Paolo La Marca

Paolo La Marca is an Associate Professor of Japanese and Korean Languages and Literatures at the Department of Humanities (DISUM), University of Catania. He holds a PhD in Asian and African Civilizations, Cultures, and Societies from Sapienza University of Rome, and his academic work bridges Japanese literature, manga studies, and cultural translation. He is actively involved in teaching, research, and public engagement, with a focus on modern and contemporary Japanese literature and the evolution of manga as a literary and cultural form.

• PhD in Asian and African Civilizations, Cultures, and Societies (Sapienza University of Rome, 2011)
• Bachelor’s in Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Sapienza University of Rome, 2007)
• Research fellowship at Kansai Kokusai Center, Osaka (2008–2009)
• Research periods at Waseda University, Tokyo (2006–2007, 2009, 2010)

His research centers on modern and contemporary Japanese literature, with a particular focus on authors such as Kurahashi Yumiko, Mishima Yukio, and Tamura Toshiko. A major component of his work explores the history of manga, especially gekiga and keitai shosetsu (cellphone novels), and their interplay with broader literary and cultural movements. He is the director and editor of the manga series 'Gekiga' and 'Doku' for Coconino Press, contributing significantly to the Italian reception of Japanese comics.

The recent publications and conference presentations highlight a strong emphasis on erotic manga of the 1970s, gender representation, historical narrative in comics, and educational applications of manga. His work spans academic discourse, public lectures, and cultural curation, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to Japanese popular culture.

• Scientific Director, Prometeo Project 'Erotopia: Japanese Erotic Comics of the Seventies' (2019)
• Member, PLEASURES: ATLAS Research Project on East-West Imaginaries
• Principal Investigator, 'Chinese Literary Classics as a Shared Cultural Heritage between China and Japan' (2019)
• Organizer of major manga exhibitions featuring Kamimura Kazuo and Usamaru Furuya

Paolo La Marca advises students on diverse topics including atomic bomb literature, gender in Japanese narratives, and manga adaptations. He is a member of AISTUGIA (Italian Association of Japanese Studies) and frequently participates in national and international conferences, workshops, and radio programs, promoting Japanese culture in Italy and beyond.

He leads the 'Immagini dal Giappone' lecture series and has curated exhibitions at institutions such as Palazzo Ducale (Lucca), MAR (Ravenna), and Paff! (Pordenone), demonstrating a deep commitment to public scholarship and cultural dissemination.