Accepting applicationsManga and Anime as a Gateway to Japanese Culture

Young people around the world, particularly in Europe, are showing an ever-growing interest in Japanese anime and manga. With the widespread use of the internet, the time it takes for these works to reach global audiences has shortened dramatically. Fans do not just resonate with the worldview of these stories; manga and anime are also serving as a gateway, sparking a deeper curiosity about Japanese culture itself. This lecture will explore the rich possibilities of this 21st-century "Neo-Japonism."

Lecturer
Yoko Kino/ Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology

Completed the doctoral program in Applied Sociology at the Graduate School of Sociology, Ritsumeikan University in March 1991. Holds a Ph.D. in Sociology. Joined the faculty of the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology at Toyo University in April 1992 and continues to teach to this day. Visiting Researcher at the Collège de France for one year starting April 2001, and Visiting Professor at the University of São Paulo for one year starting April 2024. Specializes in sociological theory (Bourdieu's sociology, social interaction theory) and the sociocultural study of Japanese immigrants in Brazil.

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* Preliminary materials, lecture materials, and lecture videos may not be available.
* The viewing deadline for lecture materials and videos is 7 days including the date on which they became available for viewing. (*It will be available within 7 days from the course date.)
* In order to attend the course, you need to answer the pre-questionnaire. To view the materials on the day, you need to complete both the pre-questionnaire and the post-attendance questionnaire. The deadline for answering the post-attendance questionnaire is 7 days, including the day of the lecture.

Course introduction
FAQ
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Course outline

Lecture nameManga and Anime as a Gateway to Japanese Culture
Date and timeOctober 04, 2026 (Sunday) , 03:00 PM (JST) 〜 October 04, 2026 (Sunday) , 04:30 PM (JST)
Course name2026 Toyo University Online Course - Insight into Japan
Lecturer Yoko Kino
Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology
TargetJapanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 or above
* Participation from abroad is highly welcomed.
* All courses will be conducted in Japanese only.
Capacity1,000 participants per lecture (first-come-first-served basis)
Streaming service Zoom
How to attend online
FeeFree
Application periodAugust 31, 2026 (Monday) , 12:00 AM (JST) ~ October 03, 2026 (Saturday) , 11:59 PM (JST)
Precautions
  • All display times are in Japan time.
  • All courses will be conducted in Japanese only.
  • You can freely choose if you wish to attend one or multiple lectures.
  • Those who complete the post-attendance questionnaire will have access to the materials used in the class.
  • The lecture videos will be provided if you apply for the course even if you cannot attend the lecture of the day.
Course introduction
FAQ
Apply