Table of Contents

Part 1 Chapter 1. Manga in the Discourse of Japan Cool Chapter 2 Becoming Manga-Literate Chapter 3 Structural Features of Manga Chapter 4 Basic Categories of Manga–Age and Gender Chapter 5 Scope of the Book Part 6 Chapter 2. The Nature of Manga Discourse Chapter 7 Distinctiveness of Manga Chapter 8 Origins of Manga Chapter 9 The Study of Manga Chapter 10 Summary Part 11 Chapter 3. Manga in the History of Literacy Chapter 12 Literacy in Japan Chapter 13 Learning to Read Chapter 14 Summary Part 15 Chapter 4. The Literacy Practices of Reading Manga Chapter 16 Becoming a Manga Reader Chapter 17 Communities of Readers Chapter 18 Readers as Manga Collectors Chapter 19 Readers as Manga Creators Chapter 20 Summary Part 21 Chapter 5. Strategies for Comprehending Manga Chapter 22 Strategies Used to Read Manga Chapter 23 Coping with Difficulties Chapter 24 Summary Part 25 Chapter 6. Reasons for Reading Manga Chapter 26 Reading Manga for Pleasure and Unintentional Learning Chapter 27 Reading Manga for Relaxation Chapter 28 Shifting Preferences of Manga Readers Chapter 29 Gendered Preferences of Manga Readers Chapter 30 Summary Part 31 Chapter 7. The Effects of Literacy Chapter 32 Too Little Effect–The Discourse of Literacy Crisis Chapter 33 Too Much Effect–The Discourse of Media Control Chapter 34 Mitigating the Effects–Engaging the Communities of Practice

About the Author

John E. Ingulsrud is professor in the Department of International Studies at Meisei University in Tokyo. Kate Allen is professor in the School of Global Japanese Studies at Meiji University in Tokyo.

Reviews

Reading Japan Cool offers a rich, yet accessible discussion of manga in their social, cultural, and intermedia context. Drawing on an innovative blend of textual analysis and literacy research, this book takes us from the origins and semiotics of manga to the literacy practices and reading strategies of its young and adult readers. Lucidly written and well documented, this is likely to become a standard reference in the new field of academic manga research.
*Jannis Androutsopoulos, King's College London*

In North America, few people today remember, or know, how popular and influential comics once were. Nor are they aware how a once-thriving industry came to be stigmatized, marginalized, and nearly destroyed. To see what happens when comics become a truly mainstream media today, we have to look to Japan. In their new book, John Ingulsrud and Kate Allen meticulously and dispassionately analyze patterns of comics literacy in Japan. In the process they not only drive a few stakes in some old American myths about comics, but also shed light on an increasingly important aspect of modern Japanese society. Kudos to them for a very important and fascinating book!
*Frederik L. Schodt, author of Manga! Manga!, Dreamland Japan, and The Astro Boy Essays*