I always had a sense that I would fall in love with Tokyo. In retrospect I guess it's not that surprising. I was of the generation that had grown up in the '80s when Japan was ascendant (born aloft by a bubble whose burst crippled its economy for decades), and I'd fed on a steady diet of anime and samurai films.

In this quote, Junot Díaz, an acclaimed author, reflects on his deep connection with Tokyo, a city he had always felt drawn to. He attributes this connection to the cultural influence of Japan during his upbringing, particularly in the 1980s, a time when Japan was economically powerful and culturally influential. Díaz suggests that his love for the city wasn’t just a random feeling but was shaped by his exposure to anime and samurai films, which provided him with a steady diet of Japanese culture.

Díaz’s mention of growing up in the '80s during Japan's economic bubble reflects how the global perception of Japan's economic success during that time had an impact on his generation. He recalls the sense of admiration and intrigue many people had for Japan's technological innovation and cultural output. The phrase “born aloft by a bubble” refers to the economic boom Japan experienced in the late 20th century, followed by the crash that significantly affected the country’s economy for years.

The origin of this quote comes from Díaz's personal experience as a writer influenced by global culture, including Japanese media. His childhood exposure to anime and samurai films reflects how these cultural elements became deeply embedded in his imagination and understanding of the world. These genres often explore themes of honor, identity, and personal struggle, which likely resonated with Díaz’s own interests and creative work.

Ultimately, Díaz’s words convey the profound impact that cultural influences, especially from Japan, had on shaping his perception of the world and his connection to places like Tokyo. His reference to Japan’s rise and fall in the 1980s underscores the complexity of cultural identity and the ways in which global events shape individual experiences and artistic expression.