Bibliofile writes “Our library has an ever-growing collection of manga and anime and is read voraciously by teens. It is one way to get reluctant or non-readers intereseted–and just might improve their reading skills. Let me know what your library is doing to support this growing genre. While researching for a grant on family literacy I came across the folling article:
Anime, a style of Japanese animation, is playing a growing role in U.S. culture:
This distinct Japanese art form has nurtured a fast-growing U.S. industry, rich with colorful TV shows, movies, video games, toys and comic books known as manga.
“In Japan, when you’re on the train, you see everyone — and I mean everyone – is reading a book, and it’s mostly manga,” Karahashi said. “I think that’s why Japan has a very high literacy rate.”
Update: 12/20 18:27 EST by B:Sorry about that, here’s a Better Link
Can’t view article
Is it from an Ebsco database?
Books in Japan
Not only does manga (Japanese Comics) contribute to a high literacy rate, one can’t overlook the Japanese educational system. To be blunt, it’s excellent. However, to be equally frank, it’s also hardcore. Compared to the American educational setup, Japan’s system is vastly accelerated, competitive, and ingrained. Students are brought up in an educational culture and the background of this culture functions along the lines of you must get a good education or you will become worthless.
Kids are into higher math by elementary, they’ve got a very structured reading cirriculum, and beyond that, all colleges are very competitive. Their best college, Todai (Tokyo Daigaku), is so competitive that the suicide rates spike noticably after admissions annoucements. Some prospective students kill themselves if they fail to get in.
Those who don’t, become ronin, which is an old samurai term meaning a “masterless samurai.” The warrior mentallity is so much a part of the educational culture that students who are on hold for universities see themselves like wanderers without a home.
Re:Can’t view article
Yes. The article is from the Indiana database: http://www.inspire.net–which is an Ebscohost site.
Re:Books in Japan
When I posted this discussion topic I had been researching family literacy for a grant. Also, we have a growing manga/anime collection at our public library. It often draws students who are low interest or low level readers–and is one way to get them attracted to reading. I am curious how other public libraries are using manga to attract low interest readers–if they are–or using it in literacy programs.
Re:Can’t view article
Why on earth are you posting a link to a database which people may or may not be able to access, without including a citation for the newspaper/magazine that the article appeared in?
I’d be curious to read the article, or see if I can search for it, but I don’t have much information to go on here.
That’s a good question
Title: Anime, a style of Japanese animation, is playing a growing role in U.S. culture
Authors: Tamara Chuang
Source: Orange County Register, The (Santa Ana, CA); 07/02/2004
Article text is here.
Re:That’s a good question 🙂
Thanks very much
Re:Can’t view article
The correct question was why on earth am I posting a link to a database.
The correct answer is, DOH! Sorry, should’ve checked that one a bit close.
Re:Can’t view article
I tried the link and had no problem with the connection or display, before submitting this article. The link included a complete citation with the full text article. I assumed it would not be selected for discussion if there was a problem. I do not want to get nasty messages from viewers, so please remove my e-mail address. Thank you.
Re:Can’t view article
Not everyone has access to Ebsco databases. Don’t worry, I won’t send you any nasty messages.