COMIC DEVELOPMENT

REVOLUTION OF JAPANESE COMICS

COMIC DEVELOPMENT

MADAM NURHAMIZAH BINTI MISUAN

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Manga is the famous japanese comic.
Manga (pronounced maawng-guh)
literally means “whimsical or
impromptu pictures.”
Typically associated with otaku
“nerdy” culture, it has a deep and
rich history in Japanese art that
plays a significant role in
Japanese culture today.

Early Origins of Japanese Comics

Burstein Collection / Getty Images by Deb Oki The tradition of narrative art
or telling stories with a
series of sequential images
has been a part of Japanese
culture long before Superman
ever put on a cape.

The earliest examples of pre-
manga artwork that influenced
the development of modern
Japanese comics are commonly
attributed to Toba Sojo, an
11th-century painter-priest
with a whimsical sense of
humor.

The Funnier Side of Hokusai

Another influential artist in the development of modern manga was
Katsushika Hokusai, the famous 19th century ("floating world
pictures") artist and printmaker.
While Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print images of 36 Views of Mount
Fuji are known the world over, his manga sketchbooks are also some of
the best early examples of humor in Japanese art.
Hokusai was also the first artist to use the term "manga" or "playful
sketches" to describe his humorous images.
Hokusai’s manga includes irreverent images of men making funny faces,
sticking chopsticks up their noses and blind men examining an
elephant.
Originally intended as sketches for his students to copy, Hokusai
manga was distributed throughout Japan.

The Funnier Side of
Hokusai

Shunga — the Erotic, Exotic and Outrageous




Shunga, or erotic art is another popular genre of Japanese prints and
painting that has influenced the development of modern manga.

The exaggerated eroticism of shunga ("spring pictures") imagery often
included suggestive metaphors for genitals such as long eggplants or
mushrooms and even depicted outrageously large penises engaging in
intercourse.


Shunga’s influence continues to be seen in contemporary manga,
especially hentai or sexually explicit manga.

Shunga — the Erotic,
Exotic and Outrageous

Yokai — Gruesome Ghosts and Monsters

Another example of influential pre-manga Japanese artwork
includes prints of yokai or mythical Japanese monsters.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created several popular prints featuring
yokai, as well as scenes of ghosts, warriors committing
seppuku and true crime stories.
His exquisitely rendered scenes of graphic violence have made
him popular with contemporary art collectors and has
influenced modern horror manga masters such as Maruo Suehiro
(Shojo Tsubaki, or Mr. Arashi’s Amazing Freak Show) and
Shigeru Mizuki (Ge Ge Ge No Kitaro)

Yokai —
Gruesome
Ghosts and
Monsters

The Origins of Manga

The word “manga” was first coined in 1798 by Santō Kyōden’s Shiki no
Yukikai (Seasonal Passers-by).

In 1814, the artist Katsushika Hokusai (famous for ukiyo-e and butt
buddies with Santō Kyōden) was the first to use the word “manga” as
the title for his sketchbooks titled “Hokusai Manga”.

During the rise of Japanese Imperialism, the Japanese empire used
manga for spreading propaganda about the benefits of Japanese
leadership. But after the war, everything changed.

The Turning Point of Manga

Following the end of World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allies which restricted any

1 propaganda or Japanese militarism. This meant that Japanese artists had room to explore

their artistic styles.

2 At the same time, the United States brought over their comics and
cartoons. This heavily influenced the style of manga at the time.

And with that allowed Tezuka Osamu (the God of Manga and Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney)

3 to create one of Japan’s most iconic and influential characters

4 Another famous stylistic innovator at the time was Machiko
Hasegawa, creator of Sazae-san (in yonkoma format, four-panel

comic usually found in newspapers).

Both Osamu Tezuka and Machiko Hasegawa’s innovative techniques
paved the way for shōnen (for young boys) and shōjo (for young
girls) manga.

The former being the most popular genre manga genre today.

And so, manga’s popularity exploded and was destined to create
otaku culture in the 21st century.

REVOLUTION CHINESE COMIC

The Chinese term "manhua" is used commonly in Hong Kong as
equivalent to "cartoons" and "comics" in English.
It includes satire and caricature works, political and editorial
cartoons, and all other genres usually referred to as either
cartoons or comics.
In Hong Kong, "manhua" shares the common meanings of cartoons and
comics as employed in the West, representing.
A narrative in the fonn of a sequence of pictures-usually, but not
always, with text.
In length it can be anything from a single image upwards, with
some strips containing thousands.
A publication in booklet, tabloid, magazine or book form that
includes as a major feature the presence of one or more strips.

REVOLUTION OF KOREAN COMIC

Manhwa is the common korean terminology for comics in general.
The term is used in English; it specifically refers to "manga-like" comics and general comic
publications of korean origin.
While Manhwa readership and distribution is nowhere near the levels seen for the more
popular Japanese "manga" comics; korean Manhwa are becoming one of the fastest
growing segments in the comic universe.
The first instances of korean Manhwa and Manhwa culture stem from the WWII era and the
ongoing conflict between Japan and peoples on the Korean peninsula.
Among the most notable cartoonists of this era were Kim Dong-sung; who consistently
wrote works criticizing Japan's persecution of the press.
Another heroic figure was Ahn Seok-joo who through his popular cartoon series' "A Day of a
Dummy" and "Adventure of a Boaster," blasted Japan's treatment of the Korean populace
and forcefully called for emancipation of the country.
Imbecile's Vain Efforts, a comic strip made by artist Roh Soo-hyun, became popular enough
to be made into a movie

REVOLUTION OF MALAYSIAN COMIC

Comics have been in Malaysia since World War II. As in the West, it started with cartoon drawings
published in local newspapers.
Comics are magazines that have pictures and subtitles alone with no pages filled with writing. However,
there are also magazines that combine comics and writing in one publication such as Gila-gila and so
on.

Malay Comics Before 1980 :
The oldest comic at the Malay Documentation Center is the ‘Hang Tuah’ comic by Saidin Yahya have
been published around 1953.
This comic has pages colored and contains advertisements from various companies.
This comic is written in Jawi and is the only comic written in Jawi in DBP's archives published by The
Malay Press, Kuala Pilah.
There are also comics titled ‘Gorilla’ (Ghazali Salleh), ‘Pa’Kadok’, ‘Malin Kundang,‘ Yang Dibenchi ’,‘ Suboh
’(A. Halim Teh),‘ Uda dan Dara ’‘ Nelayan Misteri ’(K. Bali), and‘ Puteri Kapas ’(Osman Baru).

The first ‘LAT’ comic series was published by Berita Publishing in 1977, titled ‘Lots of LAT’ is a
collection of cartoons by LAT painters published in New Strait Times.
The collection sold more than 60,000 copies and was reprinted that year same.
In 1978, a second collection entitled "LAT's lot" was published and reprinted in 1980 and 1981.
LAT or Datuk Mohammad Nor bin Mohammad Khalid is a Malay comic icon and has won several
awards at the international level.
The characters drawn by LAT are the characters of ordinary people in Malaysia, who wear
sarongs, dhoti or cheogsam with unique sketches and set against the backdrop of a typical
village environment.

Malay Comics and Animation After 1980 :
Among the other Malay comics read by Malay teenagers these days are Ujang, Utopia, Ana
Muslim, Umbra, and Apo ?.
However there is a new type of comic released by PTS Publication, known as Komik-M. Comic M
measures 20x14cm smaller than traditional Malay comics and larger compared to manga
measuring 17.6 cmx11.2 cm.
While comics published by GempakStarz like Utopia and Kreko focus to manga and information
about Japanese popular culture products in addition to receiving works fromfans to be
published.

UPIN IPIN SERIES :

Upin & Ipin is a short animated series published by Les ’Copaque that
features the story of two twin brothers with a sister and grandmother in a
village.

The series started from 2007 on TV9. The series also appeared for the first
time via the Disney Channel Asia by focusing on the twins ’daily lives with
their friends.

In 2011, the film Gang Adventure Begins was a 3D animated film by Les
’Copaque which seeks support from ICT -related agencies such as the
Multimedia Development Corporation and the National Applied R&D Center
(MIMOS).

Boboiboy Series :

In contrast to Upin & Ipin who are themed on life as ordinary village children,
Boboiboy in turn features the story of a boy, along with his friends who living
in the city with their grandfather who opened a stall selling a variety of
coffee drinks.
What unique in the series is the presence of aliens trying to invade the earth.
The film has been viewed nearly 31 million times after being uploaded by
Odaeyla on June 12, 2011.
Boboiboy is the company's first product this is themed on a fight between
Boboiboy and aliens trying to invade the earth for coffee.
Unfortunately other animated series like Boboiboy are not featured
internationally although popular domestically.

Ribbit Series :

Ribbit is a film published by KRU Studios and Crest Animation Studios.
The animation takes place in Cyberjaya and Mumbai, India.
The film also involved Hong Kong and the voice was recorded in Los Angeles,
Dallas, Texas and KL.
After being recognised as the best family film at the Niagara Integration
Film Festival, Canada, the animated film Ribbit is produced by KRU Studio's
subsidiary, KRU
The cartoon has been adapted into Malay. The Malay version of Ribbit got
the director's touch
Mamat Khalid's famous film with its own strategy such as using a variety of
state dialects in Malaysia to give a difference to the animated film (Kemalia
Othman, 2014).