I'm mostly reading some autobiographical ones I picked out at random, Osamu Tezuka (Black Jack), Taiyo Matsumoto (Sunny), and Shigeru Mizuki (Gegege no Kitaro). So interesting to see how different the comic culture is in Japan.
KK: No way! That's soooo cool! I'd only ever read Tekkon Kinkreet (I've seen the film as well) by Matsumoto, but Sunny is really great as well! He's definitely my favourite contemporary Japanese cartoonist. Need to read more!!!
Destiny: I don't think I know enough about comics to come up with anything clever, but here are some things I noticed: (1) The genres seem to be very clear cut in Japan, ie. comics for girls, boys, adult men, gyagu (comedy), etc., whereas I don't think it's as strict elsewhere (except for superhero comics maybe?), (2) the culture of (bi)monthly comic magazines publishing continuous series (ie. magazines like "Ribbon" (for girls), "Sunday" (for adults)). Many comics seem to start out in this form, and when the storyline is finished, they're published as individual books., (3) it often appears to be difficult for cartoonists to become established without having been published in a monthly (or other regular) magazine, (4) many cartoonists still seem to draw and ink by hand (I'm not 100% certain but I think many do). And of course, there's the artistic style that's very different (the typical "manga" style (which I don't like so much) VS non-manga comics outside of Japan). But yes. I've definitely got lots of learn about comics in general, but I would love to be published in Japan one day and to see how people react . . . !
omg thanks for the reply. Aww i definitely like the typical manga style most of the time. I know you can publish your comic in 4-koma format. And I think your genres can be adventure, comedy, romance, slices of life. I am totally serious. lol
I wish I could do this sorta research!
ReplyDeleteTaiyo Matsumoto has a TO exhibition a cpl months ago, some really beautiful drawings from Sunny. <3
Yeah i wish can do the same research!
Deleteplease publish your research if possible haha. I am curious about your views on the differences.
KK: No way! That's soooo cool! I'd only ever read Tekkon Kinkreet (I've seen the film as well) by Matsumoto, but Sunny is really great as well! He's definitely my favourite contemporary Japanese cartoonist. Need to read more!!!
DeleteDestiny: I don't think I know enough about comics to come up with anything clever, but here are some things I noticed: (1) The genres seem to be very clear cut in Japan, ie. comics for girls, boys, adult men, gyagu (comedy), etc., whereas I don't think it's as strict elsewhere (except for superhero comics maybe?), (2) the culture of (bi)monthly comic magazines publishing continuous series (ie. magazines like "Ribbon" (for girls), "Sunday" (for adults)). Many comics seem to start out in this form, and when the storyline is finished, they're published as individual books., (3) it often appears to be difficult for cartoonists to become established without having been published in a monthly (or other regular) magazine, (4) many cartoonists still seem to draw and ink by hand (I'm not 100% certain but I think many do). And of course, there's the artistic style that's very different (the typical "manga" style (which I don't like so much) VS non-manga comics outside of Japan). But yes. I've definitely got lots of learn about comics in general, but I would love to be published in Japan one day and to see how people react . . . !
omg thanks for the reply. Aww i definitely like the typical manga style most of the time. I know you can publish your comic in 4-koma format. And I think your genres can be adventure, comedy, romance, slices of life. I am totally serious. lol
Delete