Narrative research

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ANIME GOES MAINSTREAM.
Princess Mononoke, Akira, and Cowboy Bebop may not be household names here. But in the world of anime, or Japanese animation, they're among the top 10 films ever made.
You've seen it-colorful cartoon characters with big eyes, spiky hair, and small mouths. And you've probably heard about it-Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, Ponyo, was the ninth highest-grossing film in this country on its opening weekend last summer.
With its complex plots and moral messages, anime is as intelligent as some of the best feature films. Take Grave of the Fireflies, written and directed by Isao Takahata. According to film critic Roger Ebert, it's one of the most powerful anti-war movies of all time. Or Paprika, directed by Satoshi Kon and animated by Madhouse Studios, a visual masterpiece where reality and dreams collide. From the epic fantasy Ninja Scroll and the cyberpunk Ghost in the Shell to the sci-fi romance The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, anime has something for everyone, whether it's romance, action, fantasy, adventure, or mystery. No wonder its gone mainstream, with thousands of young fans flocking to anime conventions across the country and teens from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds trading cards, collecting art, and, of course, watching it on TV, DVDs, and the big screen every chance they can get.
Anime dates back to the closing days of World War II, with fans here developing a cult following for the Astroboy and Speed Racer TV series of the '50s and '60s. But many say it really started gaining mainstream acceptance with the American release of Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke in 1999. It's safe to say that within the last five years, anime's become fully entrenched in tween and teen pop culture.
Even Hollywood studios are getting into the act. A live-action adaptation of Battle Angel Alita, directed by James Cameron, is in the works, and Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks has secured the rights to adapt Ghost in the Shell into a 3-D live-action feature film.
If you think manga attracts teens, wait to see what anime can do. I witnessed it myself when I started an anime club more than 10 years ago with the sole purpose of reviewing the genre for our teen video collection. Dozens of older kids-many we'd never seen before-started walking through our doors asking for cartoons from Japan.
Back then, there was almost no professional information about anime available for librarians. Luckily, things have changed. Librarians today can find tons of resources-even OCLC records-that make it easier to find great anime. So, if you don't already have a collection of anime, now's the time to start. And if you already do, it's a perfect time to beef it up.
Start with My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo, blockbuster releases from Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, which also created the breathtaking world of spirits and monsters in Spirited Away, winner of the 2002 Oscar for best animated feature film. Both are suitable for family viewing and appeal to teens, which make up the bulk of the anime fan base.
Nickelodeon, the Cartoon Network, and the Action, Disney, and Syfy channels all show anime, so you can bet kids will be clamoring for copies of those series. Keep in mind that distributors sell the unedited, rather than edited TV versions, so depending on the film, there might be some violence, profanity, or nudity. Another word of advice: since the standard anime television series takes up five to seven discs, buying a bunch of them will rack up a huge bill. I suggest stocking a few popular series like Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, and Cowboy Bebop, and purchasing feature-length films to round out your collection and keep costs down. Then pick and choose from the list of must-have classics and newer releases on the following pages. Don't be surprised if your collection is heavy on Miyazaki's works. He's one of Japan's greatest animation directors and considered the country's equivalent to Walt Disney.
And make sure to save a spot on your shelves for Tales From Earthsea, Miyazaki's son, Goro Miyazaki's, tale of a powerful wizard that's loosely based on Ursula K. Le Guin's "Earthsea" series. Aimed at older kids and young adults, the film, which opened here last month, will have a brief theatrical run prior to debuting on DVD.

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Geeks vs. Jocks: How Geeks are Winning the War of Public Opinion

It is a rivalry that has stood the test of time, tortured many a high school souls and become an iconic battle in U.S. culture: jocks vs. geeks. Today, on International Geek Pride Day, a new survey reveals that geeks are winning the public opinion war.
Fifty-seven percent of Americans say being called a geek is a compliment and more Americans would prefer to be called a geek rather than a jock, according to a new survey by Modis.
"People have gone from the vision of the movies 'Revenge of the Nerds' and that was what geeks would be associated with being, to Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, considered pretty cool people," said Jack Cullen, president of Modis, a provider of information technology staffing. "I point a lot of it towards the coolness of Apple and what they've done to bring everybody into the forefront of the digital world."
The survey also reveals that Americans closely associate the word "geek" with positive attributes such as intelligence and an expertise in technology.
Despite the good will, however, there is a generational divide. Sixty-six percent of those 18 to 34 consider being identified as a "geek" a compliment, while only 39 percent of those 65 and older agree.
"The association was if you're technically savvy and you're really into technology you're tucked away in a corner somewhere and you're nerdy," Cullen said. "You got the pen protector, the white tape over your glasses and you're a social outcast. Now you're the coolest guy in the room."
The atmosphere for geeks in America is changing overall. The vast majority, 82 percent of people, believe it is more acceptable to be a geek today than it was 15 years ago.
But whatever you do, don't get geeks and nerds confused. The survey showed that people do not see the words synonymously. Self-identified geeks make up 17 percent of Americans and 87 percent of those who self-identified as a geek prefer the term over nerd.
"Being geek signifies intelligence and coolness," Cullen told ABC News. "In the old days it always stood for intelligence, but intelligence wasn't always that important and I think there's also a different level here of intelligence. The expectation isn't that your this Mensa. The expectation is that you understand, embrace and use technology everyday.
"Not only has technology changed our lives and how we use technology, but how the perceptions of people have changed as well."
Geeks by the Numbers: 57 percent of Americans consider being called a geek a compliment. 44 percent of Americans would prefer to be called a geek. 22 percent of Americans would prefer to be called a jock. 66 percent of respondents aged 18 to 34 consider being identified as a geek a compliment. 39 percent of respondents 65 and older consider being identified as a geek a compliment. 17 percent of Americans self-identify as a geek. 82 percent of Americans say they believe it is more acceptable to be a geek today than it was 15 years ago.
Opinion Research Corp. surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults 18 and older May 4 to 8 on behalf of Modis.