Sara Youngbar

50 Things to Know About Japanese Animation Sara Youngbar

Japanese animation, in many ways, has been a major influence in my life. Since I was a toddler, anime always provided me with a sense of comfort. The crazy characters, the beautiful backgrounds, the engaging plots, and the wonderful music gives me so much joy. It is such a treat to be able to zone out and immerse yourself in the story. Anime is where I discovered some of the best stories I have ever watched. Maison Ikkoku is where I fell in love with the romantic comedy genre all over again. Inu-Yasha is what gave me the inspiration to pursue illustrating. Grave of the Fireflies showed me the devastating effects of war. Sailor Moon gave me confidence. As a longtime anime enthusiast, I will be explaining the Japanese animation medium to those who may be curious but have not given anime a try yet. Even if you consider yourself an "otaku" and think this book is not for you, I think you'll learn something new as well.