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Manga Made In America: Is It Called Manga? (Explore)

Manga in general is called Japanese comics or graphic novels.

In Japan, the term Manga is used interchangeably for graphic novels. Some might consider American comics and Anime the same thing but they are not. Unlike western comics such as marvel or DC, Manga is read right to left. 

RWBY manga, Volume 01. image
Manga is frequently published in monochrome color and in numerous volumes.

Manga is released in multiple volumes and often in monochrome color. Although Manga is a Japanese original form of art and literature, now its popularity has grown to such an extent that even western countries are taking initiative to make their own Mangas. 

You can find a few Mangas that is originally written in English but they follow the same pattern of Anime. The monochrome artwork, the Japanese art style has a deep story and it is also read from right to left.

But it cannot be called Manga since Manga is meant for Japanese language comics only, the English ones are called OEL Manga. 

What is manga?

Manga is just Japanese comics. They are commonly used as inspiration for Japanese anime. This type of cartoon is often known as anime.

Manga has a distinct animation style that includes large eyes, exaggerated emotional responses, fine features, oddly colored hair, and other character traits that become apparent as one reads manga.

Manga, like novels, has numerous subgenres. These include fantasy, science fiction, slice-of-life, and mecha. These genres usually have indistinct lines, which allows for extremely innovative narrative and plot elements.

OEL Manga 

When referring to comic books or graphic novels in the “international manga” subgenre of comics whose language of the original publication is English, the phrase “original English-language manga” (OEL Manga) is frequently used.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all foreign comics that take their “form of presentation and expression” from Japanese manga are referred to as “International Manga.” 

Here is some information related to all major companies that publish OEL Manga:

Company namesManga Titles
Studio IroncatVampire Princess Miyu.New Vampire Princess Miyu.The Vampire Dahlia.Vampire Yui.Crusher Joe.Central City Dragon Wars.
TokyopopCardcaptor Sakura Dazzle.Fruits Basket Gakuen Alice.Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances Magic Knight Rayearth Marmalade Boy.Peach Girl.
KodanshaAngel in the Dark.Hurricane Z. Moonlight Mask.Peacock Shell.The Twin Knights.
Information about companies that publish OEL mangas

Did you know that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World began as an OEL manga? 

Some of you may have watched the film. The original series had a significant emphasis on Japanese pop culture in relation to games and music and is the ultimate homage to every quirky aspect of retro pop culture that you can imagine.

The series original creator, Bryan Lee O’Malley, was a longtime lover of Anime and Manga and had always wanted to develop a show based on shonen novels. This surprise success fulfilled his ambition.

Can Manga be made outside of Japan?

Yes, anyone can become a Mangaka as long as they comply with the demands of a Mangaka. There are many artists living outside Japan, wh o are working with renowned publishing firms in Japan and America to make Manga.

The ability to draw well, tell a good tale, and be persistent are necessary for making a manga.

You do not need to be Japanese to understand all of this. It doesn’t matter what country you’re from if you’re good at what you do. If your manga’s plot and artwork are strong, it doesn’t matter whether you’re Russian, American, Polish, etc.

The process for getting your Manga published in Japan is somewhat complicated. You need to be persistent and tenacious. But that applies to every job you do in this world.

Furthermore, there are multiple examples of artists from Sweden, America, and Malaysia having their Manga published in Japan by some of the most renowned and sought-after Japanese publishing houses.

Here are some examples of Mangas made outside of Japan. 

Dr. Stone was made in South Korea

Dr. Stone has no fight scene
Dr. Stone presents solely pure science and no combat scenes.

Although the writer of this Manga Riichiro Inagaki is Japanese, the artist of this manga Mujik Park or professionally known as Boichi is South Korean. He lived in Japan and had worked on many manhwas (Korean version of Manga) before creating Dr. Stone. 

I’m sure you were not expecting to see Dr. Stone on the list, but it’s true! Dr. Stone features the story of Senku, a young genius who makes it his mission to bring back the humans after they are petrified into stones by a strange phenomenon.

Dr. Stone’s Anime adaptation has gone on to become a huge hit on Netflix for its unique take on the action shonen genre. Here is what Boichi had to say about his experience:

Boichi on his experience as a foreign Mangaka

RWBY was made in the USA 

RWBY has been a topic of many Anime forums on the web ever since its release. The success of RWBY is proof that non-Japanese Manga can also be famous. This rooster teeth production tells the story of a group of girls who attend an academy for learning skills to fight against evil beings called Grimm. 

Every detail of this American-made Manga was inspired by Japanese Manga, be it the character design, or the action sequences. 

RWBY's girl squad
RWBY’s girl squad consists of Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang.

Monty Oum, one of its main creators, made countless efforts to publish several Manga adaptations in Shonen Jump.

After initially following the plot from the first production trailers, they would serve to enhance the motivations and backstories of the main characters by telling completely new storylines for the characters.

In addition, the show is available on Crunchyroll and has even been dubbed into Japanese. It goes without saying that it now melds in fairly well with all of the other Anime.

Radiant was made in France

Radiant The young Sorcerer image
Radiant, episode 1, The young Sorcerer.

Despite the similarities between its protagonist and Naruto and Luffy, Radiant was originally a French Manfra—a French comic created to mimic Manga and Anime art. Seth, a teenager lives in a world where monsters that descend from the sky have wreaked havoc.

Those who make it through the monsters’ attack are despised by society, but they also develop superhuman abilities. To put an end to the monsters and bring order back to his planet. Seth searches for the Radiant, the monster’s home to bring an end to them.

Tony Valente is the creator of the comic book series, which is published by the French firm Ankama. Despite being a French Manga, Lerche, a division of the Japanese animation studio. Studio Hibari, turned it into a TV series, giving it official anime status.

Do Japanese people call western comics Manga?

In Japanese, the word “Manga” refers to any kind of comic. The word is only used to refer particularly to the Japanese style of comics in other languages, such as English.

Japanese and Western comics are significantly different from one another. Comics in America are primarily limited to superheroes and Archie, and they are almost usually geared toward teen boys and young men.

Typically, the animation is only used in edgy sitcoms for adults and cartoons for children. But everyone can enjoy Manga in Japan. There are books for young girls, young boys, teenagers, women, and men, as well as books with hero stories, romances, lifestyle dramas, mysteries, and horror.

These obviously are not the same thing, right? It’s like calling a cake a loaf of bread. It may be accurate, but there is so much more going on that they are no longer related.

What is an American manga called?

The American-made Manga was first introduced by VIZ in 1993, and since then a lot of terms were used to introduce it.

The first colloquial term for it was Amerimanga. Then other terms such as western Manga, Global Manga, or neo-Manga were introduced. Nissei comi and Manga-influenced comics were used to describe American Mangas. But now OEL is the most common term for it. 

OEL Manga gradually gained popularity because, despite being often inaccurate, it was a more comprehensive word that covered works created by all English speakers, including those from the United States as well as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

However, Manga publishers have yet to use it in formal press releases or marketing.

What is the distinction between anime and manga?

Anime contains color and voice, and it also features animation. There isn’t much since it’s really difficult to create.

There are two versions available: subtitled and dubbed. Dubbed movies are occasionally terrible, and they can change the entire plot and even the names. They make one episode every one or two weeks.

Manga, on the other hand, is a comic book rendition. They are noted for their unique visual style and inventive ink application in their pages. It’s sometimes in a webtoon format, which is more spread out and colorful but not animated. 

Also, when comparing manga to anime, the manga will have a lot more happening than the anime until the entire series has been completed. And it will be far further ahead with the tale than the anime. Whilst some are in color, and some are not, they are in comic form and take MUCH LESS TIME TO READ THAN AN EPISODE. An average episode lasts 20 minutes, and you may read that time in 5-10 minutes.

You are not hurrying the plot, but you absorb the same information faster because it is in comic style, and you are not continuously waiting.

Conclusion

  • American-made manga is commonly referred to as Original English language Manga or OEL Manga.
  • OEL Manga’s establishment and popularity have provided artists from many English-speaking nations with a fantastic platform.
  • International artists who are inspired by Manga can communicate their talents through OEL Manga.

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