Description

Book Synopsis
The history of Japan's unprecedented takeover of the global imaginary, as told through the eight packaged fantasies that charmed and changed the world most thoroughly from Hello Kitty and the Karaoke machine to the novels of Haruki Murakami.

Trade Review
A nerd- and generalist-friendly look at how Japan shaped the post-World War II world, from toys to Trump . . . A non-native's savvy study of Japan's wide influence in ways both subtle and profound * Kirkus *
Amazingly well researched, fabulously informative and an awful lot of fun. If you love Japanese culture or are just curious to know more I can't recommend this book highly enough * Jonathan Ross *
A work of startling originality . . . This is a wonderful book, exuberant and joyful, full of love for Japan but a deep appreciation of the sorts of links that get left out of popular accounts - political economies, human-interest stories and technological determinism -- Jonathan Clements * All the Anime blog *
A classic in the making * Post magazine *

Pure Invention

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    £11.69

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    RRP £12.99 – you save £1.30 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 22 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Matt Alt

    7 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

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      Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
      Publication Date: 08/07/2021
      ISBN13: 9781472131850, 978-1472131850
      ISBN10: 1472131851

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The history of Japan's unprecedented takeover of the global imaginary, as told through the eight packaged fantasies that charmed and changed the world most thoroughly from Hello Kitty and the Karaoke machine to the novels of Haruki Murakami.

      Trade Review
      A nerd- and generalist-friendly look at how Japan shaped the post-World War II world, from toys to Trump . . . A non-native's savvy study of Japan's wide influence in ways both subtle and profound * Kirkus *
      Amazingly well researched, fabulously informative and an awful lot of fun. If you love Japanese culture or are just curious to know more I can't recommend this book highly enough * Jonathan Ross *
      A work of startling originality . . . This is a wonderful book, exuberant and joyful, full of love for Japan but a deep appreciation of the sorts of links that get left out of popular accounts - political economies, human-interest stories and technological determinism -- Jonathan Clements * All the Anime blog *
      A classic in the making * Post magazine *

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