This course examines contemporary Japanese popular culture and its influence not only on its Asian neighbours, especially China and Korea, but also on the West. Not only are genres such as film, television, and popular literature examined, but also particularly Japanese phenomenon such as otaku, moe, shoshoku danshi ("herbivore men") and the Japanese penchant for "cuteness." Prerequisites: JP 2700 6.00. Co-requisites: None. Course credit exclusions: None.