Introduction

This introduction outlines the conceptual framework of the volume by examining the intersections of ecology, media, and culture in Asian contexts, with a focus on audiovisual narratives. It foregrounds environmental themes, moving beyond conventional aesthetic and socio-political approaches to Asian media. It introduces the scope and structure of the book, situating its chapters and their case studies across diverse regional contexts, including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Iran, Vietnam, China, and India. The introduction highlights how the volume as a whole engages with questions of globalisation, power, history, and environmental crisis, while emphasising counter-narratives that challenge Western-centric and orientalist frameworks. Combining theoretical insights with an overview of the chapters, it situates the collection within ecocinema studies and the environmental humanities, while integrating postcolonial perspectives and centring Asian epistemologies. Overall, it provides a conceptual and analytical foundation for understanding contemporary Asian ecomedia practices and underscores the interdisciplinary contributions of the volume.