Anime and Manga
An industry that earns billions of dollars each year and is an important part of contemporary Japanese culture. According to the Anime Industry Report 2019, the Japanese animation market recorded 9 consecutive years of growth since 2010, with 6 consecutive years of record-breaking high sales. Specifically, in 2018, The Japanese Animation Market nearly reached 2200 billion Yen (equivalent to more than 2 billion USD).
The Japanese Culture of Anime and Manga
They are two types of Japanese culture that are popular with many young people around the world. It has spread throughout the world with special cartoons and comics for both adults and children with a profound life message. Every week in Japan, dozens of comic magazines are published, most notably Shounen Jump or Magazine Special, and anime are broadcast across channels with ratings higher than regular dramas. A number of Studio Ghibli movies have also grossed over 100 million dollars in theaters and won many prestigious awards.
Anime
Anime is an Animation for Japanese-style animated films. Initially, the word Animation was used only by people working in the animation industry in Japan. Since 1911, American and European comics have been introduced to Japan, quickly absorbed by Japanese cartoonists. By 1917, the first anime film was born and premiered as the work of Namakura Gatana by artist Kouchi Junichi. After that, through many events, until 1980, the new anime was more popular in the Japanese market.
Manga
Manga is a Japanese phrase (漫画), which refers to all kinds of comics and cartoons. Manga is considered a special word to only comics produced in Japanese style.
The first work to bring the Manga beyond the borders of Japan, known by many international friends is the Astro Boy of artist Osamu Tezuka published in 1952.
The Greatest
of All Time
Manga
#1 - Dragon Ball
by Akira Toriyama
Son Goku, a monkey-tailed boy, and Bulma, a teenage girl, travel to find the seven Dragon Balls, which summon the dragon Shenlong to grant the user one wish. Their journey leads to the desert bandit Yamcha, who later becomes an ally; Chi-Chi, whom Goku unknowingly agrees to marry; and Pilaf, an impish man who seeks the Dragon Balls to fulfill his desire to rule the world… Learn More
#2 - Naruto
by Masashi Kishimoto
It tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who seeks to gain recognition from his peers and also dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. The story is in two parts, the first set in Naruto’s pre-teen years, and the second in his teens… Learn more
#3 - Death Note
by Tsugumi Ohba
The series centers around a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing the victim’s name while picturing their face. The plot follows his attempt to create and lead a world cleansed of evil using the book, and the complex conflict between himself and those assailing him that results... Learn more
#4 - Bleach
by Tite Kubo
Bleach follows the adventures of the hotheaded teenager Ichigo Kurosaki, who inherits his parents’ destiny after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper (死神, Shinigami, literally ‘Death God’)—a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki… Learn more
#5 - One Piece
by Eiichiro Oda
The story follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body gained the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit. With his crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy explores the Grand Line in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as “One Piece” in order to become the next King of the Pirates… Learn more
Anime
#1 - Death Note
Death Note is a Japanese television drama series based on the manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The show is centered around Light Yagami – a promising highschooler and aspiring detective with a strong sense of “justice”
#2 - Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of Goku who, along with the Z Warriors, defends the Earth against evil. The action adventures are entertaining and reinforce the concept of good versus evil. Dragon Ball Z teaches valuable character virtues such as teamwork, loyalty, and trustworthiness.
#3 - Naruto
Naruto is an anime and manga franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga was later adapted into a television anime, which was produced by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It premiered across Japan on the terrestrial TV Tokyo and other TX Network stations on October 3, 2002. The first series lasted 220 episodes, while Naruto: Shippuden, a sequel to the original series, has been airing since February 15, 2007. In addition to the anime series, Studio Pierrot has developed eleven movies and several original video animations. Other types of merchandise include light novels, video games, and trading cards developed by several companies.
#4 - Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese, created by Hajime Isayama, is one of the most popular Japanese anime series to be released. It was first watched in Japan during 2013 and was dubbed in English to be watched in America in 2014. It is best known for its emotional moments, apocalyptic setting, and its dramatic story line, and action packed scenes.
#5 - One Piece
One Piece is a manga franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. The manga has been adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Production I.G in 1998, and an anime series produced by Toei Animation, which began broadcasting in Japan in 1999 and has aired 851 episodes to date.
Events
Anime and Manga have a huge fan base worldwide and fans are collectively known as Otaku. Activities for Otaku are diverse, most notably three major events: Comiket, Otakon, and Anime Expo.
For more information and event, you may go to this website which provides links to the various local events in 2020.
