Overview
Frederick Walter "Fred" Patten (December 11, 1940 – November 12, 2018) was an American writer, editor and historian known for chronicling and promoting Japanese animation and comics in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, California, Patten helped bridge Japanese and Western popular-culture communities across several decades. He wrote essays, reviews and reference material that documented the growth of anime and manga for readers and scholars.
Career and contributions
Patten combined roles as a critic, bibliographer and fan organizer. He published articles in magazines and program notes, compiled bibliographies, and contributed to fan-run publications that explained the history and production of animated works. His work emphasized accurate documentation of release dates, creators, and translations, and he served as a reliable resource for librarians, journalists and distributors seeking context about Japanese animation and comics.
Major works and projects
Among Patten's best-known publications is the book Watching Anime, Reading Manga, a collection of essays and reviews that surveys developments in those media and explains their cultural significance. He was also associated with English-language releases and critical discussion of titles such as Tekkaman: The Space Knight and Doomed Megalopolis, helping to introduce and frame them for non-Japanese audiences. Beyond single titles, Patten produced reference lists and histories that remain cited by researchers.
Fandom involvement and areas of interest
Patten's interests extended into multiple overlapping communities. He was active in science fiction and fantasy fandoms while also participating in the early development of the modern manga and anime fan community in North America. He maintained connections with the furry fandom as well, documenting its publications and events. His perspective as both a fan and a meticulous researcher helped professionalize how fandoms preserved their histories.
Legacy and significance
Fred Patten is widely regarded as one of the first American writers to treat anime and manga with sustained, bibliographic attention. His essays and compiled records made it easier for libraries, scholars and fans to track releases and understand cultural context. Colleagues remember him for a combination of deep knowledge, generous correspondence, and the practical orientation of his writing: he aimed to make information usable rather than merely celebratory.
Death and further reading
Patten died on November 12, 2018 in Los Angeles from an aortic aneurysm at age 77. Readers interested in primary writings and retrospective assessments can consult collections and bibliographies that preserve his essays and reference work; many fan archives and specialty publishers maintain listings and reprints of his material. For broader context on the topics he covered, see resources on anime, manga and the intersections with science fiction and fantasy fandoms.
- Notable book: Watching Anime, Reading Manga
- Associated anime titles: Tekkaman: The Space Knight, Doomed Megalopolis
- Active communities: science fiction, fantasy, manga and furry fandom