Need Recommendations

Atsukan · Apr 21, 2003, 23:00

I want to be able to read a Japanese manga (you know the ones that are huge like a book like an 8X10 size) in color that's not pornographic and easy to understand. I picked up a couple of mangas in Japan, but they were awfully hard to understand. I can read Japanese pretty well, but I remember how frustrated I was trying to read a manga. Maybe the ones in furigana might be better. I'm also female and don't like mangas with too much action either. I like them to be cute, funny, interesting, and simple. Are there such mangas like that - that anyone can recommend me here? Again, it has to be in Japanese.

Also if anyone you can recommend a website where I can find nice ones. I've order two "Crayon Shin-Chan" mangas yesterday from a website. I haven't found any others that are as good as that site.

I appreciate any help you all can give me here!

Erik · Apr 21, 2003, 23:05

Originally posted by Atsukan
I want to be able to read a Japanese manga (you know the ones that are huge like a book like an 8X10 size) in color that's not pornographic and easy to understand. I picked up a couple of mangas in Japan, but they were awfully hard to understand. I can read Japanese pretty well, but I remember how frustrated I was trying to read a manga. Maybe the ones in furigana might be better. I'm also female and don't like mangas with too much action either. I like them to be cute, funny, interesting, and simple. Are there such mangas like that - that anyone can recommend me here? Again, it has to be in Japanese.

Also if anyone you can recommend a website where I can find nice ones. I've order two "Crayon Shin-Chan" mangas yesterday from a website. I haven't found any others that are as good as that site.

I appreciate any help you all can give me here!

... try ranma 1/2. the kanji has hiragana beside it... amusing as well.

Atsukan · Apr 21, 2003, 23:09

And you're sure it's girl friendly?

Erik · Apr 21, 2003, 23:12

Originally posted by Atsukan
And you're sure it's girl friendly?

I think so. Rumiko Takahashi had some of the most populour shows aimed at a younger audiences in japan. Show ran for 10 years! Not to mention all the other successful series she created.

Erik · Apr 21, 2003, 23:26

Originally posted by Atsukan
And you're sure it's girl friendly?

Check this link out for samples of the comic...

... the scans are not the best... but if you go through
enough of the pictures, you'll get the idea...

http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kun...ma_finale.html

Kiya_Sama · Apr 22, 2003, 00:07

I am no expert on Japanese manga...yet ^^

But if you are looking for several titles that might appeal to girls and are non-action, there are tons of romantic like ones for you to pick from.

Some of my favs are: Peach Girl, Mars, and Marmalade Boy.

They are mostly targeted for teenage girls and are full of mushy romantic stuff. But I think you will like them. ^_^

Hope that helped somewhat.

den4 · Apr 22, 2003, 01:45

yeah, them shojo comics would probably be attractive for girls....although there are some boys' comics that aren't violent.....just is a matter of who's doing the artwork and the particular manga it came from.... :P

you may also like Matsumoto Reiji's stuff, famed for the Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldus, Captain Harlock and Space Battleship Yamato (yes, they are SF based, but they did have universal themes that were popular for j-folks of any gender.... )

Shinmeiryu · Apr 22, 2003, 03:41

If you're looking for girl-friendly type of manga, I recommend:

Fruits Basket
Hana Yori Dango
Kare Kano
Chobits

Only Kare Kano has been translated though, and Hana Yori Dango will be soon.

**jeisan** · Apr 23, 2003, 07:30

Originally posted by Shinmeiryu
...Only Kare Kano has been translated though, and Hana Yori Dango will be soon.

chobits is too, or at least the 1st part of it. they have graphic novels 1-3 at my local video/book/music store. there could be more available but id have to ask.

mdchachi · Apr 23, 2003, 12:55

Check out What's Michael? if you can find it. It's cute and amusing. And best of all it contains several short and complete stories in each volume. (I hate those serials that force you to buy another book or magazine to finish a story).

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4062600498/
http://home.snafu.de/n.adam/manga/mic_e.htm

I also bought a bilingual Peanuts in Tokyo which is good for reading practice No furigana, though.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4062561093/

Atsukan · Apr 24, 2003, 20:40

Thank you for your replies and for taking your time to help me! I'm going to print this page out and look into what you've recommended me!

Ok, one more question here. When I read a manga, how do I read it, direction wise? From right to left? Up to down? Up to down going right? Right to left going sideways? You see, I got a Japanese manga and I'm no pro-reader in Japanese so that's why I can't figure it out myself.

Atsukan · Apr 26, 2003, 21:46

Ok, I've just order a copy of Japanese Snoopy and part 1 and 2 of "What's Michael?"

I saw the anime "Love Hina #5" today and loved it! There are mangas for that, right?

Oh, and when anyone gets a chance, please tell me how to read a manga direction wise.

kansya kansya!

**jeisan** · Apr 27, 2003, 02:10

here i scanned this from the back of one of my GTO mangas, it should do it for ya ;)

jarod_007 · Apr 27, 2003, 09:43

Well, I'm usually up to date with these things. I think if anything, you should read the following mangas.

GALS!
Ultra Maniac
Neringu Project
Ichigo 100%
Ashita no Nadja
Full Moon wo Sagashite
Rizelmine
Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsuna Koto
Hiyoko Brand

and I would highly recommend
Pretty Face
Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu.

However, it will be VERY hard to find manga in COLOUR. The only mangas you can purchase or find in colour are the OVA series and movie series. For example, the normal series for Dragonball Z in manga form is in Black and White while the OVA/Movie series is in Full Colour. Same goes for Dr. Slump. (Actually, i think Dr. Slump has always been in colour... or maybe just the re-releases).

Alternatively, you can get scanlations online and read the english versions.

philupthetank86 · Jul 16, 2003, 06:33

yeah Dr. slump is in black and white, you can get it at toriyama world. i too am vigorously looking for furigana manga, ive been watching fansubs for 3 years and ive been learning japanese for 2 years, and ive been learning kanji for 1 month, so getting some furigana manga would really help me out. however i dont care about color. i have seen 3 episodes of mahou tsukai ni taisetsu na koto anime and it's really girl friendly, its is a shoujo manga, and hale nochi guu is a funny neutral anime.

oh yeah, chobits and fruits basket, are also very very good,

to tell you the truth, ive never actually read a manga. ive just seen a lot of fansubs, so if i liked the anime that means that the fansubs is just as good or better. i have seen one episode of fruits basket and it looks like a good shoujo anime.

Marc · Jul 19, 2003, 11:17

If I'm not mistaken, Crayon Shinchan is quite easy and has furigana. And it's also hilarious

Gackt's Twin Fan · Jul 20, 2003, 01:07

Alice 19th is cute ^.^ Try that one out.

Apr 21, 2003, 23:00	#1
Atsukan Regular Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Southern California/born in FL Age: 41 Posts: 37	Need Recommendations I want to be able to read a Japanese manga (you know the ones that are huge like a book like an 8X10 size) in color that's not pornographic and easy to understand. I picked up a couple of mangas in Japan, but they were awfully hard to understand. I can read Japanese pretty well, but I remember how frustrated I was trying to read a manga. Maybe the ones in furigana might be better. I'm also female and don't like mangas with too much action either. I like them to be cute, funny, interesting, and simple. Are there such mangas like that - that anyone can recommend me here? Again, it has to be in Japanese. Also if anyone you can recommend a website where I can find nice ones. I've order two "Crayon Shin-Chan" mangas yesterday from a website. I haven't found any others that are as good as that site. I appreciate any help you all can give me here! __________________ I LOVE JAPAN!

Apr 21, 2003, 23:05	#2
Erik Regular Member Join Date: Feb 5, 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 309	Re: Need Recommendations Originally posted by Atsukan I want to be able to read a Japanese manga (you know the ones that are huge like a book like an 8X10 size) in color that's not pornographic and easy to understand. I picked up a couple of mangas in Japan, but they were awfully hard to understand. I can read Japanese pretty well, but I remember how frustrated I was trying to read a manga. Maybe the ones in furigana might be better. I'm also female and don't like mangas with too much action either. I like them to be cute, funny, interesting, and simple. Are there such mangas like that - that anyone can recommend me here? Again, it has to be in Japanese. Also if anyone you can recommend a website where I can find nice ones. I've order two "Crayon Shin-Chan" mangas yesterday from a website. I haven't found any others that are as good as that site. I appreciate any help you all can give me here! ... try ranma 1/2. the kanji has hiragana beside it... amusing as well.

Apr 21, 2003, 23:12	#4
Erik Regular Member Join Date: Feb 5, 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 309	Originally posted by Atsukan And you're sure it's girl friendly? I think so. Rumiko Takahashi had some of the most populour shows aimed at a younger audiences in japan. Show ran for 10 years! Not to mention all the other successful series she created.

Apr 22, 2003, 00:07	#6
Kiya_Sama Genin Join Date: Apr 21, 2003 Location: Off the coast of Sanity Age: 30 Posts: 8	I am no expert on Japanese manga...yet ^^ But if you are looking for several titles that might appeal to girls and are non-action, there are tons of romantic like ones for you to pick from. Some of my favs are: Peach Girl, Mars, and Marmalade Boy. They are mostly targeted for teenage girls and are full of mushy romantic stuff. But I think you will like them. ^_^ Hope that helped somewhat. __________________ It's easier to run...replacing the pain with something numb...

Apr 22, 2003, 01:45	#7
den4 Regular Member Join Date: Nov 15, 2002 Location: mushroom forest Posts: 1,215 Blog Entries: 3	yeah, them shojo comics would probably be attractive for girls....although there are some boys' comics that aren't violent.....just is a matter of who's doing the artwork and the particular manga it came from.... :P you may also like Matsumoto Reiji's stuff, famed for the Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldus, Captain Harlock and Space Battleship Yamato (yes, they are SF based, but they did have universal themes that were popular for j-folks of any gender.... ) __________________ I know nothing...except the answer is 42. You know more than I do.

Apr 21, 2003, 23:09	#3
Atsukan Regular Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Southern California/born in FL Age: 41 Posts: 37	And you're sure it's girl friendly?

Apr 21, 2003, 23:26	#5
Erik Regular Member Join Date: Feb 5, 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 309	Originally posted by Atsukan And you're sure it's girl friendly? Check this link out for samples of the comic... ... the scans are not the best... but if you go through enough of the pictures, you'll get the idea... http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kun...ma_finale.html

Apr 22, 2003, 03:41	#8
Shinmeiryu SCAR Join Date: Jul 30, 2002 Location: Southern CA Age: 28 Posts: 201	If you're looking for girl-friendly type of manga, I recommend: Fruits Basket Hana Yori Dango Kare Kano Chobits Only Kare Kano has been translated though, and Hana Yori Dango will be soon.

Apr 23, 2003, 07:30	#9
jeisan Kongming Join Date: Feb 24, 2003 Location: san antonio, texas Age: 26 Posts: 2,848	Originally posted by Shinmeiryu ...Only Kare Kano has been translated though, and Hana Yori Dango will be soon. chobits is too, or at least the 1st part of it. they have graphic novels 1-3 at my local video/book/music store. there could be more available but id have to ask.

Apr 23, 2003, 12:55	#10
mdchachi Taicho Join Date: Mar 6, 2003 Location: USA (Detroit area) Posts: 687	Check out What's Michael? if you can find it. It's cute and amusing. And best of all it contains several short and complete stories in each volume. (I hate those serials that force you to buy another book or magazine to finish a story). http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4062600498/ http://home.snafu.de/n.adam/manga/mic_e.htm I also bought a bilingual Peanuts in Tokyo which is good for reading practice No furigana, though. http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4062561093/

Apr 24, 2003, 20:40	#11
Atsukan Regular Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Southern California/born in FL Age: 41 Posts: 37	Thank you for your replies and for taking your time to help me! I'm going to print this page out and look into what you've recommended me! Ok, one more question here. When I read a manga, how do I read it, direction wise? From right to left? Up to down? Up to down going right? Right to left going sideways? You see, I got a Japanese manga and I'm no pro-reader in Japanese so that's why I can't figure it out myself.

Apr 26, 2003, 21:46	#12
Atsukan Regular Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Southern California/born in FL Age: 41 Posts: 37	Ok, I've just order a copy of Japanese Snoopy and part 1 and 2 of "What's Michael?" I saw the anime "Love Hina #5" today and loved it! There are mangas for that, right? Oh, and when anyone gets a chance, please tell me how to read a manga direction wise. kansya kansya!

Apr 27, 2003, 09:43	#14
jarod_007 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 18, 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Well, I'm usually up to date with these things. I think if anything, you should read the following mangas. GALS! Ultra Maniac Neringu Project Ichigo 100% Ashita no Nadja Full Moon wo Sagashite Rizelmine Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsuna Koto Hiyoko Brand and I would highly recommend Pretty Face Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu. However, it will be VERY hard to find manga in COLOUR. The only mangas you can purchase or find in colour are the OVA series and movie series. For example, the normal series for Dragonball Z in manga form is in Black and White while the OVA/Movie series is in Full Colour. Same goes for Dr. Slump. (Actually, i think Dr. Slump has always been in colour... or maybe just the re-releases). Alternatively, you can get scanlations online and read the english versions.

Jul 16, 2003, 06:33	#15
philupthetank86 Regular Member Join Date: Jul 16, 2003 Location: Tehachapi, California Age: 23 Posts: 40	yeah Dr. slump is in black and white, you can get it at toriyama world. i too am vigorously looking for furigana manga, ive been watching fansubs for 3 years and ive been learning japanese for 2 years, and ive been learning kanji for 1 month, so getting some furigana manga would really help me out. however i dont care about color. i have seen 3 episodes of mahou tsukai ni taisetsu na koto anime and it's really girl friendly, its is a shoujo manga, and hale nochi guu is a funny neutral anime. oh yeah, chobits and fruits basket, are also very very good, to tell you the truth, ive never actually read a manga. ive just seen a lot of fansubs, so if i liked the anime that means that the fansubs is just as good or better. i have seen one episode of fruits basket and it looks like a good shoujo anime. __________________ Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Jul 19, 2003, 11:17	#16
Marc Regular Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2003 Age: 27 Posts: 82	If I'm not mistaken, Crayon Shinchan is quite easy and has furigana. And it's also hilarious

Jul 20, 2003, 01:07	#17
Gackt's Twin Fan Regular Member Join Date: Jul 9, 2003 Age: 22 Posts: 78	Alice 19th is cute ^.^ Try that one out. __________________ Pretending I did not recognize, I was staring at the distant view from the small window. The echo of Angel's song is spreading through the sky, wafted in on the breeze. I see the leaves rustle in the wind, but no sound is to be heard. "It's just a sweet time's mischief," I whispered to the sky. (Miserable, Gackt)

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