The revolution began with you.
Ever grabbed a mic, popped in earbuds, picked up a game controller, or used an emoji? This book is your story.
Karaoke, the Walkman and Game Boy, immersive manga and anime, kawaii characters like Hello Kitty and Pikachu, cutting-edge video games, and new digital tools such as emoji and imageboards were more than hits. They redefined the human experience.
Creators from Japan hotwired our imaginations. Legions of fans harnessed their innovations in unexpected ways. For the first time ever, Pure Invention tells the story of how a revolution in fantasy transformed reality around the globe.
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“As startlingly original as the inventions that it describes.”
— Forbes
“A masterful book driven by deep research, new insights, and powerful storytelling.”
-W. David Marx, author, Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style
“One of the best of its kind.”
— Crunchyroll News
“A masterful exploration of a history, a people and a culture that have shaped our use of technology, our conception of storytelling, and our fascination with Kitties named ‘Hello’.”
-The Irish Times
“Alt is a master of narrative prose.”
— Anime News Network
“A powerful work whose stories will surprise even japanese readers.”
— Nikkei Shimbun
About THE AUTHOR
Matt Alt is a Tokyo-based writer, translator, and localizer of video games and manga. He brings a unique combination of insider experience, linguistic skills, and investigative insight to deliver compelling stories that have never been told in the English language.
Co-founder of the pioneering entertainment localization company AltJapan Co., Ltd., and co-host of the popular NHK World television show Japanology Plus, his essays and cultural commentary regularly appear in media outlets including The New Yorker, Aeon Magazine, BBC Culture, CNN Go, The Economist 1843, Wired, Slate, The Independent, The Japan Times, and Newsweek Japan.