Anime & Manga
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Anime n. a form of moving picture entertainment originating in Japan
Manga n. comics on various subjects originating in Japan
O.K. those are the 'dictionary defenitions' but these things are really cool!
This is a form of cinematography and art that is frequently dismissed as just cartoons. It originated in Japan and has spread all over the world as far as the USA and the UK. There are even translations of Anime and Manga in Sweedish, French, Spanish and even Italian.
Manga should not be scoffed at. If you have seen Manga comics and then tried to draw one you will find it comparable in difficulty to... something really really difficult! Unless you have a natural flair for it all you will get is a couple of indistinct squiggles on a page, (well that's what I got). Some of the artwork is truly jaw droppingly good, with attention paid to every tiny detail. Some highly reccomended manga are Black Jack, the Dirty Pair, (no, it isn't pornographic) or anything by Masmune Shirow.
But Beware friends! It's animated brother Anime is out there! You may have seen it yourelves and not have known! It walks among our weekend morning television listings. Does anyone remember Samurai Pizza Cats? or does anyone watch Pokemon? If you are saying "oh my god! I have watched Anime! I am uncleeeeeeaaaaaannnnnn!!!" you need help of the psychiatric variety. In truth Anime is harmless animated films. Renowned for it's heavanly body shapes and doe eyed heroines, it is sometimes rideculed. If you find the words "Aww, ain't that the cutest thing in the world?" spouting from your laughing tackle when watching an animated film, it's probably anime.
These medium also have a grown up and serious side to them. Psycho-thrillers, horror, action, comedy, science fiction and even romance (yes, that means cartoon people kissing and even **GASP** nudity) have been covered at some point.
So, If you want to experience most of the above, here is my playlist,
Perfect Blue,
Lupin III - Castle of Cagliostro,
Bubblegum Crisis,
Gunssmith Cats.
All availabe from good video stockists (and most bad ones too).
From the poison pen of OJR
Manga n. comics on various subjects originating in Japan
O.K. those are the 'dictionary defenitions' but these things are really cool!
This is a form of cinematography and art that is frequently dismissed as just cartoons. It originated in Japan and has spread all over the world as far as the USA and the UK. There are even translations of Anime and Manga in Sweedish, French, Spanish and even Italian.
Manga should not be scoffed at. If you have seen Manga comics and then tried to draw one you will find it comparable in difficulty to... something really really difficult! Unless you have a natural flair for it all you will get is a couple of indistinct squiggles on a page, (well that's what I got). Some of the artwork is truly jaw droppingly good, with attention paid to every tiny detail. Some highly reccomended manga are Black Jack, the Dirty Pair, (no, it isn't pornographic) or anything by Masmune Shirow.
But Beware friends! It's animated brother Anime is out there! You may have seen it yourelves and not have known! It walks among our weekend morning television listings. Does anyone remember Samurai Pizza Cats? or does anyone watch Pokemon? If you are saying "oh my god! I have watched Anime! I am uncleeeeeeaaaaaannnnnn!!!" you need help of the psychiatric variety. In truth Anime is harmless animated films. Renowned for it's heavanly body shapes and doe eyed heroines, it is sometimes rideculed. If you find the words "Aww, ain't that the cutest thing in the world?" spouting from your laughing tackle when watching an animated film, it's probably anime.
These medium also have a grown up and serious side to them. Psycho-thrillers, horror, action, comedy, science fiction and even romance (yes, that means cartoon people kissing and even **GASP** nudity) have been covered at some point.
So, If you want to experience most of the above, here is my playlist,
Perfect Blue,
Lupin III - Castle of Cagliostro,
Bubblegum Crisis,
Gunssmith Cats.
All availabe from good video stockists (and most bad ones too).
From the poison pen of OJR
