On June 17, 2016, Josai University Educational Corporation (Chancellor Noriko Mizuta) invited Susan Napier, a scholar of Japanese literature and Professor at Tufts University (Medford, MA, USA), to give a special keynote lecture entitled “Here There Be Dragons: Legends and Legacies of Studio Ghibli” in the 1st Building Hall at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus. Some 200 people attended the lecture commemorating the university’s 50th anniversary, including scholars, students of Josai International University Faculty of Media Studies, and faculty members. Participants listened attentively to the interesting talk, delivered by a leading expert in modern Japanese animation studies, in the Hall, via live link in a classroom.

Susan Napier is a Professor at Tufts University. She obtained a PhD from the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilization, Harvard University. Afterwards she took a position as Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, and was later promoted to the rank of Professor at the same institution. She is a recognized authority in the field of Japanese literature and culture in the United States. She has gained an international reputation through her　outstanding achievements in the field of academic criticism and discussion of modern Japanese anime in English-speaking countries. Her works include “Anime from Akira to Spirited Away: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation”, published by Chuko Sousho, which won the Japan Society for Children's Literature Honor Awards in 2003.

Chancellor Mizuta made a welcome speech prior to Professor Napier’s lecture: “We have a program of ‘Cinema Studies’ in the Faculty of Media Studies, and a new animation studies course has just been introduced. Today, it’s indeed a pleasure to invite the highly reputable Professor Napier, a renowned scholar in the field to hold a lecture, which is also part of our university’s e-learning program.”

Professor Napier pointed out in her presentation, “In contrast to the Disney animation films that portray the world of fantasy brightly, Studio Ghibli’s animation films depict a multi-layered and multi-faceted world.” She also said, while showing some fascinating scenes from “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Pom Poko” in the background, “Studio Ghibli’s animation works are complicated. The major themes are loss and condolence, and the associated feelings and comforting.” Finally, she referred to the “dragon” that made a symbolic showing in “Spirited Away”, saying in conclusion, “The dragon will fly evenmore in your memory and heart.”
　 In the question-and-answer session, Professor Napier answered a student’s question, “Although hard to believe in the past, there is an amazing trend out there. Studio Ghibli’s movies are now embedded in American culture.”