Drawing from Japanese art traditions, manga has rapidly become a literary force not just in Japan but worldwide. This title discusses manga by examining some of its major forms (lolicon to shonen to shojo), series titles ("Death Note" to "Space Battleship Yamato" to "Gunslinger Girl"), and cultural factors from a philosophical vantage point.

Arguably the most important pop-culture import from the East to the West, manga is a phenomenon that can no longer be ignored. Yet just as much as it is a source of visual splendor and riveting storylines, manga -- "the" herald of the exotic and uber-hip -- stimulates intense philosophical interest. Drawing from Japanese art traditions, influenced by the impact of World War II, and a significant player in cross-cultural exchange, manga has rapidly become a literary force worldwide. Readers of all ages eagerly await the next installment of their favorite manga series and delight in discovering new titles. "Manga and Philosophy" joins the lively discussion about manga by examining some of its major forms ("lolicon" to "shonen" to "shojo"), best titles ("Death Note" to "Space Battleship Yamato" to "Gunslinger Girl"), and the cultural factors surrounding it. Can demons be good? Is it morally wrong to sexualize schoolgirls? What do giant robots teach us about the ethics of war? All of these questions and more are dealt with professionally and accessibly, making "Manga and Philosophy" all but indispensable for fans and scholars alike.