Youth Culture and Religion in Twenty-First Century Japan

From Hyper-real to 2.5-Dimensional Religion
This Element explores emerging forms of religiosity among Japanese young adults. It argues that existing frameworks are insufficient to capture the nuances of youth religiosity in the Era of Virtuality. It introduces the concepts of “2.5-dimensional religion” and “subjective ritualization” to explain how young people engage with digital, fictional, and embodied practices that blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. Drawing from examples such as oshi-katsu (fandom-based devotional practices), 2.5-D musicals, tulpa creation, and anime pilgrimage, it identifies a shift from narrative-based subjective myths to embodied and participatory subjective rituals. It demonstrates the ways that contemporary Japanese youth express their religiosity through affective ties, performative engagements, and layered identities in both physical and digital environments. The Element contributes a new theoretical lens for understanding religion across cultures in an age defined by fragmented identities, technological mediation, and the search for connection through affectively charged, often playful, quasi-religious practices.

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.