as per title, i can’t really pin down any particular genres that are of interest to me, but i do have some **themes** that make me tick. i’ll list some below, and i’m open to anything that generally satisfies what i’m looking for on a broad level — does not have to be precisely congruent at all.
* **coming-of-age character dramas that focus on the progression of 1-3 main leads, particularly with respect to their relationship with the other lead(s)** (E.G. *Liz and the Blue Bird*, *Ping Pong The Animation*, *Sonny Boy*)
* **sci-fi/cyberpunk stories which tackle existentialism/transhumanism commentary or adjacent** (E.G. *Texhnolyze*, *Ghost In The Shell*, *Casshern Sins*)
* **stories with a particular focus on temporal atmosphere and the role of permanence and transience across existence** — basically *mono no aware*, though i’m aware it doesn’t quite exist in earnest outside of Japanese literature, i’m open for whatever may come close (E.G. *Aria*, *Mushishi*, *Girls’ Last Tour*)
* **historical settings for didactic purposes, not merely for ambience or a cool backdrop** (E.G. *In This Corner of the World*, *Hyouge Mono*, *Princess Mononoke*)
* **surreal literature that experiments with metaphysical ideas or adjacent/related** (E.G. *Mawaru Penguindrum*, *Revolutionary Girl Utena*, *Revue Starlight*)
* **psychological dramas that either step into suspense or horror, both if possible** (E.G. *From The New World*, *Perfect Blue*, *Haibane Renmei*)
i’m aware that i shouldn’t be approaching books in a manner where i only seek out themes that i like in anime, so i’m hoping to get some suggestions that would generally click with me on a broad level while still opening up more opportunities for further reading in the medium. ideally would like to avoid anything too intertextual or anything that relies a ton on assumed knowledge as i haven’t had much exposure (if at all) to literature as a whole. thanks in advance!
by btr2105
2 Comments
“Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle” by Vladimir Nabokov is basically anime-lit, IMO.
It’s a beautiful, lovingly-crafted, extremely horny book about some incestuous siblings in an alternate universe where Russian culture dominates North America that frequently goes off onto tangents about the nature of time and space, and is full of puns that don’t make sense in English. It comes with its own [bible](https://www.ada.auckland.ac.nz/) to help fans puzzle it out.
I am the only person I know who’s read the book who isn’t also a massive anime fan. If I see that book on someone’s shelf, I assume they have strong opinions on anime that I don’t understand (but respect).
Would you like the *Sandman* series by Neil Gaiman?