Monthly Archives: February 2009

Reflections on Anime: Animation and the Academy

By Alex Leavitt | Published: 24 February 2009

On 22 February 2009, the Academy (of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) held its eighty-first celebration of film, generally known as the Oscars. This year resulted in a big win for Japan, who clinched the prize for best Foreign Language Film with おくりびと (Departures), directed by Yojiro Takita. Why is this win important? If you [...]

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Learn Your Stroke Order! Kanji Recognition & Education

By Alex Leavitt | Published: 20 February 2009

[Author's note: I don't think this is that well-written, given that I didn't have much time to put into it. But I think my final idea should be implemented, because so many foreigners (and probably natives) in Japan would take advantage of it.]
It is difficult to look up kanji in a paper-based dictionary. Plainly and [...]

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YouTube, Fansubs, and a Conflict of Copyright

By Alex Leavitt | Published: 9 February 2009

[This article has been cross-posted to YouTomb.]
Fansubs: fan-produced subtitles added to original footage of foreign television programs or films.
Most commonly a practice by fans of Japanese animation, fansubs have, since the 1980s in America, allowed fans of anime to view the Japanese-language media and share it amongst friends. While technically illegal [1] in terms of [...]

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  • Department of Alchemy


    Connecting the dots between popular media and social culture.

    伏見いなり、京都

    The Department of Alchemy approaches American, Japanese, and international digital culture from a critical, analytical (and sometimes quite academic) perspective.
    The blog provides commentary, news, essays, reviews, reports, presentations, audio/video, and general thoughts for a mainstream audience, with intended respect to the context of the works and the broader society that encompasses them.

  • Events



    See me speak at Ignite Boston 7 at Microsoft NERD in Boston, MA, on 4 March 2010.


    See me speak at Penny Arcade Expo East in Boston, MA, from March 26th - 28th, 2010.


    See me speak at the Popular Culture Association National Conference in St. Louis, MI, from March 31st - April 3rd, 2010.


    See me speak at Anime Boston in Boston, MA, from April 2nd - 4th, 2010.


    Meet me at ROFLcon II in Boston, MA, from April 30th - May 1st, 2010.


    Meet me at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, CA, from July 1st - 4th, 2010.


    Meet me at Otakon in Baltimore, MD, from July 30th - August 1st, 2010.

  • Archives