Occasionally, readers ask about ways they can better educate themselves about feminist theory, especially as it pertains to anime fandom and Japanese culture. Our staff has begun compiling a list of our recommended resources.
If you have a recommended resource for this list, don’t hesitate to share!
Intersectional Feminism
Books
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
An overview of intersectional feminism, particularly as it relates to gender, race, and class.
Japanese Feminism
Books
Bad Girls of Japan edited by Laura Miller and Jan Bardsley
From folklore to history to present day, this book outlines women behaving badly and the gender politics they represent.
Feminism in Modern Japan by Vera Mackie
Published in 2003, this book is an account of Japanese feminism from the 19th century to the 21st.
Genders, Transgenders and Sexualities in Japan edited by Mark McLelland and Romit Dasgupta
Article collection on gender and sexuality in Japan from both Japanese- and English-speaking scholars.
Japanese Feminist Debates by Ayako Kano
This book unearths Japan’s feminist public sphere and the discussions its experts have about sex, gender, and more.
Rethinking Japanese Feminisms edited by Julia C. Bullock, Ayako Kano, and James Welker
A collection of articles providing a variety of Japanese feminist perspectives and reconsiderations.
Queer Voices from Japan edited by Mark McLelland, Katsuhiko Suganuma, and James Welker
First-person accounts from gay, lesbian, and transgender voices in Japan.
Online
Queerying Japan
A conference held at the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf in July 2018 discussing current queer issues in Japan.
Japanese Pop Culture Through a Progressive Lens
Books
Age of Shojo by Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase
A series of essays looking at the history and impact of shoujo fiction beginning in the early 1900s.
Boys’ Love Manga and Beyond edited by Mark McLelland, Kazumi Nagaike, and James Welker
Analysis from a variety of boys’ love scholars across both Japanese- and English-speaking communities.
By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga by Erica Friedman
A collection of yuri essays that look at the genre’s history, motifs, and landmark series.
Straight from the Heart: Gender, Intimacy, and the Cultural Production of Shojo Manga by Jennifer S. Prough
A deep-dive into the modern shoujo manga industry and fandom.
Takarazuka: Sexual Politics and Popular Culture in Modern Japan by Jennifer Robertson
History and cultural analysis of the all-women Takarazuka theatre troupe from conception to publication (1998).
Online
Yuricon Essays compiled by Erica Friedman
A leading expert on yuri has put together a collection of educational yuri articles, essays, and interviews from multiple authors.