Week 5

Looking at Napier and Cavallaro (2006), discuss how anime is culturally ‘located’ – in the East or West, or somewhere else?

'Manga are conventionally regarded as the equivalent of western comics or graphic novels, yet are profoundly different from either.' (Carvello 2006). This is an interesting quotation to look at, because it shows us simply that manga may be similar to comic art forms produced in the west, but are in actual fact quite different. Carvello argues that Manga constitutes a much more influential cultural force in Japan than any comics do in the western world.

This shows us that Anima/Manga is culturally located in the East. The western societies take pride in comic making as well, but they aren't making the same product as the Japanese/Chinese, and what they make can in no way be called Anime/Manga.

'Manga exhibit a specific visual style based on conventions and codes that differ profoundly to those producing mainstream American cartoons' (Carvello 2006). This quote further verifies my argument that Anima/Manga is culturally located in the East, and the East alone. Western cartoonists lack certain style and use a differing technique to produce material that could be called Manga. In western society comics aren't viewed as seriously or read as widely as Manga is in Japan. It is a smaller market. Japan has culturally accepted Manga on so many levels, and as a result of this people of all ages in Japan read and buy Manga constantly. They draw messages from the cartoons, and gain a deeper meaning and understanding once they have read the story. Western society in no way holds comics with such a high regard.

Reference List:

Carvello, D. (2006).  The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki. London: McFarland and Company.