Manga is the local word for comics or komikku, as it is pronounced, in Japan. It began way back after World War II. Though manga is a comic, it is popular among people of all ages and they read them. A variety of subjects ranging from romance, history, drama, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, action and adventure, sexuality, mystery, horror, games and sports, and a lot more.

It has pLayed a critical role in Japan's publishing industry as it garnered $4.4 billion (481 billion yen) in 2006. Translated literally, this means whimsical pictures and its cultural background is traced way back with the Japanese art ukiyo-e.

Unlike in western comics, it is serialized as one episode per issue and is followed by succeeding issue. Generally back and white, it is done by a manga artist-or mangaka in Japanese-who is assisted by assistants and linked with a publishing company.

Manga is turned into anime only if it becomes famous to the public. It is already popular around the world and influence comic styles as it has, when it comes to how they are called, several counterparts in certain countries, such as Amerimanga in the US and la nouvelle manga in France.

History

Manga was inspired by American films and cartoons, especially those animated Disney films during the Occupation. As there are several types of mangas, its popularity among the Japanese sometimes depends on the gender and age range it usually caters; there is shojo, for audiences comprised of girl and young women and seinen, for male readers aged 18 to 30.

Bishojo and shonen mangas deals with subjects that serve the interests of boys and young men. As the former focuses on themes in which the female characters are sexy, beautiful and single, the latter deals with themes in line with robots and action-adventure heroes.

In the 1990s, when censorship was eased, mangas with sexual themes were introduced. Drawn explicitly, it is primarily caters male readers. It touches sexual themes like bondage and sadomasochism, and sometimes even incest, bestiality and rape.

Fan fiction also exists in the world of manga as well as there is dojinshi. Most of these parody characters from a popular mangas or animes. Published independently by amateurs, these are considered out of the commercial mainstream industry.

Examples of Popular Manga

Naruto. This manga by Masashi Kishimoto is about a boy named Uzumaki Naruto, a boisterous ninja who is avoided by villagers because of a dark past that has been associated with him since birth. Despite the fact that he is loathed and distrusted by many people, he can never be shaken off from his desire to help other people and achieve his own dream of becoming a Hokage-the title given to the leader of the ninja village and who amongst everyone is the mightiest of all.

Bleach. In the world of zanpaktos (living swords) and shinigamis (death gods), this is a tale of a boy who was at first a skeptic with his duties as a shinigami. But as time passed, he learned what his responsibilities are as a death god and the wielder of a powerful living sword. With that, he has accepted the fact that he had to fight the leader of all who had caused chaos in the world of the shinigamis, Sosuke Aizen. Created by Tite Kubo, this is set in a fictional town in Kamakura and in the world of death gods, the Soul Society.

Sailor Moon. Known officially as Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, this series was created by Naoko Takeuchi. It is about a schoolgirl who, because of her destiny brought about by her past identity, fights off the minions of the Dark Kingdom and save the kingdom of the moon.

Astro Boy. Or Mighty Atom, in literal translation of its original Japanese's name, is written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. Set in a sci-fi world of androids and humans, Astro Boy was created by Doctor Tenma in replacement of his dead son. Turned over to Professor Ochanomizu, he began to fight evil robots, human-hating robots, as well as invading aliens. The themes of this story revolve around morality and responsibility among others.