Re: [News] Japan's New Export

Peter Van Huffel wrote:
> "Fata Morgana" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in 
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:
>
>
> > "S.t.A.n.L.e.E" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> > news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > > To call manga 'Japanese comics' is like calling a painting
> > > by Michelangelo a picture.  Both are true statements and both
> > > are utterly insufficient and degrading.
> >
> > Pshaw.  There's nothing insignificant or degrading about the word 'comic.'
> >
> > Fata Morgana
>
>
> Please *read* the original statement, before replying in such a way.
> Nowhere has been said that "comic" is degrading or insignificant. The word 
> "insignificant" does not even appear in the statement. Read the text 
> carefully, there's not a single negative comment on "comic".

Well, let's see. "...utterly insufficent and degrading." Seems to 
indicate that the comic moniker, while accurate, is degrading. I think 
we can infer that the writer feels that comics (at least those that 
aren't manga) are a lesser medium.

> I actually completely agree with the original statement and couldn't have 
> said it better.

You really need to work on your English skills.

> Why do you think this group is called rec.arts.MANGA instead of
> rec.arts.comics.japan?

Arbitrary choice? If I was going to peg it to a logical reason, I'd say 
because rec.arts.comics.japan would also cover any comics that have been 
translated into Japanese, wheras manga would cover any comics that 
originate in Japan, regardless of the language it's been translated into.

I doubt it was for that reason.

> I'll give you a hint: it's not because we think "comics" as a word or as a 
> genre are insignificant.

More than likely it's just because "manga" is a nice easy word to mean 
"Japanese comics." Just like "anime" is a nice easy word to mean 
"Japanese cartoons."

Ultimately, if you believe that either has some intrinsic value just by 
being manga or anime, you really need to read (or watch) more, because 
there's a ton of crap out there. It's a genre lable, nothing more, 
nothing less.

The statement in the article is completely false, I'm afraid. Calling 
manga "Japanese comics" is at worst a bigger mouthful of words, but it's 
completely accurate and sufficient.

Damien Roc