North American Published Manga

[Matt Alan]

Recently I've noticed english manga publishers such as Tokyopop, publishing "original manga" created by non-asian artists. Titles such as, Dramcon, A Midnight Opera and I believe Shutterbox was as well, and several more. Whats your opinion? Are the stories/art as "good"? Is it still manga? Or are they titles that a publisher that specializes in foreign comics just happens to publish as well? Inferior? What?

Discuss. :D

[Merr]

This has actually been a big nerdly debate on some other forums. Personally, I don't think it's manga since it's not from Japan. In English, manga means Japanese comics, not comics with big eyes and shiny hair. Besides, some of the stuff Tokyopop is pushing (like I luv Halloween) looks like something you'd find in Nickelodeon magazine. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not manga.

And yeah, I know in Japanese manga refers to comics in general, but in English it refers solely to comics from Japan.

Just my two cents ^-^

[Fernie]

Heck, I refer to any kind of sequential art as 'comics' so I could care less what TokyoPop and the rest are calling them. Anyway, I haven't been to the comic shop lately so I haven't had a chance to take a look at any of them and have no real idea how good they are. You might want to keep in mind though that at least some of these are probably the artist's first professional work so it might not be as polished as we're used to, at least judging from the few samples I’ve seen online.

What I'm wondering is how divertive of the stuff from Japan these comics are. I'm assuming that TokyoPop chose these particular works because they thought it would appeal to those who normally buy their other stuff. But do the American comics actually have some originality to them, or do they just tread the same ground that's in the hundreds of translated volumes we already have here? If anyone does read these and has any recommendations please name a few, I wouldn't mind checking them out.

[Brad Tajiri]

The only "Amerimanga" I've read and somewhat enjoyed is Blade for Barter. That's about it. Yup.

[Azure]

You can argue 'til you're blue in the face if it's manga or not, oor you can read some and see if you enjoy it.
My favourite non-Japanese manga style comics are:
Blade for Barter
Amazing Agent Luna
Megatokyo
Van Von Hunter

[TamTu]

The only US comics I read are the Street Fighter series and Fathom. I'm a sucker for the art in both :3

[Nikki Wright]

US Papers adding Japanese Style Comics (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051107/ap_on_re_as/japan_sunday_comics)

In order to increase the amount of "Youthful readers" [since the median age for people purchasing publications is around 53], "Japanese Styled comics" will be placed in the cartoon-section of the paper, starting January.

[Merr]

US Papers adding Japanese Style Comics (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051107/ap_on_re_as/japan_sunday_comics)

In order to increase the amount of "Youthful readers" [since the median age for people purchasing publications is around 53], "Japanese Styled comics" will be placed in the cartoon-section of the paper, starting January.
lol, they should so put Azumanga Daioh in the newspaper! (anything's better than Family Circus)

[Cordelia LeFay]

US Papers adding Japanese Style Comics (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051107/ap_on_re_as/japan_sunday_comics)

In order to increase the amount of "Youthful readers" [since the median age for people purchasing publications is around 53], "Japanese Styled comics" will be placed in the cartoon-section of the paper, starting January.


Damnit Nikki, you beat me to it!

[Clintykins]

This has actually been a big nerdly debate on some other forums. Personally, I don't think it's manga since it's not from Japan. In English, manga means Japanese comics, not comics with big eyes and shiny hair. Besides, some of the stuff Tokyopop is pushing (like I luv Halloween) looks like something you'd find in Nickelodeon magazine. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not manga.

And yeah, I know in Japanese manga refers to comics in general, but in English it refers solely to comics from Japan.

Just my two cents ^-^

I agree wholeheartedly. If they're called manga, they should be from Japan, if they're called comics, they should be from America. I read both and love 'em both, but it's a peeve of mine to call something a name that it's not.

[miyukihime]

Whether these comics should be call manga or comics, that's not the most important point.

It's just that most of the people who write "Amerimanga" such as those for Tokyopop never had any formal training any type of art form classes, thus the movements of their characters are sometimes awkward and out of place. Plus, the plot is well... nonexisitent or stereotypical. In my case, I haven't read a good one yet, most are bad and some are decent.

[Klaymen1]

Blame Mickey. those who know manga know that at least. So the coming from japan thing really doesn't make since. Apples and oranges people. I will break it down for you. Labels suck. As an artist you draw for yourself first, not others. It's only when others see it that it becomes a stereotype and falls into catagories. The whole style of "manga" deals with culture and history in Japan where the page dimentions are smaller and volumes longer. The black and white and screentones comes from tradition. Comics on the other hand came from western Europe (not America) in which tradional art was Paintings rich in color or formated in newspaper strips. Hence the style differences (If you can't understand that evolution stop reading now, it will only hurt your head). Now enter the age of the internet. Get a grip. All art is getting mashed together forming new and borrowing from the old not in traditional sence. Which is why you see artist doing things you don't expect, like an American artist drawing in a "Japanese style"- again labels suck. As for how good the story is 70% the writer and 30% the Artist. In story telling the art is to complement the story. Without a good foundation the house falls. Undestand? The quality of these "english mangas" is going to change over the next few years. That 13 year old who you think sucks at drawing and only does big eye style, yeah, they'll be drawing masterpeices which you'll be buying the volumes for in the future. Every Art "style" had a period in which it was shuned. Even pencil sketches. This is just testing the waters right now. I just flicked 2 cents at your forehead. Did you catch it?

[enchantma]

I can go on rambling about this for hours...but I'm gonna skip straight to the conclusion of everything I want to say...
These publishing companies are forsure only interested in making money. You don't need talent anymore. If junk will sell, it's good enough to get published. HOW the junk sells is beyond me...but a lot of these patheticaly drawn comics are hitting the shelves left and right....kinda makes me jealous in a way---I wonder why my junk can't make it out there too.
*shrugs*
I'm not a fan of non-asian titles at all. I haven't found one that I can say is entertaining...
maybe i'm just really picky or really jealous....

[Windy*]

It's just that most of the people who write "Amerimanga" such as those for Tokyopop never had any formal training any type of art form classes, thus the movements of their characters are sometimes awkward and out of place. Plus, the plot is well... nonexisitent or stereotypical.

I wouldn't say that at all; can you justify the statement that these people have had no formal training?

The problem isn't that the artists are talentless; I think it's that they're trying to create comics in a style that isn't inherent to their own culture, like with manga and the Japanese... thus the artwork coming out awkward and unnatural-looking at times, and the plots being emulations of sorts of what they think manga might be. However, it's not really the same, which is why people respond as they do to this sort of comic.

There are a few good manga-style comics here in America, IMO. I found Dramacon to be pretty amusing, since it's a spin on the whole con-going otaku culture here in America, and isn't really trying to pose as manga aside from the art style (not a bad thing here). Bizenghast also looks interesting and has some gorgeous artwork.

If only Hans Tseng had been allowed to keep his contract with Tokyopop - now there's a guy who knows the manga style and how to apply it. :D

[Natsumi-chan]

I can go on rambling about this for hours...but I'm gonna skip straight to the conclusion of everything I want to say...
These publishing companies are forsure only interested in making money. You don't need talent anymore. If junk will sell, it's good enough to get published. HOW the junk sells is beyond me...but a lot of these patheticaly drawn comics are hitting the shelves left and right....kinda makes me jealous in a way---I wonder why my junk can't make it out there too.
*shrugs*
I'm not a fan of non-asian titles at all. I haven't found one that I can say is entertaining...
maybe i'm just really picky or really jealous....


have you checked out Tokyopops 'rising stars of manga' contest?? a lot of american drawn 'manga's you see out there are previous winners ^^ Windy-chan mentioned Bizenghast..yep previous placer ^^!! I've seen your site and I know you're damn good enough for it ^^!!
but as far the topic goes -- everyone is going to prefer one particular style more than another -- I dont personally think that makes one better than the other-- Living in Hawaii I've met a lot of Japanese exchange students (lol as odd as that may sound) and yeeeesss ...this is true...EVERY exchange student , that I myself have met , has been able to draw in a beautiful anime style-- sure some of the porportions where wrong in a few....but the line work..the shading ..the eyes O.o....all of the drawing looked 'authentic'..... and each and everyone of those kids has been drawing manga since they could draw!! how can anyone say that a person who's been drawing and watching cartoons in a particuallar style since they could walk is a better artist then the one who hasn't??-- no they're just better 'reproducers' .... the reason why soooo many great stories come out of Japan is because the competion is sooooo much greater-- you HAVE to be great to get published.

the way i look at it is.....ok....so 'manga' is a Japanese word right?? so therefor ANY 'manga' style that doesnt come out of Japan isnt manga?? check out the names of many of those 'manga's' next time you're in a book store..more Korean and Chinese aurthors are creating them then american aurthors-- so does that mean those dont qualify as manga either?? give american artist a chance to perfect their own unique style--- or wait until YOU or a another young artist comes out with a beautiful well written Manga --- GO GO ARTISTS!!!!! ^^

sorry this is soo long and my thoughts are all jumbled O.o...doh...oh!! and check out 'Atomic King Dynomite' when it gets published...very funny!! hehe and American made ^_-

[Zankoku no Yami]

I can go on rambling about this for hours...but I'm gonna skip straight to the conclusion of everything I want to say...
These publishing companies are forsure only interested in making money. You don't need talent anymore. If junk will sell, it's good enough to get published. HOW the junk sells is beyond me...but a lot of these patheticaly drawn comics are hitting the shelves left and right....kinda makes me jealous in a way---I wonder why my junk can't make it out there too.
*shrugs*
I'm not a fan of non-asian titles at all. I haven't found one that I can say is entertaining...
maybe i'm just really picky or really jealous....

I'll have to completely agree with you ^^ I feel i am also very picky or really jealous. Being a writer, its easily one or the other. I hate to see no talent hacks get all this fame and glory just for the sake of these people who publish them getting money. There are people out there who have great talent. But for some reason they are ignored.

We definately need to team up or something and create something to show those has beens what REAL manga is about! Lol, or completely ignore me ^_~

[Natsumi-chan]

READ ME!!!


ok......so maybe no one cares but if you want a good shot at being published.. from Tokyopop no less............http://www.tokyopop.com/news/mangatalent/index.php -- this is the last one..a new one will be coming up soon....sooooo...PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!!! IT'S A GREAT OPPURTUNITY!!!! <-- cant spell....once again>>>GO GO ARTISTS ^^!!!

[Deiji]

I think a manga i'm reading now called 'I.N.V.U' is American... or non-Japanese, at least. The name of the artist is Kim Kang Won, but the pages are read from left-to-right, so i dunno x_X *shrug* Its a good manga from what i've read, none the less. Although.. i've only read 10 pages xD

[enchantma]

Actually, Deiji, that's a Korean manwha ^^

[Margo]

Well... "Manga" IS "comic" in the Japanese language...as "manhwa" is Korean, "manhua" is Chinese, etc... So, I think that American comics with a Japanese look to them, are really just "comics"...and the artist...just uses a Japanese type style... Or something of the sort... Yeah... *Nods* I agree with Merr ^^;;

I'll move to Japan and THEN publish a manga! XD

[Deiji]

....I SHOULD GET MY ORIGINAL MANGA PUBLISHED!!! :O

...um, i'm kidding. My manga/comic wouldn't stand a chance xDD

[Cordelia LeFay]

When I go teach in Japan, I wanna write the script of a manga about the experience and get my friend to illustrate it. That would be kick ass.

It would be like a gaijin Azumanga diaoh! LOL

[Margo]

When I go teach in Japan, I wanna write the script of a manga about the experience and get my friend to illustrate it. That would be kick ass.

It would be like a gaijin Azumanga diaoh! LOL

Awesome! XD

I want to make manga...but I'm American..? If I got it published here, people would be like "EW! AMERICAN MANGA!!" and then not read it, haha. I want to make an online comic ._.

[Matt Cruea]

I'm not a fan of non-asian titles at all. I haven't found one that I can say is entertaining...
maybe i'm just really picky or really jealous....

You suck.

Anyway, I really like the Scott Pilgrim series from Oni Press. It's definitely manga inspired in it's art-style (but it's from a Canadian, so it's not manga).

[Matt Alan]

....I SHOULD GET MY ORIGINAL MANGA PUBLISHED!!! :O

...um, i'm kidding. My manga/comic wouldn't stand a chance xDD

XD Do it! Let the world see the antics of Matt Alan, Deiji, and Seriyu!

[Edwyn]

I've been enjoying Antarctic Press' line of "Amerimanga" for several years now. Though I only seriously collect issues of "Gold Digger" at this point (Fred Perry is quite a powerhouse of writing and art), I was once quite an avid reader of "Ninja High School" as well, which was THE flagship title of AP. It's pretty cool to see how the comic aged alongside the American anime fandom that fueled its creator's imagination.

For one thing, back when it first began, it reflected the then-big fan interest in 80s mecha anime and a lot of Kenichi Sonoda-designed stuff. As American anime fandom grew to incorporate more styles and genres, so too did NHS grow to include magical girls, time travel, love quadrangles, invasions from outer space, sentai groups and the ever-popular harem situations. Oh, and ninjas, which were ever present, of course. A great fun series whose back issues are unfortunately quite difficult to get a hold of, even in their own printed collections ("out of print" be painful, yarr).

[Azure]

Deiji do it! You could try RSOM UK 2 when it launches or publish small press. We need more manga style works over here.

[enchantma]

XD Do it! Let the world see the antics of Matt Alan, Deiji, and Seriyu!
Yeah, totally go for it! <3 You never know, you might be leaving off to college one day and get interrupted by an email from a publishing company asking to publish your webcomic or something! (geez...now why did that sound so familiar? lol)

[fukkatsu]

I think some of the stuff that they are coming out with is JUST as good as any other form of manga. The jokes are geared more towards our culture which makes it VERY alluring and easy to get into and some of the stories have a real humor and kick to them. I really enjoy reading Dramacon and Off*Beat. They are original stories that are set in American life that really fit well into the styles that they are trying to master. Just because it is American or not Japanese born doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a chance. You guys will be very surprised at some of the good stuff that is coming from us.

[EDIT] Just so you guys know, to enter Tokyo Pop or any other manga company in the US is VERY difficult and VERY selective. My Aunt deals with Tokyo Pop all the time and they are really looking for something that is out of the ordinary with a good refined art quality to it. If you know you have something good and different then go for it but they definitely want something solid that they can work with!

[EDIT EDIT] Congrats Enchantma! I just saw your DevArt! That is just amazing! I am so happy for you!

[Matt Alan]

Has Enchantma not shared her good news yet? >D

[enchantma]

Thank you Fukkatsu! <3
Haha, I guess I never mentioned it here, Matt XD;

[Kaworu the Prophet]

This is really nothing new, westerners publishing "manga". However artists such as Fred Perry and Adam Warren never referred to their work as manga, nor have they called themselves mangaka (Manga artist). Warren once said himself, "Technically it's not manga. It's not Japanese."

There is actually a few titles I like that are american where the artist uses the manga style, I'm a huge fan of "Gold Digger", and I liked Adam Warrens version of "Gen 13". I've been meaning to check out "We Shadows" by Sunny Strait, who's famous for voicing Krillin in DBZ and also has quite a talented drawing hand.

[Seishiro17]

This is really nothing new,

it's a three year old topic...