Today, September 25th, is National Comic Book Day. (Not to be confused with Free Comic Book Day!) When manga first started gaining a foothold here in America, it was in the form of those thin 30-page American styled comics, the art flipped to be accessible to Western readers. Then TOKYOPOP launched its 100% Authentic Manga line, and it helped make manga a distinct genre and sections in bookstores.
But as the world becomes more globalized, we see more and more anime and manga influences in Western works. Avatar: The Last Airbender is a prime example. On the other hand, manga has always been at least partially inspired by comics like the ones from Marvel and DC. Now, though, we see artists and companies planning for global releases or targeting worldwide audiences. My Hero Academia‘s manga volumes, for example, are clearly a reference to comics.
So today, let’s take a look at some of the bridges between comics and manga, where East meets West. This is not to be a complete list or a list of the best works. But whether you are a fan of the original property, are just looking for ways to slowly introduce anime/manga into an American comics fan’s life, or just want to see some unique takes on these properties, maybe you can celebrate National Comic Book Day with one of these!
Attack on Titan Anthology – ~$7 used on eBay
This is probably the most obvious example on this list: a Japanese property had a bunch of Western artists draw stories set in the universe. There’s a Barnes & Noble exclusive edition, but the only thing different is the cover, and it isn’t worth the premium. If you search the various secondhand stores, you may be able to find a copy for around $5.
Hello Kitty, Hello 40 – $22.49 at Right Stuf
Hello Kitty got her start in Japan, but she’s popular all around the world. This is an adorable, mostly textless collection of adventures from Western artists. The minimal dialogue makes this a good choice for younger Hello Kitty fans, but the cuteness will attract fans of all ages.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – $14.60 at Amazon
Power Rangers continues to this day, but the nostalgia for the original Americanized release of Toei’s Super Sentai series is still rather strong. IDW has released a number of comics based on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers including the main series, a spin-off starring the original Pink Ranger, and a crossovers with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Justice League.
My Little Pony: The Manga – $7.97 at Bull Moose
Seven Seas is currently releasing this 4-koma-style manga-comic hybrid produced by a pair from North American. This is not to be confused with the comics drawn by Akira Himekawa (of The Legend of Zelda manga fame), which is currently unavailable in English.
Pikachu Meets the Press – ~$15 at eBay
Years ago, there was a Pokémon newspaper strip, and this release from VIZ Media collects them all. While it was partly inspired by the early anime seasons, it is set in an alternate timeline where Ash, Misty, Brock, and Gary all attend the same school. The book is currently out-of-print, so if you’re interested, start tracking it down before resellers keep hiking the price up.
Secret Wars #0 – Free
Attack on Titan makes another appearance on this list, so that should tell you something about its popularity. This was a Free Comic Book Day release from a few years ago, but you can get a digital copy for free at all eBook outlets. Included is a short about Spider-man and other Marvel superheroes battling Titans which have suddenly appeared.