Japanese Horror Cinema

Traditions in World Cinema

by Jay McRoy (Editor), Christopher Bolton (Contributor), Graham Lewis (Contributor)

A much-needed critical introduction to some of the most important Japanese horror films produced over the last fifty years, Japanese Horror Cinema provides an insightful examination of the tradition’s most significant trends and themes. The book examines the genre’s dominant aesthetic, cultural, political, and technological underpinnings, and individual chapters address key traditions; the popular "avenging spirit" motif; the impact of atomic warfare, rapid industrialization, and apocalyptic rhetoric in Japanese visual culture; the extents to which changes in the economic and social climate inform representations of monstrosity and gender; the influence of recent shifts in audience demographics; and the developing relations (and contestations) between Japanese and "Western" (Anglo-American and European) horror film tropes and traditions.

Japanese Horror Cinema includes a preface by Christopher Sharrett; case studies of internationally renowned films such as Nakata Hideo’s Ringu, Ishii Takashi’s Freeze Me, and Fukasaku Kinji’s Battle Royale; and a filmography of Japanese horror films currently available in the U.S. and the U.K.

Christopher Bolton, Phillip Brophy, Ian Conrich, Gareth Evans, Ruth Goldberg, Richard Hand, Steffen Hantke, Matt Hills, Frank Lafond, Graham Lewis, Jay McRoy, Xavier Mendik, Gary Needham, Steven Jay Schneider, Christopher Sharrett, Eric White, Tony Williams.

Genres: Nonfiction, Japan, Film, Horror

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

While extensive and broad in its scope, this overview of Japanese horror films is about an inch deep with very mediocre analysis. You won't get much more out of it other than the crude basics.

[Chris Kiraly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A competent, well put together collection of essay reflecting the broad themes that have impacted Japanese horror films from around 1950 to 2001. The essays focusing on earlier horror are stronger than the ones that approach the 2000s and I found the analysis of Takashi Miike's Audition to be a bit lacking in actual substance. However the piece on Ringu and Ringu two is expertly written and the early chapter addressing the tropes of abandoned and avenging woman characters in films such as Kwaiden is an extremely engrossing read. Unfortunately the collection spends quite a bit of time on Battle Royale, which while I understand it's importance not only in the beginning of Japanese (and Korean) horror proliferation within the United States, it stands firmly outside most conventional descriptions of what constitutes as a genuine horror film and I don't think it fits well with the other essays in this collection. However, I understand that film does have a very vocal following and is very critically admired, and I would imagine anyone not in academia picking this novel up would be most interested in it's analysis. The investigation into Japanese body horror though, is also a high point here, and overall I do think if you even have a passing familiarity with Japanese film and have an interest in horror there is something that you will find interesting and enjoyable.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Audition section was very different than my opinion of the film but otherwise I think it’s very comprehensive and engaging in terms of academic essays. However- I think if many of the essays want what they claim, which is a better understanding of Japanese culture and film in the US, it can’t be through all academic essays and for most audiences, language too complex. I enjoyed it but I think it lacks accessibility at times.

The sheer amount of movies covered is really incredible, with lots of Inter textural references.

I think the hardest parts to get through are just the movie being summarized.