|
|
 The Comics Journal #269 - “The Manga Issue”
Written by Lisa Anderson
The upcoming issue of The Comics Journal (published by Fantagraphics) is a real treat to any reader interested in the female-oriented side of the manga industry. Right from the start, the issue goes into a look at the migration of female readers from Western comics to the more in-depth Eastern manga. Reading on, further articles shed light on the more adult-oriented stories, including some upcoming releases from Tokyopop that are aimed specifically at women in their twenties.
Moving on, the issue kicks it into high gear with a batch of in-depth reviews that cover not only titles, but styles as well. One story explains the various ratings and definitions of said ratings used in the manga industry. Another delves behind the story, speaking of the art behind the words; on how the layout and drawing style itself lends as much to some shoujo as does the text. Even the main points behind the shoujo genre get a close look. Several reviews focus on the romantic plotline itself, using titles such as Fushigi Yűgi, Gravitation, and Love Hina to show that not all romance has to exist on flowers and sunshine. Instead, the entire shoujo genre is moving forward, keeping pace modern interests.
Not one to shy away from the darker side of manga, The Comics Journal also exposes several major problems within the manga and Western comics industry. In The Tale of Two Manga Shops, the issue talks about the business aspects of selling manga, along with the growing competition between manga and Western comics. Drifting further into the shadowy side of the industry, the following two articles expose the rising threat of online manga and comic piracy. Between the ever-growing popularity of free downloads and the rise in homemade scanlations, companies are being forced to take more direct action to stop the thievery.
Flipping back to the lighter side of things, the issue takes an interesting look at shoujo manga and its influence women of all ages. My Manga Childhood takes a fairly light-hearted walk down memory lane, as the writer reflects on the benefits of learning both English and Japanese while growing up, as well as the benefit of finding manga so early in life. The following article points out the various reasons women seem drawn to shoujo manga; from using it as a relationship manual, to getting a much-needed escape to another world, be it one of light-hearted romance or one of heart-wrenching drama.
Taking a step to the side, the next few articles focus on the newer trends of the shoujo genre. At one point an in-depth look at Yaoi is given, along with several explanations on its rising popularity with women readers. Another looks at a single artist, breaking down almost every aspect behind what goes into making a comic god.
Rounding out the issue are the following interview, gallery, and short comic. While just as important and interesting as the rest of the issue, the three sections serve almost as a wind down to the finish. The Moto Hagio Interview is long, making up a fairly large portion of the entire issue. Interspersed with images, it is an interesting look at one of the major women behind the modern genre of girls and women’s manga. As an added treat, a small gallery of Moto Hagio’s art serves as a follow-up to the interview. As if that wasn’t enough, a short comic by Moto Hagio follows the gallery. Hanshin: Half-God tells a rather dark tale of two twins, giving a chilling look into just how loss can play into a relationship.
The last article, instead of serving to highlight things or wrap up any point missed, takes a sharp left turn from the rest of the issue. The column gives a long talk on modern culture, criticizing almost every major aspect of modern belief. Vaguely the article connects to comics, touching distantly on art in the midst of several other topics, which range from religion to personal philosophy.
Aside from the odd rough patch or two, the latest issue of The Comics Journal should be a delight to read for any fan of manga. The articles cover many aspects of the industry, crossing over from Western comics to Eastern manga and back again. With reviews covering a wide variety of titles, most readers should have no problem finding something that catches their fancy. At 206 pages, the issue is worth picking up, for both the casual and the in-depth reader. Informative, interesting, and unafraid to take a look at an obscure corner or two, The Comics Journal - Issue #269 is definitely worthwhile.
: :
|
30 August 2010
MangaLife: On Culture
Share 25 August 2010
Words of Truth and Wisdom: I Put A Spell On You
Share 11 August 2010
Words of Truth and Wisdom: Filters
Share 6 August 2010
Maybe You're Not Using It Right :On Japanese Load Words
Share
|
