Matt Alt's Pure Invention

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Osamu Tezuka's "Com"
A revolution in storytelling that played out against an actual revolution.
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Matt Alt
Japan's Moonshot
Japan has long reached out to the world through its toys. Now it’s sending them to the stars.
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Matt Alt
2
August 2023
Tokyo Heat
More thoughts on how climate change is reshaping Japanese culture
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Matt Alt
5
Head in the Clouds
Anime lost a legend this week: art director Nizo Yamamoto. His work transformed the medium from fantasy into an all-enveloping reality for fans.
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Matt Alt
4
Making Out in Japanese: An Oral History of a Seminal Text
A repost of an interview with the creators of a hugely influential guidebook series.
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Matt Alt
2
An American Icon, Made in Japan
Barbie has a secret: she may have been dreamed up in the US, but she came to life in a Tokyo hotel room.
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Matt Alt
10
A Package of Pure Invention-related Podcasts
Tune in to a trio of appearances
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Matt Alt
In America, “Barbenheimer” is a success. In Japan, it’s a scandal.
The linking of nuclear holocaust to summer entertainment is backfiring spectacularly here
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Matt Alt
12
July 2023
Manga is the Rock 'n' Roll of Gen Z
And the biggest hits come from Shonen Jump, which turns 55 this month
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Matt Alt
Did Mario teach Zuckerberg everything he knows?
Nintendo's Famicom laid the groundwork for the attention economy
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Matt Alt
How Do You Live, Mr. Miyazaki?
Some spoiler-free thoughts on Studio Ghibli’s latest anime
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Matt Alt
2
Japan failed at social media
And won the bigger game.
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Matt Alt
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