Warriors of Legend: Reflections of Japan in Sailor Moon [Paperback]

Jay Navok (Author), Sushil K. Rudranath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2005

The book Warriors of Legend is one of the first of its kind, using a specific Japanese anime/manga series- the megahit Sailor Moon- to teach about Japan. Neophytes to Japan studies will find Warriors of Legend an accessible way to learn about this fascinating country. Those who know quite a lot about Japan already will find their understanding enhanced by the way the book analyzes the nuances of Tokyo's history and Japanese society. The book also argues that Sailor Moon is a unique series in that it was both internationally popular and strongly structured by the culture of the city of Tokyo and post-Economic Bubble Japan.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jay Navok holds a Masters degree in Regional Studies East Asia from Columbia University and is winner of the Japanese government's 2005 Monbukagakusho research scholarship. Sushil K. Rudranath is a practicing attorney in the state of Florida and holds a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida. Jonathan Mays (Editor) is a freelance writer for Newtype USA, Animerica, Anime Insider, IGN, Protoculture Addicts, and Neo Magazine (UK), and is the Senior Editor of Anime News Network.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing; 3rd edition (May 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419608142
• ISBN-13: 978-1419608148
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warriors of Legend makes it to New Zealand intact., June 3, 2005

By 

La Déesse "La Déesse" (Aotearoa/New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warriors of Legend: Reflections of Japan in Sailor Moon (Paperback)

Okay! My copy of WoL arrived in the post this morning. The packaging indicated that it had come directly from Booksurge's Australian branch, which explains why it wasn't very expensive to ship to me ($5.80 in US dollars). I was very pleased about that as I wanted to support the publication but was afraid it might put more of a dent in my fortune than I was prepared for. (The cost of getting things shipped to New Zealand has always curtailed my anime and manga collections, although now that I have a real job that isn't such a restriction as it was when I was a student.) It was securely packed in cardboard and plastic wrap, and reached me in fine shape. I'm a pretty fast reader in my leisure time, and finished it while getting my hair cut this afternoon.

Early Thoughts: As an 'unauthorised' publication (clearly marked as such on the front cover) WoL offers an independent and unvarnished view of the Sailor Moon legend and its connections with real life in Japan, which is wonderful, but for the same reason, and the necessity to publish relatively cheaply, it suffers from a lack of colourful pictures, which would help bring to life the real Japanese locations it describes, and of course it cannot reproduce any art from the original anime and manga. This reduces its accessibility to readers who are not already familiar with the appearance of the Sailor Moon characters (and may not understand their appeal), and makes it impossible to run side by side comparisons of locations and objects as shown in the series and their real-world counterparts.

This, and some typographical errors of the kind I would expect to find in a small-press publication, are the only real cavils I have about what is otherwise a well written guide, which does a very nice job of balancing the interests of established Sailor Moon fans and readers who know less about the series but are curious about Japan. A slim volume, it provides some fascinating information and leaves the reader wanting to know more, and hopefully the authors' plans to publish a series will pan out.

I was particularly interested in the background information about decision-making on the anime and manga series, and the explanation offered for Takeuchi's lack of productive focus post-Sailor Moon. I would not hesitate to recommend this title to fans of Naoko Takeuchi's work. Non-fans would be understandably less likely to pick it up in a bookshop, but with a little persuasion from a fan might find it very worthwhile.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exellent addition to any otaku bookshelf, May 10, 2006

By 

Morgan Pritchett "morganskye" (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Warriors of Legend: Reflections of Japan in Sailor Moon (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. It's in-depth, informative, and it never talks down to you. It's made for the hardcore Sailormoon fan. I think it's terrific that this book was made. It shows that fans can think outside of the tv screen.

I've been a Sailormoon fan for many years, yet there were things in this book that I never knew. It's like you're walking down the streets of Japan. Anyone who calls themselves a Sailormoon otaku needs this book!

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Peels away the layers, exposing the messages underneath, May 29, 2005

By 

Jason (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warriors of Legend: Reflections of Japan in Sailor Moon (Paperback)

This book has proven to be a well-informed and quick look at Japanese culture and society. The information found within could have been delivered with a textbook-like dryness, however, the fact that the authors used a well-known series like Sailor Moon helps to make the information very relatable, and easy to absorb.

At first glance, the show is merely fictional and full of fantasy. Beneath the surface, however, there is much commentary on Japanese society that one, as a foriegner, may not be able to easily decipher. This book, by examining the series from an anthropological stance, helps to peel away the layers, exposing the hidden messages underneath.

Warriors of Legend almost effortlessly draws parallels between scenery seen in the animated series to real-life locales in Tokyo. Family life and culture as depicted in the show are shown to be direct reflections of Japanese attitudes and beliefs. Of particular interest are the essays on religion and how lines between faiths in Japan are often blurred. All of these concepts have been present in the show, but often go unnoticed to average person.

The book itself is a little bit rough around the edges. That being said, it gets the job done as a nice introduction to the Japanese mindset and way of life.