The "monstrous adolescent" is often a quick-tempered or psychologically disturbed child with remarkable and world-changing powers, which were usually a result of scientific experiments, revolutionary technology, or human-caused pollution.

The source of this create/destroy idea is usually traced back to the effects of Hiroshima and the capabilities of nuclear power and atomic bombs.

Titles discussed at length in the book include Akira, Ranma ½, Wicked City, Twin Dolls, La Blue Girl, Guyver: Out of Control, Bubblegum Crisis, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Urusei Yatsura, Oh My Goddess!, Video Girl Ai, Grave of the Fireflies, Barefoot Gen, Princess Mononoke, Legend of the Overfiend, Only Yesterday, the "Magnetic Rose" sequence in Memories, and Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer.

Other anime mentioned include Speed Racer, Doraemon, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, Perfect Blue, Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Tenchi Muyo!, Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Space Battleship Yamato, Pom Poko, Saber Marionette, Whisper of the Heart, Cutie Honey, Vampire Princess Miyu, Miss Machiko, Iron Man No.

28, Gundam, Super Dimension Century Orguss, Future Boy Conan, Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, Rurouni Kenshin, Ninja Scroll, Appleseed, and Grey.

[8] The book has been described as "a great textbook for undergraduates"[8] and is used as a course text by university subjects which focus on East Asian cinema,[9] examining Japanese cyberpunk,[10] examining the supernatural in Japanese fiction,[11] depictions of the apocalypse in Asian cinema,[12] gender studies in East Asia[13] and courses on animation itself.