Detective Manga

            The Kindaichi Case Files and Detective Conan (Case Closed) are both famous mystery manga. It seems that Detective Conan is more popular than Kindaichi Case Files because it has better art works and it was published earlier than Kindaichi Case Files. But is that really true that Detective Conan is better than Kindaichi? This question has been debated in detective manga community. Supporters of Conan defend more kind of minor murder stories and tricks resolving around modern things (cell phones, wiretapping system, etc.). Supporters of Kindaichi believe that it has more in-depth stories and better mysteries than Conan does. It is clear that Kindaichi is actually the better than Conan in detective manga department.

by Manga Panda at mangapanda.com

            The Kindaichi Case Files is mainly occur in rural, remote villages, associated with some certain rumor. Because of this gloomy atmosphere, its creepy levels also increased more with serial murder thrilling. The most interesting thing about Kindaichi is that it is very difficult to guess the murderer within many suspects. This even makes essential mysterious in the storyline of detective Kindaichi.

            Fans of Kindaichi probably remember one of the most classic cases in this manga, called “Ijinkan Village Murder Case”. It is not deeply impressed because the cruelty, the cold-blooded killer, but because of the torment and the anxiousness that case left inside the readers. I believe this is a point of difference compared to Detective Conan. In Detective Conan, when murders are detected, readers often feel satisfied because justice has been accomplished. But, in Kindaichi Case Files, readers can feel the pitiful when they go through each story of the murders.

             Some claim that Case Closed inspires readers by bringing several different cases in a chapter. However, this is not true. This construction makes cases in the series cause many conflicts and become illogical. On the other hand, Kindaichi focus on solving complicated crimes, cases maintain logical and attractive.

            Therefore, it is true that The Kindaichi Case Files is one of the best in detective manga department. Its storylines is extremely impressive and unforgettable for readers who are passionate for mystery detective manga.

Why manga books are declining in U.S ?

            Manga is an art form of Japanese comic. It is very amusing and eye-catching to readers. But recently, there have been many problems with manga include dropping in sales, manga companies start producing bad quality manga book with cheap materials, and less manga advertisement on U.S media.

by Brian Hibbs at ComicBookResources.com.

            The chart above describes that a number of sales of manga books has been dropping since 2007. The main reason of the decline in sales includes the illegal posting of materials over the Internet.  Currently, there are hundreds of manga websites that posted free manga without permission from those manga’s companies. Because people now can read free manga online, they do not want to spend money to pay for manga, which has lead to the declining of manga markets.

             The second problem that manga is having is that companies have started to produce bad quality manga books with cheap materials. These companies want more profit than they should have; they started to print manga using cheap ink and paper. Using cheap materials can lead to hard to read prints and thin pages to flip.

             The last problem is that less manga advertisement in U.S media in order to introduce manga to people. According to Erica Friedman (2013), manga advertisements could be found in everywhere in Japan. Many stores in Japan are full of manga characters goods, toys and clothes. However, in U.S, manga is totally out on television or DVD. There is no movie releases in theater and no manga bookstores remained. In addition, publishing companies are not paying author the right wages. They only get paid 2% of each manga that they made, and the rest go to the publishers.

           Based on the chart described, I believe that there are a few things need to be solved to help manga industry back up stronger.To support manga’s market, we should purchase manga and not read on illegal manga websites. But we need not to buy manga that used cheap materials to produce, so that these companies can publish better quality for readers to be paying for. Providing readers with promotion and marketing can solve the problem of advertising manga book. Lastly, readers need to notice manga authors and encourage them to stand against their publisher to get what they deserve. 

            In conclusion, the amusement of manga can also have many negative sides. To prevent these problems, readers can stand up and choose to do what is right.

Citation:

Thompson, Jason. "Why Manga Publishing Is Dying."Http://io9.com/5874951/why-manga-publishing-is-dying-and-how-it-could-get-better. 23 Jan. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.

Friedman, E. (2013, Nov 8). “Is manga publishing declining? If so? Why?”

Manga VS. Anime

Manga and anime often confuse people because the two entertainment formats are closely related to each other. Manga refers to drawn and read image stories; anime refers animation and is shown on television. Furthermore, there are 3 major differences in terms of artistic vision, length of stories and production.

            Manga is original works of hand drawing with frame of black and white pictures, but some of them are in color. According to DifferenceBetween.info, manga book may not be always published; it can be created everywhere by an individual person who has passion about art and writing. The story can be told through the plot of story lines and multiple issues' conflicts to each other in each chapter. That develops the main issue, which can take place through every book.

Photo courtesy of RED ROMERO RAMOS

            One of the best manga books I would recommend to everyone who is interested in Sherlock Holmes is Detective Conan, as you see the picture on left. This manga comic book is almost reaching the number of 1000 chapters. Readers would be attracted by serious murder cases and mystery stories to be solved. Detective Conan is also animated in the very first chapters, but I believe it works best as manga because I can feel a principle and deduction in every cases. Also manga readers can catch up the latest chapter when it come out right away.

            In contrast, anime is more complicated. It is animated as television series; it tends to be more moving and colorful. According to DifferenceBetween.info, anime production involve to studios, directors, artists, voice actors and all among people working on it. By giving a large number of businesslike professionals, anime tends to be more polished. Also, the storylines of anime could be delayed because it requires the large number of people to give out creative ideas; but it uses the best idea. While manga can be done inexpensively, anime requires the big budget with the best preparation flowing by long time to work on an episode. Sometimes, it takes much longer by using multiple production groups, which results in quality between episodes.

Photo courtesy of A.L.P.H.A

One Piece is the best anime series I would recommend to everyone, as the picture on right. This is also long series, which reaches over 800 volumes. This anime series basically is about the young boy and his friends' adventure into the ocean and exploring for treasures in order to become the Pirate King. It is probably enjoyed very well for anime watchers because of those fantasy action and colorful graphic movement.

Thus, manga and anime are very similar, but they are quite different. Manga tend to be run by an individual author. It also has more steady storylines. Likewise, anime tend to be more polished and expensive in production, but the storylines are often less steady than manga. Overall, they are both very enjoyable in their own ways.

                                                      “Difference Between Anime and Manga." DifferenceBetween.info.

                                                        2015. DifferenceBetween.info. 6 Oct. 2015. Web.

The effects of Manga books.

Photo courtesy of Tim Bartel

           Manga is form of Japanese comic book, typically intended for adults, often with very detail art. Manga books are enjoyed by millions of readers around the world, and become popular. These books are mostly in black and white pictures, and have distinctive characters with interesting stories, that make people get interested in them. However, reading manga can be problems because of many of the stories are fantasy but can lead to obsession, skip events, and health issues. The consequences of reading manga can be in varies way, either positive or negative.

Photo courtesy of Red Romero Ramos

            One of the most positive effects of reading manga is entertainment. Because it has the story that told through pictures and people read it to relive stress and escape from reality. Reading manga can also leads people to be increased creatively through every different story that they read. The fantasy art in the manga book may give a good feeling for people who want to be an artist. Another result of reading manga is motivation to learn new language and expand knowledge of history and culture of other counties. Sometimes, the manga story has good moral character to inspire people in a good way.

            Reading manga can also have negative effects. One of negative effect is obsession, which happen when people just read manga non-stop. This is bad because they miss other things in life. For example, they skip work, school, or even meals just for reading manga. The second negative effect is making people forget reality. They are living in fiction, and they expect things to turn out perfectly every time. The final effect is health issues. Reading too much can cause myopia (nearsightedness). Readers can also have stomached when skip meals to read manga.

            In conclusion, reading manga can affect people in many positive and negative ways. The positive effects are entertainment, increased creatively and learn new language. The negative effects are obsession and being unable to tell reality from fantasy. If someone is not an intelligent reader, they will be influenced in the bad ways.