2. Where did manga originate from?
Manga began as standards art work produced in the 1700’s but eventually lead to short
comic series during the second world war. Around 1940, many organizations for artists and
cartoonists were formed. Among them were the New Cartoonists Association of Japan and
the New Cartoonists Faction Groups. During that time, the government used the few
remaining cartoonists, who were not banned from working or who were not in the army, to
influence the people through their artwork by creating comic strips filled with propaganda to
use against the nation's enemies. One of the main inspirations for manga comics is Osamu
Tezuka . As a child, Tezuka was a fanatical fan of Walt Disney's early animations. Many
were impressed by Tezuka's original style. However, it was not until Tezuka released his
ultimate work Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy) that he achieved success; he was pronounced
"the Father of Manga and Anime".
3. The design of manga
• Manga follows an extreme cartoon style but has specific looks which tend to stick through out
manga comics. Usually they include facial features and emotional expressions which are seen
through out a wide selection of manga comics.
• Manga is not only just shown in the form of comics it can also be shown through Japanese
animation, also known as anime. Anime is a popular form of animation in Japan which is quickly
spreading in the U.S. Unlike American cartoons, which are only watched by children, anime is
popular among the Japanese adults and is watched by millions. The audience is not merely
directed to children but to teens and adults as well. The same applies to Japanese comics known
as manga.
4. The difference between manga and
Western graphics
Firstly the most obvious difference between western graphics and Manga’s are the
character designs. Western graphics try to follow a more realictic look about their
characters where as Manga characters have a much more cartoon look about them. The
genre’s are also fairly different, most graphic novels have a superhero sci-fi feel about
them where as Manga’s mainly consist of fantasy.
Along with this, most graphic novels are set in the real world and during the present time
but a majority of Manga’s are set in either extreme times periods (far future or distant
past) or they are set in worlds similar to our world (Pokemon and Full metal alchemist are
prime examples of this fact).
Superman from the DC
comics series
“Superman”
Edward Elric from the Manga
and Anime series “Full Metal
Alchemist”
5. Manga narratives
• Usually the Narrative of a manga is laid out so that you read across the page starting
at the top right before reading across the page and making your way towards the
bottom left before moving onto the next page. The frames are laid out so that each
frame varies in size depending on the situation unfolding in the story.
Usually the more dramatic or extreme the situation, the
2. 1. bigger the frame that its presented in is. This is usually done
in order to show detail and to allow more to take part in the
frame. However smaller frames are normally used for either
facial expressions or extreme close ups, which allow for the
3.
reader to focus on specifically what is being seen in the
frame. So for example a frame with someone being shot or
stabbed would be much larger thn a frame of someone's
expression which would normally be placed within a smaller
4. frame but just next to it to help show you that the character in
the smaller frame is reacting to what is happening in the
bigger frame.
6. Manga Characters
A prime example of a working manga is “Full Metal Alchemist” one of the best manga
series I have read and watched. The story follows the life of two brothers named Edward
and Alphonse Elric who seek to obtain an item known as the Philosopher's Stone in order
to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life
through alchemy, which is a form of scientific magic used in the series by many.
Edward is the older brother Alphonse is the younger of
out of the two. He is known the two brothers. While him
as the “Full metal alchemist” and his brother tried to bring
(Hence the title) due to his his mum back to life,
superior alchemy abilities. Alphonse lost his entire body.
He is called Full Metal mainly His brother placed his soul
because his right arm and inside an empty suit of
left leg are what is Known as armour which he now moves
Auto mail which are robotic about in. Like Edward he also
limbs, attached to the specialises in Alchemy but is
nervous system, allowing less experienced than
Edward to move them. Edward.
