MANGA hasn’t quite reached sushi-level popularity in the United States yet, but it’s a trend on the cusp – and you’re sure to be seeing a whole lot of it in the coming months. These are the comics that are read from back to front and feature characters with saucerlike eyes, pointy chins and hair the color of cotton candy. They’re cute, they’re fun – and they’re experiencing a new and intense wave of popularity. So what’s it all about? Manga – Japanese for “comics” or “print cartoons” and pronounced “mah-nga” – routinely occupies the top spots on the best-seller comics lists. Last year it accounted for $205 million of the $330 million American graphic-novel business.
It’s so popular that a British company released a manga version of the New Testament – as in the Bible – earlier this year, and pre-orders are currently being taken for the full shebang.
Still not convinced?
How’s this: Pop princess Avril Lavigne has lent her name and likeness to a manga series, suspense master Dean Koontz is
co-writing a manga due in June, and popular fantasy author Terry Brooks is working on a manga-style graphic novel.
“The biggest reason why manga has taken hold is that we had hit cartoons like ‘Sailor Moon’ and ‘Pokemon’ [come out in the United States on TV] in ’98 and ’99, which really opened up the doors and got kids interested in this format and style of storytelling,”
says Del Ray Manga associate publisher
Dallas Middaugh.
Visually, the difference between manga and comics like “Batman” and “Superman” is obvious.
“It has a much more cinematic pacing and layout,” says Tokyopop’s senior editor of global manga, Lillian Diaz-Przybyl.
“It’s like watching a movie, the angles of the panels are much more expressive, and the way your eye moves across the page is carefully controlled by the artist. That’s not necessarily something you get in mainstream American comics.”
While American comics tend to be chock-full of political messages and cynicism, manga’s hallmark is a mix of earnestness and sincerity.
“It sounds sappy in an American context, because we’re so used to media that’s
sarcastic and talks down to viewers,” says Diaz-Przybyl.
“But there’s a real appeal to having something [like manga] that’s so purely fun, with a message like making friends and working together to overcome obstacles, without being overly moralistic.
“Finding that balance between emotional realism and a fantasy context is what makes manga really exciting for people of all ages.”
Contrary to popular belief, manga isn’t just for rugrats with an unhealthy Cartoon Network fixation.
In Japan, manga is read by the entire population – adults and children, both male and female – and covers everything from science fiction to horror, romance to fantasy, self-help to cooking, sports and pets.
“Manga is aimed at a wide variety of age groups, like cable television. Keep flipping around and you’ll find just about anything,” says Jason Thompson, author of “The Complete Guide: Manga.”
It’s true, though, that the majority of American manga readers skew younger and are currently teenagers.
Fortunately for the Japanese comics, teenagers are largely seen as being early adopters – cool ones at that.
“People who are into anime and manga are usually skateboarders who listen to J-rock [Japanese rock music], emo kids or are into video-gaming. They’re the cool kids right now,” says Carmilla Kupritz, editor-in-chief of Animefood magazine.
While manga – and comics in general – may still seem like the domain of the uber-nerd, that’s OK. Nerds are in, as we all know.
“Manga has a nerdy stigma, but the nerdiness has an edge,” says Thompson.
“There’s still a bit of the unknown to it, an outlaw-ish feeling – even though it’s quite popular, people still feel that it’s a subculture thing that only the cool nerds are into or that they’re discovering it rather than having it marketed down their throats.
“Manga has the best of both worlds right now: It has that weird, Japanese pop culture appeal and the nerdy hipster appeal of comic books and graphic novels – it manages to be both cool and nerdy, but cool because it’s nerdy.”
EVERYONE’S gotta start somewhere, right? Here are some series to set you off on your very own manga odyssey.
“GON,” by Masashi Tanaka (CMX)
About a teeny, wittle ferocious T. rex and his Paleolithic adventures. There aren’t any words in it, making it a good way to get used to reading the way most manga is published, from right to left.
“Lone Wolf and Cub,” by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima (Darkhorse Comics)
This epic samurai story – more than 7,000 pages long – follows a disgraced executioner turned assassin and his young son and is set during Japan’s Tokugawa era. Although the classic series began in 1970, it was first brought to the United States in 1987.
“Phoenix,” by Osamu Tezuka (VIZ Media)
Read Western-style, from left to right, this tale of a man searching for immortality is probably the most ambitious and well-known work from the “Godfather of Manga.” Try his newly translated “MW” (Vertical Inc.) for an adult-leaning dose of political intrigue, scandal and humor.
“Iron Wok Jan,” by Shinji Saijyo (DrMaster Publications)
Filled with obsessive details about Chinese cuisine, this “Iron Chef”-like manga revolves around a sociopathic chef working at Tokyo’s premiere Chinese restaurant and the battle-cooking competitions he frequently enters.
“Eyeshield 21,” by Riichiro Inagaki (VIZ Media)
A prime example of sports manga, this one’s about a wimpy-seeming
high schooler and his football team. It’s written for an audience that doesn’t know much about tossing around the ol’ pigskin, so it isn’t just for jocks and wannabes.
“Parasyte,” by Hitoshi Iwaaki (Del Ray Manga)
Intended for an older audience, this horror/sci-fi manga is about a teen boy dealing with aliens that have invaded his neighborhood. Unlike everyone else, he’s managed to avoid the onslaught, only having his hand (instead of brain) infected.
LOOKING for a way to pack more manga into your life? Here’s a crib sheet.
The New York Anime Festival
The inaugural fest might be devoted to classic and cutting-edge anime, but it also features a healthy dose of manga and Japanese culture (like a Maid Café, staffed by girls in French maid costumes) in general. Held at the Jacob Javits Center, Dec. 7-9. For more information, visit newyorkanimefestival.com
Kinokuniya Bookstore
The Japanese bookstore recently celebrated the grand opening of its new flagship store. While you’re there picking up some manga (natch), take a gander at the original “live” mural created by manga legend Takehiko Inoue when it debuts on Tuesday. 1073 Sixth Ave.; (212) 869-1700
Gallery Hanahou
Technically, it’s not manga – but the pop-up store does feature some extremely cute plush toys created by Japanese artists that are rarely seen abroad. Through Dec. 21. 611 Broadway; (646) 486-6586, galleryhanahou.com
Antifeminism x Hagakure Coupling Tour
There’s a big connection between
manga and music in Japan that goes beyond the fact that the rockers look like they’re from the books. The punk and “visual kei” (a mix of glam, punk and metal,) Japanese bands play Dec. 9 at Brooklyn’s Studio B on 259 Banker St., (718) 389-1880.