Magic as Metaphor in Anime

Download or read book Magic as Metaphor in Anime written by Dani Cavallaro and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2010-03-08 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since its inception as an art form, anime has engaged with themes, symbols and narrative strategies drawn from the realm of magic. In recent years, the medium has increasingly turned to magic specifically as a metaphor for a wide range of cultural, philosophical and psychological concerns. This book first examines a range of Eastern and Western approaches to magic in anime, addressing magical thinking as an overarching concept which unites numerous titles despite their generic and tonal diversity. It then explores the collusion of anime and magic with reference to specific topics. A close study of cardinal titles is complemented by allusions to ancillary productions in order to situate the medium's fascination with magic within an appropriately broad historical context.