Crash Course in Anime and Manga
What is anime?
Basically, it's the Japanese word for animation. In Japan it refers to
all animation including Disney and other Western animation. However, in
the West, it usually just means Japanese animation produced primarily for
a Japanese audience. Anime can span all genres and all audiences, so there's
no real definitive description of it, but there's certainly much more to
it than the SF and Horror titles at the one end of the spectrum and the
TV shows for young children at the other end, that are most prominent over
here.
What is manga?
Manga is the Japanese word for comics, and its component kanji read as
'irresponsible pictures.' As well as comics, it also refers to the various
related media, but it's considered rather derogatory amongst some fans
to use the word to describe anime. As with anime, manga tends to be much
wider in variety than Western comics are with titles aimed at all age groups
and genres.
So what is this Manga Video business then?
Manga Video are the largest distributors of anime in the UK, and so their
name is often used to describe all anime, much to the irritation of some
fans. They primarily release anime dubbed, mainly of the SF and horror
genres, but with a few subs and a few oddball titles sometimes. Originally
called Island World Communications, they released Akira back in 1991, and
started the current UK anime boom. Since I've introduced Manga Video, I
might as well go on to describe the other active UK anime distributors:
-
AD Vision
Originally a North American anime distributor, AD Vision recently expanded
into the UK market with some quality titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Has been releasing series at a prodigious rate of late.
-
MVM
A small distributor. Mostly releases anime originally translated in
the US by AnimEigo.
-
Kiseki Films
Kiseki release subbed and dubbed (occasionally both) anime, mostly
horror and science fiction, some of which was translated by US Renditions
and more recently Central Park Media, but have also produced some of their
own translations.
There are also many other distributors that have tried their hand at anime
and either gone under or moved on to more lucrative markets. A number of
other video companies occasionally do anime releases and I try to include
their releases in the guide where possible.
Why can't I find any videos from these other companies?
Their distribution isn't nearly as good as Manga Video, and most of them
are run on a shoestring so there's not much they can do to improve things.
Try looking in the Animejin fanzine for a shopping guide. Forbidden Planet
(London) stocks nearly everything, and is a good place to start. Failing
that, you should be able to special order them from most video stores and
over the internet from places such as Amazon and Blackstar.
What's an OVA and an OAV?
The same thing. Original Video Animation, or some permutation thereof.
Basically, it's anime that was produced directly for the video market,
rather than for the cinema or television.
Subs or Dubs, what are the best?
Despite what some fans might tell you, neither one is inherently better
than the other. Watch a few of each and make your own decision. As a general
rule though, most of the keener fans prefer subs and the more casual fans
dubs. Quality of both dubs and subs vary immensely though, so don't be
too put off by a bad example of either.
Back to Matt's
anime page
This document was last updated on 7th February 2001
If you have any suggestions concerning this page, please contact:
Matt_Barber@hotmail.com