Easley 1

Jada Easley

Mr. Phillips

AP English Research Essay

04 December 2017

Manga to the Rescue!

Anime Manga has impacted the lives of a lot of people. The authors and directors of

Manga are not done yet,with their goal of wringing people as their work seem to sore worldwide.

It is now appreciated from all over. Manga at one point in time had a downfall. In 2017 it is more

appreciated than ever. Anime Manga has a positive potent impact on not only the Japanese

government but the society and tends to show to always have a “be good” message.

Due to North Korea testing missiles Hokkaido’s Government Official had to intervene.

Recently in the news North Korea’s president Kim Jong-Un and the United States of America

president Donald Trump have been at it for a while,going back and forth. North Korea has been

testing missiles and launching them over the island named Hokkaido in Japan. The missile

launches is causing disturbance and the people of Hokkaido are becoming terrified. Manga has

been keeping the Hokkaidians stable and calm by using it to educate people on how to react to

the the missile launches.

The Government official of Hokkaido using a light hearted thing as manga was a great

idea, it keeps the Hokkaidians from adults to children, at a peaceful state. The Government

official said "We believe it's the first case in Japan for a prefecture to issue a missile education

instructions in manga form”. “We thought it would be helpful to provide guidance in an easy-to-

understand format". Meanwhile a company named Shogakukan publishes numerous children's

books, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, subjects also include history, folklore, geography,
 Easley 2

literature, art education, medicine, photography, and gardening (Gale). An another well-known

publisher named Shunju is known for his manga discovering new literary talent, and keeps a high

profile in freedom of speech and anti-piracy issues (Gale).Both companies show that Manga can

educate and prove to be a voice for certain people. Manga is having an impact on tourism for

towns and cities. “Anime Tourism could provide a huge windfall for areas that would otherwise

see few visitors” (Nagata).

Manga starting to be known for its positive impact on society began to attract worldwide

audiences. The love for the positive “feeling” from the reading or watching of manga is

becoming a magnet pulling people in from all over. The Manga industry has taken the world by

storm since the early 20th century. Manga has been successful in making an important and

lasting impression on the audiences around the globe (Mahaseth). Research about Japan and

manga shows that it holds a large market share. For the manga industry to flourish throughout

the world it should be given credit and more ratings than it already has.

The only major criticism against manga has always been the sexual and violent content

present in it which causes arguments about how it impacts Japan.It also has parents wondering if

their kids should be able to watch anime. Has anyone ever thought about that if manga was so

“bad”, would they really air it on Cartoon Network during kids hours? For example, Pokemon

which teaches kids to never give up and show them the true meaning of friendship.The criticism

against manga’s content has been argued for some time.“They believe that some mangas are

misleading as it should be targeted as an adult audience instead of being for a PG-13 audience”

(Mahaseth). Although there is a show called “Naruto”. In total 5% of the global population max

which is 375,000,000 people watches this particular anime show (Reddit).The Show Naruto
 Easley 3

depicts a kid going through abandonment and overcoming obstacles through hard work and

finding the right people to be around.

Not all mangas are misleading, PG-13 and damaging to Japan’s society. Some anime

artist try to wring in people for religion purposes. A christian newspaper taps manga and games

in bid to nurture young fans. Shinji Mutsani uses manga to attract young followers to faith.

“Christ newspapers is aiming to attract young followers through modern media is an industry

with a fading readership” (Kaneko). Manga authors even tried to make it convenient to Christian

fans and come out with Christian Anime. A popular kids Christian manga is called “The Flying

House” directed by Masakazu Higuchi.

Anime has proven to have many positive outcomes for Japan and Japan’s Government

official.Even though parents have concerns about what is being shown on tv and although it does

not get the ratings it deserves. Anime has shown positiveness through books and television even

plays. Jaqueline Berndt made a good point that “Life implies movement, and Hokusai is a master

of animation so to speak! “Although the Manga pictures don’t move, they give the impression of

being alive” . Jaqueline Berndt also mentions that Anime and Manga has a beautiful artwork and

encourages kids to get into drawing and showing their parents as well. Jaqueline Berndt follows

through by saying “They can learn a specific attitude , a profound curiosity, an incessant

commitment to drawing (beyond commercial or political concerns). “ (Gale).

Manga might have had issues but the authors and directors really proved they can do just

about anything for anyone. Especially athletes who tries to prove something to themselves

everyday, There was a tv program in November of 2017 that discussed the sports manga impact

on athletes. To only come to find out that manga impacts athletes who had to deal with injuries.
 Easley 4

Certain manga has influenced the “never give up” motto in their lives and careers. A lady named

Katherine Luther stated that Anime Manga tends to “Discover surprising insights and little-

known facts about politics, literature, science, and the marvels of the natural world.” Anime has

proven to be a “shoulder to lean on” and to improve not just Japan but the world itself by all the

hard work the authors and directors has given to all audiences for all ages. Harsh Mahaseth said “

A world that is full of dreams and passion sometimes become a world which is more honest and

reasonable in reflecting the human society in an alternative perspective.” And that is the job of

Manga.

Works Cited
 Easley 5

"Anime and manga-or the power of hand-drawn images-at 20th Eiga Sai." Philippines Daily

Inquirer [Makati City, Philippines], 26 June 2017. Global Issues in Context,

link.galegroup.com Accessed 30 Nov. 2017.

Baseel, Casey. Japanese politician apologizes for saying anime contributes to crime.” Anime

news network, 11 November 2017, https://www.animenewsnetwork.com.

“Christian newspaper taps manga and gaines in bid to nurture young fans,flock” JapanTimes 15

Oct, 2017, www.japantimes.co.jp.

"Global Publishing Leaders 2017: Shogakukan Inc." Publishers Weekly Online, 25 Aug. 2017.

Academic OneFile, link.galegroup.com Accessed 30 Nov. 2017.

“Hokkaido uses manga to educate people on how to react to any North Korea missile threat.”

Japan Times. 13 Oct,2017, www.japantimes.co.jp.

Luther, Katherine “Should my kids watch anime” ThoughtCo, July 16, 2017

https://www.thoughtco.com.

Mahaseth, Harsh, The Cultural Impact of Manga on Society” (March 10, 2017). Available at

SSRN: https://ssrn.com

Nagata, Kazuaki. “Japan’s anime pilgrimages give untrod real-world locales economic boost.”

The Japan Times, September 4, 2017, https://www.japantimes.co.jp.

Sherman, Jennifer “TV program discusses manga impact on athletes” AnimeNewsNetwork,

November 19, 2017, https://www.animenewsnetwork.com.