In the previous
blog, I basically stated the different comics all over the world. And in this
blog, I will focus on one key question: “What specifically makes manga different from
American comic books?” I will explain this in four aspects: the
cultural differences, thematic differences, style differences and production differences
between manga and comics.
I found the
information on everydaylife.globalpost.com, which is an
online US news company that focuses on international news.
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| static.comicvine.com |
Cultural
differences
One of the major
differences between Western comics and manga is the speed of telling the story.
Manga is told much slower than Western comics, the characters has less action
in manga. Mangaka, the term for manga creators, do not tell the story aren't in
as fast as cartoonists do. They ask the readers for more patience. However, people
would think the story over and over after the story ends. Unlike Western
comics, which are full of actions, manga tends to spreads to emotional
reactions all the time. When you read a manga, you read right to left.
Thematic
Differences
While Western
comics is paying more attention to dark topics, the most is still more known
for its superhero genre. Manga, however, is more comfortable exploring more “dangerous”
materials such as sex, violence and scatology. The reason for this freedom in
exploring such ideas is cultural. The primary religions of Japan is Shinto and
Buddhism which do not see sex as shame. This allows the Japanese to be freer to
explore sexuality than most Americans.
Style Differences
In Western comics, the establishing shot (the overall scene of the surroundings) is centered to occupy the first scene in the comic. Manga, however, places its establishing shot at the bottom of the page. Manga also uses more of a cinematic style (animation) than Western comics, to present a character from different angles to make the character more real. Manga connects its scenes frame-by-frame, representing a snapshot of the action and in put the dialogue in. Western comics are graphic novels, the stories and visuals don't necessarily move together with the dialogue and action.
In Western comics, the establishing shot (the overall scene of the surroundings) is centered to occupy the first scene in the comic. Manga, however, places its establishing shot at the bottom of the page. Manga also uses more of a cinematic style (animation) than Western comics, to present a character from different angles to make the character more real. Manga connects its scenes frame-by-frame, representing a snapshot of the action and in put the dialogue in. Western comics are graphic novels, the stories and visuals don't necessarily move together with the dialogue and action.
Production Differences
Manga production in Japan is much larger than comic production in America. Manga makes up over 40 percent of all published magazines and books in Japan. Also, 40 percent of the movies produced in Japan are anime, which is the motional version of manga. Where Western comics are designed more with children and teenagers in mind, manga is read by a much wider audience. As such, manga is found in journals and magazines for people of all ages.
In the next blog, I will explain how a comic is produced.
Manga production in Japan is much larger than comic production in America. Manga makes up over 40 percent of all published magazines and books in Japan. Also, 40 percent of the movies produced in Japan are anime, which is the motional version of manga. Where Western comics are designed more with children and teenagers in mind, manga is read by a much wider audience. As such, manga is found in journals and magazines for people of all ages.
In the next blog, I will explain how a comic is produced.
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