Anime Goes Mainstream There's something for everyone, so get in on the act

Anime Goes Mainstream

There's something for everyone, so get in on the act

Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, Ponyo

Princess Mononoke, Akira, and Cowboy Bebop may not be household names here. But in the world of anime, or Japanese animation, they're among the top 10 films ever made.

You've seen it-colorful cartoon characters with big eyes, spiky hair, and small mouths. And you've probably heard about it-Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, Ponyo, was the ninth highest-grossing film in this country on its opening weekend last summer.

With its complex plots and moral messages, anime is as intelligent as some of the best feature films. Take Grave of the Fireflies, written and directed by Isao Takahata. According to film critic Roger Ebert, it's one of the most powerful anti-war movies of all time. Or Paprika, directed by Satoshi Kon and animated by Madhouse Studios, a visual masterpiece where reality and dreams collide. From the epic fantasy Ninja Scroll and the cyberpunk Ghost in the Shell to the sci-fi romance The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, anime has something for everyone, whether it's romance, action, fantasy, adventure, or mystery. No wonder its gone mainstream, with thousands of young fans flocking to anime conventions across the country and teens from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds trading cards, collecting art, and, of course, watching it on TV, DVDs, and the big screen every chance they can get.

Anime dates back to the closing days of World War II, with fans here developing a cult following for the Astroboy and Speed Racer TV series of the '50s and '60s. But many say it really started gaining mainstream acceptance with the American release of Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke in 1999. It's safe to say that within the last five years, anime's become fully entrenched in tween and teen pop culture.

Even Hollywood studios are getting into the act. A live-action adaptation of Battle Angel Alita, directed by James Cameron, is in the works, and Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks has secured the rights to adapt Ghost in the Shell into a 3-D live-action feature film.

If you think manga attracts teens, wait to see what anime can do. I witnessed it myself when I started an anime club more than 10 years ago with the sole purpose of reviewing the genre for our teen video collection. Dozens of older kids-many we'd never seen before-started walking through our doors asking for cartoons from Japan.

Back then, there was almost no professional information about anime available for librarians. Luckily, things have changed. Librarians today can find tons of resources-even OCLC records-that make it easier to find great anime. So, if you don't already have a collection of anime, now's the time to start. And if you already do, it's a perfect time to beef it up.

Start with My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo, blockbuster releases from Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, which also created the breathtaking world of spirits and monsters in Spirited Away, winner of the 2002 Oscar for best animated feature film. Both are suitable for family viewing and appeal to teens, which make up the bulk of the anime fan base.

Nickelodeon, the Cartoon Network, and the Action, Disney, and Syfy channels all show anime, so you can bet kids will be clamoring for copies of those series. Keep in mind that distributors sell the unedited, rather than edited TV versions, so depending on the film, there might be some violence, profanity, or nudity. Another word of advice: since the standard anime television series takes up five to seven discs, buying a bunch of them will rack up a huge bill. I suggest stocking a few popular series like Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, and Cowboy Bebop, and purchasing feature-length films to round out your collection and keep costs down. Then pick and choose from the list of must-have classics and newer releases on the following pages. Don't be surprised if your collection is heavy on Miyazaki's works. He's one of Japan's greatest animation directors and considered the country's equivalent to Walt Disney.

And make sure to save a spot on your shelves for Tales From Earthsea, Miyazaki's son, Goro Miyazaki's, tale of a powerful wizard that's loosely based on Ursula K. Le Guin's "Earthsea" series. Aimed at older kids and young adults, the film, which opened here last month, will have a brief theatrical run prior to debuting on DVD.

Steamboy is an example of the steampunk genre

Kakashi Hatake from Naruto prepares for battle

Sheeta and Pazu from Castle in the Sky.

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By Jane Halsall

Jane Halsall is the manager of young people's services at McHenry (IL) Public Library.

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