga! : The World of Japanese Comics
Anime Book Review
This intense study of the development of Manga and it's influence on Japanese society is still a treat to read even though this book was first published more than 20 years ago. Fred Schodt's close relationship with "manganokamisama" Osamu Tezuka allowed him a unqiue insight into a world where the comic book is read by everyone, in every walk of life, with no boundaries between class or status. In short, if you want to know about how manga (and anime) has become what it is, this book is a must-read. Schodt's depth of material is staggering, covering every aspect and genre of manga, and included are many samples of both male and female manga (men generally read action/adventure manga, while women prefer romance manga) and their various sub-genres.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, May 2002
Manga: 60 Years of Japanese Comics
Anime Book Review
Until now, the only two substantive books about manga as a medium were Frederik L. Schodt's Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan. This recently published book is a thoughtful analysis of the manga phenomenon as a whole and covers everything from Osamu Tezuka to current works, and manga's emerging role as a global influence and the major cultural export of Japan.
 The opulently printed artwork and the thoughtful, historically and culturally accurate discussions of the social, aesthetic, and political background of manga make this an important book to own for any anime and manga fan. Get this!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2005
Rising Stars of Manga
Anime Book Review
This book is a result of the “Rising Stars of Manga contest” which was sponsored by TokyoPop. We have to admit that at first we didn’t have much hope for a collection of manga drawn by gaijin! However this collection had a few nice surprises, and would be well worth adding to your comic book collection. The volume features quite a bit of good storytelling and artwork, and there is that special bonus of knowing that you may be looking at the work of a future Tezuka (well we can always hope).
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, September 2003
Adult Manga: Culture and Power in Contemporary Japanese Society
Anime Book Review
Most Americans have absolutely NO IDEA how influential manga is on the social, political and economic fabric of modern Japanese society. This book examines an aspect of this culture — the commercial industry of mass-communication via the cartoon, how manga is produced, and how the industry churns out product, often to the detriment of creativity.
For those fascinated by how the manga publishing business works, this book is an inside-out look at one of the driving forces of contemporary Japanese culture.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2005
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