Great mangas, no one knows about and they should!

[Dtortot]

We can't post where to get what we speak of if its a scanlation, so remmeber that!

The Journey To The End Of The World art work, story, characters and setting are just plain wierd, and I love it for that, it reminds me of mexican artist Remedios Varo. I really cant make a summary. Just get it. It is an on going manga.

Koroshiya 1 AKA Ichi The Killer, forget about the movie. THE MOVIE SUCKS COMPARED TO THE MANGA, for various reasons,: 1) It's longer which means more Kakihara goodness 2) it is more explicit, 3) Better ending 4) Better characters. 5) Even more explicit, again...

Blame! Lots of people know this manga, but not any one I can remember from AA. Among the best action sequences ever. I WANT KILLY'S GUN!

So what are your great mangas, no one knows about and the should! and if it's not much to ask could you guys post a short description of the manga or at least a reason why they should read it that goes beyong, because its good or because it has boobies. Please it isn't hard.

[Junko]

I dont have any but this friend of mine who has been pesturing me for awhile now is saying

The Demon Ororon....No idea what it's about she says's it's a good read so go for it.

[Kagome654]

Hmm...

Hot Gimmick
Imadoki
Planet Ladder
The Wallflower

...Though I don't actually know how 'unknown' these are.

[ropaa_agent]

wasn't planet ladder featured in Animerica Extra about 4-5 years ago? I at least remember that it started out.

I'd like to add
Aquarium
Princess Prince
Short Program
Aqua Knight. Oh man oh man would this make a killer comedy anime! :lol2:

[Dtortot]

wasn't planet ladder featured in Animerica Extra about 4-5 years ago? I at least remember that it started out.

I'd like to add
Aquarium
Princess Prince
Short Program
Aqua Knight. Oh man oh man would this make a killer comedy anime! :lol2: Gah, I've been trying to find Aqua Knight but VIZ is like dumb and hasn't print it again, and it's just three volumes. I am dying to read it, because we all know Yukito Kishiro = GOD!

[Golden Boy]

Well, I but I really like "Lament of the Lamb". It wont appeal to people who demand action in their manga, but the characters and plot are strong.

[Tremolo]

Koroshiya 1 AKA Ichi The Killer, forget about the movie. THE MOVIE SUCKS COMPARED TO THE MANGA, for various reasons,: 1) It's longer which means more Kakihara goodness 2) it is more explicit, 3) Better ending 4) Better characters. 5) Even more explicit, again...

Yeah, that is one great manga - but it won't get the audience it deserves because of it's extraordinarily violent content. I do love the movie though, it's one of my favourites.

I know it's not exactly a little-known manga but I see hardly anyone talking about GANTZ. Come on people, read it - it's awesome.

[soundchazer]

Emma
Addicted to Curry
Nana
The Music of Marie

[Saya-biki]

I never really hear anything about SGT frog, I think it's a pretty good series. It's full of parodies and the artworks appealing, it's a light comedy with bits of action here and there.

I also never hear anything about the Excel Saga manga, but everyone already knows about Excel Saga so it doesn't count

[Junko]

SGT Frog is really popular here but so is alot of other manga. Most of my monag that I own is pretty well known but I( have read some different stuff before..just cant really remember what at this point.

[Erebelion]

I recently read X-Day for the first time. It was about a group of students and a teacher who hate there school so much they decide that they will blow it up.

Definitely a must read.

[Spilled Milk]

hmm Your and My secret! NO ONE knows about this and the first book has been out for like ayear and there is still no second book releases DAMN ADV!

[Neo-Hunter]

Mine would be Remote and Imadoki.

[loplop]

The original Ghost In The Shell . . .

[Dtortot]

I know it's not exactly a little-known manga but I see hardly anyone talking about GANTZ. Come on people, read it - it's awesome.
I hate you and all the people that said Gantz is awesome, get Gantz, read Gantz. I hate you all for being right.

I just got it and said, I'll read only the first volume... and read 5! Thanks a lot!

[Mana]

Both Mermaid Saga by Rumiko Takahashi and Short Cuts by Furuya Usamaru are awesome short series that not many people know. And, I'll give the Rose of Versailles plug in Roark's stead ;)

[Dtortot]

If it's not much to ask could you guys post a short description of the manga or at least a reason why they should read it that goes beyong, because its good or because it has boobies. Please it isn't hard.

[Niner]

The Gunslinger Girl manga is pretty good. The art is very nice and the translation is decent. What sucks is that there's almost no interest in it and ADV won't get off their asses and release the second issue, leaving me stuck with only the first. :/

Wish by CLAMP is just frickin' awesome. I was actually pretty sad that it's only six volumes. Everyone needs a little sugary sweet romance sometimes.

[NeoTsukasa2100]

Hmmmm I loved "Dear Myself" by Eiki Eiki (spelling??) and "Zues" was pretty good to. As for manga thats avalible in America, "Diabolo" was a very good book and I like "Legal Drug" alot to. All of these manga have shounen-ai in them so if you don't like that kind of stuff you might wanna stay away from these books.^-^

[LadySage]

Wish by CLAMP is just frickin' awesome. I was actually pretty sad that it's only six volumes. Everyone needs a little sugary sweet romance sometimes.


SIX?! Where are these two final volumes? Every edition I've ever seen has been four volumes, and that includes the scanslations.

[Niner]

...

*Checks his manga collection again*

Oops. Only four. Er, I guess it was wishful thinking. (no pun intended) It's been a while since I've read them. Sorry. :/

[ropaa_agent]

I'd say "To Heart", with "Hanauyko Maid Team" as the next big one

[nny]

well... I dont even know if there is anymore out yet... but the first vol of "Yours and my secret" is damned hilarious!!

[Mana]

If it's not much to ask could you guys post a short description of the manga or at least a reason why they should read it that goes beyong, because its good or because it has boobies. Please it isn't hard.
FINE! BE THAT WAY! SEE IF I CARE! *sycisk tongue out at Dottytor*

Mermaid Saga - I'll try to be brief. Basically, I just love this manga because it's different. Technically, it's horror, but it's also philosophical, and goes into a lot about purposes of life, any kind of life. The entire thing is told in short stories, too, which is pretty badass. It's the kind of Takahashi that I miss seeing. *gags on Inuyasha*

Short Cuts - Ah, Short Cuts. The "Cuts" (1-2 page little manga stories) appeared in Young Sunday magazine in Japan. They deal with the life of the Japanese Ko-Gal, and vary from overly blatently sexual, to heartrenching, to just disturbing. Not much in the way of plot, but a lot of cultural commentary presented in the most off-the-wall way. And nekkid ladies.

Rose of Versailles - I've never actually read it; you'd have to talk to Roark-sama. I knew he'd post about it though (Though, it seems he hasn't yet T_T) and I just wanted to beat him to it.

[Spilled Milk]

Your and my secret- it's a really funny manga about a boy who changes bodies with a girl he's inlove with. who is a totaly completeinsensitive jerk. also maybe if more people bought it ADV would frickin release the second volume!!!!

[Natasmai]

I don't know if this has been mentioned or not, but Alichino is very good. I think it's been recently liscensed by Tokyo Pop or something like that. It might look a little gothic and odd, but the story itself is very amazing. Besides, I love the art.

[Roark]

Rose of Versailles - I've never actually read it; you'd have to talk to Roark-sama. I knew he'd post about it though (Though, it seems he hasn't yet T_T) and I just wanted to beat him to it.

Since when do I get a "sama" behind my name from you ;)

Well, suppose that I should get on teh soapbox again...

Rose of Versailles (Berusayu no Bara) - Set in 18th Century France, it follows the youngest daughter of a noble who was raised as a boy, who eventually becomes the personal guard of Marie Antoinette. It has a ton of melodrama, but once you get past this you have an epic story of duty vs. morality, the fall of an innocent young queen, and the beginnings of a popular (if bloody) revolution for freedom. Oh, and a kick ass female character, and incredible old school shoujo art.

[Mana]

Since when do I get a "sama" behind my name from you ;)

Well, suppose that I should get on teh soapbox again...

Rose of Versailles (Berusayu no Bara) - Set in 18th Century France, it follows the youngest daughter of a noble who was raised as a boy, who eventually becomes the personal guard of Marie Antoinette. It has a ton of melodrama, but once you get past this you have an epic story of duty vs. morality, the fall of an innocent young queen, and the beginnings of a popular (if bloody) revolution for freedom. Oh, and a kick ass female character, and incredible old school shoujo art.
Your a mod =P -sama explained.

[PassiveObserver]

I hardly ever hear anyone mention King of Bandits Jing. I think the mangas are pretty awesome, but then again I haven't been able to afford buying a whole lot of mangas, so I could be wrong.

[Zushio]

Lets see, a few manga that rock, but no one seems to know of

Pluto: A retelling of the the Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy) arc "The World's Strongest Robot" done by Monster author, Urasawa Naoki. Incredible story (vastly different than the cutesy Atom version, much darker), great art, awesome characters (completely redesigned). If you dislike Tetsuwan Atom, you'll probably like this.

G Senjou Heaven's Door: A manga about people who have aspirations to write manga. It really is much more in depth then that though, and focuses on the relationships between friends, family and lovers. Probably my favorite manga at the moment.

My Name Is Zushio: So very, very messed up. Its a gag fantasy manga, so think Excel Saga only in feudal Japan. Very funny, much more so than Excel Saga ever will be, and actually has some kind of plot (based on an ancient Japanese story). Good artwork and characters round out this steller manga.

[Flint]

Hmmm...even in this list of hardly ever mentioned manga, the Seikai Trilogy isn't mentioned.

Crest of the Stars, Banner of the Stars, and Banner of the Stars II. They're very good manga, actually; I'm surprised no one ever talks about it. Each manga is pretty much stand alone, but it helps to have read the previous ones. I'd give you a summary, but I'm not too good at it...so you can read the Academy's summary instead. As far as I know, the anime and manga are identical, but I've never seen the anime, so I can't tell for sure. The only real downside to this manga, assuming you like the premise, of course, is that the last volume of the trilogy was drawn by a different manga-ka, so the drawing style changes drastically from the second volume to the third. Other than that...it's got a fair amount of action, a smidge of romance, and the characters are pretty well done.

[Kagome654]

How about some seldom mentioned shoujo fare? I've been really into those lately...

Hana-Kimi; This one is really popular in Japan, but I barely hear it mentioned on this side of the pond. The side characters are what make it great as the main female is such a cliche it hurts.

Imadoki; Yu Watase's major work with no sign of the fantastic, I actually think it's a lot better done than Ceres and Fushigi Yuugi (pity me, I have no read Alice 19) It really is your average High School romance, with things like suicidal betrothed girls and psychotic computer geeks named 'Flippy' thrown in at random.

Perfect Girl Evolution (The Wallflower)- Four hot guys have to turn their solitary, horror movie loving and light fearing housemate into a real 'lady' if they want to stay in their house. It's fun because *gasp!* it has an interesting female lead whose main goal in life is something other than to stalk/marry the man she admires/loves!

Hot Gimmick- The main love interest is an *******. Not in your typical 'The female and male start of not liking each other, but you can tell they're really into one another' like in Sailor Moon, Marmalade Boy, Fushigi Yuugi, etc, he's a REAL *******. Yet he's lovable for it because you just know that it's because clueless Ryoki honestly has NO idea how to deal with people, especially someone he likes, like Hatsumi.

Read them and gag at the sweetness...

Now that I think about it....these are almost the exact same manga I posted on the first page, I just babbled on them a bit more. My bad

[RahXephon]

Beck, It needs to be liscenced because it deserves to be.

[Judeau]

Beck is liscenced and many people know about it.

[Dtortot]

OMGWTFBBQ!

Blame! got licensed by Tokyopop, so you can all taste what I meant about Blame! by August 2005.

[Ninja Realist]

I thought I's was pretty good, and no one seems to know about that one.

[I_am_I]

Alright, HERE'S something nobody knows... Hells Angels by Hiromoto Sin-Ichi. It's quite strange and definitely not for everyone, but I adore it.

[nny]

I havent ever heard any one mention "Only the ring finger knows" before. Its only one book long and its a very sweet story. I think anyone fond of Gravitation or Yaoi or just sappy romance should get it. Im not generally fond of straight romantic stories; but I REALLY enjoyed it. And the bishies are teh sex as well.

[kogaswolfgrl]

I have recently finished reading ororon and it surpasses many othermanga in my possesion. It surely is onmy top ten. I have been wondering if there is a manga. Damn I hope so. I also have heard of Beck but I have no interest to check it out.


JTHM owns my soul and no manga could ever take Nny on.

[DarkKanti]

Lets see, a few manga that rock, but no one seems to know of

Pluto: A retelling of the the Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy) arc "The World's Strongest Robot" done by Monster author, Urasawa Naoki. Incredible story (vastly different than the cutesy Atom version, much darker), great art, awesome characters (completely redesigned). If you dislike Tetsuwan Atom, you'll probably like this.

My Name Is Zushio: So very, very messed up. Its a gag fantasy manga, so think Excel Saga only in feudal Japan. Very funny, much more so than Excel Saga ever will be, and actually has some kind of plot (based on an ancient Japanese story). Good artwork and characters round out this steller manga.


You. F*cking. Rock.

I'd like to add to that list with...

For Those of Us Who Don't Believe in God- A great one volume manga about human characters who make a play dealing with the belief in god and a heaven and hell. It's a very powerful and moving work because of the realistic characters and their interactions. It's also got some really nicely detailed artwork and great character designs.

[Itachi Uchiha]

I'm unsure about how well know or unknown these are...
Spiral - It's a boy genius mystery manga, where the main character is trying to find his brother (the even great boy genius/detective) and live up to his brother’s legend at the same time.
Kurozuka - Very dark, Very interesting, it's about a vampire couple and their adventure to the end of time.
NHK - A comedy about the life of a hikimori and his screwed up friends. This is just too hilarious for words.
Good Morning Call - Standard shoujo romance of a couple that don't know each but end up living together alone in an apartment. It's sweet and funny.
B-Shock - Great romantic comedy, I think most people have heard of this one before though.
Hitsuji no Namida - I think, I like this romance because it reminds me of my g/f and me.

[Liegenschonheit]

I've known about Blame! for a long time. You can have his gun, I just want Killy. How about that? lol

Pretty Face. If you like Midori No Hibi, you'll like pretty face. It's funny, it's got its ecchi moments, it's in that rare shounen-romance sort of genre. It's good stuff.

Anne Freaks. I made a thread about it, I love it so much. It's about murdering teenagers.

Zombie Powder. By Kubo Taito. Good, too bad it was cut off short. Still good though.

Count Kain. Kaori Yuki, enough said. Ok, seriously, this is a famous one, but no one at AA seems to know it. It's victorian, it's got fantastic art, it's lovely. Read it.

[Dtortot]

I've known about Blame! for a long time. You can have his gun, I just want Killy. How about that? lol

Pretty Face. If you like Midori No Hibi, you'll like pretty face. It's funny, it's got its ecchi moments, it's in that rare shounen-romance sort of genre. It's good stuff.

Anne Freaks. I made a thread about it, I love it so much. It's about murdering teenagers.

Zombie Powder. By Kubo Taito. Good, too bad it was cut off short. Still good though.

Count Kain. Kaori Yuki, enough said. Ok, seriously, this is a famous one, but no one at AA seems to know it. It's victorian, it's got fantastic art, it's lovely. Read it.
Boys like guns and girls like boys with guns, even when the boys don't have guns :p

never heard of Pretty Face, and yes to Anne Freaks no one knows that work except you and me and the haws ;) As for Zombie Powder I am 100% behind ya girl! And Count Cain is still something I need to read as the Yuki-fan I am, but I am confused with the God Child/Count Cain deal... so...

I'll also add Boy's Next Door also by Kaori Yuki very unkown manga that deserves everyones attention.

/me demands a compilation by Tokyopop with all of Kaori Yuki's oneshots.

[DarkKanti]

Pretty Face. If you like Midori No Hibi, you'll like pretty face. It's funny, it's got its ecchi moments, it's in that rare shounen-romance sort of genre. It's good stuff.

I'm pretty sure I've read a bit of this... Is this the one where the guy gets a sex change operation from a perverted doctor and becomes the twin of the girl he loves? I've only read one chapter of it. It seemed interesting enough, but I wasn't too sure at the time. I'l definately pick it back up now.

Zombie Powder. By Kubo Taito. Good, too bad it was cut off short. Still good though.

I love Zombie Powder! It's such a shame that it was cut off right when the story was starting to build up steam.

[Liegenschonheit]

Pretty Face. If you like Midori No Hibi, you'll like pretty face. It's funny, it's got its ecchi moments, it's in that rare shounen-romance sort of genre. It's good stuff.

I'm pretty sure I've read a bit of this... Is this the one where the guy gets a sex change operation from a perverted doctor and becomes the twin of the girl he loves? I've only read one chapter of it. It seemed interesting enough, but I wasn't too sure at the time. I'l definately pick it back up now.



Yeah, that's the one. He ends up living with her when everyone thinks he's her sister that ran away from home, returned. It's not a full sex change operation though, he's still got all his male equipment.

[loner]

Liegy and Symbol-sama are my heroes. Count Cain and Boys Next Door are some of the best manga ever. In fact even better than Angel Sanctuary, and this is from a AS fanboy who has an AS avatar for 2 years.

Count Cain is pretty popular in Asia, and probably exceeds AS's popularity here in Hong Kong at least. Strange that it is so unknow in the States.

[Yokuhiro]

Read "Remote" on every cover there is a picture of a shoujo girl, with brown hair. Its a good mystery manga, something you all should check out. BUT!! if your afraid of clowns dont look at this.

[Liegenschonheit]

BTW, DT, Godchild is the sequel to Count Cain. Just thought you'd like to know. ^_^

[Dtortot]

Thanks for clearing that Liegen.

Anyways. My new recommendation:

Lone Wolf And Cub a 28 volume long manga about Ogami Itto and his son Daigoro, once the Shogun's designated second to the ritual of Sepukku now a very dangerous threat to the Shogunate and those who rule it. He walks the path of the buddist hell called Mufaido along with his song seeking revenge against those who killed his wife and dishonored his family name.

Forget about Rurouni Kenshin, although it is good on its own merit, Lone Wolf And Cub is light years away both in historical meaning and realistic samurai feel. You can get it in the USA by Dark Horse Comics.

[soundchazer]

I know a lot of people don't like manga based on sports, but any of the Adachi Mitsuru manga is worth a read. I particularly recommedn Touch, Rough, Miyuki and H2.

[Itachi Uchiha]

I know a lot of people don't like manga based on sports, but any of the Adachi Mitsuru manga is worth a read. I particularly recommedn Touch, Rough, Miyuki and H2.
Is Miyuki really any good? I have read Touch, Rough (a manga favorite of mine), and some of H2. However, when I started reading Miyuki I could never get past the first couple chapters… I don’t even remember why I stopped reading it anymore.

I guess my main question is – Does Miyuki live up Adachi’s other works?

Some other manga I have enjoyed and think are somewhat obscure- Skyhigh and Psychometrer Eiji.

[soundchazer]

Miyuki is different in the sense that is a more pure romantic comedy than the others. More emphasis in the romantic elements. It is Adachi trying to be as shoujo as he can.

[Heart-Tintomyn]

Since nobody's mentioned this one;

Ray - perfect for you who like a good old parasyte-inspired horror manga. Even with the horror it's also kind of sweet, and I can't help but love the simplistic artwork.

also, kind of old news;

Paradise Kiss - Yes! Sappy with an extremely annoying heroine. Yes! There is the subject of gay men. Yes! It's kind of artistic bourgouise. However! It's worth your time and money, because (as with all Yazawa creations) - you get inspired as hell.

[soundchazer]

Wel... Paradise Kiss is not that unknown. I know a lot of people here who have read it already. It is worthy of praise though, like any Yazawa manga.

[setanta]

I don't know if anyone has said this or not, I could have missed it, but Fullmoon Wo Sagashite.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Love Scar - oooo I just love this manga! I can't stop reading it! It's about a girl who screwed up this guy by leaving him and then reentering his life accidentally. She is marring his older brother (she didn't know they were related until right before the wedding). They must deal with there love for each other and there unique circumstances... Plus, the guy isn't the cute 17 year old he used to be, now he's a pretty twisted guy.

[Bane the ECF]

I know a lot of people don't like manga based on sports, but any of the Adachi Mitsuru manga is worth a read. I particularly recommedn Touch, Rough, Miyuki and H2.
Took all the words right out of my mouth. Anybody who's interested in highly character and story driven drama manga, with a nice touch of humor...Adachi Mitsuru makes great manga and anime series.


Bane

[Lupin the 3rd]

Yeah i especially love Touch! I got really hooked on it!

[Otacon]

I'm not sure if this one counts but.....

Flower= It is a short, sweet manga about a boy who has a weird disease, and has a rush on his nurse.

[Yokuhiro]

Itsudemo Otenki Kipun- Im sure alot of people dont know about this one. The first chapter is about a guy who gets broken up with by his girlfriend, and she wont truly tell him the reason. So he asks the girl alot why..and at the end she tells him.

[Risen Hell Fire]

Boys Be is one of my favs. It's cute and original and i've really enjoyed it.

[Fayt Liengod]

Mind Assasin
Also alot of video games have manga in japan that are pretty good
(Zelda Super Mario, Enix even has a huge Manga Book That comes out monthly or something.

[Agawa]

=
I'll also add Boy's Next Door also by Kaori Yuki very unkown manga that deserves everyones attention.

* Dtortot demands a compilation by Tokyopop with all of Kaori Yuki's oneshots.

Oh, I agree. Although it seems like Boy's Next Door is getting really popular now, I'd add anything by Kaori Yuki onto this list. Count Cain is my personal favorite though. Speaking of which, does anyone know whether they plan to release it along with Godchild? I don't really understand why they wouldn't.
Also, did anyone find it strange that they spelt Merryweather's name 'Marieweather' in the official English translation? I don't quite get it- even if they did translate as 'Marie', it seems like it comes from the name 'Merryweather'. I don't understand why they changed it, since her name doesn't make sense anymore. (



Imadoki; Yu Watase's major work with no sign of the fantastic, I actually think it's a lot better done than Ceres and Fushigi Yuugi (pity me, I have no read Alice 19) It really is your average High School romance, with things like suicidal betrothed girls and psychotic computer geeks named 'Flippy' thrown in at random.

Oh, Yuu Watase. I must admit, I recently lost all hope in her stuff after reading 'Perfect Boyfriend' in Shoujo Beat. Fushigi Yuugi had good points, but this...I don't know, it was so bad it made me want to cry, for the potential her earlier works had.

Both Mermaid Saga by Rumiko Takahashi and Short Cuts by Furuya Usamaru are awesome short series that not many people know. And, I'll give the Rose of Versailles plug in Roark's stead ;)

Ooh, someone has my kind of good taste. If I may, I'd like to second all three of those. Especially the part about Takahashi. Her short stories are some of the best I've ever read, and yet she spends her talent on those long, not nearly as good, epics. And Urusei Yatsura. I miss Urusei Yatsura.

Emma
Addicted to Curry
Nana
The Music of Marie

Oh, I completely agree with Emma and Nana. Both of those are great manga, and since you didn't include an explaination, I will.



Nana - A great story by Ai Yazawa, about two girls named Nana. Yazawa manages to tell a captivating story about the intersecting lives of two young women - the seemingly normal Nana Komatsu, and the band singer Nana Osaki.

Emma - While I wasn't expecting much of this manga at first, it managed to pull me in quickly. A romance set in the late 1900's (England), it focuses on the romance between a maid and a nobleman. While this romance is pulled off quite well, there is the additional interest of the detail of the times. It's an interesting read because of the time period, which plays an important role in it.


wasn't planet ladder featured in Animerica Extra about 4-5 years ago? I at least remember that it started out.

I'd like to add
Aquarium
Princess Prince
Short Program
Aqua Knight. Oh man oh man would this make a killer comedy anime! :lol2:

Oooh, Princess Prince! Yes, Tomoko Taniguchi! Well, kind of. That manga was good in a way, but ultra shoujo. I still like it quite a bit though.
And yes, it was. (It may have been SMILE, but I think it was Animerica Extra)

Anyway! My own list, now.

Banana Fish - A manga that ran in PULP, and then Animerica Extra, Banana Fish focuses on the drug of the same name. A young but clever gang leader, Ash Lynx, is curious about the drug due to the effect it had on his brother.

Koudelka Set a bit later than the time frame in Emma (an estimation) this drama focuses on an escaped mental patient. It has an interesting, original art style.

Joan - This great manga focuses on a girl who has had visions of Joan of Arc. Her name is Emil, and she follows the path of Joan looking for divine guidance in reassurting the King's power. It's set during the Hundred Years War, in France.

One Pound Gospel, Urusei Yatsura Lum, Rumic Theatre - I personally think many of Ms. Takahashi's older and shorter series are much, much better than her more recent. In other words, any of these are worth checking out, and not nearly as well known as her other stuff. (Although Lum is fairly well known)

Phoenix Osamu Tezuka's amazing manga is said to be his life's work, interupted by his death. The twelve volumes that exist amazing, and worthy of anyone's attention.

[SwedishMeatball]

Hana-Kimi
Wild Act
(both are extremely good ^^)

[Zushio]

=Koudelka Set a bit later than the time frame in Emma (an estimation) this drama focuses on an escaped mental patient. It has an interesting, original art style.

This is actually a tie-in with the PSX game of the same name.

As for stuff, I suggest Nasu. Read Nasu.

[Skuldchan]

Ooh, someone has my kind of good taste. If I may, I'd like to second all three of those. Especially the part about Takahashi. Her short stories are some of the best I've ever read, and yet she spends her talent on those long, not nearly as good, epics. And Urusei Yatsura. I miss Urusei Yatsura.

Yes exactly. Urusei Yatsura is one of Takahashi samas greatest manga (in my opinion). Yet most people know her for Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2. This is a really great read and anyone interested in Takahashi samas art should definately pick up one of her first great hits.

I think a really good one thats overlooked is Hands Off. I love this book but hardly anyone a)knows about it or b) talks about it.
Also Spiral (which someone before also mentioned), and Juvenile Orion is pretty good too.

[Agawa]

This is actually a tie-in with the PSX game of the same name.

As for stuff, I suggest Nasu. Read Nasu.

I did know that, but I've never play the game, so...who knows. (Not me, that's for sure. ^^;)
I've heard it's quite good for a game to manga release. The good sign was I didn't realize that's what it was until after reading it.

[LadySage]

Ooh, someone has my kind of good taste. If I may, I'd like to second all three of those. Especially the part about Takahashi. Her short stories are some of the best I've ever read, and yet she spends her talent on those long, not nearly as good, epics. And Urusei Yatsura. I miss Urusei Yatsura.

Yes exactly. Urusei Yatsura is one of Takahashi samas greatest manga (in my opinion). Yet most people know her for Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2. This is a really great read and anyone interested in Takahashi samas art should definately pick up one of her first great hits.
What's truly tragic that Viz discontinued the manga a long time ago, long before it was even halfway done.

[Dtortot]

Vis is reknowed for doing that kind of stuff, just ask Bread, he has been deprived of many mangas because of Viz.

[Roark]

Vis is reknowed for doing that kind of stuff, just ask Bread, he has been deprived of many mangas because of Viz.
As have I...

/me points to the continuing sitting on the liscense to Galaxy Express 999 and doing absolutely nothing with it.

[LadySage]

Vis is reknowed for doing that kind of stuff, just ask Bread, he has been deprived of many mangas because of Viz.

Bread and I have discussed the subject many times...I curse them for picking up great series then discontinuing them.

[Freya]

Kare First Love... honest to God, the best Manga i've read thus far.... (5 comes out in like 8 days! YAYAYAYAY!)

[Seras]

Kana's Success- It's the story of a plain girl who gets plastic surgery to become hot enough to date the guy she loves. Only to find out that he dates girls based on personality. It's freaking hilarious, but unfortunately unliscenced in America (I had to have a Japanese friend read it to me). Oh and it has one of the few pretty and overwieght main character girls in manga.

Red River- I love this manga. My favorite so far. It's your typical girl gets transported to another world, meets boy, boy loves girl, girl loves boy but girl still has to find a way home, stories that I love so much, except that the girl kicks a$$. Yuri is definitely my favorite leading lady.

Neighborhood Stories- An Aizawa creation, so it's obviously fantastic. If you've ever read Paradise Kiss, you'll be able to recognize a lot of the characters (Miwako, Hiro, and Arashi even make and appearance). This story is about Mikako and Tsutomou in their younger years. The art is a little different from Paradise Kiss (it's older) but it's still got that offbeat style that makes Aizawa's work what it is.

W Juliet- It's a crossdressing maga! Always the best. It's a love story about a guy who has to go through high school as a girl because of a bet with his father, and a girl who everyone mistakes as a guy. No one should be able to resist the crossdressing!

Parasyte- This is the gruesome story of a high school guy who's hand has been taken over by an alien, which he now uses to kill other aliens that try to eat humans. This is really more of a horror story with enough angst and philosophy to satisfy anybody. It's also the only non-shojo manga I've read the whole series and really loved. There's also talk that it might be a movie! But I wouldn't take my word for it.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

Blue heaven, *shudders*

Anne Freaks, Ever feel like killing your parents? If you're thinking about it, or if you already have done so, then you'll very likely like Anne Freaks. Anyway, this is a rather dark shounen manga that was very enjoyable

[Dtortot]

Blue heaven, *shudders*

Anne Freaks, Ever feel like killing your parents? If you're thinking about it, or if you already have done so, then you'll very likely like Anne Freaks. Anyway, this is a rather dark shounen manga that was very enjoyable
Liegen and myself have insisted in this last one a lot, now you know why. As for Blue Heaven, I completely forgot about that title, that level of anonimosity is hard to reach.

[JOJO]

Dragon Quest: If your a fan of the DQ games then you must check the out the manga. It takes a lot of the elements from the DQ games like spells, monsters, and other things, but since they explained how every magic spell or enemy works, then anyone that likes a good fantasy adventure story can enjoy the Dragon Quest manga.
And it's a pretty long manga(about 38 volumes) and the story gets interesthing since vol. 2

[Kaito Fujiwara]

Seeing as how I'm getting into Blame! i'd also like to add:

NOiSE: Sidestory to Blame!, also contains the orignal blame (not the current work)

[Dtortot]

Seeing as how I'm getting into Blame! i'd also like to add:

NOiSE: Sidestory to Blame!, also contains the orignal blame (not the current work)
A correction. Noise is not a side story. Noise is a diferent story. Diferent time. This is pre-Killy. Yet since it is not related it is not a prequel. And BLAME (as that was the original title on Tsutomu Nihei's debut) is not related either. Since the time and setting are different. Only thing that goes directly from BLAME to Blame! is the gun and the principal characters nam; Killy.

More info at Tsutomu Nihei's bio. (http://www.mangareviewer.com/bios/tn/tn.htm) Don't trust the Tokyopop bio on him, it is wrong. Since it is saying that he debuted with Blame!, when he didn't.

[Ck_Kat]

Wow that's alot but i don't know if the titles i'm doing to list are very well known or not so please don't fuss.
The Tarot Cafe is a lovely little story about a seer named Pamela, who helps the supernatural in any way she can. Such as Vampires who betrays his lover many a time in history. A special cat that falls in love with a human and many other interesting creatures that just need a little help.
Juvenile OrionSixteen year old Mana returns to her hometown to unite with her childhood sweetheart after 7 years. But Kaname seems to have changed during their years apart. Mana's presence sets off a chain of events that changes the lives of Kaname and his best friend Naoya forever. Their classmates Isshin and Tsukasa, and their teacher Tomonori find themselves drawn to her as well. They soon discover that they are all a part of the Aquarian Age - a secret war raging for thousands of years. Now the fate of the world hangs in the balance as one girl meets her destiny.
Princess A.I.A petulant, doll-faced amnesiac named Ai finds herself on the streets of Tokyo, wondering why she is on Earth at all. She meets Kent, a long-haired young rocker, who helps her discover she has vocal talent. Along the way, Ai unearths some clues to her past, grows a pair of wings and destroys various characters' clothes in the name of fashion. Although rocker Love's name is on this modern fairy tale series, it's not clear what role she had in its making. The story, appropriate for older manga audiences, bears some resemblance to Love's life, as Ai undergoes some existential angst and complains, "It sucks being homeless!" Ai's story isn't convincing, though, and the book's creators can't seem to decide if this series is a fantasy, a mystery, a thriller or a romance. In what must be a strategy to stretch the plot out over several books, no story line is developed enough to hold readers' attention (and Ai's antics—kicking and punching her way out of most scrapes—don't make a good substitute). It's a shame Kujiradou's excellent art doesn't have a more interesting subject. Kujiradou gives Ai a gentle, childish air, and her action sequences are terrific. This series may attract fans of Love and her former band, Hole, but it probably won't draw a devoted readership.
Mars Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches. And when the jock plants a kiss on a statue of Mars in the studio, Kira finds herself drawn in and even summons up the nerve to ask him to model for her but problems already lurk on the horizon. Vicious upperclassman Harumi has had her sights set on Rei for a long time, and is not about to let go now. One of the most popular teen girl manga series in Japan, Mars is a drama that will meet the demand of the growing female comic-reading market.
Kodocha Sana gets a part in a TV movie, costarring with a hot new actress, but she’ll never get to the studio if she can’t survive the bullies at school. Akito "the Demon" Hayama continues his reign of terror so Sana comes up with a crazy plot to put him in his place. Sana takes advantage of Akito’s fear of heights and challenges him to a bungee jumping contest! Maybe the world’s biggest bully will finally back down{ craziest manga i've every seen almost as wacked out as excel saga but kodocha has a plot..}
I can't think of any more hee hee

[Kaito Fujiwara]

A correction. Noise is not a side story. Noise is a diferent story. Diferent time. This is pre-Killy. Yet since it is not related it is not a prequel. And BLAME (as that was the original title on Tsutomu Nihei's debut) is not related either. Since the time and setting are different.

Sorry about that DT, I guess I miswrote about it. But I already know that BLAME has nothing to do with the current BLAME!

[Ck_Kat]

Hmmm...even in this list of hardly ever mentioned manga, the Seikai Trilogy isn't mentioned.

Crest of the Stars, Banner of the Stars, and Banner of the Stars II. They're very good manga, actually; I'm surprised no one ever talks about it. Each manga is pretty much stand alone, but it helps to have read the previous ones. I'd give you a summary, but I'm not too good at it...so you can read the Academy's summary instead. As far as I know, the anime and manga are identical, but I've never seen the anime, so I can't tell for sure. The only real downside to this manga, assuming you like the premise, of course, is that the last volume of the trilogy was drawn by a different manga-ka, so the drawing style changes drastically from the second volume to the third. Other than that...it's got a fair amount of action, a smidge of romance, and the characters are pretty well done.

Umm, I think the person who wrote the story line drew the last volume, I believe that's what the author notes said... And the last volume was the best emotionally and artisticly but the new art style for the last volume is a tad odd.

[Seras]

Mars Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches. And when the jock plants a kiss on a statue of Mars in the studio, Kira finds herself drawn in and even summons up the nerve to ask him to model for her but problems already lurk on the horizon. Vicious upperclassman Harumi has had her sights set on Rei for a long time, and is not about to let go now. One of the most popular teen girl manga series in Japan, Mars is a drama that will meet the demand of the growing female comic-reading market.


This is the first manga that I ever invested in the whole series, and it was my favorite for a long time. Though I reread it recently and found myself laughing at how soap opery it gets. Suicide, evil twins, rape, adultery, and motorcycles! Oh my! Still a great series though.

[Minnie]

Wel... Paradise Kiss is not that unknown. I know a lot of people here who have read it already. It is worthy of praise though, like any Yazawa manga.


Speaking of Ai Yazawa Manga, the ParaKiss prequel, Gokinjo Monogatari is also worth checking out. It's less mature and tightly-presented than Parakiss, but it's a great and inspiring look at the lives of Yazawa Arts students driven with ambition and passion for what they love to do.

Ah, and MARS is quite well known. XD And it's still such a hot series. I'd like to check out Fuyumi Soryu's new manga called Eternal Sabbath.

[soundchazer]

Wow Minnie... its been a while! You should stop here more often.

[Agawa]

Ah, and MARS is quite well known. XD And it's still such a hot series. I'd like to check out Fuyumi Soryu's new manga called Eternal Sabbath.

If you like Fuyumi Soryu, try some of her shorts. They're really quite good, and have her beautiful art to boot.

[Dtortot]

I would like to point to my sig.

Bremen is one cool manga, that has GTO feel to it, but the comedy and action are entirely different. And although the main character is an idiot he is a diferent type of idiot from Onizuka.

Shame it ended so fast, hell... It is a shame it ended at all!

[Kagome654]

I've talked to few people who ever mention;

Houshin Engi- The best part of this manga is a kickass female antagonist who is possibly the most cruel and sadistic villain out there. It seems rare to see that from a female character in manga and its quite startling...at least it was to me. Contrast that with the fact she has a really cutsey character design and you wind up with the enigma that is Dakki. This manga features really cute designs but has some really bloody actions scenes. It starts to weaken halfway through as an influx of characters dilutes the dynamic, but its still fun.

Okane No Gai- I'm mostly mentioning this because of the really pretty art. The 'story' is nothing to write home about...but man is it pretty. HEAVY yaoi.

Mirage of Blaze, Passions, Planet Ladder, Perfect Girl Evolution and Nowadays seldom are mentioned either...(though I think I've mentioned them before in this thread, opps)

*makes mental note to visit MangaReviewer*

[Mei]

Oh gods, reading this thread is making me reach towards my diminishing bank funds, all over again :(

One that I thoroughly recommend to any girl: Parfait Tic

I don't know if it's been licensed in the west (certainly not UK) and only read scanlations but I love it. Not very exciting backdrop, young highschool girl whole life gets turned around when two young attractive boys, mismatched as light and dark cousins, move into the appartment upstairs and join her school.
Incredibly romantic, dramatic and moving, I wait impatiently for a couple of months for the new chapter, gobble it up in 10mins, cry in despair, and then wait again. The art is not Clamp, but it's beautiful too :) And the side characters are just as interesting as those three.

Oops, got carried away. But if you want lovely mushy stuff, go get.

[Bane the ECF]

Dragon Quest: If your a fan of the DQ games then you must check the out the manga. It takes a lot of the elements from the DQ games like spells, monsters, and other things, but since they explained how every magic spell or enemy works, then anyone that likes a good fantasy adventure story can enjoy the Dragon Quest manga.
And it's a pretty long manga(about 38 volumes) and the story gets interesthing since vol. 2
You must be talking about Dragon Quest ~Dai No Daibouken~ (translated to "Dai's Great Adventures"), also known as Adventures of Fly. Good series, a must for any "classic" D&D fan.

Bane

[Ender]

Ara ra,

Yay! I get to drop down my five-cents. ^_^

I honestly wish more people would talk about....

Buddha - The (romanticized) life story of Buddha. If it's written by Tezuka and wins a number of Eisner Awards then you know it's good.

Lone Wolf and Cub - This has been mentioned before, but yeah. I grew up on this series and it's as good now as it ever was.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure - Good, freaky, and terribly long (80 volumes) shounen series that is getting released here through ViZ...like we'll see the end of that run.

Sexy Voice and Robo - Oh come on! They're selling it in the states as ONE volume! That's money well spent.

Five Star Stories - Sooooooooooooooooo imaginative. I wish more manga-ka would borrow from this series.

Iron Wok Jan - What other manga makes you hungry after reading it?

Devil Man - Nagai Go is underrated by most newbies today. Maybe this series would have gotten better notice if it wasn't released under a porno line created by Glen Danzig.

Golgo 13 - I remember ViZ released this back in the day and they're gonna re-release it next year. Wonderful, mature work.

Touch - It's highschool, it's sports, it's the 80's, what's not to love? You don't need to answer that. ^_^;

Berserk - Yes, I know you've all heard of it. Yes, I know it's out. Yes, I know it's long. But manga like this reminds me of why I got into otakudom in the first place. And comics like this don't come around as often as they should.

Oldboy - I loved the live-action movie, I'd love to hear anything about the series.

Ichi the Killer - I loved the live-action movie, I'd love to hear anything about the series...waitasec...

Romance of the Three Kingdoms - One of the longest manga epics by one of the greatest manga-ka, and no one has ever heard of it...damn.

Slam Dunk - If it's a sport you hate, then it will make an anime you'll like. Besides, it's famous the world over...so why so quiet?

Fist of the North Star - I know a lot of people think of the terrible movie whenever they hear this title, but the manga is an action classic with some fantastic illustrations and beautiful fight scenes. Today's over-the-top action titles owe a little to Tetsuro Hara and Buronson's masterwork. And yet, no one has even laid eyes on it.

Nausicaa - It's Miyazaki. Every otaku should have a copy of it on their bookshelves.

Ginga Densetsu Weed - I read this a few years ago when it was being released (rather sparsely) by ComicsOne. The series was about 34 volumes long. I was able to read it during an excursion into Shinjuku, but I definitely think it should get revitilized here. Then again, a 34 volume long manga about a talking puppy named "Weed" would be a very hard sell. Sigh.

That's all I can think of for now. And away I swank.

-Prof. Ender...is the Lindbergh baby.

[Two-twenty]

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou.
Possibly one of the best examples of "slice of life" drama there is out there, and reading it is almost like meditation. Still, it's not very popular which is a shame because it's really easy to find. If you can't, you don't deserve internet.

[Minnie]

If you like Fuyumi Soryu, try some of her shorts. They're really quite good, and have her beautiful art to boot.

I hadn't known she had shorts! : O I looked it up somewhere found a few titles done by her. (Exciting!) Thank you for informing me about it!

Wow Minnie... its been a while! You should stop here more often.

I know not watching anime/reading manga a lot hasn't stopped me from spamming this board in the past, but I'm seriously too wrapped up in things IRL to publicly fangirl or discuss in AA for anything other than Ai Yazawa creations. XD Yes, I'm that much of a mono-tasking^ loser. I do drop by whenever I can and say hello to people. :3 *hug*

^ = italacized for wtf made-up words I'm still so prone to doing.

[Seras]

I want to mention an American manga (is there a name for that?) that's just come out:
Dramacon By Svetlana Chmakova is a funny, romantic look into the insane world of anime conventions. Christie, a newbie writer for a comic she and her boyfriend collaborated, is attending her first convention. Hurt that her boyfriend can't resist flirting with girls in cosplay, and a bit unsure of the strange world she finds herself in, Christie literally runs into the sexy but shy cosplayer, Matt, who befreinds her, and who she can't help but be attracted to.
This series is hilarious, and book 1 is in stores so if you get a chance pick it up.

[Cornwiggle]

Guyver is a great manga that is highly under-rated.

[Nicotine]

Maison Ikkoku - Most people kinda ignore it I guess because it's an older manga but it's really good. It's very funny and the story is well done.

Galaxy Express 999 - Once again, it's an older manga so I guess it doesn't appeal to many people. But it's very unique and I like the art. Plus, Maetel is awsome.

[Miaka Lee]

I honestly wish more people would talk about....

Buddha - The (romanticized) life story of Buddha. If it's written by Tezuka and wins a number of Eisner Awards then you know it's good.

Lone Wolf and Cub - This has been mentioned before, but yeah. I grew up on this series and it's as good now as it ever was.
Like Ender said these are some of the best mangas that pratically no one knows about them(maybe not best but pretty much). These two and more are always overlooked.(want more overlooked manga look Ender's list on page 6)

[Kagome654]

Well, I have read Buddha, albeit a LONG time ago and thought it was great, but I didn't think it was that unknown, considering I first heard about it through a review in our local paper. Lone Wolf and Cub is really popular amoung those who are big fans of North american comics but are secretly closet manga fans as well. I've never read it myself, but the guy who works the pull boxes at the comic store I go to can't stop raving about it.

I still haven't met many people who have read Mirage of Blaze.

[Mad Hatter]

I've reviewed this whole topic and I have seen that no one has mentioned Dragon Knights by Mineko Ohakami. It is a very interesting story about three Knights Rath, Rune, and Thatz who are working under Lord Lykouleon. It is your usual fantasy manga, filled with demons, dragons and such. However, it has an intriguing storyline and the art is beautiful. I definitely reccomend it. It has gained some popularity this year, but it is still pratically unknown among manga readers.

I see that Alichino and The Tarot Cafe have been mentioned, so I see that I have no reason to elaborate on them.

[soundchazer]

Socrates in Love: This is a one book story based on the novel by the same name. The novel itself is the most sold novel in Japanese history, and the manga is just as good. Very nice and sad love story.

[Pachinko]

Gals~ A brilliant, fashionable, AND funny manga about girl-gangs in the Shibuya streets. O.O'' Highly recommended<3

[A-R@D]

I don't know if this is popular or not but I just read what volumes I could find of Basara and I thought it was pretty good. I dont think I've heard anyone talk of it. It was pretty popular in japan or so I've heard. I want to know the ending so badly!

[soundchazer]

Latest addition to the list:

Densha Otoko. It is a very nice manga about a gamer/anime otaku and the girl he likes. The style is also pretty unique. Get it from your favorite scanlator, as it is not available in the States yet.

I believe it is popular enough in Japan that are making a live series out of it.

[w0lfW00ds_gh0st]

id also like to add 666Satan and Addicted to Curry. while Curry has really slowed down, havent had a release(an english one) for a few months now, it still is really good, and for those who like curry and need recipes thats one really good place to find them. 666Satan is done by Masashi Kishimoto's younger twin Seishi Kishimoto and its pretty awesome. now given theyre twins u will see a lot of resemblance between the art but its still a very good manga with a good story

[soundchazer]

After a little more research, it turns out Densha Otoko has been so popular, there have been 4 manga adaptations made by different artists. It also became a TV series and a movie.

It seems to be based on a real story or a very elaborate hoax. It is cute nontheless.

The manga version I'm reading is "Densha Otoko - Net Hatsu, Kakueki Teisha no Love Story" by Hidenori Hara

[punkusa20_2001]

GO JOHNNY THE HOMicidal maniac
Lenore, and squee, the only graphic novels i read...manga just cant compare, one is by guy who made invader zim....jhonen vasquez

[soundchazer]

No disrespect punkusa, but we are talking actual manga here. And believe me, there is some really great manga out there. Usually it is 95% of comic book graphic novels which can't compare (except for the most part for the Neil Gaiman / Frank Miller / Alan Moore ones).

[Mana]

GO JOHNNY THE HOMicidal maniac
Lenore, and squee, the only graphic novels i read...manga just cant compare, one is by guy who made invader zim....jhonen vasquez
SC's point aside, a lot of people know about these ^^; They're only underground in the sense that it's underground and therefore cool.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Jhonen's work, but seeing as it's neither manga, nor unknown, it doesn't really merit being listed here.

[Niner]

I just finished reading a manga called Pretty Face. The premise is a little goofy: Some arrogant karate bastard named Randou gets into a horrible disfiguring accident, only to wake up later with the face of the girl, Rina, he secretly likes. The girl then mistakes him for her long-lost twin Yuna and hilarity ensues.

The situations that Randou/Yuna manages to get himself into are completely off the wall and really funny. Add to the fact that Randou looks completely and utterly smoking hawt as Yuna and everyone seems to notice, including some girls as well. The mild ecchi is quite enough for the pervert in everyone, but the relationship between Randou and Rina is one of the key points in the whole manga. Seeing Randou develop as himself and as Yuna, all for Rina's happiness... it really managed to convey all senses of emotion and feeling. The art style of mangaka Yasuhiro Kano is excellent. All the characters are beautifully drawn and the range of expression that Randou/Yuna goes through during the course of the series shows that he had a lot of fun drawing the characters.

I can't wait until I find copies of this in English. XD In the meantime, I've made a Christmas themed avatar of Yuna. She's really something else.

[Kagome654]

*Adds Art Spiegelman and Will Eisner to SC's list because clearly he didn't omit them on purpose...* Actually, I'm tempted to remove Miller from the list, but that's because I can't get over All Star Batman & Robin...

Unknown manga...what about Planet Ladder? Can't remember the manga-ka and the books are at my parent's house so I can't check, but it had some pretty art. Pretty standard 'not as normal as she thought girl gets sucked into another world fare' but it has a giant talking chicken, what's not to love?

[dark fuma]

Blame! is a great manga. Too bad no one in my area knows about it cept' the person who let me read them. It deverse more props then what it gets.

[ant]

Vagabond may very well be one of the best samurai manga out there, as for graphic novels The Tick always has me in stiches!

[punkusa20_2001]

i didn't know they were popular, i ran into them about 3 years back and haven't heard anything about them since then.

[Mangamaker_JJ]

I read a cool manga called Faries Landing

[MZeroX]

I find it strange that no one has heard of Tenjou Tenge. A great fighting manga that has much humor and a twisted love triangle(square, pentagon, the figure that has the number of relations to this one guy). I can understand the younger students, but why has no one heard of this crazy manga by Oh! Great?

[DarkKanti]

XD

I'm pretty sure there are more than a few people here who have heard of Tenjo Tenge. Myself? I watched the anime and have been wanting to pick up the manga for quite some time now, but really just haven't had the initiative quite yet. I've heard pretty good things about it so far though.

[MZeroX]

From personal experience, the manga is exponentially better than the anime. If the anime was enough to spark your interest, getthe manga as fast as you can. Just hope that Oh! Great doesn't start playing Dragon Quest, or the next chapter release wont be for half-a-year. Other than that downside, the manga is awesome!

[Zee'd]

Tenjo Tenge, despite having excellent fighting sequence and a good plot framework, is a horrible, horrible patchworked-story cesspool filled to the brim with echii scenes, and some others bordering on (actually, completely submerged in) Bondage and Guro (a.k.a, blood, filth and gore)

But sex sells I guess; Betcha some people will seek out the manga series after reading the above...

[Dtortot]

Tenjo Tenge, despite having excellent fighting sequence and a good plot framework, is a horrible, horrible patchworked-story cesspool filled to the brim with echii scenes, and some others bordering on (actually, completely submerged in) Bondage and Guro (a.k.a, blood, filth and gore)

But sex sells I guess; Betcha some people will seek out the manga series after reading the above...So it just another Oh Great manga.

Great manga: Ray.

By te author of Eatman. Ray is a girl who was created as an organ farm, after the scientists took her eyes, she was rescued and got new eyes, that see everything in X-ray vision. Now she is a nurse and underground doctor trying to find out who saved her and who were the men behind the harvesting. Pretty interesting and awesome art.

[Pachinko]

Love or Money is a terrific manwah (?!) and I really enjoyed it. Anyone else reading it?

[Risen Hell Fire]

Great manga: Ray.

By te author of Eatman. Ray is a girl who was created as an organ farm, after the scientists took her eyes, she was rescued and got new eyes, that see everything in X-ray vision. Now she is a nurse and underground doctor trying to find out who saved her and who were the men behind the harvesting. Pretty interesting and awesome art.
You know whats funny, I do know ray and have been thinking of checking it out.

Another great series people should check out is Gacha Gacha (from the guy that does the art for Boys be (another one I recommended).

[Rove]

Under The Bridge
One-Shot by Harold Sakuishi of BECK fame.

Real life story on how Harold Sakuishi met his favorite band.
You will like this if:
A) You like BECK
B) You like Red Hot Chilli Peppers (The title should give a clue, right?)
C) You want to know how the work place of a manga-ka is
D) You want to see the RHCP in anime design

[animerules15421]

It sounds good is it avalabile in the states yet?

[Risen Hell Fire]

Slam Dunk - If it's a sport you hate, then it will make an anime you'll like. Besides, it's famous the world over...so why so quiet?

Fist of the North Star - I know a lot of people think of the terrible movie whenever they hear this title, but the manga is an action classic with some fantastic illustrations and beautiful fight scenes. Today's over-the-top action titles owe a little to Tetsuro Hara and Buronson's masterwork. And yet, no one has even laid eyes on it.
Correction, I myself have read both of these (Raijin comics and the side series of North star) Both are good, Slam Dunk is my 3rd favorite title in Raijin. Speaking of which heres one of my all time favorites, Mamotte ShugoGetten. Some may like it some may not but I love it. Can feel a little ridiculous at times but I don't care if you can find it check it out if you want.

[soundchazer]

One that I found rather interesting, just because the subject is a complete departure from what the mangaka was famous for is Tokko: Devils Awaken.

This one is made by none other than Tohru Fujisawa, the creator of Great Teacher Onizuka. This one is all about gore and action. No comedy here folks. The storyline however is quite good.

[Avalon]

=

Oh, I agree. Although it seems like Boy's Next Door is getting really popular now, I'd add anything by Kaori Yuki onto this list. Count Cain is my personal favorite though. Speaking of which, does anyone know whether they plan to release it along with Godchild? I don't really understand why they wouldn't.
Also, did anyone find it strange that they spelt Merryweather's name 'Marieweather' in the official English translation? I don't quite get it- even if they did translate as 'Marie', it seems like it comes from the name 'Merryweather'. I don't understand why they changed it, since her name doesn't make sense anymore. (



Oh, Yuu Watase. I must admit, I recently lost all hope in her stuff after reading 'Perfect Boyfriend' in Shoujo Beat. Fushigi Yuugi had good points, but this...I don't know, it was so bad it made me want to cry, for the potential her earlier works had.



Ooh, someone has my kind of good taste. If I may, I'd like to second all three of those. Especially the part about Takahashi. Her short stories are some of the best I've ever read, and yet she spends her talent on those long, not nearly as good, epics. And Urusei Yatsura. I miss Urusei Yatsura.



Oh, I completely agree with Emma and Nana. Both of those are great manga, and since you didn't include an explaination, I will.



Nana - A great story by Ai Yazawa, about two girls named Nana. Yazawa manages to tell a captivating story about the intersecting lives of two young women - the seemingly normal Nana Komatsu, and the band singer Nana Osaki.

Emma - While I wasn't expecting much of this manga at first, it managed to pull me in quickly. A romance set in the late 1900's (England), it focuses on the romance between a maid and a nobleman. While this romance is pulled off quite well, there is the additional interest of the detail of the times. It's an interesting read because of the time period, which plays an important role in it.




Oooh, Princess Prince! Yes, Tomoko Taniguchi! Well, kind of. That manga was good in a way, but ultra shoujo. I still like it quite a bit though.
And yes, it was. (It may have been SMILE, but I think it was Animerica Extra)

Anyway! My own list, now.

Banana Fish - A manga that ran in PULP, and then Animerica Extra, Banana Fish focuses on the drug of the same name. A young but clever gang leader, Ash Lynx, is curious about the drug due to the effect it had on his brother.

Koudelka Set a bit later than the time frame in Emma (an estimation) this drama focuses on an escaped mental patient. It has an interesting, original art style.

Joan - This great manga focuses on a girl who has had visions of Joan of Arc. Her name is Emil, and she follows the path of Joan looking for divine guidance in reassurting the King's power. It's set during the Hundred Years War, in France.

One Pound Gospel, Urusei Yatsura Lum, Rumic Theatre - I personally think many of Ms. Takahashi's older and shorter series are much, much better than her more recent. In other words, any of these are worth checking out, and not nearly as well known as her other stuff. (Although Lum is fairly well known)

Phoenix Osamu Tezuka's amazing manga is said to be his life's work, interupted by his death. The twelve volumes that exist amazing, and worthy of anyone's attention.

I really think I really like "Let's Stay Together Forever" by Tomoko Taniguchi!! I really like that she refers to the heavy metal band "Stryper" in it!! Also, she talks about Disneyland which I love also! I like stuff by Ai Yazawa too! "One Pound Gospel Truth" is pretty alright. :)

[JOJO]

Everyone should check out Iron Kow Jan, a manga about cooking. But what makes it stand out is the main character Jan wich is something completely different, a proud chef that not only like's to "outcook" his opponents but also humiliate them afterwards(not to mention that he's also a cooking prodigy), and also his rivarly with female chef Kiriko also help keep things interesthing since they have similar talents but different views about cooking.

[Pachinko]

This manga, called 'The World Exists For Me', is by Chiho Saito & the BE-PAPAS, so naturally I wouldn't miss it. It was translated by Tokyopop, and I enjoy it. I recommend it to anyone with a fantasy/romance taste.

[Whizz]

vagabond great artwork, good story
eternity
remote: not for children/kids great story, nice artwork,

[Barrelhaven]

I'm sorta out of the loop in terms of manga, so I'm not sure if Blade of the Immortal is popular or not. Regardless, it's a great manga and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the samurai genre. I believe it's up to 15 volumes now (well, that's how many I have, at least), and it's still going.

[NausicaaBoy]

umm.... Chobits every1 knows about....Dears is amazing and so is Dragon Nights.. Monster is awsome

[Sae]

Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango) is great for a laugh! And no its not dumb because of the name lol It's actually quite enjoyable!:cutie

[animanic_critic]

BECK and MONSTER's the one for me. I kinda like mangas that don't have super-deformities, especially during the comical portions, such as Azumanga Daioh, but super-deformities are fine for anime...:rolleyes:

[Loutana]

From Far Away.... I don't know about all of you but this is one of the greatest manga series that I have had the honor to read... Yeah so it was one of my first mangas I read but hey you have to start some where and I needed to branch out from the ever popular sojo manga Fruits Basket.
Although if you love Furuba then you may want to read this series I will admite the first manga of the series is really daul but it is the introduction of the main characters so it gets really exciting after that... The main characters are in a search to find the answers to their destiny and on their journey they find friends, dangers and love... I love this manga.... If I was not already dressing up as Uo-chan for this years festival I would be dressing up as Naroko From Far Away....
Its totally awsome...


Loutana

[Sae]

From Far Away.... I don't know about all of you but this is one of the greatest manga series that I have had the honor to read... Yeah so it was one of my first mangas I read but hey you have to start some where and I needed to branch out from the ever popular shojo manga Fruits Basket.
Although if you love Furuba then you may want to read this series I will admite the first manga of the series is really daul but it is the introduction of the main characters so it gets really exciting after that... The main characters are in a search to find the answers to their destiny and on their journey they find friends, dangers and love... I love this manga.... If I was not already dressing up as Uo-chan for this years festival I would be dressing up as Naroko From Far Away....
Its totally awsome...


Loutana

Wow, I'm pretty surprised I'm not the only one who knows about it. I sorta stopped collecting it cuz I lost track after like vol.8 but it was a wonderful new kind of romance. An easy read for any reader and a storyline that makes you want to know what happens next every time! Very good summary, Loutana! ^-^

Sae

[Loutana]

Wow I am so glad someone else finally knows about it I have already got the latest one its amazing. I can't wait until the next one comes out. Its a good story and vol. 8 just leaves you wanting more. In fact I have gotten my brother into reading okay maybe I read it to him in the car when we travel to our college classes but he still likes it and I have learned to do funny voices with it. The manga has even made me start a fan fiction manga of my own but I kind of stopped on it. Though, But I have a forum that I do for writing things like that and a lot of them enjoy writing fantasy. SO its fun.
Well thanks talk to you later
Loutana

[NausicaaBoy]

Buddha is good...in a really weird kind of way....

[LadySage]

Everyone needs to check out Basara as soon as possible, because it is not getting the attention it deserves. It's not at all like most shoujo manga I've read - the art isn't pretty, the plot is very gritty, and it's quite violent at times. Sarasa is a wonderful protagonist: she's a great leader, but she makes mistakes, gets depressed and discouraged, but she fights and endures. She's not overly bubbly, or instantly able to solve everyone's problems. It's very refreshing to have a flawed heroine like her, who does amazing things but is in many ways just an ordinary girl.

[NausicaaBoy]

terrible manga you shouldnt know about : othello ugh..... should know about +anima hoping for great things oh and Buddha 1 &2 (worst style ever - love the story)

[anime_angel19]

Snow drop
Saint tail
Planet ladder
Aoi house
Absolute boyfriend
Nana
Vampire knight

[soundchazer]

Actually Nana is quite famous around here.

[Risen Hell Fire]

Absolute boyfriend

I know a certain, lady whos gonna dissagree with you. Anyway I guess I'll put Sweetie, it's a Manwha but it's still great. Really want to knwo what happens next but the second voluem isn't out yet.

[WookieInMaShoo]

With Deathnote around it seems like people are frogetting about Takeshi Obata's other manga he illustrated: Hikaru No Go.
It is about a kid playing a board game, but it is one of my favorites and I do think it is really good.
I have high hopes for +Anima; it's pretty...
and Air Gear. Beautifull and very different.
MaR is also good for a fast pace manga.

all of them are some of my top favorites...

[Mana]

Hikaru no Go was pretty big around AA when it first was coming out, and now it's even a part of Shounen Jump in America, so I wouldn't say that's it's all THAT unknown, although it didn't acheive the popularity of other SJ titles, like Naruto.

[WookieInMaShoo]

Hikaru no Go was pretty big around AA when it first was coming out, and now it's even a part of Shounen Jump in America, so I wouldn't say that's it's all THAT unknown, although it didn't acheive the popularity of other SJ titles, like Naruto.

I know it's popular is some places still. I just think it gets overshadowed by other SJ titles,like you said. I think most people who don't bother with it in the US may be it's lack of typical qualaties people tend to associate with manga/anime.
The anime is on "Toonami Jetstream" now, so maybe people will get to know it better. I only saw one episode. I didn't like the voices for the characters much, and I wasn't used to the colors...

[Dark Lord]

For now let's go with "Daa! Daa! Daa!"... It's not very popular but it's quite enjoyable... That is if you enjoy shoujo, comedy, sci-fi, romance, and fantasy all crammed in one...

[xxholic]

*woot*
I want TRC manga badly!
but I want Daa! Daa! Daa! too! x_x'

[Neo-Hunter]

Got another One Kami Kaze, Its up to the 4th book, I only read till the 3rd its fair enough for me whats better than sex,death and swearing in one fantiatic manga.

[Lupin the 3rd]

I still say Monster is a great manga that not ALOT of people read or know about! :D

[Ayumi Sawatari]

I'd like to add;
Vampire Knight
&
Full Moon O Sagashite

[LCeh]

Claymore.

Best ongoing shounen manga right now, imo, and I have read Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Tsubasa, Prince of Tennis, Air Gear.

[Cephalopod]

The only one I can think of right now is Parasyte. There are some I have in japanese that I like, but thats just for the artwork.

[laborpilot86]

Buddha by Tezuka.

[Shadowmage]

AQUA and ARIA.

This is more of a shared experience than a usual "these are the characters and this is the story bit". The story is essentially about a group of rookie undines trying to achieve their dream of becoming a professional undine. More than anything else, this is a fantasy manga basically about nothing. This manga is to be enjoyed more for the light hearted situations and soothing settings than anything else. Tokyopop puts this under "Sci-Fi" but I vocally denounce this decision. AQUA (and ARIA) are really fantasy mangas. It's about the readers sharing the experiences of Akari and her friends.

[ProfessorWashu]

Well, to start, I'd recommend Alice 19th, a shojou manga that I'd never heard of until a cousin of mine showed me. It's mostly a story emphasizing the power of words, but it's good nonetheless.

I'd also go for Aqua Knight, which was actually my first manga ever!! (It's been so long...)

Finally, I'd also go for any of the lesser known works by Rumiko Takahashi (if there ARE any...) Maison Ikkoku was completely unknown where I'm from. On the upside, Inu Yasha and Ranma 1/2 were very well known, so it's not like I'm from manga Limbo or something...^___^

[Roark]

The only one I can think of right now is Parasyte. There are some I have in japanese that I like, but thats just for the artwork.
Parasyte was published in Mixx back in the day. Good stuff. This was before TokyoPop found their true calling of selling to preteen girls.

[Cephalopod]

Finally, I'd also go for any of the lesser known works by Rumiko Takahashi (if there ARE any...) Maison Ikkoku was completely unknown where I'm from. On the upside, Inu Yasha and Ranma 1/2 were very well known, so it's not like I'm from manga Limbo or something...^___^

Let's not forget the series that started her career (and my personal favorite)...

Parasyte was published in Mixx back in the day. Good stuff. This was before TokyoPop found their true calling of selling to preteen girls.

i r retro

[ProfessorWashu]

To each their own as far as Parasyte is concerned. Looks too creepy for me.

What WAS Takahashi-sama's first manga, anyway? "Those Selfish Aliens", says Wikipedia. (But that's HARDLY a source, right?) All I know is that she has my kinda storytelling.

Lastly, has anyone ever heard of "Pretty Face"? It doesn't seem to have gotten much attention, and while I'll admit it's no Gundam or "Neon Genesis Evangelion" in terms of quality, it is still very good. Similar to it is "Kashimashi Girl meets Girl". I enjoy both, and had to DIG to find them. High quality stuff in a somewhat awkward setting (which is where I thrive, by the way.) ^_^

[Mana]

What WAS Takahashi-sama's first manga, anyway? "Those Selfish Aliens", says Wikipedia. (But that's HARDLY a source, right?) All I know is that she has my kinda storytelling.

Also known more commonly as it's Japanese title "Urusei Yatsura" with or without the title of its main female "Lum." Viz had (has?) rights to the manga, it was released in their old, larger format but has not been rereleased in the smaller, unflipped format like some of their older titles (Maison Ikkoku, Inuysha, etc), and is therefore out of print, and has been for some time (I believe it was released under the name of Lum Urusei Yatsura). Anime Eigo has rights to the anime (a 200 episode long masterpiece), but those are also out of print (small print run) and hard to find (the Anime Eigo website has some, but not all).

It's excellent, one of my favourite series. Once I finally finish the whole thing, I'll be making a review of it.

A lot of Takahashi's older stuff is excellent, much more so than her current series *cough*.

[Lupin the 3rd]

Buddha by Tezuka.

I always wanted to read that manga, i really have to check it out.

[Sanako-san]

Has anyone read PhD: Phantasy Degree? I only have vol. 1-9, but it's pretty good. A tad bit confusing, but good.

[Le Bread]

Not a manga that I've necessarily read, but one I've always wanted to is Osamu Tezuka's Dororo. And wouldn't you know it, Vertical, the same company that's been releasing those beautiful hardcover volumes of Buddha (among other Tezuka oneshots) has got the first volume slated for a Spring 2008 release. If you're not familiar with the concept of Dororo, it's the story of a Samurai whose father sacrificed his organs (legs, arms, even obscure things like glands and chakra points) to demons in exchange for the power to conquer Japan. The child was born hideously deformed, and was taken in by a kindly old monk who built him prosthetic limbs from scrap (including a pair of hollow wooden arms that slide off to reveal katana blades). We follow the samurai Hyakkimaru, now full grown, and a boy thief named Dororo as they hunt down the demons that possess Hyakki's body parts one by one on his quest to be whole again. It's also the basis for the little played PS2 game Blood Will Tell. I know I'll certainly have my eye out for this one.

[ProfessorWashu]

Also known more commonly as it's Japanese title "Urusei Yatsura" with or without the title of its main female "Lum." Viz had (has?) rights to the manga, it was released in their old, larger format but has not been rereleased in the smaller, unflipped format like some of their older titles (Maison Ikkoku, Inuysha, etc), and is therefore out of print, and has been for some time (I believe it was released under the name of Lum Urusei Yatsura). Anime Eigo has rights to the anime (a 200 episode long masterpiece), but those are also out of print (small print run) and hard to find (the Anime Eigo website has some, but not all).

It's excellent, one of my favourite series. Once I finally finish the whole thing, I'll be making a review of it.

A lot of Takahashi's older stuff is excellent, much more so than her current series *cough*.

Y'know what? You're right. A lot of the older stuff is the better stuff. But it's so hard to get stateside that it's RIDICULOUS. I quit. That's it. I'm learning Japanese, getting an undubbed version of what I like, and watching that. Screw this international "who has the rights?" bull-crap, I'm tired of it. I WILL SEE SAILOR STARS AND LUM URUSEI YATSURA, EVEN IF I HAVE TO MASTER A LANGUAGE TO DO IT!!!

Uh...are you insinuating that you don't like Inuyasha? That's fine, and I see your point. It does get a bit repetitive after a while. But I still love it/him. He's a cool character, to be sure.

And just so ya don't say I didn't make a contribution to the forum, I highly recommend that everyone read "Genshiken". It hasn't gotten as much publicity as I think it should have.

[Mana]

As I stated in my manga thread, I'm not a fan of Inuyasha at all. It just didn't grab me. I tried reading a few volumes but... meh.

[Ender]

Ara ra,

Not a manga that I've necessarily read, but one I've always wanted to is Osamu Tezuka's Dororo.

Here I was about to make a thread on the new Vertical/Tezuka manga's coming out next year and who beats me to it? Swanktifying. ^_^

I've read part of an untranslated volume of Dororo -- it was pretty good. It's a good nexus point where you Tezuka shifting from works like AstroBoy into Phoenix and Black Jack. I think this was also one of the first stories to create the whole "little-kid-wanders-with-manly-man" genre in manga/anime (Kenataro Miura stated that it was one of the key inspirations for Berserk). I'm definitely gonna pick this one up.

While we're on the subject, Black Jack is finally getting a decent release next year too. There's a great series.

I picked up Viz's run on the series back in the mid-90's (all, whopping, TWO of them -_-; ) and thought it was pretty swank. I don't typically like medical dramas -- the exception being M*A*S*H* -- but this one had me hooked and wanting more. Sure it's completely outlandish, but in manga what is not?

For those who don't know the story (http://www.animeacademy.com/finalrevdisplay.php?id=41), Black Jack is an underground surgeon-for-hire who is claimed to have "the hands of God." It is said that he does not have a formal license and has been known to charge high fees for his services in curing the incurable. The stories are typically stand-alone, and again are very over-the-top, but if you're used to House then you should give Black Jack a go.

[Le Bread]

Ara ra,
While we're on the subject, Black Jack is finally getting a decent release next year too. There's a great series.
I picked up Viz's run on the series back in the mid-90's (all, whopping, TWO of them -_-; ) is one had me hooked and wanting more. Sure it's completely outlandish, but in manga what is not?

This is the best manga news I've heard in ages. I'm really glad Vertical has been giving all things Tezuka the old college try, but I really have to wonder what kind of a profit they're making on publishing his work almost exclusively.

Two other things that would happen if I had my way. Darkhorse would go back and reprint their mini volumes of Astro Boy in 5 volumes in 1 Hardcover editions.

And my biggest wish is that Vertical would branch out the love they're showing Tezuka to some other classic mangaka, especially Shotaro Ishinomori, Leiji Matsumoto (whose Galaxy Express comics Viz ROYALLY dropped the ball on almost a decade ago), Mitsuteru Yokoyama, and Riyoko Ikeda. Seeing jumbosized editions of Cyborg 009 or Rose of Versailles on the shelf would quickly find any publisher with the COURAGE to PRINT them (*Nudge Nudge Vertical*) a lofty place as the NEW king of my checking account.

[Mana]

Oh man, Black Jack's finally getting a good release? Best news I've heard all day.

[ProfessorWashu]

Anyone ever hear about "Haibane Renmei"? It's not necessarily epic, but I like it, and thought I'd put it forth for you to try. It's a story about angels and angst, suspense and mystery, and so much more.

[saowan]

my first post here:icon_danc
(and not sure of the english name, sorry)

Mushishi: amazed and enchanted by the imaginary world (based on ancient Japan?) touching short stories~

Kazumi Yamashita's Tensai Yanagazawa Kyozyo: it will surely make you laugh like crazy! The weird (or too meticulous?) behavior of an old professor is going to give you a different perspective in looking at this world~some strange questions raised in there are quite interesting!!!

Hiroyuki Nishimori's Kyō Kara Ore Wa!!: just can't stop laughing!!:lol2:

[Samurai Kat]

My cat loki
Drama Con
Peach Fuzz
Mega Tyoko

[Two-twenty]

My cat loki
Drama Con
Peach Fuzz
Mega Tyoko

a) They are not manga
b) They are not unkown
c) They are not great

[ProfessorWashu]

2-20, believe it or not those are actually real names of real manga. They're SO unknown that they don't even sound real! And yet they are! I can't believe it myself, the names are soooooo bad!!! I know nothing of the contents of the series, though.

Actually, now that I mention it, I do recall hearing about Mega Tokyo somewhere once or twice.

So, I can attest to their being manga. They are certainly unknown. But I can say nothing of their greatness.

[Risen Hell Fire]

Actually, now that I mention it, I do recall hearing about Mega Tokyo somewhere once or twice.

Here's the thing, Mega Tokyo isn't a "Manga" It's a webcomic, that has lost a majority of it's fans.

Drama con, is good but isn't a "Manga" either.

The other two I've heard but can't voice my opinion.

EDIT:

Kay, here's three titles.

KonKon Kokon, cute book that also tells of Japanese Myths and Monsters

Kyouhaku Dog's, another cute book, but it's starts out rather confusing but I enjoyed it

Sundome, a very twisted title. I remember seeing it first on a Japanese magazine, and I wanted to check it out. Funny if rather pervert manga

[ProfessorWashu]

Web comic....manga....po-tay-to/po-tah-to. I don't stickle on such things. If it's done in the standard Japanese animation style, it's manga. Now, Mega Tokyo doesn't seem to have the big eyes, but that's about the only departure. So to me it's manga.

And wasn't "Drama Con" a manga released by Tokyopop? What else does it need? It's published, it follows the Japanese animation format, and you attest to it being good. What makes a manga a manga, if not these things?

[Dirty Harry]

Web comic....manga....po-tay-to/po-tah-to. I don't stickle on such things. If it's done in the standard Japanese animation style, it's manga. Now, Mega Tokyo doesn't seem to have the big eyes, but that's about the only departure. So to me it's manga.

This is a pretty outlandish sentiment. By that standard quite a few American comic books from big publishers like DC and Marvel are "manga."

Let's stick with manga being comic books produced in Japan. I mean, Megatokyo was created by two AMERICAN dudes. That's about as much manga as Mary Jane Loves Spider-Man and Avengers: The Initiative, which is to say it isn't manga at all really.

Also you're a terrible faggot.

[Tremolo]

Also Megatokyo is a terrifyingly bad piece of shit.

[Dirty Harry]

And wasn't "Drama Con" a manga released by Tokyopop? What else does it need? It's published, it follows the Japanese animation format, and you attest to it being good. What makes a manga a manga, if not these things?

How about, actually being produced in Japan. Yeah, I think that's it.

[ProfessorWashu]

This is a pretty outlandish sentiment. By that standard quite a few American comic books from big publishers like DC and Marvel are "manga."

Let's stick with manga being comic books produced in Japan. I mean, Megatokyo was created by two AMERICAN dudes. That's about as much manga as Mary Jane Loves Spider-Man and Avengers: The Initiative, which is to say it isn't manga at all really.

Also you're a terrible faggot.

Aw, DH. That last part really hurt. :D
(Plus it doesn't make sense since I'm a CHICK!)

Isn't limiting manga to be exclusively Japanese just a little too limiting for a genre? If you absolutely must sub-categorize, call it American Manga, Russian Manga, British Manga, etc. You don't call works using the intaglio style something else because they weren't done in Italy, do you?

[Dirty Harry]

Aw, DH. That last part really hurt. :D
(Plus it doesn't make sense since I'm a CHICK!)

Isn't limiting manga to be exclusively Japanese just a little too limiting for a genre? If you absolutely must sub-categorize, call it American Manga, Russian Manga, British Manga, etc. You don't call works using the intaglio style something else because they weren't done in Italy, do you?

Manga isn't a genre. Manga are comic books produced in Japan. Romance is a genre. Horror is a genre.

[ProfessorWashu]

Manga isn't a genre. Manga are comic books produced in Japan. Romance is a genre. Horror is a genre.

Art style, then. The term was hardly the point, amigo!

Though you are correct, manga is not a genre. That was a mistake. Manga is a style of art, which contains many genres. Just like movies.

[Tremolo]

Art style, then. The term was hardly the point, amigo!

Though you are correct, manga is not a genre. That was a mistake. Manga is a style of art, which contains many genres. Just like movies.

No, manga is Japanese comics.

[ProfessorWashu]

No, manga is Japanese comics.

I think that is too narrow a definition. Why have so many sub-categories? Why not simply call something that conforms to manga format and yet is made somewhere else "X-country manga" if you must insist on categorizing works by national origin? Why is the word "comic" allowed to cross borders, while manga is isolationist? It makes no sense to me. Further, I believe the literal translation of "manga" is either "images that evoke a response in spite of oneself" (VERY literally broken down) or "comics". So there is no reason to isolate it from other nations. American comics are technically manga, if you take the literal meaning of the word.

Now, of course to call American comics manga is ludicrous, because if you line up a Batman comic with a typical manga, they look nothing alike. However, if you line up an American-made manga that conforms totally to the Japanese style with a Japanese one, the only difference is national origin. So what do you call the American one? A comic? Line it up with the things called comic in the US one more time, and you'll see how ridiculous that is. The difference between American manga and American comics? STYLE. To call them the same thing is to say they ARE the same thing. And they simply are not. Manga = manga, despite national origin.

[Dirty Harry]

Produced in America with the "manga" style makes it an American comic with "manga" style. It doesn't make a Japanese comic.

"Manga" are Japanese comics. You can't be "manga" unless you're Japanese. Just like if you got all dolled up like an African American. Sure, you look like an African American (but probably not), but the fact is you aren't an African American. You're a whatever you are dressed up like an African American.

[ProfessorWashu]

Check and mate, DH. You just confirmed that "Drama Con" technically counts as a manga (which was actually the core of the argument.) Because as you have made abundantly clear, to you manga = comics, with the difference being the word used. Also, no one said that manga was mutually exclusive in its genres (the closest equivalent argument would be that I accidentally called manga itself a genre, which I retracted.) I said that manga and American comics look dissimilar in many ways, which is true.

Therefore, by your own logic, a comic created in the US can be called a manga, since STYLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER SOMETHING IS A COMIC OR NOT.

So tell me again why "Drama Con" doesn't count as a manga? After all,
MANGA IS A JAPANESE WORD USED TO DESCRIBE PICTURES AND TEXT SLAPPED ON A PAGE.

COMICS IS AN ENGLISH WORD USED TO DESCRIBE PICTURES AND TEXT SLAPPED ON A PAGE.

[Dirty Harry]

Check and mate, DH. You just confirmed that "Drama Con" technically counts as a manga. Because as you have made abundantly clear, to you manga = comics, with the difference being the word used. Also, no one said that manga was mutually exclusive in its genres (the closest equivalent argument would be that I accidentally called manga itself a genre, which I retracted.) I said that manga and American comics look dissimilar in many ways, which is true.

Therefore, by your own logic, a comic created in the US can be called a manga, since

So tell me again why "Drama Con" doesn't count as a manga? After all,

You're right. I made a case that anything could be posted in this thread period. But go read my new post about what the true intention of the thread is.

It should probably be titled "Great Japanese comics" to clarify, but you know how them crazy people are with their slang.

[Dtortot]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga

Seriously Washu, you are incorrect. I know that you have all the best intentions to unite the two worlds and what not, but they don't merge properly, they collide and all hell breaks loose.

Original Manga is not just modern comics it's also traditional Japanese print cartoons, which are not exclusively comics, they can be political cartoons, or legends or traditional myths. Referring to manga as just comics is quite unacurate and as such including Western Comics into its world is a mistake.

And on another note, stop ****ing arguing on a thread that has nothing to do with what is or isn't manga.

[Dirty Harry]

And on another note, stop ****ing arguing on a thread that has nothing to do with what is or isn't manga.

MAKE ME, MOD BITCH.

"OOH LAWDY LAWDY, GAWD FERBID PEOPLE DONE BE TALKING ON A FORUM."

**** off like you did a year ago or whatever!

[Dtortot]

MAKE ME, MOD BITCH.

"OOH LAWDY LAWDY, GAWD FERBID PEOPLE DONE BE TALKING ON A FORUM."

**** off like you did a year ago or whatever!sigh...

[Dirty Harry]

Sorry for screwing up the thread, chief. Got carried away there. Er...Harry? Where exactly IS your new thread?

Anyhoo, to please the mods and stop messing things up, I shall now go back on topic. There's a maginificent manga out there called Alice 19th. I may have already recommended this one, I forget. If so, I'll just delete this recommendation and spare the mods some trouble.

Man, you cave too easy. And the new post was right where the old one was, cause I deleted the old one cause I realized I'd made the point you pointed out which was pointless because nobody's going to be recommending things like MOON KNIGHT in this thread.

sigh...

GET ON IRC AND SIGH TO MY FACE.

A real mod would create a new damn thread, ****ing merge us into it and let the conversation FLOW.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Manga is also the old Japanese (and still used occasionally as a Chinese word - manhua) term for animation, before "anime" took over.

But lets get something straight:

1. "manga style" is a crock and a stereotype. Go compare Sailor Moon with Azu Daioh with Berserk. Tell me, I dare you, that Tezuka shows no influence from Herge and Disney.

2. "Further, I believe the literal translation of "manga" is either "images that evoke a response in spite of oneself" (VERY literally broken down) or "comics"."

Where did you get that? The kanji for ga is picture, the kanji for man takes a slow radical with a water radical. Jim Breen gives "cartoon; involuntarily; in spite of oneself; corrupt." There's nothing about evoking response, and the Chinese meaning is still overflow of water.

3. The Japanese are starting to use komikkusu.

4. It's not about transcending borders at all, it's about what frigging languages you speak. If you speak English, then its "Japanese comics, French comics, US comics." If you speak Japanese, then its "nihon (no) manga, furansu (no) manga, amerika (no) manga." If you speak French, then its "bande dessinée Japonais, bande dessinée Francais, bande dessinée Americain."

K?

[ProfessorWashu]

Manga is also the old Japanese (and still used occasionally as a Chinese word - manhua) term for animation, before "anime" took over.

But lets get something straight:

1. "manga style" is a crock and a stereotype. Go compare Sailor Moon with Azu Daioh with Berserk. Tell me, I dare you, that Tezuka shows no influence from Herge and Disney.

2. "Further, I believe the literal translation of "manga" is either "images that evoke a response in spite of oneself" (VERY literally broken down) or "comics"."

Where did you