Growing Interest in Japanese and Korean Art Forms
The 2024 Comic Con in Delhi, held from 6 to 8 December at Okhla NSIC, showcased a significant trend towards Japanese and Korean art forms. This included cosplays, light novels, webtoons, manga, manhwa, anime, and a wide range of merchandise such as clothing, action figures, and props.
Mangaka Defined
For those wondering, a mangaka is a manga artist, and this year, Indian mangaka Aparna Chaurasia featured prominently at the event, reports Indian Printer and Publisher.
Originally from Madhya Pradesh, Aparna Chaurasia attended Comic Con to promote her manga. Her work, ‘Soul Contract’, delves into the Isekai genre, where characters are transported to fantastical worlds. She noted the growing appreciation for Japanese and Korean art forms in India, highlighting the distinction between anime (often with serious themes) and cartoons (typically for children).
Chaurasia’s inspiration blends Japanese art with themes from Chinese manhua mangaka Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, presented in an indigenised format. ‘Soul Contract’ explores both mystical and political challenges, contemplating the real versus the surreal and challenging notions of idealism and devotion.
Chaurasia presented the first chapter of her new manga, ‘Soul Contract’, at the Indian Comics Association (ICA) stand.
Indian Comics Association
Founded in 2023, the ICA promotes and enhances comic culture in India. It provides a platform for artists, writers, and publishers, encouraging high-quality comic production and fostering collaboration. Affiliated members include Alpha Comics, Amar Chitra Katha, Cheese Burger Comics, Chitra Gatha, and Comics Adda.
Broader Trends and Initiatives
The trend extends beyond Comic Con. The Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, hosted the WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest) on 30 November 2024 at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication Delhi. The event attracted 199 participants in categories like manga, webtoon, and anime, with 28 cosplay and voice-acting participants, showcasing India’s growing creative potential in these art forms.
As discussed elsewhere, this manga/webtoon/anime phenomena may have began in the orient but is now global, and emerging markets are poised to take the lead while many western publishers struggle to connect the dots between traditional western text-based ink-on-paper publishing and the screen-first art-based creativity that has sprung from the east, driven by technology.
