What is manga?

manga refers to the style of cartoons from Japan. They are usually published in installments and, depending on their form, can be up to several hundred pages. There are many different genres, so they are popular with people of all age groups and backgrounds. These respected works were known for its in -depth charts and characters that have been developed for hundreds of years, although the modern version has evolved since the mid -20th century.

Definition

As people define mangoes, it is somewhat controversial. Outside Japan, this term usually means a cartoon or comic from Japan and even more specifically drawings of Japanese Mangaka - cartoons/comic book artist. In recent decades, however, people from other countries have begun to work in this style, and the Japanese traditionally used the word to refer to any cartoon or comic, regardless of where you drew it or where it lives. Some experts guess it is better to categorize these works on the basis of specific characteristics that usually occur in drawings.

form and length

Manga is often published in magazines that are usually not more than 40 pages. Comics are usually around 150 - 200 pages. Graphic novels that differ from conventional comics and comics in that they give a complete story with the beginning, in the middle and end, can be several hundred pages. With the exceptions of this long form and collections of previously published works, comics are usually published in series or in installments, because the publisher's intention is to keep the reader interesting and return to the next work of the story.

Regardless of length, mangoes usually maintain the traditional flow of Japanese language, which means it is read from top to bottom and right to the left. It seems "backward" to English because it requires it from the back of the work. Some publishers use a practice called Flipping to doto bring the story into a format that is more well -known fans who are not Japanese for selling overseas.

groups

Publishers and general readers usually divide mango into several different groups. shōujo ("Young girl") is aimed at women under 18 years of age and usually has some romantic thoughts and shōnen ("boy") is equivalent to male, usually more actions or sports concept. Work for young children, especially those who are just starting to read, are called kodomo ("child"). Publications for women are Josei ("woman", "female") and men read seinen ("man", "male"). Many adult stories are not suitable for children and shows violence or sex. In fact, the whole subgroup, hentai ("perverted"), revolves around erotic themes.

is also remarkable is shōujo-ai ("girl love", sometimes referred to as GL) or yuri ("lily"). This type deals with relationships with a girl girl. Shōnen-ai ("Boy Love", often called BL) is a version for people that manipulates male male relationships. People sometimes call it yaoi , which is an abbreviation for yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi ("no climax, no punch, no meaning").

GEGIKA ("dramatic pictures") is another category that is popular. These works, based primarily on Yoshihiro Tatsumi, are designed to be bolder and experimental, not only in artistic style, but also in general content. People sometimes describe them as a more realistic and less cartoon approach to narration. Most began as underground publications and focused on adults.

The popularity of this artistic form has resulted in another group: Doujinshi ("Fan Art"). Individuals create this to show that they really like a story that has already been published, or because they want to use their own imagination and artistic ability to move the story in another or new direction. Although people often consider them an amateurSome, some of them are remarkably good and exceptionally high quality. Some artists can even sell their Doujinshi in simply bound books, as posters and even on buttons and magnets. Fans' conference often hosts these retailers in addition to well -known professional artists.

art characteristics

Although each artist has its own style, drawings are generally carried out with pen and ink and are black and white, with an emphasis on clean lines. With the exception of highly realistic series, most of the characters have very large, almond eyes, and their other parts of the body are often funny in proportion. Hair can be dramatically long, especially on heroes and heroines, but if the artist chooses a shorter style, it tends to have a dirty look.

In all the most serious endings, the characters also show their emotions quite clearly. In addition to manipulating the facial expressions, artists often include special devices to make the feelings more pronounced. One of the most common, for exampleThere is a drop of sweat on the forehead that shows that the character feels embarrassing, worried, embarrassed or tired. The exclamation marks over their heads are generally translated into shock, surprises or being stunning, while the steam of the ears shows anger or frustration. It is not unusual for artists to draw eyes very differently than usual at these points, such as leaving completely white, which is usually associated with some way of stunning.

Mangaka sometimes deliberately changes the style of the character to emphasize what the character wants or goes through. For example, a hero who normally appears to be muscular and tall may seem like a child or a child, if he throws anger or does not want to do something. Volba, how to change the character, depends a lot on connotations that the artist wants to go through, such as immaturity or outrage. The shift is usually very short, sometimes it appears in one frame.

story characteristics

In general, manga is known as complex, in -depth emotional charts that attract readers through their drama. Some people say that this is what separates it from other cartoons and comics and does it by attraction for all ages. Yet, depending on the genre, a cliché occurs. For example, in Shōnen girlfriend usually suddenly appears in some way and begins the main story movement. One of the most popular stories where it is happening is oh my goddess! , where the main character calls for pizza and instead gets the hot line of the goddess.

Mangaka

Mangaka usually studies with someone who is already in the field before branches himself, usually through Apprenticeship. Many formally study at a general art or mango school. In several rare cases, individuals start by winning competitions, or because their Doujinshi is abandoned by the eye of a professional artist or publisher.

Relationship to Anime

manga is closely related to anime or Japanese animation. Some series are adaptations popularCH anime TV shows or movies and vice versa. In these cases, adaptation is not always faithful to the original storyline, so even though the concept and artistic style in both versions can be roughly the same, one could develop a preference for one or the other. With the same title sometimes referring to static and movable cartoons, fans often have to clear which of them mean, especially when leaving reviews or products.

Acceptance

In the United States, cartoons and comics are usually considered to be something for children, so beyond the devoted fan Base, often do not gain much respect as art or literature. The exception is a graphic novel that people tend to take a little more seriously. In Japan, however, they are very popular with men and women of all age groups and areas of life. The amount of money spent on mangoes every year in billions. Especially Kodomo is welcome for the role that plays in the help of children to become literate.

History

mangaIt is assumed that she began centuries ago with Chojugiga ("Animal Scrolls"), drawn cocuyu (1053 - 1140), but it really did not start to evolve as a full narrative form to the work of Hokusai Katsushika (1760 - 1849). The real boom began after the end of World War II.