The Experiment: Japan - Japanimation—Anime and Manga

Experience contemporary Japanese art forms on an immersive summer abroad program for high school students.

Explore Japanese culture through the arts of anime and manga on this high school summer abroad program. Work with professional artists who have experience in the Japanese anime and manga industries and Japanese student animators in Tokyo. Take introductory classes in character development, animation and manga techniques, and voiceover recording. Immerse yourself in Japan’s vibrant pop culture through visits to popular sites and neighborhoods synonymous with “Cool Japan.” Gain in-depth knowledge of the anime industry and tips to improve your manga. Develop skills to design and animate your own character.

Deepen your perspectives on Japanese culture by living with a host family on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan’s largest prefecture and home to national parks, dense forests, and mountains. Learn to cook and enjoy regional cuisine as you share daily life with your family, and visit a school to meet with local students. Depending on your homestay location, you will have the opportunity to participate in a local festival, learn how to make a Japanese family crest, or visit the local mayor’s office.

The program begins and ends in Tokyo, one of the world’s most populous cities. Wander through the busy market streets of Ameyoko, ride the escalators at Ginza’s skyscraping department stores, and consult the oracle at Sensō-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Through a diversity of program activities—small-group language lessons and activities with Japanese teachers and volunteers; time with Japanese students; cultural engagement with shrines, temples, hot springs, and tea ceremonies; and others—you will gain in-depth insight into historical and contemporary Japan.