Open question...

[telophase]

Over on homemade_manga, scorpio1987 is asking the question What makes a manga instantly popular?.

We know that "instant" success really isn't that - it's the product of a lot of preparation and work - but there's interesting thoughts in there about what makes a particular manga more popular than another, and why something takes the public by storm. Thoughts, musings, arguments on the subject, anyone?



I'll go pimp this on manga_talk once there's gotten to be some actual discussion, but for now I'm going to lunch. Ta.

Comments

[tammylee.livejournal.com]

I think, in general, it boils down to the story. Stories have staying power. HOWEVER, that being said, in manga I have noticed that characters more than story tends to appeal to fans. Specifically, I am thinking about Weiss Kreuz.

The premise and characters were interesting but the story? *dies laughing* We used to call this series Cheap Chocolate because it was ick but you couldn't help devouring it anyways! It almost seemed like this series was developed SOLELY so there wouldn't be enough good story so doujinshika/fan community would go ape with the desire to muck about with the characters and write something better? (Lord knows I watched the entire series just so I could do that? XD I am still rather ashamed.)

So yeah! I guess it depends on the type of popularity? Are you talking about popularity in the fan community or popularity with your general consumer?

[telophase.livejournal.com]

I was addicted to WK, too, helped by a set of bizarre fansubs that seemed to have no relation to anything comprehensible in English or much of the actual story, so it was kind of funny to watch.

The premise to me was so over-the-top that I HAD to watch it. Florists by day! Assassins by night! And they each had a cat codename! And the series was based off the onstage personas of a boy band! Totally manufactured and so cheesy that it went beyond cheese into the realm of kitsch.

As far as popularity - well, whichever. The original poster over on homemade_manga is asking about it in relation to the thing she's working on, but I don't know if she's trying to do it for a webcomic-type thing or if she's hoping to sell it.

[tammylee.livejournal.com]

Actually, it came at a good time as this morning I had started reading the 'Cerebus Guide to Self Publishing' by Dave Sim again. I'll be posting revelations in my LJ when I get a moment.

The premise to me was so over-the-top that I HAD to watch it.
Exactly! It was a train wreck with eight pretty boys! XD *slashes over here* *slashes over there*

Hmm, I'll wander over and take a look at the comments in the comm. ^^

[hatchet-hands.livejournal.com]

I saw that discussion, but what with this head cold my brain just isn't working well enough to join in.

I agree with the person who said that, technically, there aren't really any 'unpopular' mangas in the west because they're tried and tested titles that have succeeded already in the east.

I guess that brings up the topic of the successes of OEL mangas. Untried, untested, big risk...most of them drawn by younger, less experienced folk. Is it me, or are the majority of OEL creators under 25? (not that there's anything WRONG with that...)

[telophase.livejournal.com]

Is it me, or are the majority of OEL creators under 25?

Yes. At this point in time, the pay is comparatively low and they're a lot of work. It requires someone who has the time to devote to it, and not much in the way of financial obligations like family, mortgage, health problems, etc. Which tends to select for younger creators. If the OEL movement takes off and more money gets put into it, the demographics should change a bit.

[llamameeljueves.livejournal.com]

I don't have too much time now to expand, but two very important things are the story (of course) and easily identifiable and unique characters. Most of the famous mangas have major characters that one can very easily identified throughout a mix of personality and abilities and tell the differences between themselves and between other (emphasis added) stories.

Just a small example with Death Note (and I beg you to pardon me if I hurt your feelings about DN...I know you love it): Death Note started with a great original and easily identifiable story (It's not more of the "same")...then the story got a bit boring, but it was saved by a character (L)....then L is gone and the story got again a bit boring, but once again, it is saved by another "standout" character (Mello)....However, the lack of Mello's actions lately is making the story rather dull...Think about it, Raito is kinda boring and bland (Not even as a bad guy he is entertaining)....Raito dialogue lately are kinda repetitive...it's just the same thoughts over and over again. What he is thinking now about Near and Mello getting hold to him is simply a re-make of Raito-L relationship. The story has reached a death point, and it seems authors don't know what to do. The scenagraphy (Is that a word?) is becoming boring (Near and Raito sat in rooms full of monitors, computers and cell phones...that's it). One wonder if Raito or Near do something else... The story can easily be saved again by Mello's personality. He is clearly different, and a "action" guy plus he's brilliant. If Mello does not act more frequently, DN is gonna suffer readers lost....My point is: Story and Characters...When you don't have a good strong story, you should have good Characters (Example: Dragon Ball, and somehow Naruto, Ruroini Kenshin), and when you don't have great Characters, you must have a great story (Somehow 20th Century Boys). You have a major blow-out if you have both: A great story with great characters (example: Fruits Basket, Monster). If you have neither, then you are screwed and stuck to appeal only kids who only like “coolness” and colorful action figurines (Pokemon, Digimon, anything that ends –mon, Yu Gi Oh, long etc). I particurly think Monster is the best Manga I have read ever, but Fruits Basket will be my all time favorite.