Off to Boston to talk Manga Nation at PEM, 11/21


Dig out your Astoboy and put on your Pokemon ears.

It's time to join the Tannery Series for a discussion of manga and anime, the Japanese cultural imports that have taken America by storm. You know? Soulful robots, gender-bending plot lines, punk-haired heroines and heroes with stars in their eyes?

But “Manga Nation: Japanese Design and American Pop Culture” will go beyond the usual notions of cartoon and costume, fantasy and reality, to explore ideas about public and private selves and what the popularity of manga in the United States reveals about the changes in American identity.

The program is slated for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Peabody Essex Museum, which has become something of a home away from home for the series, which was founded by Port residents Kirun Kapur and Dawne Shand three years ago and, naturally, got its start at the Tannery. The Peabody Essex brought the series into the PEM fold this year, saying the series represented cool cutting-edge programming that will offer guests interesting ways of engaging with the world and their own creativity.

On the program will be Roland Kelts, author of “JAPANAMERICA: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.,”who will plunge into the American experience with Japanese pop phenomena, highlighting the shared conflicts as American and Japanese pop cultures dramatically collide in the here and now; his work is as literate as it is hip. Also appearing is Robin Brenner, author of “Understanding Manga and Anime,” who will take on cosplay, fanservice and everything in between. Her fresh, fascinating, exhaustive book is perfect for serious fans and neophytes, as well as for anyone who wonders what their kids have been reading and talking about.

The evening will also include musician VJ Beyonder Domela, some hands-on instruction in drawing Manga and an opportunity to visit PEM's newest exhibit, “Future Beauty: Avant-Garde Japanese Fashion.”There will be food, music community and fun.  Come dressed as your favorite Manga character!

For more information, email info@tanneryseries.com

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