BFKA CUTENCYCLOPEDIA:
An Essay Collection On Kawaii And Its Adjacencies
ANA MATILDE SOUSA & HETAMOÉ
Based on the adaptation of the doctoral thesis Cutencyclopedia: A Theoretical-Practical Investigation on Kawaii as an Aesthetic Category in Art and Pop Culture (2020), this study combines a series of theoretical and graphic essays in the form of "encyclopedia" or critical dictionary entries to explore the concept of kawaii ("cute") as an aesthetic category and its many declinations. The focus is on the influence of kawaii on the contemporary mediascape and the phenomenon of the Japanization of global pop culture, encompassing everything from visual arts in museums and galleries to the digital underworld of mass culture. An exquisite book, chock-full of culture that no weeb would want to miss. Illustrated by Hetamoé and graphically remixed by 100% GRAPHIC DESIGN SOLUTIONS.