Magic as Metaphor in Anime: A Critical Study

Since its inception as an art form, anime has engaged assiduously with themes, symbols and narrative strategies drawn from the realm of magic. In recent years, the medium has increasingly turned to magic specifically as a metaphor for the exploration of a wide range of cultural, philosophical and psychological concerns. This book first examines a range of Eastern and Western approaches to magic in anime, addressing magical thinking as an overarching concept which unites the titles under scrutiny despite their generic and tonal diversity. It then explores the collusion of anime and magic with reference to specific topos. A close study of cardinal titles is complemented by allusions to ancillary productions in order to situate the medium's fascination with magic within an appropriately broad historical context.