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. ^^