Manga and comic
While many people think Japanese manga and western comics are essentially the same thing, the truth is they are actually quite different. While the term ‘manga’ actually translates to ‘comic’, there are many differences, including; story, pacing, art style and the use of adult these such as language, violence and sex.
Despite some major differences, manga has broken into western culture. Manga such as One Piece, Naruto, Bleach and more recently, Attack on Titan, have taken countries such as the U.S. by storm. the main reason for this is due to anime becoming more mainstream due to channels such as Cartoon Network picking up the english dubbed version of popular Japanese animes. Think of anime like a gateway into deeper Japanese pop-culture. once people get introduced to the pacing and character development of Japanese anime, it’s much easier for them to get a grasp on the pacing and character development of manga.
While the most common way to view manga outside Japan is scans online (people scan the pages and post them on the web), stores are starting the sell manga books more and more.
Countries such as France have developed a strong and diverse market in regards to manga. They’ve adopted their own style of manga, telling more adult story dramas which have been appealing to the French market.
If current trends keep processing as they are, we can expect to see manga growing more popular in the west, to the point that one day it could revival the popular western comic books.
Despite some major differences, manga has broken into western culture. Manga such as One Piece, Naruto, Bleach and more recently, Attack on Titan, have taken countries such as the U.S. by storm. the main reason for this is due to anime becoming more mainstream due to channels such as Cartoon Network picking up the english dubbed version of popular Japanese animes. Think of anime like a gateway into deeper Japanese pop-culture. once people get introduced to the pacing and character development of Japanese anime, it’s much easier for them to get a grasp on the pacing and character development of manga.
While the most common way to view manga outside Japan is scans online (people scan the pages and post them on the web), stores are starting the sell manga books more and more.
Countries such as France have developed a strong and diverse market in regards to manga. They’ve adopted their own style of manga, telling more adult story dramas which have been appealing to the French market.
If current trends keep processing as they are, we can expect to see manga growing more popular in the west, to the point that one day it could revival the popular western comic books.
the differences
Style Differences
There are many style differences between the two mediums. In comics, the establishing shot is centered to be the first scene of the comic, while manga places the shot at the bottom of the page. Manga also has more of a cinematic style then comics due, which ties back into the different pacing and story telling. They do this by portraying the characters in more dramatic angles, more used in film than in a comic book. Manga establishing the scenes more frame by frame, like a storyboard - this represents a snapshot of the action which coincides with the dialogue.
Comics are graphic novels, and as such, the stories and visuals don't necessarily sync with the dialogue and visual action.
Cultural Differences
One of the major differences is the pacing.
Manga's pacing is much slower than western comics, placing less of an emphasis on action. This is because mangaka (manga creators) aren't in as much of rush to hurry the story as comic book writers are. Also, unlike comics, which dedicate full-page spreads to action, manga tends to dedicate full-page spreads to emotional reactions and place more value on the emotional side then the fast paced action side. The panel layout is also different in manga, with panels that read from right to left (check out our tips for reading manga on other tab).
Thematic Differences
Western comics are more known for it's more family friendly superhero genre, manga is however more comfortable exploring risque material. The main reason behind this is that the freedom to explore such concepts is more cultural in japan then it is in countries such as the U.S. the main religion in japan is shinto/buddhism which doesn't no equate sex with shame. This allows freedom in exploring sexual themes more then most western mediums would.
Production Differences
Manga production in Japan is huge making up over 40 percent of all published magazines and books in japan. 40 percent of the movies produced in Japan are anime. This makes it larger than comic production in America.
There are many style differences between the two mediums. In comics, the establishing shot is centered to be the first scene of the comic, while manga places the shot at the bottom of the page. Manga also has more of a cinematic style then comics due, which ties back into the different pacing and story telling. They do this by portraying the characters in more dramatic angles, more used in film than in a comic book. Manga establishing the scenes more frame by frame, like a storyboard - this represents a snapshot of the action which coincides with the dialogue.
Comics are graphic novels, and as such, the stories and visuals don't necessarily sync with the dialogue and visual action.
Cultural Differences
One of the major differences is the pacing.
Manga's pacing is much slower than western comics, placing less of an emphasis on action. This is because mangaka (manga creators) aren't in as much of rush to hurry the story as comic book writers are. Also, unlike comics, which dedicate full-page spreads to action, manga tends to dedicate full-page spreads to emotional reactions and place more value on the emotional side then the fast paced action side. The panel layout is also different in manga, with panels that read from right to left (check out our tips for reading manga on other tab).
Thematic Differences
Western comics are more known for it's more family friendly superhero genre, manga is however more comfortable exploring risque material. The main reason behind this is that the freedom to explore such concepts is more cultural in japan then it is in countries such as the U.S. the main religion in japan is shinto/buddhism which doesn't no equate sex with shame. This allows freedom in exploring sexual themes more then most western mediums would.
Production Differences
Manga production in Japan is huge making up over 40 percent of all published magazines and books in japan. 40 percent of the movies produced in Japan are anime. This makes it larger than comic production in America.