Anime

 Marcovitz, Hal. Anime. Part of the Eye on Art series. 2007. 104p. ISBN 978-1-59018-995-5. Available at 791.43 MAR on the library shelves.

Anime, from the French word for animation, was adopted by the Japanese to name a phenomenon of illustrating movies. So much more than comics or animated movies like those produced by Disney, anime is a pervasive genre of entertainment widely distributed in Japan, but which has reached international fame. Born from the illustrative art and techniques of the 1800s, manga, a type of comic book with roots in Japanese folklore and mythology, evolved with the advent of the cinema into animated features on the screen.

Very popular in Japan, anime was brought to the American market and was heavily edited to remove Japanese culture, leading to some shows whose storyline were choppy. This didn't stop children's enthusiasm for anime offered during the Saturday morning cartoons, and interest grew. Now a multi-billion dollar industry, anime remains a staple of Japanese culture that is hard to replicate elsewhere but that is consumed worldwide. Anime explains the history behind the rise of this popular art form, and the impact it had on Japanese society. It provides cultural interpretation of images and symbols, and it gives biographic information on some of the most popular anime features of all time, and the creators behind them. Fans of manga and of anime will appreciate how the art changed over the last century and will enjoy revisiting the history of some of their favorite shows!

My Hero Academia, Vol. 28

 Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 28. 2021. 200p. ISBN 9781974722884. 

The battle between the heroes and the Paranormal Liberation Front continues in several locations, as the Front seeks to revive Shigaraki after he has been imbued with the quirks of many foes. Endeavor and the other heroes have their hands full with the Nomis, and Midoriya and the students from Hero Academia are tasked with evacuating the city as combat rages on by the hospital.

At the villa that served as the Front's headquarters, Hawks has been defeated and is on the verge of being destroyed by Dabi when Tokoyami intervenes to save his mentor. The nagging question remains in Tokoyami's mind, however, as to whether heroes' hands are dirtier than the criminals they seek to imprison.

Shigaraki's escape triggers wanton destruction as most of the city is obliterated by his decay quirk. Midoriya is alerted to Shigaraki's rise, and he attempts to attract the monster away from the evacuees, hoping to save as many of them as possible. Shigaraki, hoping to capture the One for All power of All Might, obliges and follows. With such power released, all the heroes can hope for is to minimize damage ...

My Hero Academia, Vol. 26

Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 26. 2021. 200p. ISBN 9781974719778. 

Kicking their training in higher gear, Endeavor has taken Midoriya, Bakugo and his son Todoroki under his wings with the express mission that they must be faster than he is. Midoriya continues to work on his control of air force and his black tendrils, while Bakugo seeks to improve his speed yet again. Todoroki remains conflicted about the role his father played in his life. Invited by his sister Fuyomi to their house for dinner, the boys find themselves in an awkward family reunion when they are joined by Natsu, Todoroki's older brother. He too holds their father responsible for their mother's nervous breakdown and subsequent hospitalization.

Following the dinner, Natsu is taken hostage by Endgame, a villain recently released from prison who seeks to be killed by Endeavor. The current #1 hero is cut at the knee with his son's life in the balance, The boys, however, do not lose their cool, and they manage to rescue Natsu, thus being faster than Endeavor.

Meanwhile, the Safety Commission and their secret infiltrator Hawk have secured vital information that a massive villain attack from the Liberation Front is in the final planning stages. This attack seeks to destroy all heroes. All Might is but a shadow of himself, yet he holds high hopes that Midoriya will help them defeat the villains...

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 15

 Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 15. 2020. 192p. ISBN 9781975359218. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

In Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol 14, the Armed Detective Agency had been framed for the murder of several officials in the government, and their members had been drawn into a trap. Surrounded by sharpshooters, the five agents on location come up with a plan to escape the building, and soon run away in a stolen car. The military sends in its special team, the legendary Hunting Dogs. With each individual possessing a powerful ability, the Hunting Dogs split up and chase the escapees. Kunikida and the rest of the group are soon confronted by two of the Hunting Dogs. Relentless and deadly, Kunikida sacrifices himself by jumping out of a helicopter sent by the Port Mafia and taking down Tetchou Suehiro.

Meanwhile, Atsushi and Kyouka also manage to escape the manor by hiding in the ceiling, and track down Fitzgerald, the leader of the Guild, to see if they can use the Eye of God. He initially refuses, but an attempt on his life may convince him otherwise. Meanwhile, Dazai is reunited with Dostoyevsky in a secret prison in Europe, looking to reveal the truth about the Armed Detective Agency ...

Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed it to the World

 Blume, Lesley M. M. Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed it to the World. 2020. 276p. ISBN 978-1-9821-2851-7. Available at 940.54 BLU on the library shelves.

As the invasion of Japan loomed large in the war planning efforts of the United States military in the summer of 1945, an atomic test was conducted in July, proving that atomic weapons would be devastating. An atomic bomb was first dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, then a second one on Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered soon after, and was soon occupied by American soldiers. The United States military blocked all journalists from going to either city, and hoped to keep secret the devastation and the radiation sickness that was affecting survivors. Sanitized photos showing the destruction of the cities were published, but didn't look much different than those of German cities reduced to rubble. This secret remained hidden from the American public for over a year.

John Hersey, a Pulitzer winner journalist, decided he would investigate what had really happened to Hiroshima. Working for the New Yorker, Hersey obtained permission to visit Japan, then secured a travel permit to Hiroshima where he spent two weeks meeting survivors of the atomic blast. Hersey reported on six people: two doctors, one Jesuit priest, one Japanese priest, a widow and her young children, and a young woman who had just entered the workforce. Hershey wrote about where they were when the bomb went off, how they survived the blast, and how their path crossed each other during the day. Hersey then returned to the United States and began writing his article.

Hersey's account, simply titled Hiroshima, humanized a former enemy while at the same time revealing the horrors of radiation and of the attack. He demonstrated to Americans what could happen if a U.S. city was struck, and brought home the reality that nuclear war would usher a devastation so total no civilization could survive it. Cleared for publication by the general behind the Manhattan project, Hiroshima changed American perceptions of the atomic attack, and led to questioning on whether the bomb should have been used at all. 

Fallout details how Hershey wrote his article, how it was published, and the reception the article had after it hit the newstands. Fans of history will appreciate the details behind this well-known but little appreciated time in history.

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 14

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 14. 2020. 159p. ISBN 978-1-975304-58-4. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Dostoyevsky's capture in Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 13 does not mean the Armed Detective Agency can lower its vigilance. The perfect murderer is still out there, but Rampo is on the case, looking for the tiny clues that the man who can eliminate all criminal evidence might have forgotten. Through clever observations, Rampo tracks the murderer down, and convinces him that he must turn himself in to bring any validity to the perfect murder, otherwise the mystery will never be solved.

The Agency is then threatened by the Decay of the Angel, the true group to which Dostoyevsky belongs. Gogol, a lover of chaos, uses his ability to move objects through gates to eliminate enemies of the group and set up the Agency to take the fall for the murder of the Minister of Justice and other government individuals. Meanwhile, Dazai finds himself under arrest by a blind agent for the many crimes he committed while a member of the Port Mafia. Can the Agency survive the arrest of its best agents?

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 5.

Houoto, Aya. The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 5. 2016. 148p. ISBN 9 978-1-42158630-4. Available in the graphic section of the library.

It is a hot day at Momochi House, and its denizens decide they should go swimming to cool off. Entering the spiritual realm, they find their water hole filled with Ayakashis. Normally the place would be deserted, but the Ayakashis report that waters everywhere are becoming polluted. The dragon god Ryujin usually swims in the waters, keeping them cleaned and unsoiled, but no one has seen him in a long time. Yukari, one of the house residents, used to live here when he was a human, after being accused of being a cannibal. Ryujin protected him, and now he wants to pay the dragon back by figuring out what has happened and where the dragon god went. Himari volunteers to accompany Yukari and be the human sacrifice that is needed to complete the summoning ritual. Together they manage to free Yyujin from the taint that was affecting him, but Aoi becomes aware that a larger power is at play.

Back at school, Himari has become somewhat of a spiritual priestess, and she is besieged by demands for help. Hoping to show she's a charlatan, girls in her class convince her and Hayato, from The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 4, to join them on an expedition to the laughing stone, but there the stone indeed laughs, laying a curse on Himari and Hayato. They must now kiss, or be sentenced to death!

My Hero Academia, Vol. 6

Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 6. 2016. 192p. ISBN 978-1-4215-8866-7. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Now that the Sports Festival ended in My Hero Academia, Vol. 5, students from Class 1-A are about to begin their internships with hero agencies. First, they must come up with a catchy name for their superhero personality. Midoriya selects Deku because, though it was used as an insult when he was younger, he chooses to reappropriate it and make it whole. 

For his internship, Ida requests a transfer back to Hosu, where his brother was heavily injured by the villain Stain. He looks forward to confronting Stain and avenging himself and his brother. Midoriya, for his part, is assigned to work with Gran Torino, the same hero who trained All Might. Midoriya still cannot master the One for All, but under Gran Torino's tutelage, he soon realizes that he can, in fact, control this quirk.

Meanwhile, Stain confronts the League of Villains, who are hoping to recruit him to their efforts. Snubbed and hurt by Stain, Tomura decides to throw a wrench in Stain's plans to "reform" Hosu. Ida soon finds himself confronted by Stain and the monsters the League of Villains unleashed...

The story continues in My Hero Academia, Vol. 7.

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 13

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 13. 2019. 192p. ISBN 978-1-9753-0455-3. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following the meeting of the leaders of the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia with Souseki Natsume in Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 12, all forces converge on the location of Dostoyevsky's secret base. There they hope to capture both the enigmatic Dostoyevsky and the virus skill user who contaminated both the head of the Port Mafia and the President of the Armed Detective Agency. The assault is led by Dazai. He assigns Atsushi and Akutagawa to work together and invest the heavily fortified and manned base.

These two are sworn enemies, and Akutagawa has attempted many times to kill Atsushi. Faced with the possible death of their leaders, however, they put their differences aside, and they penetrate the base, looking for their targets.

Dostoyevsky has kept an ace up his sleeve, however, and manages to keep a step ahead of those looking for him. Will the Port Mafia and the Armed Detective Agency put their differences aside long enough to capture him?

The story continues in Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 14.

My Hero Academia, Vol. 5

 Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 5. 2016. 192p. ISBN 978-1-4215-8510-9. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following My Hero Academia, Vol. 4, It is now up to the top 8 students in the final stage of the world renowned U.A. High sports festival. Ochaco is pitted against Todoroki, who avoids her levitating attack to defeat her. Ochaco is sad to lose, but she gave it her best! So far, Todoroki has only used his ice quirk. He refuses to use his fire quirk because he knows it irks his father, and because he is afraid to end up being a man just like him.

Next in the advancing bracket, Midoriya, who has inherited the power of One for All from All Might, makes the decision in his match to draw out both sides of Todoroki into their fight. For once, Todoroki finds an opponent that cannot be defeated with only ice alone, and he is forced to call on his father's quirk to defeat Midoriya. In the process, however, he learns that he can use and depend on that ability without becoming like his father. All Might celebrates Midoriya's loss, because it took extreme courage to abandon the quest to be the best in order to help a friend achieve his own potential.

Finally, the explosive Bakugo and the even-tempered Todoroki meet in the arena for the last match of the sports festival and for the honor of being called the champion. But villains still lurk in the shadows, as Ida is called away following his brother's violent attack and injuries. With a killer on the loose, students may not have much time to celebrate their accomplishments!

My Hero Academia, Vol. 4

Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 4. 2016. 192p. ISBN 978-1-4215-8511-6. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The world's best high school superhero sports festival that began in My Hero Academia, Vol. 3 continues in this volume, with everyone granted the chance to demonstrate their skills and find a sponsor and a mentor. With the preliminary round now complete, students of class 1-A are poised to oust the competition and determine who among them is the best.

Vilains lurk in the shadows, however, observing every move made during the festival and every quirk displayed. As their evil plans come close to fruition, the heroes remain unaware of the role they will play!

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 12

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 12. 2019. 192p. ISBN 978-1-9753-0452-2. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The appearance of a mysterious assassin bent on destroying the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia has thrown both organizations at each other's throat in Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 11. The release of a cannibal virus continues towards its ineluctable countdown.

With their leaders grievously wounded, both sides deploy their forces, hoping to bring this conflict to a swift end in a full frontal assault that proves dangerous to all. Kunikida the Matchless Poet and Atsushi the Lion continue to search for the person who can solve the virus, but they are ambushed by children. Their death traumatizes Kunikida, and the capture of their source reveals they were set up. 

With the stakes rising, the president of the Armed Detective Agency and the head of the Port Mafia organize a secret meeting between the two of them, where they are met by the enigmatic Souseki Natsume, the last member of their trio who established the peace so many years ago ...

My Hero Academia, Vol. 3

Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 3. 2016. 192p. ISBN 978-1-4215-8510-9. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

At the end of My Hero Academia, Vol. 2, Hero Academy was under attack by a group of super villains, and the students of 1-A were outmatched. All Might is forced to intervene, but one of the supervillain's quirk is shock absorption, mixed in with regeneration, so All Might's strength is neutralized. The supervillains' plan all along was to trap All Might, and now that he's unable to deal with the enemy in front of him, their leader looks forward to a victory.

But All Might still has reserves of strength left, and he defeats his opponent in a flurry of activity so fast that he is unable to absorb all the impacts and regenerate. With one enemy defeated, All Might turns to the remaining two and goads them on. Izuku recognizes that All Might is truly depleted now, however, and couldn't defend himself. So our young hero jumps in and delivers an epic blow, but the villains escape.

With this incident behind them, security is boosted at the school, and the hero olympics are about to begin! In a series of events, each student will be able to showcase their quirks and secure valuable sponsorships and experience. Can Izuku turn in a convincing performance since he still doesn't master the One for All quirk?

The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War

Bradley, James. The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War. 2009. 387p. ISBN 978-0-316-00895-2. Available at 359.4 BRA on the library shelves.

By the late 1880s, the United States had declared the frontier settled, and Americans now stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Racist theories espoused by many in American leadership claimed that Native Americans had been defeated because they were uncivilized and barbarians. White Protestant Americans, they claimed, were the superior beings both physically and intellectually. They had followed the sun westward and claimed land for their superior race. When a conflict with Spain occurred, the United States stretched its imperial hands and grabbed Hawaii and the Philippines, while making Cuba and Puerto Rico de facto colonies.

Theodore Roosevelt was a proponent of these racist theories, and he used his considerable power as president of the United States to implement a secret policy of Asian domination. By 1905, the United States were involved in counterinsurgency actions in the Philippines, and were watching with envy European powers carve China. Japan had just defeated Russia, the first time a non-White power had inflicted a loss on a White Christian power. Roosevelt saw this as the perfect opportunity to crack China and allow American businesses to enter its large market.

In a series of secret meetings, Roosevelt illegally negotiated with the Japanese to provide them support to implement their own Monroe Doctrine in Asia to "promote" civilization. These meetings culminated in the annexation of Korea, which the United States had signed a treaty to protect, by the Japanese in exchange for a free hand in the Philippines and with a foothold in China. To cement all of these secret transactions, Roosevelt sent his Secretary of War, William Taft, and his loose cannon of a daughter, on a months long cruise in the Pacific. 

Roosevelt's limited and racist views did not see the long game, and the agreements he made would later directly lead to the Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor, as well as the rise of ultimate triumph of the Communists in China and of the Korean War, costing the United States blood and treasure.

Fans of history will appreciate the impact that short-sightedness, expansionism and the threat of military action had on the political trajectory of the United States.

My Hero Academia, Vol. 2

 Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 2. 2015. 192p. ISBN 978-1-4215-8270-2. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Izuku secured a spot at the prestigious Hero Academy high school and joined Class 1-A in My Hero Academia, Vol. 1. He begins the long process of mastering the various facets of being a hero. His friends and enemies all have superpowers, but unlike Izuku they are proud to display them. Having acquired his from All Might, the power of One for All, Izuku has to hide the fact that All Might is getting weaker by the day and that he can only hold his persona for a short time before having to revert to his true form.

Unfortunately there is not enough time for Izuku to start mastering his skills. Hero Academy is an ongoing competition, and anyone can be expelled at any time for failing to accomplish specific tasks or finishing last in a trial. When a group of villains invade the supposedly secure grounds of Hero Academy, Class 1-A steps in to intervene. Despite their combined abilities, the villains prove too strong. Their target? Taking down All Might. What can heroes in training do against such overwhelming force?

The story continues in My Hero Academia, Vol. 3. 

My Hero Academia, Vol. 1

Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia, Vol. 1. 2015. 192p. ISBN 9781421582696. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The world has changed. A few decades ago, one individual suddenly manifested a superpower. Then more and more people acquired them. Now, roughly 80% of folks have a superpower. First appearing around age 4, individuals learn to control and exploit their superpowers. Some become famous heroes, fighting those who use their superpowers for evil. Some became wealthy and known throughout the world. To service these heroes, infrastructure grew. Now would be heroes strive to enter Hero Academy, the best superhero high school. 

Izuku Midoriya's dream has always been to attend Hero Academy. He follows all of the superheroes religiously, knows their quirks and their strengths. Unfortunately, unlike his childhood friend, Izuku never developed a quirk, and remains one of the 20% of the people who have no superpowers. That makes it very hard to attend superhero school. And with middle school almost over, it looks like Izuku's dream will end before it even begins.

When a villain threatens the bully that once was his childhood friend, however, Izuku does not hesitate and he charges it, even when those with superpowers were too afraid to do so. Saved by All Might, the greatest superhero, Izuku soon learns that All Might is in fact looking for a worthy successor and has found one in Izuku. Over the course of the summer, Izuku will train hard and bulk up so he can inherit the mightiest power of them all ...

The story continues in My Hero Academia, Vol. 2.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 19

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 19. 2018. 178p. ISBN 978-1-63236-439-5. Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

The trial by pledge requested by Tenjin cost him one of his shinkis, while the Heavens lost one of their treasured shinkis. Noragami, Vol. 18 ends on the cliffhanger of the third part of the trial by pledge, with a head rolling. Noragami, Vol. 19 begins with the revelation that the Heavens lost the third and final part of the trial by pledge, demonstrating that Yato has been deemed not guilty and is therefore to be freed. Yukiné is expulsed from his imprisonment in the box, and the whole group is reunited at Kofuku's place to celebrate.

With Yukiné's death date coming soon, Yato decides he will honor it in style by throwing a flash mob dance, so he gets the whole gang, including Takemikazuchi and his shinki Kiun. But not all things are back to normal. Kazuma, for once, has disappeared and is not attending to Bishamon's recovery. Everyone wonders where he went. And Yukiné himself stings Yato when he is reunited with the Stray and kisses her. Does he love her, or is she messing with her mind, furthering the Crafter's plans for his battle against the gods of Heaven?

The story continues in Noragami, Vol. 20.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 18

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 18. 2017. 200p. ISBN 978-1-63236-345-9. Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

The war between Bishamon and the Heavens continues from Noragami, Vol. 17. Yato successfully defeated Takemikazuchi, but now faces an even greater threat as the plague spirit of the shinki Shiigun fills the skies with horsemen bent on destroying Bishamon and all those who oppose. Kazuma attempts to intervene to save his goddess' life, but she pushes him away. Flashback episodes explain Kazuma's desire to protect her, but ultimately Bishamon decides to save her shinki from certain death.

Confronting the Crafter, Bishamon lands a deadly blow but is also stricken down and falls back to Earth. Yato strikes at Shiigun, and sunders the Heavens. Arrested, he is summarily judged and found guilty. Yukiné is imprisoned for all eternity in a small cube, and Yato is slated for execution. Tenjin steps in and invokes the trial by pledge, in which each sides wagers three shinkis, and the side that is right sees the defeated side lose their head. Will any shinki volunteer on Yato's behalf?

Meanwhile, Hiyori is the first to find the limp form of Bishamon in the forest, but she is confronted by one of Heaven's enforcers. With lives on the line, the war among the gods is becoming deadlier still ...

Noragami Stray God, Vol. 17

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 17. 2016. 200p. ISBN 978-1-63236-301-5 . Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

Following Noragami Stray God, Vol. 16, Bishamon's search for the crafter and her war on the heavens continues as Kazuma seeks to intervene on her behalf and save her from divine punishment. Hiyori joins Kazuma on his quest, hoping to save both Bishamon and Yato. For his part, the stray god struggles in his fight with Takemikazuchi, neither god seeming to win an advantage on the other, but the injuries are piling up. Yukiné tries to save Yato, but the Blessed Vessel cannot convince his master to abandon the fight. As more truths about Yato's youth are revealed, the crafter's plan to release Yato's inner anger and fate come into focus. Can Yato survive the onslaught of the lightning god?

The story continues in Noragami Stray God, Vol. 18.

Noragami Stray God, Vol. 16

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 16. 2016. 200p. ISBN 978-1-63236-257-5. Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

The Heavens are in uproar. Armed with the legendary blessed vessel Nana, a powerful shinki who once rebelled against the Heavens, Bishamon, the goddess of war, has vowed to eliminate the crafter of Ayakashis once and for all. But by retrieving and freeing Nana from her eternal prison in Noragami Stray God Vol. 15, Bishamon has incurred the wrath of the Celestial Court, and a bevy of gods have been tasked to execute her for high treason.

Yato joins the execution squad, but finds himself torn. On the one hand he reluctantly wishes to protect the crafter, his father, from Bishamon. On the other hand, Bishamon has helped him many times, and Hiyori has begged him to help her. Faced with an impossible choice, and prodded on all sides, Yato decides to stand with Bishamon against the Heavens. Meanwhile, Kazuma, who has been captured by the Heavenly guard, is forced to answer questions about Bishamon's betrayal.

As the battle rages, only one side can triumph. Did Yato make the right choice?