Abby Denson is the award-winning author of Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen, Cool Tokyo Guide: Adventures in the City of Kawaii Fashion, Train Sushi and Godzilla and the Kitty Sweet Tooth series (with Utomaru).
Her most recent book, which we’re going to talk about today, is Uniquely Japan: A Comic Book Artist Shares Her Personal Faves - Discover What Makes Japan The Coolest Place on Earth!
Abby has scripted comics for Amazing Spider-Man Family, Powerpuff Girls comics, Simpsons comics, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats, Disney Adventures, and many others.
We start off the show with Abby helping define for our listeners the difference between Japanese manga, graphic novels, superhero comics, and American style comics.
Amy talks about how she used to read Japanese manga to study Japanese language, and tells what she thinks distinguishes manga from other types of comics including Abby’s. She gives some of the features of Abby's books that make them stand out from others.
Abby talks about the role of color in her comic-drawing and names Keith Haring as one of her inspirations. She especially loves drawing desserts and all kinds of foods!
Abby talks about some of the challenges of putting together her two Japan guides and her latest, Uniquely Japan, which was much more of a multimedia effort.
Amy mentions she especially likes the tips in the book, such as suggesting people order the teishoku daily special (set menu) when people go to a restaurant to get the chance to sample as many amazing Japanese foods as possible.
Abby says the book aims to provide a fun way to learn about different Japanese topics. Parfaits for example! “You can see gorgeous parfait displays everywhere,” she says, referring to the plastic food models in the display window of many restaurants and cafes in Japan. "I find them so dazzling,” Abby says. This launches into a discussion of Japan being a very visual culture.
Abby says Uniquely Japan is different from her previous books because Cool Japan and Cool Tokyo were conceived as guidebooks. They have travel tips and information helpful for tourists planning their first trip to Japan. Uniquely Japan can be read just to learn about Japanese culture.
Abby elaborates on the reception of her books in Japan and some surprising feedback she received from Japanese readers of the book.
She also elaborates on the “Street Sites” chapter in her book that highlights decorative manhole covers, police boxes, and the specific design motifs of each town you can discover. "As a visual artist, it really makes you feel validated to see all this amazing graphic design everywhere. I feel like it's used so much more aesthetically, and in a more visually pleasurable manner in Japan than other in other places. The little accents and the motifs come together for a visually pleasurable experience.”
Amy mentions Abby’s use of stamps in Uniquely Japan, referring to the rubber stamps at every railway station that you can press into your diary or journal. The stamp features a graphic of the place you visited along with that town’s motif. This leads to a discussion of “stamp rallies” (and where to find them) and also collecting the beautifully brushed goshuin stamps from temples.
When Amy asks Abby for an interesting backstory to one of her books, Abby tells the story of writing Kitty Sweet Tooth, a collaboration that started with a random meeting of an artist in a bar. The first book, Kitty Sweet Tooth, was published last year and the next book, Kitty Sweet Tooth Makes a Movie, will be published this fall.
Lastly, Abby reveals her 3 favorite books on Japan and why:
1. Manga! Manga!: The World of Japanese Comics by Frederik L. Schodt
2. Tokyo on Foot: Travels in the City's Most Colorful Neighborhoods by Florent Chavouet
3 Himawari House, a fictional graphic novel by Harmony Becker
Amy ends the podcast by suggesting what Abby’s next book should be to which Abby responds that her husband keeps telling her the same thing. So maybe, just maybe …
You can find Abby Denson on social media and at the following places:
Instagram @abbydenson
Twitter @abbydenson
website: abbydenson.com
