niponica is a web magazine that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world.
2014 No.14
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Splendor and Sparkle in Japanese Culture
Flat Media Take On Another Dimension
～Symbols to brighten up manga and text～
Girls’ manga are good at showing the emotions of their heroines and heroes, and kawaii emoticons brighten up email messages.
Collaboration: Miuchi Suzue Bureau, Hakusensha Inc., and Hobunsha Co., Ltd
Manga, a shining medium
Established expressions of emotion in girls’ manga
She holds a flower from someone she thinks about often and smiles... the stars in her eyes and the shining background show her love. Scene from Garasu no Kamen (Glass Mask).
Garasu no Kamen (Glass Mask) ©Miuchi Suzue/Hakusensha Inc.
Kitajima Maya was just an ordinary sort of girl until, that is, she blossoms in the world of performing arts and gets swept up in one adventure after another. The story has taken readers up to Volume 49 so far (as of December 2014).
How to make people and objects stand out
The artist uses light to attract our attention to specific objects (above), and reveal inner emotions (below). Scenes from Keion! (K-ON!).
Keion! (K-ON!). ©kakifly “K-ON!”, Hobunsha Co., Ltd.
It is senior high school days and the antics of members of a club playing light music make for a heartwarming story. The serialized fourpanel manga ran to four volumes.
Emailing in fun and color
Emoji, the Japanese name for emoticons, are becoming a regular part of smartphone email messages. They express feelings like “I had a good time” or “I’m happy about that,” with specific symbols and pictures, making for easy communication.