The Evolution of Japanese Comics - From Choju-giga to Manga
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When people around the world hear the word manga, they instantly think of Japan. Colorful, emotional, and full of creativity, manga has become one of Japan’s most influential cultural exports. But did you know that the history of manga goes back nearly 1,000 years?
1. The Origins: Chōjū-giga, the “Animal Scrolls”
The roots of manga can be traced to the 12th–13th century, during Japan’s Heian and Kamakura periods.
One of the earliest examples is the “Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga” (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans), often called Chōjū-giga.
These ink-painted scrolls depict animals—like rabbits, monkeys, and frogs—acting like people, wrestling, playing, and laughing.
Although not “manga” in the modern sense, they show humor, movement, and storytelling through images, which would later inspire Japanese comic art.
2. Edo Period: Kibyōshi and Early Illustrated Books
By the 18th century (Edo Period), printing technology allowed illustrated books to spread among common people.
One popular form was the kibyōshi — short illustrated stories for adults that mixed text and pictures in a humorous or satirical way.
Artists like Hokusai Katsushika, famous for The Great Wave off Kanagawa, also contributed to this culture.
In fact, Hokusai used the term “manga” in his sketchbooks (Hokusai Manga, 1814), meaning “random or playful drawings.”
This is where the modern word manga originates.
3. Meiji to Pre-War Era: Western Influence
During the Meiji period (1868–1912), Japan opened to the world and absorbed Western art and culture.
Cartoons and political satire from Europe and America influenced Japanese artists.
Figures like Rakuten Kitazawa began to create comics in a modern style, combining Japanese humor with Western visual storytelling.
Manga started to appear in newspapers and magazines, becoming a familiar form of entertainment.
4. Postwar Period: The Birth of Modern Manga
After World War II, manga evolved rapidly.
One man, Osamu Tezuka, often called the “God of Manga,” revolutionized the medium in the 1950s.
Influenced by Western animation (like Disney), he introduced cinematic panel layouts, expressive characters, and long, emotional narratives.
His works such as Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) and Phoenix (Hi no Tori) defined the modern style of storytelling and inspired generations of artists.
5. The Global Expansion of Manga
By the late 20th century, manga had developed into many genres—action, romance, fantasy, slice-of-life, and more.
As anime adaptations like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Sailor Moon spread overseas, so did the love for manga.
Today, “manga” is an international word, used across languages to describe Japanese-style comics.
You can find manga sections in bookstores from New York to Paris to Singapore, and fans who read them in both Japanese and translated versions.
6. Manga Today: Art, Emotion, and Global Connection
Modern manga continues to evolve digitally, but its essence remains the same — storytelling through emotion and art.
From samurai epics to high school dramas, manga reflects human feelings that anyone can relate to, beyond borders or language.
What began as playful ink drawings of animals nearly a millennium ago has become a cultural bridge connecting Japan with the world.
Want to Explore More?
If you’re visiting Japan, check out manga museums like the Kyoto International Manga Museum or the Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum in Hyōgo.
You’ll see how this art form has shaped not only Japanese pop culture but also the global imagination.
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