Today's post will be on the bigger question: Which medium is better?
Here's the short, simple and straightforward answer: It depends on your taste. Try out both mediums and work out which suits your taste better.
If you are happy with that answer, you can turn back and scoot off into the Netiverse. For those who are still hanging around, here's the long and draggy version:
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So shall I read manga? Or watch anime instead? I will first begin by pitching for manga. My personal view is that manga is always the better alternative. I know that everyone loves anime and talks about anime. I used to feel quite annoyed in secondary school, when my friends talked about the events in the anime and all I did was read manga.
I think there is a good reason why people don't like reading manga. The very obvious reason would be that it was pretty expensive to read the tankobon volumes when you can get the free versions online *ahem* please support the originals as far as possible *ahem* Another reason would be that they don't like to read. They would rather sit back and let the animators fill in the details instead of their imagination.
Then, I've got friends who say that anime is drawn better than the manga. Of which, I gotta say "NO WAY!" Am I the only one who thinks that manga are drawn better? Yes, initially when the manga is first published, especially for new mangaka, the characters do look awkward and (may I dare say) disproportionate sometimes. So when the anime was produced, everyone grabs on to their besties and squeal "Awesome graphics!"
However, the beautiful thing about manga is that the mangaka grows and improves. It's very obvious especially for multi-chapter mangaka. We can talk about One Piece, or Naruto, or any other manga. There is a stark improvement from the first chapter to the last chapter. That change is so subtle. It's amazing to read and suddenly realise that the mangaka has been improving his drawing. That feel is something that anime can't exactly portray.
Allow me to show you:
Naruto right after the timeskip
Naruto right before the end. I love the expressions that he made towards the end of the story. Props to Kishimoto for capturing those looks. (Picture has been cropped to prevent spoilers)
Here's another one. Look at Onime No Kyo at Chapter 1. Look at that disproportionate body!!
And then Kamijyo Akimine had such a big improvement... Well, I couldn't find a good image with Kyo's full body so here's a wallpaper that is just as good :)
Besides, manga is usually the original, I would say. So, why go around viewing secondhand information (i.e. anime) when you can get it straight from the creator (i.e the manga?) No offence.
Another reason why I would not go for animes. Endings. As mentioned, the original storyline comes from the manga. So if the anime ends before the manga... obviously the ending ain't canon. In the past, the anime would go for a completely different ending, which in my opinion, ALWAYS makes things worse. I'm STILL looking at you, Samurai Deeper Kyo! How could you humiliate the manga like that! You had an ending that was so absurd that I just- can't-
*ahem* Anyway, anime nowadays tend to go this method of ending like 'we-have-a-long-road-ahead-of-us-but-we-will-conquer-them-all'. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of that. I want closure. Obviously, I can't get closure because the manga is not stopping. Oh well...
To be fair, I have some titles where I prefer the anime titles more than the manga. Two titles off the top of my head. Gintama and Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun. They have shown amazing work with their anime. I love Nozaki-kun, the manga, but when I watched the anime, I appreciated how the team tries to fill in the small details that are lacking in the manga. (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is a 4-koma manga.) As for Gintama, I dare say that I enjoy the anime more than the manga, even though in terms of timeline, everything's different.
To take the fairness to another level, the production team for anime has been doing a great job. Anime nowadays are done really well. I don't really complain about their art or animation, not like before. Series like Magi and Ao No Exorcist had such lovely illustrations that after the series ended (horribly), I immediately went out to get the manga. Their vague endings (the ones that I said that I wasn't a fan of) were the reasons why I eventually got the manga.
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Alright, let's get down to the real thing. Suppose you are new to this whole manga/anime thing. You have been hearing about a particular title and you're not sure if you should start with manga or anime. Do you need help in deciding? Truthfully, it's what I've prescribed at the beginning of the post. Go give both medias a chance, but anyway, on top of that, you may consider these questions:
1. Is the title available in other forms of media?
You know, there is an idea that there probably is an anime for any manga title out there, or vice versa. That may, or may not be true. Though I can safely say, all mainstream titles have both the manga and anime option. I mean, the reason why it became mainstream was probably because of the anime, I won't deny. Still, do check it out first.
2. Do you like to read?
Readers tend to favour manga. Movie buffs would rather see it animated. Ain't rocket science, honey.
3. Do you read/watch on the go?
Well, I'm not supporting any piracy over here. Ignoring the option of piracy, do consider whether you enjoy reading/watching on the go or at home? For me, I read manga or books wherever I am. But when I'm on the go, I tend to read more than I watch. When I'm at home, I don't mind watching videos and stuff, even though I ultimately favour a book/manga more. Hehe.
Gee, I seriously hope that I wasn't boring you with all these. But if you have not read manga or watched anime, do give it a try. The world of Japanese authors is so profound and unique. They tell stories in ways that I don't see in English writers.
Anyway, I'm finally done with this post. I had it as a draft for the longest time. Hehe.
Pictures taken by:
Naruto after timeskip
Naruto at the end
Samurai Deeper Kyo Chapter 1
Samurai Deeper Kyo wallpaper
