Sunday, September 21, 2014

The Style Of Manga In Various Art Schools

By Bob Oliver


I do not think that anyone can overlook the fact that art schools are amongst the most versatile institutions. They are ones which are able to teach students about a number of different styles, whether it's related to drawing or what have you. With this in mind, I'd like to focus on manga and the influence that it can have. This isn't just in relation to school, either, as it can have an influence on just about anyone who has even a passing interest in graphic novels and the like.

The styles that are most common seem to have certain elements of reality but what about those that don't have many realistic aspects, if any at all? This is where manga can come into play and I feel as though it is a more niche category in the way of art. Emulated after the style utilized in Japanese comic books, you may find that these particular pieces of work aren't as common. Does this necessarily mean that it shouldn't be considered at all?

One could make the argument that manga is a different take on comic books, which isn't too far-off. Comics are popular in their own right - especially now, considering the litany of superhero movies that have garnered tremendous publicity - as they have been able to help readers become invested in fictional worlds. Much like the conventional comic books we all are familiar with, manga can take on a series of moods. Just as easily as they can become gritty and real, one can make the argument that they can be rather playful by design as well.

Manga is a bit different, though, and one of the reasons for this is because of how the popularity of characters translates from Japan to America. For example, "One Piece" is one of the more popular series overseas and it is one which garnered plenty of revenue there. However, it is more or less an underground series in America, which means that it is for a certain group of people. Not everyone will take to it but it's apparent that there is a demand for it nonetheless.

What about the sorts of manga that seem to be made for both Japanese and American audiences? I'd like to think that this is where stories along the lines of "Scott Pilgrim" can come into effect. It became such a notable name that it became its own movie in the West, starring Michael Cera. Regardless of the feelings associated with the "Scott Pilgrim" movie, I'd like to think of it as an example of how much manga has grown and why it is that so many art students have taken an interest in it.




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