Etymology and History
– The word manga comes from the Japanese word 漫画, meaning whimsical or impromptu pictures.
– The term manga is also used in Korean (manhwa) and Chinese (manhua) to refer to comics.
– The word first came into common usage in the late 18th century.
– Rakuten Kitazawa first used the word manga in the modern sense.
– Manga originated from emakimono (scrolls) and further developed during the Edo period.
– Kibyoshi, picture books from the late 18th century, may have been the world’s first comic books.
– Two broad processes shaped modern manga: continuity of Japanese cultural and aesthetic traditions, and U.S. cultural influences after the Allied occupation of Japan.
– Post-war period saw an explosion of artistic creativity in manga, with artists like Osamu Tezuka and Machiko Hasegawa making stylistic innovations.
– Tezuka’s cinematographic technique and Hasegawa’s focus on daily life and women’s experiences influenced later manga artists.
Genres, Readership, and Market
– Manga covers a broad range of genres, including action, adventure, comedy, drama, romance, science fiction, sports, and more.
– People of all ages and walks of life in Japan read manga.
– Manga have gained a significant worldwide readership.
– Manga outsell American comics, with top manga publishers in the world being Shueisha, Kodansha, Kadokawa, and Shogakukan.
– The North American manga market was valued at almost $250 million in 2020, making up 76% of overall comics and graphic novel sales in the US in 2021.
– The manga market in Japan was valued at ¥612.6 billion in 2020, and in 2022 it reached ¥675.9 billion.
– The North American manga market has experienced fast growth due to digital reading apps, book retailer chains, and increased streaming of anime.
– Manga represented 38% of the French comics market in 2005, valued at about €460 million.
Publishing and Adaptations
– Manga stories are typically printed in black-and-white, although some full-color manga exist.
– Manga are usually serialized in large manga magazines in Japan and later collected in tankōbon volumes.
– Manga artists, or mangaka, work with assistants in small studios and are associated with commercial publishing companies.
– Popular manga series may be adapted into anime or be based on previous live-action or animated films.
– Manga-influenced comics exist in other parts of the world, such as manhua (Chinese), manhwa (Korean), OEL manga (English), manfra (French), and DZ-manga (Algeria).
Different Types of Manga
– Shōnen Manga: Aimed at boys, popular genres include action-adventure, science fiction, and sports.
– Shōjo Manga: Aimed at girls and young women, major subgenres include romance, superheroines, and Ladies Comics.
– Seinen Manga: Aimed at young men aged 18 to 30, includes action-adventure, slapstick humor, and themes of honor.
– Josei Manga: Aimed at adult women, explores mature themes and relationships.
– Each type of manga has its own unique characteristics and target audience.
Global Popularity and Controversies
– Manga achieved worldwide popularity by the turn of the 21st century.
– Relaxation of censorship in Japan led to the appearance of explicit sexual material in male-oriented manga.
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government considered restricting minors’ access to explicit content in 2010.
– Gekiga style focuses on somber, adult-oriented storytelling with gritty and unvarnished art.
– Manga continues to be a dynamic and influential medium with a wide range of genres and themes. Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga
