[MMM]

If the roots of manga presented Caucasian features in a positive light, I would say there might be some merit to your argument, but look how Osamu Tezuka, the godfather of manga, shows actual caucasians in his works. There is nothing complimentary there...often ball-shaped with hooked noses.

Identity-crisis or not, Japan never stopped loving Japan, and if they embraced the freedoms that came with democracy (along with the end of all the bombing and lack of resources) doesn't mean they wanted to become American.