Animation In Asia & The Pacific

Animation has had a global renaissance during the 1990s, and nowhere is this more evident than in Asia. With the exception of China and Japan, most Asian nations are relatively new to this art form. Over the last decade, countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand, as well as China, have acted as major offshore production plants for North American and European studios. One of the spurs for this increase in activity has been the global growth of terrestrial, cable, satellite, and video systems, all demanding large menus of programming, including animation. A second spur has been the exceptional popularity that Japanese animé has enjoyed across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Despite these developments, there has not been corresponding growth of a serious literature covering industrial and aesthetic issues about Asian animation, and the small amount of work that has been produced has not been published in English. Animation in Asia and the Pacific provides the first continent-wide analysis, delving into issues of production, distribution, exhibition, aesthetics, and regulation in this burgeoning field. Animation in Asia and the Pacific also offers vignettes of the fascinating experiences of a group of animation pioneers. The historical and contemporary perspectives derive from interviews, textual analysis, archival research, and participation/observation data.

"While most of this handsome book is devoted to animation history and production information in Asia and the Pacific Rim (information that, to my knowledge, is available nowhere else), I found the nine vignettes of Asian animators to be of particular interest.." -- Alan Seeger, Journal of Asian Pacific Communication, 2002 John Libbey Publishing John Libbey Publishing

"Overall... Animation in Asia and the Pacific is a significanthopefully pioneering piece of animation scholarship, a healthy reminder that, contra Walt Disney, it' a very large world after all." --Animation World Magazine

"An enormous amount of research has gone into this book and John Lent has wisely consulted experts in each region that it covers.. this book is indispensable if you are interested in the history of animation and its potential growth." -- Animatoon Magazine John Libbey Publishing

John A. Lent is professor of Communication at Temple University. He has lived and worked in both Asia and the Caribbean, and serves as editor and chair of a range of journals, societies, and academic working groups.