EASIA 120RMonsters and Magic in Japanese Popular Culture
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- East Asian Studies
- Cross-listed
- RCS 123
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
What roles do monsters, magic, and supernatural creatures play in Japanese popular culture such as anime and manga? How do these relate to Buddhism, Shinto, Daoism, and other Japanese religions? Topics include modern-day creations such as Godzilla and Pokémon as well as traditional deities, ghosts, angry spirits, goblins, and shapeshifters.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 8057 | 23 / 25 | Th 10:00–12:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
86% liked it83% easy46% useful
From 7 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
It's really fun if you have genuine interest in the course content! It covers more than just anime (thank god) and some thought-provoking older films too. You might have some anime-obsessed classmates but who am I kidding, we go to waterloo :')
Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Phenomenal class. Read cool books, do good assignments, and watch movies in class. What more can you really ask for?
Sep 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Loved this course. You watch one film each week (except for week one) which was such a nice break in my week. You can watch the films in your own time, but the films form the backbone of online and in-class discussions, and your understandings of Japanese religions/faiths, themes and motifs, etc. Definitely go to class. You write two papers -- no tests/quizzes except for a final exam. This course is hard to get into because it's so popular (for good reason - it is a very fun course) but if you're on the waiting list, if you get in, I don't think you will regret it. My only complaint is that the textbook, Japanese Tales by Royall Tyler, is unavailable almost everywhere because it's out of…
Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention EASIA 120R, January 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2022
ENG 108T - Tolkein / LOTR Course 8 points, 8 comments
u/The_Summer_Triangle: “… I'm currently enrolled in ENG 108G (Horror), which looks pretty wicked, but it conflicts with EASIA 120R; Japanese Mythology n such. If I switch with 108T, I'll be able to take 120R, though I'd be sacrificing SCI 206 (which looks pretty neat). …”
MUSIC 116 & Electives Things 1 point, 4 comments
u/The_Summer_Triangle: “… I hoped to take EASIA 120R as my first sem elective, though it's in pretty high demand and I didn't get in. I'm considering a few other electives. However, I noticed MUSIC 116, worth a 0.25 credit. …”
Winter 2018
What are the absolute easiest online courses offered? 9 points, 15 comments
“I'm looking for that easy A. I'm talking introduction to applied Art. I'm talking ESL French. I'm talking about Geography of the North pole.”
u/Insidesco0p: “EASIA 120R: monsters and magic in Japanese popular culture.”
Winter 2017
EASIA 120R/RS 123 1 point, 2 comments
u/sabariesanp: “Has anyone taken the monsters in japanese culture class with Jeff Wilson? What's the marking scheme like, is it easy?”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them