Words and pictures are powerful for teaching, and this is reflected in the world of Japanese manga. As you said, there are manga for all ages and on a variety of subjects. It's not just a vehicle for fantasy fiction. Unfortunately in North America the potential for comics to be used for teaching has encountered innumerable roadblocks.
There was a time when manga was considered trashy in Japan, but now that way of thinking is considered outdated.
When I was a child, I learned about Japanese and world history through manga. The illustrations vividly convey the lifestyle of each era. From that experience, learning from manga became a natural thing for me.
Mahalo for your informative post! I've enjoyed manga and anime since I was a child, and am happy that the wide variety of genres and topics that they cover is getting more and more attention. Not just mecha and tokusatsu, but so much more!
I'm a man of Japanese ancestry who was born and raised in Hawaii. My Great-grandparents came here from Japan over 100 years ago, so unlike them, I have no personal memories of Japan
But ever since I was in high school, I've enjoyed slice of life manga and anime, if only to give me a slight glance into the day to day life of folks in Japan. Yes, such works exaggerate certain things, especially for comedic effect
However, there are things I've noticed in them that we in Hawaii still carry, like the attitude of gaman (我慢) or the concept of mono no aware (物の哀れ)
Thank you for sharing your experiences! I have visited Hawaii once. Along with their various unique charms, I felt that the people of Hawaii had some similarities to the Japanese in terms of values.
Also, I was happy to hear the news that a manga store had opened in Hawaii last year🥰
I love manga. I read it on and off for the last 20 years. In fact my Substack is about Japanese and South Korean comics I read. It's fun, escapists, and emotional content when I need it.
Hi Elizabeth, I am glad to hear you enjoy Japanese and South Korean comics. Yes, manga can be your best companion when facing the reality feels too hard💗
Thank you for such a wonderful article. I have read a few Manga in the past and still do always been drawn in by the story coupled with the artwork which is astonishing.
The only problem I have with manga is how a promising series can be discontinued out of nowhere and the mangaka never comes back to it :( And relying on scanslations because the series probably won't be translated officially. I feel like I need to learn to read Japanese just to have more access to manga titles!
Ah, that sometimes happens... It could be due to the mangaka's health, or simply the judgement of the magazine editor. To avoid disappointment, I recommend starting to read the manga after it has been completed. However, the mangaka would be happier if you read it in real time.
I know many people who started to learn Japanese to enjoy more manga and anime!
I sent the picture of the crying baby club to my sister in law in Barcelona where she and my son are struggling with my grandson’s night time crying, but when I baby sat he learnt to scream
Thank you for the manga recs! I have been reading manga (and watching anime) since I discovered my kids were into it back in 2006. I started reading because I wanted to know what they were reading, but over time manga has become my primary source of entertainment. As your article highlighted, there are so many genres and very interesting cultural and niche interest manga out there. It never gets old for me.
I haven't developed a regular habit of reading manga but i always do a follow up whenever i watch a new anime. I love the cover of the book about India 's rice couple! I am googling it now haha. Great story😇
Thank you for reading, Moloya. How fun it would be to read the manga about an Indian-Japanese couple with you! I love India because I keep reading it. This Indian husband now runs an Indian restaurant in Tokyo, so I want to visit it someday.
Thank you for posting! 😀 It was fascinating reading about the role of manga in Japanese culture. This is motivating me to find out about this mode of artistic expression . I am very interested in Cyberpunk!
Words and pictures are powerful for teaching, and this is reflected in the world of Japanese manga. As you said, there are manga for all ages and on a variety of subjects. It's not just a vehicle for fantasy fiction. Unfortunately in North America the potential for comics to be used for teaching has encountered innumerable roadblocks.
Thank you for reading Kenneth.
There was a time when manga was considered trashy in Japan, but now that way of thinking is considered outdated.
When I was a child, I learned about Japanese and world history through manga. The illustrations vividly convey the lifestyle of each era. From that experience, learning from manga became a natural thing for me.
Mahalo for your informative post! I've enjoyed manga and anime since I was a child, and am happy that the wide variety of genres and topics that they cover is getting more and more attention. Not just mecha and tokusatsu, but so much more!
I'm a man of Japanese ancestry who was born and raised in Hawaii. My Great-grandparents came here from Japan over 100 years ago, so unlike them, I have no personal memories of Japan
But ever since I was in high school, I've enjoyed slice of life manga and anime, if only to give me a slight glance into the day to day life of folks in Japan. Yes, such works exaggerate certain things, especially for comedic effect
However, there are things I've noticed in them that we in Hawaii still carry, like the attitude of gaman (我慢) or the concept of mono no aware (物の哀れ)
Thank you for sharing your experiences! I have visited Hawaii once. Along with their various unique charms, I felt that the people of Hawaii had some similarities to the Japanese in terms of values.
Also, I was happy to hear the news that a manga store had opened in Hawaii last year🥰
https://manga-mon.com/
I love manga. I read it on and off for the last 20 years. In fact my Substack is about Japanese and South Korean comics I read. It's fun, escapists, and emotional content when I need it.
Hi Elizabeth, I am glad to hear you enjoy Japanese and South Korean comics. Yes, manga can be your best companion when facing the reality feels too hard💗
Thank you for such a wonderful article. I have read a few Manga in the past and still do always been drawn in by the story coupled with the artwork which is astonishing.
Thank you, Martin. Manga is really powerful! I'm glad you recognise its value and enjoy it🌸
The only problem I have with manga is how a promising series can be discontinued out of nowhere and the mangaka never comes back to it :( And relying on scanslations because the series probably won't be translated officially. I feel like I need to learn to read Japanese just to have more access to manga titles!
Ah, that sometimes happens... It could be due to the mangaka's health, or simply the judgement of the magazine editor. To avoid disappointment, I recommend starting to read the manga after it has been completed. However, the mangaka would be happier if you read it in real time.
I know many people who started to learn Japanese to enjoy more manga and anime!
I need to buy and read some more manga when I get money.
I hope you will find good manga for you!!
One day I hope I get to make one!
I sent the picture of the crying baby club to my sister in law in Barcelona where she and my son are struggling with my grandson’s night time crying, but when I baby sat he learnt to scream
Mamamama!!
Bless you! Many of my friends have also struggled with their children's night-time crying. It's a universal problem😅
Wish I could read a manga-equivalent of "The IT Crowd" or "Silicon Valley", or even better, something about video game makers :D
Oh, The IT Crowd! I can't think of any right now, but I guess that kind of manga exists.
Thank you for the manga recs! I have been reading manga (and watching anime) since I discovered my kids were into it back in 2006. I started reading because I wanted to know what they were reading, but over time manga has become my primary source of entertainment. As your article highlighted, there are so many genres and very interesting cultural and niche interest manga out there. It never gets old for me.
Thank you for reading. I completely agree. Many people still think that manga is just for children, but they are mistaken. I read two manga today!
I haven't developed a regular habit of reading manga but i always do a follow up whenever i watch a new anime. I love the cover of the book about India 's rice couple! I am googling it now haha. Great story😇
Thank you for reading, Moloya. How fun it would be to read the manga about an Indian-Japanese couple with you! I love India because I keep reading it. This Indian husband now runs an Indian restaurant in Tokyo, so I want to visit it someday.
Thank you for posting! 😀 It was fascinating reading about the role of manga in Japanese culture. This is motivating me to find out about this mode of artistic expression . I am very interested in Cyberpunk!
Thank you for reading🌸Anyone with an interest in art will find manga fascinating. It is incredibly diverse and of a high quality.
It has become essential part of my both adult sons. They look for any kind of motivation in it.
I understand it so well. Manga works are truly inspiring. Thank you for reading Sandeep!