“Pottermania” is defined as an obsession with all things related to the Harry Potter franchise, including the books, author, movies, actors, and a mountain of memorabilia. The Harry Potter phenomenon reached global proportions in recent years and has since maintained a following of millions of children and adults worldwide.
The books have sold over 400 million copies to date and have been translated into more than 60 languages. They have been widely acclaimed for encouraging children to read at a very young age, and for promoting the written word over the television set or the video game. Where once children were struggling to get through their school’s reading list, now they eagerly devour the adventures of the brave and recalcitrant hero.
With the onset of the Harry Potter phenomenon, movie makers jumped at the thought of translating the series onto the big screen. The lucrative franchise has seen actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint become household names. The sale of costumes wands, hats and robes has grown exponentially, and there are more figurines, games and websites dedicated to Harry Potter than you could poke a wand at.
Children and adults alike waited with bated breath for the release of the seventh and final book in the series, and a collective sigh of relief and sadness went up all around the world as the last page was turned and the story finally came to a close at the end of a decade. Now, as the final films approach their release date and hardcore fans organise their costumes and sleeping bags for premieres around the world, there is a question that needs to be asked. Where will the “Harry Potter generation” turn next in order to get their ink-page fix? Will the death of the Harry Potter series mean fewer visits to the library and more hours devoted to television and video games once more? Will the literacy levels of children worldwide plummet faster than a Firebolt? Only time will tell.
When asked whether she would ever write another book about Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling’s cryptic answer was “maybe”, however that prospect looks to be a long way off. In the meantime, fans can turn to ever-increasing stockpiles of other wizard-related fiction in order to slake their magical thirst. But J. K. Rowling created something incredibly special when she wrote the Harry Potter series. It is hard to predict whether such a phenomenon could ever be repeated.
