For many of us, reading is more than a hobby. It has become a part of us that we cannot do without, and when we manage to do without reading for a few days, we feel like a part of us is missing. It is like being lost in space and reading books is the only thing that can bring us back to reality. I enjoy reading different genres of books, from action, adventure, and romance to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Romance might not be my usual cup of tea, but I do explore the genre once in a blue moon. When it comes to reading books, many of us are familiar with traditional novels and books. Before technology and the human mind expanded, traditional books were in place and everyone resorted to it. However, there's a whole world of other genres that might be slightly better than traditional books (or not). Some of these forms of storytelling are Manga and Graphic novels.
Graphic novels and manga started gaining popularity in the late 19th century. The term “graphic novel” was coined by Richard Kyle in 1964. On the other hand, Manga is a Japanese form of storytelling that has been in existence in Japan since the early 18th century. Both graphic novels and manga gained widespread popularity in the late 19th century. Basically, manga and graphic novels are forms of storytelling that combine text and pictures (more pictures) to tell a story or explore themes. They come in print and digital formats. These forms of storytelling have captured millions of hearts with their colorful pictures, and short, but creative dialogues. However, some people still hesitate to dive into the world of Manga. #Mondayhivebookprompt asks us to discuss manga and graphic novels. What do you think are the biggest reasons for people to hesitate to read manga and graphic novels?
To start with, many people view manga and graphic novels as “children’s materials.” I have been a fan of cartoons, anime, manga, manhwa, and graphic novels for as long as I can remember. I grew up exploring these genres, and now that I am an adult, I still enjoy them. When I was a kid, cartoons and these other forms of storytelling were good, but not as developed as they are now. Over the years, comic writers have gotten more creative. Despite this, people are still stuck with the mentality that these forms of storytelling are for kids. I grew up with 3 older siblings. A few years ago when we were all together, I would often turn on the TV and watch the only channel I was interested in: Cartoon Network. My siblings would always say, “Why would you watch cartoons when you're not a kid.” My friends also say similar things when they see me reading comics or watching anime, they tell me to watch a more mature movie like The Expendables. Yes, I have seen The Expendables- really nice, but I'd still choose my favorites over and over again.
Moving on, another reason people hesitate to read manga and graphic novels is because they are deeply rooted in traditional books. As I mentioned above, traditional books are one of the oldest forms of storytelling. Many people are not familiar with manga and graphic novels because they are a while different format compared to traditional books. As a result, they feel hesitant to venture out of their comfort zones. For example, my mom is a book lover, just like me. She's been reading books long before I was born. During the '90s, she devoured books by James Hadley Chase, her favorite author. Throughout her life, she has consumed traditional books. Now, imagine introducing manga and graphic novels to her; she'll likely find the fusion of text and images that they offer confusing. Moreover, many people prefer traditional books because the characters and plot are well-developed.
Also, there's a misconception that manga and graphic novels are only about superheroes and their heroic deeds, and not so many people are interested in this type of genre, particularly romance readers. Interestingly, these forms of storytelling explore more genes than you think. From action, sci-fiction to romance, and adventure.
In conclusion, these are the reasons people hesitate to read manga and graphic novels. They shallow themselves in misconceptions without even getting to it. If you're interested in reading, you can make use of Webtoon.
All images in this post are mine.
Thanks for reading.