We sure had read about superhero comics like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Superman, and others. At a glance, we understand that those are American comics. Moving to Doraemon, Naruto, and One Piece, we immediately realize that this is the style of Japanese comic book or manga.

Then, what are the distinct differences between these two cultures? Even though we can see at first sight that both are different in so many ways, it will be easier if we are trying to explain the differences, in general, to make you understand the differences between the two countries.

5. Big Eyes - Proportional Eyes

Proportional eyes here meaning the precise eye sizes in character; not too big and not too small. American comic books often draw eyes like this. You can see it in Superman comics, not too detailed and not too much.

Japanese comics are different. Characters often have big eyes and more unique. It’s often shown in shojo comics, manga for female readers.

4. Read From Left to Right - Read From Right to Left

American comics read from left to right. Meanwhile, Japanese manga read from right to left. The reading style is according to the reading style in each country.

In Indonesia, the reading style of American and Japanese comics are the same, from left to right, because the local publisher follows American culture. In the end, the reading style of all comics is the same.

3. Telling More About Characters - Telling More About Emotions

American comics often emphasized the story in the characters. Every character has their features and behaviors, so their decisions they made are more idealist and make sense.

Characters from mangas often emphasized on their emotions. We often see one character can be so strong due to his/her will to protect, even though in previous chapters, that character is very secluded.

2. Seeing at Results - Seeing at Progresses

This difference is very contrast in superhero comics. Characters in American comics usually already strong enough from the start due to his/her parents’ fortune or due to the fate of the character; how they get it is not that important, and sometimes it can get weirder on how they use it. Like Spider-Man’s motto, “with great power comes great responsibility.”

As for manga, it is often shown how the character can be so strong due to their immense effort to gain that power even though at the beginning, he or she is frail.

1. Realistic Illustrations - Fantasy Illustrations

In American comics, the drawing looks more realistic, like a strong character has a massive body full of muscles. It is understandable because, in the real world, usually muscled men are identic with strong men.

Meanwhile, if compared to the manga, a strong man often does not come out as a big, buffy man. Even a skinny man can destroy a building with one punch.

So that’s a few distinct differences between American comics and Japanese comics or manga. Despite those differences, there are many American comic books drew in Japanese manga, as well as Japanese comics drew in American comic books. A culture mix is more interesting, right?

Featured image source: youtube.com/user/CodeProvider

FANPAGE FACEBOOK: Duniagames

INSTAGRAM: @duniagames.co.id

LINE@: @duniagames

YOUTUBE: Dunia Games