Japanese influenced comics and graphic novels – Mangas are traditionally black and white and are read from right to left. Its broad genre ranges from action-adventure, comedy, horror, science fiction to business, romance and sports.
Read by people of all age groups around the globe, the enthusiasm for Mangas has been enormous among youths in Nepal too. The Week’s Joshna Karki talked to some Otakus about the Manga they like best and would like to recommend to beginners.
Zuber Lepcha Lama
Koe No Katachi, also translated as A Silent Voice, is Japanese shonen Manga based on high school students written and illustrated by young Manga artist Oima Yoshitoki.
The story revolves around Nishimiya Shoko, who has impaired hearing and is constantly bullied at her new elementary school, mostly by a boy named Ishida Shoya. As a result, she transfers to another school but five years later we find Ishida searching for Nishimiya. This Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Award winner truly makes for a unique story.
The clash of the titans
Smriti Pradhan
I absolutely adore Ajin: Demi Human by Samurai Gamon. It is a story that centers on a seventeen year old Nagai Kei who discovers he is an Ajin after getting hit by a truck but survives the accident that was supposed to claim his life. He becomes a wanted person because the Ajins are considered dangerous inhuman beings. While the government claims to help Ajin to live in a safe environment, they are actually using them as subjects for cruel and inhumane experimentation.
This is a fantastic supernatural Manga is packed with great psychological thriller action, great story line and beautiful artwork.
Jagadish Tamrakar
Out of the different choices of Mangas, Fullmetal Alchemist has been the one closest to my heart. It is set in a world that follows the idea of equal exchange that to get something you must give up something of equal value. The main characters try to defeat death but are cruelly brought back to reality. They try to make up for the mistake they made and get redemption.
The story has dark, cruel incidences but it is balanced with humor, loud characters and the wonders of alchemy. The villains are well developed characters with their own inner-struggles. “Naruto” would be the best choice for beginners. It’s easy to read and the characters are well developed and funny.
Subhashna Timothy
I read Mangas through an app called Manga Rock and my favorite source is Manga Here. I read Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun two years ago and ever since then I have been re-reading it. A school life romance-comedy written by Robiko, it’s a non-realistic Manga with direct approach to non-clichéd romance. The plot dwells on four characters whose stark difference is bound with one commonality that all of them have no friends. Due to less number of characters, it’s easier to not lose track. The Manga is a complete package of fun and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.
Diwash Shrestha
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a genius collaboration of author, Yūto Tsukuda and Yuki Morisaki, a famous chef. Though it is a cooking Manga, it is filled with heart pumping thrills of cooking battles named Shokugeki. It’s a story of a 15-year-old Yukihira who dreams of becoming a master chef like his father. It successfully shows new readers the different concepts a Manga can carry. Another Manga that I would recommend to anyone would be Hunter × Hunter. At first, it may seem childish but it is a dark-comedy Manga that makes one fall into an abyss of thoughts..
