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Japanamerica's nine essays focus on Japanese anime (animation) and manga (comics) and why, how and if they'll become equally popular in the United States. These forms grew up following the nuclear attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, offering complex apocalyptic and unreliable narrative threads. Roland Kelts implies that their growing appeal to U.S. audiences is partly due to a new consciousness as a result of 9/11.

This multifaceted story opens by examining the rise of these forms, including their masters: Osamu Tezuka, who created Astro Boy in the 1960s, and Hayao Miyazaki, best known for his Oscar-winning film Spirited Away. Then, as you might expect from a book of essays, the author bounces from topic to topic. In one chapter, he considers whether the Japanese -- who have a poor history of making money from intellectual property -- will capitalize on the growing popularity of manga and anime in the States. Another chapter explores different Japanese cultural norms toward hentai, or pornographic anime and manga, which can include incestuous romance, rape and lascivious landscapes such as trees with penis-shaped tendrils. Another examines do-it-yourself manga, where otaku -- obsessive fans -- create and sell their own versions of popular titles. Kelt also explores merchandising, including the Pokemon phenomenon.

Japanamerica isn't exactly an academic book, but it leans that way. Kelts is a professor who splits his time between New York City and Tokyo, and he relies on first-hand interviews and anecdotes with fans, creators and industry business leaders. His analysis, while interesting, rarely evokes the narrative and visual playfulness of his subject. This doesn't mean he hasn't written a book that those interested in manga and anime won't find engaging -- particularly those interested in the business side of the industry. But Japanamerica might be a tougher sell to the otaku, when there's a world of manga and anime in which they can lose themselves.