Handout for Presentation on Anime Programming given at NYLA Conference in 2007

1. Anime Programming
for the
non-otaku librarian
you’re gonna be king
o f t h e li b r a r y ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Monkey D. Luffy of “One Piece”
p r e s e n te d @
NYLA 2007
by
K e n Pe t r i l li
Te e n S e r v i c e s L i b r a r i a n
N e w Ro c h e l le Pu b li c L i b r a r y

2. What is Anime?
B o y , i s t h a t a lo a d e d q u e s t i o n . . . .
Quite honestly, we could sit here all day and I still wouldn’t have finished explaining
exactly what anime is and isn’t. For our purposes, let’s go with the following:
Anime is a Japanese abbreviation of the word ‘animation.’ In Japan, ‘anime’ refers to
anything animated, but in the west, it refers to animation from Japan. The Japanese
were experimenting with animation as early as 1905, and went through a long
developmental period that ran through the war years, with most animators being heavily
influenced by Disney and other American animation.
1948: ‘modern’ anime comes onto the scene in the form of Toei Studios, who begin
producing successful films such as Hakujaden.
1962: Creation of Mushi Studios in 1962 by Osamu Tezuka.
Often called “The Father of Manga,” Tezuka was already a highly
successful mangaka (comic book artist). Mushi’s first TV series
Tetsuwan Atomu (‘Mighty Atom’) became a huge hit and opened
the door for many more successful anime series to be produced,
including Tetsujin-28-Go and Mach Go-Go-Go.
1970’s: A slow period for anime, notable mainly for the 100,000 Horsepower and
development of several science fiction space operas which a heart of gold! It’s
brought anime into a more complex storytelling arena. Among Atom Boy!
these were Kagaku Ninja tai Gatchaman and Kidō Senshi
Gandamu. With the worldwide success of Star Wars in 1977, the shift towards science
fiction became pronounced, and this, along with the development of the otaku (super-
fan) subculture, led to the anime boom of the 1980’s.
1980’s: First ‘boom’ period. Massive success of such anime as Urusei Yatsura and Chō
Jikū Yōsai Makurosu. Studio Ghibli is formed by Hayao Miyazaki
after the enormous success of Kaze no tani no Naushika in 1984.
Otaku subculture gains more influence over the anime world.
Home video leads to the OVA revolution. The late 80’s sees a
large number of big budget experimental films such as Ōritsu
Uchūgun - Oneamisu no Tsubasa and Akira. By the end of the
decade, overspending and commercial flops have led to a
doldrums period which will last until the mid 1990’s.
Princess Nausicaa and
Teto 1990’s: In 1995, Hideaki Anno’s Shin Seiki Evangerion
reenergizes the anime industry and leads to a new ‘boom’ period.

3. The worldwide success of Poketto Monsutā, Bishōjo Senshi
Sērā Mūn, and Doragon Bōru Zetto bring anime to a new
level of success in the USA.
And here we are. Anime now has a foothold in american pop
culture, and is therefore something we need to know about
and learn to take advantage of. A few other things to keep in
mind: Asuka Langley Soryu of
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Anime is not American, it’s Japanese. It is an art form being created by a culture
that is very, very different from our own, and will often present scenes, themes,
elements and ideas that will leave you scratching your head.
American animation has always been considered something only for children.
Not so in Japan, where anime and manga are produced for all age groups. They
often contain violence, language, sexuality and dramatic elements not
appropriate for younger kids.
While it has never been as popular as now, anime has been coming over to the
US since the 1960’s, often heavily edited and redrawn. Didn’t know that? Take
another look at the anime I’ve already mentioned and see how many you
recognize:
Hakujaden - Tale of the White Serpent, In the US: Panda and the White Serpent
Tetsuwan Atomu - Mighty Atom, In the US: Atom Boy
Tetsujin-28-Go - Iron Man #28, In the US: Gigantor
Mach Go-Go-Go - Speed Racer
Kagaku Ninja tai Gatchaman - Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, In the US: Battle of the
Planets
Kidō Senshi Gandamu - Mobile Suit Gundam
Urusei Yatsura - Those Obnoxious Aliens!
Chō Jikū Yōsai Makurosu - Super Dimension Fortress Macross, In the US: Became the
first part of Robotech
Kaze no tani no Naushika - Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Ōritsu Uchūgun - Oneamisu no Tsubasa - Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise
Akira - Akira was the first feature length anime to gain a wide release in the US
Shin Seiki Evangerion - Neon Genesis Evangelion, or simply ‘Eva.’
Poketto Monsutā - Pocket Monsters, or as it is better known: Pokemon
Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn - Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, in the west simply Sailor Moon
Doragon Bōru Zetto - DragonBall Z

4. Why is anime so popular?
Lots of reasons:
It’s there. With the success of DragonBall Z and Pokemon in
the late 90’s, programmers began bringing more and more
anime over to show on TV. As the Pokemon kids have grown
up, the imports have grown with them.
Unlike most American animation, anime focuses on story and
character. Any young teen can easily identify with Naruto
Uzumaki (Naruto) or Kagome Higurashi
(InuYasha), and the serialized stories will
easily keep anyone coming back.
Anime is supported by an enor-
Naruto Uzumaki and fellow
mous (and often obsessive) fan Hidden Leaf Shinobi
community, often referred to as Otaku.
In the online age this is an easily
accessible world, one full of people, clubs, conventions, and fun.
And anime is more than film - it is music, art, food, literature,
video games, technology and more.
Japanese popular culture is quite unlike anything in America
Otaku in full cosplay mode and is a highly attractive curiosity.
It will make your parents say “What in the heck are you
watching/doing!!!????”
Why do anime related programming?
Lots of reasons:
As we’ve already seen, anime & manga have become part of the modern teen
culture, which means it is something our patrons are looking for.
It’s a multicultural experience, introducing a whole new world to American kids.
It’s a multi-educational experience, combining film, literature, art, music, technology
and social and cultural studies.
IT”S FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Where Do I Start?
With an anime club, of course:
1. As with most programming, your teens are your best resource. If they’re asking for
anime programming, you’re already halfway there; otherwise, seek them out! If you
have a manga collection that circulates well, that’s your first point of contact:
Put feeler flyers out by the graphic novel collection.
Stick small flyers inside the manga.
Put flyers out asking for contact information, with a box to drop them in.
2. Once you’ve got some names, you’re ready to go. Keep the following in mind:
BE PATIENT; it took three months before I had more than two people coming.
Persistence will pay off.
Check to see if there are other anime clubs in the area. The High School will often
have one as an offshoot of the Japanese or Asian Culture Club. Schedule a different
day and try to communicate with them; most otaku will readily come to any and all
clubs.
3. So now you’ve got your club, what do you do?
Watch anime, of course! There are several ways to do this; have the kids bring in
their favorites and vote, watch on a laptop, or watch the
DVD’s provided by one of the many anime club sponsors. DDR is
mega-
Several of the major liscensing companies now have popular
anime clubs you can join, and they’ll send you newslet- with
anime
ters, DVD’s and other stuff. fans!
Play video games. If you can swing it, set up a game
system; anime and gaming go hand in hand.
Have manga available to read, circulate, swap, whatever.
Most of the kids will bring their own, so you should too.
Drawing supplies are always fun to have on hand for your budding mangaka.

6. FOOD! And it should be Japanese. Pocky, Lotte Koala March, Kasugai milk candy,
Mini Jellycups, Ramune soda, Ramen noodles, and more! The
Japanese are VERY good at creating snack food.
It’s Japanese,
It’s Yummy,
It’s totally
addictive:
Pocky!
So now what?
There’s more:
Once you’ve got a club up and running, there are plenty of other
program opportunities to explore:
Anime Festivals: Like the club, only bigger and more structured. This is where you
can show feature films, screen multiple episodes and more. Set up a manga cafe to
go with it and you’re in business! This will take some planning, and a lot of
promotion. Just make sure to get your screening permissions early - some of the
licensing companies can be notoriously slow.
Cosplay: ‘costume play’ is a big part of the anime world. If you have any cosplayers,
set up a tournament.
Art & writing programs: If you can find someone to teach manga style art, or maybe
kanji drawing, and combine it with creative writing.
Cultural programs: There’s more to Japanese culture than just anime; history, art,
film...and of course, food! if you can find a hibachi or sushi
chef willing to teach some technique, it could be a lot of
fun!
Well, that’s about it. Just remember to
follow the lead of your teen Otaku, and
have fun. Your anime programming will
then be a sure success!
Sushi, anyone?!

7. Resources and other stuff
Informational Anime sites:
The enigmatic
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com Saber of
‘Fate/Stay
http://www.theotaku.com Night’
http://www.animeonline.net
http://www.anime.com
http://animenfo.com
Licensing companies: (these are the big guys - there are many more!)
http://www.advfilms.com
http://www.viz.com
http://www.funimation.com
http://www.manga.com
http://www.geneonanimation.com
Haruka of
‘Noein’
Licensed Anime Club sites:
http://advocates.advfilms.com (ADV Films)
http://www.bandai-ent.com/fans (Bandai
USA)
http://www.operationanime.com (Funimation)

8. She’s cute, she’s
sweet, she’s a Online Stores:
vampire! Miss
Hazuki of ‘Moon http://www.animenation.com
Phase’
http://www.animegamersusa.com
http://www.animecastle.com (located in Mineola,
L.I., warehouse open to the public)
http://www.animepavilion.com
Misc. Japanese culture and food:
http://www.j-fan.com
http://www.jlist.com
http://www.jpopmusic.com
http://www.asianmunchies.com
http://www.asiafoods.com Haruhi Suzimaya
says: Go do some
anime program-
ming!!!!
Online Video Sites: There are a ton of these sites out there, and your
kids will know most of them...
(provided for informational purposes. I leave the copyright issues to your individual discretion...)
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.veoh.com
http://www.crunchyroll.com

9. Books:
Clements, Jonathan - The Anime Encyclopedia : A Guide to Japanese Animation Since
1917 (Rev. & expanded ed.)
Levi, Antonia - Samurai From Outer Space : Understanding Japanese Animation
Poitras, Gilles - The Anime Companion : What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?
Poitras, Gilles - The Anime Companion 2 : More...What's Japanese in Japanese
Animation?
Drazen, Patrick - Anime explosion! : The What? Why? & Wow! of Japanese Animation
Poitras, Gilles - Anime Essentials : Everything a Fan Needs to Know
Patten, Fred - Watching Anime, Reading Manga: 25 Years of Essays and Reviews
Macias, Patrick and Tomohiro Machiyama - Cruising the Anime City: An Otaku Guide to
Neo Tokyo
Now go do some anime programming...or else!!!!
Abel Nightroad of ‘Trinity Blood’
Ken Petrilli is the Teen Services Librarian at the New Rochelle
Public Library. In addition to being a musician, sci-fi nerd and
all-around pop-culture junkie, he has been a rabid anime fan since
the age of twelve. (His anime club, however, will just tell you that
he’s old...)
you can contact him @ planetfire@hotmail.com