A Question of Manga; Whose side are you on?
Why do Art Colleges and Universities hate it so much? Why does everyone else like it?
Here’s a quick description of what Manga is before we go any further:
manga (plural manga)
- (manga) A comic; a non-animated cartoon, especially one done in a Japanese style.
(Wikipedia Entry on Manga)
While we’re here, lets also define Cartoons
cartoon (plural cartoons)
- (comics) A humorous drawing, often with a caption, or a strip of such drawings.
- (comics) A drawing satirising current public figures.
- (art) An artist’s preliminary sketch.
- (animation) An animated piece of film which is often but not exclusively humourous.
- A diagram in a scientific concept.
(Wikipedia Entry on Cartoons)
Manga, as you can see from the description above, is a style of Japanese drawing used in comics. Comics/Cartoons are often humorous in nature (though not exclusively) with simplified characters so that they can be repeated accurately many times.
Art, especially as far as universities and colleges are concerned, focuses on form, shadow, shape, texture, and (to some extent) detail. Manga is, in essence, perceived as being too simple and form-less to really showcase artistic talent.
Before everyone gets up in arms and rises to defend manga as a whole I have two examples of what it could mean.
Basic Manga
This is manga as the art schools see it; simple, formless, no real shading, and questionable lines at best. It’s a very flat image, and while pleasing to look at, children as young as five are able to create these things following step by step instructions.
Advanced Manga
At the opposite end of the spectrum, this is manga as the fans see it. Beautifully detailed, complex, shaded, coloured, has form and is every bit as beautiful as more traditional art pieces/styles. It’s instantly obvious that the person creating it had to have a high level of artistic merit, and it’s far more pleasing to the eye. It’s still technically manga but at a much higher level of skill and complexity.
Don’t know about you, but I’m seeing a breakdown in communication here. Personally I think the art schools are well within their rights to discourage ‘manga’ based on examples like that first image. On the other hand, I also think we need a better name for advanced manga, like that second image.
What are your thoughts?
The3dStudio.com
Wow – I’ve seen this type of graphic art for years but never knew the actual descriptive term Manga.
The advanced Manga is often quite striking. I think it’s all art, which is in the eye of the beholder as they say.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Elements of Branding =-.
I’d agree, and happen to like both
But I can see why the art schools would have a bit of trouble accepting the first example (and similar).
Hmm actually I was thinking of a fruit when I first seen the word…
I agree with your descriptions and if both are manga and the word is meant to be a descriptive art form then the second one does need to have an advanced name. Or at least a way of differentiating the two…
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I think the problem comes from the fact that the more detailed stuff grew out of the basic style. Usually it’s split with ‘manga’ and ‘advanced manga’ but the universities don’t seem to have cottoned on to that one.
Me too, I’m with Jimi, I was unaware it was referred to as manga.
Not sure what the argument is; especially were art is concerned. In my mind it tends to have its own rules anyway.
Regards
Paul
.-= Paul´s last blog ..Performance Related . . . =-.
Basically the issue with manga is that art universities think it doesn’t accurately depict an artists talent, so they refuse to judge you based on that. Also some even ban it from portfolio submissions.
As I said, you can see why if the stuff produced was all of the more simplistic style, though it is all art as far as I’m concerned.
I love it, I’m torn between traditional and advanced to be honest. I like the clean lines of the traditional manga but advanced brings in magical colours and images.
Can you draw manga?
.-= TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Video Post – The Power Of You =-.
I like both as well
But from an art point of view I’d have to agree that the advanced style is likely more what the art schools are looking for.
Way back when I started drawing properly (bout five years ago now. Wow.) I actually started out drawing manga; Not so good at it any more though because I switched to a more realistic style.
I’m with Jimi. I never knew the name of this type of art. Both seem pretty different to me.
.-= Steve Scott Site´s last blog ..Successful Info Product Creation and Marketing [Part 1] =-.
Yep, I just find it funny that they go by the same name and because of that they’re both taboo in art schools.
Manga is in book, anime is on screen. The are styles of Japanese manga and anime are usually very specific: large eyes. There are many general accepted shapes, and certain looks that manga artists use to pull off a character’s personality. (Example: Antagonists have more narrow chins. Those who are innocent are wide eyed.) It was not until 2008 that Fanfiction.net took Avatar, The Last Airbender out of the anime category and stuck it into the Cartoon category. The style was not drawn in typical anime/manga style.
A lot of times, most anime series are done by manga-ka. (Manga Artists) The company purchases the rights and sets a large team of artists to manipulate the manga and put it into screen format. Much different from a lot of cartoons as already a lot of these manga have a strong fan base before being put to DVD and even television.
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Wow, another fan
I was just using manga as the descriptor since I was talking about still images (I did know about the difference between it and anime) but that was a great description. Didn’t know about Fanfiction.net moving Avatar though.
I like both.
I think art schools are wrong to sneer at the clean lines of the first example.
We live in a culture where our ability to absorb – and disseminate – information is becoming critical to success.
My opinion is that it’s the wrong question, which is better…
The right question is: “Which is the most effective way to communicate the information at hand?”
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Not-So-Secret Blog Alliances – Kelly Diels bares (almost) all =-.
I’d tend to agree with you there Dave. Art schools, though (at least over here) tend to ask ‘Which one demonstrates more traditional art skills?’ – it becomes less about communicating and more about what looks pretty.
Time and a place for both really.
I’ve just stumbled upon your site while searching for a tutorial on an related subject. Glad I did too. There’s a lot I like. Anyway, you’ve been bookmarked and I’ll be back soon.
Wow, nice to meet you Sindy
Let me know if you need help with anything too.
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For a printmaking class I took in college I did a piece that included Manga style art, and was asked by my professor not to do it again during the crit. Left me pretty upset that it was discounted as “not art”. I agree with Dave that is about what your trying to communicate. To me being an Artist is about using your skill and range of style to communicate a feeling, emotion, or believe. Also using your skill for the joy of creating. The use of good line work is often discounted, sadly.
Wow. That’s a bit extreme really, but now that I think about it when I was actually taking an evening class in art much the same thing happened to me. Though in a more friendly manner I’m assuming.
Pretty hurtful, but if that’s how they want to look at it there’s not much you can do to change their minds. Keep doing what makes you happy though! Tends to be your better work that way, and there’s going to be people around that appreciate it.
.-= TylinaVespart´s last blog ..Flowers and a Poll – Taste of Things to Come =-.
I think of comic style drawing, whether it is manga or western comics, as illustration, and as more Craft than Art. Yes, there is artistic ability that goes into the drawing of comics, but the styles developed to serve a purpose, visual storytelling.
A few caveats, I think that Craft has just as much value as Art, and just because something is not Art does not mean it is without merit. The problem isn’t that things not considered art are considered in low regard, but that Art is considered in too high of regard. Just because something is not Art does not mean that it is not amazing, and made with incredible talent. I would never expect to be taken seriously as an artist, however, by making awesome pictures of Galactus.
Also, I see how the lines can be blurred. Comic book artists like J. H. Williams III and David Mack come to mind, whose comic book art is so ridiculously good that I buy their books just for the art, regardless of story.
.-= Deacon´s last blog ..Skater Series Woodblock Carving Videos =-.
That’s a valid point actually, thanks for bringing it up. Comic book art is so different from what ‘art’ is usually considered to be that it deserves its own title really. Certainly it shouldn’t pale in comparison to ‘normal’ or ‘fine’ art.
It’s a talent like any other, you’re quite right. Then of course you get people that blur the lines and mess up all the classifications (there’s a few webcomics I could name that come into this category too)!
.-= TylinaVespart´s last blog ..Set the table with Lathe =-.
I think art schools are poop if they can’t accept manga, because it’s the new and popular and the modern. You know, i know many many artists who watercolor, digitally paint, color pencil, marker (COPIC THE FANCY STUFF), and all kinds of “real artist” stuff with manga. AND it is awesome. maybe art teachers just don’t want to admit there are kids that are better than them in an art area- manga, which we all love and adore.