Floating Worlds

Floating Worlds: A Short History of Japanese Animation was published in 2018 as part of the Routledge Focus series, which aims to provide concise, scholarly examinations of specific cultural topics. Author Maria Roberta Novielli, a professor specializing in cinema and Japanese studies, composed this work to synthesize the intricate evolution of Japanese animation, or anime, for a contemporary academic and general interest audience.

The book bridges the gap between historical chronicle and aesthetic analysis, tracing the medium's growth from its early 20th-century origins to its global dominance in the digital age. Novielli explores how traditional Japanese artistic techniques and socio-political shifts shaped the visual language of animation. Upon its release, the text was noted for its accessibility and its capacity to provide a structured narrative for a medium that is often studied through fragmented or overly technical perspectives.