I've long been fascinated with the way Japanese pop culture seeps into the West. And I can think of no better chronicler of this process than Roland Kelts, a gifted writer whose essay "Father Hunters" we plucked from the now defunct Doubletake magazine and resurrected in the pages of Kuhaku. Roland's new book, out later this month, is called Japanamerica, a provocative title that gets quickly to the point: Japanese pop culture has penetrated the American psyche to the point that, in many ways, America is following Japan.

Or so I suppose. I haven't read the book yet but have talked frequently with Roland about Japanese pop culture and its influences. This is a book whose time has come. Can't wait to get my copy.

Oh, and by the way, if you like the book's website, rumor has it that CMP art guru Craig Mod had a little something to do with its design.