Cartoon History and Cultural Values

Last week, Erik lead the club and talked about comics. Basically, there are 3 types--short comic strip, magazine (USA phenomena) and graphic novel (derived from Japan and France, ex. Fullmetal Alchemist). Other differences besides size--the way the art is done and the storyline/format. The USA tends to draw their characters defined, roughed out with as much detail as possible in the square, narrow figures. The USA men are overly muscular and the women are also with very womanly figures. France prefers more 'childish' figures that you'd see in children's art--or old propaganda comics. The Japanese and Korean--Manga! USA 'manga' evolved around superheros and the heros follow the law! Ex. Boondocks--an American comic drawn in manga style. The videos and video games ofthen have street fighting figures that appeals to Japanese teens and USA adults. In Japan--their heros are quite controversial, ex. Death Note = serial killer who murders evil people. Typical Japanese anime with controversial heros are Bleach, Black cat and Imyasha