Manga and teenagers
Perhaps you are familiar with animated manga’s such as Dragon Ball in the 80s? Pokémon in the 90s or Yu-Gi-Oh in the 2000s? Manga reading among teenagers has grown exponentially in popularity over the last few decades.
Manga, or Japanese comics, appeal to young readers because of their diversity of genres, captivating stories, and dynamic illustrations. It's not unusual to see a teenager with a manga in their hand, and they are a great gateway in encouraging them to become avid readers.
Accessibility
Originating in Japan, these comic strips have become a worldwide phenomenon, and the UK is no exception. Their influence on the development of reading among teenagers is undeniable, for several reasons.
Manga can be intriguing to a wide audience, including young readers. Their often compact format, captivating stories, and dynamic drawings make them attractive reading for teenagers, even those who may not be avid readers.
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Manga is often adapted into anime, creating an extra buzz among teenagers, further encouraging young readers to discover new titles and deepen their interest in reading. What's more, the culture of manga conventions, where fans come together to celebrate their shared passion, helps to create a community around manga reading, further boosting its popularity.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2022, manga sales totalled $246 million compared to just $49.9 million in 2019...
The gateway book!
Manga can be a gateway to other forms of literature. Many teenagers who discover the pleasure of reading through manga end up exploring other genres of comics, then novels and other forms of writing. In this way, manga plays a crucial role in awakening and developing an appetite for reading among teenagers, offering them a fun and accessible gateway to the world of literature.
Content check!
Some critics point out that not all manga is suitable for a young audience because of its sometimes violent or erotic content. It is therefore important for parents and librarians to guide teenagers towards manga that is appropriate for their age and maturity, while encouraging critical and thoughtful reading.
Lucas Maxwell's Manga Club!
Lucas Maxwell, Librarian, started a manga club at his school as a way to encourage children to start reading.
He agreed to answer a few questions about his club!
What inspired you to start a manga club at your library?
When I started working here at Glenthorne High School eleven years ago, there was no manga in the school. Students almost immediately asked me to purchase some. When I started to build the collection, I saw that they'd meet after school to read and talk about anime, so I simply added some activities to this and the manga club was born, it's been going strong ever since.
How many members do you have?
We currently have around 40 members that range from ages 11 to 18.
How has the manga club evolved since it started?
We started small, doing crafts and small games related to manga. Since then it's evolved in many different ways, we've taken students on trips to see the history of manga at the British Library, we've brought in manga illustrators and we've taken part in art competitions around the country. It's an ever-evolving club that creates a lot of interesting opportunities for the students.
What do you think makes manga such a popular choice among readers at your library?
In my opinion, manga is popular because it's very accessible and there's a sense of achievement, especially amongst struggling readers, who can finish two or three manga in one sitting. It's also tied-in to popular anime programmes, offers diverse character arcs and relatable storylines for many teens. Manga tackles issues around friendship, loss, self-discovery and identity, all around a punchy, colourful landscape.
Can you share some of the most memorable moments or activities from the manga club?
Some of my favourite moments have come from bringing in guest manga illustrators. Seeing the students, who come to the library on a daily basis to draw and read manga, meet someone who does this for a living, is a thrilling experience.
What are your personal favourite manga titles or series?
I enjoy manga that is quite dream-like or surreal. My favourite manga in the past year has been a bleak but hopeful title called The Girl From the Other Side.
How would you respond to parents or guardians who might have concerns about manga content?
My response to parents would be to have a conversation with your child about what they are reading if there are concerns. In addition, most of the manga a child wants to read is a result of the anime that they are watching at home. Everyone's comfort level is different around the media that their child takes in, the manga in a school library should reflect the age population that they serve and this is also why all schools should have a librarian ensuring the right book gets into the right hands.
Lucas Maxwell
New Manga Tower at Lucas Maxwell's Library
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