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University Professor Uses Bakemonogatari in Japanese Literature Class

Are light novels "literature?" With their fantastic elements, casual writing style and dialogue, and young demographics, Japanese generally do not think so. They are rarely taught in university classes on Japanese literature. But Masahiro Hirose, a professor in the subject at the Aichi University of Education near Nagoya, is trying to change that in his classes.

This year, his class ("Seminar on Japanese Literature") will be using the first volume of Bakemonogatari series as a text. The seminar will teach the basics of textual analysis and critically evaluate what the book says about modern Japanese culture and society. Hirose finds Bakemonogatari, with its fantastical elements placed in a realistic setting, a good example of how "fantasy is used to reflect reality."

Hirose is a fan of NisiOisin and has quoted from Hidamari Sketch.

Anime fans also found a pleasant surprise on this year's publish Bakemonogatari in English in December.

[Via Netlab and Da Vinci News; Image from Gamebase]