▪	RELEASED BY:		UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS
		▪	AUTHOR:		CHRISTOPHER BOLTON, TAKYUKI TATSUMI ISTVAN CSICSERY-RONAY, JR
		▪	PAGES:		269
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		11/15/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		01/07/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Robot Ghosts and Wired Dreams is a collection of essays examining the history of Japanese science fiction from its origins, to its growing influence on global culture that is a fascinating array of explorations and insights into the genre. Contributors include not only American writers and academics such as Livia Monnet, Susan J. Napier, and William O. Gardner, but also translated Japanese essays by renowned writer and therapist Saito Tamaki, critic Kotani Mari, and author and academic Azuma Hiroki among many other contributors. 

The book is a revelation in many ways, covering a variety of subjects, going in depth on topics, and most importantly taking the subject matter seriously. This is not a fluff book, but one containing serious academic thought and exploration. Split into two parts, the first half involves essays that investigate the emergence of science fiction as prose and its effects and influences both nationally and internationally, individually and socially. The second half examines anime covering a diverse set of topics including the role of women in Japanese science fiction, identity crisis in an increasingly mechanized society, and defining otaku sexuality. Each essay is thought provoking, immersing, and it is guaranteed that even the most hard-core anime fan and media historian will learn something new in the different perceptions presented in this book.

One of its strongest attractions for both academics in the fields of Japanese media, history, and anime and science fiction fans is the interesting comparative analysis and historical account of the emergence of science fiction in Japan and its evolution from literature (novels, magazines, manga/comic books) to animation (commonly known as anime or Japanimation). This is often done within the essays by comparative study of American sci-fi influences such as Robert A. Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, and Isaac Asimov among the many referenced, and also looking at influential anime such as Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Astro Boy, Final Fantasy, Patlabor, Neon Genesis Evangelion. Serial Experiments LAIN and more.

Some of the essays may be found controversial by anime and science fiction fans, as they tackle larger social issues within the analyzed titles. Agree or disagree, this is an invigorating set of chapters that do not flinch at getting to the heart of the subject matter and examining it rigorously, fully, and sometimes potentially provocatively. Truly a demanding yet involving and thought provoking collection, Robot Ghosts and Wired Dreams is a book that you’ll be glad you read. It expands horizons by challenging and broadening the readers understanding, knowledge, and conceptualization of Japanese science fiction.

IN SUMMARY:
A fascinating in-depth exploration of the history of Japanese science fiction and its influence on popular global culture.