The Light Novel: A New Medium of the Otaku Culture Open Access

Lee, Yun Sub (2012)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/2b88qc890?locale=en
Published

Abstract

Abstract
The Light Novel: A New Medium of the Otaku Culture
The light novel culture is a re-discovered medium in the otaku culture. Despite the declining
publishing market, it has gradually increased its sales in the last decade, drawing attentions of
the academic scholars as well. In chapter one, I discuss about the main consumers of the light
novel, the otaku, and about the third generation otaku more in details at the end. The shifting
environments around the generations of otaku changed their psychological status and
consumption style. In chapter two, I introduce the light novel and its characteristics in details.
The light novel is known for its manga-like illustrations and narration, and due to these, it has
been frequently re-adapted into anime, manga, game, and other goods of the otaku culture. In
chapter three, I draw the relationship between the light novel and the third generation otaku in
order to analyze the essence of the light novel culture. In addition, I question the position of
the light novel within the text culture of Japan, employing the cultural theories of modernity
and postmodern.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………1
Chapter 1: The Otaku Culture…………………………………………………………………7
Chapter 2: The Light Novel Culture………………………………………………………….20
Chapter 3: The Narrative Consumption and The Reproductions…………………………….41
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………69
Reference List………………………………………………………………………………...71

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement
  • Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
School
Department
Degree
Submission
Language
  • English
Research Field
Keyword
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor
Committee Members
Last modified

Primary PDF

Supplemental Files