Manga is very reliant on art. But art isn't the only thing that makes manga, there's the story too. In fact, manga is more dependent on it's story than it's artwork. Shocking isn't it! I guess people don't refer to manga as real books because they feel that lots of illustration will take away from the story. But when writing a book, you have to use your imagination to help you visualize and write down your story in great detail. The readers have to use their imagination to visualize the story and help them understand it. Yes, it's the art that brings out the story of the manga, but it's the story that influences the art. Manga is just like an illustrated storybook. Which is why the story is very important when making a manga. You can't just draw random images in panels and call it manga. The images have to have something in common, like a motive. Manga is also known as sequential art, As the story progresses so does the art. I've seen plenty of manga that has a one sided relationship between it's story and art. The art is sub-par, but the story is excellent, like Katsura Hoshino's "D-Grayman". Or the art is interesting, but the story is hard to comprehend, like Hajime Ueda's "FLCL". You know when a manga is good when the story and art share a mutual relationship. The art is very good and the story is great, like Kohta Hirano's thriller manga "Hellsing" or Ryu Fujisaki's Chinese historical sci-fi "Hoshin Engi". That the kind of manga I want to make. I want to make a manga with a good story, that readers will like to read and continue, where the plot makes sense and the dialogue isn't awkward. I also want the art to fit with the overall story. The story influences the art style. If the story's genre is geared towards girls, the art is elegant and pretty. If the story is gear towards guys, it's more rough and detailed. You want to make sure that the story complements the art, and the art complements the story. Here's one Manga that has that special relationship.
Manga Review: Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee
Story and art: Hiroyuki Asada
Here we have a great example of a mutual relationship of a great story and beautiful art. "Tegami Bachi" (Japanese for "Letter Bee") is a tale of a dark world, Amberground, lit only by a man-made star. The land is divided into three parts with each part gradually falling into darkness. In Amberground there are giant, mechanical-insects called "Gaichuu" who terrorize the land. In order for each land to keep contact with others they rely on special postmen called "Letter Bees" Who deliver each letter with the person's precious "Heart" (not literally) inside. In this land an abandoned boy, Lag Seeing is found by a letter bee, Gauche suede, who goes through a long journey of perils to bring him to a nice home and in return inspires the young boy to become a letter bee. I really find the story original and interesting. And in return the art complements the story with it's unique style to visually interpret the story. The art and story immerses you in the unique land with visual symbolism and great detail as seen in the starry night sky. Even better, the story keeps you hooked because you want to see what happens next. It's unique in it's story, art, and portrayal of postal service...But this great relationship creates a great manga that you would want to read again and again. Isn't that what all manga should be?
