What the f**k is 'manga' anyway?

[Bella]

OK, I finally found out what "yaoi" is (apparently it's boy/boy sex written by fangirls who like to write stories about their favourite male characters from a novel or TV show getting it on - am I right?). Now, what is "manga" - is it just anime in comic-book form?

[seebs]

"manga" is a word which means roughly "irresponsible pictures". It's very close in meaning to "comics", but it's a Japanese word. Manga and anime are somewhat stylistically related. Some people (e.g., Dean Hsieh) do things that look enough like manga that people call them manga, but aren't actually Japanese.

Some people are dogmatic about manga being actually Japanese, others consider it a matter of style and/or sensibilities. There are various attempts to resolve this, other terms being coined, and so on... Language is evolving on this topic.

[wade-w]

Some people are dogmatic about manga being actually Japanese, others consider it a matter of style and/or sensibilities. There are various attempts to resolve this, other terms being coined, and so on... Language is evolving on this topic.

Sounds like a distinction that could only have real meaning to a genre nazi.

[Dingfod]

Manga is Spanish for sleeve.

[livius drusus]

Some people are dogmatic about manga being actually Japanese, others consider it a matter of style and/or sensibilities. There are various attempts to resolve this, other terms being coined, and so on... Language is evolving on this topic.

Sounds like a distinction that could only have real meaning to a genre nazi.

It doesn't sound like that to me. I can think of several non-genre nazi reasons people would engage in definitional debates and find these distinctions important.

[Godless Dave]

wikipedia is your friend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga

[wade-w]

Some people are dogmatic about manga being actually Japanese, others consider it a matter of style and/or sensibilities. There are various attempts to resolve this, other terms being coined, and so on... Language is evolving on this topic.

Sounds like a distinction that could only have real meaning to a genre nazi.

It doesn't sound like that to me. I can think of several non-genre nazi reasons people would engage in definitional debates and find these distinctions important.

Oh certainly. Making distinctions and having general categorires can be very useful. But when you insist that the nationality of the artist makes a difference when categorizing you're getting into genre nazi territory.

[seebs]

It doesn't sound like that to me. I can think of several non-genre nazi reasons people would engage in definitional debates and find these distinctions important.

As later revealed, wade was referring specifically to the nationality question. I'm inclined to agree. I mean, hell, if white guys can play the blues, Americans can draw manga.

[livius drusus]

Oh certainly. Making distinctions and having general categorires can be very useful. But when you insist that the nationality of the artist makes a difference when categorizing you're getting into genre nazi territory.

Ah, I see. Yes indeed, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. :)

I'm inclined to agree. I mean, hell, if white guys can play the blues, Americans can draw manga.

I'm inclined to agree with y'all too, but I admit I've been wracking my brain to think of an exception. I'll keep working on it. ;)

[ceptimus]

A manga is a type of hammock. Hence the popular tune, 'Away in a manga, no crib for a bed.'

[maddog]

"manga" is a word which means roughly "irresponsible pictures". It's very close in meaning to "comics", but it's a Japanese word. Manga and anime are somewhat stylistically related. Some people (e.g., Dean Hsieh) do things that look enough like manga that people call them manga, but aren't actually Japanese.

Some people are dogmatic about manga being actually Japanese, others consider it a matter of style and/or sensibilities. There are various attempts to resolve this, other terms being coined, and so on... Language is evolving on this topic.
That you know this is exceedingly scary. :D

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