JAPANESE FANTASY MANGA is one of the first books to fully examine the cross-cultural overlap between Japanese manga and Western fantasy characters. This comprehensive guide identifies characters that appear in fantasy manga by a.) most notable features; b.) mythological origins (ranging from Greek myths to Biblical figures); and of course c.) a stunning, full-page illustration. Organised into three chapters (Characters, Vocations, and Superpowers), this volume will fully flesh out the most popular characters and themes in fantasy manga today:
Chap 1: CHARACTERS
- elves, dwarves, hobbits, mermaids, giants, gods
- gods, angels, devils, fairies
- demons, vampires, goblins
- dragons, unicorns, chimeras
- Oni, Tengu, Yokai, Kaiju, etc. (monsters unique to Japanese culture)
Chap 2: VOCATIONS (ranging from the medieval to contemporary)
- Swordsman, archer, wizard, blacksmith, knight
- Policeman, businessman, musician, doctor, nurse, teenager
Chap 3: SUPERPOWERS (ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary)
- Magic, sorcery, healing
- Weapons handling (swords, spears, brass knuckles, etc.)
- Robot operations, animal domestication
- Singing, dancing, teaching
In the same vein as anime/fantasy video game franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy (role-playing games that originated in Japan and exploded across North America), JAPANESE FANTASY MANGA will appeal to video game, manga, and fantasy fans across the globe.
