Being a passionate reader of manga and graphic novels, I always get excited when patrons visit the library to request or check out these publications. Because of how well accepted these books have become in popular culture, there has been a rise in readership surrounding them. Some people still believe that manga and graphic novels are only for young readers and that manga and graphic novels are not real literature, despite their growing popularity. This blog aims to dispel some of these myths and get more people to check out manga or graphic novels to see how rich in narrative and art they are. With the incredible selection of manga and graphic novels in our library system, I’m confident we can discover a book that will interest any reader.
Read More: japanese adult comic book
The Background
Although manga first appeared in Japan in the 12th century, its modern form dates only to the 1950s (Mori, 2014). Before being released as books, it is often published as a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly magazine in Japan. According to the Japan External Trade Organization, manga accounts for almost one-third of Japan’s publications and the country has a high literacy rate. Manga isn’t limited to fiction, either; non-fiction books are often produced by them to offer accessibility and amusement while educating readers about science or history. Manga also explores real-life topics; its characters face challenges that many readers, not just younger readers, may identify with.
The Golden Age of Comics, which ran from 1938 to 1955, is when comics really got their start (Mori, 2014). These early comics were straightforward publications featuring a superhero performing valiant deeds. Comics began to change in tone during the 1970s and 1980s, becoming more literary, historical, and serious. Comic books began to be referred to as graphic novels due to their increased length and plot. Additionally, characters from a variety of backgrounds began to emerge more often during this time.
The first graphic novel to ever win a literary prize was Art Spiegelman’s 1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning book Maus. More people were able to recognize comics’ literary potential thanks to this milestone.
The Criticism
The most common complaint about comics and manga is that they are too simple and don’t help readers develop reading skills. This isn’t true at all. In actuality, this kind of media aids in encouraging lifelong readers. Manga and graphic novels must use both words and images to tell their stories. This enables readers to observe how the many panels interact to advance the plot in addition to reading what is happening. Numerous books and essays about the advantages of comics for readers—especially young readers—have also been written. The Power of Reading by Stephen D. Krashen discusses how comic book reading may result in a serious readership. Some people find it hard to read long passages of text, yet readers may receive knowledge from manga and graphic novels in a less stressful method. This makes it accessible to them since the reader is attracted into the artwork rather than staring at blocks of text. The artwork also uses language that the reader may perhaps encounter on a daily basis.
Another complaint that some have is that they are very explicit. The library system has taken care of this. Our collections are categorized as juvenile, young adult, and adult in our catalog. This makes it possible to address a portion of this worry. The majority of manga books include a rating on the back so that readers may determine who is intended for them. Comic books and manga are written for a broad spectrum of readers and age groups. Since they are comics, it is simple to anticipate that they will be based on the same material as children’s programs or newspaper articles. It isn’t like that. Many readers with varying ages, backgrounds, and understanding abilities are intended for this media. Something that is inappropriate for one individual may be ideal for another. Everybody can typically find a manga or graphic book they enjoy.
BENEFITS
People can appreciate literature that is both artistically and intellectually attractive by reading graphic novels and manga. In order to appeal to a wider audience, regardless of gender, color, or age, this kind of media has advanced greatly. It’s an artistic book. Another advantage of this kind of media is that it may support the delivery of a message without being overly text-heavy. This gives those who might be reluctant readers access to a literary work that encourages reading without becoming overly block text-heavy.
We offer a couple graphic novel-format books on body acceptance (Eat by Sweeney Boo) and mental health (Hardcore Anxiety by Reid Chancellor). This strategy to communicating mental health makes it possible for the reader to approach the topic in a less intimidating manner. It is crucial to pack as many information and words as possible into a page while writing block texts. Instead, graphic novels use words and art to tell readers about a subject while also using art to imply depth and tone in sparser text. For further graphic novels about health-related topics, check out the website Graphic Medicine. If you want to learn more but don’t want to read a textbook on these topics, this might be a helpful resource.
Manga also addresses subjects that are common to people’s lives, as Fujita’s Wotakoi: Love is hard for Otaku. Our main character in our manga, Narumi, feels uncomfortable with others realizing that she is an Otaku—someone who is infatuated with video games or popular culture. Even if there are many others who could also have that same fandom, this kind of manga appeals to a wide range of readers who might feel uncomfortable about their fandoms! Genoroh Tagame’s novel My Brother’s Husband tells the story of Yaichi, a guy who must accept that his brother is gay and has married a stranger from Canada. Through his brother-in-law and his own daughter, who believes that having a Canadian uncle is the greatest thing ever, Yaichi acquires a new perspective on Japanese society.
These are but a handful of the incredible books that are available to us. Our collection is filled with fantastic manga and graphic novels. We can always recommend a buy for you if we don’t have what you’re searching for so you can obtain the books you want to read.