Comments on: How Important Is Japanese Approval/Acceptance of Western Manga?

By: Mishka F.

Mishka F. — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:37:09 +0000

OEL manga would be cooler at large if it didn’t try so hard to be Japanese. I’m not talking about art, I’m talking about the large number of stereotypes in many OEL titles that prevent reading from being pleasurable. Especially the Megatokyo series, which is a pile of fantasy garbage.

I think the Japanese would find OEL manga more acceptable if it was more “American(or British or what have you)” than Japanese wannabe. Just my thoughts.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:40:30 +0000

hmm, am i the only one who thinks OEL manga is better than japanese manga? i never really liked Naruto or dragon Ball…way too unbelievable and exaggerated. it doesn matter anywys since
its jsut my opinion. everyone is different, so everyone has different ideas/opinions. don’t get offended, ok?

By: Supperman

Supperman — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:35:40 +0000

I agree with many of your points, Inner Space, but I feel like you’re a little biased towards Japanese manga because of all of your references to Japanese manga. True, Japanese manga tends to have a dazzling number of plot twists, and western manga should have more universal elements that Japanese manga tend to have. However, you should’ve also given specific quotes from the manga to explain your points, otherwise most people wouldn’t get what you mean. :\

Well, I personally think that there is no difference btwn Japanese and OEL?????????????? the cultural references. I actually thought the main character was cute, not annoying. In fact, Dramacon is probably my all-time favorite manga. I think that in a few years, OEL manga will be fully accepted by Japanese people. They probably don’t understand the American culture as well, but then again, it took some time for Americans to accept Japanese manga.

By: Inner Space

Inner Space — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:22:53 +0000

I only care if the manga/comic is interesting, appealing to the senses, and exciting. I don’t care at all where the manga is made. Unfortunately, OEL manga such as Dramacon just don’t catch my eye. (The main character annoys me.) I believe that OEL manga should have far more plot twists like Japanese manga in order to be more successful. Japanese acceptance of Western manga doesn’t matter one bit because western manga should focus on being universal and appealing to any human being. (Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk are examples.) That is the only hope of western manga being accepted in Japan and by a wide number of people. True, “the mind is mightier than a critic,” Redshadow. However, those who cannot take criticism shall never be truly successful. To sum “it” all up, western manga needs to be groundbreaking, intriguing, beautiful, able to stimulate emotions, and most importantly charismatic, like Japanese manga, or else the majority of the manga readers out there will not accept western manga as the equal of Japanese manga. Read Mysterious Girlfriend x, Naruto, Ichigo/Strawberry 100%, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Lilim’s Kiss for examples. (All of the above mentioned manga and many more are vastly superior to the “best” OEL manga.)

By: Lazy Eye

Lazy Eye — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:56:19 +0000

What if a born and raised American happens to get a start in Japan as a Manga-ka? What if I were to make a comic that is clearly influenced by manga but sold in the graphic novel section? Would it be accepted? The topic’s question is one that’s been running through my head for awhile, so much so that its actually influencing my style of drawing. I love the look of manga characters but feel since I’m not “made in Japan” I can’t get used to drawing in that style. And so I’ve created characters with combined influences from western comics and manga, funny enough it closely resembles the style used for Akira, but it lacks the charm of the deformed caricature’s seen frequently in manga and I always find myself going back and drawing in plain ol manga style to “cool off and relax.” It’s the drawing style I grew up with!

By: Redshadow

Redshadow — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:05:40 +0000

As a american mangaka, honestly I know so that if america pushes on this growing opportunity. Then It will clearly be accept by Japanes It not where your from, It whether your art your story is excellent, this is what turns people into reading the fruits. Just see Aaron Mcgruger creator of the Boondock his work is purely base on the Manga style of art, and Now he got an Anime 2 seasons running. If he made then I say to all writters, artist, and fan alike of manga, don’t let a so term of Xenophobia be a barrier to creating a manga.
-RedShadow
The mind is migthier than a critic

By: Kamili

Kamili — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:42:47 +0000

I agree that non-Japanese people should be able to create manga-influenced comics and that they should judged on a case by case basis. But let’s be honest here. Manga is the Japanese word for comic, so calling anything a manga that’s not from Japan is simply inaccurate. Non-Japanese comics should be called “manga-influenced” or “manga-inspired” because that’s what it is. I’m not saying it’s always the case, but i agree that many times the manga-like drawing style is used as a gimick to capitalize off of the popularity of manga and anime in the US. If you draw in that style (I do), then fine, but don’t call it what it’s not.

Also, I’ve read a lot of manga-influenced comics and not one of them is even on the same level as a GOOD manga. MegaTokyo is horrible and I’ve seen several others that seem to, intentionally or not, mock Japanese culture. Others are just sad attempts at copying Japanese drawing styles and throwing in generic stereotypes and “cultural references” for the sake of “authenticity”. It’s not elitist to dislike something if you have a legitamate reason. I’m tired of people playing the “Elitist” or “Purist” card every time someone disagrees with them. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.

So draw in manga style, do your thing and don’t worry about what others think. But just like rap and rock music (which have been copied and “reinvented” so many times that people are now trying to act like they weren’t invented by black people) let’s not forget where they came from and who does it the best.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:59:28 +0000

I think OEL manga can do well in Japan. Beside, I found out that there are Japanese audiences who wants to read manga not made in Japan. I recalled UK’s Manga Shakespeare got a lot of excellent review in Japan. I have faith on OEL manga market, if they can’t survive then no manga made in other part of the world would survive (Japan is not included).

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:16:20 +0000

@heather, it is disheartening, and goes to show the level of elitism some people have. I believe time will change this attitude, that and possibly the distribution companies’ decisions on which manga to carry.

By: heather

heather — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:21:36 +0000

That’s an interesting question that I have pondered frequently.
I don’t care where my manga comes from, I genuinely don’t.
I love to both read and draw/write manga and watch anime and as a westerner its disheartening to hear that prejudice can be aimed towards OEL, although its not entirely unexpected and it is quite understandable.
I think there’s a significant culture barrier if I’m honest. I could write a HUGE argument about it all but I’m not going to because I won’t be saying what you don’t already know or feel.
I’m willing to give everything a chance. I care about beautiful art, stories that capture you and worlds you can lose yourself in. I don’t care if that world was created by someone Japanese, someone English or Someone from Pilar De La Horadada. It doesn’t bother me, and I think people need that attitude.

And I’d like to add…
It’s sad we live in a close minded society. I read some of the comments saying how OEL isn’t authentic etc etc etc and that’s why it’s ‘bad’.
So what, manga originally came from Japan. So did sushi. It doesn’t mean westerners can’t appreciate it and vice versa for some western cultures that have become significant in Japan.
Like I said, it’s disheartening, but sadly, not unexpected.