Welcome to My Learning Curve: The Mystery of Manga

According to Dr. Katie Monnin, an assistant professor of literacy at the University of North Florida, Manga is written for boys (Shonen), girls (Shojo), adults (Seinen), and children (Kodomo).

This Japanese style comic book supposedly grew out of a comic exchange in World War II, but others interested in Manga would say that it started pre - American contact.

However, I really enjoed Dr. Monnin's explanation of the Manga story structure.

Below, is a condensed version of her discussion on Characterization, Serialization, and Emotionality.

Characterization

1. Main characters

self-driven and have unique personalities

physical appearance, such as clothes, body, and accessories, reflects character's personality

special ability or skill allow all main characters to create a team dynamic

Skill examples: magic, great swordsman

2. Supporting characters

help main character develop and their ability

Example: villain who goes after main character who has a magic ability. As a result, the main character's ability is strengthened through necessity.

Serialization

It is common for the story lines to be a serial that can continue for years, even decades. Interestingly, one of my favourite Japanese stories is Osama Tezuka's Astro Boy which Dr. Monnin says has been running for over 50 years!

Image: http://majorspoilers.com/category/astro-boy/

The author also mentioned that most manga titles have a loyal fan base. She listed the top three for adult readers as Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Full Metal Alchemist, just FYI!

Emotionality

According to Dr. Monin, 'emotional expression' is the most identifiable trait of manga and is believed to enhance the storyline.

Here's an example that demonstrates how the physical features of the female character change in the second panel due to her changing emotions.

Image: http://www.netplaces.com/cartooning/comic-books/japanese-manga.htm

Finally, Dr. Monnin provides some links for Manga resources for parents, kids, and teachers.

Online Manga for Parents and Kids