The Anime Encyclopedia, Revised & Expanded Edition: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 [Paperback]

Like other reviewers have stated, this was a good catalog of anime names and a bit of description, but that's about it. And if you have access to the internet, all that is available now for free. It's a pretty thick and heavy book, and not really worth it, unless you're a die hard fan or just don't have access to the internet.

While it may be the best and more thoroughly thought-out book about anime so far, it is not quite as relevant as one first hopes. I bought it to have a reference guide, and for this it has proven useful. It is a great tool for finding various animes by a specific directors, or, on the flip side, finding out who produced which shows. However, this is almost the extent of its usefulness.

If one is searching for a comprehensive guide to themes in anime (say the theme of reaching maturity or of encountering alien life or of the woes of war), one will be completely disappointed. The only way to search for anime is by title or producer. If one seeks factual information about anime, like which Mangas or comic strips the animes are based on, one will be disappointed. Even basic terms, plot tools, cliches, genres, and so on are completely overlooked. Japanese culture and language are apparently never consulted by the authors. All that matters to the writers is what the title of the anime was, usually the basic plot, and who made it (and in some instances influences). And that is greatly disappointing for something called an "Encyclopedia." Also, if you seek any form of information on a spin-off or a sequel series to any anime, you are at a loss-- the only references to such follow-ups (often more important or popular than the antecedent), if at all existent, are to be found only within the entries to the original released series. As if that wasn't enough, one must also sustain insult while the author shows disdain and disregard for certain animes which may happen to be some of the most popular and loved (Evangelion comes to mind).

Of course, it is a first edition. And it is already very dated, with much important anime being too recent for any real inclusion (for example, the world-shaking Spirited Away is mentioned as an upcoming Hayao Miyazaki film). Therefore, if one seeks a comprehensive guide to what anime has been out there for a while, it is a crucial and necessary book to own, but not if one seeks to understand a particular anime better, or if one has questions about anime in general. "The Anime Reference Guide" is a title better suited for this book. Definitively buy it if such a book is what you seek, but do not expect an encyclopedia.

Overall this book is a decent catalogue of Anime titles. It gives some general information such as the year the show/movie came out and what aliases it may go by. I have 2 issues with the book, however. The first is short and the second is long:

1) The entries range in size from a single, short paragraph to almost a full page. The details that are given out vary as well. For some Anime, all you are given is a quick, one paragraph description; barely enough to help you make a choice, if you were thinking of buying the anime, for example, and wanted more information. Other entries will go on for many columns, yet focus on things like backstories from behind the anime, and trivia *surrounding* the anime, with little detail on the show itself.

2) A few entries (like AD Police Files) really show the author's sexist, anti-male side. The author will point out anime that they consider 'misogynistic' or sexist against *women*, yet I never saw a single entry pointing out sexism against males. Like most modern culture, anime does not seem to have an issue with using male characters as punching bags and featuring violence against males as 'sexist' or stereotyping male characters. Yet the author does not feel the need to point out anti-male sexism. One anime title, Strawberry Eggs, is about a male teacher that can't get a job. The only school hiring will only hire women, so he takes on a female personae in order to get the job. Over the course of 13 episodes, he faces prejudice against males, misandry and all manner of anti-male sexism. Yet the author of this book seems to have completely missed ALL of that and instead points out that the main character is 'in drag' (which itself is an anti-male statement). In Ranma ', the fact that the when the character takes on their female side they can get away with a lot more than they can as their male side, nothing pointed out there about anti-male sexism.

Also, the author, almost *venomously* opposes anime like Ah My Goddess and Tenchi Muyo because they find the idea that a woman with divine abilities or a group of women would fall in love with a man, is ludicrous. Like most modern culture, anime has many titles in which many *male* characters are shown being love with or lusting after a single female character, yet *that* is not pointed out as being stupid.

As another reviewer pointed out: encyclopedia's are supposed to be based on facts and information. This one has *way* too much of the author's OPINION.