Bronwyn Rivera

What can a carefully arranged bento box show us about a protagonist’s emotions? How does a steaming bowl of ramen help tell a story? Anime is known for its detailed, mouthwatering portrayals of food. But what exactly makes these artistic culinary delights so special, and why do we keep coming back for more?

In this module, we will consider many aspects of food in anime and its relationship with fandom, culture, and history, and how food signals certain things about characters, settings, and relationships.

Come help us eat our way through anime!

"I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light."

Thus begins Cartoon Saloon's The Secret of Kells (2010). This animated film retells the origins of the Book of Kells through the perspective of Brendan, a young boy whose cloistered life suddenly expands when he is tasked to venture from his isolated outpost to gather resources for the Book's final pages. Against a backdrop of encroaching Viking raids and magical beasts, Brendan's quest weaves a tale of imagination, courage, and what it means to foster beauty in the face of horrific uncertainty.

In this module, we will watch The Secret of Kells and discuss topics related to the film, including Irish folklore, manuscript culture, and the story of Pangur Bán using Jo Ellen Bogart's picture book The White Cat and the Monk: A Retelling of the Poem Pangur Bán (2016).

Come join us for a stunning coming-of-age fantasy anime that follows the story of Violet Evergarden, a former soldier who finds forgiveness, healing, and self-worth through the unassuming power of writing letters. In this module, we will discuss how Violet Evergarden functions as a postwar recovery and travel story, as well as the anime’s use of Victorian and post-World War I aesthetics to tell Violet’s unusual yet unforgettable tale.