Original English-language manga

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Original English-language manga or "OEL manga" is a term commonly used to describe comic books or graphic novels whose language of original publication is English and which are created by comic artists and writers heavily influenced by Japanese anime and manga trends.

The validity of the term is contentious, since manga is by definition a loan word referring to Japanese-produced comics and most series marketed as OEL manga are produced in the west. Though some manga have in fact been first published in English, these series are few and far between. Comics sold as OEL manga generally feature an artistic style characterized by large, expressive eyes, exaggerated hairstyles and body types, and other stylistic features found in popular manga, as well as usage of methods of storytelling and visual mores heavily influenced by Japanese culture and expression.

Contents 1 Nomenclature 2 History 2.1 AmeriManga magazine 2.2 Tokyopop 3 Criticism 4 Roots 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] Nomenclature

"Amerimanga" is thought to be the earliest colloquial name for these types of work^{[citation needed]}. But "OEL manga" gradually became more widely used because, even usually incorrect, it was a more inclusive, global term that included works produced by all English-speakers.^{[citation needed]} Encompassing works originating in countries such as Canada, Australia, and England as well as in America. However the original parent loan word, manga, is still used by publishers such as Tokyopop, Harper Collins, and various small presses as a blanket term for all of their bound graphic novels--without reference to origin or location of its creator(s), the significance of the word, however, has mutated outside of Japan as a reference of comics originally published in Japan, regardless of style or language. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines the word manga as meaning "a Japanese comic or graphic novel," reflecting the change of the meaning this word has had once used outside Japan.^{[citation needed]}

Other variations on OEL manga, such as "western manga", "world manga," "global manga," "manga-influenced comics," "neo-manga," and "nissei comi" can occasionally be heard as substitute names, but the term "OEL Manga" is most commonly used today.^[1] Anime News Network columnist Carlo Santos made the first recorded use of the term on April 28, 2005 on his personal blog, and others began using it on forums and spreading the popularity of the phrase.^[2] By October 2005, publishing industry journal Publishers Weekly was also making use of the term^[3], but manga publishers have yet to use it in official advertisements or press releases.

The term, "OEL Manga," has also received criticism from some quarters. According to some Western anime and manga otaku^{[citation needed]}, this word would be an oxymoron since the word "manga"--being a Japanese loanword in English use-- means comics initially published in Japan. Those who prefer not to use the word "manga" to refer to non-Japanese-origin comics have proposed the term "manga-influenced comics" as a possible neutral term for works created outside of Japan, though this term does not inherently refer to non-Japanese comics, but simply to any comic which is influenced by manga, it would include comics produced in Japan as well, however, its well understood that these comics would be manga by definition.^{[citation needed]}

Anime and manga news site Anime News Network currently uses the term "World Manga" to describe these works in their column entitled Right-Turn Only.^[4] In May 2006, Tokyopop officially changed their the name of their line of non-Japanese manga to "Global Manga",^[5] considering it a more respectful and accurate term than "Amerimanga" with its "negative connotations" of being a sub-par quality of work in comparison to Japanese manga; however, the Tokyopop books themselves, whether they come from Japan, Korea, or some other country, all say "manga" on them and are shelved in the manga section of the major bookstore chains such as Borders and Barnes & Noble alongside Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, Chinese manhua, French la nouvelle manga, and American graphic novels of similar size and dimensions, it is understood, however, that manga does not act as a loanword from Japanese and therefore it only takes its original meanins of, simply, comics.

[edit] History

[edit] AmeriManga magazine

Briefly before its closing, American manga publisher Studio Ironcat published a magazine series called AmeriManga from 2002–2003. A few of the titles in the compilation have since moved on to be published in other formats by other companies, most notably TOKYOPOP.

Other similar magazines are still in publication today, including EigoManga's Sakura Pakk and RumblePakk titles; Purrsia Press's Manga Maximum; Mangazine; and Shoujo. International magazines of the same type include Britain's MangaMover and Sweatdrop; the Australian publications Xuan Xuan and Oztaku; and the Canadian magazine Kitsune.

[edit] Tokyopop

Main article: Tokyopop

Tokyopop is presently the world's largest publisher of manga inspired comics written in the English language, currently publishing over two dozen titles. Since 2002, the company has actively promoted new writers via its popular Rising Stars of Manga annual competition and collection. Several winners from the competition eventually published their own books under Tokyopop.

In a recent deal with HarperCollins^[6], the company announced the expansion of its distribution and new adaptation projects based on American prose novels. It was indicated that Tokyopop plans to produce over 100 new comics over the next two years.

[edit] Criticism

Critics of Manga-influenced comics claim that while Western artists and story writers may appropriate the style of Japanese manga, they cannot effectively copy the cultural essence of manga. One such mention of this criticism was made by Gary Steinman, Editor-in-Chief of Newtype USA magazine, when he maintained that "the future of American manga might be bright given some time, nurturing and understanding of the fundamental storytelling techniques delivered by the best manga. But...that part of what we love so much is that window into a different culture. Whether intentional or not, all anime is influenced by Japan's history and contemporary culture. That extra depth is what gives anime its ineffable 'something special,' and it can't be faked."^[7]

[edit] Roots

The original wave of manga influenced comics came during the mid to late 1980s, prior to wide familiarity with manga in North America. Particularly in publications such as Barry Blair's Samurai, Doug Rice's Dynamo Joe, and Alan Oldham's Gambit and Associates. Ben Dunn's long running Ninja High School remains a seminal title of that period as do the comics based on the animated series Robotech.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Anime-influenced animation
• La nouvelle manga

[edit] External links

Book Publishers

• Antarctic Press
• Dark Horse Publishing
• Mini-Komix
• Purrsia Press
• Seven Seas Entertainment
• Sweatdrop Studios
• Oni Press
• TOKYOPOP
• Yaoi Press
• Drama Queen

Magazine Publishers

• EigoManga - publisher of the Sakura Pakk and RumblePakk anthologies
• Kitsune - Canadian anthology publisher
• Perfect World - publisher of the Unimaga anthology
• Xuan Xuan - Australian anthology publisher