Culture

Manga and anime have been integral parts of Japanese popular culture for many decades. Hugely popular within Japan, they are also among the country’s most successful global cultural exports. Although closely linked, manga and anime are distinct forms: manga refers to Japanese comic books or graphic novels, while anime is animated film or television. Unsurprisingly, many of the most successful manga series have later been adapted into anime. If your familiarity with this aspect of Japanese culture doesn’t extend much beyond Pokemon, here’s a brief overview of what it all means. A Short History of Manga and Anime Unlike many western comics and animated films, manga and anime have traditionally been created for audiences of all ages, not just children. They span a wide variety of genres, including action, romance, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. The roots of these art-forms can be traced back to around the 11th or 12th centuries, in early illustrated scrolls (emakimono) and shadow puppetry (kage-e). Modern manga is generally considered to have emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Kitazawa Rakuten often regarded as a founding figure. His work was frequently satirical and political, helping to establish manga as a medium for…