Engaging with Anime and Manga: A Phenomenological Study

The popularity of Japanese popular culture in Indonesia, especially anime and manga, has made the growth of anime and manga fans increase. Despite the fact that Indonesia and Japan share differences in language, cultural and geographical aspects, but people who become fans of anime and manga keeps amplifying. This research, therefore, was aimed to study fans of anime and manga in terms of seeking aspects that make people become fans and changes they have experienced as fans of anime and manga. This research was developed by using phenomenological approach of qualitative research method. Observation and in-depth interviews were conducted to get the data and information from informants regarding their experiences and opinion toward anime and manga. This study has revealed that media and technology trigger the increasing numbers of anime and manga fans, but there are other aspects triggering people to become anime and manga fans: 1) their social environments, 2) the characteristics of anime and manga, 3) the access to get anime and manga and 4) preferences to fulfill their certain needs. The fans have experienced some changes and their changes have pervaded in almost all aspects of their life. Key words: Anime; Cultural studies; Fan studies; Japan; Manga; Popular Culture