Manga

[~Delta~]

Simple, do you classify manga as a piece of literature?

define { manga:
A comic; a non-animated cartoon, especially one done in a Japanese style; A professionally produced Japanese comic; }

We can all agree that manga is a piece of art and that it is usually read in books, it is purchased in volumes, which is about eight chapters. However, when read online it is not in a book and it makes one think differently, like it is not literature.

I don't think it's literature, it's an art form - sure. Which does use writing, portraying the way a character speaks, but that is about it.

So, what's your opinion? Most people who are unfamiliar with manga and saw it in a shop would assume that it is a piece of literature as they saw it in a bookshop, in the form of a book.

[§§}Animal]

I would say it's a form of literature no matter where one see's it. Comparatively you can read books on your computer, rather than hold an actually book and flip pages. Would arguing that a published book read on one's computer is no longer literature simply because it's on a computer? No, it's still literature. Same with poetry, a lot of people when they look for a poem the first spot they check is Google. Here are a few definitions:
man·ga  [mahng-guh, mang‐] –noun
a Japanese graphic novel, typically intended for adults, characterized by highly stylized art.
lit·er·a·ture   [lit-er-uh-cher, -choor, li-truh-] Show IPA
–noun
1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays.
2. the entire body of writings of a specific language, period, people, etc.: the literature of England.
3. the writings dealing with a particular subject: the literature of ornithology.
4. the profession of a writer or author.
5. literary work or production.

[~Delta~]

Yes, but when you look at manga. The only form of writing in it is the characters speech, where as the main story is in the pictures.

[§§}dnangel]

I think that Arcune is right look at most of the old stories like Tarsan and Robinson Crusoe they were adapted to comic books to appeal to the "Comic book" Generation.

So when "Manga" is discussed as weather or not it's literature, yeah it is because it has a story (sometimes) and most of the words that would be found in books telling what a character is doing are cut out.

So yeah Manga is considered a form of literature. Just shorter

[§§}Animal]

Thanks DNAngel, you reminded me of a point I was forgetting. Most comics/manga are based off of a story plot. A great example is the comic versions of the Shakespeare plays. No one will argue that Shakespearian play scripts are not literature, the comics are very similar, often quoting direct dialogue. In fact Shakespearian play scripts are pretty much nothing but dialogue, with the actions done in italics. The speech/thought bubbles in comics/manga's merely portray what is being said, and the pictures help the reader visualize what is happening in the story. Now I want to argue the point of art. If a person is just looking at the pictures and not actually reading it is art. But comics/manga are read, thus not remaining a static picture("I should hope that when people read stories that they have a "movie" playing in their mind's eye"-My favourite English teacher).

[~Delta~]

Interesting points. I'll try and reply later. Not much room for me to argue, however.