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Manga and anime stand as distinctive cultural facets of Japan, cherished and followed by millions worldwide. In this article, let's delve into manga – the diverse and rich world of Japanese comics. What is manga? What genres does it encompass? Let's uncover fascinating insights about manga through this Mytour Blog exploration.
What is Manga?
Manga (漫画, まんが, マンガ) is a Japanese term that refers to comic books, graphic novels, and cartooning. It specifically denotes Japanese comics. Manga comes in various genres, suitable for all ages and preferences. It serves as a vital foundation for the development of anime – the Japanese animated film genre.
Manga, an Inseparable Part of Many Childhoods, Especially for 80s and 90s Generations. Everyone has been captivated by iconic manga series like Sailor Moon, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, Conan, Little Maruko, Shinchan, and more. Manga not only brings joy and creativity to readers but also imparts human values and ethics.
Manga is a Japanese term referring to comic books, graphic novels, and cartooning. It is specifically used to denote Japanese comics. Manga, a source of joy and inspiration, holds a special place in the hearts of readers, offering both entertainment and moral education (Source: Internet).Development History of Manga Comics
Manga originates from ukiyo-e – a form of Japanese art that developed after World War II. Since then, this genre has become a distinctive cultural aspect of Japan, playing a significant role in the country's artistic history. Initially, manga consisted of short comic chapters, bringing immense joy and fascination to readers. This is an undeniable truth.
Manga boasts a rich and evolving history (Source: Internet)Various Genres of Manga Comics
Manga constitutes a vast and diverse world, defying a singular and comprehensive classification for all its genres. However, manga can be broadly categorized based on criteria such as:
- Target Audience: Manga caters to children (Kodomo), teenage boys (Shounen), teenage girls (Shoujo), adults (Seinen), and more.
- Emotional Impact: Manga can evoke laughter (Comedy), tears (Tragedy), and emotions (Drama)...
- Story Content: Manga can explore adventures (Adventure), mysteries (Mystery), supernatural events (Supernatural)...
- Production Type: Manga can be official works by authors and publishers (Omake) or fan-made creations (Doujinshi)...
Popular Manga Series Based on Target Audience
- Shounen Manga: An action-packed, adventurous, and humorous genre catering to teenage boys. Protagonists are typically male, spirited, determined, and dream big. Notable shounen manga includes Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Fairy Tail, and Attack on Titan.
- Shoujo Manga: A romantic and emotional genre designed for teenage girls. Protagonists are usually female, leading complex lives with intricate emotions. Famous shoujo manga includes Cardcaptor Sakura, Fushigi Yuugi, Nana, Skip Beat, and Sailor Moon.
- Seinen Manga: Geared towards mature males aged 18 to 40, this genre delves into themes of war, violence, crime, politics, and society. Renowned seinen manga includes Berserk, Vagabond, Real, Sanctuary, Gantz, and more.
- Josei Manga: Centered around daily life, love, family, and careers of women, tailored for females aged 18 to 45. Notable josei manga includes Nana, Honey and Clover, Paradise Kiss, Chihayafuru, and Usagi Drop.
- Kodomo Manga: If you enjoy fun and light-hearted content, this genre is for you. Suitable for education and designed for children under 10, featuring child or animal protagonists with innocent, kind, and energetic personalities. Famous kodomo manga includes Doraemon, Soreike! Anpanman, Animal Yokochō, and Doubutsu no Mori Hohinda Mura da Yori.
Manga is categorized into various genres suitable for different age groups (Source: Internet)Popular Manga Series Based on Genre
- Doujinshi: A genre of manga created by non-professional fans or artists, drawing inspiration from existing works. Doujinshi is often self-published and distributed at comic conventions like Comiket. It can be considered a form of fanfiction or fanart but also serves as a platform for young artists to showcase their creativity and talent.
- Full Color: Every comic page is fully colored, diverging from the black and white style of traditional manga. This genre applies to any manga genre, offering readers visually stunning, vibrant, and captivating images. However, it requires substantial cost, time, and effort to produce, making it less common than black and white manga.
- Gekiga (Dramatic Pictures): A Japanese term referring to modern, image-centric comics. Geared towards readers interested in history, politics, or society, gekiga emerged in 1957 by renowned manga artist Tatsumi Yoshihiro. Gekiga works often feature shocking content, violence, or reflections on contemporary issues. Other gekiga artists like Matsumoto Masahiko, Saito Takao, Mizuki Shigeru, and Tsuge Yoshiharu have created beloved manga masterpieces globally.
- One-shot: A manga genre where the story unfolds in a single chapter, with no sequels or follow-up parts. This genre is used to test new ideas by comic authors or to create creatively unique short stories. Some famous manga originated as one-shots, such as Naruto, Bleach, and Death Note.
Manga is categorized into genres to cater to individual preferences (Source: Internet)Some Manga Genres in Anime
- Action: Featuring intense battles, adventures, excitement, and visually appealing scenes.
- Romance: Narrating tales of love, relationships, romance, and emotion.
- Comedy: This genre brings laughter, fun, and comfort to readers.
- Horror: Creating fear, terror, and horror through supernatural elements, murderers, mysteries.
- Fantasy: Constructing stories based on fictional plots, magic, and fairy tales.
- Adventure: Depicting main characters' adventures, travels, and explorations to achieve dreams or goals.
- Drama: Describing complex situations, emotional conflicts, and inner turmoil of main characters.
- Sports: Revolving around sports themes, both at professional and amateur levels.
- Ecchi: Manga with adult content elements subtly hinted through actions, dialogue, or atmosphere.
- Mystery: Involving themes of detective work, puzzles, or solving intricate criminal cases.
- Science Fiction: Tied to topics like robots, aliens, advanced tools, and non-scientific technology.
Manga is diverse, spanning various genres (Source: Internet)Manga is an art of storytelling through images, employing unique and creative techniques to craft vivid and captivating comic pages. It not only illustrates characters and landscapes but also conveys emotions, actions, situations, and effects through cleverly designed frames, lighting, shadows, symbols, and descriptions. Manga is akin to a film adapted into comics, providing readers with a colorful and immersive experience. Don't forget to visit Mytour for more exciting articles.
