Japan has always known how to surprise us, we know that manga is a graphic novel of Japanese origin, but is it that this type of work is difficult to match outside Japan? There are several reasons why manga has generated a great impact worldwide, but those reasons that can be the reason for its recognition, can also be the reason for its ruin.
Do works like manga exist outside Japan?
Japanese manga has a long history, as well as a well-established industry that has cultivated a distinctive style and unique narrative. Japanese culture, values and artistic styles contribute to the uniqueness of manga, these characteristics have contributed to the enormous global impact that manga has, no doubt more than one has been captivated by the culture of the land of the rising sun.
Now, why manga would have a limited presence outside Japan, because yes, these graphic novels do not have everything in their favor, mainly we find the cultural differences, the market between Japan and other countries can affect the reception of similar works abroad, also the tastes and preferences vary from one country to another.
Another factor is the distribution and licensing issue, Japan already has an established structure when it comes to manga sales. But the lack of a similar infrastructure in other places can hinder visibility and access to similar works, in this case manga, and we may even see culture clashes, certain aspects of manga not resonating in the same way in other cultures.
Now let’s jump right into the incredible impact manga has had outside of Japan, as globalization advances, there is an increase in the appreciation and influence of Japanese manga around the world. These wonderful works have inspired different artists across the globe, we have seen new forms of expression and cultural diversity.
Some of the key reasons for its global success include digital accessibility, it’s certainly great to have all kinds of works at your fingertips on your computer or phone. Also manga has a great diversity of genres and demographics, having so many themes in an endless number of stories has allowed the stories to connect on an emotional level with the audience.
There are several stories that have contributed to the global phenomenon of manga, some of them are: “Naruto”, “One Piece” or “Attack on Titan”, the great diversity in the works have managed to be to the taste of many readers, if you want a work of romance, action or a slice of life, there will be a manga that suits your tastes and why not, there will be a manga that mixes several of them.
All this impact the manga alone has had outside of Japan, now add the adaptation of several of these works, bringing anime to new audiences through digital platforms such as Netflix or Crunchyroll. In addition, both anime and manga has inspired other famous works such as Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue movie that inspired Darren Aronofsky to create The Black Swan.
Finally, we can say that manga has left an indelible mark on global culture, its original stories, its narrative and the bestiality of its drawings have been appreciated in various corners of the planet. This phenomenon coming from Japan is the clear example that a work can transcend cultural barriers and resonate with people from different countries, those barriers that separate us are the same ones that unite us.