• Keio University logo

An Introduction to Japanese Subcultures

Explore Japanese subcultures and learn about their history from the 1970s to today.

28,011 enrolled on this course

Manga book collection from 70's

An Introduction to Japanese Subcultures

28,011 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Subcultures have existed for a long time: the greasers of 1950s America, the mods and rockers of the 1960s and 70s in England, the grunge of the 1980s and 90s, to name a few. Each subculture sits within a broader ‘parent’ culture and can often give us an insight into cultural fears and hopes, especially in the youth of the population.

On this course you will get an introduction to Japanese subcultures that have developed since the 1970s.

Explore different aspects of Japanese subcultures

Japanese subculture has been long considered as ephemeral youth culture compared to authentic traditional culture. It contains, however, subversive power which encourages younger generations to re-create the world they live in. We mainly focus on the significance of immaturity and vulnerability of youth which eventually give permission to younger people (in other words, minorities) to stay as they are.

In this course, together with three other specialists, Professor Niijima, Professor Takahashi and Professor Ohwada, we will explore girls comics, boys comics, the Hatsune Miku vocaloid, cosplay, and J-pop idols, focusing on the themes such as Love, Battle, Technology and Fan culture, in which you’ll learn about the different cultural creations that underpin Japanese subcultures. With materials for cultural analysis, you’ll develop a basic knowledge of key Japanese subcultures, learning the recognisable traits of each.

Understand the historic context of Japanese subcultures

On the course you’ll discover historic background of youth culture in Japan, and understand the enormous impact of World War II.

Learn about Japanese subcultures and the youth of Japan

Finally, this course will give you a new perspective on the young people of Japan, exploring how they can be seen to elaborate the world of “immaturity” and “vulnerability.” You will see the reason these characteristics of Japanese subculture attracts “global” attentions.

※このコースは日本語版もございます。
The Japanese version of this course is available.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds Hello I am Hisayo Ogushi, the lead educator of this course about Japanese Subculture offered by Keio University. Are you familiar with Japanese Subculture? Shojo-manga? Shonen-manga? Japanese pop music, vocaloid and many more? You may have been interested in Japanese subcultures, but wondering where to look first. On the other hand, you may have already dived into some of them, looking for more insightful perspectives. Or, you may have just wondered why Japanese subculture fascinates your friends and families. Well, seek no further! This course will be a perfect gateway to the world of “Cool Japan” In the last two decades, Japanese subculture has gained worldwide acceptance and popularity.

Skip to 0 minutes and 56 seconds Its market is expanding, and there are various sub-categories for which many, may have been difficult to follow. I, along with three other co-educators, will introduce new vision of Japanese subculture looking into several genres along with weekly theme, such as “Love,” “Battle,” “Technology,” and “Fan culture.” Through this process, we will have fun redefining the meaning of “immaturity” and “vulnerability” in the Japanese youth culture from the 1970s. These keywords will, no doubt, shed a new light to these cultural phenomenon in Japan.

Skip to 1 minute and 35 seconds Together with Isamu Takahashi, an expert of Shonen-manga, Toshiyuki Ohwada, an awarded music critic and scholar, and Susumu Niijima, a science fiction scholar as well as French literature, let’s together discover and explore new ways to travel around the world of Japanese subculture.

What topics will you cover?

  • Understanding Japanese youth culture
  • Considering vulnerability and immaturity in Japanese social context
  • Love relationship and self-acknowledgment
  • Battles and competition in educational institutions
  • Machine and Human
  • Derivative works and fan culture
  • A history of subculture since 1970

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Evaluate the significant meanings of youth culture
  • Interpret subcultural materials along with social background
  • Compare the context of Japanese subculture with learners’ own cultural background
  • Investigate the reason why Japanese culture has a strong impact and popularity in global context

Who is the course for?

This is an introductory course and is open to anyone with an interest in Japan and Japanese culture.

Some of the course videos will be in Japanese with English subtitles.

Who will you learn with?

I am Hisayo Ogushi, a Professor of English at Keio University’s Faculty of Letters. I’m the lead educator of the course, “An Introduction to Japanese Subcultures.”

Who developed the course?

Keio University

Keio University is Japan’s first modern institution of higher learning, and since 1858 has established itself as a leader in Japan through its continued commitment to education, research and medicine.

  • Established

    1858
  • Location

    Tokyo, Japan
  • World ranking

    Top 200Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$134/one-off payment

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 16 Apr 2024

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 16 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #FLjpsubculture to talk about this course on social media.