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Embracing the Passion for Comics, Manga, and Anime as an Otaku

  • fotaquest
  • Feb 18
  • 3 min read

Embracing the Passion for Comics, Manga, and Anime as an Otaku

By Lars Guo

Published: February 18, 2025


Opening Message

Hi folks! I hope you all are doing well! Today, I want to share my journey into the world of manga and anime, including how I got into it and the benefits and drawbacks of this passion.


Vocabulary

  • Manga: A Japanese style of comics that you can read. There is often a lot of detail put into the characters and backgrounds. Manga covers a huge variety of genres, including fantasy, sports, action, romance, and more.

  • Anime: Animated shows or movies based on manga. Like manga, anime spans multiple genres, bringing stories to life through animation, voice acting, and soundtracks.


Background

I got into manga and anime when I started learning Japanese in high school as a junior. I used anime for listening practice and manga for reading practice. Since most manga and anime originate in Japanese, they often get translated into various languages through subtitles, dubbing, or localized text. The intricate art styles and compelling storytelling made me want to try drawing my own characters. My first anime was Kuroko’s Basketball, and I also watched Attack on Titan. Over time, I explored more series, such as Prince of Tennis, Haikyuu!!, and others.


Audience

I recommend manga and anime for teenagers and adults. However, the content varies greatly, so the appropriate age group depends on the specific series. Some titles are suitable for all ages, while others contain mature themes.


This picture was taken by Unsplash.
This picture was taken by Unsplash.

My Experience with Drawing Manga

Inspired by the stunning visuals in manga and anime, I attempted to create my own manga. I quickly realized how challenging it is—especially maintaining character consistency across multiple poses and panels. I experimented multiple times and discovered that professional manga creation isn’t for me. While I still enjoy drawing for fun, my style resembles Western comics more than traditional manga.

One fascinating aspect of manga is how translations can differ across languages. I attempted to write manga in both Japanese and English and found that the translations weren’t always exact. In my opinion, the hardest part of creating manga is the artwork, but storytelling is also a formidable challenge. Developing unique characters and compelling plots is fun but difficult, and I found that my artistic abilities didn’t quite align with my storytelling skills, making it tough to create a cohesive manga.


Why Didn't I Try to Make My Own Anime?

If drawing and storytelling were already difficult for me, animating my characters would be even harder. Animation requires not only advanced drawing skills but also technical expertise in software. On top of that, voice acting is expensive, and producing anime on my own would be a logistical nightmare. The process would likely be more frustrating than enjoyable.


Pros of Manga and Anime

When done well, both manga and anime are incredibly engaging.

  • Manga allows readers to immerse themselves in a visually compelling story while also reinforcing language learning.

  • Anime brings characters to life with voice acting, animation, and music, making the experience more dynamic and immersive.


Cons of Manga and Anime

  • Manga is typically in black and white, which can sometimes feel less immersive. Adding color could enhance the experience. Additionally, not all manga explain how to read the panels properly, which can be confusing for newcomers. Some manga also contain explicit language or content that requires censorship.

  • Anime adaptations don’t always include all crucial scenes from the manga. Additionally, censorship in anime can sometimes affect the viewing experience, depending on the distributor’s policies.


Is It Worth It?

For teenagers and adults, I would say yes! The combination of art and storytelling makes manga and anime worth exploring. Language learners, in particular, can benefit from using them as supplementary tools. However, some titles contain graphic content, so it’s important to choose age-appropriate series.


Important Notes

Whenever possible, please support manga and anime legally. Many artists work under difficult conditions to create the stories we love, often enduring long hours and low pay. As someone who has tried making manga for fun, I understand how much effort goes into it. Supporting creators by purchasing official copies shows appreciation for their hard work.


Concluding Thoughts

Do you enjoy manga and anime? Have they inspired you to create or collect them? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I hope you enjoyed this discussion, and I look forward to sharing more in my next blog. Have a great day!


 
 
 

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