2. What is Manga?
Manga is the Japanese word for “comics” and consists of comics and print cartoons. In the West,
the term “manga” has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by
Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the
late 19th century. In their modern form, manga date shortly after World War II , but they have a long,
complex pre history in earlier Japanese art.
Modern Manga originated in the Occupation 1945 – 1952 and post
occupation years 1952 to the early 1960’s, while a previously
militaristic and ultra nationalist Japan rebuilt its political and economic
infrastructure. An explosion of artistic creativity occurred during this
period, involving manga artists such as Osamu Tezuka and Machiko
Hasegawa.
Early designs of famous manga “Astro Boy”

3. Conventions of Eastern Comics
Style:
The original codes and conventions of eastern comics revolves around to
mainstream forms of art which is manga and anime which are raging in
popularity. The style of eastern comics is that it follows the codes and
conventions of most comics, this means that there are panels which circulate
around the frame, break panels which separate the frames, titles of the
comics, authors of the comics etc.
Art:
The original art design is most formally known as manga and anime, this form
of art is popular in all eastern comics. The images of astro boy which is a
famous comic and also one of the original forms of eastern comics that were
created. From the images you can see the form of art that it is used, through
further examination of the faces and clothing which is common in most
eastern comics.
Narrative:
The narrative codes and conventions of eastern comics is that there are
speech bubbles in abstract shapes and there are pages worth of
onomatopoeias in most eastern comics to represent emotion and actions
along with colours and narrative.

4. Astro Boy Footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nYBfYlU0mA
Description:
This clip of footage is of a trailer for an Astro Boy film which was released some years ago, this trailer
gives an idea of the form of style of an eastern comic, the art that it is included and a snippet of
narrative which helps the audience to grasp the form of the film and its eastern comic background.

5. The look of Western to Eastern Comics
Western Comic Sample
This image is a representation of a western comic which has multiple
attributes that helps the image to be a prime example of a western
comic. This form of art has more of a realistic look to the characters as
there are heavy details on the faces to represent their emotions. This
form of art also has backgrounds that are bold and bright which helps
the characters to stand out in the frames and also it helps to present the
emotions and atmosphere in the frames.
Eastern Comic Sample
This image is a representation of a eastern comic which has multiple
attributes that helps the image to be a prime example of a eastern
comic. The common name for this form of art is manga and or anime
which is popular amongst eastern comics. This form of art has more of
an unrealistic look on the characters faces to represent their emotions,
the larger eyes can help deliver emotions as it is the main feature on
the face that delivers emotions is the eyes which is why the main
feature on the face has been enhanced.

6. The narrative of Western to Eastern Comics
Western Narrative Sample
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
"My dear Mr Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is
occupied again?"
Mr Bennet replied that he had not and went about his morning business of dagger sharpening
and musket polishing-for attacks by the unmentionables had grown alarmingly frequent in recent
weeks.
"But it is," returned she.
Mr Bennet made no answer.
"Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.
"Woman, I am attending to my musket. Prattle on if you must, but leave me to the defence of my
estate!"
Eastern Narrative Sample
Astro Boy
Ian: Wow, I think that's more than enough blabbing for a whole season
Mike: Yeah...wow, we’re self important
Ian: Indicatively
Mike: What?
Ian: Who?
Mike: Alright, well it’s that time!
Ian: Movie review time?
Mike: Movie RAT review time?
Ian: Movie RAT review time number 1?

7. The narrative of Western to Eastern Comics
Similarities
1. There is speech between other characters in both comic examples which gives a sample of
communication between the characters.
2. There is a similar layout of the speech bubbles in the comic strips.
3. The speech reads between left and right which is common in all comics including western and
eastern comics.
4. The expressions from the characters language and body language represented from the
connection of the speech.
Differences
1. There general speech and language varies on the time set in the comic.
2. There is more speech and narrative in western comics and than in eastern.
3. There is more time spent in the narrative with eastern comics than western to leave more
suspense and tension in the speech.
4. There are different variations of topics in each comic but from the narrative being laid out and
pronounced differently it helps to present these topics.

8. Critical Review of Eastern Comics
Eastern comics have multiple variations of topic, design and art, their main attributes that help eastern comics to be
globally recognised is their main forms of comics which is manga and anime. There are some successes of eastern
comics and there are some failures depending on the comics and the audience these comics are targeted too.
There are some positives and negatives to eastern comics, there are both so that the review has a fair comparison and
final conclusion. There are some positives to eastern comics for instance, the first point is that eastern comics express
large amounts of bold colour so that emotions can be expressed through colour as well as other attributes, the second
point is that in each eastern comic there are interesting and respectable stories in these comics that grasp at
audiences. The final point is that the characters that have been created in eastern comics are so iconic that it made
eastern comics perhaps more popular than western comics.
Along with positive points there are also some negative points so that this article is not bias, the first point is that there
is short narrative in most eastern comics which means the audience could want a more thorough understanding of the
stories than just through images and colour. The second point is that the cartoonist images in the frames are not so
realistic which can prevent grasping a wider audience for eastern comics. The final point is that in most of the eastern
comics the super heroes and villains all share similar character references which could bring no fresh ideas into the
eastern comic industry.
To conclude this critical review of eastern comics, I would provide evidence that there are successes and failures of
eastern comics although the overall view I would share is that it provides the correct product for the correct audience as
does the western comics, the audience for eastern comics is so large that their genre is successful.

9. Sketch of a Manga Character