Manga & How It Relates To Art School

By Bob Oliver


When you look at the various styles that art colleges possess, it goes without saying that they are going to differ in certain ways. Of course, you may not be able to point out and recognize what exactly it is that makes them so unique. Instead, it is in your best interest to learn about these styles and see which of these best suit you, not only from an aesthetic standpoint but in terms of how easy they seem to you. Keep these ideas in mind as you identify many styles of art.

The styles that are most common seem to have certain elements of reality but what about those that don't have many realistic aspects, if any at all? This is where manga can come into play and I feel as though it is a more niche category in the way of art. Emulated after the style utilized in Japanese comic books, you may find that these particular pieces of work aren't as common. Does this necessarily mean that it shouldn't be considered at all?

That being said, what about surrealism, which many can claim to be the opposite of realism? Those who teach within art schools can attest to the idea that this style takes much more imagination in order to perfect, as the scenarios replicated on any canvas are more detached from reality. They may be more whimsical and lighthearted while others might be represented as grittier by comparison. In both scenarios, a certain sense of wonder should be set in place during the creation process.

As strong as these styles might be, what if someone wants to create art while using a more niche style that fewer people tackle? Manga is viewed as one such style, which is done by replicating the look of Japanese comics. It probably goes without saying that this is not going to be as recognized, meaning that anything related to manga is going to be tucked away in a smaller area in a standard bookstore. Nonetheless, it has gained a strong following, so there is reason to utilize it.

What about the sorts of manga that seem to be made for both Japanese and American audiences? I'd like to think that this is where stories along the lines of "Scott Pilgrim" can come into effect. It became such a notable name that it became its own movie in the West, starring Michael Cera. Regardless of the feelings associated with the "Scott Pilgrim" movie, I'd like to think of it as an example of how much manga has grown and why it is that so many art students have taken an interest in it.




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