Manga

toc =INTRODUCTION TO MANGA=

Print cartoons and comics in Japan are referred to as “manga”, pronounced the way it is spelt- “man-ga” [mahng-guh]. It’s a graphic novel generally for adults, distinguished by its highly stylized art. By 2006 it has represented a $5 billion international market. Shortly after World War II, it took its current form developing from foreign techniques of drawing. Done typically in black and white, with a few exceptions, Animanga is done in purely in colour. A Majority of popular manga is adapted into a Japanese form of animation- anime (sometimes mistaken to be the same by those who aren’t familiar). At times, anime will be created first and then later adapted into manga. As well, female readers of comics were low, but have increased with the production and popularization of manga. In addition, in North America, comic books are somewhat equivalent to manga although in Japan it holds great importance to Japanese culture. What Americans purchase in a year is equal to that of Japan in a week. Manga is valued not only as art, but as popular literature.

Examples of manga covers:

Notice numbers on the covers; the first one has a 1, the second has a 6 and the third has a 9: these indicate the volumes of a series. Most mangas run in series, hardly ever a single novel.

=HISTORY OF MANGA=

Based on a combination of foreign art movements and ukiyo-e, if literally translated, the word manga stands for “random (or whimsical) pictures’. In the late 18th century the word gained popularity and was in common use. The United States soon began trade with the Japanese and imports and exports of foreign artists. These artists taught students art theories/techniques such as line, form and colour not previously concentrated on in ukiyo-e. In ukiyo-e, the ideas behind the art were more significant.

=HOW TO READ MANGA=

Mangas are different from Western comics whereas we read from left to right, Japanese comics are read from right to left, much like how Asian societies read novels, magazines and newspapers. So readers start off on the right page then to the left page. Translated mangas usually have directions at the end of the novel to show you how to read, mainly because Western people would start from left to right, and when the directions are shown on the first page they would understand how to read it properly. Here are some pictures to help with the visual flow of mangas following the red line from the right page to the left:

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =TYPES OF MANGA=

The international market (significantly in Japan), has allowed manga to include a very diverse collection of themes and genres. This allows distributors and creators to reach a larger target market satisfying all customers. Despite that, manga, much like comic books, is criticized as being overly sexual or violent. No laws have been implemented restricting what can be drawn in manga, but an unclear decency law for all published materials, saying “overly indecent materials should not be sold”.

Manga by genres - Popular subjects of manga frequently involve:
 * Sci-Fi
 * Action
 * Fantasy
 * Comedy
 * Military Politics
 * Criminal Thriller

Manga by target audience - Popular audience includes: >
 * Josei - for women
 * Kodomo - for children
 * Seinen - for men
 * Shoujo - for young/teenage girls
 * Shounen - for young/teenage boys

=MANGA EXPRESSIONS/CHARACTERISTICS=

Many characteristics of manga are unique to it. Unlike American comic principles for expressing dialogue, manga uses different border patterns in speech/thought bubbles to convey emotion/mood. Additionally, action series manga will contain background with ruled lines depicting movement direction. Lines can also be used to show speed motions (especially with limbs). Symbols are also greatly used to express physical conditions, emotions, moods, etc… Some other characteristics of manga include females with larger eyes than males, tiny mouths, flat faces, reflections/glares in the eyes, etc… A few other of these consists of: Sweat drops- usually indication of panic, nervousness and/or confusion. Majority of the time it is drawn oversized on the head of the character.


 * Throbbing veins- shaped as a cross in the head area specify irritation or anger
 * Cross-shaped bandages signing pain
 * Eye symbols- love-hearts, crosses, spirals etc…
 * Three or more dots in a row indicate speechless and awkward moment
 * Pushing index fingers together usually done when telling secrets



=Related Links:=

>
 * Shonen
 * Comic Books

=References:=

Encyclopedia on Manga http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga

Tokyo Pop: //Manga page layout: Understanding Visual Flow// http://www.tokyopop.com/146.html

Last Kiss: //Writing Contest Results// [|http://www.lastkisscomics.com]

Manga News [|http://www.manga-news.com]

The Empire: //Free Comic books// http://www.theempire.com.au/manga/