Summary of How Barnes and Noble Saved Manga (and vice versa)
The video "How Barnes and Noble Saved manga (and vice versa)" explores the intertwined fates of Barnes and Noble and the rise of manga in the West, particularly from the late 2000s to the present. It opens with nostalgic reflections from 2008, when manga was a small, niche section in bookstores, and contrasts that with the current landscape where manga has become a significant and popular category.
The narrator recounts personal experiences of growing up with manga and how societal perceptions of anime and manga have shifted dramatically. Once seen as the domain of social outcasts, these cultural products have gained mainstream acceptance, especially after the success of series like "Attack on Titan," which appealed to broader audiences with its serious themes and less "weird" content.
The video highlights the economic backdrop of Japan's post-war recovery and the subsequent decline in the late 1980s, juxtaposed with the growing popularity of Japanese cultural exports in the West. The narrator discusses the concept of "soft power," noting how Japan sought to promote its culture internationally, although these government initiatives were largely ineffective compared to the organic rise of anime and manga popularity driven by consumer interest.
Key moments include the resurgence of anime and manga following the 2008 financial crisis, the impact of streaming services like Crunchyroll, and how the COVID-19 pandemic significantly boosted manga sales, turning Barnes and Noble into a surprising beneficiary of this trend. The video concludes with reflections on the changing nature of anime fandom, expressing a sense of nostalgia for the more niche community of the past while acknowledging the excitement of wider recognition.
Personalities Mentioned
- The narrator (no specific name provided)
- References to various unnamed friends and family members in anecdotes
- Hayao Miyazaki (in context of "Spirited Away")
- Douglas McRae (author referenced)
- Joseph Nye (political scientist referenced)
- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (mentioned in relation to "Cool Japan" initiatives)
Notable Quotes
— 09:38 — « Cool Japan was at best a flash in the pan and at worst a tall tale cooked up by corporate interests to make the Japanese feel good about themselves. »
— 13:20 — « No longer is Anime something reserved for nerds and social outcasts; anime and manga are becoming increasingly mainstream and popular. »
— 19:00 — « Japan's story is one of the limits of government policy in influencing culture. »
— 20:40 — « Anime's inherent alienness wore the Ned's Universal appeal is what makes anime so appealing to the source of people who identify with it so closely in America. »
Category
Entertainment