Matt Cook: Freedom Gundam - Heading out!

Hi ho!

Lets start off today with some updated news for you all. I have now got my results for university - I passed!! Got the result I was expecting, so I'm happy with the past 4 years of work. Dad even gave me £100 for the success, of which I was thrilled and reluctant to recieve, but I figured it would help to pay accomadation for New Designers. On that note, I'll be leaving for the event this monday (6th July) and be back by the next monday. So I best start packing tomoz.
So that means atm, I'm free and bored until then (apart from work and the likes).

Today, I'll explain the basics of Anime/Manga. Manga (in terms of contemporary meaning) is a style of drawings/art originating from Japanese comic (however, there are growing adaptations of this in other countries, like World Manga etc.). These comics cover the whole spectrum of genres: Sci-fi, fantasy, horror etc. - of which they also have their own genres made, i.e. Harem (1 guy has many love interests falling for him).
Most people would recognise the style from Anime kid shows like Pokemon, Bayblade, Yu-Gi-Oh and the likes, however it's not just for the child audience. There are many shows/comics for a range of ages/for teens and up/adult etc. so it's not for the select group.

The difference between Manga and Anime is simple - Anime = Animation/show. So Manga = comics/drawings.

Mangas differ to western comics because they are usually read "backwards" from right-left. Either way, it isnt that differcult to follow with this change, although some people do think it's strange (I overhear people saying "they're wierd Japanese comics that are backwards" and such quite often in book stores). I find they are much cleaner than other styles of comics because they dont always cover the pages in graphics and sketchlines.

It has now come to the stage where the manga style has broken beyond VHS/Disks/Comics that the streets of Japan (in one particular area) are covered in anime advertisements, t-shirts, costumes, games, bags, collectables and figures etc. Even in the UK (where progress has been slow and unstable) you can see the manga influence creeping up. I bought 2 shirts recently from "The Office Club," a shop I though would never sell that kind of design! Last year, there was an exhibition at the Urbis centre in Manchester, which described manga and anime, even talking about the british artists (or manga-ka) from Sweatdrop studios that work in the style. Of course, I attended... :D

I hope that's given you all a little more insight to the world of manga.
Next time - What happened in London, with New Designers. Cya soon!