The *Real* Origins of Manga

Summary

This video delves into the shared history of Japanese manga and American comics, tracing their separate paths after World War II. It explores how Japanese manga, influenced by Osamu Tezuka, evolved distinct stylistic features like large eyes and simplified shapes, while American comics remained largely isolated. The video highlights the shift in the 1980s, when Japanese manga gained popularity in the U.S. through works like *Akira*, influencing American artists in turn. Ultimately, it underscores the irony that today, American comics are inspired by Japanese manga, despite their parallel developments over the years.

Takeaways

• 😀 Manga and comics were once the same thing but evolved separately over time due to cultural and historical factors.
• 😀 Japanese manga artists stopped looking to American comics for inspiration after World War II, leading to the development of a unique style in Japan.
• 😀 Osamu Tezuka’s work was pivotal in shaping the mainstream style of Japanese manga during the postwar period.
• 😀 Features like pointier noses and simplified chins in manga were gradual changes that emerged over time.
• 😀 The large eyes characteristic of manga were influenced by American comic strips and animation from Disney and Fleischer Studios.
• 😀 In the 1980s, the English translation of *Akira* sparked significant interest in Japanese manga in the United States.
• 😀 This shift in interest marked a reversal of influence, with Japan starting to inspire American comics rather than the other way around.
• 😀 The success of anime and manga series like *Sailor Moon*, *Dragon Ball Z*, *Naruto*, and *Attack on Titan* contributed to Japan’s cultural export boom in the last four decades.
• 😀 Today, American comic artists are looking to Japanese manga for inspiration, reversing the influence dynamic from the prewar period.
• 😀 Despite decades of separate development, both manga and comics share a common origin, which has often been forgotten.
• 😀 To learn more about the shared history of manga and comics, viewers are encouraged to follow the creator’s Instagram and read their book, *Comics and the Origins of Manga*.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video explores the historical connection between Japanese manga and American comics, highlighting their shared origins and how both evolved separately over time.

How did the end of the American occupation of Japan influence the development of Japanese manga?

After WWII, with the end of the American occupation of Japan, Japanese manga artists no longer looked to American comics for inspiration, and instead began developing their own unique style, which led to the emergence of a mainstream manga aesthetic.

Who is Osamu Tezuka, and how did his work influence manga?

Osamu Tezuka, often called the 'God of Manga,' played a crucial role in shaping the modern style of manga. His love for American comic strips and animation from Disney and Fleischer Studios influenced the creation of large eyes and other stylistic features that became iconic in manga.

What changes did other manga artists make to Osamu Tezuka's style?

Other manga artists made gradual changes to Tezuka's style over time, simplifying and refining it. For example, they introduced pointier noses and chins and continued the trend of larger, more expressive eyes.

How did the translation of *Akira* in the 1980s impact the popularity of manga in the United States?

The English translation of Katsuhiro Otomo's *Akira* in the 1980s sparked a huge interest in Japanese manga in the United States. This marked a shift in influence, with Japan's manga beginning to influence American comic culture.

What are some examples of popular manga and anime that contributed to the global rise of Japanese culture?

Popular manga and anime such as *Sailor Moon*, *Dragon Ball Z*, *Naruto*, and *Attack on Titan* contributed significantly to the global rise of Japanese manga and anime over the past four decades.

How has the relationship between American comics and Japanese manga evolved over time?

Initially, both American comics and Japanese manga influenced each other. However, after WWII, Japanese manga developed its own distinct style, while American comics remained largely isolated. Today, American comic artists are increasingly influenced by Japanese manga.

What does the video suggest about the shared history of manga and American comics?

The video suggests that manga and American comics were once closely linked, but over time they evolved separately. However, they share a common origin, and the development of both can still be traced back to early influences from one another.

What role did Disney and Fleischer Studios play in the development of manga?

Disney and Fleischer Studios played a significant role in influencing the style of Japanese manga, particularly in the creation of large, expressive eyes, which became a defining feature of manga characters.

What can viewers learn from the Instagram account and book mentioned in the video?

Viewers can learn more about the shared history of manga and comics by following the Instagram account @prewar_manga, which features translations of old manga, and reading the book *Comics and the Origins of Manga*, which offers deeper insights and more images on the topic.