An insightful guide to the under-explored medium of anime, Crunchyroll's Essential Anime features 50 influential and unforgettable anime series and films that have left an undeniable impact on our culture. More than just a list of anime to watch, Essential Anime digs into the distinct stories of the creators and studios behind the making of these must-see anime titles, as well as the personal connections and importance they hold with anime fans around the world. With commentary on anime's history and lasting appeal, recommendation lists, and hundreds of stunning images, Crunchyroll's Essential Anime is an indispensable guide for anime lovers and fans, offering an entertaining and moving narrative about anime's true impact on pop culture. Ranging from classic and modern series and films this official guide will explore iconic and must-see: Feature films: Akira (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Millennium Actress (2001), Metropolis (2001), Tekkonkinkreet (2006), Sword of the Stranger (2007), Summer Wars (2009), and Your Name (2016) Series: Astro Boy (1963), Lupin the 3rd (1967), Macross (1982), Ranma 1/2 (1989), Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), Dragon Ball Z (1989), Sailor Moon (1992), Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997), Pokémon​ (1997), One Piece (1999), K-On! (2007), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009), Sword Art Online (2012), Yuri On Ice!!! (2016), My Hero Academia (2018), and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) And more!

An insightful guide to the under-explored medium of anime, Crunchyroll's Essential Anime features 50 influential and unforgettable anime series and films that have left an undeniable impact on our culture. More than just a list of anime to watch, Essential Anime digs into the distinct stories of the creators and studios behind the making of these must-see anime titles, as well as the personal connections and importance they hold with anime fans around the world. With commentary on anime's history and lasting appeal, recommendation lists, and hundreds of stunning images, Crunchyroll's Essential Anime is an indispensable guide for anime lovers and fans, offering an entertaining and moving narrative about anime's true impact on pop culture. Ranging from classic and modern series and films this official guide will explore iconic and must-see: Feature films: Akira (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Millennium Actress (2001), Metropolis (2001), Tekkonkinkreet (2006), Sword of the Stranger (2007), Summer Wars (2009), and Your Name (2016) Series: Astro Boy (1963), Lupin the 3rd (1967), Macross (1982), Ranma 1/2 (1989), Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), Dragon Ball Z (1989), Sailor Moon (1992), Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997), Pokémon​ (1997), One Piece (1999), K-On! (2007), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009), Sword Art Online (2012), Yuri On Ice!!! (2016), My Hero Academia (2018), and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) And more!

This comprehensive history of Japanese animation draws on Japanese primary sources and testimony from industry professionals to explore the production and reception of anime, from its origins in Japanese cartoons of the 1920s and 30s to the international successes of companies such as Studio Ghibli and Nintendo, films such as Spirited Away and video game characters such as Pokémon.

The untold story of how Japan became a cultural superpower through the fantastic inventions that captured—and transformed—the world’s imagination. “A masterful book driven by deep research, new insights, and powerful storytelling.”—W. David Marx, author of Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style Japan is the forge of the world’s fantasies: karaoke and the Walkman, manga and anime, Pac-Man and Pokémon, online imageboards and emojis. But as Japan media veteran Matt Alt proves in this brilliant investigation, these novelties did more than entertain. They paved the way for our perplexing modern lives. In the 1970s and ’80s, Japan seemed to exist in some near future, gliding on the superior technology of Sony and Toyota. Then a catastrophic 1990 stock-market crash ushered in the “lost decades” of deep recession and social dysfunction. The end of the boom should have plunged Japan into irrelevance, but that’s precisely when its cultural clout soared—when, once again, Japan got to the future a little ahead of the rest of us. Hello Kitty, the Nintendo Entertainment System, and multimedia empires like Dragon Ball Z were more than marketing hits. Artfully packaged, dangerously cute, and dizzyingly fun, these products gave us new tools for coping with trying times. They also transformed us as we consumed them—connecting as well as isolating us in new ways, opening vistas of imagination and pathways to revolution. Through the stories of an indelible group of artists, geniuses, and oddballs, Pure Invention reveals how Japan’s pop-media complex remade global culture.

This official guide to the Crunchyroll anime Bananya allows fans to explore the secret lives and antics of its adorable characters. Based on the hit anime Bananya, this official guide will take you on an adventure into the secret world of the kitties who live in bananas. This guide has everything that you need to know about the show and all of its characters including full-color illustrations, an identification guide, playful advice facts, and memories of past adventures. Nya! © Q-LIA/Bananya Partners

You've never read a fantasy novel like this one! The deep well of Japanese myth merges with the Western fantasy tradition for a novel that's as rich in place and culture as it is hard to put down. Balsa was a wanderer and warrior for hire. Then she rescued a boy flung into a raging river -- and at that moment, her destiny changed. Now Balsa must protect the boy -- the Prince Chagum -- on his quest to deliver the great egg of the water spirit to its source in the sea. As they travel across the land of Yogo and discover the truth about the spirit, they find themselves hunted by two deadly enemies: the egg-eating monster Rarunga . . . and the prince's own father.

Featuring 50 of the most influential and essential Japanese animated series and films—from Akira to Cowboy Bebop to Sailor Moon—this expert guide is the must-have book for anime fans young and old. The Essential Anime Guide is the guide every fan needs to the classic, must-see anime series and films that transformed both Japanese and Western pop culture. Organized by release date and with entries by experts in the anime field, this guide provides a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look into the history and impact of these classic anime. Both casual fans and serious otaku alike will discover a fun and surprisingly touching portrait of the true impact of anime on pop culture. Ranging from classic series to modern films, this official guide will explore iconic and must-see: Feature films: Akira (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Millennium Actress (2001), Metropolis (2001),Tekkonkinkreet (2006), Sword of the Stranger (2007), Summer Wars (2009), and Your Name (2016) Series: Astro Boy (1968), Lupin the 3rd (1967), Macross (1982), Ranma 1/2 (1989), Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), Dragon Ball Z (1989), Sailor Moon (1992), Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997), Pokémon​ (1997), One Piece (1999), Fullmetal Alchemist (2003), K-On! (2007), Sword Art Online (2012), Yuri!! On Ice (2016), and My Hero Academia (2018) And many more!