Welcome to the land of danger and intrigue, where individuals are legion and non-conformity is the norm. Join me as I explore the many facets of humanity and meet the scum of the earth and its angels incarnate.
Welcome to the land of danger and intrigue, where individuals are legion and non-conformity is the norm. Join me as I explore the many facets of humanity and meet the scum of the earth and its angels incarnate.
That said, on to the review!
I admit, I don't usually review non-fiction books, but I just had to make an exception in this case. You see, this book has been invaluable in furthering my reclamation of my Japanese heritage, and it's also helped me understand some of what I'm seeing in the anime. Having been to Japan, I can also learn more about some of the places I visited, such as Tokyo Tower and Asakasa Jinja (that row of kiosks and stalls). It's also helped me to know what some of those things I've seen around Honolulu are all about, like the manekineko ("beckoning cat") and the one-eyed daruma. And, it's even helped me in writing my fanfiction. So it's a very useful book.
One of the really good things about this book is that it's helped me to understand some of the things I knew a little about before but not enough, such as the history of Amaterasu, the main female goddess in Shinto religious belief. I'd learned something about her in one of my college courses, but now I know more. Then there are those beads that Onikirimaru was after. Now I know what their religious significance is. And outside of anime, I have learned more about things that appear in the samurai programs I watch, many of which have to do with religion, like the mikuji that are tied around tree branches or the shimenawa that appear around trees and rocks and in front of caves and shrines. And since I now understand what these things represent, I have a better understanding of why things happen in certain anime. Those things aren't just for decoration but have a deeper significance to the scene and to the story. Great, isn't it?
Anime isn't for everybody, but for those who enjoy it and want to know more about what they're seeing, then The Anime Companion is definitely worth buying and reading. Use it the same way you'd use an encyclopedia or dictionary. Use it as a research book for a project on Japan. I assure you: the knowledge you glean from this text is worth the price!
Buy this book in paperback or visit the Cosmic Tomes Bazaar for other titles.
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Comments? Suggestions? Just click here or on the link at the bottom of the page to send me e-mail.
Also, if this review prompted you to read the books, then let me know. I appreciate knowing I made a difference in somebody's life.
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