The Anime Ecology: A Genealogy of Television, Animation, and Game Media

The Anime Ecology: A Genealogy of Television, Animation, and Game Media

by LaMarre, Thomas · University of Minnesota Press

Publisher
University of Minnesota Press
Published
2018
Pages
415
ISBN-13
9781517904500
Format
print
Language
English
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"With the release of author Thomas Lamarre's field-defining study The Anime Machine, critics established Lamarre as a leading voice in the field of Japanese animation. He now retu…

Book Summary
The Anime Ecology by Thomas Lamarre is a scholarly exploration of anime's relationship to television, animation, and game media. Building on his field-defining work The Anime Machine, Lamarre offers close readings of individual anime while analyzing how infrastructures and platforms have transformed anime into emergent media like social media and transmedia. This essential reference is valuable for scholars and students of media studies, animation, and Japanese culture.
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About The Anime Ecology: A Genealogy of Television, Animation, and Game Media

In The Anime Ecology, Thomas Lamarre expands on his influential study The Anime Machine to provide a comprehensive account of anime's relationship to television, placing it within historical and global frameworks. Lamarre examines the overlaps between television, anime, and new media—from console games and video to iOS games and streaming—to show how animation helps us think through television in the contemporary moment. Through remarkable close readings of individual anime, he demonstrates how infrastructures and platforms have transformed anime into emergent media such as social media and transmedia, launching it worldwide. The book features thoughtful illustrations and exhaustive research, making it at once an essential reference, a valuable resource for scholars, and a foundational textbook for students. It stands as a field-defining work in anime and media studies.

Who should read The Anime Ecology: A Genealogy of Television, Animation, and Game Media?

This book is essential for scholars and students of media studies, animation, Japanese culture, and game studies. It suits readers interested in the theoretical and infrastructural dimensions of anime and television, as well as those exploring transmedia and emergent media. Advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers will benefit from Lamarre's rigorous analysis and comprehensive framework. Fans of anime seeking a deeper academic understanding will also find it rewarding.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • ✓ Provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding anime's relationship to television and new media.
  • ✓ Offers detailed close readings of individual anime that ground abstract concepts in concrete examples.
  • ✓ Situates anime within global and historical contexts, broadening its relevance beyond Japan.
  • ✓ Includes thoughtful illustrations and exhaustive research, enhancing scholarly value.
  • ✓ Serves as a foundational textbook for students and a key reference for scholars in the field.
Cons
  • ✗ Dense academic prose may be challenging for general readers without a background in media theory.
  • ✗ Assumes familiarity with Lamarre's previous work, particularly The Anime Machine.
  • ✗ Focuses heavily on theoretical and infrastructural analysis, with less emphasis on anime's cultural impact.
  • ✗ Limited discussion of specific genres or popular series that casual fans might expect.
  • ✗ The high level of abstraction may make it less accessible for introductory courses.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this book suitable for someone new to anime studies?
While accessible to motivated beginners, the book assumes some familiarity with media theory and anime. It is best suited for advanced students and scholars, though newcomers with a strong interest may still benefit.
Does the book focus only on Japanese anime?
The book centers on Japanese anime but places it in global and historical frameworks, discussing its worldwide distribution and interaction with new media platforms.
How does this book differ from The Anime Machine?
The Anime Ecology broadens the focus to television and new media, exploring how infrastructures and platforms shape anime, whereas The Anime Machine focused more on animation techniques and media theory.
Are there illustrations in the book?
Yes, the book includes thoughtful illustrations that support the theoretical arguments and close readings.
Is this book used as a textbook?
Yes, it is designed to serve as a foundational textbook for students, with comprehensive research and clear frameworks for teaching.

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