Event Details:

Join Professor William Tsutsui for a fascinating talk on the rise of "civic monsters" in contemporary Japan. Why are cities and regions filled with mascots that are both adorable and a little eerie? From Japanese Bigfoot to UFO sightings, Prof. Tsutsui explores how imagined and unexplained creatures have become symbols of regional identity, tourism, and commercial campaigns. Drawing on Japan's rich folklore and his expertise in popular culture, he reveals how these monsters reflect deeper themes of politics, capitalism, and media in Japan today.

Hosted by Professor Ethan Segal