Here’s an interesting look at a new trend in Christian publishing capitalizing on the popularity of Japanese manga and anime: Christian comics, illustrated in a manga style. The article looks specifically at Zondervan’s Z Graphic Novels line, which includes manga versions of Bible stories and superhero comics. It also touches on the challenge of repurposing pop-culture art forms for evangelism without also incorporating unhealthy excesses associated with those art forms—in this example, the exaggerated and sometimes bizarre sexuality that crops up in manga.
I’ve been aware of the Comix35 ministry (mentioned in the article above) for some years now—they host Christian comics competitions and training with the goal of showing Christians just how important comics are as a medium worldwide.
And I can’t let a mention of Christian comics go by without mentioning Dust Press, a small comics publisher that has put out some striking comic retellings of Old Testament stories. I recently picked up a copy of their Fire From Heaven, which tells the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, and was seriously impressed.
Can anyone speak to the quality of Zondervan’s new comics line (or any of the other Christian forays into comics)? Are these solid pieces of Christian art, or is this a too-little-too-late mimicking of pop culture? I’m all for well-done Christian comics, but I think the sight of famous Old Testament characters with gigantic manga-style eyes might scar me for life.
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October 16, 2007 at 18:27
Thanks for the information. I have been mentoring a teen-aged girl who is addicted to anime. I’m curious if she will find the Christian version interesting. Some things like mangas and anime really suck a person into a world of make believe and rob them of their ability to relate to real people.
October 16, 2007 at 22:08
It’s cool that they’re giving it a try. A friend gave me a manga novel to read called Chobits and it was pretty good minus the sexuality stated above. Manga is an interesting artform so hopefully the efforts will be quality enough to attract manga fans.
October 17, 2007 at 04:12
Honestly, how is this any different than the oh so famous Story Picture Bible? Unless there are any inherent anti-christian elements of the art form (especially those that can not be excluded), its no different.
Personally, I can’t stand anime. I don’t like most anime. But that’s just personal preference.
It’s just like any other art form. It really just depends on how its all executed.
October 17, 2007 at 09:08
Andy, Would love to send you a set of the books so you can see for yourself what you think of the quality! Obviously we think it is stellar. The text was all theologically reviewed and the art is done by some of the best in the business (veterans from Disney, Marvel, & DC Comics, illustrators who worked on Batman, X-men, Superman, and more). Just send me your address if you’re interested.
October 17, 2007 at 10:13
I absolutely hate anime and manga, but have a 13-year-old son who likes them quite a bit. I like graphic novels a bit more, even if I don’t regularly read them.
That said, I brought home a copy of Dust #1 from IMC, and we both absolutely LOVE it. I think redeeming the culture for God’s purposes is one of coolest things we Christians can do, and Dust, for one, is doing it. And doing it well.
October 17, 2007 at 17:42
I bought my daughter the Manga Messiah. It is really a good evangelistic tool especially to kids of this age.
http://www.tyndale.com/products/details.asp?isbn=978-1-4143-1680-2
October 18, 2007 at 07:31
I heard a speaker talking about spreading the gospel to different cultural groups. There are some groups/tribes/people out there in the world that are in a landlocked country and don’t know about fishing. What would they make of “fishers of men?” That being said, if manga is one way to reach people, why not?
October 18, 2007 at 14:47
The appeal of anime and manga aren’t solely in the appearance—heck, it’s just a divergent evolutionary branch of American animation c. 1940, e.g. Betty Boop: note the large eyes, diminuitive noses, large expressions. American cartoon culture was imported whole to Japan after WWII. Put Japanese syncretism on it, and you get “anime” (which, in Japanese, can also refer to Bugs Bunny).
The appeal of the genre is in its far more complex plot, character development and symbology than most American cartoon efforts. The studios across the larger pond recognize that it is possible to tell a story and deliver a message subtlely, even covertly.
Consider the series Neon Genesis Evangelion; it’s a convoluted mash-up of Kabbalist, progressive (like Mormon godhood) and Gaia Theory concepts built into a superb post-apocalyptic, dystopian setting. Or, if you want a decent Christian message, consider Trigun, which would take me forever to recount in full. But here’s the short version:
—Main character Vash and his brother Knives are humanoid creatures called PLANTs, capable of prolonged life, higher intellectual capacity and raw energy projection.—Knives grasps this concept before Vash and begins a sort of personal eugenics crusade, seeking to wipe out the human race.—When Vash confronts Knives, Knives uses his greater knowledge of their power to ‘cause Vash to wipe out an entire city.—Vash lives out his life from there a wanted criminal, but seeking to atone for a crime that he did not willingly commit by protecting and saving lives, especially form his twisted brother.—Along the way, Vash becomes friends with a wandering priest named Wolfwood, who doubles as an assassin for Knives, sent to test Vash. But he becomes disillusioned with Knives, and ends up sacrificing himself to stop him, his final scene in the series: bowing at the altar, hugging the cross and making a full confession and apology to God.—Vash carries Wolfwood’s cross (literally) with him to confront Knives, and when Knives is about to “win,” he uses the cross as a weapon to beat him back, but refuses to kill him. Instead, Vash carries Knives on his back, saying that he will heal him, and seek to redeem him.
Too bad American studios can’t tell things so simply, beautifully or subtlely.
October 19, 2007 at 08:44
Here in the Philippines the book “Manga Messiah” has been selling for over a year already (just in time for Christmas!). It details the entire account from the Gospels in chronological order, complete with corresponding scripture passages at the bottom of each page. The bookstore owners say that they came directly from Japan. The artwork and style are wonderful, but they fall second to the powerful story of God Himself
I’m sure children and adults would be blessed.
I’m more of an American comic fan myself rather than manga—- and one of my biggest spiritual struggles as a baby Christian was taking X-Men out of my system! But just like transformed lives, art forms can be redeemed for the glory of God.
“Do everything for the glory of God,” which is why I endorse Christian manga and other similar stuff all the more 
November 1, 2007 at 15:17
Hey everyone,
Here’s a few places to check out (if you’re interested):
• ChristianComics.net
• Megazeen
• Tom Hall is a Christian comic creator, and he recently wrote a post on a Mecha Manga Bible Heroes project
• Kneon Transitt is another creator with his finger on the pulse of this subset of the comics industry.