What is a Graphic Novel?

I got asked this question in a recent email from someone who is completely clueless about Japanese Comics and art, so I am here to offer a little insight =).




Introduction
To start off, to those who know of its existence in Japan, japanese comics are referred to as "manga (漫画)". Manga is simply the term associated with anything from novels to cartoons published in a book in Japan. Manga (mon-gah) really got its start around the end or World War II when Japan was opened yet again to the outside world. It was then that a few artists began to draw manga in a cartoon style (what you will normally see). You probably did not know this, but the weekly sales of comics (manga) in Japan far exceed what is sold in the United States! The industry is really a multi-billion dollar market full of rich opportunities. Most japanese comics (manga) are published, however if the popularity of a series soars, they will adapt and move the story into animation, or what I call it, adapted into Japanese Animation, or "anime" (in Japan, it is widely known as "animeshon".




The Market
Companies such as Viz Comics have translated and sold manga not only in the English language, but Italian, French, German, and Spanish as well for the fast growing, but small European base. Viz really makes a lot of money from their graphic novels as more and more readers purchase the books off of the shelves. Because it is from Japan, and many Americans are sheltered into the 6 o clock morning coffee/5pm TV Dinner life, the majority will assume that "a cartoon is a cartoon". I said a while back that Japan is the land of the interesting, and their comics are completely different from stereotypes associated with them. I can go as far as to say that manga is totally different from the American Comic (although american comics are enjoyable).




Stereotypes
Manga stories usually encompass an entire story with plot twists, sometimes villains, or many heroes. Sometimes, the entire point of manga is to display an important lesson overtime, or just exist for humor. In your DC comic, such as the widely popular Spiderman, there is one hero, many villains, and one damsel. It's a linear story, but American story and comic writers have learned a lot from not only Japan, but the brilliant stories and concepts from Walt Disney as well (He had a HUGE impact on the beginnings of manga). A lot of manga, believe it or not are not fairy tales or cute stories. In titles such as Death Note, Inuyasha, Fullmetal Alchemist, and many many more, you will see gore, blood, violence, and all of that nice stuff. Japan has a different spin on things: what the FCC in the USA deems targeted for younger audiences has a popular fanbase in japan that can be 10+ years older.




What's a Graphic Novel?
So what is a graphic novel? in short it is the english term for "manga". Graphic does not mean violence (although manga can contain violence), but graphic means "pictures" and novel means "story". This is not your text thriller; it is a well drawn story that you can not only read; you can see and feel what the characters are feeling. Because of this comparison and attachment to manga characters (people can really relate to some characters) manga is becoming very popular in the United States. Usually a manga series will come in seperate books, which you can buy from your bookstore (I buy from Barnes and Nobles, Borders also has a HUGE selection- I buy so much manga I get discounts!). If you really want to check out manga, typically most large bookstore chains (again, Borders, Waldenbooks and Barnes N' Nobles) will have manga shelved by the magazines, but that is TYPICALLY (search the store anyway! books are amazing). Where should I look to start? Well that is a good question. Since I don't know your personal qualities or tastes, check out the back (front) of the novel to read about the story (Try looking at the very first volume if you can). Manga when translated into english was not flipped left to right, so reading manga is like reading a book backwards. I got the hang of it in 10 minutes, usually comics will have instructions on how to read properly. Enjoy reading your manga, I think you will like it if you give it a shot =).


I've collected the entire series of "Rurouni Kenshin" which I recommend in the highest honors. Story by Nobuhiro Watsuki.