MANGA, ANIME, AND TYPES OF ANIME (Back to basics).

MANGA.

Usually defined by many people as any cartoon comic from Japan, created by a Japanese artist (mangaka), it means flowing words or undisciplined words. This art has been used for centuries as entertainment, however, the best form to define this art refers to the style and specific characteristics that identify it, since not only Japanese artists create manga, being perfect examples authors like Mujik Park/Boichi (South Korea), creator of Dr. Stone; Tony Valente (France), the creator of Radiant; Le Sean Thomas (USA), the creator of Cannon Busters. 

Jagaan.

Most of them are released chapter by chapter, weekly or monthly, commonly first in magazines and then in paperback, always in black and white, with a cover printed in color (or not).

ANIME.

The word itself means cartoon or animation, used in Japan to describe all cartoons regardless of the origin country. Internationally, this word is used to identify particularly the animation produced in Japan, being the distinction between cartoons and anime is more cultural than technical. With 100 years of history, the first anime was produced in 1917, Namakura Gatana, with only four minutes in length.

Spy x Family.

Even with new technology, such as manga, anime can take months, even years to release, since the work is created by an entire studio of animation typically led by a director.

TYPES.

• Shounen.

These types of anime are action-packed, with a young male as a protagonist, but recently, the ones with female protagonists have been acquiring more fame, and most of them are still led by male protagonists. The main goal of this type of anime is to meet all the interests of young males: action, drama, fighting, adventure, comedy, martial arts, science fiction, horror, and sometimes even coming-of-age scenarios. Some of the most famous ones are Dragon Ball, Yuyu Hakusho, Ranma 1/2, and Boku no Hero Academia.

Dragon Ball Z.

• Seinen.

Full of action, adventures, horror, science fiction, and drama, like Shounen animes, with the difference that Seinen animes usually tend to be more violent and psychological, being able to become hard to watch for some audiences. Some of the most famous are Hellsing, Gantz, and One Punch Man.

One Punch Man.

• Shoujo.

Maybe one of the most famous types of anime, this word means “virgin” or “maiden”, is the opposite of Shounen, being focused on romance, relationships, and drama, mixed with different themes, usually, with a female protagonist, however, boys love stories (homosexual) can be included in this category.

Animes like Junjou Romantica, Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama, Sailor Moon, Itazura Na Kiss, and Boys Over Flowers, are some of the most famous.

 

Hana Yori Dango.

• Josei.

Considered the opposite of Seinen, in contrast with Shoujo, it explores deeper topics, some of which can be hard to watch: infidelity, or sexual assaults, can be some of the themes that can be found in this type of anime. Josei anime are starred by mature females or males, with difficult lives, who fight to achieve their goals. Some of the most famous are Paradise Kiss, Nana, Loveless, and Nodame Cantabile.

Nodame Cantabile.

• Kodomomuke (Kodomo).

This type of anime is specially created for children, being the meaning of the word (Kodomo = Child). The reason for Kodomomuke is to emphasize leaving a moral message to children, with creative, fun, exciting, playing a lot with imagination, trying to teach them how to be a good person.

The protagonist can be male, female, animal, or creature, with a little bit of action, adventure, comedy, or even romance, perfectly adapted to be suitable for kids. Some of the most famous are: are Doraemon, Hello Kitty, Anpanman, Pokemon, and Digimon.

 Doraemon.