A Comic Shop Fighting the Manga Menace?
Posted by ChinkyD
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A comic book shop (called “A Comic Shop”) in Orlando is behind a “Buy American” push. No, not for cars, clothes, or consumer electronics. It’s a push for readers to buy American comics, as opposed to Japanese manga. Here’s the full print ad (click to enlarge):
Click to enlarge...
Often I’m torn on issues, trying to see the good points on both sides. But in this case, the idea is stupid, out-of-touch, and jingoistic. If this comic shop was trying to drum up new customers, I’m afraid they failed. Let’s examine why:
- Whether it was their goal or not, they have likely offended manga fans. While the advert doesn’t directly say anything rude about their readers, it would be easy to see why a manga reader would feel like they’re being talked down to because of what they choose to enjoy. “Am I being Un-American because the comics I read come from Japan?” Adding insult to injury, this shop is offering a new DC comic for any first volume of manga traded in. Like a broken-down used car, toss it to get the fancy new American product!
- So you’re manga audience is upset…what about comic readers? They might enjoy this ad, but aren’t you just preaching to the choir? Comic book fans that don’t read/like manga are already at your shop, buying the comics they want. You aren’t getting any new readers, unless there are really people that start buying more comics to kill the “menace from the Far East” (hilariously unlikely).
- They are going to pass these flyers out…at Megacon. It’s a huge anime convention in Orlando. Really? See point one above, but I’m afraid you won’t get many converts to your cause. Anime con-goers are fervent admirers of anime and manga. Some anime fans feel like they can’t truly enjoy their hobby in their everyday lives, fearful of ridicule and judgement. It’s at a convention that they really show their full love of anime, cosplay, and culture. So when someone steps onto “their” turf, with not a request, but a provocation, they’re bound to get pushed back. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of their ads ripped up and trashed. A closed-minded ad creates a closed-minded response.
- Speaking of people at the convention, what about Japanese or non-American attendees that see these ads? How are they supposed to feel, seeing a sign that tells them their products are seen as invasive? Also, check the small print at the bottom of the advertisement. *Limit one per American citizen! Wow, that’s not uncomfortable…foreigners need not apply.
Just in case you care about my personal opinion on the manga vs. comics discussion…Yes, I do prefer manga by a wide margin. I do have several comic books, but they are far and few between. I just happen to enjoy the stories in manga more, due to the storytelling style and longer books. But I don’t hate comic books by any stretch of the imagination.
So it looks like all they’ve done is widen the divide between comic and manga readers, fueling fanboyism along the way. Awesome job! In a world where reading paper products is declining, let’s try to shrink the market.
If they had thought a little harder about what they were doing, they could have created a positive promotion that actually might have got them some business. Instead of the “Buy American” stance, they could have asked people to try comic books, leaving in the trade-in offer, saying they would give submitted manga to charity. You drum up goodwill, and possibly pick up a few converts.
Anime fans may not read as many comic books, but many of them love the Spiderman, Thor, and Captain America films. They love Batman: Arkham Asylum. Show them the works that created (or continue) these stories, and do it in a way where they feel invited, not threatened.
If they needed some help coming up with positive ideas, they should have went back to something they already are a part of…Free Comic Book Day.
Bye for now!
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