Animation in Asia and the Pacific is a 2001 book edited by John A. Lent, published by Indiana University Press. John Libbey Publishing distributed the book outside of the United States.[1]
There are a total of sixteen chapters. The first part includes fourteen of them, essays discussing animation in various Asian countries. Three of the chapters cover anime, including anime in the West.[2] This totals 55 pages.[3] The other countries and regions cataloged include Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, the Indian subcontinent mostly India, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.[2]
There are 77 illustrations in color, with the remaining in monochrome black and white.[4]
Mary Farquhar of Griffith University wrote that the work is "a pleasure to hold, such a pleasure to read, and such a pleasure to simply look at."[2] She stated that she wished that the index of films had complete citation info; she characterized this criticism as "My one quibble".[5]
Alan Neal of Animation World described the book as "important", and that "Overall though, [it] is a significant, hopefully pioneering piece of animation scholarship".[3] The reviewer stated that portions in which the book shows applications to "real life" are when it "is often best".[3] In particular he stated the Hong Kong chapter "is one of the best".[3] Neal stated that he felt disappointment at the sections about anime since they did not cover new territory, and that it "Even on its own terms [...] is sometimes unsatisfactory."[3] He stated that he found "more interesting" portions about anime abroad.[3]
Film History wrote that the images were "Beautifully" done.[4]