Paris exhibition traces the long history of manga • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Manga: Japanese comic books and graphic novels.
• Imi: Illustrated scrolls from ancient Japan used for narrative storytelling with text and images.
• Brush Strokes: The distinctive lines and marks made by a brush, a key element in manga aesthetics.
• Aesthetic: The visual style and principles of art and design.
• Industrial Printing: The use of mechanical printing processes, which expanded the reach of illustrated art forms.
• Fandoms: Communities of fans who share a common interest in a particular character or story.

Manga's Roots and Evolution

The exhibition at the Paris Gimeir Museum highlights the global appeal of comic book icons like Luffy from One Piece and Astro Boy, tracing manga back to its origins. The narrative begins by acknowledging the influence of Chinese classics, specifically citing Sangoku (the Monkey King) as a foundational character who was later popularized in Japan by Akira Toriyama's manga.

A crucial point emphasized is the Japanese perspective on manga, which is not viewed as a singular art form but rather encompasses cinema, television, and comic books. This broad understanding underscores the deep integration of visual storytelling in Japanese culture.

Historical Precursors to Modern Manga

The video asserts that modern manga is an evolution of an art form with a history dating back to the 15th century. For centuries, Japan has utilized text and images to convey narratives. An example presented is an illustrated scroll from 1802 (a copy of an earlier work) that demonstrates this tradition. These scrolls, known as imi, featured dialogue integrated directly into the images, with text calligraphy placed above the characters, predating the use of speech bubbles.

Victor Demo, a French manga artist, finds an "undeniable" link between these historical imi and contemporary manga. He notes the similarity in brush strokes, stating, "The brush strokes that he used, they're the same ones that we see today." He observes that despite the age of the artwork, indicated by yellowed paper, the aesthetic remains relevant and is "now a big part of popular culture." Demo is particularly impressed by the depiction of movement, describing it as "mad" and how the brush strokes "carried [the eyes] naturally through the story."

Industrialization and Internationalization

The advent of industrial printing in the 19th century played a significant role in broadening access to these art forms. This technological advancement facilitated the development of fandoms around specific characters and stories, paving the way for international commercial success.

The Universal Appeal and Evolution of Manga

The video discusses how manga, while possessing a distinctively Japanese aesthetic, is a universal art form that is "in constant evolution." Victor Delmore's personal journey exemplifies this. He studied manga's drawing style and its inherent codes and languages in Japan before returning to France. His aim was to create "something very French, but as manga as possible, while also respecting the rules." He states, "I'm from a working-class neighborhood here in France, and my mangas tell the story of what happens there, not things that are happening in Japan."

This demonstrates manga's adaptability to different cultural contexts and its capacity to tell local stories while adhering to the established artistic principles. France is highlighted as the world's second-largest consumer of manga, trailing only Japan, underscoring the global reach and popularity of the medium.

Conclusion

The exhibition and the discussion presented in the video underscore that manga is a rich and evolving art form with deep historical roots in Japanese visual storytelling. Its aesthetic principles, particularly the expressive use of brush strokes, have remained influential, while its narrative potential has proven universal, allowing it to transcend cultural boundaries and inspire creators worldwide to tell their own stories within its framework. The journey from ancient Japanese scrolls to contemporary international hits like One Piece illustrates manga's enduring power and adaptability.