Adventuring through the world of Japanese fantasy manga is not for the fainthearted. It requires bravery, intellect, and above all, knowledge. Who is your hero? What is his or her role? What superpowers are possessed? Who is the enemy that needs to be conquered? From elves to ninjas, sirens to sorcerers, this authentic guide to Japanese fantasy manga will guide you through heroes, superpowers, secondary characters, and enemies, so that you can conquer the world of Japanese fantasy manga or create your very own manga stories. Stunning full page illustrations of fantasy characters are featured along with background information on them and their superpowers, and mini illustrations highlighting their defining physical traits. Special sections throughout the book offer additional insight into Japanese fantasy manga, and a bonus manga shows how the featured components of manga can be pulled together to create one’s own manga story.

Born of Japan's cultural encounter with Western entertainment media, manga (comic books or graphic novels) and anime (animated films) are two of the most universally recognized forms of contemporary mass culture. Because they tell stories through visual imagery, they vault over language barriers. Well suited to electronic transmission and distributed by Japan's globalized culture industry, they have become a powerful force in both the mediascape and the marketplace.This volume brings together an international group of scholars from many specialties to probe the richness and subtleties of these deceptively simple cultural forms. The contributors explore the historical, cultural, sociological, and religious dimensions of manga and anime, and examine specific sub-genres, artists, and stylistics. The book also addresses such topics as spirituality, the use of visual culture by Japanese new religious movements, Japanese Goth, nostalgia and Japanese pop, "cute" (kawali) subculture and comics for girls, and more. With illustrations throughout, it is a rich source for all scholars and fans of manga and anime as well as students of contemporary mass culture or Japanese culture and civilization.

Become an expert on cultural details commonly seen in Japanese animation, movies, comics and TV shows.

Book reads right-to-left in the traditional Japanese format.

The first in an epic new fantasy series, introducing an unforgettable new heroine and a stunningly original dystopian steampunk world with a flavor of feudal Japan. A DYING LAND The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever. AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shogun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shogun is death. A HIDDEN GIFT Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shogun's hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he'd rather see her dead than help her. But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Are you a comic artist who wants to write, but doesn't know how? Are you a writer who wants to write stories like the ones in your favorite manga? Are you an experienced storyteller looking to up your game by trying something new? Write! Shonen Manga is the guide you need to understanding how the Japanese bring their stories to life and created a global manga revolution. Whether you're a complete beginner, or a master of words, this book will help you understand and break down why your favorite manga work the way they do, and how you can do the same. Utilizing the IDEA story system, this book will help you easily put together stories in ways you didn't know were possible, bring your characters and settings to life, and write the stories that will touch your audience. Naruto has sold over 220 million copies in 35 countries worldwide. Dragonball is a $5 Billion-dollar global franchise. One Piece has sold more than 430 million copies globally, and is the best-selling manga in history. And, this book takes apart the story formulas that their creators used to build their manga and anime empires so you can make your stories even better and reach your own global audience. Along the way, you'll also learn why the Japanese approach to storytelling is so different from the American one, and how this difference in perspective makes the stories what they are. Also, you'll learn to how take control of your story's central themes, characters, plot and setting, and how to combine them to create fresh takes on old stories- and make new stories that are as unique as you are. So, what are you waiting for? Hoist your flag and set sail on your own manga creator voyage with Write! Shonen Manga as your guide. You never know where your imagination and skills will carry you, and what friends and adventures await! You only need to take that first step into a new world. Let's do it together!

For centuries the Warders' Circle on the neutral islands of Twaa-Fei has given the countries of the sky a way to avoid war, settling their disputes through formal, magical duels. But the Circle's ability to maintain peace is fading: the Mertikan Empire is preparing for conquest and the trade nation of Quloo is sinking, stripped of the aerstone that keeps both ships and island a-sky. When upstart Kris Denn tries to win their island a seat in the Warder’s Circle and colonial subject Oda no Michiko discovers that her conquered nation's past is not what she's been told, they upset the balance of power. The storm they bring will bind all the peoples of the sky together...or tear them apart. Named one of Den of Geek's Best Fiction Books of 2018 Praise for Born to the Blade: “...probably the coolest martial arts magic series in any genre since the original Avatar: The Last Airbender came out.” —Den of Geek contributor Alana Joli Abbott