How many "manga" readers out there who are not happy that manga have been left off of so many of the year end & decade end "best of" comics lists, also think that manga and comics are different?
I can sort of understand how people who read all kind of comics may be upset that some of their favorite Japanese ones have been ignored. However, people who insist that "manga" are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and shouldn't even be spoken of in the same breath as lame American comics have no right to complain. You'd think they'd be happy to be kept separate!
More than that, though, the fact is that "manga" are Japanese comics that have been translated into English. They are foreign imports. How many best of lists in Japan do you think include comics from outside their own borders? The fact that there are almost no foreign comics in Japan is, ironically, both beside the point and the exclamation mark after the point!
What’s wrong with separate lists for manga? In fact, how many "best of" lists anywhere mix foreign and domestic products anyway?
I don't think Japanese comics are getting disrespected as much as I think they are just being treated like any other foreign import. There is "Car of the Year", and then there is "Import of the Year". Academy Awards go to American films, with foreign films in their own category. Same goes for just about everything else.
Japanese products may dominate many people’s lists of the best international comics in the U.S., but why should they be included with American comics only when it comes time for accolades?
Which one is it, manga? Are you comics or not!? Are you "manga" and therefore different, or are you asking Americans for a green card so you can move into the mainstream with the other comics? Are you going to join in the reindeer games, or do you just want to lead Santa's sleigh and fart in the face of Dasher and Dancer once a year?
If you aren't comics, you don't get comics awards or recognition - you get "manga" awards and recognition.
You can't have it both ways!
So, are you comics or not!?!?
Whatever you are, manga, this year I hope Santa finally leaves an identity in your stocking and great big reality check under your tree. You look lost and your fans are confused.
For the fans who still think that the cosplay diplomats of Cool Japan are taking over the world, I hope Santa leaves you each a parachute. For the sake of all the cool Japanese comics already translated and those that have yet to reach your shores, please remember to swallow your pride and pull the ripcord BEFORE you hit the ground!
Now, it's time for me to go read the latest Vagabond again and forget that, sadly, the rest of the world barely knows it exists.
6 comments
And if someone's going to do a "Best Of.." list and want to keep foreign comics seperate, I say that's fine as aell.
But when it comes down to brass tacks, comics is comics is comics. So if your list is a generalized everything list, then there's no real excuse for not including some manga or bande dessinée, or fumette, etc.
I think you're talking about the Onion list, right? If I recall, they claimed they didn't include manga because they're weren't familiar with a lot of it. To me, that's a perfectly acceptable reason. These lists are all personal anyway.
But if people are still throwing a fit over it, please image my sigh and rolling eyes.
Actually, I'm talking about a bunch of lists, not specifically the Onion - but more than that I am taking issue with certain reactions I've seen.
I just don't get why I see a lot of talk about how distinct manga are from other comics, but yet I'm also seeing a lot of noise decrying recognition in comics best of lists.
It just seems completely contradictory to me.
Personally, I agree with you that comics is comics is comics. And, using the term manga to refer to Japanese comics is fine - but the term goes further than that I find it silly, which is why I avoid using it.
Actuallyu, I think some people only care about those distinctions because "manga" is stuck in the underdog/minority mentality. Hopefully in a few years translated manga and overseas fans will feel comfortable enough in their own skin to relax and this whole argument will become old news.
Easy: where do you put the stuff from Belgium and South Korea?
Having one list for "comics," including manga translated into English, makes sense.
Having separate lists for "domestic comics" and "imported comics" make sense too.
Having a separate list each for "domestic comics," "manga," "manhwa," "bande dessinée," etc. is consistent too but can get pretty awkward (did we even get enough translations from German or Hebrew in 2009 to fill up a Top 10 list for translations from either language?).
Having separate lists for "comics" and "manga" is pretty much having one list for the domestic comics and the comics imported from everywhere but Japan and having another list for the comics imported from Japan is both inconsistent and awkward.
"I think that if someone wants to use manga as a term to describe comics specifically from Japan the same way they use bande dessinée for comics from France, then I think that's fine..."
When I say "bande dessinée" I mean comics originally in French and when I say "comics" I mean comics including both the ones originally in French and the ones not. ;)
Underdog my ass. ;) Over here in the U.S., there are way more comics available from Japan than from, say, Ivory Coast.
Speaking of Ivory Coast, check out http://www.picha.nl/ for more info on African comics. Sadly, the FAQ's not available in English (yet!).
You're right that it's akward, but the way the Eisner categorizes is probably the best compromise right now. You have foreign comcis, and foreign comcis - Japan. If you don't separate manga then they will dominate and other deserving title won't have a prayer.
From that standpoint, you're right! Manga isn't an underdog, it's a Superstar! :)
But I will check out the African comics link.
Thanks!
Good point, that 3-way split is a great compromise these days.
"...But I will check out the African comics link.
Thanks!"
You're welcome! :)
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0268/is_8_45/ai_n24962155/ is about another exhibition on the diversity of African comics.
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