Shogun Warriors. Godaikin. Micronauts. They came in their legions, leaping straight from Japanese TV sets onto toy shelves. Shiny, outrageously colorful, sporting spring-powered missiles and "rocket punches" they were unlike anything seen before. Super #1 Robot showcases these unique action figures created during the heyday of Japanese robot toys, 1972 to 1982. From Popy's classic "Chogokin" Mazinger Z to Takatoku's Valkyrie (the first seamlessly transforming toy), these are the pinnacle of modern Japanese robot toys, and transformed not only themselves, but also today's toy culture.

Super #1 Robot: Japanese Robot Toys, 1972-1982

Matt Alt

Tim Brisko

Robert Duban

History

Chronicle Books+

A menagerie of mascots and characters inhabit the islands of Japan, cheerfully guiding citizens through all sorts of daily activities and situations. Hello, Please! collects photographs of hundreds of the these cute (or kawaii) creatures in their native habitats, which are virtually everywhere: from public street signs to supermarket shelves, in doctor's offices and instruction manuals even emblazoned on the sides of Tokyo's emergency vehicles. Authors Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda explore the cultural context of these ubiquitous, hard-working critters and their relationship to anime and manga, commercial characters like Hello Kitty, and the cult of cute, while introducing readers to a host of adorable new best friends they never knew they had.

Hello, Please! Very Helpful Super Kawaii Characters from Japan

Travel

Hiroko Yoda

Asia

Pure Invention: How Japan Conquered the World in Eight Fantasies

Constable

1940. Hitler wants to rain death on London but he doesn't have the aircraft. Classified info about a new long-range plane -- the Japanese "Type Zero" -- intrigues Nazi generals who ask their Far Eastern ally for a few prototypes to study. But how to get the planes from Japan to Germany? Unable to fly safely over the Soviet Union or the vast British Empire, maverick Japanese pilots just might make it if they can refuel at the few secret pockets of resistance en route. Zero Over Berlin is an amazing adventure of dogfights and narrow escapes, geopolitical intrigue (from the other side), and military covert-ops that never were. From Japan's celebrated answer to Tom clancy and Jack Higgins- Joh Sasaki.

Zero Over Berlin

Comics & Graphic Novels

Joh Sasaki

Manga

Vertical

Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World

Crown

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Books by Matt Alt