Re: [News] Japan's New Export

Damien Roc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:

> 
> 
> 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.
 
Well, *excuse me* for not being a native English speaker. When you're able to 
speak my native language as well as I can make myself clear in yours, we'll 
talk again.

>> 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.
> 

Do you remember the discussions when rec.arts.manga was created? If you were 
there, you wouldn't say "arbitrary choice". There was nothing arbitrary about 
that.

> 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.

I'll repeat your words: "it's a genre label" (without the spelling mistake). 
So use it. You'll at least be more accurate. For instance: If an american or 
other foreign title is translated in Japan, I'll call it a "Japanese comic" 
(comic in Japanese), but not a manga.

> 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.

-- 
Peter
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