Manga mania draws teens to libraries

By Zena McFadden / News Republic

The first place you'd look to find teenagers on spring break might not be the public library. But when it's time to talk manga, that's exactly where you'll find them.

Manga, Japanese comic books and graphic novels, has been soaring in popularity in the United States, and interest in it has led to an increase in teen involvement at the Baraboo Public Library.

Teen fans of manga literature — pronounced MAHN-guh — come to monthly meetings early and stay late, said Baraboo Public Library's teen specialist Penny Johnson.

"Between 12 and 15 teens show up for meetings every month without any advertising," she said.

Manga fans come the fourth Tuesday of every month to participate in round-table book discussions, to watch anime productions or movies based on Manga literature, to dress up like their favorite manga characters and sometimes to eat Japanese food, Johnson said.

"Anything Japanese," she said.

Part of manga's appeal is that there are so many genres.

"Some are more for boys and there are more girly ones," said Madison Hartup, a ninth-grader and vice president of the library's Teen Advisory Board. Fantasy or horror readers can find something to interest them, too, Hartup said.

"I have been reading manga since sixth grade," Hartup said. "It is full of explosions, school girls and cool art," she said. "It is entertaining, and the visuals add so much."

Manga stories are complex and are considered more sophisticated than comics, Hartup said.

"In comics, one episode doesn't relate to the earlier one. In manga you get into the villain's mind. This person has reasons for being like that," Hartup said.

The art in manga graphic novels also is distinct. There is an emphasis on clear lines, and most characters have big almond-shaped eyes. Characters' emotions are shown in interesting ways. An exclamation point may show determination, and sweat drops can show worry.

Hartup says interested teens should check out the manga meetings.

"Anyone, whether you are a hard-core Manga fan or just a beginner," she said. "Come and we will show you. We are looking for new ideas."

Though the art is similar in some ways to comic books, Hartup said she thinks Manga deserves the same respect as any other literature.

"It can be a great way to get into reading. You still have to comprehend the plot. It is reading," Hartup said.

Her father Barry Hartup agrees.

"Anything that gets them into literature is a fantastic thing," he said.