Anime and Manga

Manga and anime are two mediums of the same Japanese animation style. Manga refers to comics that use the cartoon style, while anime is the television and film version of the animation style.
 
Anime was derived from manga when television and films came into popularity. Manga originated on walls and on wooden blocks many years earlier.
 
 
Unlike the animation of the United States and other western countries, anime and manga is geared toward people of all ages. Therefore, the subject matter is far more varied in manga and anime.

Common themes include:

  • action
  • adventure
  • business and commerce
  • comedy
  • historical drama
  • horror
  • mystery
  • romance
  • science fiction and fantasy
  • sexuality (manga pornography, also known as "manga porn" or "hentai," is a very popular class of manga)
  • sports and games.
While many anime series and films were based on specific manga series or a specific category of manga series, many anime series are now created without an accompanying manga.

Anime

Anime was first brought onto the market just after the popularity of television began to rise. Its success grew hugely in Japan before it caught the eye of the U.S. market and other western countries.
 
Anime is traditionally drawn by hand, though some anime is now created using computers. Unlike manga, which is mostly done in black and white, anime uses bright colors and an emphasis on action to tell its story.
 
Unlike most American cartoons and other types of animation that are geared only toward children, anime is designed for viewers of varying ages.

Manga

Manga goes back many, many years and was first seen on walls and wooden blocks. However, published manga did not become widely successful until the mid-1900s.
 
Early on, most manga only featured male characters. However, manga evolved to include female characters and later even featured female roles in some series.
 
Manga was originally drawn in black and white, though color manga does exist. Different types of manga appeal to people of all ages. Manga fairies, gothic manga, cute manga and even manga porno (hentai) are popular among different classes of manga enthusiasts.
 
Manga, just as with other types of comics, can be "one shot" comics or series. A successful manga series can go on for many years.
 
Manga magazines often feature both series and one-shot manga. Some popular manga magazines include:
  • Big Comic Original
  • Nakayoshi
  • Ribon
  • Shojo Beat
  • Shonen Sunday
  • Weekly Shonen Jump
  • Young Animal.
Some anime magazines also sometimes feature manga.

Anime and Manga Markets

In addition to Japan and other Asian countries where anime and manga are created, the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom also have avid fans of anime and manga.
 
Anime is featured on many American television networks, and can also be found through the Internet and on DVD.
 
Some U.S. artists have even begun to create their own manga. U.S.-made cartoons are also starting to feature certain elements that are characteristic to anime.
 
Resources
 
Gille's Service (2007). The Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga. Retrieved January 8, 2008, from the Gille's Service Web site: http://www.koyagi.com/Libguide.html.