The Rise and Fall of Anime in the People’s Republic of China

The history of anime in China is a roller-coaster ride of diplomatic boondoggles, under-the-radar industries, unsanctioned releases and censorship scandals. Jonathan Clements investigates the fluctuating fortunes of Japanese animation in China, not only in terms of its reception among audiences, but of its hidden impact in the production sector, the politics of its distribution and exhibition, and the effect of recent government backlashes and clampdowns as the People’s Republic seeks animation autarky.