Manga is big business. In Japan, the manga industry is worth over 6 billion dollars a year and shows no signs of slowing down. But manga isn’t just popular in its home country; it’s a global phenomenon. In recent years, manga has exploded in popularity worldwide, with new fans discovering the joys of this unique art form every day. So how did manga conquer the world? Let’s take a look.
What is Manga
Manga is Japanese comics that have become increasingly popular outside Japan in recent years. They are usually distinguished by bright graphics and storylines that appeal to a wide range of readers. If you’re new to manga or are simply curious about all the fuss, read on to learn more about this fascinating art form.
Manga comes in many different genres, from action-packed adventure stories to touching romances, so there’s sure to be something to appeal to everyone. One of the most popular manga series of all time is Naruto, which tells the story of a young ninja who dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. Another well-known series is Attack on Titan, which features a dystopian world in which humanity is forced to live behind walls to protect themselves from giant man-eating creatures known as Titans.
What sets manga apart from traditional Western comics is its use of panels and speech bubbles. In Western comics, panels are typically arranged in a grid format, with each panel containing its distinct image. On the other hand, Manga panels are often arranged in a non-linear fashion, with images and text flowing together in a way that allows for greater storytelling flexibility. Also, manga often uses onomatopoeia (sound words) to add an extra layer of meaning and emotion to the story.
Manga is typically read from right to left, starting at the upper-right corner of the page and ending at the lower-left corner. This can be unclear for Western readers who are used to reading from left to right, but you will get used to it after a few pages! Some manga is published in tankobon format, which refers to individual volumes containing several story chapters. Others are serialized in magazines such as Shonen Jump or Shojo Beat before being collected into tankobon form.
The Origins of Manga
Manga has its roots in Japanese culture, but its origins can be traced even further. The word “manga” comes from an 18th-century woodblock print by artist Hokusai, best known for his iconic work The Great Wave off Kanagawa. This print, which depicts a group of people surfing, was so well-liked that it gave rise to the entire category of artwork known as ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world.” Ukiyo-e artists like Hokusai were incredibly popular in their day, and their work profoundly influenced the development of manga.
The Modern Manga Industry
In the late 19th century, Japanese artists began experimenting with Western art styles, resulting in a new form of comics known as kibyoshi. These comics were aimed at adults and often contained racy or violent content. Kibyoshi paved the way for the modern manga, which began to emerge in the early 20th century. The first commercially successful manga was Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy, which was published in 1952. Astro Boy was an instant hit, establishing many of the conventions still used in manga today.
The Rise of Manga in the West
For most of its history, manga has been primarily popular in Japan. However, that began to change in the 1980s when Western publishers started importing and translating Japanese comics. These early translations were aimed at niche audiences of hardcore fans and scholars, but they laid the groundwork for manga’s eventual explosion in popularity. In the 1990s and 2000s, more and more publishers got into the business of releasing English-language manga, making it easier than ever for new fans to discover this fascinating art form. And that’s how manga conquered the world!
The Three Most Famous Manga Today
Manga often tackles mature themes and complex storylines, making it an excellent choice for readers looking for something more than just light entertainment. If you’re looking for a new type of book to read, why not give the manga a try? You might find your new favorite genre!
One Piece
One Piece is a shounen manga serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump since 1997. It is currently the longest-running manga with over 950 chapters. The story follows Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who wants to become the Pirate King, as he and his crew travel the seas searching for treasure. One Piece is one of the most popular manga ever and has sold over 430 million copies worldwide.
Naruto
Naruto is another shounen manga serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump from 1999 to 2014. Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who aspires to lead his village as Hokage, is the protagonist of the story. Naruto appeals to a wide range of fans across almost all age groups and genres. That is probably why it was one of the first manga and anime series many fans started with. Naruto is among the highest-selling manga of all time, with over 250 million copies sold worldwide.
Death Note
Death Note is a seinen manga serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump from 2003 to 2006. The narrative centers on Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a notebook that gives him the power to murder anyone whose name is written in it. Death Note is one of the most controversial manga of all time and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Conclusion:
People of all ages and from all walks of life enjoy manga, one of the most well-liked forms of entertainment in existence today. Its appeal lies in its unique blend of East and West, its rich history and traditions, and its ability to tell stories that resonate with readers no matter where they’re from. If you have never read manga before, now is the perfect time to start!