Jonathan R. Lack

Jonathan R. Lack serves as a Scholar in Residence at the ATLAS Institute of the University of Colorado Boulder, specializing in Japanese Film History, Animation Theory, and Transnational Cinema with particular focus on Japanese animation. He earned his BA and MA summa cum laude with distinction from the University of Colorado Boulder and completed his PhD at the University of Iowa, where his dissertation Newtypes: Digital Technology and the Evolution of the Language of Anime surveyed the 21st-century landscape of Japanese animation.

His research interests span Japanese Film History, Animation Theory, Transnational Cinema, and Japanese Animation. He approaches these fields through both academic scholarship and public engagement, examining how digital technology has transformed both the medium of anime and its fandom. His work often bridges theoretical analysis with accessible criticism for broader audiences.

Lack maintains an active presence in film criticism through his Substack publication Fade to Lack, where he analyzes films across multiple genres and eras. His recent work shows particular interest in superhero cinema (especially Superman and Marvel properties), James Bond films, and contemporary anime. His critical approach emphasizes visual language, narrative structure, and the cultural context of filmmaking.

Among his notable achievements are two published books of film criticism including 2023's 200 Reviews, as well as dedicated works on Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. His writing demonstrates deep engagement with both Western and Japanese cinematic traditions, often drawing connections between them.

Lack co-hosts the anime-focused podcast Japanimation Station and the monthly variety show Purely Academic, which evolved from the 500-episode, 13-year run of The Weekly Stuff Podcast. These platforms allow him to explore film, television, and media in conversational formats that reach beyond academic circles.

His academic journey reflects a lifelong dedication to film, having written and published on film and media since age 10. His personal connection to cinema informs his scholarly approach, as seen in his deeply personal writing about films like The Tree of Life, where he connects cinematic experience to personal biography and emotional resonance.