What is manga, and what is the relationship between anime and manga?
Manga are Japanese graphic novels (novel length and format comic books). Unlike the US, where a fairly small audience reads graphic novels, in Japan manga are extremely popular with just about every age and demographic group. Manga also tends to be serialized; with a story spread out over a number of volumes. Many anime series are based on published manga (such as Inuyasha), however some series are originally developed as anime (recent examples include RahXehpon, Wolf’s Rain, Witch Hunter Robin, and Last Exile). In some of those cases, development and publishing of a manga series may follow the release/broadcast of the television series (Wolf’s Rain, RahXephon). Manga has gained a high profile in the US in the last year. At a large chain bookstore, such as Barnes and Noble, Borders, or Books A Million, its very likely there will be a prominent manga section, and possibly vertical display cases and/or display tables promoting current manga series.
