Mecha Samurai Empire series explained

Mecha Samurai Empire series
Italic Title:no
Books:
  • Mecha Samurai Empire (2018)
  • Cyber Shogun Revolution (2020)
  • United States of Japan (2016)
Author:Peter Tieryas
Cover Artist:John Liberto

The Mecha Samurai Empire series is a trilogy of alternate-history science fiction novels written by American author Peter Tieryas.[1] The series centers around an alternate America, known as the United States of Japan, after the Nazis and Japanese Empire have emerged victorious in World War II.[2] The stories focus primarily on Asian communities since the war, depicting the struggles of survivors in a new totalitarian fascist regime. The novels explore themes such as government propaganda and the blurring of fact and fiction.[3] Each book in the series is a standalone novel in the same shared universe, featuring different protagonists, antagonists, and conflicts. The series has been the recipient of several awards, twice receiving the Seiun Award for Best Foreign Novel.[4] The first title in the series was published by Angry Robot in 2016; the latter two were published by Ace Books, with the last title being released in 2020.[5] [6] In Japan, all three books are published by Hayakawa Publishing under the New Hayakawa Science Fiction Series imprint.

Genesis

The series began as "a story revolving around the tragic events on the Asian side of WWII." Tieryas, who spent several years in Asia, experienced a different perspective on the war versus what he studied in schools in America.[7] The book is strongly inspired by books like The Man in the High Castle, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Moby-Dick, as well as the works of Hideo Kojima like Metal Gear Solid II.[8] In particular, the contrast between the way histories often "censor" the horrific elements, presenting a glorified account of them, alarmed him. He originally intended it to be one book, United States of Japan, which focused on the conflict with the terrorist organization, the George Washingtons. But he felt there were areas of the universe he wanted to explore more thoroughly. The success of the first book opened the door for the duology of Mecha Samurai Empire and Cyber Shogun Revolution, which revolved around the battle with the Nazis. His agent, Misa Morikawa, came up with the title for the series. Tieryas credits his Ace Roc editor, Anne Sowards, for helping come up with the title for Cyber Shogun Revolution (titles included Sons of Wars and The Revolution of the Bloody Mechas).[9]

Books

The Mecha Samurai Empire series comprises three novels and several short stories. While the books can be read in any order, the author has described his intended sequence to be Mecha Samurai Empire, Cyber Shogun Revolution, and lastly United States of Japan.[9]

Art

Most of the covers and mecha designs are done by illustrator John Liberto. Hokkaido graphic designer Gen Igarashi often creates new art and was featured in the special edition of the Japanese version of Mecha Samurai Empire.[10] Director Guillermo del Toro, upon seeing the art from the series, reacted with a "Wow!" [11]

An art gallery featuring art from the entire series was showcased in Akihabara, Japan.

Reception

Popular Mechanics included United States of Japan as one of 16 Sci-Fi Things to Look Forward to in 2016, stating: "It's more the cyberpunk dystopia William Gibson promised us than the actual 1980s we know, with giant mechs enforcing the law and police trying to squash an underground gaming success that lets players imagine what might've happened if the allied powers won World War II. It sounds like a perfect patchwork of multiple sci-fi and anime subgenres rolled into one novel."[12] Publishers Weekly named USJ as one of the top 10 anticipated Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror books.[13] Kirkus Reviews listed it as one of "The Speculative Fiction Books You Can't Miss in March."[14] The Verge named the novel as one of the Best Books Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels of 2016.[15]

Financial Times stated, "The novel deftly portrays the horrors of oppression but also, with its giant military robots, sumo wrestlers and body-transforming technology, is a gleeful love letter to Japanese pop culture."[16] Barnes & Noble Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog said, "United States of Japan mixes alt-history with pulp-history, the plausible with the fantastical, in a vision of the 1980s with the glossy sheen and rain-slick neon of vintage cyberpunk."[17] Anthony Jones of SF Book Reviews stated: "United States of Japan is a tremendous book; it's got a wonderfully dark and rich atmosphere, great action, intelligent and twisted story and above all, not only does it pay homage to one of the finest authors of the 20th century but also continues one of his most celebrated and yet most difficult works — simply wonderful."[18] io9 reviewer Andrew Liptak wrote, "Tieryas has created a unique alternate world and populated it with fantastic characters and fixtures."[19] In a mixed review, N. Ho Sang of SF Signal writes: "United States of Japan is a smart, gut-wrenching alternative reality that blurs lines between hope with a focus on emotional truths of human nature", but "there are small moments where transitions in environment, scenes and character developments may present themselves as sudden shifts, and feel slightly jarring."[20]

United States of Japan has been translated and published in Japan, Spain,[21] Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, and Mexico. It became a Nikkei Best Seller [22] and the Japanese edition went to its 7th printing in the first month,[23] receiving acclaim from Asahi Shimbun,[24] Yomiuri Shimbun,[25] and Gizmodo Japan.[26] S-F Magazine Yearly Poll of Japan's Top Science Fiction selected United States of Japan as #2 of the best Best International Science Fiction.[27] It won the 2017 Seiun Award [28] and won 2nd Place for the Japan Booksellers' Award.[29]

For Mecha Samurai Empire, Amazon Book Reviews listed it as one of the top Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of September 2018, stating, "Readers of alternate history will enjoy the details of the Japanese culture enfolded into the US and the ongoing tensions with the Nazis, while the plot itself packs a punch."[30] Financial Times included Mecha Samurai Empire as one of the best science fiction books of 2018, describing it as "action-packed and rousing."[31] Syfy Wire said the book was "an adrenalized fusion of Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle and Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim as rampaging robots prowl a very different America."[3]

Hideo Kojima praised the book, stating it intermixes "the experience of cinema, literature, anime, comics, and gaming" and "is the new generation of Science Fiction we’ve been waiting for!” [32]

It won the 2019 Seiun Award and was the first consecutive book in a series to win in over twenty years.[33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016-02-27 . Interview with Peter Tieryas Liu, Author of 'The United States of Japan' . Jimin . Han . 2023-01-12 . Hyphen Magazine . en.
  2. Web site: Abbott . Alana Joli . 2019-01-18 . Alternate Japan in Speculative Fiction: United States of Japan & Ninth Step Station . 2023-01-12 . Den of Geek . en-US . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021155552/https://www.denofgeek.com/books/alternate-japan-in-speculative-fiction-united-states-of-japan-ninth-step-station/ . Oct 21, 2023 .
  3. Web site: Exclusive: Mecha Samurai Empire chapter excerpt and interview with author Peter Tieryas . Jeff. Spry. Syfy Wire . Sep 10, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180911053834/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-peter-tieryas-interview-and-mecha-samurai-empire-excerpt . 2018-09-11.
  4. Web site: 2019 Seiun Awards Winners . 29 July 2019 .
  5. Web site: Liptak . Andrew . 2018-02-01 . Mecha Samurai Empire imagines that America lost WWII — also there are giant robots . The Verge . en . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021095955/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/1/16934424/peter-tieryas-mecha-samurai-empire-alternate-history-science-fiction-book-q-and-a . Oct 21, 2023 .
  6. Web site: Liptak . Andrew . 2020-03-02 . 20 new science fiction and fantasy books to check out in March . 2023-01-12 . Polygon . en-US . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531172758/https://www.polygon.com/2020/3/2/21160250/science-fiction-fantasy-best-new-books-recommendations-march-2020 . May 31, 2023 .
  7. Web site: 2016-02-27 . Explore Alternate Histories With Peter Tieryas' Giant Mechs and Man in the High Castle . Andrew . Liptak . Gizmodo . en . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191107001342/https://io9.gizmodo.com/explore-alternate-histories-with-peter-tieryas-giant-me-1761632257 . Nov 7, 2019 .
  8. Web site: The Brutal Lessons Gaming Taught Me About Revolutions, Robots, and War . 8 February 2020 .
  9. Web site: 【寄稿】小島秀夫監督の素晴らしい作品たちが、いかにしてピーター・トライアスのSf小説『サイバー・ショーグン・レボリューション』に影響したか . Peter . Tieryas . IGN Japan . 26 April 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021155641/https://jp.ign.com/death-stranding/43370/feature/sf . Oct 21, 2023 .
  10. Web site: 2018-04-19 . Fight! Fight! FIGHT! . Luke . Plunkett . Kotaku . en . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021161657/https://kotaku.com/fight-fight-fight-1825341328 . Oct 21, 2023 .
  11. 982035800400384000. RealGDT. Wow!! . 5 April 2018 . live . https://archive.today/20240126021901/https://twitter.com/RealGDT/status/982035800400384000 . 26 Jan 2024.
  12. Web site: 16 Sci-Fi Things To Look Forward To in 2016. John. Wenz. 1 January 2016. Popular Mechanics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021155611/https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/g2395/16-things-in-science-fiction-to-look-forward-to-in-2016/ . Oct 21, 2023 .
  13. Web site: Fox . Rose . Spring 2016 Announcements: SF, Fantasy & Horror: Worlds Turned Upside Down . Publishers Weekly . December 18, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021154936/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/68991-spring-2016-announcements-sf-fantasy-horror-worlds-turned-upside-down.html . Oct 21, 2023 .
  14. Web site: The Speculative Fiction Books You Can't Miss in March. Kirkus Reviews . John . DeNardo . March 2, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200121165431/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/speculative-fiction-books-you-cant-miss-march/ . Jan 21, 2020 .
  15. Web site: The 11 best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2016. Andrew. Liptak. 28 December 2016. The Verge . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231215130038/https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/28/13792040/sci-fi-fantasy-book-year-in-review-best-of-2016 . Dec 15, 2023 .
  16. News: 'United States of Japan', by Peter Tieryas. Financial Times. 4 March 2016. subscription .
  17. Web site: United States of Japan Is a Sobering Alt-History Spun from the Dark Threads of the Past. 2 March 2016. B&N Reads . Ceridwenchristensen . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004212845/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/united-states-of-japan-spins-an-unsettling-alternate-history-out-of-americas-darkest-hour/ . Oct 4, 2023 .
  18. Web site: Book review of The United States of Japan by Peter Tieryas . Ant . Feb 16, 2016 . SFBook . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021154936/https://sfbook.com/the-united-states-of-japan.htm . Oct 21, 2023 .
  19. Web site: The United States of Japan Shows What Happens When Ideology Crumbles. Andrew. Liptak. io9. 16 April 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210204004153/https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-united-states-of-japan-shows-what-happens-when-ideo-1770928957 . Feb 4, 2021 .
  20. Web site: [Guest Review] Narelle Ho Sang Reviews United States of Japan by Peter Tieryas Liu]. Narelle Ho. Sang. 8 March 2016. SF Signal . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20220813122403/http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2016/03/guest-review-narelle-ho-sang-reviews-united-states-of-japan-by-peter-tieryas-liu/ . Aug 13, 2022 .
  21. Web site: Peter Tieryas: "Es más plausible 'Un mundo feliz' que '1984'". Ernest. Alós. 21 February 2017. elperiodico . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021160341/https://www.elperiodico.com/es/ocio-y-cultura/20170221/entrevista-peter-tieryas-estados-unidos-de-japon-5852765 . Oct 21, 2023 .
  22. Web site: ベストセラー 文庫ランキング （10月23日～29日）｜エンタメ！. 日本経済新聞社・日経BP社. NIKKEI STYLE. 8 November 2016 .
  23. Web site: SF小説「ユナイテッド・ステイツ・オブ・ジャパン」累計4万部突破 日本統治下のアメリカを描く. アニメ！アニメ！. 27 October 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231021161324/https://animeanime.jp/article/2016/10/27/31083.html . Oct 21, 2023 .
  24. Web site: （売れてる本）『ユナイテッド・ステイツ・オブ・ジャパン』（上・下）：朝日新聞デジタル. 朝日新聞デジタル.
  25. Web site: 【エンタメ小説月評】普遍的で切実な「ＳＦ」 . November 24, 2016 . Yomiuri Shimbun . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190128084259/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/life/book/news/20161115-OYT8T50026.html . Jan 28, 2019 .
  26. Web site: 巨大ロボを持つ日本がアメリカを支配する小説｢ユナイテッド・ステイツ・オブ・ジャパン｣の邦訳版が発売決定 . 岡本玄介. 9 August 2016. gizmodo.jp .
  27. Web site: ＳＦが読みたい！２０１７年版. ハヤカワ・オンライン . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026093114/http://www.hayakawa-online.co.jp/shopdetail/000000013467/ . Oct 26, 2023 .
  28. Web site: 2017年 第48回星雲賞. sf-fan.gr.jp . 22 Aug 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026091220/https://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/2017result.html . Oct 26, 2023 .
  29. Web site: 2017 Seiun Award Nominees. Mike. Glyer. 16 April 2017. File 770 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231120185509/https://file770.com/2017-seiun-award-nominees/ . Nov 20, 2023 .
  30. Web site: Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of September: 6 Top Picks. Adrian. Liang. Amazon Book Reviews . September 10, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190419050741/https://www.amazonbookreview.com/post/b34fce26-2bd5-451a-a53e-643dd8d8a8e9/best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-of-september-6-top-picks . Apr 19, 2019 .
  31. News: Best science fiction books of 2018. subscription . James. Lovegrove. Financial Times. 23 November 2018.
  32. 981028376969269248. HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN. I was fortunate to read @TieryasXu 's new novel Mecha Samurai Empire in advance. Making his devastating debut with… . 3 April 2018.
  33. Web site: SSSS.GRIDMAN, Girls' Last Tour Win at 50th Seiun Science-Fiction Awards . 2019-07-27 . Egan . Loo . Anime News Network . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113071509/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-07-27/ssss.gridman-girls-last-tour-win-at-50th-seiun-science-fiction-awards/.149425 . Jan 13, 2024 .

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